Teamwork, Experience and Planning Create Successful Move-in

RADFORD -- Radford University students learn a lot about teamwork during their time on campus and it starts early. If they took a moment to look around during RU’s Fall “move-in” on Friday, August 27, they saw examples everywhere.

Members from throughout the RU community came together to make the “move-in” go as smoothly as possible. Residential Life staff wearing red Radford University polo shirts worked the check-in tables as members of Greek organizations and athletic teams volunteered to help families tote everything from flat screen TV’s to cases of granola bars into residence hall rooms. Dining services staff kept “hydration stations” stocked with plenty of cold water as the bright summer sun beat down on the crowds.

Patience, cooperation and teamwork helped make a challenging move-in go smoothly.

By the time classes began on Monday at 8 a.m., around 3,000 students had been checked-in, moved-in, and settled-in.

“Everything seemed to happen according to plan,” noted RU’s new Vice President for Student Affairs Mark Shanley, who reported for duty this August and has participated in dozens of similar events on other campuses. "What struck me in particular was the friendly assistance provided by faculty and staff across the campus - from facilities, campus police, dining, student affairs, and other folks. The two wheel trollies provided to the families were a huge hit with parents! As an informed participant/observer, I would give the campus an 'A+'."

President Kyle lends a helping hand...

Whether providing beverages and hot dogs to thirsty and hungry families, offering “car-to-door” transportation services via a RU golf cart, or taking care of a last-minute door-lock issue, faculty, staff, and administration were on hand to do whatever was necessary.

“Everybody works move-in day,” said Facilities Management and Operations Director Jorge Coartney, who estimated that 160-170 people from his group and Planning and Construction teamed up on the effort. Plumbers, electricians and carpenters are engaged, as are about a dozen others who volunteer to cruise campus in utility vehicles solving every problem they encounter.

Parents and students all seemed pleased with the process. Wrote one grateful Mom in a Facebook post on the university’s site: “Moved our son back yesterday. It was the best move-in we have ever done. We want to thank all those at Radford U that helped us.”

Among the many golf carts zipping around campus was one with a driver clad in red, smiling brightly and calling out a cheerful hello to everyone she passed. RU President Penny Kyle and her daughter Patricia Lee were out helping students and parents transport their belongings from their cars to their new homes in the residence halls.

“As president, this is one of my favorite days of the year,” said Kyle. “I love watching our campus return to life. However, as a mother who has moved two children to college, I also understand how hectic and exhausting it can be. I hope we were able to make that process a little easier for some of those families today.”

The President’s Highlander cart was just one of many university utility vehicles used to create a smooth opening.

If student reactions are any indication of Kyle’s goal, mission accomplished. “I am so excited!” exclaimed one new freshman as she completed check-in. “Everything here has been great so far.”

For even more pictures from move-in day, see our gallery on Facebook.