Volunteer for Move-In Day 2026
UM faculty, staff, administrators, fellow students, student groups and student athletes are needed for Move-In Day on August 17, 2026! Help us create an exciting and welcoming environment for new and returning Griz students and their families. Volunteers play an important role in helping students move their item into the residence halls, in addition to providing directions and information.
Volunteers are needed:
- 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
All volunteers who commit to at least two hours will receive a voucher for a free meal in the Lodge and a Move-In Crew T-shirt (signing up to volunteer by July 20 guarantees your desired T-shirt size).
Why I volunteer For Move in
Volunteer Requirements
- Welcome and assist students and families during move-in by helping them move students’ belonging into buildings, providing basic information about UM and Missoula, and answering questions
- Be prompt to shifts
- Wear either a Move-in T-shirt or sticker provided during your shift (if opting to wear a sticker, volunteers should wear Griz colors)
- Speak positively about the University of Montana, UM Housing and all student organizations
- Serve as a representative of UM as a whole. Please note that this isn’t the time for active recruitment or promoting individual group messages. Your role is to be a friendly, helpful ambassador and help create a warm, inclusive first impression for all.
*We’re excited to have you help welcome new students and families! As a move-in volunteer, you’re representing the University of Montana first and foremost. It’s great to show pride in your group, and we want to remind you that this isn’t the time for active recruitment or promoting individual group messages. Your role is to be a friendly, helpful ambassador and help create a warm, inclusive first impression for all. Please read more about the expectations below.
Email Brittany Smith, Karen Schlatter or Maggie Hansing with any questions.
Volunteer Expectations
The role of Move-In Day volunteers is to create a welcoming, positive, and supportive experience for incoming students and their families. Volunteers serve as ambassadors for the University of Montana by helping students navigate campus, assisting with unloading and moving belongings, answering questions, and helping make the move-in process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Volunteers are encouraged to engage with students and families, share information about campus resources, and talk about their own experiences at UM. We welcome volunteers to share what they enjoy about the university, including organizations, programs, and activities in which they are involved.
However, Move-In Day is not a recruitment opportunity for student organizations, campus programs, or other affiliated groups. Volunteers may not use their role to solicit membership, distribute promotional materials, collect contact information, encourage students to attend organization-specific events, or otherwise engage in recruitment efforts. The focus should remain on supporting students and families during their transition to campus.
The University provides designated opportunities for student organizations and campus programs to recruit and engage with new students, including at the Bear Fair and other approved involvement events throughout the semester.
All volunteers are expected to uphold these expectations throughout their shift. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in a volunteer or student organization losing future volunteer opportunities and may also result in a referral to the Office of Community Standards for review. Our goal is to ensure that Move-In Day remains a welcoming, inclusive, and student-centered experience for all new Grizzlies and their families.
Thank you for helping us create a positive first impression of the University of Montana and for supporting our newest students as they begin their UM journey.
