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Students arrive for ISU move-in
By Michele Steinbacher
msteinbacher@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL -- Illinois State University assigned freshmen and sophomores to specific move-in times at its dorms, and people say it has made the often-chaotic two-day process a lot easier. | Photo gallery

Wednesday and today, more than 7,500 students will move in to more than a dozen residence halls on the Normal campus.

“So far, everyone’s coming at their assigned time, and it seems to be working,” said Stacey Mwilambwe, ISU associate director for residential life on Wednesday.

In previous years, freshmen and sophomores could arrive anytime during the two-day move-in period. But this year, ISU opted to break students into four arrival shifts, each about three hours long.

For two years Mwilambwe’s staff surveyed students and parents about move-in.

“We asked how much time did they spend at move-in, how many cars did they bring, and other questions,” she said. “What we found was that people wanted more structure. They’d say ‘Tell me a time to be there, and I’ll be there.’”

ISU opted to divide groups by floors. On Wednesday morning, for example, a sign posted outside Watterson Towers listed which floors had access to registration, keys and move-in rights.

Weather, always a factor in the overall move-in mood, mostly cooperated Wednesday.

“Well, it was raining earlier but now it’s getting hot,” said Sgt. Tom Kiper of the ISU Police Department, as he directed traffic at the corner of Fell and Mulberry, near the Hewett-Manchester complex.

As of 10 a.m., traffic did seem slower in that spot than last year, he said. Kiper attributed that to the combination of assigned move-in shifts and Hewett Hall being closed for renovation.

Cars unloaded for neighboring Manchester Hall, but also used the street space in front of Hewett.

Manchester gets its renovation one year from now.

“It’s the same space, but we only have to move in half the people,” said Kiper.

Watterson Towers, home to about 2,200 students, as usual proved to be the most work.

After belongings were stacked on the sidewalk, vehicles had to move to distant lots to keep the traffic flow manageable, said Skylar Guiman, an ISU student and resident assistant at Watterson.

“I’d say it’s been pretty busy here all day. But we just work to keep it moving,” said Guimon.

About 1 p.m. Alan Seibert pulled a stacked wooden cart around the outside of Watterson North to the doorway leading to the line for elevators. His son, Andy Siebert, an ISU freshman, had taken the stairs, bringing some smaller items to the high-rise suite.

Pulling the cart, loaded with a mini refrigerator, and other essentials — such as PlayStation games — Siebert was starting to break out into a sweat, but he kept smiling.

“I advised (Andy) to pack as lightly as possible. But he didn’t heed the advice,” joked Siebert, of Naperville.

Having already been through several college move-ins with his older daughter, the bulk of dorm goodies came as no surprise.

Andy Siebert hadn’t met his roommate yet, but months ago the two began communicating on facebook.com, a social networking site popular with college students.

“They were able to figure out who was going to bring what — so they didn’t double up,” the father said.

ISU sophomore Caitlin Pachuta of Crete and her parents also waited for the Watterson elevator, each standing next to a cart stacked with Pachuta’s belongings.

She’d already brought some items up, she said. Leaning over one stack of giant blue plastic containers, the ISU student typed a text message on her cell phone.

“It’s my friend who is moving into Southern Illinois University. I’m just checking how things are going for her,” said Pachuta.

Take a look
Nikki Lutes, a resident assistant, directs traffic at Hale and University streets Wednesday (Aug. 15, 2007) in Normal. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
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Reader comments on this story - 50 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Buckcherry wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:35 PM:

" It's ladies night and the mood is right! "

to: Amanda wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:12 PM:

" Are you the Pantagraph Comments Police? I've seen you post your snide remark on two stories now, trying to direct people on which articles they should post. Other people felt the need to comment on this article and apparently, so did you. So? "

t. johnson wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:57 PM:

" At least school is back in session so people in their ealry 30's can take a few classes at hearland and have a good excuse to get totally blasted during the week "

pantagraph wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:59 PM:

