Move2BU Sparks Volunteerism Across Campus

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-710-6275
Follow Lori on Twitter at @LoriBaylorU
Follow Baylor Media Communications on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia

by Liesbeth Powers, student newswriter

WACO, Texas (Aug. 11, 2018) – Move-In Day brings a throng of nervous parents and excited freshmen to Baylor University’s campus. They will be greeted by a crowd of excited volunteers – the Move2BU crew.

This year, more than 2,800 volunteers have signed up to help unload the cars of more than 3,300 freshmen. The volunteers are made up of faculty, staff and their families, local church groups and students, said Kim Scott, director of campus recreation at the McLane Student Life Center.

“There are many faculty and staff connections made throughout the Move-In process,” Scott said. “It is also a chance for students to help students, which validates the commitment Baylor students have to service.”

Scott has coordinated 15 years of Baylor Move-Ins and has found the Move2BU system to be an important part of the journey for parents and incoming students.

“Move2BU gives the university community a chance to welcome the families to Baylor, put our mission into action by demonstrating a caring Christian community and alleviate any anxiety they might feel about this monumental decision,” Scott said. “It also makes the process efficient because of the help we provide. When parents were left to do it alone, they were exhausted physically and emotionally and could not fully focus on the exciting beginning of their student’s first step into college life.”

In addition to volunteers, Campus Recreation, Baylor Police, Emergency Management, Aramark Facilities, Grounds and Dining, Campus Living and Learning, Parking Services and Sustainability all take part in the Move-In process. Last year 31,200 pounds, just over 15 tons, of recycling was collected during Move-In, setting a new record.

“Including sustainability initiatives during the Move-In process, specifically recycling, sets the tone and expectation for the rest of the new students’ experience,” said Smith Getterman, director of sustainability and special projects. “It says to them, ‘Welcome, you have arrived in a place that cares deeply about being good stewards of God’s Creation.’”

Since Move2BU changed to a two-day event in the fall of 2006, it began to follow an airport motif. Drivers are able to look for clear letter and color signs, and volunteers take on the positions of air traffic controllers, baggage handlers, flight attendants, gate agents and medical personnel.

Over the years, Scott has seen many memorable moments, from a semi-truck pulling up in front of Collins, to the shock on new Baylor dads’ faces when they were asked to stay in the car rather than take on multiple rounds of stairs, to the enthusiasm of hundreds of Welcome Week Leaders in the early hours of the morning.

“Some people who stand out to me are Eileen Hulme, the former vice president of student life, who was being treated for cancer and still would not miss Move-In Day, and Van Davis and Janet Knox, who always worked the ‘snack patrol,’” Scott said. “Also Martha Lou Scott, associate vice president for student life, and Bill Dube, retired Baylor administrator, who have both signed up to work Move2BU for their 15th year, and Robert Graham of Campus Recreation and Danny Knight with Baylor PD collaborating 15 years on traffic patterns.”

Move2BU fully embodies the spirit of Baylor’s mission by serving others in a tangible way, Scott said.

“The service shows that we care for them physically and emotionally on a difficult day of separation,” Scott said. “It is our commitment to love God by serving others that shows on these two incredible days.”

While volunteer and incoming student numbers may vary, Move2BU stays successful as long as volunteers continue to give their time, energy and heart, Scott said. A possible challenge for the future may be the expansion of I-35 to a five lane highway.

“We will partner with TxDOT, the City of Waco and the related emergency services to try to make it as accessible and smooth as possible,” Scott said. “Baylor is used to overcoming challenges. This will be another way we can let our light shine to the Baylor and Waco community.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.