Convocation welcomes new students to USD Move In Day
USD's fall semester officially begins with Move-In Day on Aug. 29, as students and their families arrive for check-in at the DakotaDome between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. The entire drive-through process, implemented last year to eliminate congestion and limited parking at the residence halls, means drivers don’t have to leave their vehicles until they get to their designated residence hall where volunteers will assist with the unloading of vehicles.
"The concept of a drive-through, move-in process is more convenient for our students and their families," explained Jeffrey Baylor, associate vice president of enrollment and student services at USD. "After starting this process a year ago, we learned a lot to help us improve the efficiency of this year's Move-In Day."
During check-in at the Dome parking lot, USD welcome packets, residence hall keys and instructions on driving to the residence halls will be distributed making the process more quick and efficient for local and long-distant commuters. Baylor added that the efficiency of this procedure cuts down on confusion, waiting in long lines and avoids potential traffic jams. He said several colleges and universities throughout the United States have adopted the drive-through process with great success.
In addition with check-in at the Dome and moving into residence halls, first-year students enrolled as the Class of 2013 will be part of Convocation at 3:30 p.m. in the Dome. Convocation, included in this year's Move-In Day festivities to include family members, is an invitation of membership to The U's academic community.
"Convocation is a celebratory event symbolic of graduation, signaling the students' joining of our community," described Baylor. "It's also a reminder to our faculty and staff of the duty to educate our students, not just until graduation, but to assist them in their journey to become better citizens and contributing members of society."
More information about Move-In Day, including printable maps and a parent and family schedule, is available at www.usd.edu/academics/academic-advising/first-year-experience/move-in.cfm.