AMERICUS — When is Move-In Day at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) not just an ordinary Move-In Day?

When freshmen are moving into the new suite-style residence halls Southwestern Oaks is when Move-In Day becomes an extraordinary event.

Approximately 400 students, their parents and best friends moved into the new residence halls from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, just in time for the beginning of classes for fall semester Tuesday.

Volunteers were available to help students unload cars, carry boxes, handle paperwork and with whatever else the new freshman class at GSW moving into the residence halls needed. The campus is at housing capacity for the fall semester with a near record 715 students signed up to live in the residence halls.

The Times-Recorder decided to ask some of the new residents what they thought of their new abode and why the chose GSW.

“These are nice dorms,” said Jeremy Oliver of Augusta, who is about to begin his first year in college. “I liked the campus. It’s small and the classes are small, too.”

He plans to pursue a degree in computer engineering at GSW. Oliver came with his family from Augusta, complete with his bottled water and Tide laundry detergent.

Megan Untch, a recent graduate of Americus-Sumter County High School, said she chose GSW because it’s “cheap.”

“These new dorms are a lot nicer than the old ones,” Untch said. She said she stayed in those residence halls over the summer.

She plans to pursue a pre-law degree, and she said she plans to take the history route. She came to campus with her best friend and her purple fuzzy chair.

Untch showed her new dormitory room, and it there is a large double space to the left for clothes, shoes and other accessories. To the right, there is a bathroom with a large shower.

Christina Whitmer came all the way from Redan near Stone Mountain with her family. They were eating lunch and talking on the benches outside one of the residence halls.

She said GSW was one of the colleges “that sent me information. It was the best, when I compared.

“I like the fact that it’s small, and you’re not just a number, and they were willing to help with scholarships.”

As for her new dorm room, Whitmer said, “It’s great and it has a desk.”

Whitmer said she has not declared a major, yet.

Southwestern Oaks began its road to materialization in November 2005, when a groundbreaking ceremony was held featuring GSW Foundation President Ginger Starlin.

Then, Starlin appeared in February at a special ceremony to officially mark phase one of a $30 million student housing project.

“Today’s students don’t want to live in old-fashioned dorms anymore,” Starlin said.

“We are excited to officially recognize the start of construction on this housing project that will revolutionize student living at Georgia Southwestern,” said GSW President Michael Hanes at the ceremony.

At the end of the 2005-2006 school year, construction of Southwestern Oaks was in full swing. Also around that time, Peyton Jacob Hall was torn down to make room for another suite-style residence hall, Southwestern Pines.

“This ambitious construction program demonstrates GSW’s commitment to remain competitive with other institutions, and continue attracting high achieving students.

“Growth and progress form the foundation of our plans for the future.”