Heycow

I was just wondering about the bed arrangements in the rooms - I noticed that most beds are lofted to make more room in the dorm but I was curious as to who actually secures the beds in this arrangement? Do the students do it (and if so, how do they know how to loft the beds correctly) or does the university fix the beds in this manner based on request?

notre dame AL

Students loft the beds, if they are in dorms with modular furniture. Otherwise, you have to construct the loft . I think kits are available at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. Also, if in a dorm with mod furniture, the upperclassmen helping to move freshman in during orientation can probably help students loft the beds. They did this when our student moved in--they made suggestions on room arrangement as well as lofted the beds for us. Just make sure you put carpet down first!

Heycow

Is there any specific type of carpet (or is it a rug?) that you would recommend? Also (silly question), are the beds safe and secure if the students loft them? And do you find out if the furniture is modular before you move in or not until moving- in day?

kevdude

Your kid will get a Frosh-O packet from their dorm sometime in the summer, earlier or later depending on how organized the Frosh-O staff is, with the majority of information that your kids will need to know. Although, the packets are for the FRESHMAN, not the parents, so don't be surprised if they don't show it to you. But either way, they'll have the info, so just ask your kids.

I would recommend going to Lowes for carpet. There's one right near campus on Main, and you can get carpet by the foot. The carpet is unbound, but that doesn't really matter because it's only going to be down for the year anyway, so it's no use getting an extra nice one. We spent a total of about 150 bucks carpeting three rooms of a quad, wall to wall. I split the cost with my 3 roommates, and we threw the carpet out at the end of the year. Easy.

As far as the sturdiness of lofts - I've had both modular and self-built lofts. Modular furniture are designed to be lofted, so they're fine. As long as you have a good design for your loft (talk to your frosh-o guys, they'll know what to do), you'll be golden. Also, your RAs or someone with some sort of authority checks for structural integrity after it's built, so don't worry. On the other hand, though, keep in mind that unless you live in Morrissey, Sorin, or St. Edward's Hall, you won't have to worry about building your own loft until sophomore year (I believe these three are the only ones that have freshman rooms without modular).

Just keep in mind that the frosh-o guys are there to help. I did it last year, and I moved in 2 days early so my whole room was all set up before any freshman showed up. We've done it before, we know what to do, and it's our job to spend 13 hours in the 90+ degree weather helping people set up their rooms. It's what we signed up to do. Take advantage of our help!

notre dame AL

You can also go on the ND student website and check out the dorms and info about each dorm. I think it might be under Residential life. I remember that our student did that and most will indicate whether the dorm has mod furniture as well as if it has A/C, who the Rector is, etc. It will also give you info, I think, about a hall-maintained web site(if the dorms are as organized like kev mentioned). I do remember thinking when we moved our student into the dorm freshman year how nice the Frosh-O staff was-and as I recall spouse and I really did not move any boxes or suitcases from car to dorm room. They were just great! Thanks kev and to all other frosh-o staff members!! Compared to a lot of other colleges (parents we heard from), not many welcome you like this on move-in day.

Heycow

kevdude and notre dame al -

Thank you so much for all of your help and advice - It is very much appreciated. It is great to know that I can ask questions on this board and that there are so many kind and helpful people like the two of you to answer my questions and calm my nerves...!!

zfzxzzza

i'm just hoping that i can get into a 1988 built or 1996 built dorm(only these dorms have air-conditioners).
i can't imagine a hot night without them

notre dame AL

Fans, fans, fans! Our student says it is normally hot for about the first two weeks or so and then the temps begin to cool off!

Greta

^^^

Son agrees with notre dame AL, summer heat only lasts the first 2-3 weeks of school. Fans are the key in his dorm. Lack of air-conditioning is not an issue.

kevdude

Speaking as someone in a non-air-conditioned dorm, I can tell you the spirit encountered in the older dorms, especially dorms like Alumni, Sorin, Morrissey (even if Morrissey is undesirable for other reasons, see my past posts for further explanation), makes up for the 3 weeks of discomfort.

danbrenn

I can tell you, as someone who lives in an air-conditioned room, that, while it is nice in the hot months, the spirit I see coming from some of the other dorms is more desirable than a few weeks of comfort.

sryrstress

My S is in non-a/c dorm. He has stated repeatedly exactly what kevdude and danbrenn wrote--that he would never trade his dorm, its camaraderie, history, and tradition, for air conditioning..and he has allergies and hates hot, sticky weather.

Heycow

I am not that familiar with the dorms but are you all stating that the air-conditioned dorms do not have the spirit and camaraderie as the older dorms?
How many air-conditioned dorms are there on campus? I would hate for my son to miss out on anything if he isn't placed in an older dorm ... Just wondering...

danbrenn

It isn't that we don't have the camaraderie. I'm am really close to all the guys in my dorm. It is just that we don't have the tradition, spirit and pride that comes from having a rich dorm history.

zfzxzzza

there are 4 a-c male dorms on campus
for female dorms, i don't know.