The Big Picture: Incoming Illini

Incoming students get help from family and friends as the move into campus housing surrounding the Ikenberry Commons. (Image by Fred Zwicky)

Move-In Day—a rite of passage for U. of I. undergrads marked by hope and excitement, but also scorching heat, interminable traffic, and mounting concern that the experience will never end. Whether they’re incoming freshmen or upperclassmen returning from summer break, the students’ supporting cast remains the same: moms, dads, and siblings willing to play pack mule, and a cadre of friendly and helpful iGuides who point everyone in the right direction. It’s a familiar scene: jam-packed SUVs, tailgates up; suitcases filled to bursting, one per family member; and a brigade of rolling laundry bins for those big box store amenities that keep leftovers cold and coffee hot. It’s the unofficial start of another year on campus!

Illinois Alumni, Fall 2026