Administrators, professors and the rest of the workforce at Mississippi Valley State University are gearing up for the fall semester.
"In July, we had several sessions of early registration for new students to deter long lines," said Nora Taylor, executive director of enrollment management and director of admissions and recruitment.
New students will be paired with student leaders, who will help guide them on their journey from home life to the campus experience.
"This will make their transition to campus life easier during the new academic year," said Taylor.
Lloyd Dixon, interim director of financial aid, said his office is in the process of awarding students for the 2006-07 fall and spring academic year.
"We have had early registration for new students for the past several Fridays. This is one part of orientation that students will have completed," said Dixon.
Students must meet eligibility requirements to enroll.
The first step to being admitted to the university is through the office of admissions and recruitment.
Students must also make sure they have completed and returned their free financial aid application for the 2006-07 academic year, said Dixon.
"We will gladly work with those students who have not completed all of the necessary requirements to receive financial aid," he said.
Early orientation and registration for new students will be held Aug. 13-15. Registration for all students is Aug. 17-18. Classes begin Aug. 21.
Students attending the Valley will see upgrades and changes to the campus that will make their transition to campus life easier.
"We are cleaning and making repairs to six residence halls," said Bryce Lowe, director of residential life.
Leflore Hall, the five-story men's dorm, will be the first residence hall to receive a pitched roof, said Lowe.
Most of the roofs on the dorms are flat. The new pitched roof will help with drainage, he said.
Students will also have access to additional cable channels in the residence halls.
"Students can enjoy new cable channels such as Fox, Fox University, WB and ESPN University, a channel geared towards collegiate sports," said Lowe.
Meanwhile, everyone is expecting a larger number of students than last year, according to Debbie Montgomery, MVSU director of public relations.
Last year's enrollment was 3,162 students. This was a 12.7 percent decrease from the previous year's figure of 3,621.
Residence halls will open for freshman and transferring students on Aug. 12 and Aug. 16 for all students, she said.
