STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) — In less than three days, the population of Stevens Point will go up by 9,000. That’s because it’s almost time for the fall semester at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
Kate Reck is the UWSP Information & Outreach Coordinator for Residential Living. She says they are getting the dorms ready for about one-third of the total student population. “We anticipate we will be housing right around 35-hundred students this fall. A little bit less, a little bit more, but right around 35-hundred is right around where we will be.”
That’s just the students in the dorms. Reck figures two thirds of the students will be living off campus.
College freshmen will be arriving at UW Stevens Point Saturday. Reck always advises new students to think about what you really need to bring with you, and then go over the items you’ve packed again. She says space is limited in dorms, so less is more.
She says staff has been busy getting ready for move-in day. “We’ve had staff on campus for the last week preparing rooms, they’re getting all of the forms ready that we need, inspecting rooms, they’re getting trained so that they can assist students once they’re on campus, and it’s a high energy level happening all over campus right now for us.”
Along with helping students get situated in their dorms, Reck says staff has several activities planned to help students get acquainted with each other. “Students, we will have lots and lots of activities for them. We have an experience called Welcome Week, so there are activities from getting free workouts over at the Allen Center, to having dances, to having a movie out on the lawn, to attending convocation.”
Reck says unlike the old days, social media now introduces many students to other new students. “They’ve been talking to one another on Facebook. We’re seeing a lot of activity and a lot of connecting this year on social media, and that’s really exciting. It’s a little bit different from past years, and so they’re getting to know one another before they get here.” The new students may be looking at selfies this week, but they will see each other in person starting this weekend.
News students move in Saturday. Returning students move in Sunday. The convocation ceremony for all new students, faculty and staff is Monday at 10:30 a.m. The Labor of Love community service day is Tuesday, September 1st. Classes start next Wednesday.
(Listen to our interview with Kate Reck on our website, here.)
