VSU Announces Campus Opening

VALDOSTA - In the midst of construction and many positive changes, Valdosta State University will begin fall semester 2008 in early August.

Students arriving early, including athletic team participants, emerging leaders and band members, will lead the check-in process beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, and the remaining students will flood the campus on Wednesday, Aug. 13. VSU community members are encouraged to be considerate as the new students arrive by assisting with directions and questions as needed as well as avoiding parking lots on main campus and the surrounding lots on Georgia. Faculty and staff members will be able to park near the Office of Admissions, the University Center, the Alumni House and the Oak Street lot.

Although classes will not begin until Monday, Aug. 18, the university will officially kick off the new semester with convocation at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, in the University Center Magnolia Room. During the ceremony, VSU's new president, Dr. Patrick J. Schloss, will present the "State of the University" address and the faculty and staff excellence awards will be presented. Convocation will air on VSU-TV, Cable Channel 11, at 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, Wednesday, Aug. 13, and Friday, Aug. 15. Those who prefer can watch via the World Wide Web at http://cinema.valdosta.edu:8080/ramgen/broadcast/vsutv.rm .

Following the event, Sodexo will sponsor a luncheon for faculty and staff at Palms Dining Hall and the Office of Housing and Residence Life will provide tours of the Hopper Hall replacement.

Because VSU has more than a new residence hall to showcase, Auxiliary Services will sponsor an open house at the new Oak Street parking deck at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18. The new deck on Oak Street is designed for commuting students and community members attending campus events; it will not allow overnight parking. The Sustella Avenue lot will be dedicated primarily for residential students needs and other overnight parking. Other parking updates and changes, as well as a campus parking map, can be viewed on the Parking and Transportation Web site, http://services.valdosta.edu/parking .

VSU students will enjoy the many new amenities and parking options provided by the newly constructed Hopper Hall replacement and parking decks, while construction continues on the new student union and Georgia Hall.

University Police officials encourage all VSU community members to be cautious around construction sites and to be advised that once construction has begun, the area within protective fencing is no longer considered VSU property. It is the property of the construction company and no foot or vehicular traffic is permitted inside the fenced areas. Anyone found in the area without authorization is subject to arrest and prosecution; vehicles parked illegally within the fenced area will be removed and the owner will be responsible for any cost incurred.

Students who have not registered for fall semester classes will be able to do so from 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, through 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22. Sodexo Campus Services dining locations will resume regular hours on Monday, Aug. 18. For a listing of these or pre-opening hours visit http://services.valdosta.edu/dining/ . See the VSU Connection or VSU's News Web site, www.valdosta.edu/news for additional updates and information.