Move-in day for first year students at Emerson is no small undertaking. Hundreds of student, staff, and faculty volunteers help make the process spirited, welcoming, fun, and efficient. Here are some moments in time, capturing what move-in was like for some first year students on Wednesday.
8 a.m.
When most Bostonians downtown were ambling to their offices half asleep, a cheerful roar could be heard erupting from the sidewalk in front of 80 Boylston Street. The culprits were Emerson students wearing colorful tutus, face gems, and matching pink orientation t-shirts, as they welcomed incoming first-year students and their parents to the Little Building for move-in day.
Most of the new students and their families arrived in packed cars, and traveled in a single file line of traffic that began at Piano Row and snaked around the corner to Tremont Street. When families entered the line, Orientation Leaders poked their heads into cars and gave them detailed instructions about what would happen next.
One such Orientation Leader was Film major Carter Davis ’28 who was inspired to become an Orientation Leader following own positive experience on move-in day as a first year student. “When I was a freshman, my orientation leader was so kind, so spirited, and really just embodied what Emerson should be,” he said, “throughout that year, I would see her around and she would be so warm and remembered my name. It’s nice to have someone you know you can rely on.”
8:40 a.m.
Film, Television, and Media Arts major Lily Quinn ’30 and her father were waiting in their car on Tremont Street, still several cars behind the action. “I’m feeling pretty good,” Quinn said as she saw her future classmates greeted up ahead. “I’m a little anxious, but I think it’ll be exciting.”
8:56 a.m.
Roughly 15 minutes after she first entered the line of cars, Quinn’s belongings were unloaded, she was checked in at the Little Building, and headed up the elevator to her room, which she would be sharing with a high school friend.
9:05 a.m.
Moving her last few items in with her mother, Jennifer, Maeve Bartlett ’30, a Writing, Literature, and Publishing major from Maynard, MA, was also looking forward to becoming part of the Emerson community. “I’m really excited to be in a community of fun, creative people,” she said.
“I feel like Emerson has the most beneficial tools and resources for me to thrive in my future, whether that’s on a stage, or behind the stage, or just living in general.”
Addie Getts '30
9:17 a.m.
Theatre & Performance major Addie Getts ’30 and her mother, Nikki, who traveled to Emerson from Scranton, PA, were patiently waiting in their car, with the end of the line in view.
“Everything is super organized,” Nikki said. “I expected the line to be around the block, that’s what they told us to expect, so when I got in the car line, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh we’re going to be early.’”
Addie Getts said she was excited to move into her room and begin enjoying all that Emerson and Boston have to offer. “I feel like Emerson has the most beneficial tools and resources for me to thrive in my future,” she said, “whether that’s on a stage, or behind the stage, or just living in general.”
9:54 a.m.
Musical Theatre major Olivia Stambaugh ’30 and her parents traveled to Emerson from Maryland. Stambaugh said it was her second time in Boston; her first time was to visit Emerson. “Everyone was so kind and welcoming and seemed very passionate about whatever they do,” she said.
10:13 a.m.
After Stambaugh’s belongings were whisked away by a student volunteer, she headed into the Little Building elevator and Stambaugh was excited to see a fellow Emersonian she had met previously (also named Olivia). Two minutes later, more Orientation Leaders greeted them and pointed them in the direction of Stambaugh’s room, her new home for the next academic year. “We’ve had a great time and just want to get settled,” she said.
10:30 a.m.
The move-in line had officially become bumper to bumper around the block, as promised. Marco Li ’30, a Media Arts Production major and soon-to-be member of the Emerson Volleyball team, had driven up from Philadelphia with his dad. “I’m very excited,” Li said, “I used to live in the Boston area and I love this place so much. I can’t wait to go walk around the Boston Common and take in the city.”
10:45 a.m.
Theatre and Performance major Owen Hayes ’30 was also in the car line with his father and had traveled from Vermont. When asked why he chose Emerson, his answer was simple. “Why not?” he said, “I like a place that values art.”
