Class of 2012 to experience stress, obstacles of residence hall move-in day

Pillow? Check.

Clothes? Check.

Computer? Check.

It’s that time of year already, move-in day at IU.

Today is the official day students can check into residence halls on campus and start moving into their rooms. Often, this day is full of stress and confusion, especially for freshmen and transfer students who are new to Bloomington.

The first step to a successful move-in is getting on campus. It seems simple enough, but with this year’s freshman class’ enrollment exceeding all previous classes, it’s not as easy as it seems.

The IU Police Department plays an important role with managing the traffic congestion.  

“We are putting about 75 uniformed people on the street at 7 a.m.,” said IUPD Captain Jerry Minger.

Police officers will be stationed at major intersections as well as each residence hall, he said.  

“Some roads are made one-way instead of two-ways to help with traffic control,” said Patrick Connor, executive director of Residential Programs and Services.

Once the task of getting onto campus is complete, it is time to find the right residence hall. If students are unfamiliar with the campus layout, they can look for the red and white signs on the lawn of each dorm for identification.

IU staff will also try to help make student’s move-in easier.

“Guest staff, RA student staff, orientation leaders and assistants will be available to answer questions,” Connor said.

The staff can help students find the right residence halls and help them check in properly.

“We aim at making each center have a seamless flow with a quick check-in process,” Connor said of RPS facilities. “Then students can get down to the business of unpacking.”

Once students are all checked in and have received their keys, it is time to unpack the car.

Before students start lugging everything up to their rooms, they should check a complete list of permitted items in the residence halls,  which can be found at www.rps.indiana.edu/MIG-thingstobring.cfml. For instance, candles, appliances with exposed heaters, power tools, toaster ovens, stoves, charcoal and propane grills are all items that are not permitted.

Each residence hall offers dollies or carts to help students transport their luggage. These are especially helpful for heavy items such as televisions and refrigerators. Students can rent the dollies at the front desk of their residence center after checking in. All students need is their student ID.

Sophomore Maeve Miller, a transfer student who moved onto campus early on Sunday, said the carts made the process easier.

“Those carts rocked!” she said. “Moving in was really relaxed.”

If a residence hall does not have an elevator, students can separate their belongings into smaller packages to make each trip up the stairs easier.

“We don’t have a cart for every person,” Connor said.

Once everything is set up in the dorms, it is time to get rid of the trash.

Dumpsters are provided at each residence hall so students can throw out packaging material.  

“There are extra dumpsters this year,” Connor said. “We are trying to recycle as much cardboard as possible.”

However, Connor advises students and parents not to let the stress get to them.

“For a good portion of parents it is their first child, so there is excitement and anxiety,” he said. But no matter what the situation, “Take time to remember it is an enjoyable experience.”