Campus Gears Up for Operation Move-In
On Friday, Aug. 15, more than 3,000 incoming students will call Georgia Southern University their new home away from home, and over 1,000 faculty and staff members, current students and community members are lined up to help them move in–reinforcing our “large scale, small feel” culture.
“Last year, 3,131 students checked in on the day of Operation Move-In, 966 arrived prior to that day…and another 960 arrived the day after,” said Vickie Shaw, assistant director of University Housing. “If history repeats itself, and it has for several years, we will have about that same number this year.”
A Georgia Southern tradition since 2004, Operation Move-In provides faculty, staff and students an opportunity to volunteer to help new students make a seamless transition as they begin their college career. Volunteers greet family members and friends, hold doors, help unload suitcases and furniture, provide campus directions and serve as a friendly face to first time and returning visitors.
Planning for Operation Move-In begins nearly a year in advance each October, and takes everyone–including the entire University Housing office staff–to coordinate all the pieces and people to successfully move thousands of students into housing in one day.
Chris MacDonald, executive director of University Housing attributes the smooth flow of Operation Move-In to the campus-wide cooperation of departments from Auxiliary Services and Information Technology to Eagle Dining Services, and the tremendous turnout of volunteers.
“We will be accepting walk-up volunteers from the students and community at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center on Friday, August 15. Faculty and staff who have not yet signed up are encouraged to do so online,” said Shaw.
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