Join Residence Life and Housing in keeping a University of Delaware tradition alive.

Each year on new student move-in day, teams of UD faculty, staff, students and community members help new students move into residence halls. These energetic volunteers are known as the Blue Hen Helpers (BHH).

The BHH are the first to extend a warm welcome to new students and their families and assist with moving luggage and other belongings into residence hall rooms. The helpers can relieve some of the stress felt by families during a day of high emotions.

“Students and their parents are overwhelmed as they pull up to the curb and perhaps for the first time are considering that the college experience is truly starting,” said José-Luis Riera, dean of students and long-time BHH volunteer. “They are so appreciative of a helping hand! It means so much to them.”

Volunteering as a BHH is a great way to help students start to build the strong and positive community that enhances their living and learning experiences.

“The power of a faculty or staff person investing time to help a new family sends an instant message about the type of community we hope to foster here at UD. I would encourage any and all faculty and staff to be present and lend a hand on move-in day,” Riera said.

New student move-in day is on Saturday, Aug. 26. Helpers can volunteer for three-hour shifts between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Volunteers can indicate their availability, preferred location and group affiliation (if applicable) on the signup form available from the Residence Life and Housing website.

Residence Life and Housing has offered Blue Hen Helpers campuswide to incoming first year students since 1994, after assuming responsibility from Sigma Chi fraternity. BHH initially developed as a service project to assist first-year students in the Dickinson Complex.