Chancellor, Volunteers to Help University of Arkansas Students With ‘Move-in’

Photo Submitted

Chancellor G. David Gearhart helps students move in, August 2008.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Between 50 and 100 volunteers – including Chancellor G. David Gearhart – will be on hand each day to help with the heavy lifting when University of Arkansas students arrive at their residence halls for the annual “move-in” week.

Students already have selected their move-in days, starting Sunday, Aug. 16, and continuing Tuesday to Thursday, Aug. 18-20. They’ll start arriving as early as 7:30 each morning, many with their parents, most in vehicles packed full with their belongings. The volunteers will be ready.

“In past years we’ve always had a great response from student groups and the staff in Student Affairs, all willing to volunteer,” said Florence Johnson, director of administrative services for university housing. “This year several faculty members have volunteered, along with staff from other campus divisions, and even the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce is pitching in.” Assisted move-in runs from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. all four days, with volunteers at each residence hall to help unload and haul books, computers, furnishings, decorations and any other treasures from the parking lot to the student’s room.

“I enjoyed helping students move into their residence halls last fall, and that’s why I plan to do it again this year,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “It’s a great way to meet students and their parents and to provide a positive experience in what can often be a stressful situation. It’s an opportunity to make students and parents feel welcome and comfortable on campus, and I found it was truly appreciated.” More than 300 volunteers are taking part in this year’s assisted move-in. The 12 residence halls on the University of Arkansas campus are home to as many as 4,670 students.