One of the happiest traditions at SUNY New Paltz continued on Thursday, Aug. 23, as more than 2,000 new first-year and transfer students and their families arrived at campus for Move-In Day.
Hundreds of Residence Life personnel, student athletes and Welcome Crew volunteers were on hand to greet the newest members of the campus community, and help move books, clothes, comfort foods and reminders of home into halls all across campus.
“We’re welcoming them to New Paltz, giving them a rundown of what they’ve got to do this morning to get settled, answering parents’ questions and letting them know that we’re here as a resource if they need,” said student Welcome Crew member Gianna Damato ’21. “Some of us live in the building, so we’re letting students know, if you see us around feel free to say hi or ask questions. Just little things – like when people ask me ‘How is it here?’ I can tell them it’s like a family, everybody’s really sweet.”
President Donald P. Christian came out to help make a strong first impression with new students and family members, alongside his wife Sandy and dachshund Hans. Vice President of Student Affairs Stephanie Blaisdell was came out as well, and of course Hugo the Hawk was on the scene too.
The excitement of Move-In Day is always a little bittersweet, as students make a significant transition and part ways with the parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and close friends who come down to see them off.
“We’re very excited for her, a little bit of mixed emotions,” said Steve Marotta of Guilderland, New York, who came to campus to drop off his daughter Skyler Marotta ’22. “But we know New Paltz is academically one of the highest rated SUNY schools, and people we know who have gone here have great things to say about it, so I’m sure she’s going to get involved and be a great addition to campus.”
“I’m excited to meet new people and start a new chapter of my life” – Ryan Kanaly ’22
Move-in Day is part of Welcome Week 2018, a series of events designed to help new students acclimate to campus life and kick off a successful academic year. Welcome Week programming serves both first-year and transfer student communities.
More information and complete Welcome Week schedules can be found online.
