UNT Welcomes the Class of 2018

If you can't see the slideshow, go to our 2014 Move In Day photo set. >>

More than four-thousand students moved into their new homes on the UNT campus Sunday as part of Mean Green Move-In Day.

An annual UNT tradition, Mean Green Move-In Day kicked off at 8 a.m. Sunday with 130 faculty and staff volunteers helping students and their families haul belongings into residence halls across campus.

Music and food also were provided at Crumley Park for new residents and their families.

Officials said they distributed over ten thousand water bottles and served up 3,500 bratwursts and brownies, in addition to Bruce, West, and Victory Cafeterias being open.

For some students, the process of moving in came with many firsts. Freshman Visual Arts major Kristin Groom drove here for the first time.

"I was driving 35 mph when the speed limit is 60!" Kristin says. "But I'm here now -- I'm excited."

While some students were experiencing firsts, Lauren Carter, freshman Public Relations major from Georgia, was returning to Texas and has family connections with UNT.

"I lived here for a little bit back in high school and I love Texas so I wanted to come back," Lauren says. "My cousin graduated from here, so it made sense."

Dr. Betsy Warren, director of housing, says the event began more than a dozen years ago after she and another housing official discussed how the rest of the university should have the chance to see the fun of move-in day.

"Everybody's excited about college – it's such a life-changing event," Warren says of the day's vibe. "There's a lot of angst, but a lot of excitement … There's just a lot of energy that day."

The day was also a culmination of weeks of preparation by housing staff members who readied 13 residence halls for the big day.

While Move-In Day gives UNT the chance to help with the physical task of moving, it's also about making a good first impression, Warren says.

"It's just a real positive way for the university to put their best foot forward on day one," she says.