ANN ARBOR, MI - New students have moved into University of Michigan student housing in Ann Arbor for 186 years.

Throughout the years, freshmen have come, bags in hand, ready to start their academic career on the Ann Arbor campus. Nowadays, families load up blue carts with desk supplies, electronics and more and haul them all to residence halls like South Quad or Mary Markley Hall.

Archival photos from MLive/The Ann Arbor News show how move-in week has evolved over the decades, from couples in ties and dresses in the 1940s to sweatpants and leggings of the 2020s.

See how students and families have tackled move-in week over the years.

A 1946 MLive file photo of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Kennedy moving into their new apartment in University Terrace, east of University Hospital.MLive file photo

Mr. and Mrs. John D. Kennedy moved into the then-new University Terrace apartment in 1946, according to a MLive/The Ann Arbor News story from the time.

The apartment was east of University Hospital and was “everything we could wish,” they said. Mr. Kennedy was one of a handful of married students and faculty members who was a veteran and had the apartment unit reserved for his family.

A 1965 MLive file photo of Paul Weiss of Niles helping his son, freshman Paul E. Weiss, move into a Central Campus dormitory.MLive file photo

Move-in day in August 1965 saw a then-record 31,000 students arrive in Ann Arbor to begin registration for classes, according to a MLive/The Ann Arbor News story from the time. Parents, such as Paul Weiss of Niles, lugged armfuls of items for his son Paul while moving into a Central Campus dorm.

The influx of tens of thousands of students forced police officers to perform traffic duties throughout the day, the story states.

“Many came in cars loaded with belongings, causing what police indicate was one of the worst downtown traffic jams in the history of the city,” according to the story.

University of Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman, right, talks with Beth Chen after serving her some ice cream Wednesday afternoon at Martha Cook Residence Hall on South University. Coleman was welcoming the students back during a move-in day on campus. MLive file photo.MLive file photo

Mary Sue Coleman was the university’s first female president, serving from 2002-14. Among many things in her tenure, she was known for her personable personality and ability to connect with students.

In a 2003 photo, she can be seen serving ice cream to incoming students, such as Beth Chen, at the Martha Cook Residence Hall.

Ben Henri, right, uses a megaphone in 2005 to lead Move-in Makers in a version of "Hail to the Victors" during move-in day at Baits Hall on North Campus at the University of Michigan Monday. Move-in Makers help students move into their dorms to start the fall semester. They sang "The Victors" at every half-hour during the day. MLive file photo.MLive file photo

Over the years, the university developed a team of student volunteers called Move-In Makers to help families settle into their rooms. They help carry bags, provide the blue pushcarts to roll to their rooms and are known for welcoming families with enthusiasm.

Incoming University of Michigan freshman, their parents, and student volunteers, crowd the street outside of UM's South Quad dorm where during move in day, Wednesday afternoon, September 1st, 2010. MLive file photo.MLive file photo

From the “historic” 1965 traffic jam to this 2010 photo, car congestion has been a theme of move-in week for many years. To mitigate the issue, the university has worked with Ann Arbor city government to change traffic patterns on a number of streets adjacent to dorms.

A map of this year’s traffic plan, including which street parking meters will be bagged, can be found here.

Read more: See how University of Michigan move-in day will impact Ann Arbor traffic, parking

Amber Widner moves in with her parents Kathleen and Andy during the first move-in day at Mary Markley Hall on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor NewsJacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor N

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the university waited until fall 2021 to have its (mostly) normal move-in day. The day featured new COVID-19 protocols, such as vaccination and mask mandates.

Despite the new challenges, the process was “as easy as possible,” said freshman Shrey Pandya of Philadelphia.

Move-in day can be busy like an international airport, Amir Baghdadchi, UM Housing Administration senior associate director, said at the time.

For more information on this year’s UM Move-In Week, visit the university’s website. Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 28.

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