The Buddy System

While many of their old friends from high school might have been sitting in a long line of cars, waiting patiently just for the privilege of lugging their boxes, televisions and bed coverings up two or three flights of stairs to their dorm rooms, freshmen students at Rider University found the whole process over in mere minutes.

Thanks to Rider’s Bronc Buddy system, cars, pick-ups and SUVs rolled freely up to the front of residence halls and were cleared of their contents moments later, safely deposited in the new students’ allotted rooms. Freshmen and their proud parents stood by as the Bronc Buddies – easily identifiable by their cranberry-colored T-shirts – swarmed to each new vehicle to help their new schoolmates move in on Sunday, September 4.

“Wow!” exclaimed Guy Simpson of Bloomfield, N.J., whose son, Guy Simpson Terry, was moving into Conover Hall. “This is service you just can’t beat.”

Such efficiency allows the new students and their families to enjoy the Family Food Fest on the Campus Mall, while more and more freshmen roll freely up to their new residences, their trunks bulging with belongings.

This unique component of Rider’s Orientation Program was established to assist new students and their families with the transition into college. In addition to helping new residents move into their assigned residence halls, the Bronc Buddies also escort freshmen to opening weekend events and facilitate various activities for the new students.

This year, more than 400 upperclassmen, including fraternity and sorority members, student-athletes and other student leaders, will participate in the program, according to Cindy Threatt, associate dean for Residential Programs.

“It went very well,” Threatt said later on Move-In Day. “The new students were here early and eager to get in. They’re excited and the Bronc Buddies are excited.”

The teamwork makes it fun for the Bronc Buddies, too, says Sean Kuberiet, a junior from Branchburg, N.J.

“It’s a good time, helping the freshmen move in and get adjusted,” said Kuberiet, one of several members of the Rider baseball team who lent their efforts to the project. “We just think it’s the right thing to do, helping out people you go to school with.”

The Bronc Buddies have become a popular and efficient part of the Move-In Day bustle – though incoming students and their families can be surprised by the helpful rush. Outside Gee Hall, they hustled the belongings of History major Nicholas Beadling into his room, while his father, Keith Beadling, stood happily by.

“We were ready for it, because they told us at every orientation program that the Bronc Buddies would be here to help,” said Beadling, of Turnersville, N.J. “I only wish it would happen every year!”

In some cases, the experience prompts freshmen of the past to participate as Bronc Buddies in subsequent years.

“I remember how easy it made moving in last year,” said sophomore Business Management and Marketing major Sarah Spoto of Rochester, N.Y. “So, I thought it would be good to help out this year.”