New Mavericks move in, ready to call UTA home
With the heat index peaking at 109 degrees, thousands of Mavericks hauled mini-fridges, computer monitors, fans, snacks and even electric guitars into UTA residence halls Wednesday during Move-In Day.
Families pushed carts stacked high with boxes and supplies, stopping for shade, fan misters, cold water and shaved ice as students began settling into their new rooms.
More than 2,700 students will live in UTA’s five residence halls and another 1,800 in campus apartments this academic year. About 10,000 students total will live on or near campus.
Freshman biology major Rowan Longenbaugh had already settled into West Hall before Wednesday’s main rush. Once unpacked, he headed downstairs looking for people to meet.
“I came down here into the lobby, and I waited for people to come play table tennis,” Longenbaugh said.
Before long, he had met a group of students, and they went to eat together. Longenbaugh said he already felt relaxed in his new home and was excited to see more Mavericks arriving. He also learned an early lesson in living on his own.
“I would recommend buying towels before,” Longenbaugh said. “I had to run to the store when I realized I didn’t have any.”
For nursing major Diana Velte, moving away from her home in Cypress, near Houston, felt more daunting. She called it a “big step,” but said rooming with a friend from high school put her more at ease.
Student and employee volunteers helped make the busy day run smoothly, passing out cold water and Maverick Move-In shirts, answering questions, directing families toward elevators and jumping in wherever another set of hands was needed.
Senior exercise science major Emily Hamm said that support is especially important when new students are still trying to find their place.
“The first two weeks of classes are going to be where people are the most desperate for community,” Hamm said. “A lot of them, this is their first chapter of life on their own.”Christine Roberts, a student success coordinator and professor in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, has spent about a decade volunteering for Maverick Move-In. She described Wednesday as “melty” and “sweltering,” but also joyous, with nervousness among students and pride and excitement from families.
Roberts said living on campus gives students an early opportunity to build community.
“You find your people,” Roberts said. “You’re not alone in this journey, especially if it’s your first time being on a college campus.”
The transition was just as real for parents. Troy Calvis said his son, Chase, an aerospace engineering major, was unusually quiet when the family left home Wednesday morning. But by the time Chase was moved in and had met his roommate, he seemed more comfortable.
For the elder Calvis, the day brought mixed emotions as the family prepared to become empty-nesters.
“It’s a reality check—it’s sad, it’s exciting,” Calvis said. “So it’s a big step, you know, because we’re going to be empty-nesters when we get home. So it’s a little scary, but it’s exciting.”
By afternoon, carts sat empty, fridges hummed in their new locations and families began the drive home—leaving behind Mavericks ready to start finding their place.
Written by Dylan Stewart, Marketing, Messaging, and Engagement
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.