As in years past, Slippery Rock University students and faculty volunteers will assist new students moving their belongings to campus residence halls starting Thursday. More than 3,000 students will be moving into residence halls through Sunday.

SLIPPERY ROCK — With the beginning of the fall semester less than a week away, hundreds of Slippery Rock University students will be returning to campus this weekend.

The school’s annual Weekend of Welcome for new students will kick off Thursday. Class will be back in session on campus Monday.

More than 1,500 freshmen and transfer students will move into residence halls on Thursday and Friday while about 1,800 returning students will move in on Saturday and Sunday, said Karen Perry, assistant director of campus recreation.

Though SRU doesn’t keep track of how many students live in off-campus housing near the university, those students are likely moving in this week as well.

About 300 students and 150 staff members will volunteer to help the new students move in and get settled on campus.

Campus police and ROTC members will help direct traffic around campus.

Many of the student helpers live in residence halls and are able to move in today, a perk of volunteering.

Providing a warm welcome is also a campus tradition, Perry said.

“They want to help give the same experience they had when they were new. For most of them the experience was really positive. It’s a good way to show our pride in the university,” she said.

To prevent traffic and confusion, students were able to sign up for a move-in time in advance. A limited number of students is scheduled for each time slot.

They also are directed to enter campus via Harmony Road and to avoid driving down Main Street where traffic can sometimes get backed up.

Though there is still a detour in effect on Route 8 sending traffic through the borough, SRU doesn’t anticipate problems associated with additional traffic or students finding campus, Perry said.

A series of activities is planned for the weekend to welcome the new students. These include educational sessions, games and recreation opportunities, and a moonlight breakfast Friday. On Sunday volunteers will conduct a campus cleanup to make sure litter and items left behind during moving are disposed of properly.

Campus will be up and running with staff members available at the offices for parking, financial aid, meal plans and IDs, among others.

Classes at Grove City College also resume Monday. GCC will hold a new student orientation program starting Thursday. Upperclassmen moving into residence halls will do so on Saturday. An opening convocation will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Harbison Chapel.