FSU Senior Leadership, Student Leaders Move First-Time Students into Residence Halls Ahead of Fall 2024 Semester

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The March Bronco Xpress drumline sounded in the distance as vehicles filed on campus for Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell T. Allison, other university senior leaders and student leaders to help first-time freshmen into their new residence halls during Operation Smooth Move on August 13.

“Welcoming new students and their parents is always an exciting opportunity for me. These new Broncos that we moved into our residence halls are a part of our Bronco family and officially a part of our institution’s future,” said Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. “I am grateful they chose FSU as a launch pad toward their goals, dreams and future careers,” he added.

Students were greeted by dozens of student leaders and staff members prepared to make the transition onto campus easy. They helped unpack and move suitcases and mini-refrigerators and other living essentials from cars up to the student’s room.“While I was nervous about this new experience, I felt relieved when I saw everyone cheering and welcoming us in,” said Sandhya Gentius-Harris, who is entering her first year at FSU as a communications and media studies major.

With more than 1500 students returning to campus residence halls this fall, about 450 are first-time freshmen like Gentius-Harris and her roommate, Kyra Conway, a criminal justice major. Conway said she was excited to explore campus and navigate a new level of independence. 

Operation Smooth Move is a systematic process that ensures a smooth move-in and eliminates congestion in the freshmen residence halls. Having students from the FSU Student Government Association, Miss and Mr. FSU and the Royal Court, fraternities and sororities and athletes assist new Broncos moving into their residence hall also affects the parents.

Paula Gentius, Gentius-Harris’ mother, said she felt a rush of emotions the evening before bringing her daughter to campus to move in. “The feelings just flooded in last night and I was worried she might be scared,” Paula said. “Sandhya was excited when she woke up, and when we got here, seeing the students and getting their help made me feel better.”

Some of the students assisting with Operation Smooth Move were first-time freshmen who arrived on campus a few days before as members of the FSU Matriculation Institute, like Bryson Cuffie and Jaiden Williams. 

“It was great to help my classmates get their things settled in their rooms,” said Cuffie. “The Matriculation Institute gave us a warm, heart-felt welcome and we brought the same energy for our peers.”

“It felt good to make connections early, see everyone smiling and meeting Chancellor Allison,” Williams said. “Helping others move in really helped my transition to FSU.”

FSU has experienced a consistent increase in total enrollment, including first-time freshmen enrollment during Chancellor Allison’s administration which began in 2021.

“When you bring new energy to campus, it expands the excitement surrounding the work we are doing here at FSU,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Monica T. Leach, who also helped welcome new students and parents to the campus.

“This is a powerful transformational moment for our new students and for our entire campus,” said Provost Leach.