" do you just run the same story about the 15th of August every year...do we not know that students come back this week every year? Or is it a surprise each and every year? Maybe some are just a little slow and need it to be pointed out. thanks guys for reminding us. Don't know what we would have done w/out this! "

to: Decatur?! wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:51 PM:

" You should check out Gibson City. We've got it all in GC. McDonald's. Subway. Monicals. Casey's. County Market. Neat little downtown. Gas stations. And the only traffic light in Ford County. Forget BN. Skip Chicagoland. GC is where it all comes together. "

Wow..did someone wrote on Aug 16, 2007 3:53 PM:

" Sounds like a few of you have had trees in your yard TP'd once or twice. Or, thought that you could save time but cutting through the campus despite the fact that the school has thousands of students, walking or driving around all the time. It's simple, don't complain, don't go around campus, go to the bars, grocery stores, Avantis, or anything else in a 2 mile square radius. It's a college. And since I went there, I know it's not a Bible College, so get over it. Like I said earlier, without the Colleges and State Farm, BN would be a rest stop on the way to Chicago or St. Louis. "

To The Truth wrote on Aug 16, 2007 3:39 PM:

" I feel bad for the, as you call them, these over privilaged imature disrespectful time out generation losers? It's really not their fault, it's what their parents taught them, or the example their parents have shown them. "

bring em on!! wrote on Aug 16, 2007 3:18 PM:

" ISU move in means hot college STUDS!! Love those young boy toys!! "

Amanda wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:41 PM:

" Hey all you posters....check out the Stock Market article and post something worth reading. There is not one ounce of intelligence in any of these posts about ISU students. PS Just as the kids are back, so is the rain...must have been a real nightmare standing in the rain waiting to get inside with all their STUFF. "

their back!!! wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:12 PM:

" went thru normal lastnight and the bars were packed.walking against lights and being overall rude.what a surprise! "

Sound familiar? wrote on Aug 16, 2007 12:47 PM:

" Just in case anyone forgot, you all had this EXACT conversation one year ago...the fact of the matter is B-N is a college town, always has been, always will be. Yes, it's unfortunate that all of the "drunk sorority girls" ruin the reputations of us college students actually here to get a degree. I'm 21, and I know plenty of my classmates who fit into your stereotypes, but please try to remember that we're not all here for the same reasons. "

TO: To SIU GRAD wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:56 AM:

" SIU SIU SIU SIU SIU Cant wait to beat ISU basketball a couple more times this year! "

re: to: college town wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:53 AM:

" Pretty original comment about the door hitting me on the way out. Don't worry...it won't come close to hitting me because the minute we get notice of our transfer back out of here, I'll be gone so fast I'll be a blur. We got transferred here - it was transfer here or be out of jobs. If you think my attitude is bad, look at what you wrote back to me, buddy. "

Who Loves wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:43 AM:

" Drunk suburban sorority girls??? I DO I DO!!! "

To SUIC Grad: wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:27 AM:

" I agree with you, SUIC is a great school. People say the same thing to me when I tell them I graduated from there. SIU is as much of a party school as any other college across the country. So, people set trees on fire, turn cars over, throw rocks through windows of businesses on the strip one year and SIU grads are tagged for life! And, since I am still paying on my student loans, I am going to have to say that SIU is far better than ISU. Go Dawgs!! "

Kent Dorfman wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:23 AM:

" Isn't it nice that once a year the Pantagraph doesn't have to worry about a story. Editor: "Hey, students move back in at ISU on Thursday - get Michelle on it!" "

Does anyone... wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:11 AM:

" Does anyone have anything else to complain about? If it weren't for ISU, IWU and State Farm, BN would be a rest stop on the way to Chicago or St. Louis. What do you expect most of the 18-23 years olds on campus to do. Of course many of them party...but many of them also graduate, grow up and get good jobs. I'm one of those students. ISU brings money in to a lot of local businesses, not just bars. I only get to come back there for holidays and both Bloomington and Normal seem like a ghost town with the schools in session. If you don't like how students act, or the traffic...don't live or go around the campus during school times. "

