Aug. 16, 2006 -- More than 2,200 students will be living on campus this fall, about 500 more than last year. They are due to arrive Saturday at Arkansas State University and begin moving in.

The sharp increase is because the new 836-bed residence hall complex, Northpark Quads, will be occupied this semester for the first time, according to Patrick Dixon, director of residence life. It has been sold out since March. Also, students are participating in the First Year Residential Experience program.

Several community groups have expressed interest in helping students with the move-in process. Those who wish to help are asked to contact the Tribal Leadership Center at ASU, 972-2055, by 4 p.m. Friday, so that volunteer efforts can be better coordinated, according to Martha Spack, director of the center.

For the convenience of students and their parents who will be in town Saturday, several ASU offices will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Those include Residence Life, Admissions, Parking Services, Financial Aid, Advising Center, Registrar, Cashier, and ID Center. Students seeking parking permits should bring their ID and license plate number.

In addition, the newly opened ASU Bookstore in the Reng Student Services Center will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Members of the ASU Alumni Association will be stationed at the various residence halls to conduct their 8th annual edition of "ASU Watering Hole." Watering Hole volunteers help with move-in and provide free water to thirsty students and families from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The Tribal Leadership Center staff and the volunteers who assist will be wearing lime-green colored t-shirts so they will be easy to identify. In addition to helping students carry their possessions, volunteers also will help with routing traffic to the appropriate unloading areas.

The Acansa Dining Hall in the Student Union will open for the fall semester starting Saturday morning at 10:30 with brunch for students on meal plans. Guests also may purchase meals. An evening meal will be served, also. Sunday’s schedule will be the same.

Welcome Week activities continue until Thursday. Freshman Connection is from 1:30 until 5 p.m. Sunday between Kays and University Halls, then the Residence Life Luau for students living in the residence halls is that evening from 6 until 10 at the Student Union Heritage Plaza.

Other activities on the schedule include the First Year Convocation, Monday at 4 in the Convocation Center; the "Making College Count" seminar, sponsored by monster.com and the ASU Future Alumni Network, Tuesday at 7 p.m.; and the A-State Community Fair, Wednesday from 10 until 2 p.m. on the campus quad.