<p>I just got back from helping D move in, and the new dorm is incredible. I would like to live there! It has full-size beds, ceiling fans, bathtubs and kitchenettes with microwave, sink (with sprayer!), and little fridge. Plus tons of storage. And the furniture is beautiful. They even have headboards. And even though many of the common areas are not yet finished, they are beautifully furnished and accessorized.</p>
<p>Also, the university center updating is finished. It is beautiful, too. All the facilities at the school are top-rate. Did not go in the newly expanded and remodeled dance building, but I’m sure it is equally as impressive.</p>
<p>We just got back as well. I second musicmoms post above, the new dorm is AMAZING! I would like to live there as well. Each suite is like a well furnished apartment, but you still can go to the caf for meals, best of both worlds! Also off the main loby they have a movie theater! You can program the washing machines (a large laundry room on each floor) to ring you cell phone or email you when your load is done!</p>
<p>I am really sore from taking the stairs so much! She is on the 3rd floor, and we usually rode the elevator up, but walked down…over and over and over! </p>
<p>Actually, the only thing I don’t like is that they are <em>required</em> to purchase a meal plan. That is a lot of money that will be wasted for us because I know my D will not be eating many meals in the caf. </p>
<p>I saw the theater room, even reclined in one of those leather chairs! Awesome! I never found the laundry room. I heard someone say that there is only one and it’s on the 2nd floor, which I did not explore. I do remember my D saying that it costs 85-cents to wash, though I don’t know how she knows that.</p>
<p>It’s nicer than the first three apts I lived in after college. We never got to explore much beyond S’s room. He had spent Mon/Tue in Draper during the Honors activities and felt like he had arrived in Paradise when he moved into New yesterday. Of course it’s already been pointed out to him that he’ll be spoiled in the new dorm during college and then be a starving artist in NY and live in a dive!</p>
<p>The quality of the furnishings was simply amazing. and the amount of space was more than ample</p>
<p>The covered parking is a real plus, too. Not only do they never have to get wet in the rain when walking to their cars, but it also protects them (the cars) from the hot southwest sun. They are lucky kids, indeed. </p>
<p>My D had purchased lots of plastic storage “items” during the past two years, but I ended up bringing much of it home with me because she had more than enough storage without it. Now I have to figure out where to store it!</p>
<p>Moved my D and her roomies in as well this week. Ditto to everyone’s comments. They still have kinks to work out but the kids can live there while they do. She’s beginning her soph year and is so happy to be back.</p>
<p>My D is glad to be back, too. She really missed all her friends and she thrives on having every minute of her schedule filled to capacity. I had a bittersweet moment when I turned off 23rd onto Kentucky and saw the huge banner that said, “Welcome Home.” I’m happy that she feels like OCU is as much or more home than our house is now, but it makes me a little sad, too.</p>
<p>Ditto! The common areas are a triple at most schools, much less leather furniture! What a space!</p>
<p>And musicmom, YOU TOOK THE STARS DOWN ONLY??? We did it ALL STAIRS as the elevators were not working on Wednesday for us at all! I felt OLD! Even so, I echo the sentiment of those Welcome Home banners…even as a freshman, my D already feels as if she belongs! What an awesome place!</p>
<p>Oh, I climbed the stairs UP a few times, too, but we got there in the early afternoon and the morning move-in rush was pretty much over. The elevator still was a little slow, but I found the nicest young man to help us and he had a “wagon” thing, so I went up the elevator a time or two with him. Going down seemed so easy at the time, but my calves are screaming at me now! I remember the same feeling only much worse after I visited Carlsbad Caverns. I don’t think I could have climbed the stairs with a lot of heavy boxes. I admit I’m a wimp.</p>
<p>I didn’t get the opportunity to see the new dorm rooms first hand, but I hear the girls LOVE it (and D sent me lots of pics)…I am jealous…looks nicer than my house! I know the girls are glad to be back and are excited about sharing a suite…I know mine missed yours! Hope to get to see you sometime this year!<br>
~lexasmom</p>
<p>Yes, my D missed yours terribly. She also missed being at school and all the hustle and bustle. She thrives on being busy. With classes starting today and auditions tonight, she is really hitting the ground running. We’ll have to plan to be there the same weekend sometime.</p>
<p>Hey, it’s great to come back to this forum after 4 months off. Once our D got accepted and decided to go to OCU I haven’t checked back.</p>
<p>Our D is also in the new dorm, and we were all blown away. Your words were exactly what I told people when I got home. They are going to be spoiled!</p>
<p>If you 3 want to pm me, maybe we could see if our kids have met. Our D is an Acting BFA. She’s also doing voice and dance to supplement and keep in the musical theater scene. The new dance building is also unbelievable. Studios are huge, lots of mirror and window.</p>
<p>Regarding the new dorm/elevator. You may have heard that a bunch of girls and a mom got stuck in the elevator in that 100 degree heat. Yep, that was us. We finally pressed the alarm and campus security (or the police) came right away. I didn’t look to see who they were. I just wanted air. Other than that glitch, we had a great time at orientation. The people are so nice at OCU.</p>