A barrage of TVs, suitcases and plastic totes were moved into dorms across the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus on Thursday, Aug. 15, where new students began their academic careers living on campus.
Hailey Winters
Volunteers in bright yellow UTC shirts flooded the campus as part of Operation Move In, where they helped the families of incoming students move their packed cars with dollies and carts. Music boomed as volunteers and families trekked to their dorm rooms.
Incoming communication student Hailey Winters from Jackson, Tennessee, was among the many incoming first-year students who moved in this morning.
“It’s been very easy,” Winters said as she rolled a cart of items to her new residence hall. “Everyone who’s working on the event has made it super easy and helpful. I was very stressed about it before coming here, but it’s very stress-free. The school has made it very easy.”
Moving can be difficult, and over 100 volunteers at Operation Move In showed up to help alleviate some of the burden on the incoming students and their families. Some of these duties include giving directions and moving the students’ belongings to their rooms.
One of the many volunteers was junior Sport, Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management major Kari McLarnon, who was responsible for handing out free toilet paper from the massive stack on the courtyard table.
McLarnon reminisced about being in the same situation just a few years ago when she was an incoming freshman.
Kari McLarnon
“I remember what it was like to be a freshman and being really nervous about college. It’s just super cool welcoming new people onto our campus,” McLarnon said. “I love college, and I love this school. If I can make it as ‘homey’ as I can for people, it’s what I want to do.
“It’s just them knowing somebody’s on their side, and people are excited that they’re here.”
Incoming first-year student Brandon Pearlman traveled over two hours from Brentwood, Tennessee, to move in with his fellow students.
“It’s gone very well,” Pearlman said. “Everyone has been incredibly nice and it’s been a lot easier than I expected.”
Operation Move In will continue until Saturday, Aug. 17, for upperclassmen. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 19.
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Photo gallery by Angela Foster
