Freshmen Arrive at UMD
Posted at: 08/30/2012 5:27 PM
| Updated at: 08/30/2012 5:46 PM
By: Allie Delury
This year, the University of Minnesota-Duluth experienced a drop in both freshman and returning students. The university is down 215 freshman and about 70 returning students from last year.
As a result, the university has decided to open up Mesabi Hall to graduate students. This will be the first time the university has ever been able to offer housing for these students.
For parents and incoming students, welcome week started with a drive up College Street. On one side of the street were the infamous signs and parties, but on the other was something quite different.
"We have some maps and we also have some signs that say welcome to UMD," said Susana Pelayo-Woodward.
Pelayo-Woodward oversees the Women's Resource and Action Center on campus. This is the first year the group has done something like this on move-in weekend.
"We've been here since eight o' clock, and we'll be here until four o' clock," said Pelayo-Woodward.
At the dorms, students moved in their belongings, met the university mascot, and started to settle in.
"I'm pretty excited to be off on my own and not have to tell my parents where I am all the time," said Melissa Conger, a UMD freshman from Rochester.
It was a emotional time for parents as well.
"It's mostly pride but a little sadness 'cause we'll miss her," said father Mike Coyne, whose daughter is a new freshman at UMD.
Scott Chester is a sophomore, and belongs to a university group called Rock-star. The group started four years ago and is meant to help students socialized during move-in weekend.
"Everybody's in a giant pool out here and nobody knows each other," said Chester, "so, we're kind of the people who help structure that."
Despite the emotion and change, he recalls when he was a freshman and has one piece of advice for newcomers.
"Just be bold be friendly enjoy yourselves, it's a great experience," said Chester. "You're gonna love college."
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