The Fresno State campus comes to life this weekend as 1,100 students move into University Courtyard residence halls. Check-in for the on-campus housing runs from 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18.
A few students have already checked in, but the majority will move this weekend. They will be greeted by the university’s Baggage Buddies — members of student clubs who volunteer to provide a warm welcome and help incoming students unload suitcases, bed linens, TVs and other college-living essentials.
They will be the first of 22,710 students to arrive on campus for the 2013-14 academic year, which starts Thursday, Aug. 22.
Fresno State offers traditional community style halls (Baker, Graves and Homan) and suite-style accommodations (Aspen, Sycamore, Ponderosa, Sequoia, Birch and Cedar halls).
This year resident students will receive “swag bags” provided by the Fresno State Alumni Association. The bags will be placed in every University Courtyard room as part of the Alumni Association’s new “Bulldog for Life” student engagement campaign.
The gift consists of a Fresno State branded drawstring bag, earbuds and a gym/rally towel. Resident Advisors were given special drawstring bags, personalized with their embroidered names.
The Alumni Association also gave 250 bags to new students moving to University Village, the private student apartment complex on Barstow Ave.
“This is a way for the Fresno State Alumni Association to welcome our new 
students and to help get them to engage in the university,” said Blair Smittcamp, assistant director of Student and Alumni Engagement.
Dr. Paul Oliaro, vice president for Student Affairs, will join students and parents during the welcome barbecue, 4-7 p.m. Saturday. The Bulldog Marching Band and the spirit squad will be on hand to perform around 5:30 p.m.
Several events and activities over the coming week invite family participation and offer residents a chance to get to know each other:
Saturday, Aug. 17- 1 p.m. – Parent workshop in the Graves Hall lobby
- 7 p.m. – Color games opening barbecue on the atrium lawn
- 7:15 p.m. – Mandatory wing/floor meeting
- 8:30 p.m. – Color games dance on Atrium lawn
- 1 p.m. – Parent workshop in the Graves Hall lobby
- 3 p.m. – Water games in the pool area
- 5:30 p.m. – Finding Responsible and Entertaining Activities on KampuS (FREAKS) game night on east side of University Dining Hall (UDH)
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Information fair in the UDH. Students can learn about Fresno State clubs and organizations. Student services vendors promote what’s available on campus.
- 4 p.m. – LGBT awareness social in Graves Rec. Room
- 8 p.m. – Residence Hall Association meeting in Graves Lobby
- 9 p.m. – Casino night in the east side of UDH
- 1 p.m. – Watermelon games on the Aspen/Ponderosa lawn
- 2:30 p.m. – Learning community social in the Atrium
- 4 p.m. – Latino awareness in Baker Rec. Room
- 8 p.m. – Courtyard assemble on Cedar/Sequoia lawn
- 4 p.m. – African-American awareness in Graves Rec. Room
- 7 p.m. – Game of Thrones III & ice cream sundaes in Graves barbecue area
Students with questions prior to moving in may call 800.555.0482 or 559.278.2345.
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