More than 3,900 are expected to be filled this year at the , marking a record-breaking 97% occupancy rate. Of these, nearly 1,900 first-year students unpacked their belongings in their new college homes this week, contributing to the unprecedented demand for on-campus housing.

UofL President Kim Schatzel and her husband, Trevor, were on hand to greet students and families on ��extending a warm welcome to the newest Cardinals.

Lindie Hunter, a proud parent from Charlestown, Ind., is excited and nervous as her children embark on their college journeys. While all of her children will be attending�� UofL this fall, only her daughter has chosen to live in the residence halls.

“It’s very exciting but also nerve-wracking. It’s the next step of adulthood,” Hunter said.

She emphasized that UofL’s affordability and free tuition benefit for dependent children offered by her employer�� were key factors in their family’s decision.

“We are taking advantage of the tuition assistance,” she said. “I’ve been a student here for two semesters taking classes online and now my daughter gets to experience on-campus life.”

Three first-year students, Massia Diomande, Amy Davis and Madelyne Moser, explored campus after moving into Kurz Hall, a residence hall known for its . These students are all members of the

“I’m looking forward to living with people I’m taking classes with,” said Moser, a Louisville native. “It’ll be a close-knit community.”

Diomande, from Hardin County, shared that move-in went smoothly and she’s excited about her new, comfortable room.

Davis, from Paintsville, Ky., expressed anticipation rather than nerves about the first day of classes. “I’m ready to have a schedule and start going to class,” she said.

Dozens of����have been planned for incoming first-year, commuting and transfer students.��Some of the activities include a Cardinal Kickoff Picnic with Schatzel and other UofL leaders; yard games and Bingo Like Never B-4; UofL night at Kentucky Kingdom; sunrise yoga; nachos at Ekstrom Library; After Hours event at the Speed Art Museum; and a Student Government Association welcome lunch.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 19.

View more photos from Move-In 2024 on��.

Watch the short .

Whether an incoming freshman or a returning, transfer or online student, seeking advice and support is key for success. Luckily, new students don’t have to look far for guidance.

Sophomores Fatima Al Khafaji (political science), Ghadir Habeeb (psychology, pre-dental), LaShonda Masden (business) and Diamond Moore (nursing) shared their best tips for getting started at UofL and taking advantage of the first week on campus. Read on for student-centered advice on time management, the best study food and learning how to grow into college life. Also, be sure to check out the full

UofL News: Why did you choose the University of Louisville, and how has your experience been so far?

Al-Khafaji: Home is where the heart is. I wanted to stay close to my family and people I know and love within the Louisville community. On top of that, UofL has proved itself many times to be an outstanding institution, so I didn’t feel the need to go far to seek a good education and opportunities. It’s a win-win. My experience has been pleasing and any anxiety I had about starting college vanished in no time.��

Moore: When doing a college visit, Louisville just felt like home to me. The university was so welcoming. My experience here has been nothing but amazing. The bonds I have made have been lifelong friendships that I am forever grateful for.

UofL News: What are your memories from Welcome Week? Would you do anything differently?

Habeeb: I remember having fun going to every single organization’s table during Welcome Week and creating a list of the clubs and activities I wanted to take part in. Everyone was so approachable and inviting. One thing I would have done differently is to attend the social events! There were some very interesting ones that I was honestly just too timid to go alone to, but I feel like I would have made friends along the way if I went because everyone is so friendly and open to meeting new people during Welcome Week!

UofL News: What is the most difficult thing about starting college and how did you address it?

Habeeb: Starting college can be both exciting and challenging! The most difficult thing is adapting to all the changes. Rigorous courses that were nothing like high school classes, new people to meet and a large campus all at once were very intimidating and overwhelming at first for a freshman. The way I dealt with these challenges was by learning to be adaptable, embracing every new experience and keeping an open mind when approaching difficult courses.

