They’re back! MTSU president assists with students’ move-in to campus

New and returning students move into campus housing at Middle Tennessee State University Wednesday, Aug. 23. MTSU Housing and residential life reports 2,700 students will be living in various campus housing facilities this fall. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

New and returning Middle Tennessee State University students began moving into campus this week as they prepare for the start of fall classes on Monday, Aug. 28, and they received an assist from university President Sidney A. McPhee.

With temperatures in the upper 90s, the president helped students and their parents move in to Corlew and Jim Cummings halls, two high-rise dorms in the heart of campus, on Wednesday, Aug. 23. He also met students and their families as they arrived at university parking garages.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, left, assists parent Joe Kirk and Hunter Rogers, a new freshman attending MTSU this fall, with the move-in to campus Wednesday, Aug. 23, outside Corlew Hall on MTSU Boulevard. About 2,700 new and returning students will be staying in campus housing this fall. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

It is all part of a staggered move-in process, developed by MTSU Housing and Residential Life, that will continue through Saturday.

Mason Taylor, 19, of Jasper, Tenn., a computer science major at MTSU. — Mason Taylor

Mason Taylor, 19, of Jasper, Tennessee, one of several hundred students moving in on Thursday, Aug. 24, said he anticipated “a pretty smooth move” into Monohan Hall just like moving into Corlew Hall his freshman year in August 2022.

Assisted by his mother, Cassie Cline, and an MTSU student move-in crew, Taylor said his “guitar and skateboard” were essential items along with his clothes and other personal things.

“I hope to make a lot of friends and connections,” said Taylor, a computer science major and May 2022 graduate of Marion County High School, who added he enjoys tailgating at MTSU home football games.

Cline said her son’s “freshman year was a learning experience and I hope he will grow from that.” Taylor returned home during the spring 2023 semester to work and take online courses.

MTSU move-in3.jpg In 90-degree heat, new Middle Tennessee State University student Tayce Drozdowski unloads the first of many bags and items from the family vehicle in front of Corlew Hall on the MTSU campus Wednesday, Aug. 23. MTSU Housing and Residential Life now utilizes staggered times during the week for students to move into residence halls. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Housing Director Michelle Safewright said all residence halls are full, with about 2,700 students staying in campus housing this fall.

There are numerous welcome events planned for students, including a Back to School Bash from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, in the Student Union Commons; Convocation featuring Summer Reading Program author Bruce Feiler at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, in Murphy Center; and numerous other fun activities.

A writer and television personality, Feiler has written “Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age” that new students have read and MTSU faculty may utilize in their classrooms.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)