Here They Come! New U.Va. Students To Arrive Saturday

August 24, 2000 -- The new academic year at the University of Virginia becomes reality on Saturday, Aug. 26, when approximately 2,930 first-year students will move into their residence halls.

Beginning at about 7:30 a.m. heavily burdened cars will make their way along Alderman and McCormick Roads to the residence halls. Starting at 8 a.m. in front of the 37 buildings in which the new students will live, residence staff members will dispense room keys. Upperclass students wearing slate blue "Greeters" T-shirts will welcome families and assist the first-years in moving in.

U.Va. police estimate that the annual "Move-In Day" will bring about 5,000 cars and 12,000 people to Grounds on Saturday. About 20 police officers will be on duty from approximately 6:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Emmet, McCormick, Stadium and Alderman roads to assist in traffic flow.

U.Va. President John T. Casteen III will address parents on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium. At 7 p.m. he will address new students during Convocation on the Lawn. (Rain date: Sunday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. on the Lawn)

Profile of Entering Class

The entering class is expected to be more diverse than last yearıs class, said Dean of Admission John A. Blackburn. Among those expected in the class of 2004 are 294 African-American students, 350 Asian-American students and 98 Hispanic-American students. Last year there were 284 African-American students, 289 Asian-American students and 77 Hispanic-American students.

About 142 international students are expected among the first-year undergraduate class; last year 134 international students were in the entering class.

Just over 82 percent of the in-coming students were ranked in the top 10 percent of their class -- a slight increase over last yearıs entering class. Twenty-nine percent of the new undergraduates were in the top one percent of their class, compared to 21 percent last year. The middle 50 percent of the combined SAT scores for the entering class was 1220-1410.

One distinguishing characteristic of the entering class is that there will be more male students this year than in last yearıs class. "The percentage of males in last yearıs entering class, 44 percent, was the lowest in U.Va.ıs history. We anticipate this yearıs entering class will be 46 percent male," Blackburn said.

"From meetings that Iıve attended with admission officers at other institutions this summer, it appears that the decline in male undergraduate students is reversing itself this year," he added.

Just over 67 percent, or 1,999 students in the entering class, will be Virginia residents. About 535 new transfer students are also expected this year.

Projected total enrollment this year at U.Va. is:

undergraduate students, 12, 521

first-year students, 2,930

new transfer students, 535

graduate students, 4,089

1st professional students, 1,635

on-Grounds continuing education students, 416

on-Grounds total: 18,661

off-Grounds, 3,600

Activities of Note

Saturday, Aug. 26

"Move-In Day" 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. First-year students move into their residence halls

OASIS 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Representatives from University offices will answer questions from first-year students and their parents and provide assistance. Aquatic & Fitness Center

U.Va. President John T. Casteen III speaks to Parents 1 - 2 p.m. Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

Convocation and Honor Induction on the Lawn 7 - 8:30 p.m. U.Va. President Casteen to speak during Convocation; economics professor Ken Elzinga to speak during the Honor Induction. (Rain date: Sunday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. on the Lawn)

Sunday, Aug. 27

Transfer Student Picnic 5:30-7 p.m. Amphitheater (Rainsite: Tent in Newcomb Hall Plaza)

Monday, Aug. 30

"Grounds for Discussion" 9:30 ­ 10:30 a.m. 11 a.m. ­ noon Skits about University life Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

Rotunda Sing 8-10 p.m. A capella concert Rotunda South Steps

Tuesday, Aug. 31

"Grounds for Discussion" 9:30-10:30 a.m.; 11 a.m. ­ 12 noon Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

Student Activities Fair 10 a.m. ­ 4 p.m. Lively event as numerous student organizations promote their activities Amphitheater (Rain date: Saturday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., Amphitheater)

First-Year Barbecue 5-7 p.m. Event sponsored by First-Year Resource Center and Honor Committee Outside Observatory Hill Dining Hall

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Classes begin

Contact: Ida Lee Wootten, (804) 924-6857

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: please contact the Office of University Relations at (804) 924-7116. Television reporters should contact the TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.
SOURCE: U.Va. News Services

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Last Modified: Thursday, 24-Aug-2000 16:56:41 EDT
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