'Cat Crew' poised to help new students at Texas State

Posted by Mark Hendricks
University News Service
Aug. 14, 2008

New students moving into residence halls at Texas State University-San Marcos next week can expect to see a welcome sight – hundreds of helping hands to chip in with the heavy lifting.

The Department of Housing and Residential Life at Texas State is piloting a new program this year – dubbed “Cat Crew” – aimed at making the move-in process easier for new students and their families.

“We are asking for and expecting at least 250 volunteers to help this year,” said Marsha Burney, a residence hall director at Texas State. “Volunteers will include returning students, campus organizations, faculty and staff. We want our incoming freshmen and their families to see ‘Bobcat Spirit’ in action.”

New student move-in for the 2008 fall semester will be held from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 20 and 21. Students are asked to check in first at Strahan Coliseum on the Texas State campus before proceeding to their residence halls.

At Strahan Coliseum, arriving students will receive refreshments as they await move-in space to become available. They will then go to their residence halls where they may unload and then return their cars to Strahan Coliseum for parking. Shuttle buses will operate continually between Strahan and residence halls during move-in.

“Move-in can be a stressful time, so the Cat Crew is a welcome addition to our Housing and Residential Life program. We are grateful for the volunteer spirit of our returning students,” said Roseanne Proite, director of Housing and Residential Life and interim associate vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students.

In addition to individual students, faculty and staff members, several student organizations are expected to participate in Cat Crew, including fraternities and sororities, church groups, the Bobcat Band and Bobcat student athletes.