Southeast Missouri State University students will begin moving into campus housing today in preparation for the start of fall classes.

Some 1,800 students are expected to fill the residence halls for the fall semester, which begins Monday. The university has space for about 2,000 students.

First-year students are scheduled to begin moving into the residence halls at 10 a.m. Returning students are scheduled to begin moving in Friday.

The influx of students will bring the usual return of heavy traffic to Broadway and the streets surrounding campus.

Campus construction projects could pose some traffic tie-ups, but school officials hope to keep them to a minimum.

One side of Normal Avenue currently is closed to traffic while work continues on replacing a utility tunnel under the street.

The construction project forced the closing of the entrance to Myers Drive this summer, but officials hoped to have it reopened by today to accommodate students moving into Myers Hall.

Dr. SueAnn Strom, vice president of student affairs, predicted enrollment would be about the same as last fall when 8,217 undergraduate and graduate students were enrolled at the university.

Graduate enrollment is expected to be up this year, she said.

The university hopes to boost enrollment to 10,300 by the year 2000. To do that, Southeast must recruit more minority, international and transfer students, said Strom.

Southeast's new night school also is important as the university works to boost enrollment, Strom said. The program provides a way for students to take night classes exclusively in pursuing their degrees.

"There is so much going on," said Dr. Karen Myers, director of new student programs. "We are here to welcome the students and to help them connect with Southeast Missouri State."

Students will check in at the Student Recreation Center, where they will pick up their room keys.

Students also may purchase carpet and furniture there and check into vending, telecommunications and banking options.

Students and their families then will proceed to the residence halls.

Move-in crews will be stationed at the residence halls. Volunteers from various businesses, the Association of Campus Ministries and the university's Greek Life office will help students haul in their belongings.

Dr. Dale Nitzschke, Southeast's president, is scheduled to greet first-year students at a welcome convocation at 8:30 a.m. Friday in Academic Hall Auditorium.

The University Theatre will do a number of skits spotlighting student life while at the same time informing students about various campus services. The Golden Eagles Marching Band will perform, along with the school's Sundancers and cheerleaders.

Other events on tap include the Great Ice Cream Pig Out, an all-you-can-eat Southeast tradition, at 7 p.m. Friday in the Student Recreation Center. Hypnotist Tom Deluca will entertain the students.

A number of orientation sessions dealing with everything from e-mail to the Internet are scheduled for Saturday.

The eighth annual block party for students will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Academic Terraces.

First-year students are invited to a dance Saturday at 9 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom.

On Sunday, the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will host its annual welcome-back picnic at Capaha Park. The picnic, which is open to all students, begins at 5 p.m.