An expected freshman class of about 4,280 – the largest freshman class in North Carolina – will become part of the approximately 30,000 students enrolled for classes. NC State’s expected freshman class includes 66 valedictorians and 72 salutatorians, and averaged 1,185 on the SAT with a weighted high school grade point average of 4.07. About 32 percent of the expected freshmen were in the top 10 percent of their high school class. The geographically diverse class includes students from all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, 48 states and 33 countries.

Nineteen had a perfect verbal score on the SAT, and 41 had a perfect score on the math portion of the test. About 2,680 expected freshmen submitted advanced placement scores to NC State.

The general public should avoid the main campus area during move-in days in light of the heavy congestion expected. Cates Avenue will be designated as a one-way street for westbound traffic between Morrill Drive and Dan Allen Drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14.

All 20 NC State residence halls are ready for this year’s students, says Susan Grant, director of University Housing. Approximately 7,500 students will move into their rooms this weekend, with a majority of those moving in on Saturday.

Juniors, seniors and graduate students have a new living option on campus – Wolf Village Apartments. Located at the intersection of Western Boulevard and Gorman Street, Wolf Village provides 300 apartments. Each apartment contains four bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and kitchen; each apartment also comes furnished with a full-sized refrigerator and stove, a microwave, and washer and dryer. Similar to other residential campus areas, Wolf Village has a computer lab, study rooms and a convenience store. It is the place to live on campus if you’re an upperclass student, Grant says.

A tremendous amount of work took place in NC State residence halls this summer, Grant adds. Air conditioning, sprinklers and elevators were added to Berry, Becton and Bagwell halls, and a new Honors Commons building will open in October, completing the renovations on that part of East Campus. Some major cosmetic improvements – like new furniture, new carpeting, fresh coats of paint and sidewalk repairs – were made all over campus.

NC State faculty, staff and students are volunteering to be part of the WolfStop program, in which a handful of information kiosks will be set up across campus to help provide students and their families with directions, answers to questions and other assistance. Student services and business offices will also be open over the move-in weekend to help ease the transition for new students.

Chancellor James L. Oblinger, Provost Larry Nielsen and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Tom Stafford will meet and greet new students and their parents beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13 across campus. The administrators will then attend the ninth annual Legacy Lunch for students whose parents or grandparents are NC State alumni. The event, sponsored by the NC State Alumni Association, is expected to draw about 700 people, and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harris Field, which is in front of the Witherspoon Student Center. New students will feast on North Carolina barbecue and NC State ice cream and receive special pins from their alumni relatives.

On Monday, Aug. 15, Oblinger will be the keynote speaker at NC State’s third annual Welcome Week Convocation event, scheduled for 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the RBC Center. The event will also include free T-shirts and other gifts and prizes. Free shuttle service to the RBC Center begins at 5:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, Aug. 16, the lawn between West Campus residence halls will turn into a feeding ground as the “Welcome Back Pack” event takes place. Scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m., the event will feature dinner with a wide variety of food items – including University Dining’s famous pork barbecue – and music.

The first week of classes ends with a bang as Friday Fest kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19. The carnival-like event will include food, music and much more at the north plaza of Talley Student Center. Actor and comedian Rob Corddry, correspondent for “The Daily Show,” will be the special guest.

The third annual Service NC State will give NC State students the opportunity to volunteer at a number of locations across Raleigh from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20. Mike Giancola, director of the NC State Center for Student Leadership, Ethics & Public Service, says the effort will provide all NC State students a chance to provide community service at about 15 different locations, including a number of Wake County schools and Habitat for Humanity. More information on the Service NC State project can be found on the Web.

NC State’s Parents and Families Services office and campus partners will continue the Parents’ HelpLine program. Families with questions or concerns can call a toll-free number (877/568-5733) or e-mail for assistance.