<p>Just for reference, look at the thread here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/455224-damaged-flute.html?highlight=flute[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/455224-damaged-flute.html?highlight=flute</a></p>
<p>It illustrates a worst case scenario. Remember, college is a microcosm of society, and you will find a range of people from the nicest you’ll ever know to some of the biggest scumbags swimming in the gene pool.</p>
<p>Instrument safety and security will depend on a number of points: your own habits, your roomie/suitemates, the rest of the people on your floor, their friends and associates. </p>
<p>Point of reference: most schools have a policy of no instrumental/vocal practicing in dorm rooms. Enforcement however will be a function of your RA, complaints, and potentially the type of music and your level of ability. </p>
<p>You’ve gotten some good advice. Keep it in the case, locked when you’re not there as it keeps butterfingered investigators away. </p>
<p>My son was a performance major in a conservatory environment, and at various times had a year or two’s tuition equivalent dollar value of instruments at school, and there were no issues, but this was an environment where the instruments were the students’ lifeblood.</p>
<p>If the school has a formal music program, investigate the possibility of renting an instrument storage locker in the music building. They exist, are normally allocated to music majors/minors based on instrument size, but probably can be rented for a nominal (<$20/semester) charge to non-music students.</p>
<p>You might want to consider having your parents add it to their homeowners insurance with a rider. Cost is generally low. Be advised also that if you make any money gigging, you might be classified as a pro, and the insurance company will deny a claim. In this case, there are companies that specialize in instrument insurance, also generally low in cost for the dollar value you describe. Clarion, Heritage and Mertz-Huber are the three biggies here, and can be found via Google.</p>
<p>Yep, you can bring it. Just be smart about it.</p>