Ravi Singh, a biology freshman from Pflugerville, picked UT Dallas because he’d heard about research options that would be available to him as a premed undergraduate student.

But when he and his father arrived on campus for Move-In Day, he discovered another perk of being at UT Dallas: peer advisors and student volunteers standing at the ready to help unload his belongings into Residence Hall Northwest.

“I’m really grateful that we didn’t have to do much at all. It’s so great to see all these students helping out the new Comets,” Singh said.

Singh was among the 650 freshman students who moved into Residence Halls Northwest and Southwest on Aug. 19. Freshman move-in activities spanned three days this fall. About 4,700 students will live on campus this year in apartments and residence halls.

“Parents are thrilled. They drive up thinking this will take hours, and we’re doing this in less than 20 minutes.”

Matt Grief, associate vice president for Student Affairs

Matt Grief, associate vice president for Student Affairs, said students and their families are often delighted to see the number of UT Dallas volunteers who show up to help incoming freshmen settle in to their rooms.

“Parents are thrilled. They drive up thinking this will take hours, and we’re doing this in less than 20 minutes,” Grief said. “It gives them more time to spend with their student and to do that last Target run for things they might still need.”

Grief, who has marked nine years of move-in days at UT Dallas, said he still tweaks the process each year to keep it running smoothly. Staggered arrival times over three days helped accommodate this year’s incoming students.

“We want a quality move-in, so that their first experience is positive and they really feel welcome,” Grief said.

Volunteers pushed orange bins full of computer screens, lamps and boxes of clothes into the residence halls. Among those who turned out were peer advisors, members of Greek life and Student Government, as well as faculty and staff. They took an average of four minutes to unload each car.

Health care studies freshman Sydney Riordan of Seguin chose to carry in something special herself: a UT Dallas-themed piece of art featuring nails pounded into a board and decorated with Comet colors that her boyfriend made for her new room in Residence Hall Southwest.  

“I think UT Dallas is a great fit for her,” said her mom, Susan Riordan. “We did a lot of research on schools, and I think she will be very happy academically here. And she also wants to play on the volleyball team.”

Riordan’s parents were particularly impressed with the residence hall amenities, which include private bedrooms in each three-room suite.

“By far, this is the best residence hall we toured. She will have some privacy yet still have that community feel,” Susan Riordan said. “I’m trying to keep it together while we’re here, but I’m sure I’ll tear up on the way home.”

Lyn and Corey Campbell of Paris, Texas, said they were about to be empty nesters after dropping off their daughter, Merilyn, a molecular biology freshman, at Residence Hall Northwest.

“I think it’ll be a little lonely. I’m sad and happy at the same time, and we’re only two hours away,” Lyn Campbell said.

“I’m excited for her,” Corey Campbell said. “She wanted a more academically focused school, and I think she’s found it.”