Freshmen move into MSU and say goodbye to family

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — It’s that time of year again—Tuesday was the first day of freshman move-in at Michigan State University, which will continue through Wednesday.

MSU is expecting more than 7,000 freshmen on campus this year, and if you were anywhere near the East Lansing campus Tuesday—you know it definitely felt like it.

6 News was on the scene Tuesday afternoon watching as the freshmen settled into their new housing on the Spartan campus and spoke with one Spartan legacy family that was moving in.

There are some things parents make sure to instill in their kids: good manners, looking both ways before crossing the street, and what side of college football rivalries to work for.

“No, like Michigan like the other college? No, no, no, no, I am not a Michigan fan,” said Emilie Frechette, a freshman who moved into South Wonders Tuesday morning.

Emilie never second-guessed attending MSU.

“Deep in my heart, I think I knew where I was supposed to be, said Emilie. “I mean, I had other colleges that I was like ‘Hmm, maybe,’ but then I just knew that was the school I want to go to. Every time I went to campus I was like ‘yeah, this is where I want to be.'”

Every year, almost 20,000 students move into East Lansing dorms. This morning, Dianne and Darren Frechette drove from their home in Traverse City to move their daughter Emilie in.

“Moving everything up, trying to get through the elevator, and then watching our daughter unpack all her stuff,” said Darren.

They moved Emilie’s older brother into MSU three years ago, but this move-in means more to them than just being empty-nesters.

“I am a die-hard Spartan fan,” said Dianne. ” So to have two of my kids coming here is really exciting, and to have my daughter living in the same dorm I was, and I think I was on the same floor in South Wonders.”

“It’s really cool, I’m excited to carry on the legacy I guess you could say,” said Emilie.

And, although Dooleys became Harpers and the basketball team has been to eight Final Fours since Dianne was living in Wonders, some things never change.

“The rooms don’t look a lot different to be quite honest, new floors but everything else is pretty much the same,” said Dianne.

Another thing that never changes? The feeling of families saying goodbye.

“We’re a close family, so it’ll be sad,” said Emilie. “But they’ll come and visit soon”

The campus has already welcomed its international students, who arrived on Sunday and Monday and will celebrate the International Student Welcome event from Aug. 19–21. Returning students will begin arriving on campus Wednesday and Thursday.

New Student Orientation and Fall Welcome activities will begin Wednesday evening, with classes to begin on Monday, Aug. 26.

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