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Kent State executive officers, students and Skip, the black squirrel, wait for a new round of incoming freshmen during move-in day at the residence halls.
Kent State executive officers, students and Skip, the black squirrel, wait for a new round of incoming freshmen during move-in day at the residence halls.
Cars, new Kent State students and parents line the parking lot near Manchester Hall early in the day during the first of two move-in opportunities for incoming freshmen.
Cars, new Kent State students and parents line the parking lot near Manchester Hall early in the day during the first of two move-in opportunities for incoming freshmen.
Kent State President Lester A. Lefton welcomes a family to campus during freshman move-in day.
Kent State President Lester A. Lefton welcomes a family to campus during freshman move-in day.
Employees from the Center for Student Involvement display a fun and welcoming spirit on their way to volunteer for Movers and Groovers, helping new students move into the residents halls.
Employees from the Center for Student Involvement display a fun and welcoming spirit on their way to volunteer for Movers and Groovers, helping new students move into the residents halls.
A Kent State alum and parent of an incoming student is pleasantly surprised to find volunteers to help her daughter’s move into a residence hall during freshman move-in day.
A Kent State alum and parent of an incoming student is pleasantly surprised to find volunteers to help her daughter’s move into a residence hall during freshman move-in day.
Kent State President Lester A. Lefton chats with a family while their son checks into his residence hall during move-in day.
Kent State President Lester A. Lefton chats with a family while their son checks into his residence hall during move-in day.
  • Kent State executive officers, students and Skip, the black squirrel, wait for a new round of incoming freshmen during move-in day at the residence halls.
  • Cars, new Kent State students and parents line the parking lot near Manchester Hall early in the day during the first of two move-in opportunities for incoming freshmen.
  • Kent State President Lester A. Lefton welcomes a family to campus during freshman move-in day.
  • Employees from the Center for Student Involvement display a fun and welcoming spirit on their way to volunteer for Movers and Groovers, helping new students move into the residents halls.
  • A Kent State alum and parent of an incoming student is pleasantly surprised to find volunteers to help her daughter’s move into a residence hall during freshman move-in day.
  • Kent State President Lester A. Lefton chats with a family while their son checks into his residence hall during move-in day.

Movers and Groovers Make Move-In Day Less Stressful

University Communications and Marketing | 08/28/2013
The residence hall move-in process can be stressful for both students and parents at the start of a new school year. To make the experience more fun and welcoming, the Kent InterHall Council sponsors the Movers and Groovers program. Each fall during freshman move-in day, Kent State faculty, staff and students volunteer to assist incoming freshmen get settled in their new university accommodations.
Freshman move-in day took place on Aug. 22, and Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton personally welcomed new freshmen and lent a hand. Other university executive officers joined Lefton and a host of volunteers in welcoming students and parents, and assisting with the heavy lifting.

“The Movers and Groovers program provides an opportunity for upper-division students, student groups, alumni, faculty and staff to help new students get adjusted and moved into the residence halls,” said Jill Church, director for Residence Services at Kent State. “The Movers and Groovers help keep things flowing during a very busy day. With more than 4,000 students moving in on Thursday, the extra hands keep the traffic flowing. Families are able to get their cars unloaded quicker and get on to the important things like setting up the room for the year.” 

The Movers and Groovers program is part of Kent State’s Welcome Weekend, an orientation program that runs Aug. 22–25. Welcome Weekend includes a variety of activities that help students explore the Kent State community and transition into the university environment.

“Our volunteers love the chance to meet new students when they are moving in,” Church said. “They remember Movers and Groovers helping them when they were coming their first year. Move-in day is a long day, but everyone is working toward the same goal – helping students get moved in and connected quickly to campus.” 

One of the Welcome Weekend events is Freshman Convocation. Freshman Convocation takes place Friday, Aug. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. This special ceremony marks the beginning of first-year students’ college careers and their entrance into higher education.  

Welcome Weekend concludes Aug. 25 with Blastoff, a Kent State tradition where student organizations and community groups gather to welcome students to campus. The event includes hot air balloon rides, live music, fun activities and a laser light show, sponsored by Undergraduate Student Government, at 9 p.m. This year’s Blastoff occurs on the Student Green.

For more information about Kent State’s Residence Services, visit www.kent.edu/housing.

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