Thousands of Students Descend on CWU Campus as Fall Classes Begin

The CWU-Ellensburg campus and eight university centers and sites are open for business, with fall classes getting underway today.

Wellington Wildcat welcomes a group of students on the Ellensburg campus during Move-In Weekend.

Approximately 10,000 students will be attending fall classes through mid-December, with about a third of them living on the Ellensburg campus (official enrollment numbers will be available in a few weeks). The Yakima Herald-Republic published a return-to-campus article this week, highlighting Move-In Weekend and all the anticipation first-year students are feeling as a new chapter in their lives begins.

More than 1,000 first-year students moved into the residence halls last Friday alone, the report said. The article noted that this is the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic started that student volunteers were allowed into the residence halls to help during move-in. Sophomore psychology student and CWU soccer player Kylee Gregory encouraged new students to branch out and meet new people.

"Everyone's kind of in the same boat with living on their own for the first time, being a freshman, so don't be afraid to meet new people, leave your door open … and get involved," she told the Yakima Herald.

The beginning of fall quarter was preceded by CWU's Welcome Week, a six-day series of activities and programs designed to introduce new students to the university and the town that surrounds it. The annual Bite of the Burg was held in downtown Ellensburg on Tuesday night as a way for local businesses and organizations to introduce themselves to students.

CWU Provost Michelle DenBeste says this year's fall quarter marks a return to form after a couple of years of necessary caution.

"We are always excited to welcome students back to campus but this year we are absolutely overjoyed to see campus coming alive with people and activities after two years of quieter operations," she said. "We are pleased to welcome our largest group of first-generation students ever, and to continue serving our wonderful transfer students."

For more about the first week of classes at CWU, visit our social media pages.