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President Goldfarb greets a new student and his mother during Fall 2007 Move-In at Thompson Hall.
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A student and mom work to install a loft in a residence hall room.
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Goldfarb, Administrators Continue Move-In Tradition

August 19, 2008

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MACOMB, IL -- When new Western Illinois University students move into the residence halls Saturday, Aug. 23, they'll have more than a few experienced hands helping lug boxes.

For the seventh consecutive year, WIU President Al Goldfarb and other senior-level administrators will be a part of Western's Move-In Crew in order to meet new and returning students, and their families.

Goldfarb, along with Vice Presidents Jack Thomas (Provost and Academic Vice President) Dan Hendricks (Advancement and Public Services), Jackie Thompson (Administrative Services, Garry Johnson (Student Services) and Joe Rives (Quad Cities, Planning and Technology) will help students move into Thompson, Bayliss, Henninger and Wetzel halls. The group will begin their shift around 9 a.m. at Thompson Hall.

"After my first year as president, I decided it was important to be a part of the back-to-school process from the beginning. We thought move-in would be a great opportunity to meet students and their families, as well as to help students get settled in their new homes," Goldfarb said. "I look forward to welcoming our new students, as well as the many who are returning to campus."

Approximately 5,000 students live on campus. Returning students will begin moving into residence halls Friday, Aug. 22. More than 160 student-volunteers and 175 residence life staff coordinate and assist with the two-day move-in.

"This is my first year helping with move-in. I'm excited about meeting new students and helping with the process," said Thomas, who began his duties as provost and academic vice president in January.

Following Saturday's move-in, first-year students and their families are encouraged to attend the New Student Convocation scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Western Hall. After Convocation, new students and families are invited to the Family Picnic on the campus mall southwest of the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center and the 8 p.m. First Night Fun event at Vince Grady Field.

"We strive to make move-in as smooth and painless as possible for the students and their friends and families. We do appreciate the assistance we receive from Dr. Goldfarb and the vice presidents, as well as the many volunteers. Our success truly depends on those students who step forward to help their fellow students transition to campus," said Matt Bierman, director of residential facilities at Western. "We spend the summer prepping our halls for the new fall semester, so move-in really culiminates our planning efforts we put forth during the break."

See wiu.edu/back2school for links to move-in and Convocation information, as well as frequently requested information.



Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing