Today's Update: Wednesday, June 22, 2022
June 22, 2022
Dear Student Life team,
It seems hard to believe, but in less than two months we will be moving students in for fall semester...but don’t worry, we still have time for a lot more summer fun!
The housing team has been getting some questions about Move-In, so we thought it might be helpful to give you a preview of what’s to come.
The Move-In process begins on Monday, August 15, and ends at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 20. The largest residence halls, such as Park-Stradley and Smith-Steeb, will open first, with a staggered opening through the period for the rest. Students will schedule online for the day and time of their arrival.
You’ll notice that Move-In is once again a multi-day process. Not that long ago Move-In took place over two frenetic days (I’m sorry I never got the chance to see it!), but COVID, and the need to keep our arriving students and their families physically distant, led us to make changes that spread out the arrivals.
You’ve heard me talk about the “next normal,” and this is an excellent example. We learned a few things when we transitioned to an extended Move-In, and it turned what had been “normal” on its head.
We have always asked for feedback from staff, students and their families, and their responses in the last few years have carried a strong theme. We found overwhelmingly that most people preferred the longer process. It was less stressful, allowed families to spend more time with their students helping them get acclimated to campus and it let our Student Life departments ramp up their operations more smoothly.
While there is no denying that the energy created with all our students moving in at one time was exhilarating, this new normal approach, born out of necessity, turned out to be our next normal.
That doesn’t mean it is our “last” normal. We’re talking about a comprehensive look at everything involved in the start of any new academic year, so we are likely to make tweaks and changes in the years to come. It’s part of our being nimble and flexible as a unit.
One thing hasn’t changed, and that is the need for you to help greet our students and their families to make them feel welcome. We will need assistance beginning Monday, August 15, through Saturday, August 20. The biggest need for help will be on shifts Thursday through Saturday. Watch for details, and a sign-up, in early July.
The start of the academic year is always busy, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to help give it a Scarlet and Great beginning. I encourage you to help whenever and however you can.
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University