Things not to forget!

Colleges & Universities University of Chicago
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<p>Hi everyone!</p>

<p>As we get closer to move-in day for the class of 2013 (yay!), I thought it might be helpful to start a list of things not to forget (and things to leave at home!). Feel free to post or ask questions as they come up, whether you’re a worried parent, excited student, or otherwise experienced in the realm of UChicago move-ins. </p>

<p>All dorms come with the basics: a bed, a desk with chair, some form of lamp, closet/dresser/wardrobe, a wastebasket, and some type of mirror.
You may want to bring some type of auxiliary mirror or desk lamp, if you think you will wind up wanting something to that effect. Not required, but often nice to have. Also, clothes hangers! For some reason, people tend to forget about clothes hangers- you’ll definitely want some (unless your clothes live in a mass on your floor, which is, you know, understandable). </p>

<p>If you live in a dorm where you will use a private or semi-private bathroom (Max Palevsky, Broadview, apartments in South Campus, Stony Island, Blackstone) don’t forget to organize with your roommates or suitemates as to who will bring bathroom supplies and cleaning supplies- toilet paper, a toilet brush, hand soap, etc. You are responsible for cleaning your own bathroom and, trust me, your chance of making good friends with the opposite sex is directly proportional to the grodiness level of your bathroom. </p>

<p>Medications. If you take prescription meds for any reason, it’s usually best to get a supply before coming to school, at least a month or two’s worth in advance, just in case you have problems transferring the prescription. Local easy-access drugstores in Hyde Park are CVS and Walgreens- it may be to your advantage to transfer the prescription to either of those pharmacies BEFORE you come to campus so they have it in their registries. You may be able to use another pharmacy, but if you’re looking for something in walking distance of campus, those are the places to be. There is also a pharmacy through the University of Chicago hospital that offers student discounts on certain prescriptions (mainly birth control). </p>

<p>Mini fridge. You’re welcome to bring a mini fridge to campus, or to purchase one in Chicago; just be aware that you are responsible for defrosting and storing it over summer break. There is a service that comes to campus to rent mini-fridges (some with an attached microwave) for the year, and will pick up and defrost it at the end of the year. It is a bit more costly over four years that straight up buying one, but if you’re worried about storage, the service may be the best option. </p>

<p>Internet. Campus is all wireless, and you don’t need any type of router to access, so internet is usually never a problem- no need to bring anything besides a computer (and, if you choose not to bring one, you’ll have plenty of access in in-dorm and library computer labs, so don’t sweat it). Ethernet jacks are available in rooms (one per person living in the room), and you’ll get an ethernet cord in your connectivity packet provided by the University once you show up, so no need to bring that, either. Best thing about ethernet: cTv, a service by which you can watch a variety of channels provided by the University (standard ones, plus things like Comedy Central, etc) online while hooked up to ethernet. </p>

<p>Things not to bring:</p>

<p>-Hot plate or anything to cook with with an open heating source- not necessary, and a fire danger! Don’t bring them. Your RA will be mad.
-Open-top halogen lamps: also bad… and kind of outdated, sorry, style police here.
-Firearms or weapons: um, yeah, kind of an obvious one there.
-One Million Things: seriously, most people waaaaay overpack for school. You’ll be able to find or purchase pretty much anything you need in Chicago, and there will be trips to Target during the week to meet your needs. If you haven’t worn it or used it in the year leading up to college, chances are you probably won’t find it useful here-- leave it at home.</p>

<p>Anyway, if anyone else has any other tips/tricks/suggestions, feel free to post them!</p>

<p>Best,
UChicagoPSAC</p>

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<p>never understood why people need mini fridges</p>

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<p>I’m getting one so I can have cold diet coke when I come back from class, haha.
WORTH IT.</p>

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<p>Haha, yeah, I basically only ever have diet Pepsi in my fridge at all times-- sometimes they are also useful for storing leftovers from restaurants.</p>

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<p>My son is vexingly cavalier about “packing”, or should I say “not packing”. Since he said he would take care of it, I am not going to interfere and “rescue him”. </p>

