By Mikayla Geraghty – Staff Writer

It was back to the swamp for many Gaiters on Sept. 2, 2023.  Students gathered after a summer away to honour the tradition of welcoming incoming students as they enter the community to begin their journey here at Bishop’s University. 

With Animal House no longer being a part of student housing, BU students gathered on the front-facing road at the top of Reed Street dressed in school purple, donning signs and smiles.

For some upper-year students, this was a significant shift in the nature of the day. Lexie Mackenzie, a fourth-year student, shares that move-in day is her favourite day of the semester: “Everyone is freshly back from summer and excited to see not only friends but peers, all celebrating returning to Bishop’s. As much as it is a sad end to the Animal House tradition, it was enlightening to see everyone still come together and keep the excitement alive for the upcoming school year.”  

As incoming students drove into campus, they were welcomed by a plethora of Bishop’s students. The excitement seemed to coat the air, with students cheering and the cars honking their horns as they drove by.

First-year student Charlie Delvechio shared that when driving down College Street to campus, “it felt like a welcome home ceremony because everyone was so friendly and welcoming.” 

This year, members of the Bishop’s community had the option to go and cheer on the Gaiters’ football team as they played against St. Mary’s University. Leighton Geraghty, a second-year student and  broadcaster for the Bishop’s Gaiters, shared that he thinks having a football game the same day that most incoming students move into their residence buildings is “a great way to showcase and introduce new students to Gaiters athletics and the support that the community has for one another.”