It took 517 volunteers nine and a half hours to move 3200 first-year students, including 500 transfer students, into the dorms on North and West Campus on Friday as the relentless rain soaked comforters, radios, and parents.
“I wanted to send [my son] with a dozen pairs of thermal underwear,” said one woman who would only identify herself as “a nice Jewish mother” because “my son would be mortified.” Other new students found themselves getting used to being on their own.
“It’s sort of weird being here all by my self. I’m excited though. I’m sure the rain’ll let up,” said Diana Magee ’08, as she looked anxiously at the sky.
Complaints about the rain were common, but the first-year students refused to let it dampen the day, and the volunteers marveled at how efficiently the day progressed.
“It’s going very smoothly. It wasn’t too backed up. The rain slowed us down. It seems like a lot less people this year, but it’s just running a lot more smoothly,” said Bryan Muldowney ’05, co-chair of the volunteers.
Still, freshman jitters remained.
“I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I have butterflies, and I’m nervous,” said Gabe Klein ’08. With additional reporting by Peter Norlander.
Archived article by Freda Ready
Sun Managing Editor