Senior Eric Bellefontaine of South Elgin prepares his room for the school year Thursday at the New Residence Hall at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. The state of the art facility that's hotel-like compared to regular dorms, is the first one built on the campus in 44 years. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

A student has his hands full while taking a bundle of things into the New Residence Hall Thursday at NIU in Dekalb. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Karol Clark (center) drives a golf cart full of a students possesions during move-in day in the New Residence Hall at NIU Thursday in Dekalb. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Students Sharonda Roberson (left) of Aurora, Alexandria Ell of South Holland and Audrey Moss of Aurora, walk out of the New Residence Hall at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb on Thursday. The state of the art facility that's hotel-like compared to regular dorms, is the first one built on the campus in 44 years. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Students volunteers and students with their families, carry items to rooms in the New Residence Hall at Northern Illinois University Thursday in Dekalb. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Eric Bellefontaine of South Elgin unpacks in one of the rooms Thursday at the New Residence Hall at NIU in Dekalb. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Northern Illinois University's first new dorm in 44 years, a state of the art facility that's hotel-like compared to regular dorms. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Freshman Sharonda Roberson Aurora in her room Thursday at the NIU New Residence Hall in Dekalb. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Max Persels of Barrington Hills gives his daugther Tiffany a hand at moving into the New Residence Hall Thursday at NIU in Dekalb. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Michael Stade of Elgin walks into his home for the school year at NIU's New Residence Hall. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Students play a game of beach volleyball Thursday behind the New Residence Hall a-on the NIU campus. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media

Audrey Moss (left) and Sharonda Roberson, both of Aurora make their way through the hallway at the New Residence Hall on the NIU campus in Dekalb. The state of the art facility that's hotel-like compared to regular dorms, is the first built on the campus in 44 years. August 23, 2012 | Michael Smart~Sun-Times Media