Campus invasion

One of the biggest headaches people faced in the past is the number of cars trying to pull into dorm circles in order to unload everything. Residential Programs and Services has been working with the IU Police Department to place 60 extra officers on duty from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. today to help direct traffic at busy intersections around campus and at the dorms.\n"If we weren't there it would only be a matter of minutes before traffic became grid-locked," IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said.\nOfficers are also on hand to help parents find parking as soon as they're done unloading, and to answer questions about Bloomington. But, their main goal for the day will be "personal and property protection and security," said Minger, who encouraged students and parents to keep a watchful eye on all property.\nBob Weith, director of residential operations for RPS, also emphasized the importance of never leaving anything unguarded. \n"With so many folks milling around we will inevitably have (some incidents)," Weith said. "My best advice is for people to be very careful with their possessions. When they take their first batch of things up to their room they should re-lock their room when they go down, that kind of stuff."\nThe police, however, will not be the only people available if there are problems. The resident assistants will be at the dorms to direct people where to go.\n"Generally the RAs' role is to hang out, be around and be welcoming to the folks who live on their floors," Weith said. \nBut, the RAs will be doing much more than socializing with the students. Assistants at Teter will be unloading students' cars, regulating the elevators, assisting with the check-in process, and trying to answer questions. \n"I made a FAQ list since I won't always be on my floor, so they can get those questions answered really quickly," senior Naomi Zander, a second-year RA, said.\nIn order to complete move-in day tasks efficiently, the RAs stressed the importance of being attentive and asking questions.\n"We're going to have a lot of signs posted about where to go to do what things, so pay attention to the signs before you start getting irritated and panicky," Daniel Donner, a sophomore RA, said. "Look for people with the Welcome Week shirts and ask questions because that's what we're there for all day."\nIn addition to helping students and parents find their way, the RAs will be working to "keep stress levels down" by "being friendly," according to Zander. The RAs ask that people remain patient as well.\n"Don't panic, it will take a long time and just be ready for that," Donner said.\nSophomore Michelle McIntyre agreed with Donner when she reflected on her move-in experience last year.\n"The whole move-in day thing is stressful enough without worrying about the little things, so just focus on getting things done a little at a time and don't snap," she said.\nTo maintain their sanity, students and parents may want to wait to move during times that aren't typically as crazy, such as the beginning of the day, said sophomore A.J. Etsch.\n"I actually moved in during the middle of the afternoon, because contrary to the popular belief that everyone would be moving in then, everyone tried going early, so my set-up was a breeze and I was relaxing in my room after only an hour," he said.\nThough they offered advice, neither Etsch nor McIntyre want to relive any move-in memories, and like the rest of their upperclassmen comrades, probably won't be seen on campus today.\n"I will be sitting on my front lawn to take in the nice scenery, and then hitting up McDonald's because I know plenty of freshman with meal points to abuse," Etsch said.\nMcIntyre won't even stick around to enjoy the food. She plans to avoid campus at all costs.\n"I have stuff to do on campus but I'm not even going near it if I have a choice," she said. "I've had friends that are cops warning me to stay away because it's going to be a madhouse. That's enough warning for me"