This year, Colorado State University is prepared for 6,000 students to move in to the on-campus residence halls over two days: about 2,000 on Wednesday, Aug. 16, and another 4,000 on Thursday, Aug. 17. Add in the 2,000 who live in on-campus apartments and the size of the logistical challenge facing Housing & Dining Services becomes clear.
“Move In is always a busy time, and we hope that by having more students, including many of the Residential Learning Communities, get in on Wednesday, we can help alleviate some of the traffic congestion,” said Tonie Miyamoto, director of communications and sustainability for Housing & Dining.
Faculty and staff are also asked to use alternative transportation or park in non-move-in lots on the east side of campus or remote lots on Aug. 16-17.
The university’s interactive Move In map shows all the routes students will be following to get to their residence halls as well as designated parking lots across campus. Move In will be utilizing the Harmony, Prospect, and Mulberry exits off I-25, so traffic will be busy throughout town.
Waste collection expanded
That many residents unpacking their stuff will result in literally tons of empty cardboard boxes and other moving materials. Last year, Housing & Dining collected — and recycled — 22 tons of cardboard from Move In, along with 60 yards of Styrofoam and 209 pounds of plastic thin film wrapping. To give you an idea of what 200 pounds of plastic film looks like, one square yard weighs less than 3 ounces.
Miyamoto said waste collection efforts will be expanded again this year with the goal of capturing even more plastic film to keep it out of the landfill. It’s part of the commitment to environmental stewardship that earned CSU the highest possible ranking for sustainability from STARS — twice.
Another kind of commitment will also be on display all across campus this week, before and after as well as during Move In, with all the activities that are part of Ram Welcome.
“We couldn’t make Move In as smooth as we have in the past without the hundreds of student and staff volunteers who do everything from carrying belongings into halls and providing directions to managing waste collection,” Miyamoto said. “It’s their commitment to helping and welcoming students and their families that creates such a positive first impression of CSU, and is a part of everything we do.”
