College students across the state are busy packing and loading up the family car with everything from clothes and food to plastic crates and stereos.

At West Virginia University, faculty and staff are gearing up for the influx of students.

Welcome Week kicks off with move-in dayFriday, Aug. 19at the residence halls. Some 5,250 WVU students are living on campus this year, the largest number in the schools history.

This is the time of year when we enjoy the excitement of the campus coming back to life,said Corey Farris, director of Housing and University Apartments.

To make sure everything goes smoothly, a team of 180 student volunteers, orhotshots,will help families unpack and move belongings inside.

These are returning students that have been around the block,Farris said.When a car pulls up to a residence hall, the hotshots and other staff will surround the vehicle, help unload everything and then direct people to a parking lot.

Check-in is from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Farris said students are assigned to different move-in periods to prevent any back-ups in the elevators, and WVU police officers will be directing traffic around campus and providing directions for parking.

Keep in mind: Several thousand people are going to be moving in Friday,he said.We always say bring lots of patience and a good sense of humor.

He also suggests bringing a dolly or hand truck to help roll things across the street and following the parking information that was mailed to families at the beginning of August.

With temperatures expected to be in the 80s, WVU is stocking up on soft drinks and water to keep everyone cool and comfortable at check-in points.

Welcome Week filled with activities to keep students busy

Move-in day is just the beginning of Welcome Week activities Aug. 19-26, designed to help students adjust to college and feel more at home.

While many programs are targeted toward first-year students, all students are encouraged to participate.

Welcome Week creates excitement for freshmen about the school year,said Rhonda Hall, a program specialist with WVU s First-Year Experience.

On Friday, Aug. 19, Trading Spaces Day , students are welcomed into their new home.

After students get settled into their room and meet their roommate, they can pay tuition and fees, check on financial aid and much more at Student Services Days from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

The Help Center in Elizabeth Moore Hall, just across the street from theLair, will be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Here students can obtain a copy of their schedules, receive assistance in locating a building and get help registering for classes once they have met with their advisers.

That evening, students will have an opportunity to mingle with classmates at the welcome picnic and learn about hundreds of WVU clubs and organizations at an information fair. Both are being held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center.

Student Services Days resume Saturday, Aug. 20, Taking Care of Business Day, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in theLair Ballrooms, and friendly WVU staff will again be offering assistance at the Help Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in E. Moore Hall.

There will be special programming throughout the day, as well as half-price pool and bowling at 7 p.m. in theLair games area. Popular local band Jr. Pezz will take center stage from 7-10 p.m. in theLair Ballrooms. Admission is free.

The day concludes with Midnight Madness eventsshopping trips from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Wal-Mart (a University bus will make stops at theLair, Summit Hall, Evansdale Residential Complex, Fieldcrest Hall and Sterling Ridge Apartments) and reduced-price or free movies at the Warner and Metropolitan theaters in downtown Morgantown.

Sunday, Aug. 21, is Youre a Mountaineer Day . Students will attend one of four New Student Convocation sessions (11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.) at the WVU Creative Arts Center, where they will be personally greeted by WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. and student government leaders, enjoy a multimedia presentation and receive a free gold T-shirt.

New Student Convocation is studentsfirst traditional ceremony at WVU and is the kickoff to their academic career. Attendance is required for University 101 orientation classes. Buses will provide transportation to and from the residence halls and Creative Arts Center.

Other Sunday activities include a pizza party for commuting students from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Purinton House Commuter Lounge and floor meetings with resident assistants.

Classes start Monday, Aug. 22, FallFest Day . This is the last day for Student Service Days, where students can check on student account and financial aid information from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in theLair Ballrooms.

If students cannot attend Student Service Days and have billing questions, they are encouraged to call the Student Accounts call center at 304-293-4006. Hours are 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m. weekdays except for University holidays.

Additionally, the Help Center will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in E. Moore Hall and will remain open the rest of the week.

Many activities are planned at theLair. WVU s campus radio station, U92 , will broadcast live in front of the student union, and there will be class ring and poster sales inside.

The day concludes with WVU s FallFest celebration at 8 p.m. on theLair Plaza. A national headliner is expected for the welcome-back outdoor concert on the newly renovated plaza. Past performers have included Kanye West, 3 Doors Down, Wyclef Jean, Busta Rhymes and De La Soul.

On Tuesday, Aug. 23, the Student Recreation Center will hold several activities as part of Wellness Day : free cholesterol screenings, aerobics classes, scuba lessons, Flick-n-Float (watch a movie while floating in a pool), blood drive, health awareness bingo andHow Not to Gain the Freshman 15wellness lecture.

Wednesday, Aug. 24, is Community and Student Organization Day , when students can browse student organization and community information tables from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in theLair Vandalia Lounge. Poster and class ring sales will again be offered in theLair, and commuting students are invited to stop by the Commuter Lounge from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. to find out about special services to meet their needs.

S tudents can learn about other cultures plus study abroad opportunities Thursday, Aug. 25, Multicultural Day . New this year will be food sampling from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Hatfields. The Center for Black Culture and Research will also host an open house from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with videos and refreshments.

Multicultural Day concludes with the Universitys nationally acclaimed WVUp All Night weekend entertainment program in theLair (www2.events.wvu.edu/wvupallnight/), offering half-price pool and bowling, free tutoring and more.

Finally, everything wraps up Gold and Blue Day Friday, Aug. 26. On this day, faculty, staff and students are asked to wear their favorite WVU clothes to show their Mountaineer spirit. WVUp All Night continues with activities from 7 p.m.-midnight in theLair.

For a complete Welcome Week schedule, go towww.wvu.edu/nsi/WelcomeWeek/