Administrators put their backs into making freshman’s move easier
Administration members helped students move in near the Lundstrom Student Center Saturday, allowing new freshman to meet administrators on a one-to-one basis.
“I think it’s awesome,” Emily Ridges, a freshman, said. “There are people swarming the building outside to help. I got here and my mom was handing my rollerblades to some stranger.”
Those “strangers” included President Hall, Randy Spetman USU’s new athletic director, and many of the vice provosts, presidents and deans.
Beginning at 11 a.m., administration members began helping students unload their belongings from their cars and into the residence halls. A barbecue, where President Hall welcomed students, and volleyball were also provided to students during the afternoon.
“Nobody is more important at USU than the students. We want to make sure we get off to a great start,” Ron Godfrey, Vice President of Business and Finance, said. “If we connect with them they know they have a safe place to go.”
Students moving into the Student Living Center, mostly freshman, were often surprised to find out who was helping them set up their new rooms.
“Look who’s helping me move in! It’s the president!” Megan Parrish, a freshman, said. “It’s exciting. It’s all overwhelming. It’s nice of them to take time to do this.”
Hauling up boxes of clothes and Ramen noodles, administration members may have been surprised by some of the items students brought with them, but none of them seemed to show it.
“I’ve got daughters, so nothing suprises me,” Godfrey said, “The one thing I don’t like are the cinder blocks.”
Hall said there are several reasons the administration felt helping students move in is important.
“We are trying to build a strong sense of community, and one way to do that is by breaking down the barriers between those who are supposedly in charge and those who are supposedly not in charge,” Hall said. “A second reason is we are the largest residential public university in Utah. And with the success of our residence halls, making students feel comfortable is critical.”
Administration move-in day has been a tradition for many years at USU but has been especially emphasized over the last three years, Hall said. This was the first year a barbecue was added and Hall gives most the credit for that idea to vice president for Student Services, Juan Franco.
“I supported the idea for a barbecue, but housing was also interested in hosting something fun for the students. We all wanted to do something to make students feel special,” Franco said.
Franco said it is important for students to see how much the administration really cares about students.
“Most administrations will say it, but not all show it. We let students get to know us and feel more comfortable coming to talk to us. We want to make students feel more at home and comfortable,” he said.
Freshman Bradon Lovell, who attended the barbecue, said all the help and food made his first impression of USU a positive one.
“The administration and RA’s seemed really nice. The kept offering to help,” he said. “I didn’t really need it, but they seemed anxious to help.”
Chrislynn Call, who lived in the Student Living Center 10 years ago and who was helping her younger sister Brianna move in, said she was impressed by all the help being offered to students.
“It wasn’t like this when I was here,” she said. “I think the fact [Hall’s] here is pretty cool. There’s a lot more fun and community here. When I moved here I didn’t even know who the president of the university was.”
Brianna Call said, “They [the administration] look helpful – like they want us to be involved and feel at home.”
Hall said another benefit of the day was talking with parents.
“It’s a great way to leave an initial impression with parents that not only do we care for their students but care about them as well,” he said.
Neil Parrish, helping his daughter Megan move in, said, “It was a surprise – a welcome one.”
Julie Parrish, Megan’s mom, commented on the surprise of seeing the administration helping, as well as the positive experience another one of her children has already had at USU.
“We love USU. We think it’s an incredible place,” she said.
-bnelson@cc.usu.edu