@mtnsun13 - yeah, sometimes you get it right, sometimes not. I think Fr Jenkins letter had little “new” info, but it was a nice summary of some of the info previously released. I tried to qualify my statement with “my sense”. As with @hpcsa , we have no “inside” info, just experience from our students. I would be surprised at this point if there is actually a Welcome Weekend. I say this based on the conservative stance ND has taken so far. It would be a shame if it does not happen. My wife really needed the WW to feel comfortable with our DS going to school so far from home. I would expect there are many parents out there with the same desire to feel that their child will be taken care of.
@usma87 I agree. I also feel that the information you and other parents and Notre Dame students provide on this and other ND threads is quite pertinent and helpful.
Just one other piece of public information: "…the University currently anticipates offering two Welcome programs for new undergraduate students and families: first from Monday, Aug. 3 to Tuesday, Aug. 4, and again from Wednesday, Aug. 5 to Thursday, Aug. 6. Students and families can expect the same Welcome Week experience at each program. Following the conclusion of each Welcome program on Tuesday, Aug. 4 or Thursday. Aug. 6, student-only programming will continue through the start of classes.
New students living on campus will attend a program based on their assigned move in date. Further details about the timing of housing assignments, assigned student move-in dates, and a detailed Welcome program will be available in early July."
https://here.nd.edu/student-life/
Therefore yes, the Welcome Days for First-Year Students and their parents will not take place over a weekend and will be conducted in two groups this year, yet it is the First-Year student/parent experience that counts most, I believe.
But it seems like there will be some activities that include parents, don’t you think that’s what they are saying? Is it just that it won’t be as extensive as in the past? Is that what you mean?
I am hopeful there will be something for the parents. I for one will need it! We are sending off our first about 1500 miles away!
Maybe ND is waiting for dorm assignments? So half the dorm can check in Mon/Tues and the other half Wed/Thurs? That would decrease the volume of people.
@collegemomjam @mtnsun13 Yes, there will be dedicated Welcome Program events for new ND parents, as well as joint events which students and parents will be attending together. After parents will have departed in the afternoon of the second day, student-only programming will continue through the start of classes on August 10th. Welcome Days are fun, a video I love from 2016 - students who graduated this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0j78G3zAoM
Thanks @hpcsa. So I guess the students that move in on the 3rd will have two more days on campus before school starts, but I don’t know how else they can do it.
@collegemomjam You are very welcome. Notre Dame will keep them busy and engaged, no worries - Residence Hall Rectors, ARs and RAs will use the time with Incoming First-Years for kicking off important Formation activities. DD is looking forward to the additional time with her section group and sees advantages in splitting the incoming First-Years she will be working with in two groups.
@hpcsa - I looked at the Student Life page yesterday and missed the info you posted. I’m glad they are going to keep the WW experience in some form. Now I am wondering when my band student will be moving in. The band usually plays at WW. The band leadership has not shared any info, most likely because some of those decisions have not been made.
@usma87 There will be additional time this year between move-in w/c August 3rd and the first football game on September 5th, hence I am really not sure whether or not band students will be moving in early this year. Scheduled RAs move-in date is July 26th, therefore at the very earliest it would be the following week yet I do believe it will be more likely together with the general First-Year population on August 3/4 and prioritize band interests and other priority requirements in the first First-Year group, returning band members then on August 7th or shortly thereafter. This would be my assumption.
Just wanted to share something with everyone. My son ended up being accepted to what we thought had been his number one choice all along, but we are all so sold on ND he declined his offer off of the waitlist at his former top choice. In fact, when he found out he got in off of the waitlist last week, he didn’t even pause. He said “I’m going to Notre Dame.” We are all blown away by the support and sense of family that we are getting from the various social media groups we have been involved with since his acceptance. We can’t wait to part of this incredible family. Can’t believe it is only a few weeks away. GO IRISH!!!
@collegemomjam This is excellent news, congratulations to your son and the whole family - Welcome Home!
Thanks so much @hpcsa!
