

Their bags are packed, their residence hall contracts are signed and they’re ready to start a new life on campus.

As many as 5,850 new freshman will arrive in Boulder this fall, according to the University of Colorado, and today marks the first day new students can begin moving into their dorm rooms.

CU officials expect the majority of the freshman to arrive Thursday.

John Fox, CU’s assistant director of residence life, said that many freshmen already have completed orientation, but those who have not will arrive today to move in and complete the final session before classes begin Monday.

“We try to do everything we can to make the adjustment from home to college successful,” Fox said. “This is a huge transition for incoming students and their families. We try to make it as much of a personalized and caring experience as possible.”

Students who already have completed orientation will move in before 5 p.m. Thursday, and returning students — such as sophomores — can move into residence halls anytime from Thursday through the weekend, Fox said.

According to the university, more than 100 volunteers will be active in assisting students throughout move-in days — many of them will include students from a variety of organizations and student groups.

Volunteers will not only be assisting new students and their parents to help speed up the moving process, but also to provide additional information about campus and upcoming student activities, according to CU officials.

A variety of social activities also are being held on campus in conjunction with the move-in, including Global Jam — a concert event to be held at Farrand Field at noon Friday — and “Late Night Movie Under The Stars: ‘Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo’” at 11 p.m. Friday on Farrand Field.

More information about move-in socials can be found at www.colorado.edu; just click on the “CU or Bust” graphic.