Students who arrived at residence halls on the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus this week were met by an auspicious group: other UMSL students. Awaiting new and returning students at campus residences were residential advisors, sorority and fraternity members and other volunteers.
“During my time here, we’ve always welcomed volunteers for ‘Move-In Day,'” said Jackie McCauley, hall director for Oak Hall. “The groups call or e-mail Khalilah Doss, and she tells them where to turn up.” Doss is assistant director of residential life at UMSL.
It would be easy to assume that staff members at the University of Missouri–St. Louis have a lot to do in preparation for the arrival of students in the fall. The truth is, they always have a lot to do, no matter what time of the year it happens to be.
Take, for example, Steve Bene, supervisor of Facilities Services for Residential Life at UMSL. He oversees a team of five workers – including himself – who tend to the maintenance needs of 11 buildings on and near the UMSL campus that serve as student housing.
The University of Missouri–St. Louis last week served as host to 32 bicyclists who are on a 3,755-mile trip across the United States. For the fifth straight year, UMSL provided shelter to members of “Bike & Build,” a charitable group that organizes cross-country bicycle fundraising trips to benefit efforts to build affordable housing.
Bike and Build participants come from all over the country. Mary Kate Long, 21, is a senior at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. A resident of Harrisville, N.H., she’s new at cross-country cycling.