@collegemomjam - Welcome Home! I completely understand your sentiment. It is what I felt two years ago when my son was accepted. The support and “family” culture is genuine and amazing. We are not Catholic. That has not been an issue at all. It has been a phenomenal experience for our DS. Go Irish!
@collegemomjam Welcome Home…again! My son was accepted early admission to Notre Dame and by the time regular decisions came out at schools that were also initially of high interest to him, he couldn’t have cared less about the results. “I’m going to Notre Dame” is about as declarative as you can get on the issue. There is a lot of analysis that goes into all of this, but ultimately you have to listen to your gut and your heart. Glad that your son, and you, are now fully part of the Notre Dame family! You both are going to love it!
Thank you so much everyone! Your words and support just keep reaffirming the decision! We feel very fortunate to be part of such an amazing family!
"… Returning to Campus and Welcoming New Students
In partnership with local public health officials, students and families will arrive in the South Bend area in stages. Residence hall staff will arrive on campus beginning Sunday, July 26 for training. International students should plan to arrive Saturday, Aug. 1 to participate in orientation with Notre Dame International. The University’s Welcome program for new graduate students will be Monday, Aug. 3 and Tuesday, Aug. 4. New students in our professional programs will receive guidance about orientation programs from their schools.
Based on public health considerations related to move-in staging and gathering size, we currently anticipate offering two Welcome programs for new first year or transfer undergraduate students and families. Those students living on campus will move in either Monday, Aug. 3 or Wednesday, Aug. 5 based on their assigned residence hall. Each student can be accompanied by no more than two family members or guests. Appointment times will be staggered to facilitate physical distancing. Students and their families can expect the same Welcome Week experience regardless of their move-in date. Following the conclusion of each Welcome program on Tuesday, Aug. 4 or Thursday, Aug. 6, student-only programming will continue through the start of classes. First year assignments are currently planned for release on Friday, July 10. I will write new undergraduate students and their parents with further details about Welcome Week in early July.
Most returning undergraduate students living on campus will move in Aug. 6, 7, 8, or 9. Returning students will have the option to select a move-in day and time using the same appointment system used for move-out during a selection period from July 6 to 13. Any students who do not select a move-in appointment during that period will have a move-in day and time assigned automatically. A very limited number of returning student leaders, international students, and student-athletes will be contacted by relevant University departments for permission to move in Aug. 1 or 2. Because the University must restrict the number of students moving in each day for public health reasons, we will be unable to accommodate individual requests for arrival on Aug. 1 or 2. Each student can be accompanied by no more than two family members or guests. Like move-out, appointment times will be staggered to facilitate physical distancing…"
Erin Hoffmann Harding
Vice President for Student Affairs 06/22/2020
Notre Dame Update on Testing Strategies
“… Pre-matriculation Testing
Before returning for the fall semester (pre-matriculation), students who reside outside of St. Joseph County, as well as St. Joseph County residents who will live in Notre Dame residence halls, will undergo testing. We are working with LabCorp, a leading national provider of tests and lab services, to develop a program to distribute tests to students in late July and for University Health Services to receive the results from LabCorp before students return to campus. Any student who tests positive will be asked to refrain from returning to campus until they are medically cleared to do so. …”
This will presumably be an interesting and timing wise challenging process.
I think ND’s heart is definitely in the right place, and they are doing their best, but this is a monumental undertaking. Not only are the tests frequently inaccurate, but someone could become infected shortly after being tested (flying to ND). I can easily see 1/4 of the student population being denied entry to campus based on this, since most young adults are now the primary carriers and asymptomatic. I had to read it a few times to actually understand it as well.
OK, DD has moved in - all looking quiet and peaceful. Let’s keep fingers crossed.
That’s great. Can you share with us the general feeling of the students. For example, are they able to interact with other students in any meaningful way or do they feel isolated?
My D will be at a different college with move in 2 weeks from today but I wanted to get a sense of how students are dealing with this new “normal” residential college experience?
I have read so much doom and gloom and wanted to get some positive news!