PLYMOUTH, N.H.- One busiest and most exciting days of the year for Plymouth State University and surrounding communities arrived Sunday, August 29, with nearly 1,700 students and their families converging on campus for the annual move-in day.
"This is absolutely a joyous day," said PSU President Sara Jayne Steen. "It is such a wonderful chance to talk to students and their families, to find out what they are excited about and looking forward to during the upcoming academic year."
Traditionally held on the Sunday before the start of classes, PSU Move-In allows students to quickly and efficiently fill the University's eight residence halls with the help of staff, students and families. PSU's athletic teams, including the entire football team, help incoming students park, unload and move their belongings. PSU's new Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Rick, Barth, said he was impressed with how well organized the move-in went.
"It was outstanding," said Barth. "Having seen the move-in at five other institutions, I was impressed with the teamwork campus-wide -- the coaches, University police, student athletes, our returning students, our housing staff. Everyone has pitched in to make this almost flawless."
Paul McKinley of Chester, N.H., moved his daughter, Kayla, into PSU's venerable Mary Lyon Hall and said he was very happy with the process.
"It's been a breeze," McKinley said. "It's a great campus, everyone is very friendly, and there are a lot of good things to do around the area. We're very happy with Plymouth State."
The move-in activity wasn't limited to residence halls. Students and parents were invited to visit the new PSU Welcome Center and Ice Arena, which is now open. The $16 million facility is part of the Center for Active Living, Learning and Wellness (ALLWell), a multi-phase complex designed to integrate academics and recreation for the campus, community and the region. Located along Holderness Road (Rte 175A), the environmentally sustainable building houses an ice rink for university and public use, in addition to the welcome center.
PSU has nearly 4,300 undergraduate students, 2,500 of whom live on campus. By Sunday evening, more than 80 percent of the students had moved in to their on-campus residences. The remainder will arrive on Monday and Tuesday before classes start Wednesday, Sept. 1.
For more information about this release, contact Bruce Lyndes, PSU Media Relations Mgr., (603) 535-2775 or blyndes@plymouth.edu