I remember specifically struggling with time management. To tackle this, I kept all of my club meetings and course requirements in a calendar and created daily to-do lists. I saw drastic changes immediately!

Masden: The most difficult thing for me was being able to manage time! That was honestly my big concern, and my advice to students is if everything is going to fall in place the first month might be rocky, but take advantage of using a planner and asking for advice.

UofL News: What is the most fun thing about starting college?

Habeeb: The most fun thing about starting college as a freshman is meeting new people through clubs and volunteer work. I found it very enjoyable meeting new people whose interests aligned with mine. Getting lost while looking for your classes during the first week is fun as well … you get a free tour of the campus!

Al-Khafaji: Most fun thing about starting college is that you have the ability to reinvent yourself and start fresh. You can develop new habits, change your style, have a new mindset, try different approaches, meet all kinds of new people, etc. College is quite flexible, and you have the complete freedom of choice, so be smart with it and take good advantage of the freedom given because you can truly make something out of it. College presents you with the opportunity to become a better version of yourself on a silver platter.

UofL News: How would you describe the campus culture and social life at the University of Louisville?

Al-Khafaji: I would say the culture at UofL is exactly how you would want your college campus culture to be. There is a sense of community all around campus and each organization you find there is dedicated and committed to enhancing the culture. With everyone within the Cardinal community working towards the betterment of and making our environment more inclusive, students will always have the opportunity to develop a social life at UofL. Once you start to connect with people you meet here and there, it will continue, and you will notice that you’ve started to feel a stronger sense of belonging.

Moore: The University of Louisville is so diverse. I did not know how diverse it was until I got there. There are so many clubs and communities for each culture and it’s super unique.

UofL News: Are there any clubs, organizations or extracurricular activities that you would recommend joining?

Moore: If you are an African American and a nursing student I 100% recommend the Black Student Nursing Association (BSNA). This group is so encouraging and pushes us to stick together to get through nursing school. I also recommend the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Student Activities Board (SAB)! SAB hosts some of the best events on campus!

Al-Khafaji: Personally, I enjoy any organization or activity I can sign up for that has to do with planning and organizing fun events that students can come together and enjoy, which is why I signed up for a Welcome Week captain position. Those kinds of activities make me feel like an active member of the community. The SAB is known for event planning and is open to anyone. From what I’ve heard from others, Living Learning Communities (LLC) are a great way to find a group of people in your dorm building with similar interests as yours. Also, the Greek Life seems like a lively, tight-knit community.

UofL News: What is the best way you stay organized for campus?

Al-Khafaji: I’m a big fan of to-do lists. Whenever my schedule gets crowded and responsibilities start to pile up, creating a to-do list helps me visualize what I have to do, and I can get started on tackling each item with a clear mind. Coming in as a freshman, you will hear a lot about having a planner, which might work for some, but for me I just couldn’t bring myself to keep up with one, and it’s OK because there are many other ways to stay organized. Whether you use a planner or some sort of application, make sure you have a way to help you stay put together during chaotic times. I use the Notes app on my phone all the time and it’s perfect. Organization doesn’t have to be anything expensive, fancy or complicated. Speaking of technology, taking notes electronically helped me study and stay organized for classes better than handwritten notes ever could. Google Docs was my friend all throughout my freshman year and it never disappointed.

Moore: A PLANNER! I 100% say get a planner. You’re going to want to go to a ton of events, but you still have to get your work done so I say plan it out!

UofL News: Where are the best study spots on campus? Off campus?

Habeeb: One of my favorite study spots on campus is anywhere outside for group study sessions and the third-floor tables on the left side near the windows at for solo study sessions. For off-campus study spots, I like trying out new cafes in the Highlands area!

UofL News: What are the most useful campus resources you have found as a student at UofL?

Moore: The ! Everyone in there is so friendly and welcoming! They have literally all the answers to anything you might need!��

UofL News: How do you manage your schedule and graduation requirements?

