Cloudy skies threatened to disrupt the Class of 2018 as they officially moved onto campus on Friday, Aug. 29.
Though the rain held off, another disruption had a noticeable effect on the traditional move-in day routine of past years.
Rather than taking the drive up College Avenue, students and their families were directed around campus to their designated residence halls as a result of road construction on Highway 169. Vehicles were only permitted through the Sunrise/Grace Street or Jefferson Avenue entrances, and traffic flow funneled cars down College Avenue as an exit.
The Gustie Greeters, Campus Safety, and Residenetial Life all played an integral role in ensuring the day was successful.
“I think it went really well. I got great feedback from my officers that things ran smoothly where they were stationed. I spent some time talking to parents who thanked us for being well organized,” Director of Campus Safety Carol Brewer said.
According to Brewer, officers were stationed at each entrance in order to prevent the traffic flow from building up in the city streets.
Heather Wilmes was one Campus Safety Officer helping to direct the traffic on move-in day.
“It worked out really smoothly, everyone came in and for the most part everyone knew where they needed to go, and I think it worked out really well with getting people unloaded fast,” Wilmes said.
The change in traffic direction also impacted Gustie Greeters, who split into groups to cover the separate entrances. However, Greeter Advisor Andrea Junso, described the day as “creepishly calm,” and said that the Greeters were flexible in adapting to the change this year.
“We were a little bit nervous that the roads have been different in years past, not quite the same experience as we usually have, but it’s been phenomenal. A lot of the Greeters have carried this positive energy that has allowed us to make the best of our situation. We want to allow the class of 2018 to make sure their move in experience is just as valid as everyone else’s,” Junior Greeter Luke Fanning said.
This year, President Bergman charged the Greeters with composing a cheer which may be used for each class year in an effort to help classes shape their identity. Junso also noted that Bergman was involved in another capacity on move-in day.
“The only other thing I would say that was a real highlight for us was that there wasn’t a lot of poor behavior on College Avenue, and the poor behavior that was on College Avenue was addressed by the president. She walked down there and said that that’s not what we stand for, and not a positive representation of Gustavus, so I thought that was pretty cool,” Junso said.
But many Gusties remember encountering such groups of students holding signs along College Avenue as they drove up The Hill on move-in day. A group of students attempted to adapt to the redirected route before returning to stand on College Avenue.
“A lot of the Greeters have carried this positive energy that has allowed us to make the best of our situation.” — Luke Fanning
“This is freshman move-in day. This is what we honestly do each year. This is tradition. I remember coming up The Hill and seeing these people, and we’re trying to bring about a good mood and not make parents so tense,” Nate Friedley said.
Several other members of the group expressed disappointment in the lack of traffic on College Avenue, noting that they missed the energy of the
Greeters by the college sign. Aside from nostalgic parents and legacy students who were disappointed by the rerouting, it was like any other move-in day for the first-years.
Charlie Potts, director of Residential Life also said that he sensed some disappointment with the change of route, but he added that first-years were provided the opportunity to take professional pictures with the sign while enjoying ice cream provided by the Marketing and Communications Department and the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement.
“More than anything, that photo opportunity was what was lost through the drive change and I think that was made up for, which I think was really great,” Potts said.
Move-in continued to run smoothly, as new students received help from parents, friends, football players, and Collegiate Fellows.
“I expected it to be a lot faster, a lot busier, and everything’s been moving along pretty seamlessly, people seem to be climatizing to the situation pretty well,” Sophomore Alex Shaikoski, a CF in Norelius Hall said.
“It’s an exciting time for all the CFs, to finally get some residents moving in,” Sophomore Grant Walby, a CF in Sohre said
According to Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students JoNes VanHecke, while the two separate entrances worked effectively, it currently remains unclear whether the traffic route will return to its original path up College Avenue. VanHecke said that discussions will continue with administrators and the decision will likely be made later during the semester.
“I think move-in day is such a momentous occasion, and I think it’s really cool to see how much Gustavus cares about making that into an event. It’s not like that at every school, and I think that when we see hundreds of students and staff making sure that it goes witout a hitch, or you know, when it does have a hitch to be able to figure it out quickly, I think that’s a really cool thing,” Potts said.
Note: the hypnotist intended to perform on the evening of first-year move-in has been rescheduled for 11 p.m. on Friday, September 5. This event is open to first-year students exclusively.
–Libby Larson