Division of Finance and Administration
Second Time Around - Week of August 9, 2006
On Wednesday, August 9, Valdosta State University’s “Move-In Day” took place. About 1,500 new students, along with their families, stormed the VSU campus with belongings stuffed in their cars, slung over their shoulders, and clutched in their hands. They ventured into one of the nine on-campus residence halls, eager to begin their journey at VSU. The Office of Finance and Administration played an instrumental job in aiding the arriving students. From handing out water, to lugging items up stairs and keeping the traffic flowing, everybody had a role to make sure this was the smoothest move-in day in recent years.
Dining Services, the Housing and Residence Life Office, and the Office of Parking and Transportation had their hands full all day, moving students into the residence halls and answering any questions that arose. All under Auxiliary Services, they gladly gave their time to serve anyone needing assistance.
VSU’s Catering Services provided boxed lunches to all the Housing and Residence staff and their volunteers who helped during the day, and the Palms Dining Center was re-opened for lunch and dinner, marking the first time it has seen action since its dramatic renovation by Sodexho, the university’s new dining service company.
 |
 |
| The newly renovated Palms dining center provides a refreshing cool spot for tired parents and students. | Several international students find a shady place in the 'zone machine.' |
The Housing and Residence Life Office was primarily in charge of the move-in day operations. Dr. Tom Hardy, Director of Housing and Residence Life, said previous move-in days have never been this organized, with dozens of departments working together.
“We’re taking move-in day to the extreme this year to make sure it is a fabulous experience,” he said.
He pointed out the re-opening of Brookwood Place across from Patterson Hall to ease traffic flow, the addition of hand trucks to make moving easier and the setting up of “tent misters” across campus to cool everybody off.
The 2,300 students living on campus this year is the highest on-campus resident total in the school’s history.
The Office of Parking and Transportation provided directions, both in person and with posted signs, to make it easier for those unfamiliar with the university’s layout to get around and shuttles to give people rides from the Oak Street parking lot back to main campus.
Plant Operations took care of the university before new students arrived. The Landscape and Ground crew tended to the areas outside the residence halls. Workers laid extra pine straw, pressure washed the buildings and pruned the plants around the residence halls. Maintenance employees also concentrated on preparing the residence halls for Move-In Day. When the onslaught of people arrived, some ideas were tested for the first time. Mr. Jim Muzzey, director of Custodial Services, said this is the first time his department and workers have had a specific assignment to take care of during a move-in day. Custodial Services, along with Landscape and Grounds, provided personnel near the dumpsters to help break down, remove and recycle trash.
Hundreds of people, both university staff and local volunteers, deserve the credit that made this year’s Move-In Day what it was.
 |
| Physical Plant staff prepares the huge dumpsters for move-in day discards. |