Al-Khafaji: Staying in touch with my advisor helped me put together the best schedule to stay on track each semester so far. Each advising session was extremely useful and informative. My advisor helped me visualize what my future schedules could look like and how I can check off graduation requirements without wasting time. After each advising session, I had a form sent to me which contains a checklist of the requirements I’ve completed, what I still must complete and all the class choices available for me to complete each of the requirements.

Habeeb: I meet with my advisor and have a notebook with graduation requirements and goals that I check often to make sure I’m on the right track.

UofL News: Where is the best on-campus meal?

Habeeb: The best on-campus meal is boba and sushi from Zen Sushi at the Swain Student Activities Center (SAC). The staff that work there are so incredibly kind and their sushi is the best meal for a long study session!

UofL News: What role has the greater Louisville community played in your experience at UofL?

Habeeb: The Louisville community played a significant role in my experience at UofL helping me feel welcomed and always included. The community here has something for everyone whether it’s fun cultural events, endless internship opportunities for pre-health students, recreational activities near campus and more!

UofL News: What do you wish you knew when you came to UofL’s campus as a freshman?

Masden: Time management is everything for school and personal life.

Al-Khafaji: You are not missing out just because you’re not doing what everyone else is doing. There isn’t a standard college experience, it looks very different from one person to another. Do what works for you and what makes your experience what you want it to be, not what you think it should be.

UofL News: Final advice for students starting at UofL for Fall 2023?

Habeeb: For students starting at UofL for Fall 2023, my advice is to get involved and be ready to step out of your comfort zone! You will come out much more confident and with amazing friendships that you have made along the way. Academic-wise, I recommend developing strong time management skills early on to make your college life a little easier. Try out apps, planners and physical or digital calendars until you find the perfect method to keep track of your classes and commitments. And finally, know that it is OK to take a step back from everything to catch your breath and enjoy yourself. Having a nice school-life balance is very important for your overall well-being and success.

The traditional-style hall is the second to open in two years on Belknap Campus, providing modern, affordable housing that goes to the heart of student success.

Called New Residence Hall (NRH), the building will accommodate 450 primarily first-year students in one- and two-bedroom units on five floors. It will also be home to UofL’s new, where ��students can find hands-on job and research opportunities.

“We know students, especially in their first year, thrive when they are immersed in the college experience,” said Lori Stewart Gonzalez, interim president. “This new hall and its twin neighbor place 900 first-year students as close as they can be to the Swain Student Activities Center, the Interfaith Center, Ekstrom Library, numerous classroom buildings and our beautiful outdoor spaces.”

As part of its strategic plan, UofL has invested $87 million in these two Belknap Campus student housing projects over the past two years. Last year, UofL celebrated the opening of NRH’s neighbor and twin, currently named Belknap Residence Hall.

“The opening of this new residence hall is a culmination of over a decade of planning and implementing capital improvements to make the University of Louisville a vibrant learning and residential community for our students,” said Michael Mardis, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “We at the university are excited to see a large number of new freshmen and returning students choosing to live on campus this year. Students who live on campus both here at UofL and nationally are more likely to be successful students.”

To make room, UofL demolished Miller and Threlkeld halls, which had been home to first-year students for close to six decades.

“Our new residence halls have the amenities students are looking for in the 21st century and will contribute to their success,” said Tom Hardy, executive director of university housing and the resident experience.

NRH was designed with input from students and offers common areas with abundant natural light, classrooms, private study rooms, a game room, a kitchen and several laundry areas. It also features private bathrooms.

Messer Construction was tapped to complete the project. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Messer’s Jason Larkin said the company wanted to “meaningfully engage students” throughout the building process and created five co-ops for students to work on the project. Three of those students have since graduated and are now full-time employees at Messer.��

“I had the opportunity to tour the New Residence Hall shortly before construction was complete,” said Dorian Brown, 2022-2023 president of the UofL Student Government Association. “I thought it was pretty cool seeing a friend of mine who graduated from UofL after my freshman year, was on the construction team and was involved in bringing the New Residence Hall to life!”

