To say this year has been chaotic would be an understatement. Going back to August, many  students were unsure of what to expect. Would they be back on campus? Would they be home? How would Concordia make it safe for them to return? The only certainty for staff, parents and students alike was change. While the uncertainty was stressful, it also came with an 0pportunity to improve.

 Albert Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” These words timelessly ring true; to improve, new processes and routines must be implemented. The challenges of 2020 have given Concordia a push to further level up, one of the most noteworthy examples thus far being the fall 2020 move-in process. 

"The On Ground Task Force (OGTF), worked together in plans and operations for students and employees to have a safe and smooth move-in experience. By all accounts and observations the MoveIn Weekend was successfully accomplished," said Raul Morales, Director Of Campus

Safety. The OGTF consists of the Athletics Department, HR, Campus Safety, Residential Life, Student Services, Communications and Marketing, University Services and the Wellness Center. Admissions and Student Leadership also played a major role in planning and

Operations. 

Students were informed in advance how the MoveIn Weekend would work. A demonstrative video by Residential Services and Student Leadership was produced so that students and parents could see that a convenient, drive through, social distancing process would be in place when they arrived on campus. 

Upon arrival, students completed a quick wellness survey then proceeded to stations that cleared for the student to move in while remaining in their vehicles. The stations included the Wellness Center, Residential Services, Alumni and Family Relations, and Admissions. 

Advance planning was key to a successful process. “Since March, the faculty and staff had been planning to welcome students back to campus in some way.Move-in weekend was the culmination of all of our prayers, hopes, planning, sweat and tears,” said Concordia president Dr. Michael Thomas, who was active throughout the weekend. “It was so energizing to walk through the residence halls, greet families, welcome students and help them get Settled.” 

"Student arrivals were spread out in 15 minute intervals over the weekend which was key in social distancing efforts throughout the process including moving belongings into the dorm rooms by the students and their families. Students and families seemed to appreciate the drive-through move-in system,” Morales added.

Dominique Stein, housing and operations manager, explained the thought process behind the new system. “This year, we knew we had to be strategic on how we moved students back on to campus. Our goal was to limit the wait and give each student and family a respective move in time.”McKenna Wilson, a junior and resident advisor for Lowers, broke down the

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