By SUSAN JONES

Pitt Arrival for first-year students is coming sooner than you think — indeed a day sooner than it has in the past.

“In previous years, our families have told us that they prefer moving in over a weekend because of work and family obligations on weekdays,” Julie Bannister, assistant vice chancellor for auxiliary services, said.

Because 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.

In 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’ 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.

Upper-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’s Presbyterian Hospital, special arrangements have been made for Lothrop Hall residents again this year. Free parking at UPMC’s Victoria garage (directly across from Lothrop) is available only on Aug. 15, 22 and 23.  

Almost 9,000 first-year and upper-class students are expected to move into University-owned housing this fall.

The number of first-year students is expected to be down from last year’s 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.

Street closures

To accommodate move in, some streets will be temporarily closed during select dates and times. View the Pitt Campus Map for traffic advisories and updates. Main move-in times are:  8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 15 and 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22 and 23.

Forbes 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.

Lothrop Street: No parking at the meters from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 15-16 and Aug 21-23

South Bouquet Street: No parking will be permitted 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 15-16.

Thackeray Street: No parking at the meters from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 15-16.

University Place: Closed to vehicular traffic from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 15-16.

300 block North Dithridge: No parking will be permitted from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 21-22.

Ruskin Avenue will experience heavy traffic Aug 21-22, and parking meters on Ruskin Avenue will be restricted to individuals moving into Ruskin Hall.

Allequippa 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.

Parking for the public will be restricted at all University parking lots and garages during this time.

In addition there is heavy traffic expected during Welcome Week on:

• Aug. 17 due to New Student Convocation at 2 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center.

• Aug. 18 due to Building a Pitt Community at 11 a.m. at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt Police will be stationed to assist with street crossing on both days.

Welcome Week

A variety of programs are planned for students during the Aug. 15 to 23, just before classes start on Aug. 24.

Some of the notable activities include:

Hail to Possible Tent: 4-9 p.m. Aug. 17-18, Cathedral lawn, with games and prizes

Building a Pitt Community: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Petersen Events Center

Global 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)

Pep Rally & Drone Show: 8-9:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Cathedral Lawn and Schenley Plaza

Pantherpalooza: 8-11 p.m. Aug. 22, Cathedral Lawn

Lantern Night: 7:15-9:30 p.m., Cathedral Commons and Cathedral Lawn

Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.

Have a story idea or news to share? Share it with the University Times.

Follow the University Times on Facebook.