When residence students descended on campus Sunday, an army of volunteers was waiting to help.

“It takes a lot of work to get hundreds of people settled into their dorms quickly and efficiently,” said Sandra Davis, manager of residence life. “The Windsor Inter-Residence Council has done a spectacular job of being prepared for our students.”

The student-run council recruited volunteers who checked students into their residences, provided directions to newcomers, and hauled gear up into their rooms. Among them was Karlee Fischer, who joined the transition support team LEAD@UWindsor after enjoying her own first-year experience.

“I loved welcome week and it looked like a fun time to get involved,” said the second-year biology and biochemistry student. She said she remembered the help she got moving into Alumni Hall last September.

Fischer’s friend, second-year engineering major Stephanie Girges, was also helping to haul gear from the curbside Sunday.

“I liked all the help we got during Head Start and other orientation programs, so I thought I would try volunteering this time around,” she said.

For Diandra Houghton, a first-year criminology and sociology student, having helpers to carry belongings into her Macdonald Hall home made one less thing to worry about. She left Cambridge at about 5 a.m. for the drive to Windsor.

“We’re both anxious and excited,” said her mother, Crystal Houghton.

And along with all the excitement of leaving home, meeting new people and making new friends, the University experience is still about education, said new acting student Xanath Fuentes.

“I am really excited about improving my skills, just learning more about acting,” she said.

Crystal Houghton appreciated the help her daughter Diandra—beginning studies in criminology this week—got to move into Macdonald Hall.

First-year engineering student Drew Nevills came prepared to fill his dorm room in Laurier Hall.

Xanath Fuentes, about to begin her studies in acting, poses for her student identification card photo, Sunday in Vanier Hall.

UWindsor Welcome Week continues today with the Tough Lancer competition kicking off the Lancer Cup, a water balloon fight in the residence quad, students embarking on scavenger hunts and an Amazing Race-style competition, culminating in food and games at the Beach Party and barbecue.

Wednesday’s activities include mandatory academic orientation sessions for new students in every program, and the Welcoming Celebration at 3 p.m. in the St. Denis Centre, featuring a draw for a $3,000 tuition voucher, sponsored by the University of Windsor Alumni Association.

Find a full list of event descriptions, locations and times at www.uwindsorwelcome.ca.