Wondering if that woolen knickerbocker look will ever return. How dapper. Esp. with a cap.
@Kaukauna , I could envision the Cotton-Wool debate as a long-running series competing with the Latke-Hamantash debate. Clearly intense passions are aroused in both cases, with perhaps scope for just a trifle of whimsy. Is it just possible, however, that there could be a meeting in the mushy middle on the grounds that Chicago is not quite the Alps or Mount Everest? Perhaps we could make do in the Windy City with a woolen cap, woolen scarf, and woolen socks - and call it a day.
Great deals to be had on Moosejaw and Mountainsteals websites for all kinds of cold weather clothing and outerwear. Last year I got my Chicago-suburb-bound son a lightweight but warm and close-fitting jacket from there (the brand was Marmot, but there were lots of options). He wore it as a fall coat, switched to his winter coat from home (Columbia parka for mid-Atlantic winters, not their absolute warmest model), and during the polar vortex he layered the fall jacket under the winter coat and said it was great. He only wore the winter boots he brought once or twice - in the Midwest, they’re much better at keeping sidewalks cleared then we are in the land of occasional snow. Smartwool socks were a big hit - sent some before the vortex and he said they were so warm and comfortable. Agree on a warm hat that covers the ears being important for the coldest part of winter - we ended up getting an inexpensive Carrhart 2 in 1 fleece hat for our son, with a balaclava option to cover the face that tucks up when not used, which he really liked (he didn’t think he’d carry a balaclava around most of the time but it was nice to have the option available when it was really cold).
Another question…My S is housed in I-House. I know there is a kitchen for student use; should we provide our own kitchenware and dishes? Would it be worth renting the refrigerator/micro combo for his room? Is it permitted to bring our own?
Thanks again!
You can bring your own micro-fridge if you want, or you can rent from Bedloft. Renting is more convenient but also more expensive. Would especially recommend a microfridge for I-House residents due to lack of proximity to dining hall, but it’s a personal choice. If in doubt, rent or buy for this year and see whether he uses it?
Good advice @JBStillFlying I’ll rent, thank you.
Actually, unless the policy has changed you cannot bring your own micro-fridge and are required to rent if you want a microwave in your room. You can bring your own small refrigerator, but if you want the microwave you have to rent the unit. We chose to not rent last year as the price of renting was almost the same as buying a new refrigerator, plus the student common kitchens all had microwaves.
^ You can bring a microwave that is part of a micro-fridge. What you can NOT bring is a separate microwave or a fridge over 4 cu. ft.
Purchasing will be cheaper but it takes up storage space somewhere. Renting is more expensive because the vendor takes care of the storage issue for you.
Having a microwave in the kitchen can be good reason not to have one in your room. A lot depends on your proximity and general usage during the times you wish to do so. My gut says the convenience is worth the expense if you are living in I-House, but it’s a personal decision either way.
So… He’s all moved in. I did buy a refrigerator, a Whirlpool for $99 in Target; even if I have to replace it every year, still less than renting!
S brought so few clothes and the sneakers he was wearing, that he’s either going to freeze to death, or I’ll have to step in!
His room (a single in I-House) is more spacious than I anticipated, and very clean and well maintained. The furniture seems to be in very good shape (no evidence of being battered around!) and his room has a nice, westerly view.
What I dislike are the all-gender bathrooms and the 15m hike to real food!
The on-site cafe does serve breakfast sandwiches, but that’s not his kind of meal, and they do not accommodate vegan/veg. tastes. Late night fare consists of everything contra to healthy eating ie. hot dogs / wings / chicken tenders etc., so that is rather disappointing. For $82k, I think they can do better.
Overall, it was a successful move-in weekend. I enjoyed exploring the beautiful campus, having lunch both days in his dining commons (the food is fresh, delicious, and plenty of choices!), meeting other new parents etc. Even the heavy downpour on Convocation Day, did little to dampen spirits - and the Bagpipe Parade through Hull Gate, was a riot of color, sound and excitement. a wonderful, and memorable welcome for the Class of 2023!
@momo2x2018 there might be a single sex (“gendered”, in the current parlance) men’s bathroom one floor up or down. Has he explored that? Or are they all “ungendered” over at I-House these days?
@momo2x2018 I just saw your post on this thread after posting my concerns about the communal bathrooms in I-House on the “Housing” thread this morning. Which floor is your son on? My son is on 2. I haven’t been able to talk with him since we left Chicago on Sunday, but am very anxious about how the bathroom situation is working out. I don’t know if his floor is all freshmen, or if there will be upperclassmen moving in this weekend adding more demand to the already challenging situation.
@newmaroonmom Although I don’t like the bathroom situation, I decided to say nothing to my S Had I expressed concerns, he may well have taken on my anxiety! My S’s bathroom seemed to have about four shower stalls (non with doors, just curtains!) and several toilets with barn doors (not sure if that’s the correct term) As you enter the bathroom, you can get a view of the toilet sitters legs! No urinals and the sinks do not have anywhere to put personal items. A generally uncomfortable bathroom.
I have no idea if upperclassmen will move in this weekend.
Between the bathroom and the food situation, I did feel a bit displeased.
@JBStillFlying There are single gendered bathrooms on other floors; it’s a schlepp through various corridors or stairs to get to the single-gender bathrooms, and who wants to do that when its cold and half-naked?! All that said, so far my S is not complaining, sooooo!
^ @momo2x2018 - even if he had an all-male floor with all-male bathrooms nearby, he may not want to be walking around half naked 
One never knows who one meets in the hallways.
@JBStillFlying LOL!
Regardless, the bathroom (and food) situation still irks me; I feel @newmaroonmom 's pain!
@Genevieve18 I am just now reading your post from 8/20 and appreciate all the specific recommendations. Very helpful - thank you!
I’ve lived in the Midwest for years and have always hated the winters. I discovered last year that my Barefoot Dreams “cozychic” is the perfect layer underneath my winter coat. It kept the frigid cold and wind from getting through, and literally made me not hate winter as much. I have a Canada Goose and you would think an extra layer wouldn’t be required for how expensive it was but it made a huge difference in keeping me comfortable while out and about. They have a men’s version of it.
Thanks, @HalfMoon22 I will look for that, my S has an allergy to the cold!
@newmaroonmom To answer your query above, my S spoke to my H last night, apparently upperclassmen are moving in this weekend
Thanks @momo2x2018! It will be nice for the freshman to have more sources of advice from those who have “been there and done that” 
Late to the discussion. UChicago’s newest open dorm has the same bathroom situation as I House. One gendered large bathroom on one end of the hall and one smaller opposite gendered on the other. Same sink, shower, and toilet situation. When I went to college we had a communal shower with no privacy. I only noticed at the time because when I moved him into North, I thought “for being a fancy new posh dorm, this bathroom is kinda spartan. But at least you can shower in privacy.”
My son, who is as modest as anyone I know and comes from a family with more conservative thoughts on such things as shared bathrooms and co-ed floors, had absolutely no issues with the setup nor the fact that girls lived across the hall in the dorm and shared the same bathroom. The kids work it out. Well, I guess they’re not kids anymore now, are they?
Just thinking of you all. Are the children surviving what we call here in Chicago… “another fall day”?.. Lol… Are their coats warm enough?