Curbside service to smooth way for residence hall move-in days

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will again provide curbside service for students moving into university residence halls Aug. 15-19.

COVID-19 safety precautions led University Housing to institute curbside move-in for the first time in fall 2020. Keith Zaborowski, associate director for housing operations and support, said the service is being continued in fall 2021 for safety and efficiency — and because families seem to prefer it.

“It was really popular with parents and students — they didn’t have to move in the majority of their belongings,” he said. “It makes a better experience for parents and students to do curbside. It’s more efficient and it takes the stress off parents and their students.”

With more than 4,000 students moving into the halls in the span of five days, motorists should be aware of potential traffic snarls on Antelope Valley Parkway near campus, particularly between Vine Street and Transformation Drive near the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Zaborowski said the majority of Husker students using the residence halls will move in Aug. 15-19.

Other students will arrive after Aug. 19, and some groups, such as Cornhusker Marching Band members and Nebraska College Preparatory Academy members, will move in before Aug. 15.

Traffic could be heaviest Aug. 15, with the arrival of more than 1,000 students for sorority recruitment, First Husker and other programs. Traffic from incoming students will share the road with about 50 semi-trailer trucks used to break down equipment from the Aug. 14 Garth Brooks concert at Memorial Stadium.

However, Zaborowski said the curbside service will space out the arrivals and reduce the heavy traffic and parking shortages of years past. Move-in drivers should follow paper maps provided by Housing and turn off navigational devices, which will not give them the correct routes.

All families participating in curbside move-in are given pre-assigned times to check in at the Devaney Center. Students who adjust their move-in time will not be able to participate in the curbside service, which strategically fills the halls one at a time based on floor assignments.

There are no limits on the number of people who can accompany students on move-in day. Only one vehicle — most often a truck, large SUV or van — can go through the curbside line. Other vehicles will need to be parked elsewhere. Students are responsible for moving electronics and bikes.

During check-in, students will receive a room key and other housing-related materials. They also will be offered COVID-19-related services, such as vaccination, saliva-based testing, voluntary vaccine registration and the opportunity to download the Safer Community app used for campus building entry. After check-in, single lines of vehicles will follow a lead car to their residence hall, where crews will meet them to unload their belongings into laundry carts and deliver those belongings to their rooms.

Curbside move-in services will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 15-19. Students who choose not to use curbside services may schedule to move in outside of that time frame.

For more information on move-in, click here.