MURFREESBORO, TN - As students and faculty prepare to return to campus for the start of the fall 2010 semester, activity in and around the MTSU campus increases significantly starting Friday, Aug. 27.
Classes officially begin Saturday as set by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Classes resume in earnest Monday, Aug. 30, for the more than 25,650 undergraduate, graduate and online students taking courses to start the 2010-11 academic year, university officials report.

“We’re looking forward to a terrific move-in weekend, with the weather forecast cooperating by giving us sunshine, lower humidity and cooler evenings,” said Dr. Debra Sells, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for enrollment and academic services. “Our staff and many volunteers will be ready to help students moving into the residence halls beginning Friday, followed by the Friday evening dinner and outdoor movie.

“More students will arrive and move in on Saturday, and then we’ll all spend some time together having fun and getting acquainted at the annual Courtyard Carnival.”

The annual University Convocation, this year featuring keynote speaker Warren St. John as he discusses the assigned summer reading book, “Outcasts United,” starts at 2 p.m. Sunday in Murphy Center.

“Sunday will be a real milestone in the lives of our new students as they make the transition to officially becoming Blue Raiders and beginning their participation in the MTSU learning community.”

Starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, the Student Leadership and Service-led We Haul will assist students moving into dormitories. Director Jackie Victory’s crew will perform the same service starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“C’Mon Get Happy”-themed Week of Welcome activities, include:

Friday, Aug. 27
All day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) – We-Haul
6:30 p.m. – Dinner and music, Keathley University Center Courtyard
8 p.m. – Outdoor movie, “The Blind Side,” KUC Courtyard

Saturday, Aug. 28
All day (9a.m.-4 p.m.) – We-Haul
10 a.m.-4 p.m. –Information booths
6 p.m. – Dinner and Courtyard Carnival, KUC Courtyard

Sunday, Aug. 29
2 p.m. – University Convocation featuring speaker Warren St. John, Murphy Center
After Convocation – President’s Picnic, Walnut Grove

Tuesday, Aug. 31
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Meet Murfreesboro, KUC Courtyard

Wednesday, Sept. 1
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Meet Murfreesboro, KUC Courtyard
8 p.m. – Comedian Josh Blue, Murphy Center

Thursday, Sept. 2
11 a.m.-1 p.m. – MTSU Department Fair, KUC Courtyard
Noon – Free cookies and lemonade, KUC Courtyard
4:15 p.m. – Raider Walk, Walnut Grove
6:30 p.m. – MTSU vs. Minnesota football game, Floyd Stadium

Fall Semester 2010 academic calendar

• Aug. 28 – Classes begin
• Sept. 6 – Labor Day holiday (no classes)
• Oct. 16–19 – Fall Break – (no classes)
• Nov. 25-27 – Thanksgiving holidays – no classes
• Dec. 8 – Last day of classes
• Dec. 9 – Study day (no classes)
• Dec. 10-16 – Final examinations
• Dec. 18 – Commencement (9 a.m. and 2 p.m. ceremonies), Murphy Center
• Dec. 20 Deadline for final grades

Media welcomed.

Media note: In regard to We Haul Friday and Saturday, Andy Bickers, director of Housing and Residential Life, requests any media videoing or taking digital photos remain outside the dorms. No one is permitted on any residential floor (including exterior access buildings).

With three Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and former faculty, Middle Tennessee State University confers master’s degrees in 10 areas, the Specialist in Education degree, the Doctor of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. MTSU is ranked among the top 100 public universities in the nation in the Forbes “America’s Best Colleges” 2009 survey.