<p>We are driving him. We will have a family van. Worst comes worst, if we just show up on Sept 20th with what he considers essential like clothes, guitar paraphernalia, iPod, and Apple laptop, etc, can everything else be acquired nearby on the same day (9/20) like sheets, blankets, towels, crates, supplies… whatever?</p>

<p>Also, WHEN IS THE EARLIEST TIME WE CAN SHOW UP FOR MOVE IN ON SEPT 20th???</p>

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<p>There are several Target stores located within driving distance of UChicago, so you’ll be able to pick up extra things there if you need to. While one on the south side is closer, I recommend the one on Roosevelt Road, slightly downtown. It’s safe, has a huge selection of things, and has free parking. I would, however, recommend finding twin XL sheets and other bedding in your hometown or at a local store ASAP, as they are a seasonal item and there’s no guarantee that Target will have a ready supply of them come the 20th.</p>

<p>The earliest you can show up for move-in is 8am. This does not mean 7am. Or 6am. Or 7:30am. It means 8am. (I’m not saying that you planned on showing up earlier, just jokingly but firmly letting everyone know what time is appropriate). Those of us (RAs, orientation aides, other housing and university staff) are not ready to help anyone move in before 8am, as we have quite the early morning making sure everything is ready and set up for students to move in, and that we’re ready to assist you. So. 8am is the earliest you can move in.</p>

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<p>I think the 8 am opening is for Monday. I read somewhere that on Sunday, the dorms open at noon.</p>

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<p>I think you might be right on that one- I’ll check up on it and post as soon as I know exactly.</p>

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<p>Quote: “recommend finding twin XL sheets and other bedding in your hometown or at a local store ASAP, as they are a seasonal item and there’s no guarantee that Target will have a ready supply of them come the 20th.”</p>

<p>2nd that thought</p>

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<p>Can someone please explain what “twin XL sheets” are? Where I come from sheets some in single, king single, double, queen, king, super king. Is there an equivalent?</p>

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<p>Twin XL sheets and beds are the width of regular twin-sized sheets, but are longer - twin XL beds are found pretty much only in college dorms to account for the fact that there isn’t much room for a large bed in a dorm room, but college students tend to be taller than your average twin-sized bed sleeper. UChicago (and most colleges) have twin XL beds.
You can pretty easily use a twin sized comforter or quilt on a twin XL bed (I do), but regular twin sized sheets (especially fitted sheets) will be too short for the bed.</p>

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<p>The XL is for “extra long” not for “extra large.”</p>

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<p>Ok, update: on Sept. 20th, the earliest move in time is 12pm (noon). On the 21st, the earliest move-in time is 8am. Sorry for any confusion and thanks for the heads’ up, JBVirtuoso.</p>

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<p>Also, twin = single (as in if you have twin girls, they both sleep in the same room on two small beds).</p>

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<p>UChicagoPSAC,</p>

<p>I need info.</p>

<p>(1) Can you tell me where I can find hour by hour schedule for PARENTS on Monday 9/20 and Sunday 9/21? And where do I get a campus map?</p>

<p>I looked through the web sites, but I couldn’t find it. Maybe I am not looking in the right place?</p>

<p>The orientation week at a glance PDF file has very scant information (no schedule with time and place for anything, just list of activities). The orientation.uchicago.edu site has NO information: just a banner.</p>

<p>(2) We are planning to show up for early move in on Sept 20, Noon. My son’s dorm is the newest one: I believe it’s called South something. Will parking be a problem? </p>

<p>(3) I heard that for the convocation ceremony on Sept 21, we should show up early to be in the chapel. If so, how much early?</p>

<p>Ah… it’s getting to be “real” now.</p>

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<p>First off, any map of anything UChicago related that you’ll need you can find here, including campus map and a map from most places in Chicago to campus: [UChicago</a> Maps](<a href=“http://maps.uchicago.edu/index.shtml]UChicago”>http://maps.uchicago.edu/index.shtml)</p>

<p>Most events on both the 20th and 21st are drop-in events; students and parents are welcome to come by as you get time. On the 20th, move-in and Master’s receptions are both “come as you get time to come” events, and are the only events that are available to parents. On the 21st, all receptions and “fairs” are drop-in events available to parents, as well as Convocation; after Convocation events become student-only, with parents welcome to attend the Family Reception both before and while student-only events (class photo, Chicago Life meeting, house meeting) occur. </p>

