August 09, 2019

Media Advisory – 2019 Move-in

New and returning students will be arriving at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in coming days to prepare for the start of the fall semester on Aug. 19.

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover move-in and a wide variety of other back-to-school activities. Information about the move-in procedures is being provided to assist members of the media.

Move-in begins Thursday

New students will move into campus residence halls on Thursday. Returning students will move in Friday. Move-in begins at 8 a.m. each day and wraps up at 4:30 p.m., except for those who have arranged after-hours check-in.

All University Housing residence halls on Thompson Point as well as the Mae Smith, Neely and Schneider “towers” halls on East Campus will be in use this fall. During move-in, the process begins with students and their families dropping off the student’s belongings in designated areas located near each residence hall.

Hundreds of volunteers from campus and the surrounding community have registered to welcome students and help them move their possessions into residence halls. To alleviate congestion, the students residing in the towers will receive a number when they arrive; when the number is called, volunteers will help them move their things into their rooms.

Where to park

To better enable students and their families to complete the move-in process, members of the media are asked to utilize parking lots 4 and 40, near the Communications Building on Lincoln Drive, near West Campus housing or lot 85, just north of Schneider Hall, for East Campus.  Students residing in University Housing, along with their families and registered volunteers, can enjoy a free welcome meal in the dining halls on move-in days. Students will receive a family meal pass when they check in. Registered volunteers will get a complimentary meal ticket after completing their move-in shifts. Anyone else may eat in the dining hall as well by purchasing a guest meal ticket at the dining hall entrance.

The complete move-in schedule and other pertinent University Housing information is available online.

For additional information, or help with specific questions, contact:

  • Jim Hunsaker, senior associate director of University Housing, at 618/453-1067 or 618/201-2211.
  • Lori Randolph, University Housing marketing, at 618/453-1068 or 618/925-5674.

Numerous events planned

Members of the media are also welcome to cover the numerous special events and activities created especially to assure new and returning Salukis start the semester off on a positive note. Saluki Startup is Aug. 15-17 and highlights include Light up the Lake, the ESports Arena Open House and Ribbon Cutting, the Saluki Startup Kick-off Event, Saluki Service Day and Dawgs Night Out.

Weeks of Welcome (WOW), set for Aug. 18-Sept. 28, is packed with events including the traditional Watermelon Fest, the Welcome Fest, College Connections, a Family Carnival and Saluki Con, SIU’s own comic con event, and much more.

WOW also includes Saluki Family Weekend, featuring the Saluki Sprint, tailgating and football, a Greek Sing and many other events.