It's August at the University of South Carolina, so that means campus will be bustling again with new and old Gamecocks returning for the start of the fall 2024 semester.
Early move-in begins Aug. 12 and the full move-in weekend is scheduled for Aug. 17-18.
As the campus community prepares for a massive week, here’s everything students, faculty and staff need to know.
Traffic patterns
Traffic control measures will begin just after 7:30 a.m. Aug. 12, and faculty and staff who park in garages and lots affected by move-in activity will receive instructions from Parking and Transportation Services about alternatives.
Sumter Street between College and Greene Streets will be blocked off and used as a staging area for students moving into the Horseshoe and Greene Street.
Parking and Transportation’s app, ParkUSC will help students and families arriving for move-in navigate traffic and get to their unloading area and parking lot.
ParkUSC is now available for every surface lot on campus and can help students, faculty and staff affected by move-in find open parking spaces.
What’s open
For starters, USC is opening its new First-Generation Living and Learning Community at Maxcy Residence Hall for first-generation college students.
There will be a few campus services open for students and their families over move-in weekend like the Russell House student union, the campus bookstore, the Student Health Center, campus recreation and more.
The Russell House will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the official move-in weekend (Aug. 17-18).
The campus bookstore will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 17 and closed Aug. 18.
The Student Health Center will take walk-in appointments from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to handle any student medical needs during move-in. The health center will also be able to assist with any immunization questions. The Student Health Center can only treat USC students.
Students enrolled in a class this semester will have access to the Wellness and Fitness Center beginning Aug. 12. The Blatt PE Center will be closed for move-in weekend but will reopen Aug. 19. Hours for both can be found on Campus Recreation’s website.
The Office of Student Advocacy will also be available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. via live chat to answer any questions.
Dining options
Student meal plans will go into effect Aug. 17 at lunchtime with a few options to choose from that weekend.
Gamecock Park in the Russell House will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 17. It will open Aug. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. then again from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Other dining options like Chick-Fil-A in the Russell House, Starbucks at Welsh Humanities and the Gamecock General at Campus Village will also be open. A full breakdown of Carolina Food Co. hours can be found online.
Move-in day
Dumpsters will be placed around campus for cardboard and other trash from move-in weekend.
For students and their families moving in that week, there will be a mobile check-in station near the Horseshoe and another at Benson for Campus Village. Parents can also download the USC Parent and Family Programs app to read more about move-in processes.
Hydration stations, package pickup
There will be hydration stations across campus for move-in with some permanent stations to refill water bottles as well as temporary water stations that will be moved soon after move-in weekend.
There will be two near the Russell House, two near 650 Lincoln, two more near Capstone and two near the Horseshoe. There will also be one next to the Blatt PE Center.
It’s always hot in August in South Carolina, and staying hydrated is critical. Students, families and volunteers are encouraged to begin hydrating days in advance and bring a refillable water bottle for use during move-in.
Package pickup will be at Blatt PE Center during move-in weekend from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will shift to the Russell House on Aug. 19.
Campus community
It’s important to help welcome returning students and the Class of 2028 to campus and kickstart the academic year. To help create a welcoming culture at USC, there are plenty of ways for the campus community to volunteer and help.
Sign up to be a greeter during move-in Saturday and Sunday and help welcome Gamecocks to campus. Greeters work three-hour shifts and receive a complimentary T-shirt and meal swipe for use after their shift.
There also are volunteer opportunities for First Night Carolina and other Carolina Welcome events.