Ducks in roadways this week as new students begin move-in

Flocks of new ducks are approaching campus, and Thursday is the big splashdown.

On Thursday, Sept. 20, about 3,000 students, most from far out of town, arrive to move their belongings into campus residence halls. Before that, about 1,500 students will do the same between Sept. 17-19. Many more students may be moving into off-campus housing in the area at the same time.

The backup of vehicles unloading is typically felt up and down Franklin Boulevard, as well as on other streets that run through campus. Roadside signs will alert drivers about possible traffic in the days leading up to move-in.

A great tip for UO employees: walk, bike, bus or carpool to help ease congestion.

Welcoming students to campus is one of the UO's most vibrant traditions, and volunteers can still sign up to help get students and families quickly unloaded through the popular "Unpack the Quack" program. Everyone in the UO community can look for opportunities to give a smile or help answer a question for new-arriving students and families.

Move-in is just the start of the university's Week of Welcome, which also includes convocation at Matthew Knight Arena on Sept. 21 at 11 a.m.

Areas all around campus will stay busy through the weekend: the Flock Party is also Sept. 21, and Stanford comes to Autzen Stadium for a major Pac-12 football showdown Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. The community should expect a sold-out stadium's worth of drivers and pedestrians getting to and from the game.

Visit parking.uoregon.edu for parking maps and more information about campus transportation options. Additional transportation commute options are available to and around campus to supplement or replace single-occupancy automobile parking.

Transportation services in the area include: PeaceHealth Rides bike-share; Lane Transit District services, which are free to UO students and employees with their UO ID cards; and local ride-hailing services. For more ideas on travel to, from and around campus, call the UO active transportation coordinator at 541-346-4588; for help with parking and permits, call 541-346-5444.

Specialized campus maps and transportation options are also a click away on the updated UOregon app, available at the iTunes store and Google Play.