A time capsule focused on the construction years of 2021 to 2022 was placed near the building’s dedication marker by the main door. It holds items such as the university’s strategic plan, a message from Gonzalez, Covid tests and masks, a newspaper marking the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine and sports updates.

In addition to these halls, UofL Athletics will soon celebrate the opening of the new 128-bed Denny Crum Residence Hall near the basketball practice facility.

The five-story, 452-bed�� is the first of two new halls for first-year students that are part of an $87 million project replacing outdated buildings used for three decades for housing and university offices. The second hall will open in Fall 2022.

“By cutting this ribbon today, we are beginning an exciting new era for UofL students on Belknap Campus,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi. “Not only are we welcoming back students, many of whom have been learning virtually due to COVID-19, we are presenting our first-year students with a thoroughly modern residence hall designed to help them achieve success.”

Designed with input from student advisors, the hall is located in the heart of Belknap Campus near classrooms, libraries, dining areas and restaurants, a campus movie theater and other activity spaces in the Student Activities Center and an abundance of tree- and garden-lined grounds.��

In addition to its single- and double-occupancy rooms, the hall includes:

• Classroom space
• Study areas filled with natural light��
• Private study rooms equipped with desks, chairs and whiteboards
• A game room, kitchen and multiple laundry facilities, and
• Proximity to UofL’s new , set to open in October.

“I have to be honest; this project was a big risk, as the debt load will be carried way past my tenure and with the exception of maybe our student leaders, none of us currently working at UofL will likely be here when it is paid in full,” said Director of Housing Tom Hardy. “However, the entire team at UofL knew this was an investment we needed to make to be competitive, but most important to better meet the needs of today’s students.”

Belknap Residence Hall is at full capacity for the Fall 2021 semester. Students will begin to move in this week and a welcoming students back to campus begins Aug. 18; classes begin Aug. 23.

A third new residence hall, the 128-bed Denny Crum Hall, is also being constructed on Belknap Campus and scheduled to open in 2022. It will house a mixture of student-athletes and non-student-athletes.

More details are .

The stories of these workers weave together in Jeanne Laskas’ book “Hidden America: From Coal Miners to Cowboys, an Extraordinary Exploration of the Unseen People Who Make This Country Work.”

The book is this year’s UofL Book-in-Common. The author will share stories and thoughts from her work��during a free lecture at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 in the multipurpose room, Swain Student Activities Center.

The Book-in-Common program encourages faculty, staff and students to read a common text prior to the start of fall semester, so that the community can have a shared experience. The book and its themes are discussed in classes and other events throughout the school year. The program is organized by the Office of First Year Initiatives.

A number of factors are considered when selecting a book, said Loni Yost, director of First Year Initiatives, including relatability, readability and the opportunities to connect.

“With a variety of programs and events lined up, it is clear that the themes found in the BinC are very applicable to current events and discussions taking place nationally as well as on our campus and in our community,” Yost said.

“Hidden America” tells stories about workers around the country whose work makes life as we know it possible, but often aren’t thought about. Laskas wrote about the men of Hopedale Mining Company in Cadiz, Ohio, with whom she spent several weeks, both below and above ground. She explores several other “hidden worlds” including an Alaskan oil rig, a migrant labor camp in Maine, the air traffic control center at LaGuardia Airport in New York, a beef ranch in Texas, a landfill in California, a long-haul trucker in Iowa, a gun shop in Arizona, and the Cincinnati Ben-Gals cheerleaders.

In addition to her lecture, Laskas will lead a brainstorm session and writing workshop from 4-5:15 p.m. in Floyd Theater about the question for the Book-in-Common Composition Competition prompt “Who do you think is part of our ‘hidden’ America?”��

A 7 p.m. book signing in the Student Activities Center Multipurpose Room will follow the workshop.