University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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Cars line Thompson Street on Central Campus while students and parents unload belongings. Due to the large number of students moving in at the beginning of the fall semester, traffic congestion in Ann Arbor was unavoidable, especially with the change in traffic patterns. Tedjasttktnana photo M ove in T he weather had reached excruciating highs, there were more parents than students on campus, and corners were filled with groups of first-year students who stormed the street like herds of cattle... move- in had officially begun. Throughout the last week of August, an air of excitement could be felt as students moved to campus. Returning students could not wait to reunite with old friends and begin their Welcome Week festivities. Meanwhile for first- year students, move-in caused feelings of anticipation and confusion. ! was really excited to move in, but I was also really overwhelmed. Everyone in my hall was moving in at the same time and seemed so stressed out, which made it difficult to meet people at first, first-year education major Melissa Roter said. First-year student Abby Berman agreed. Move- in was really stressful because I had not organized myself before I came, and it turned into such a long day, Berman said. However, Roter felt that there were always people available to lend a helping hand. The Move-in Makers were extremely helpful. They assisted us in moving all our things in plus they were so friendly, so it created a more relaxed atmosphere, Roter said. The resident advisors were also available to lend advice to the first- year students. As an RA with several years at the University under my belt, I often take the hectic move in to college for granted. It is only when you hear that cry for directions to the Diag that you smile fondly and let out a sigh of relief that you are no longer a freshmen, business administration major Sowmya Krishnamurthy said. First-year students, however, were not the only ones who had hectic move-ins. With streets closed off and little parking available, move-in was never an easy process. I was helping move in a friend ' s mattress set that he had just bought from a yard sale for 20 dollars. After spending over 30 minutes hauling the mattress into his tiny bedroom, we turned over the mattress in his room only to find a huge puke stain in the corner, Yasmin Neegeesh said. Regardless of students ' various move- in experiences, all were glad once they were finally settled in and were able to enjoy being at the University.

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With fan and carpet in hand, students venture to their new residence in West Quad on Central Campus. West Quad was known to be especially difficult to move in to due to the lack of elevators in the building. Tedjasukmana photo

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A student participates in a joust, an event offered at Pre-Class Bash. Pre-Class Bash, held on Palmer Field, was the night before the first day of classes, and gave students one more opportunity for fun before school began. S. Ludtke photo Wei come Weel r four months of summer jobs, vacations, or just sitting by the pool, over 24,000 undergraduate students took over campus for the few days before classes, also known as Welcome Week. The activities during the week varied greatly depending on whether it was a student ' s first or fourth year on campus. During New Student Convocation, held in Chrysler Arena, the first- year students were introduced to President Mary Sue Coleman as they listened to her speak about making the most of their time at the University. Afterwards, students participated in Artscapade at the Art Museum and Escapade at the Union, both organized by the Office of New Student Programs. The following day, a picnic was held on Palmer Field and Meijer Madness ended the ev ening. All of these events helped the students become acclimated to campus and meet their fellow students. It was crazy. I came here knowing no one and by the beginning of classes, I felt like I knew everyone, first-year pre-med student Dave Muczynski said. In addition to the planned events, older students organized some festivities of their own. Fraternities and students opened their houses to host many parties traditionally held during Welcome Week. It ' s actually very interesting to watch people you know change personalities right before your eyes at the frat parties, first-year pre-business student Andrew Daar said. As the first-year students got their initial taste of life at the University, the upperclassmen met with old friends and reminisced about their past years on campus. They sat on their porches, drank a beer or two, and watched as the underclassmen swarmed by, looking for a party or trying to find their way home. Looking back on my freshman year, I remember traveling in packs of 15 and trying to find something to do on campus, junior English and French major Stephanie Watson said. Although the parties were plentiful, students still tried to get organized for the upcoming school year. Stores overflowed with students buying books and last minute items for their residence hall rooms and apartments. However, the preparation did not deter from the parties and late nights that made Welcome Week a time that students remembered all year.