ISU Student wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:55 AM:

" There is something to these comments about this generation. I am an ISU student in my late 20's(almost 30). I started college later in life because of my military service. I don't know what it is, if they are stuck up, or trapped in some weird world of self-indulgence! You tell me! But I definately have trouble connecting with them. I try smiling and just generally being friendly but it seems, in general, people turn their noses up at me. It is weird because the nicest people I meet are international students. Most of the conversations I hear in the hallways involve times and places where people are meeting to "party." I know it is typical in college, but there seems to be a lack of variety of conversational topics. My life does not revolve around being drunk and playing drinking games. I guess it's partly a frame-of-reference issue. I didn't grow up with the same influences, i.e. MTV spring break, reality tv, Paris,Brittany,etc... I know each generation always finds fault in the next, but the superficial nature of American youth culture seems to be increasing exponentially! "

SIUC grad wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:11 AM:

" Listen, i was at SIUC a few years back, and it was not bad at all. You get one little instance and the whole country brands it somthing it is not. Every time i say i am an SIU grad, i get "some party school huh" and yes i do love to party, but the school has a lot more than that. i agree with "wait" too many wannabees and fratboys at ISU. "

Adam wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:04 AM:

" I like having the kids back, though yes most of them are pretty much snotty losers, some actually bring culture to this town (which sorely needs it). "

to: the truth wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:47 AM:

" this isn't the olden days and this is far from chicago with a lot less violence. ISU is one of the nicer college campus's i have been to visit and definately more under control than most colleges. if you do not like it then go near FSU or SIUC a few years back when they were bad or WIU and you will think twice about ISU. and without ISU, IWU, Heartland and LC, B-N would be dead to businesses. "

Reality to the Truth wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:41 AM:

" Hmm, if you are upset about underage drinking, maybe the age limit for enlisting into the armed forces should be pushed back to 21? You know they get alcohol served to them at the bars with a uniform on or their class apparell no matter what their age. The Chicago riot of '68 wasn't completely stopped by the Chicago PD right at the beginning. It did go on for a while. Summing it up, why don't you take College Town's hand in yours and go move to, oh, LeRoy or Farmer City, with no disrespect to either town but they are small and away for the disrespectful and drunk young adolescents of today's society. Don't bite the hands that help feed the B/N financial economy. I mean the ISU football team is going to bring a lot of business. College students spend a lot of money at the bars, retail stores, resturaunts, theaters, etc. Should I continue? "

wait wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:16 AM:

" unless it is the playboy walmart edition, which i have yet to see any of them. Good thing though is that plenty of them will be dropped off today!!!! Bad thing, so will the fratboy punks that travel in bands of 12 and pickk fights with gangs of....1 "

To: The truth... wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:40 AM:

" Yeah, college kids deal crack and heroin for a "living", shoot each other for being in another gang, intimidate others, etc. The last time I knew the freshmen didn't have to take a beating to get into, or out of, college. "

to: The truth wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:31 AM:

" " Am I the only one that gets tired of putting up with these over privilaged imature disrespectful time out generation losers? No you are not. I have been teaching ai ISU for 10 years now and they are quite easy to spot. Most of these kids flunk out and head to one of our 2 year schools. Still, most of the ISU kids are good kids. "

RE:The truth wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:43 AM:

" I don't know about you but I when I go to any Wal-Mart in the country the last thing I expect to see is anything classy or mature. "

to: college town wrote on Aug 16, 2007 4:51 AM:

" Don't let the door hit you on the way out. "

to: college town wrote on Aug 16, 2007 4:31 AM:

" It isn't just the college kids who can't drive. You want a scary thrill ride? Try riding a motorcycle on Veterens PKY while State Farm employees are on their lunch break. "

