It’s move-in day for the University of Regina.

The U of R is welcoming more than 500 students Friday before classes get going after the Labour Day long weekend.

First year University student Savanah Ellis said she moved from Biggar to take the U of R’s social work program.

“I chose to come here because it is a little further away from my hometown,” Ellis said. “Lot’s of people (from Biggar) are just going to the U of S (University of Saskatchewan), which is only an hour away.”

Hope Robertson from Carlyle is going into her first year of social work, and said there’s a lot of benefits to living on residence.

“I’m like right on campus, so I’ll get to know the campus better, and my friends are living here too, so I’ll have friends right away.”

President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons said this is her favourite day of the year.

“Just the energy, the excitement, the nervousness,” Timmons said. “I love seeing students move in and their Grand-mom’s there, the uncle’s (are) there, and it becomes a big family affair.”

Timmons adds the students union has many events planned for welcome week for students when they return to the University that run until next Friday.