University Looks Forward to Welcoming Chargers for Fall Semester

Greg Overend, better known across campus as GregO, is excited to welcome new and returning Chargers to the University of New Haven. He’s also dedicated to helping to ensure their experience moving into the residence halls and starting their time as Chargers is seamless.

Overend, executive director of the University’s Center for Student Engagement, Leadership, and Orientation, was among several staff members from the Division of Student Affairs who recently connected with students, parents, and families as part of a live forum on Facebook. The livestream provided students and their families with information about the upcoming move-in and an opportunity to ask questions.

“There will be lots of volunteers, lots of signage, food, music, lots of fun stuff,” he said in discussing the University’s plan for the move-in. “We’re very excited to have you here.”

‘Offer help to students and their families’

Nearly 250 viewers watched the live stream, moderated by Ric Baker, senior associate dean of students. Staff discussed the plan for the move-in and offered important information about topics such as move-in times, what to bring, and the support the University community will offer students and families. That support includes the “Welcome Wagon,” which is made up of returning students who volunteer to welcome their new classmates and help with the move-in process.

“We are also collaborating with our athletics teams to offer help to students and their families,” said Overend. “We will provide bins, and we will be there all three days with our student-athletes.”

Incoming first-year students and transfers will move into the residence halls on August 24, and returning students will move in the following two days. They will be assigned a campus entrance, which will be well marked and color coded.

As part of “Charlie’s Fast Pass,” students will also have the opportunity to come to campus before their assigned move-in date to bring some of their belongings to their residence hall during one-hour time slots. August 19 has been designated as a date for all students, and first-year students can participate on August 21. Registration for Charlie’s Fast Pass is required.

‘I’m very, very excited’

Tammy Mulrooney, associate director of residential operations, explained early arrivals, which are approved for groups such as members of sports teams or the Chargers Marching Band. The University recently welcomed its first early-arrival students. Mulrooney also told students and families that they will be provided with directions to their designated campus entrances as well as where to park. To ensure a smooth move-in, the University is assigning students move-in slots every two hours.

“All students are receiving an assigned move-in time for their date,” she explained. “This lets us stagger how many students are arriving at all times and helps mitigate traffic. We ask that you stick to your move-in time to the best of your ability. We want to make this smooth for everyone.”

The University is also making sure students and their families will be able to relax and get something to eat after they’ve brought their belongings into the residence halls. Overend invited students and their families to get a bite to eat together after the move-in.

“I’m very, very excited to say we’ve worked with University dining, and we’re starting our University meal plan the morning of August 24,” explained Overend. “Students can swipe in and use their plans. For families and guests, we’ll be providing coupons so they can come in and have a meal.”

‘Build community…. and make connections’

The live stream, which is part of a series of Facebook Live events that will be hosted throughout the fall semester by the University’s Division of Student Affairs, also discussed Charge In, as well as Welcome Week. Upcoming livestream sessions will cover topics such as staying connected during the first six weeks of the semester, campus life and student support, and the University’s student health center’s new affiliation with Yale New Haven Health.

First-year resident students will check in for Charge In on August 24, and commuter students will join the following day when the entire incoming class comes together to take part in Convocation. Charge In and orientation activities for first-year and transfer students will continue through August 28. Commuter students are encouraged to be a part of the festivities on campus that weekend, and they will receive meal tickets so they can eat in the University’s dining locations.

Welcome Week, a week of fun activities including music, trips, and giveaways such as University swag, will follow Charge In. Overend encouraged students to get involved, as it will be a great way for them to get know their new classmates.

“It’s an opportunity for you as students – all students – to come together,” he said. “It’s a way to build community, get to know each other, and make connections. There’s a lot of great activities planned for that.”