Wow wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:22 AM:

" The fact of the matter is this would not even be a town without the University. Do some fact checking and you will realize this. "

college town wrote on Aug 15, 2007 11:36 PM:

" I hate living in a college town. I can't wait until our time is up here and we get transferred back out! Witness the increase in stupid drivers around town from move-in time to graduation time. "

Boo-hoo-hoo wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:33 PM:

" As if your generation never acted up at the same age. LOL! "

The truth wrote on Aug 15, 2007 9:04 PM:

" Am I the only one that gets tired of putting up with these over privilaged imature disrespectful time out generation losers? Visit a local Wal-Mart for instance and you will witness all of the above descriptions. I pity property owners in the vicinity of student housing. These students are as much of a gang problem as the gangs themselves. The police are afraid to enforce ordinances and laws when it comes to these punks. The so called higher educaion system is a promoter of under age drinking, and the police stand by knowing that it is prevalent. We need the '68 Chicago police to establish law and order in "campus town". "

bubba wrote on Aug 15, 2007 6:29 PM:

" I am sure the local liquor stores are estatic. "

To J wrote on Aug 15, 2007 6:21 PM:

" I agree with "To J"...J, you gotta be more original. Be a lot cooler if you did! "

... wrote on Aug 15, 2007 5:56 PM:

" you guys should really get over your obsession with drunk college girls. The ones ISU have are nothing but trouble and trying to call attention to themselves. Have fun with waking up next to one of them and not knowing what you've just caught from them. "

Re: To J wrote on Aug 15, 2007 5:42 PM:

" Matthew McConaughey's character Wooderson said, "That's what I love about these highchool girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age." You need to brush up on your movies... "

How About wrote on Aug 15, 2007 4:22 PM:

" Girls Gone wild B-N? "

decatur resident wrote on Aug 15, 2007 4:20 PM:

" i'm sorry but b-n is just as boring as decatur, and you seem to have more violence. on a side note, i cant believe the summer is almost over, and first time that i will not be returning to school, and seeing the new freshman eye candy ;) "

Thank You wrote on Aug 15, 2007 3:39 PM:

" I agree, welcome back drunk college girls!!! "

to J wrote on Aug 15, 2007 2:39 PM:

" J, that's a great line....too bad it was used by Matthew McConaughey in the movie, "Dazed and Confused"....next time try and be a bit more original "

to: J wrote on Aug 15, 2007 2:38 PM:

" I could not agree more! Welcome back gals! "

Decatur?! wrote on Aug 15, 2007 2:21 PM:

" Ouch! I'm from the suburbs which while not the big City itself (no not Peoria, I'm talking about Chicago) there is much more going on and much more to see. I will agree that BN are the best cities anywhere south of the Chicagoland though. "

LW wrote on Aug 15, 2007 2:02 PM:

" you dont seem to like the college town,is there a reason? "

J wrote on Aug 15, 2007 1:59 PM:

" As a guy, the best thing about living in a college town is that no matter how old we get... the ladies stay the same age. Welcome back students! "

Me: to great wrote on Aug 15, 2007 1:26 PM:

" Stagnant town? are you kidding me? Bloomington-Normal is probably the best place to live in the state of Illinois. You must be from Decatur or something. "

time for wrote on Aug 15, 2007 1:24 PM:

" drunken normal nights "

sweet!!! wrote on Aug 15, 2007 12:58 PM:

" It's about time...the twin cities were running low on hot freshman women!!! To the Pub we go!!!! "

Well wrote on Aug 15, 2007 12:51 PM:

" I'll be wearing sun glasses while I lecture at ISU... "

great wrote on Aug 15, 2007 12:32 PM:

" maybe they can breath life into this stagnant town. "

Well-- wrote on Aug 15, 2007 11:50 AM:

" it is move in day, could that be the reason for the students comming to the area? "
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