As the summer season starts to enter its final stages, and the color changes of fall loom over the horizon, the University of New Haven began final preparations for Opening Day 2012.

On Thursday, Aug. 23, the UNH community welcomed the incoming Class of 2016. Throughout the morning and afternoon, cars filled every parking lot on campus and the newest members of the community arrived to begin the newest chapter of their lives.

The Class of 2016 at UNH consists of around 1,200 students, some of whom are commuters. Others moved in early for the CAMEP program, DREAM orientation or Band Camp.

However, the majority of the incoming students moved in on the 23rd, many of whom packed their entire lives in their families’ cars.

The entire university community worked to prepare for this day. Faculty and staff could be found around campus in bright green shirts to help direct students and families wherever they needed to go.

Resident Assistants and Orientation Leaders were present at each of the first-year residence halls to check students in as well as hand them their keys, student IDs and the schedule for Welcome Week.

Last, but not least, Welcome Wagon was once again in full force on opening day. Welcome Wagon is a program coordinated every year by the Office of Student Activities, where upperclassmen wearing bright red shirts volunteer to help new students move in.

Andrew Mayer, Student Activities Office Coordinator, coordinated the 2012 Welcome Wagon.

In addition, a captain was assigned to each of the seven first-year residence halls to direct the Welcome Wagon process for that particular hall. This year, the seven Welcome Wagon captains were Rachel Boulerice, Erin Wiswell, Morgan Streit, Isaak Kifle, Amanda Lavalley, Megan Kolis and Travis McHugh.

Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, the move-in process was a success and the Class of 2016 settled into their new home. Following move-in, students got to attend presentations, say goodbye to their families, participate in various activities and have their class picture taken.

The end of opening day also marks the beginning of Welcome Week, and many more events are planned for the next few days.