A small army of enthusiastic volunteers helped freshmen move into their residence halls on Friday. Clad in distinctive red T-shirts emblazoned with the legend “Husky Haulers,” more than 800 student volunteers were stationed across campus to assist the new students and their families.

As Husky Haulers, current students offer a warm welcome to new students, family, and friends, and help ease the move-in process.

Haulers work throughout the day, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., for one or more three-hour shifts.

The Husky Haulers program, which began in 1997 with a handful of faculty, staff, and administrators helping students move in, is now in its eighth year as a student volunteer operation. Volunteer groups come from Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Honors, Global House, First Year Programs/Learning Communities, and the residential community, and students can also sign up individually as volunteers.

All Husky Hauler volunteers complete an online training, and receive a T-shirt and food on move-in day.