UNBC welcomes new students as campus comes alive for another academic year

“You see the energy? We’ve got new students that are here on campus,” Owen said. “Not just in this space, but throughout the campus. It’s infusing the hallways where it fills with life and energy and smiles. And that promise of newness, that promise of learning, of a new journey.”

The arrival of students transforms the campus each fall, as residence halls fill with students eager to meet new friends, explore new opportunities, and begin a new chapter in their lives.

While move-in day may seem like a flurry of boxes, luggage, and families helping students settle in, organizers say it is about much more than simply getting students into their rooms.

Residence Assistant Ella McNaughton was among the student leaders lending a hand during the busy weekend. She said the largest wave of students arrived on the first day of move-in.

“Today is definitely a lot smaller than yesterday,” McNaughton explained. “Yesterday we had about 60 per cent of residents move in, so that’s pretty cool.”

But for McNaughton, the importance of move-in extends beyond logistics. It serves as an important opportunity to help students build relationships and establish a sense of belonging before classes begin.

“It’s about helping students and building a community,” she said. “I think it’s an opportunity to meet a lot of people, not only on a student level, but on a professional level. So meeting some references and things like that, and also just getting more connected in the school.”

Creating those early connections can be especially valuable for first-year students who may be living away from home for the first time. By participating in residence activities and meeting fellow students during move-in weekend, newcomers can begin establishing support networks that often play a key role in academic and personal success.

The effort to welcome students has become a campus-wide initiative, involving faculty, staff, residence teams, and student-athletes alike.

Members of the UNBC Timberwolves were among those helping students unload vehicles and transport belongings into residence buildings. The volunteer effort gave athletes a chance to connect with incoming students and contribute to the campus community that supports them throughout the year.

Timberwolves athlete Evgeny Baukin said helping with move-in is a way to give back.

“We’ll have to give it back to the people who come to support us and our games,” Baukin said. “And it’s just a fun opportunity to meet new people who are moving into residence.”

Beyond offering practical assistance, the athletes’ presence also allows new students to become familiar with some of the extracurricular opportunities available on campus. Whether students choose to participate in athletics, clubs, student government, or other activities, organizers say involvement outside the classroom can be a major part of the university experience.

Although residence move-in marks the most visible sign of the new academic year, many students have yet to arrive. Thousands of students who live off campus will return to Prince George or begin commuting in the days ahead as the fall semester gets underway.

UNBC expects 630 new students this year, with many choosing to live in residence. University officials say those students will join returning learners from across British Columbia, Canada, and around the world, contributing to a diverse and vibrant campus community.

“We’ve got a total of 630 new students coming to UNBC this year,” Owen said. “Many of them here in residence. And with that comes new energy, new ideas, new excitement. It’s an amazing time.”

For universities, the beginning of the academic year is a chance to renew their mission of education, research, and community engagement. For students, it is often a period filled with anticipation and uncertainty as they navigate new environments, academic expectations, and social experiences.

At UNBC, volunteers and staff are hoping the welcoming atmosphere established during move-in weekend helps ease those transitions and encourages students to feel at home as they begin their studies.

As families say their goodbyes and residence halls settle into a new routine, attention now turns to the start of classes and the academic opportunities that lie ahead.

For many students, the coming weeks will include orientation events, introductions to professors and classmates, and the first steps toward future careers. For the university, the arrival of a new cohort represents a continued investment in Northern B.C.’s future leaders, professionals, and innovators.

With residence halls now filling up and students arriving from near and far, UNBC’s campus is once again alive with the excitement that accompanies the start of a new school year.

Classes officially begin Wednesday.

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by Cheryl Jahn

UNBC welcomes new students as campus comes alive for another academic year

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