<p>@ CPU- my D and her suitemates had all the details worked out- and he moved in with her bags from dorm crew- but just to get to spend the night- not to move things in. They really do enforce waiting until all the roomies are there to start unpacking and deciding- even if you have communicated- sometimes the best laid plans change…so be flexible- and just be prepared for anything! My D and her suitemates had an amazing
Freshman year! Best of luck!</p>
<p>^^^^^^ How did your D like dorm crew? Did she fly in and if so did she only have one suitcase? What was the work schedule/assignments like? What can they do in their off time? Details please!!!</p>
<p>We drove my daughter up from New York City for dorm crew, then went on vacation for a week in Maine, and met up with her the night before move-in day. I hesitate to say this, but my daughter absolutely HATED dorm crew. She loved meeting all the kids, but hated the drudgery of cleaning recycling bins, rooms and toilets for 6-8 hours a day. Once done, she vowed never again to work for dorm crew. (For money, she much prefers to wait tables at the Grafton Cafe – which is what she is doing this summer while performing in Harvard’s summer theater program.) Yes, she brought just one suitcase; not much else was allowed.</p>
<p>D did Dorm Crew at the end of Freshman Year. This was a paid position and the $$ was ok. She decided to do dorm crew because she needed to stay in the Boston area for a week before she did her internship for the summer and she was allowed to stay in the dorms. It didn’t make sense to fly to the West Coast for one week. Her job was to go through the dorms and clean out things left behind by students. She also made beds for the upcoming reunions! She said the work was easy but not sure if she will do it next year! The one thing that really bugged her was having to move out of her dorm and go to a different dorm for the week.</p>
<p>Forgot to add to above post…D was allowed only one bag for FOP. She brought her backpack and that was it. The rest of her items were mailed or brought to the school the next week by me and her dad! The day she arrived on campus she met with the FOP group and they spent the night in Wigglesworth and departed early the next day for backpacking. She did not live in Wigglesworth her Freshman year.</p>
<p>Are FOP students also allowed to move things into their dorms on Sunday night? (not unpack just bring stuff up) This would make a difference as to when we fly in.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly my D moved her stuff in the morning. We were standing in line at the science center getting the boxes we mailed.</p>
<p>For some reason there are conflicting dates on when we can pick up shipped items. Some places say September 7 and some say move-in day.</p>
<p>Hey, rising senior at Harvard here, not a parent, but thought you guys might be the right audience for something interesting I found: Harvard University employees make Obama’s top 5 list in financial support! Click this link: [Barack</a> Obama (D) Top Contributors: Microsoft Corp, DLA Piper, University of California](<a href=“http://vote.sigfig.com/person/Barack%20Obama%20(D)?refcode=4]Barack”>http://vote.sigfig.com/person/Barack%20Obama%20(D)?refcode=4)</p>
<p>By the way, I did FOP my freshman year, and it was a very enjoyable experience. Totally safe and made lots of new friends - made entering college a lot more comfortable. Hope your kids enjoy it!</p>
<p>@skatjmam- I don’t know if anyone can say they “love” cleaning up after other students- but my D made new friends every day and they explored Boston every night- she took the largest, fullest suitcase I have ever seen…mainly so she could put something cute on after work. They worked a “normal workday”- where they got to explore the campus- from after breakfast until late afternoon with a break for lunch. The money was good for the work they had to do. But every night- she and some of her new friends would walk down to the Charles after dinner, and spent lots of time talking and getting to know each other. I know she enjoyed it. :)</p>
<p>mikig20 and anyone else— how much money did your child bring for food? did they use the meal plan or go out every night? what are some tips on not spending so much for food?</p>
<p>My daughter was on a limited budget, so she did not have money for eating out. She used the meal plan and once a month went out for a special occasion dinner.</p>
<p>I meant during Dorm Crew, my apologies for not being clear.</p>
<p>For dorm crew, we gave her $50 food cards from au bon pain, panera bread and boloco. She didn’t spend all the cards down that week, but was able to use the balance during her fall semester.
[Panera</a> Bread The Panera Card](<a href=“http://www.panerabread.com/paneracard/]Panera”>http://www.panerabread.com/paneracard/)
<a href=“https://www.aubonpain.com/card/default.aspx[/url]”>https://www.aubonpain.com/card/default.aspx</a>
[boloco</a> - Earn freebies](<a href=“http://boloco.com/keep-up/the-card/]boloco”>http://boloco.com/keep-up/the-card/)</p>
<p>Mikig20 - thanks for reinforcing that the social part is worth the drudgery! I was also wondering about the conflicitng shipping dates. Will the items shipped be available for pick up on move-in day (27th)?</p>
<p>DormCrew - When rock star Rivers Cuomo went to Harvard he did Dorm Crew even though his musical career was starting to take off. And in interviews he gave later after he had become a big star he said he looked back on Dorm Crew appreciatively for the virtue of accomplishing something of worth through hard manual labor. He enjoyed the experience and valued it.</p>
<p>My own daughter didn’t do Dorm Crew. She was FOP through and through. She ended up being a FOP trip leader for her Jr. and Sr. years.</p>
<p>@ skatjmam- to my knowledge- the mail center is always open for package pickup on Move in day- starting with Freshman move in day- check the FDO- there are phone numbers and emails and they are prompt and helpful with questions. 
Just a thought- maybe the later date you saw was directed at returning students moving into houses…cause there is quite a large contingent that take advantage of mailing/shipping the college supplies- check with the FDO (Freshman Dean’s Office)- on the website or by phone or email- they are great! :)</p>
<p>The Dorm Crew website says packages will be available September 7. The brochure from last year says move-in day. Maybe the late date is (was) a result of Hurricane Irene? Just a thought.</p>
<p>Just checked. The First Year Guide says packages shouldn’t arrive before August 6 and will be available for pick up from August 27 to September 1. There will be extended hours for the mail room.</p>
<p>Got a quick question. Are bed risers ok to use in the dorms (Apley)? Need to have some extra space to stow stuff.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>