Up to now, @hzhao2004 , Yale has sought to dispel any idea that college naming rights are for sale (see my post #5260 above). It seems to me that if Yale wanted to entice someone to make a large donation to rename Calhoun, they would have stated explicitly that in exchange for his $250m donation, Charlie Johnson had been given the right to choose the name of Benjamin Franklin College - but they specifically declined to say that, noting only that one reason for the naming was to honor Johnson’s generosity. If they had said that, though, I’m confident other donors would be coming forward, to rename not only Calhoun, but potentially other colleges as well. Donors may still emerge for this purpose, but I’m not at all sure Yale wants to encourage this. The debate over the naming and renaming of colleges has been raging (at least in some quarters) for quite some time, and would be extended if Yale began a process of renaming other colleges (since inevitably some community members will be unhappy about whatever names were chosen, might want to choose different names, rename different colleges, etc.). If I were Yale, I would be seeking to put this discussion behind me and work with donors to find other objects for their generosity on campus - in fact, President Salovey’s message to the community noted that there would be future opportunities to name Yale buildings after figures nominated by community members.
Yale has technical support staff on call who will help with any computer related issues. Students call in with their issue, and a student consultant contacts them and sets up an appointment. If they bring a new computer to Yale, this staff will set up Yale email, install any required software, etc during freshmen orientation.
The technical support staff is a student run organization, funded by the university. It’s a resource that’s free of charge to any Yale student. The staff is primarily Apple trained, but many are certified in Microsoft products as well. It’s a nice gig that pays well for those students working as computer techs.
@Suemomsie - the code to use for the New Haven train station for United is ZVE. New Haven, CT, US (ZVE - Rail Station) It works really well from New Haven to Newark - I’m not sure how well it works the other direction because of the connection timing.
I can’t believe graduation is coming up for my youngest. A few random questions related to graduation. Has anyone parked in the university lots they mention on the commencement website? How difficult is parking? We have friends who want to drive in on Sunday and I need to advise them about parking. Also, out of curiosity, when my daughter graduated several years ago there was a ball in Payne Whitney gym that was nice. And earlier this year when they suggested looking at last year’s calendar I saw it there as an annual event, but it is not on the calendar of events for this year. I’m curious as to why it was dropped if it was a tradition.
One last question, my older son is flying in to Newark which we’ve never done because it was how he could fly non-stop and use some miles that were about to expire. I’ve been told that Amtrak is the best way to go from Newark to New Haven. How easy is that to figure out if you’re not from the area? Is there always a seat available? We’re also taking the train back to Newark (where we’ll leave him and get picked up by friends).
@mimk6, we found parking to be reasonably easy around campus (three years ago). There are also a few commercial lots that aren’t far from campus that will probably have space. I think the ball at Payne Whitney was a relatively recent tradition, and maybe it didn’t draw enough people. We didn’t go, and my son wasn’t interested in it. It’s pretty easy to take Amtrak from Newark to New Haven. Amtrak trains are all-reserved at this point, so there should (theoretically) always be a seat if they sell you a ticket, but sometimes they are hard to find.
Thanks, Hunt. So it sounds like we should pre-purchase a ticket for Amtrak which is only an issue if the flight is delayed. I assume they would let him on the next train. I must sound clueless to those of you who live in the Northeast, but we rarely take trains out here on the West Coast.
For parents who are going to stay in the Residential College (or Freshman dorms next to the old campus) during the commencement, have you received any information in email?
We made reservations and paid for it many months ago but have not received any email from the school. The only information we have access to is on the school’s web site (related to the commencement) about the housing at the school. I think the move-in day (to the dorm) is May 21, Saturday.
Do you know where the parents will stay if they will stay at one of the housing on campus this year?
I have the same question! Haven’t heard a word. And have never been to Yale before - graduation (Masters) first time ever.
It is comforting to know that another parent heard nothing.
We actually attended such an event for the second time (as an UG student for the first time.) I vaguely remember that last time I heard back from the housing office relatively late. But I forget how late it was last time.
We lived in the Swing Space last time. It was actually very nice to stay there at that time because it happened to be very hot during those few days and there was an AC in the Ramada-Inn like building.
@mcat2 - We are staying on campus too. I have a document on my desktop (don’t remember if I got it in email or from the website) that says “You may pick up your key and access device beginning Saturday morning, May 21, after 10:00 a.m. in Dwight Hall,” along with general info about security and linens. They did process my online payment instantly so I assume they have our reservation! I don’t know where we will be housed; I imagine they will just tell us when we arrive.
@tonymom, @mimk6, @Suemomsie
I’ve checked out most possible combos of flights plus shuttles or flights plus trains from LA to New haven.
