Parents say goodbye to their new Cal Poly students at emotional move-in day
An annual emotional rite of passage returned to San Luis Obispo on Thursday as the first wave of Cal Poly’s newest freshman class moved into the dorms.
The incoming freshmen and their families filled Grand Avenue with activity, rolling the familiar giant green carts loaded with dorm essentials across campus starting at 8 a.m.
Feelings of excitement, nervousness and tearful goodbyes filled the day as parents helped their kids get settled into what will be their new homes for the next nine months.
“It’s such mixed emotions,” Julie Ginsberg told The Tribune. “I’m so excited for my child to be independent and on his own, and yet it’s really hard to let go and let him have his freedom because it’s a first time for us.”
“I’m excited for them to make new friends, go on great adventures, hiking, kayaking, and doing whatever their heart desires,” she added.
The supportive environment of a new chapter for the incoming students was seen as parents helped one another lift heavy boxes and suitcases over curbs and across the Grand Avenue parking structure, discussing upcoming classes and extracurriculars.
Architecture freshman Vanessa Hernandez told The Tribune that she drove two hours to reach the campus for move in day and cited nerves and excitement for the first day of classes.
“I’m really excited for my classes, and I’m excited to do homework because I haven’t done homework in three months, so that’s honestly what I’m excited for,” she said.
For mom Audra Kronenberg, she feels confident leaving her daughter Tess Kronenberg at Cal Poly’s campus, with friendships and connections already awaiting her after they unpack her boxes.
“So proud of her. I’m not crying, so that’s a good thing,” Kronenberg told The Tribune. “She has some very good friends who go here and family support, and I just feel very confident leaving her here.”
Tess Kronenberg found the move in experience to be “pretty easy” and “smooth sailing.”
“Meeting all the new people and the new environment” is where her excitement lies.
For incoming freshman who traveled out of state to attend Cal Poly, the distance brought out even more emotions for some parents.
“A little emotional,” is how Nicole Lee described the process of dropping off her daughter to The Tribune. “We’re from Texas, so she’s going to be 18 hours and 45 minutes away so I won’t be able to see her as often as I do obviously. But I’m very excited for her new experience here at Cal Poly, and it’s going to be a new adventure for her.”
Thursday’s move-in was for students living in the yakʔitʸutʸu and South Mountain communities.
The process was set to continue on Friday, when incoming freshmen and new transfer students move boxes, bags and suitcases into the Sierra Madre, Yosemite and North Mountain residence halls, as well as the Poly Canyon Village and Cerro Vista apartment communities.
After move-in, the incoming students pivot quickly to joining their WOW groups, participating in a range of orientation and social activities on campus and in the surrounding areas.
Fall quarter classes begin on Thursday, Sept. 18.
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM.