Volunteers Poised to "Tackle" Move-In Day Aug. 17

August 7, 2006

by Paige Patton, news and information coordinator, (254) 710-3321

Early in the morning on Aug. 17, quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and linemen will descend on the Baylor University campus. The Baylor Bears haven't moved football practice from Floyd Casey Stadium; these are positions given to the hundreds of volunteers who will help incoming freshmen move into the residence halls.

The theme for this year's move-in day, "Movin' In and Movin' Up," incorporates all aspects of football to coordinate volunteer efforts, according to Dr. Kim Scott, director of campus recreation. Quarterbacks will serve by directing traffic and being "customer service representatives" to students, families and other volunteers. Running backs, the "muscles" of the move, will carry boxes and haul belongings into the residence halls. Receivers will man the check-in process and serve as greeters, and the line will work as "utility" players--answering questions, clearing paths and providing any other type of support needed.

Currently, more than 1,000 volunteers have signed up, including Baylor President John M. Lilley, who will participate in his first Baylor move-in. Scott hopes to have at least 500 more volunteers when local churches begin to register. Baylor faculty and staff volunteers make up nearly 700 of the registered volunteers. In addition, this is the first year that student organizations will receive university service points for helping with move-in activities. Volunteers will receive an official t-shirt signifying their roles but are able to wear other articles of clothing representing their student organizations.

During last year's move-in, Baylor effectively streamlined the operation for the first time by assigning move-in time frames to incoming freshmen and their families. The 2005 move-in proved to be a success, Scott said, with decreased traffic jams and quicker unloading times for families. This year, more time frames were added--two floors in Collins will be the first to move in at 6 a.m., and Alexander, Allen, Dawson and one floor of Kokernot will have the final time slot at 1 p.m.

Because of the construction of the new Brooks Village, due to open for the fall 2007 semester, Kokernot Hall on the southwest side of campus will have a different move-in strategy. Its close proximity to the construction site limits the parking space, so Scott said the move-in activities will be "a big beach party, with lots of music and flower leis for each student." Once families unload at Kokernot, parking will be available at the Ferrell Center and on-campus parking garages. Due to construction restrictions, Baylor will be providing a shuttle service to and from these remote lots.

Scott credits Whiting-Turner, the construction company overseeing the Brooks building project, for being "very accommodating" to the move-in needs in that area. "They understand that we are in the business of students," Scott said. The company plans to pull back fences to provide paths for cars and to lay asphalt over loose rocks to protect cars.

The increase in car traffic will affect the entire campus on move-in day. Specific driving directions and parking instructions, along with complete move-in information, can be found here. Move-in volunteers may still sign up for various positions. For more information about Move-in Day, contact Scott at (254) 710-3315.