<p>I believe Harvard’s beds are all the same, no matter what the dorm – X-long black steel-framed spring beds (think summer camp or army barracks), which can be stacked into bunk beds, or separated for two singles. My daughter has used bed risers in all three of her dorms (Mathews, Mather and Cabot).</p>
<p>Was wondering about bed risers as well. Does anyone know if rooms in Straus are large enough to separate beds into singles or so small so that beds must remain bunk beds? Only room pictures I have found are on fourth floor, which appear to be a different size and set up from rest of Straus.</p>
<p>You can find interior and exterior photos of all the freshman dorms here:</p>
<p>[Frosh</a> Dorms Project: Graphical Map](<a href=“http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~trishin/sergey/galleries/2004/froshdorms/]Frosh”>http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~trishin/sergey/galleries/2004/froshdorms/)</p>
<p>Click on the red buildings on the graphical map and the photos will come up.</p>
<p>D got double bed risers at the Coop for $20. They gave her about 14" under her bed. Single risers are only about 8" high. At the Science Center sale there was a huge bin of risers for sale that we found after purchasing. Don’t know if there were any sets of double risers. She and roommate in Wigg unbunked their beds and only had 16-18" between. D’s dresser had to be in the common room. They were in the forced double (previously a single) room. Tight but neither wanted to be on top bunk.</p>
<p>coureur;</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the link. I appreciate your help.</p>
<p>You’re welcome.</p>
<p>The link for Mass Hall photos is broken. The correct link is this:
<a href=“http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~trishin/sergey/galleries/2004/froshdorms/mass/index.htm[/url]”>http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~trishin/sergey/galleries/2004/froshdorms/mass/index.htm</a></p>
<p>I’ve been out of town and just checked into this site after a long hiatus, but I thought I’d share what my S and I did at move-in for his freshman year as it worked out great. He did FOP (which he loved) and thus was only allowed to bring a small carry-on with him to campus. He flew to Boston on Southwest Airlines (it was the cheapest option with one short layover and they allow two checked bags at no extra cost), took a cab from the airport (his first and only time…has aways taken the T after that, but it wasn’t feasible with his two big bags and carry-on), dropped off the two large bags at the hotel I would be staying in a week later for move-in, and then went on to Harvard. The hotel was happy to store his luggage at no cost (we asked ahead of time). I then flew in after FOP (also on Southwest with two more bags and a small carry-on for me), took a cab to the hotel which was walking distance from Harvard Yard, and we did all of his move-in without having a car (I have no sense of direction and am bad at parallel parking). We had all of his clothes, bedding, most toiletries, etc. in the four suitcases. The extra things he needed, I bought at CVS or an office supply place nearby in Harvard Square (like a lamp and trash can and some school supplies). I walked everywhere and carried my purchases in my rolling carry-on. I looked a little bit like a bag lady :), but I got some exercise and got the lay of the land on foot, which was nice. One of his roommates (he lived in a quad) was from nearby and brought the minifridge, so that was nice. It was a great start to a great year!!</p>
<p>I have not seen that a schedule for Freshman Parents Weekend has been posted and am trying to organize our flight schedule around it. Any idea if there are events during the day on Friday? Also is there anything at all on Sunday? Thanks.</p>
<p>Fri-Sat Oct. 12-13</p>
<p>So, I take it there’s nothing on Sunday (unless you want brunch). Also, there’s a phone number suggested on the site if you want to follow up.</p>
<p>[Harvard</a> College Freshman Dean’s Office Parents FAQ](<a href=“http://www.fdo.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k3806&pageid=icb.page29946]Harvard”>http://www.fdo.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k3806&pageid=icb.page29946)</p>
<p>Curiousmother,</p>
<p>Thanks so much for popping back in, just set up the arrangement you suggested. Appreciate the advice.</p>
<p>Do student really just use poster gum to hang things? It sounds like the poster gum does not work to well. I was hoping command strips would be ok.</p>
<p>The poster gum works well on paper posters and photos, but does not hold up laminated material or anything heavy, but it is the only adhesive approved by Harvard. Some rooms have large bulletin boards and you can use use tacks and pins to post things.</p>
<p>BTW: Although Command Strips are not supposed to peel the paint from walls if taken off correctly, we’ve had issues with the pull-down tab. Once that tab is broken, there’s no way of getting the Command Strip apparatus off the wall without damaging the wall and the paint. Been there, done that.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input. Articles in the crimson have said the poster gum does not work at all. Glad to hear you have a had good results with it.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the dorms with in-suite bathrooms have shower curtains or is that something we need to supply?</p>
<p>I have a question for those of you that have purchased the laundry plan. I know many of you think this is crazy but this post is for those that have used it.
