University News

2008 Move-in -- President Al Goldfarb, Provost Jack Thomas (front right) and Goldfarb's son Jason (back right) talk with parents during move-in at Thompson Hall.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Back-to-School; WIU Move-In Aug. 21-22; Classes Aug. 24

August 18, 2009

Share Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - - It's that time again. Thousands of parents' cars will descend on Macomb from all points of the compass to move their sons and daughters into Western Illinois University residence halls this weekend.

Residence hall move-in for returning students begins at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21; move-in for new students starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22; and fall semester classes begin at 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24.

In what has become an annual tradition, Western Illinois President Al Goldfarb and other senior-level administrators will again be a part of WIU's Move-In Crew Saturday, Aug. 22 in order to meet new and returning students, and their families.

Goldfarb, along with Vice Presidents Jack Thomas (Academics), Jackie Thompson (Administrative Services) and Garry Johnson (Student Services), will help students move into Thompson, Bayliss, Henninger and Tanner halls. The group will begin their shift around 9 a.m. at Thompson Hall.

Returning students may move into residence halls beginning at 8 a.m. Friday (Aug. 21). New student move-in begins at 8 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 22). Detailed information, including suggested times to arrive, what to bring and what not to bring to campus, is available at http://uhds.wiu.edu.

Back-to-School Website
See the Back-to-School website (wiu.edu/back2school), with information and links to a variety of Western Illinois and Macomb resources including: special move-in weekend hours for service-related offices and the University Union Bookstore; Go West Transit bus schedule; parking and hangtags; the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center; Macomb restaurants; residence halls dining guides and holiday/end of semesters move-out and move-in schedules; and the 2009-2010 academic calendar.

New Student Convocation
All incoming freshmen and transfer students and their families are encouraged to attend the New Student Convocation (wiu.edu/provost/students/convocation) beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 22) in Western Hall. The 45-minute ceremony "is designed to promote Western's four core values -- academic excellence, educational opportunity, personal growth and social responsibility," said Provost and Academic Vice President Jack Thomas. "Convocation is also a time to share in the rich traditions and history of the University."

The Convocation, which will include brief remarks by President Goldfarb, is a vital link in the transition to university life and serves to underscore the academic expectations and challenges each new student will encounter at Western Illinois University. Following the Convocation, new students and families are invited to the President's Family Picnic on the campus mall south of the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center and the 8 p.m. First Night Fun event at Vince Grady Field.

New Student Orientation
A wide variety of orientation activities to acquaint new students with the campus, offices, services and recreational opportunities are planned each day from Saturday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 6. The orientation schedule is at http://sdo.wiu.edu/orientation/schedule.

Campus Theme for 2009-2010
This year's campus theme (http://theme.wiu.edu) is "Dollars and Sense: Personal Finance to World Poverty," which demonstrates a commitment to Western Illinois University's core values of academic excellence, social responsibility, personal growth and educational opportunity. The University Theme Speakers Series will bring several speakers, a filmmaker, activists and more to campus for the annual lectures/concert events. Among the scheduled outstanding individuals are Barbara Ehrenreich, the author of the summer reading "Nickel and Dimed;" director, producer, writer and financial adviser James Scurlock; and Vandana Shiva, physicist, environmental activist, eco feminist and author of several books.

A Glance at Scheduled Events
Western Illinois offers a variety of opportunities for families to get together throughout the academic year.

Sept. 11-13 (Fri.-Sun.) – Moms' Weekend. For more information about events, go to http://sac.wiu.edu/momsweekend. Online reservations are available at this site. Contact the Parent and Family Association with questions, telephone (309) 298-2295 or e-mail PFA@wiu.edu. Macomb's 22nd Annual Balloon Rally, "When Irish Eyes are Flying," will add beautiful colors to the sky Sept. 11-12. Take-off and glows are at Vince Grady Field on University Drive, across from Bayliss/Henninger residence halls. See http://makeitmacomb.com for Balloon Rally information.

Oct. 2-4 (Fri.-Sun.) – Family Weekend 2009: "Groovin' With Rocky." Find the schedule of events and online registration at http://uub.wiu.edu/familyweekend.

Oct. 11-17 (Sun.-Sat.) – Homecoming Week: "All Around The World." University Union Board (UUB) and the Student Alumni Association (SAA) make the weeklong celebration fun for students on campus and "The Right Place" to come back to for alumni. Alumni, see wiu.edu/alumni/events/homecoming. Students, information will be available at http://uub.wiu.edu.

April 16-18, 2010 (Fri.-Sun) – Dads' Weekend. Information, when available, will be on the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center website, http://sac.wiu.edu.


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