FAIRBORN — Wright State University moved in more than 1,300 first-year students on Thursday, Sept. 4, with the smooth precision of a military operation. The freshmen and their belongings were whisked to campus residence halls by 450 volunteers and a fleet of 100 golf carts.

“It looks pretty organized,” said Laurie Mays of Centerville, who was moving her son, Parker, to Wright State.

Tyrone Bruton of Columbus was impressed with the help he received with his daughter Tynesha’s boxes. “It gives you a feeling you’re at home,” Bruton said. “It’s like family.”

Wright State faculty and staff members loaded the carts and drove them to any one of 15 residence halls. Student volunteers quickly unloaded the carts and paraded the freshmen’s things into dorm rooms.

“Usually, it’s a couple loads because they’ve got a vehicle full of stuff,” said Albert Bondurant, Wright State director of organizational development and learning. “Then we go back and pick up another parent and do the same thing. Just over and over and over.”

The carts carried clothing, shoes, bedding, televisions, stereos, computers, fans and all sorts of small appliances.

“I’ve had kids move in with one small suitcase, and others where we fill the golf cart three times and wonder how we can cram all the stuff into the room,” said Bill Rickert, Wright State associate provost.

Rachel Stephenson, an incoming freshman from West Milton, said the move-in was exciting. “I’m nervous, and ready to get out of my house,” Stephenson said, laughing.

Jessica Jones, a first-year student from Columbus, was wistful about the move. “I’ve lived with my mom my whole life and to be away from her is kind of sad,” Jones said.

As of July 31, applications from first-time freshmen students for Wright State’s Dayton campus were up 11 percent from last year to 6,093, according to university officials. Wright State enrollment is on track to increase 5.3 percent from 2007, with a projected 13,662 undergraduate and graduate students. Classes start Monday.