By KYLE ODEGARD
Gazette-Times reporter | Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 12:00 am
College students flock to town
Teenagers and parents lugged bags, televisions, crates of food and more into Wilson Hall on Sunday, and some carried more than others.
"Some people, you wonder how they get it all in their dorm room," smiled America Sayer, a University Housing worker keeping an eye on the proceedings.
Nearly 2,000 students, many of them freshmen, were scheduled to move into the Oregon State University dormitory system Sunday, Sayer said.
"Today's the big day," she added. Several hundred more students will follow today and Tuesday, Sayer said.
But the hustle and bustle of moving wasn't limited to dorm parking lots Sunday.
A look down many streets near campus revealed U-Haul trucks, pickups or cars filled with mattresses, chairs and other items.
"I'm excited to be back. I missed it," said Bob Thornapple, 23, a senior, who was in Europe for the summer. On Sunday, he helped a friend move into a house on Jefferson Avenue near campus.
"Europe was pretty cool, but you've got to go to school, too. Beavers aren't looking to good, though," he said.
Nearby, Shayne Tennis of Bend moved into his first apartment on Ninth Street, after spending the summer installing carpets with his dad's business.
The 18-year-old sophomore lived in the dorms last year, and he said he was looking forward to having his own space.
"I'm ready for the school year to start again," he said.
After his dad helped him carry a bed to his apartment, Tennis had a tidbit of moving advice.
"When you have to go up four flights of stairs, don't bring much heavy furniture," he said.
University staff and volunteers made things easier for people moving into the dorms.
"It makes it easy for me, so I don't have to walk up stairs," said Rick Elliott of Keizer, has a bad leg from polio. Elliott drove his freshman son to Wilson Hall on Sunday.
Andrew Elliott, 18, was excited about being on campus. His dad wasn't quite as sure. "It's a change for us," Rick Elliott said. "He's our one and only child, so we're about to become empty nesters."
Kyle Odegard covers Benton County government, Philomath and rural Benton County. He can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.