CWU’s Campus Revives with New and Returning Students

September 17, 2009

Ellensburg, Wash. — Central Washington University students descend upon campus Sept. 17 with boxes and furniture in tow.

As part of CWU tradition, hundreds of staffers and faculty helped students get settled as part of the Movers and Shakers program.

“We’ve got over 500 volunteers this year,” says Richard DeShields, senior director of University Housing and New Student Programs. “Last year we had 400, so this is a lot. I think the spirit of giving at CWU is pretty impressive.”

As in years past, Barbara Hinchliff, office support supervisor for Housing and New Student Programs, has organized the hundreds of Movers and Shakers volunteers. The program was started 13 years ago and earns high praise from parents every year. Volunteers help move furniture, boxes, give directions, and provide other assistance. Parents often show up with their college-bound kids anticipating a full day of hauling, but instead discover the move only takes on average about 15 minutes, DeShields says.

“It makes a great first impression,” he says. “Parents love it.”

Students started arriving and moving in at 9 a.m. An estimated 2,775 moved into campus residence halls and another 450 into CWU’s apartments—40 percent of CWU’s Ellensburg campus student body.

“This number includes the 900 returning students who are moving into the residence halls,” DeShields says.

Classes start Wednesday, Sept. 23. Wildcat Welcome Weekend kicks off Friday and is a mandatory event for all first-year students. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to attend as well. Wildcat Welcome Weekend includes meals, orientations, entertainment, a parent and family reception and more. A full schedule can be found online at www.cwu.edu/housing/www/PDF/www_booklet_web.pdf.

Also, the 50th annual Bite of the ‘Burg, an Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce event, will be Sept. 22 from 2-5 p.m. in downtown Ellensburg. It features a huge variety of food vendors, shopping and other fun stuff that helps students get familiar with Ellensburg.

Media contact: Liz Bryson, Public Relations and Marketing, 509-963-2714, brysone@cwu.edu

Teri Olin, Public Relations and Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of placebound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.