Usually flying into jfk or lga and taking the go/prime shuttle ($58 one way) is the easiest for CAlifonians to get their heads around. The shuttle stops running at around midnight or so, so you have to plan your arrival time accordingly and book the shuttle in advance online. The benefit of Southwest Airlines is that you can take 2 bags free, but usually you need to do 1 or 2 connections so the trip gets quite long. The shuttle ride is approx 1.5 hours. All other carriers can range in price depending on when you book them: United, jet blue, American, virgin, delta. Jet blue is the nicest though. Followed probably by delta.
We also started doing the Amtrak train Newark trip that was mentioned above as well. You book on united airlines website as noted by poster above, sfo/oak/sjc to zve. Rates are much lower than if booked on United and Amtrak separately. They have a long layover to prevent missing a train/plane, but Dd was able to get onto an earlier train at no extra charge. (Planned layover was 3 hrs, earlier train Layover was 45 mins, no checked bags). Train ride is approx 1.5-2 hrs. You show your ticket to the shuttle people between the plane and train for a free shuttle ride between the 2 stations. I’ve been paranoid using it for departing nhv because Dd runs late on move out and the shuttle will wait but the train will not. But she assures me that she won’t miss the train, so we will try this year for move out with the train. Fingers crossed. They also will wake you up on the train so that you won’t miss your stop, or you can set your alarm to wake you based on your planned arrival time.
Btw, between drop off at airport, and if choose swa with 2 connections, and waiting for shuttle and shuttle ride, it ends up being a 15 hr trip. Shortest with direct flights etc runs around 12 hrs.
Shortest route (but more expensive) is flying into Bradley, but the shuttle from Bradley (ct limo) is unrealiable so sometimes kids get stuck there taking a taxi into NHV (:45 - 1 hr travel time).
And @tonymom,
After move in, Dd even wanted to do lunch with us on Sun! Surprising. She knew that we weren’t going to go to parents weekend, etc. and we hardly go out there, so it was worth it to us to stay until Sunday.
@bookmobile, Thanks.
I think I read about the time for picking up the key at Dwight Hall on the web site also. Somehow I have a recollection that we are supposed to receive an email (maybe just a short email) before the move-in day, but I am not very sure about it.
According to the housing sheet in the commencement folder we received, “confirmation will be emailed by Friday, May 6, 2016.” I don’t know if a confirmation will include the location of lodging, but hopefully we’ll at least receive confirmation that they’re expecting us.
@vtclover, Thanks for the info.
Is the commencement folder you received for the parents or for the student? When did you receive the commencemen folder?
I received this email when I signed up for housing last December. I haven’t heard anything since.
COMMENCEMENT HOUSING CONFIRMATION 2016
Congratulations to you and your graduate. Your room accommodations are now confirmed. We are pleased you have chosen to stay on campus during commencement weekend.
All accommodations are located within walking distance of scheduled activities, shopping and restaurants. For your convenience, the Commencement Housing Office will be located on the Old Campus in the Dwight Hall Common Room.
The office is open beginning Saturday, May 21 at 10:00 AM.
ALL ROOMS MUST BE VACATED NO LATER THAN 12:00 NOON ON TUESDAY, MAY 24th. This will enable us to prepare the same rooms to house the incoming guests of the AYA Reunions that begin on May 26th.
I would like to extend a hearty welcome to you and your family and hope that your stay with us will be a memorable one.
Sincerely,
Thanks for the travel info. I think in eight years we’ve done every permutation of travel from LA to New Haven except for Newark and it’s not the CA family that will be doing Newark. My husband and I will land in JFK and take a shuttle, but older DS is flying into Newark from Ohio which is where United flies non-stop. Unfortunately we did not know about booking Amtrak when buying the ticket. I suppose it’s not possible to add it now, but I’ll call and ask.
We will land in BDL (as usual.) We always fly into BDL, with no exceptions (and cross our fingers the CTLimo will pick us up at the scheduled time without much delay.)
This time, we will actually arrive at BDL a day earlier, actually after mid-night. We will then stay at the hotel (Is it a Sheraton?) attached to the airport.
What are the pros and cons of staying in the RCs during graduation? How is it using the communal bathrooms and showers?
^We stayed in TD for Commencement. Two grandfathers shared a suite on the first floor, and DH and I and DS shared a suite on the second floor. There were other rooms on the other side of the entryway bathroom, but no one was in them. So we essentially had private bath facilities. I don’t know whether that is typical or not.
Pros: it’s inexpensive, $167 for three nights. Cons: the beds are dorm beds and not very comfortable, you may be sharing a communal bathroom. I just went on the site and it says that 2016 is now filled.