The University’s 2011 move-in day incorporated a brand-new event, aimed to make move-in a more pleasant and easy experience.
University Housing employed the help of approximately 400 student and faculty volunteers to help welcome freshmen by unloading cars, moving boxes, showing them to correct residence halls and answering questions from new students and their parents.
A common concept at schools across the nation, “Unpack the Quack” has been introduced by University Housing to improve move-in organization and take pressure off freshmen and their families. Check-in has been split up into four two-hour time blocks staggered by zip code, a policy set to cut down on traffic by spreading out the flow of freshmen and families moving in.
“It’s a big help for the families coming in, it’s a big day for them, and I think that having just that little extra assistance makes it an even better day,” University Housing marketing manager Kelly McIver said.
Student groups such as the College Democrats, the UO Bike Program and the ASUO were a few who showed up to help new students with move-in and hand out information on each of their groups. The Department of Public Safety was present, helping with bike registration and educating freshmen on campus bike regulations. ASUO President Ben Eckstein and Vice President Katie Taylor were both present to help with move-in and provide new student with information on ASUO leadership, staff and volunteer opportunities on campus.
“We have a lot of volunteers and staff members out here talking about the kinds issues we want to be working on, specifically issues we’ll work on fall term,” Eckstein said.
Taylor was impressed with how appreciative students were of the help moving into the dorms.
“It’s the first time we’ve done this, and students were very responsive, within and without of the ASUO,” Taylor said. “Every time we suggested it to leadership in the ASUO people were really excited and signed up right away.”
The chaotic hustle and bustle that comes with move-in day seemed to be muffled by the volunteers ready to help any new students and families who needed it. Volunteers composed of both faculty and students swarmed towards arriving cars to help unload student belongings and move them into residence halls. University President Richard Lariviere was also present to welcome new students at Unpack the Quack.
“This is the time when all of us see why were here,” Lariviere said. “It’s not just fun for the faculty and staff, it’s fun for the other students too because they get this new jolt of energy from the incoming freshman class.”
University Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes also came out to the event to welcome students and talk with parents and other community members about what student affairs is doing to make campus a more welcoming place in general.
“This says right away, ‘You’re a Duck; you’re a part of the community; we want you here; we see you; and you’ve got admission to this now,’ and I think that this is exactly the right message and is a message that we need to carry throughout the year,” Holmes said.
Freshmen and their families were pleased to have so much support and help on such a momentous day.
“It makes the entire separation process a lot easier, and it helps the students when you’ve got help from people who have gone through it all before, it makes it a lot easier for everyone involved,” Freshman parent Chris Hutchins said.
This event helped both students and parents alike to be able to enjoy a day of transition that could otherwise be stressful and difficult.
“The environment that it (Unpack the Quack) creates makes it a lot easier for incoming students, like me,” Freshmen David Rodriguez said.