University First in the State to Welcome Students to Campus for New Academic Year

Joseph and Teresa Ansah were excited as they moved their son Brandon Ansah ’25 into Bethel Hall at the University of New Haven. They liked what they saw when they arrived on campus from their home in Trumbull, Conn.: smiling faces, a welcoming atmosphere, and what they believe will be a great fit for their son.

“The move-in was very well thought out, and we appreciate that,” said Joseph Ansah. “Moving him in was easy. Everyone has been very helpful.”

“I was emotional coming here,” adds Teresa Ansah. “Brandon’s residence hall is very nice, and I love his room. He’s excited, and we had fun decorating it. It already feels like the University was a great decision, and that feels good.”

‘The University has made everything very easy for us’

Brandon Ansah, a marketing major, is already looking forward to getting involved in the University community and checking out the University’s recording studio.

“The University has made everything very easy for us,” he said. “I’m so excited to be here and to meet new people.”

Ansah is one of approximately 1,350 members of the incoming Class of 2025 who moved into the University’s residence halls this week. The University was the first college or university in Connecticut to welcome students to campus for the 2021-22 academic year.

The newest chargers were welcomed by friendly staff members from across campus, as well as the University’s orientation coordinators and orientation and transition leaders.

The incoming class includes students from 35 states (including Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Oregon) and 15 countries (including Kenya, Sweden, and Zimbabwe). More than 1,000 students will live in University housing. More than 300 students are enrolled in dual degree programs that will enable them to pursue both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.

Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors move in later in the week.

‘I’m so excited to start my classes’

Across the University, there were a variety of activities during the week and throughout the weekend as part of “Charge In,” designed to help new students get to know each other, feel welcome, and learn more about the University before classes begin on Monday, August 23. Commuter students will also be part of the activities, which included informational events such as a resource fair, and fun activities such as lawn games and karaoke.

For Emma Murphy ’25, a national security major who moved into Bixler Hall at the beginning of the week, the evening activities she has taken part in have been a fun and exciting way to get to know her new classmates and fellow Chargers. She especially enjoyed the inflatables on campus.

“The fun events helped, and I didn’t feel isolated after that,” said Murphy, who hails from Coventry, Conn. “I’m so excited to start my classes and to explore the opportunities in the field of national security.”

‘I’m excited for her and for her next chapter’

The University will host special programming for rising sophomores, recognizing the impact the pandemic had on their move-in experience last year. Students will be taking part in activities on and off campus.

Safety was an important focus of the move-in, and sanitizer stations were located around each of the residence halls and everyone inside a University building wore a face covering. Earlier this month, the University announced it had reached a 90 percent vaccination rate, and it shared a series of comprehensive policies and procedures that will be in place throughout the Fall 2021 semester to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

Family members assisting their students showed proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arriving at the University for their move-in day. Based on the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, face coverings are currently required for all individuals when inside university buildings.

David Muñoz, who was helping move his daughter Angelica Muñoz ’25 into Bixler Hall, says he was glad to see that everyone was following the safety procedures.

“This experience has been great, and everyone has been very helpful and friendly,” said Muñoz, who came to West Haven from Englewood, New Jersey. “The directions were clear, and we’ve been in good hands. I’m excited for her and for her next chapter.”

‘I think the University is a perfect fit’

Angelica Muñoz, a biology major, was nervous at first, but her jitters turned into excitement as she got set up in her residence hall.

“I thought moving in would be hard, but it went very smoothly,” she said. “We were greeted right away, and everyone has been willing to help. I think the University is a perfect fit, and I’m excited to get involved in the University community."