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Posted on Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.

University of Michigan welcoming thousands of students back to campus for another school year

By Kellie Woodhouse

Roughly 9,000 students will pour into Ann Arbor over the next three days, bringing a buzz of activity to the University of Michigan's campus after more than three months of relative quiet.

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A University of Michigan student unpacks her dorm room during move-in week last fall.

Already about 700 students have moved into the dormitories. Most of those students are volunteers assigned to help the move-in process go smoothly.

Meanwhile, in the neighborhoods surrounding U-M, students are already moving into apartments and will continue to do so until fall classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 4.

This week's abundance of cardboard boxes and idling cars outside apartment buildings serve as a reminder that Ann Arbor is ushering in another school year and town life, and traffic, is about to get a lot busier.

"You'll have a little bit of a longer line waiting for a table," joked Jim Kosteva, U-M's director of community relations. "But there's a lot of excitement and a lot of energy."

This fall, about 560 students will move into Alice Lloyd Hall, which recently finished a $56 million year-long renovation. The dormitory's renovation is part of U-M President Mary Sue Coleman's Residential Life Initiative, which will have included more than $440 million in residence hall renovations at the end of this academic year.

This year, the 850-bed East Quadrangle hall and 570-bed Baits I dormitory will be closed, one due to renovation and the other due to decay. Those closings, when coupled with the reopening of Alice Lloyd Hall, reduced on-campus housing capacity for undergraduates by more than 850 beds.

U-M accommodated for the loss by converting some former graduate student units in the Northwood Apartments on North Campus to undergraduate housing and converting some residence hall rooms and common spaces to triples. After those adjustment's, U-M's housing capacity for undergraduates was reduced by only about 400 beds.

The reduction prompted U-M to reserve spots for freshmen and allow sophomores to pick their dormitories first, instead of upperclassmen as in years past. That meant that while underclassmen were guaranteed spots, several juniors were forced off campus.

Luckily for them, nearly 1,000 new beds entered the student housing market this year with the opening of Zaragon West, City Place and Landmark complexes.

Roughly 9,700 students are expected to live on campus this year. Approximately 6,400 incoming freshmen paid a non-refundable deposit this summer, signifying their acceptance of U-M's admission offer. However U-M Admissions Director Ted Spencer said he expected about 6,000 to enroll.

Student move-in begins at 6 a.m. Aug 29 and ends at 10 p.m. Aug 31. During that time, the following roads will be affected:

  • Thompson - one way southbound from East Jefferson to Packard
  • Madison - one way eastbound from South Division to South State
  • Observatory - one way southbound from East Ann to Geddes
  • East Washington - one way westbound from Fletcher to South State - meters bagged
  • Maynard - meters bagged from Jefferson to East William
  • North University Court - meters bagged
  • Monroe - from State to the end of the cul-de-sac - meters bagged
  • Oxford - parking reserved for move-in from Hill to Geddes
  • Washington Heights - from Observatory to E. Medical Center Drive
  • East Ann - one-way eastbound from Zina Pitcher Place to Observatory

U-M is paying the city $10,450 for occupancy of the public right-of-way during the move-in period. The city also is prohibiting those with peddling licenses and sidewalks permits from using them within a one-block radius of affected streets.

For students looking for things to do once they get unpacked, the school is holding convocation for new students at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Hill Auditorium on Thursday. Also on Thursday evening, starting at 7 p.m., the school's welcome party, Escapade, will take place at the Michigan Union.

On Friday students can shop at Meijer. The Ann Arbor Saline Road store will open to students from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and there will be games, music and free food. On Saturday, there is a block party on the North Campus diag from noon to 5 p.m. and a 6 p.m. watch party at Michigan Stadium to watch the Wolverines play Alabama.

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Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.

Comments

InsideTheHall

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.

So the sons and daughters of the 1% have returned. The academic elites will gladly take their folks coin as they brain wash them to repent the ways of their parents. The hypocriscy lives on.

