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Paul Nickles remembers the huge welcome he received upon arrival at a University of North Georgia (91¸£Àûµ¼º½) residence hall to begin his freshman year. Nickles, now in his second year as a resident assistant (RA), is poised to provide students a similar welcome after COVID-19 protocols limited interactions last year.

"When I moved in, several people welcomed me and grabbed my stuff to help me," the rising junior pursuing a degree in graphic design said. "Last fall, we couldn't touch people's things because of the COVID restrictions."

Now, all RAs along with other 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ faculty, staff and volunteers are primed to give incoming freshmen, transfers and other residents an enthusiastic welcome this fall as 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ resumes student activities and in-person instruction. 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ has nine residence halls, all located on the Dahlonega Campus, that will house more than 2,600 civilian and cadet students this fall for an occupancy rate of 98.41%.

"As an RA, I'm super pumped to have events in person," Nickles said. "We plan to bring back events from previous years and even start some new ones."

Treva Smith, director of residence life at 91¸£Àûµ¼º½, said activities sponsored by the Residence Hall Association (RHA), Multicultural Student Affairs, and Student Involvement help new and returning students connect with each other. They include an RHA carnival, a glow party, a movie, and specific hall and floor activities.

"These events provide students an essential bonding experience," she said. "They get to know students on their floor and in their hall."

Nickles said the activities also help students transition into college life.

"Getting involved allows students to find opportunities for growth, leadership and service," the Thomson, Georgia, resident said.

But first, students who will live on campus must navigate the ritual of moving into a residence hall. That starts with making an appointment on one of three move-in days, which are Aug. 19-21.

Move-in for cadets living in military residence halls at 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ will take place in three different waves since some are required to be on campus earlier. About 200 student leaders will move in between Aug. 8-13. More than 200 students participating in Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week will follow on Aug. 15. Returning cadets will move in Aug. 20-22.

"Historically, we had a specific hall on a specific day, but COVID required us to stagger them. We learned that worked well," Smith said. "Now, all of the residence halls are open all three days. This gives parents and students more flexibility and staggers the flow of people on and off campus."

Before arriving at their appointed time, residential students should check their 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ emails for pertinent information and read over the checklists.

"As a freshman, I over-packed," Sharon Shaji, a veteran RA and senior pursuing a degree in biology, said. "I packed my whole closet. I had shirts and shoes I barely wore. And I brought a lot of containers for my stuff, but you have a limited amount of space."

Smith said several items are prohibited such as alcohol, fireworks, cooking appliances, wall-mounted televisions, and knives with blades longer than 3 inches.

"There is a list specific to each residence hall of things we recommend students should and shouldn't bring," she said, advising students to label all of their items since many look similar.

For any questions, email residencelife@ung.edu or ask RAs during move-in days. They will be easily identifiable with the shirts they wear, Smith said.