VCU news

By Tom Gresham

Virginia Commonwealth University freshmen begin to arrive on campus this weekend, moving into student dormitories and kicking off the university's annual "Welcome Week."

In addition, some sophomores and upperclassmen will be moving into the Cary and Belvidere Residential College, the $43.7 million, 408- bed facility that completes phase I of the Monroe Park Campus Addition.

More than 32,000 students will enroll at VCU this fall, constituting the largest student body in school history. Approximately 4,850 students have been assigned so far to student housing. Student housing capacity will reach 4,986 by mid-September, and students are expected to fill each opening. As an illustration of the growth in on-campus housing at VCU, 2,672 positions were available for students during the 1999-2000 academic year.

Of those slated to live on campus, more than 2,900 students are freshmen. The overall freshman class is projected to be 3,750 students. Freshmen will move into their dorm rooms on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Activities will be held in Monroe Park and on the MCV Campus lawn for students and their families on both Saturday and Sunday.

Reuban Rodriguez, Ed.D., associate vice provost and dean of student affairs at VCU, will be available for media interviews regarding VCU move-in days at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, in front of Brandt Hall, at the corner of Laurel and Franklin streets.

Traffic congestion is expected in the areas near VCU's student dormitories on both Saturday and Sunday and street parking will be blocked in the vicinity of residence halls.

Heavy traffic areas include the 700 and 800 blocks of West Franklin Street, near Brandt, Johnson and Rhoads halls; the 700 block of West Main Street, near Gladding Residence Center and the 700 block of West Grace Street near West Grace Street Housing. Congestion also is expected on the MCV campus near Cabaniss Hall, 615 N. Eighth St.