Seamless Commercial Moving for a 8,000-Student Campus Migration

CHALLENGE

Providing resident students with safe, inclusive housing communities that foster success through innovative living and learning opportunities is an essential mission of the University of Central Florida. Housing and Resident Life department is dedicated to curating a white-glove experience for residents, one that focuses on a smooth and efficient transition – from move-in to move-out.

For its Fall ’24 and Spring ’25 term move-in days, UCF needed a reliable relocation partner to manage the full scope of moving in thousands of students, alongside their families, into residency halls. With this being a high stress time for students, this complex task required an expansive team that could be hands on, offering personable assistance and move support upon arrival. The challenge? Successfully moving in thousands of students across multiple buildings relies on a well-designed strategy that’s both flexible and conducive to efficient coordination, clear communication and seamless execution.

SOLUTION

As America’s largest commercial moving company with extensive resources and a wide network of local partners, Suddath was selected to oversee UCF’s student move-in responsibilities.

Before project inception, we coordinated an adaptable plan and reviewed best practices with UCF Housing and Resident Life leadership. The plan consisted of strategically placing appropriately sized crews across 10 residential buildings based on expected student levels. It was important to adapt a dedicated crew to ensure hourly demands were handled accordingly.

The process incorporated a drive-thru concept, enabling students and families to seamlessly drive up, drop off belongings, and then move on to permanent parking. At check-in, Suddath’s 50- to 150-person crew of move specialists met students in the parking lot of their assigned residential buildings and assisted with transporting belongings inside their living space. Our crew helped with unloading student items, such as TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges and clothing, from their vehicles while also directing students to registration tents.

A clear line of communication was established with UCF Housing and Resident Life staff, security and operational teams to remain aware of onsite activity and campus safety rules.

RESULTS

Suddath successfully facilitated the move-in process for 8,000 students into their campus residences in preparation for the upcoming fall and spring semesters. This smooth operation ensured students were settled and ready to begin their academic year.