Freshmen move to new homes

Before classes begin on Monday, IU officials expect 7,590 freshman to invade IU’s campus, beating the previous record set in 2008. Before these students can begin their college careers, they must first move into dorms.

Yesterday, the campus was swarming with new students, parents and other family members.

Four-year-old Chase Siemers helped his older sister, sophomore Samantha Johnston, move  into her dorm Wednesday.

Johnston, who is transferring from Ball State University, said she is excited for the sports and school spirit at IU.

Siemers said he was going to miss his sister and plans to follow in her footsteps by attending IU.

Alex Larson and Kendall Begle are roommates who are living in Wright Quad.

“I think I’m gonna love it,” Larson said. “I’m looking forward to meeting new friends.”

She said she is nervous about finding her classes but hopes to be involved with charity work and sorority recruitment.

Begle said she also hopes to get involved with charity work including Campus Crusade for Christ.

Eigenmann Hall resident  and Bloomington native Paul Woelmer moved into his dorm Tuesday.

“It feels like home,” he said.

While at IU, Woelmer will be training to go to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro for weightlifting.

His coach is Greg Simmons, an adjunct lecturer in the kinesiology department. Woelmer is also an intern at the IU North End Zone facility.

He said he is trying to take in as much advice and knowledge as he can from other people.

“I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it,” he said.

Sophomore Rachel Shinn, who was a Welcome Week assistant at Wright Quad, said the day wasn’t too crazy because 60 percent of students living in Wright had moved in early.

“Going through being a Welcome Week assistant makes me wish I participated more in Welcome Week,” she said.

IU graduate Kyle Wooten has worked at the Wright Food Court for six years.

“For the most part, everything has been fine,” he said. “No problems yet.”

During Wooten’s shift, Andrew Ward was enjoying lunch.

He moved into Foster Quad on Monday and said his experience of meeting new people and hanging out with friends has been perfect so far.

He is nervous about adjusting to college, but is excited for the basketball season to start.

While many of the freshmen seem excited for their journey to begin, it seems to not always be easy on the parents, even ones who have already sent other children off to college.

Kristen Willsey, who has an older child who attends Ball State, spent Wednesday getting her son moved into his dorm.

She said move-in day at IU was more chaotic than at Ball State.

“It’s been rough,” she said. “This is pretty crazy.”