HB11

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 11:43 a.m.

Umm, the headline states in blue "With Traffic Map." Where's the map?

MjC

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 3:27 a.m.

One of the reasons I love Ann Arbor so much is the annual return of UM students. I love the energy, the excitement, and the enthusiasm each new generation brings to this old town. Study hard, stay safe, and welcome to A2. Go Blue!

Josh Thiele

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.

I kinda like the chaos!

a2gretta

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.

I so agree! I love it when they arrive, bringing their energy and sense of excitement, and I love it when they leave and the town quiets again.

mohomed

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 1:57 a.m.

Yawn! Come on higher education reporter, there has got to be better stuff to write an article about than students coming to town in a college town. You're welcome for me reading!

rm1

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 3:05 a.m.

Would you rather have people not know about this, so the mild inconvenience of coping with it for three days would instead be a major inconvenience for those who don't get advance word? You're not serious. As "TheOnlyColors" said: for all of you students, WELCOME BACK!

golfer

Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 11:52 p.m.

stay away from Kmart, meijer, target and best buy.

Andrea Zastrow

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 3:38 p.m.

Also ikea.

Goober

Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.

We basically gave up going to downtown AA for lunch, dinner etc., some time ago due to the growing cost of parking and the hassle of 'uncontrolled' panhandlers. Now that the college kids are back in town, this will put the 'icing on the cake'; we will not go downtown any longer. We used to religiously go to Starbucks every Sunday morning, but due to the college kids taking most tables, as well as what appeared to be the street people taking the rest (reading the papers and loafing by the fireplace), we found others places to spend our money. Goodbye downtown AA!!! This town is owned by the UofM!!!

Itchy

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.

Interesting how many of these commenters blast someone for speaking openly. Their noses seem to be bent out of shape saying things like - move, good bye, good riddance, etc. The pan handling problem is an issue that the citizens of this fine city seem to be either powerless to coirrect, or maybe they even like this issue as part of the charm of the city. I agree that it is a major issue. I seem to recall reading that many business owners agree about the pan handling problems. As to college kids crowding places like Starbucks, as long as the owner does not mind a seat being taken for hours on end with maybe only one coffee being purchased, then you are right - take your money to another place.

Itchy

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.

Ann Arbor only exists because of the UM. That is fact.

zanzerbar

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 3 p.m.

Come to Ypsilanti where there are no Starbucks but several local coffee shops.And good local restaurants. Yea buddy!

Josh Thiele

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.

This town is supported by the University, not owned. It drives our economy. Welcome back students.

M-Wolverine

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.

How will you ever find a Starbucks to go to now that you won't go downtown....

GoNavy

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 11:36 a.m.

Why do you even live in this city? Sounds like everything here is abrasive to your sensibilities.

ThaKillaBee

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 4:16 a.m.

Bye! Keep in touch, let us know how much better it is wherever you go.

TheOnlyColors

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 1:41 a.m.

Good riddance! Its this type of attitude that has stood in the way of progress for far to long. Tired having to read the complaints about new developments, businesses, and most of all tax paying citizens. Ann Arbor is not YOUR city, it belongs to everyone. While you complain about the NINE THOUSAND people that just came back, all local business owners are exalted with the influx of consumers. Feel free to move to another town, one without a large university, if this bothers you! As for all of you students, WELCOME BACK!

GoNavy

Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 9 p.m.

Thanks for the heads up! Good luck everybody.

Dhurandar Bhatavdekar

Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.

Good news for all the downtown bars. This year we need to do better with our annual alcohol consumption, need to stay up there!

TheOnlyColors

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 2:39 a.m.

Doin my part!

xmo

Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.

Do we have a car idling ordinance? "abundance of cardboard boxes and idling cars" Sounds like they are destroying the planet, we need to protest this! ooops! the protesters are not moved in yet!

Dog Guy

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 : 12:28 a.m.

If a car isn't idling, xmo, it may be deemed abandoned and fit to be towed.