Eastern welcomed its largest class of incoming students since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on Aug. 27, when more than 800 first-year students began classes. The Class of 2028 grew 32% from last year’s incoming class and helped surge the campus residency to 92%, the highest since 2019.

More than 700 of those students moved into residence halls on Aug. 24, including Mead, Crandall, Burnap, Winthrop, Constitution and Burr, which was reopened after several years due to the surge in enrollment.

“It was a beautiful day to be an Eastern student,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Michelle Delaney of move-in day. “We were thrilled to welcome more than 700 first-year students and their families to their new home away from home. The day started with returning students helping to move bags, bins and refrigerators into rooms, included a class picture and ended with a Rock the Roof party on the top of the parking garage.”

Along with staff from the Office of Housing and Residential Life, move-in day was facilitated by student volunteers from the women’s volleyball team, Center for Community Engagement, Academic Success Center and other organizations. Eastern President Karim Ismaili and Terrence Cheng, chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, also made an appearance, mingling with students and families.

“Our housing staff of residence assistants (RAs) and hall directors with support from the Welcome Crew facilitated a smooth move-in process,” said Paul Serignese, interim director of Housing and Residential Life. “The housing staff is excited to transition gears from the administrative elements of move-in to programming for residents. Our residential programming focuses on community building, employability, health/wellness and JEDI (social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) so our students are successful here at Eastern and beyond.”

Students from the Class of 2028 come from 18 different states. Approximately 36% are students of color, with a male-female ratio of 4-to-6. The most popular majors for the class are health sciences, business administration, psychology, nursing and criminology.

Class of 2028 residents are joined by more than 1,400 student residents who are either returning or transfer students. Overall, campus residency is at 92%.