Move-In Day 2019: Home Is Where the Jags Are

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Posted on August 17, 2019

Bob Lowry

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Decidedly mixed emotions ruled the day at the University of South Alabama as around a thousand freshman students said goodbye to family and friends and hello to new friends and the next chapter in their lives.

Today was Move-in Day at South, as the freshmen settled into their new homes while USA faculty, staff and returning students unloaded vehicles and carried boxes, bags and backpacks into each new Jaguar’s room. The new arrivals and the volunteer movers showed up early and worked into the afternoon to relocate the Class of 2023 into the University’s 33 residence halls, including some that are just for the freshmen.

“Residence halls for first-year students are important because they provide a supportive environment for building peer-to-peer relationships and offer programming opportunities targeting critical milestones during a student's first year at the University,” said Dr. Nicole Carr, associate vice president for Student Academic Success and co-chair of USA’s Week of Welcome festivities. “This environment improves student integration, facilitates a sense of belonging and helps build community, all of which are critical for student success.”

Move-in Day at South kicks off “Week of Welcome…and Beyond,” two weeks of special events such as First Night, Convocation, Get on Board Day and the Block Party that highlight South’s campus community.

“Week of Welcome and Beyond offers USA students a wide variety of entertaining and engaging social and academic activities designed to build community and a sense of belonging on campus,” said Dr. Krista Harrell, associate dean of students and Week of Welcome co-chair. “This is an important opportunity for our Jaguars to participate in meaningful and exciting activities and get connected to the people and places that make South home.”

In all, some 2,120 students live on campus at South. The first day of fall semester classes is Tuesday, Aug. 20.

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