\n\tBy SUSAN JONES<\/p>\n
\n\tPitt Arrival for first-year students is coming sooner than you think \u2014 indeed a day sooner than it has in the past.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cIn previous years, our families have told us that they prefer moving in over a weekend because of work and family obligations on weekdays,\u201d Julie Bannister, assistant vice chancellor for auxiliary services, said.<\/p>\n
\n\tBecause of that, Arrival move-in days for first-year students will be Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16, instead of starting on Sunday as they have in the past. Arrival stations will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. those days.<\/p>\n
\n\tIn addition, first-year students who are the children of Pitt staff and faculty members will again have the option to move in a day earlier, on Friday, Aug. 14. That offer also extends to those students\u2019 roommates. Details will be emailed to the students soon. Early move-in is only offered to Pitt staff and faculty, and not to those employed by UPMC.<\/p>\n
\n\tUpper-class students living in Pitt residence halls are asked to move in on Aug. 21 and 22, with the Arrival stations staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to construction at UPMC\u2019s Presbyterian Hospital, special arrangements have been made for Lothrop Hall residents again this year. Free parking at UPMC\u2019s Victoria garage (directly across from Lothrop) is available only on Aug. 15, 22 and 23.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tAlmost 9,000 first-year and upper-class students are expected to move into University-owned housing this fall.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe number of first-year students is expected to be down from last year\u2019s record high. Pitt will not be leasing space this year at the Hampton Inn on Hamlet Street and Webster Hall on Fifth Avenue, but has signed an agreement to house upper-class students at the Wellington Apartments (245 Melwood Ave.), adding 81 apartment-style units and 148 additional beds.<\/p>\n
\tStreet closures<\/p>\n
\n\tTo accommodate move in, some streets will be temporarily closed during select dates and times. View the Pitt Campus Map<\/a> for traffic advisories and updates. Main move-in times are:\u00a0 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 15 and 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22 and 23.<\/p>\n \n\tForbes and Fifth Avenues in Oakland will experience heavy traffic during this time. There also will be periodic delays in traffic for mass student street crossings.<\/p>\n \n\tLothrop Street: No parking at the meters from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 15-16 and Aug 21-23<\/p>\n \n\tSouth Bouquet Street: No parking will be permitted 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 15-16.<\/p>\n \n\tThackeray Street: No parking at the meters from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 15-16.<\/p>\n \n\tUniversity Place: Closed to vehicular traffic from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 15-16.<\/p>\n \n\t300 block North Dithridge: No parking will be permitted from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 21-22.<\/p>\n \n\tRuskin Avenue will experience heavy traffic Aug 21-22, and parking meters on Ruskin Avenue will be restricted to individuals moving into Ruskin Hall.<\/p>\n \n\tAllequippa Street will experience heavy traffic Aug. 15-16 and 21-22. Pitt Police will be stationed at the corner of Allequippa Street and University Drive to direct traffic.<\/p>\n \n\tParking for the public will be restricted at all University parking lots and garages during this time.<\/p>\n \n\tIn addition there is heavy traffic expected during Welcome Week on:<\/p>\n \n\tPitt Police will be stationed to assist with street crossing on both days.<\/p>\n \tWelcome Week<\/p>\n \n\tA variety of programs are planned for students during the Aug. 15 to 23, just before classes start on Aug. 24.<\/p>\n \n\tSome of the notable activities include:<\/p>\n \n\tHail to Possible Tent: 4-9 p.m. Aug. 17-18, Cathedral lawn, with games and prizes<\/p>\n \n\tBuilding a Pitt Community: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Petersen Events Center<\/p>\n \n\tGlobal Carnival: 1-3 p.m., Bigelow & Fifth Avenue Lawn, Gallagher Plaza, William Pitt Union Patio (Rain location: William Pitt Union Ballroom, Assembly Room, Kurtzman Room)<\/p>\n \n\tPep Rally & Drone Show: 8-9:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Cathedral Lawn and Schenley Plaza<\/p>\n \n\tPantherpalooza: 8-11 p.m. Aug. 22, Cathedral Lawn<\/p>\n \n\tLantern Night: 7:15-9:30 p.m., Cathedral Commons and Cathedral Lawn<\/p>\n \n\tSusan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu<\/a> or 724-244-4042.<\/p>\n \n\t\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tHave a story idea or news to share? Share<\/a> it with the University Times.<\/p>\n