<p>During move-in, you and your son will both get a more firm schedule of events with exact times and time frames of different events; many of these times are still TBA due to the ever-changing nature of number of people expected to come and rooms available. Don’t worry, though- this information will come tentatively in a mailing before move-in, and in a firm format once you get to campus. </p>

<p>Finally, it is a good idea to show up early for Convocation if you’d like to get a good seat in the chapel- I am still not sure as to the time convocation begins, but I’d encourage you to show up up to a half hour early (any earlier and the building will probably be closed), and to bring your family along with you, as it does get hard to save seats for non-present people as other families begin to show up for convocation.</p>

<p>More times will be available soon, but hopefully this is enough in the meantime!</p>

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<p>hyeonjlee:</p>

<p>Having gone through two of these . . . There is no hour-by-hour schedule for parents, because parents don’t really have anything to do. </p>

<p>They generally have food and beverages for parents at the Reynolds Club while the kids are getting their IDs (takes about 30-45 minutes) and a free family lunch outdoors (weather permitting) in a central location. (With the late Sunday move-in, those two features may be combined – i.e., family can get lunch while kids get IDs.) The point is, pointedly, to keep parents away from the ID process. This may be repeated on Monday.</p>

<p>The resident faculty master at the new dorm will probably hold some kind of reception for new students and their families sometime Sunday afternoon, or Monday around noon. There will probably be signs up for this at the dorm, and a handout when you check in.</p>

<p>Then there is convocation. In normal years, if you wanted seats inside Rockefeller Chapel, showing up at least 30 minutes early would be a must, and 45-60 minutes early if you want decent seats. If you can’t make it that early, or don’t want to sit around that long, they have overflow seating and a video feed next door at Ida Noyes and (weather permitting) on the lawn outside. I suspect with convocation on Monday this year it will be a lot less crowded, though, so an hour early might be overkill.</p>

<p>After convocation and the procession to the quads that ends it, there is a reception outdoors at the Reynolds Club for parents, with the president, provost, and dean. It’s lovely, and everyone is crying. There is wine and beer. Don’t plan on meeting your child afterwards on Monday, he or she should be busy.</p>

<p>That’s it. Unlike a lot of colleges, Chicago regards its students as fully responsible for their own educations. Orientation is completely student-focused. Parents are treated with respect, but apart from some free food and a chance to shake hands with the master and University officials there isn’t anything the University feels it needs to give them.</p>

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<p>As JHS and our friendly PSAC rep have said, Monday will shape up to be a fairly free-form day as far as scheduled events are concerned.</p>

<p>However, for clarification, I have an [Opening</a> Day Schedule](<a href=“https://classof2013.uchicago.edu//parent-mailings/Opening-Day-Highlights.pdf"]Opening”>https://classof2013.uchicago.edu//parent-mailings/Opening-Day-Highlights.pdf) that was posted on the Class of 2013 website. It was apparently part of the parent mailings, but I didn’t notice it in my dad’s.</p>

<p>It might just serve to confuse, since nearly every “event” other than move-in itself is listed with a range of times, not a specific start. This means that you can go and do them whenever you get time. It’s open-ended. (The convocation and procession, though, should fill the ranges given from start to end, since they’re one-time occurences.)</p>

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<p>I thought I read this somewhere, but I can’t find it now. Opening Day is a dress up affair for new students, right?</p>

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<p>wisteria, </p>

<p>thank you very much. this is very helpful. I haven’t seen the opening day family highlights though I searched everywhere… It looks like I did not do a thorough enough search job!</p>

<p>JHS: </p>

<p>you are my inspiration! You seem a walking collection of wisdom on all things related to higher education, and you have been so generous with your time in sharing this with other hapless and clueless parents like me. Over time, i learned a lot from you. keep it coming!</p>

<p>UChicagoPSAC:</p>

<p>thanks for the input. AND, the question about parking??? Is there a place to park near enough the South Hall so that we can haul things to the dorm???</p>