Slippery Rock University experimented with a one-day move-in for freshmen and transfer students this year.

The first-year students moved into their residence halls Thursday. Upperclassmen will return Sunday, according to Dave Wilmes, associate provost for student success and coordinator of the university's new Week of Welcome program.

About 400 volunteers — a group comprised of students, staff and faculty — took positions at all of the residence halls with moving bins to assist the new students.

The focus: speed.

“We can get a vehicle unloaded in six minutes,” Wilmes said. “It's basically like a NASCAR pit crew.”

Freshman Jenna Simpson of Chicago traveled 7½ hours for a dual major in SRU's programs for dance and early childhood development in special education.

Simpson said she received a lot of information about the move-in from the university and her roommate, who moved in early. She was relieved to find help when she arrived.

“There was a lot of information about it beforehand,” Simpson said. “It was still just overwhelming because it's moving in.”

Gabriel Mortorana of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, said he thought the move-in would be more cluttered and take longer with everyone moving in the same day.

“It was quick and was really nice,” he said. “It was definitely easier than I was expecting.”

Mortorana said the weather was also something unexpected.

“We've had rain the past two days by us, so this has been amazing,” he said. “The sun is definitely a positive way to move in.”

Freshman Samantha Hawk of South Park said she had an easy time moving in as well. She said the quick move will give her more time to get acclimated to SRU's campus.

“I'm looking forward to exploring campus and getting to know people,” she said.

Her mother, Kathy Hawk, said the volunteers made the move go smoothly.

“It's really nice to have helpers carry everything,” she said.

President William Behre also literally had his hands full Thursday.

Behre patrolled in a golf cart, stopping to hand out lollipops to movers, a joking promise he made in his introductory news conference, and helped unpack some vehicles. He said it was a good opportunity for him to meet the new students.

“This has just been a fantastic day,” Behre said. “I just shuttled a mother who dropped off her kid, who is a first-generation to go to college. That's just touching.”

Wilmes said he received a lot of compliments for the way the day played out.

“It could not have gone more smoothly,” he said. “The great weather helped, but it has been a well-oiled machine today. No problems. No really bad traffic backups. It's been great.”

Thursday was only the first day of SRU's Week of Welcome.

Wilmes said the remainder of the week will help the new students by showing them the campus' features and where to go for the first day of classes on Monday. There will be events that allow them to interact with the school's staff, faculty and their fellow classmates.

Wilmes said the day would not have been possible without all the lifting, patience and coordination of the volunteers.

“It's because of those volunteers,” Wilmes said. “They are happy to welcome new students to campus. I can't say thank you enough”