Herbert lends a helping hand

A nervous-looking mother stood on the sidewalk outside Foster Quad, a pile of boxes and suitcases at her feet. She looked up at Harper, the nine-story building that towers over Fee Lane, as if trying to figure out which room belonged to her child.\n"How are you doing today?" a man wearing a straw IU hat and shirt asked her. A smile crept across the woman's face when the man introduced himself as President Adam Herbert.\nHerbert visited with parents and students Wednesday morning outside Foster. As thousands of students descended on residence halls all over campus, Herbert and several members of the Residential Programs and Services staff talked with students about the new journey on which they were about to embark.\n"From the first day I came to the University, I've always come out to welcome members of the freshman class," Herbert said. "I think it gives me a feel for what some of our new students are thinking and to make sure some of the parents are more sure of their student's well-being."\nFreshman Eric Slivka said Herbert's visit was a great way to start off his college experience, and it helped his parents feel more comfortable with the transition.\n"I'm their last child moving out, so it's a little bit of an empty nest, but it's time for me to move on, and they know that IU is a good place for me to be," he said. "I'm getting everything thrown at me at once. To come down here, get to meet the president, see the whole University -- I'm really excited right now."\nSlivka wasn't the only freshman excited to start college. Cars lined the Fee Lane sidewalk while students lugged huge boxes up the stairs into their new homes.\n"Today is a start. It's a new beginning with a lot of excitement and a lot of great expectations," said RPS Executive Director Pat Connor.\nConnor said Herbert makes an effort to greet students every year, and though Herbert might seem like a distant figure to the average student, he likes to spend time with IU students and parents.\n"I think he likes the opportunity to go out and meet some students and their parents and welcome them to IU and try to get out in the community," Connor said.\nIU Student Association President Betsey Henke, who, along with other IUSA representatives, was distributing water bottles outside dorms, said not all universities have officials who make an effort to meet students.\n"It's great to have someone humble enough to come out and be here," she said.\nIn the end, Henke said, the most important thing is that students get comfortable at IU.\n"It's very overwhelming for the new students and parents," she said. "So if a few people can walk away having met the president and it makes their day better, that's great"