MISSOULA – Monday was move-in day at the University of Montana, and you could feel the energy on campus as students eagerly awaited the start of the new academic year.

“It’s just exciting to meet a lot of new people and start a new chapter in life, I guess,” said Mila Radz, a freshman at UM Missoula.

“Yes, I’m excited to start classes,” added Claire Kelley, another first-year student.

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to the fall, to the football games and everything,” Julia Kanau, a first-year student, chimed in.

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In addition to the excitement of the students moving in, there is also joy among the parents who are helping their children move in and preparing them for the next chapter in their lives.

“So these expenses are to prepare your children to leave school and become successful members of society. So today is the next step in this chapter,” said Like Ankey, mother of a first-year student.

For the university itself, this is a big day, as over 2,000 students are moving in at once. The UM was ready on Monday and those in charge are ready to start the new year.

Zach Volheim/MTN News

“Everyone is pitching in and we have about 3,000 employees here at the University of Montana and most of them are volunteers today to help students move in. We want to make sure that every student is successful when they come to the university and that is important from the first moment they step on campus,” said UM spokesman Dave Kuntz.

“This whole week is about building community and working with students to make sure they understand the opportunities and the responsibility that comes with being a UM student,” Kuntz continued. “And it’s exciting to see the parents today. And hopefully we’ll see them again in four years when their students walk on stage with diploma in hand.”

In addition to the anticipation of the new school year, there is also the anticipation of the return of sports and school events and the start of the new school year.