Contact: Maridith Geuder
When some 1,400 freshmen arrive Saturday [Aug. 7] at Mississippi State, more than 100 volunteers will be helping them cart clothes, computers, laundry baskets, and other essential items to residence hall rooms.
Organized by the university's Residence Hall Association, "Move-In Day 2004" will assist freshmen and their families in setting up their new MSU "homes," said Ann Bailey, director of housing and residence life.
"We want our freshmen to feel welcome and connected to the campus," Bailey said. "We also want to meet their needs, address any issues, and help them get off on the right foot."
While all MSU students may move into campus housing this weekend, volunteers ranging from President Charles Lee to Student Association leaders will be among those reporting as early as 8 a.m. for freshman move-in duty. All will be wearing special "Move-In Day" T-shirts.
Freshman women residences include Sessums and Rice halls; freshman men, Cresswell and Hathorn halls. Volunteers also will be working at Hull Hall, the co-educational honors residence.
While MSU residence halls are equipped with beds, desks, dressers, and a refrigerator-microwave combination, many freshmen traditionally arrive with a range of other items.
"Over the years, I've seen an increase in the amount of electronic equipment, additional furniture and designer-type fabrics for window treatments and linens," Bailey said.
There is a limit to what can be "added" to the decor, she added. In correspondence sent during the summer, students were asked to leave at home such additional appliances as toasters, microwaves and refrigerators. Pets, candles and incense, and satellite dishes also are forbidden.
Bailey said specific residence hall assignments for senior MSU administrative leaders include:
--Cresswell Hall: President Lee and Provost Peter Rabideau.
--Hathorn Hall: Dennis Prescott, vice president for external affairs, and Lisa Harris, associate vice president for student affairs.
--Hull Hall: Ray Hayes, vice president for finance, and Jimmy Abraham, associate vice president for student affairs.
--Rice Hall: William Kibler, vice president for student affairs, and Vance Watson, vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine.
--Sessums Hall: Colin Scanes, vice president for research.
"We think this will be a special day both for the incoming freshmen and the volunteers who'll be out front welcoming them to Mississippi State," Bailey said.
Cresswell, Hathorn and Rice halls all are located on Magruder Street, south of MSU's administration building, Allen Hall. Hull is immediately west of the Chapel of Memories, while Sessums is situated at the intersection of Lee Boulevard and Barr Avenue, a short distance past the Baptist Student Union.
For more information on Move-In Day, telephone the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (662) 325-3557.