MSU president Lou Anna K. Simon greets an incoming freshman and her father at North Case Hall during freshman move-in day, Aug. 30.

MSU president Lou Anna K. Simon greets an incoming freshman and her family at the Brody complex cafeteria during freshman move-in day, Aug. 30.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Some Michigan State University students received a pleasant surprise as they moved into their residence halls on Sunday.

MSU president Lou Anna K. Simon spent the day greeting students and their families as the campus bustled with activity on the first day of move in. Classes start Sept. 2.

Maureen Bur and her stepdaughter Krista Bur of Sterling Heights, Mich., were taking a break from moving Krista into North Case Hall when Simon stopped to chat with the pair.

“I was actually surprised,” Maureen Bur said of Simon’s visit. “There’s a real community feel to the day.”

Parents and students were also pleased with the efficiency of the move-in process.

“It’s been great,” said Krista Bur. “So far, so good.”

Mitch Irwin of East Lansing, Mich., was moving his son Drew into his new residence into North Case Hall when Simon welcomed them to campus.

“Not a problem, it’s been smooth as silk,” said Mitch Irwin.

“It’s exciting to be welcomed by the president. She’s very hands-on, and I find her to be involved with all elements. That’s unusual and refreshing.”

Simon stopped at Emmons Hall, Brody Hall and North Case Hall on the west side of campus before visiting with students and families at West Akers Hall and Owen Hall on the east side.

“We need to give (assistant vice president of the Division of Housing and Food Services Vennie Gore) and his staff an enormous amount of credit,” Simon said.  “This is so different than three, four years ago when we had lines all over for almost every part of the process.

“Gradually, with a series of what would be viewed as relatively small changes, it has made a big difference in the move-in experience for our students and families.”

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MSU President Lou Anna Simon travels around campus meeting freshman students and their parents as they move into MSU residence halls.