ISU Closer to ‘Normal’ as students return

PEORIA (25 News Now) - If you’re seeing red in Normal, it’s probably all the students returning to Illinois State University.

It started Monday and goes for seven days, something they liked and took away from the extended, pandemic move-ins the past two years.

No masks needed this time and the numbers are back to normal with more than 6,000 students moving on campus.

“I think he’s ready for the challenge, you know. I really think he is. So, we’re here to support him and we are ready. We definitely are ready, yeah,” said Kawana Rogers, helping her son get started in college.

The school has 300 volunteers helping students move in this week.

ISU does have a two year, on campus living requirement.

“Honestly, students really want that social connection. They want to meet other people and make friends. And they haven’t been able to do that the last couple of years. And so, we’re really seeing students come out to programs. They’re coming out to meet lots of different people. And, we’re just really seeing the excitement about about being back on campus and being able to be back in the community,” said Stacey Mwilambwe, Director of University Housing Services.

Enrollment figures show ISU saw only minimal drops in attendance during the last two COVID impacted years.

But they expect this semester may put them right back to 2019 numbers, once the final enrollment count is done early next month.

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