I know they wash whites in cold water- does it stay looking bright white?
Any problems getting gym clothes clean in cold water?
All colors are put to dry at the same temperature- does this ruin a lot of dark color clothes, shrink polo shirts/make them look old quick?
Laundry service sounds convenient but I am worried about it ruining nice clothes.</p>
<p>Do some of your kids have the service but still have a dryer rack in their room to do their own sweaters and polo shirts etc?</p>
<p>I found that metropolitan laundry will sort and do hand dry and all the special care labels but currently don’t do pick up and delivery. I figure for the time to take and pick up he could just do it himself.</p>
<p>Student4ever – we bought shower curtains. And some have a little window that also need to be covered so we got an extra set. About $10 each.</p>
<p>Poster gum definitely works, but, as another mentioned, it is surely preferable for photos and paper posters. To that, when applied correctly (you warm it up for a few minutes and the whole less-is-more philosophy holds), it can damage the wall paint just as poorly as command strips, et. al. </p>
<p>However, for heavier objects you can also use s-hooks (placed along the molding) and fishing line to hang them at a desired height; however, I’m not sure if every suite has the suitable molding.</p>
<p>I always used the shower curtains provided.</p>
<p>Freshman Parent’s Weekend - </p>
<p>To previous attendees:
Overall, how was the weekend? Would you recommend attending FPW? Any tips to get the most out of your time spent there? Did the Friday activities get started early? What activities, classes, etc. did you find the most enjoyable? Are the activities scheduled primarily for the parents or for the freshman as well? Did you find your son/daughter had the time to spend with you or were they too busy with school work/parties?</p>
<p>Yes! Go! </p>
<p>My D is a junior so it has been a while since we attended, but we are very glad we made the trip. We did a combination of things: attending scheduled events (my hubby and I split up to cover more ground), meeting other parents and our D’s friends, shopping with D and being tourists on our own. I’m not sure about the schedule this year, but because we wanted to make the most of our travel - we don’t live close - we went early and stayed for a day beyond the scheduled activities. We let our D decide when she had time for us and which of the planned activities she could do with us - no questions asked. And, we let D decide when to invite her friends/roommates to meals or “fun” outings with us and when she just wanted us to herself. The weather was horrible (torrential rain), but we had a blast.</p>
<p>Overall, how was the weekend?
Excellent</p>
<p>Would you recommend attending FPW?
Yes, definitely. If nothing else it’s good for seeing your student settled and (hopefully) happy.</p>
<p>Any tips to get the most out of your time spent there?
Do lots of things. Not just one thing or only official things.</p>
<p>Did the Friday activities get started early?
Don’t remember</p>
<p>What activities, classes, etc. did you find the most enjoyable?
The A Capella concert in Sanders Theater and a lecture/show-and-tell by an Archaeology professor who gave a small group of us a fascinating look at his research on the pottery of the ancient Mimbres Indians of the American southwest.</p>
<p>Are the activities scheduled primarily for the parents or for the freshman as well?
Most activities are for both, but students cannot always attend due to their schedules. So parents only is fine.</p>
<p>Did you find your son/daughter had the time to spend with you or were they too busy with school work/parties.
No parties - at least not while their parents are in town. She was able to spend a decent amount of time with us, but not all the time and not every activity.</p>