DeKALB – NIU Housing and Residential Services as well as volunteers were able to beat the heat and help move in NIU’s incoming residents.
During NIU’s move in, from Aug. 23 to Aug. 27, a late summer heat wave hit DeKalb, reaching a high of 95 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Although the heat was clearly taking a toll on its sweaty and rolled up short-sleeved victims, they still seemed to be in an optimistic mood.
Brenna Sheehan, a junior elementary education major, was one of many students moving into Patterson Hall East.
“It’s very hot, but I think so far things are running smoothly,” Sheehan said with a smile on her face.
New residents like Sheehan were helped by volunteers from a lot of organizations, predominantly members of Greek life.
Aidan O’Brien, a junior marketing major, who is a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, was one of many fraternity and sorority members who volunteered to help during move in day.
“It’s a hot one,” O’Brien said. “But, it’s fun volunteering, getting some volunteering hours in, helping these new kids and seeing some fresh faces on campus.”
Faculty and staff also volunteered to help out during the event.
Shelby Ison, a visiting assistant professor in the Kinesiology and Physical Education Department, was helped during Thursday, the second day of move in.
“I was really impressed with all the students here helping because they’ve just been making the students feel so welcome, and I just wish that this kind of thing would have happened when I was a freshman, to be honest,” Ison said.
NIU Housing and Residential Services Director Dan Pedersen and the rest of the Housing and Residential Services staff were crucial to move-in day.
During the move in, it had set up rest and hydration stations and sent messages both directly and through social media reminding participants to wear loose fitting clothes, put on sunscreen and stay hydrated.
“What’s most gratifying is when you have a parent or an observer stop you and say, ‘I have other children that I’ve moved into other college campuses, and I’ve never seen anybody do it better than you do,’” Pedersen said. “When Northern Illinois University gets that kind of praise, that’s what makes me feel really good about the things that we do.”
Just as warm as the heat and humidity, parents also had to say their goodbyes.
Catherine Barnett dropped off her son, Everett Barnett, a first-year computer science major at Stevenson A, and explained what she is excited about for her son.
“Just the whole experience of being away, being on his own, and just being responsible for himself and experiencing new things, but in a safe environment – just the whole college experience,” Barnett said.
Those who are looking to sign up themselves or their organization to volunteer for upcoming move-in days during Spring or Fall semester should contact NIU’s Housing and Residential Services.
