<p>Cooper11 and any other parents/family who accompanied the new freshman class:</p>
<p>I read on colgate.edu about the freshman move in day of last Thursday. How was the organization overall and the orientation program in particular? How did the Resident Advisors and Link staff conduct themselves? What did you think of the dormitories your charges were assigned to? How were your expectations fulfilled and what surprises did you encounter?</p>
<p>I remember my move in day vividly back in 1972. So I am keen to learn your views so in turn I can put my memories into perspective.</p>
<p>I can’t speak for last Thursday, but I moved my daughter in back in 2004. She was my first college student, and I found everything organized. The staff and RA’s were very helpful. There was no confusion in our experience.</p>
<p>Thanks for asking!
Move in day went very fast and very well. However, If it was raining when we got there, it would have been horrible and I would have wanted to unload everything myself. I didn’t realize in advance that everything was getting dropped off outside the dorm and we were responsible for carrying everything up. I didn’t mind carrying everything, I just didn’t know until someone told us. Luckily, the ground wasn’t soaked from all the prior rain and nothing got wet. </p>
<p>The organization overall was fine except we didn’t know where to park or go when we first arrived. It wasn’t hard to figure out. We didn’t participate in the orientation program 'cause we spent the time rearranging the furniture and setting up the room. The free lunch right outside was convenient despite a short line. I never met the Resident Advisors which would have been nice. The Link rep introduced herself when we checked in at the gym and she was very friendly and enthusiastic.</p>
<p>No thoughts on the dorm charges since I have nothing to compare them with. A fresh coat of paint and new carpet would be nice though (there was a hole in the carpet in the middle of the room). I was more concerned that he would like both his roommates who seemed pretty cool. No real surprises. I was happy when my son asked us what time we were leaving. I knew he was ready and excited to be there! Now, if I could get more feedback from him about classes, workload, etc. I would be really happy!!!</p>
<p>This is our first college student, so not much to compare to. Weather could have been better, very humid and scattered showers. But it could have been steady rain or 95 degrees, so we made the best of it. Very easy to find where to unload, we needed to wait for a truck, but were done in 45 minutes. Where to drive after unloading was a bit of a free for all, so that was disorganized. At my daughter’s dorm, there were helpers if you needed them to carry things up the stairs. We met the RA when we got the room key. Stillman is an older dorm, both carpet and paint seemed fairly new so that was fine. Loved the free lunch and ice cream, that was a nice touch. All in all we were quite impressed. I would be curious to know how much they paid the upperclassman who were cheering, dancing, holding signs and just so happy to welcome us. (joking) After one week, my kid couldn’t be happier there and is totally convinced she made the right choice. Loves her classes and has made lots of new friends.</p>
<p>One other thing about the Colgate experience that is worth sharing. We come from a small town and are not impressed by “big money egos”, and it does seem that Colgate has that reputation in some circles. Anyway…my daughter is so impressed on how accommodating and nice the staff there is. She was not talking about the professors, although she loved the cookout that her freshman seminar prof had at her home. She was complimenting the rank and file employees. Whether it be the cafeteria staff, maintenance workers or grounds crew. They are all nice, friendly and smile. I can imagine that is not the case in many private colleges based on some of the stories I have heard. You know, that “must be nice” attitude that some people have when they feel like they are dealing with kids they feel are “spoiled brats.” Don’t know if everyone has that opinion there, but it was something she brought up when asked how she liked it.</p>
<p>The high marks your daughter gives the staff at Colgate for their can-do attitude and helpfulness is very familiar to me and a hallmark of the school. It’s a terrific place for students, faculty and staff and many of the townspeople who interact with the university’s constituents. Yes, it’s a special place- as I recall from my student years as well.</p>
<p>My daughter is a junior this year, but we were really impressed with her move-in day two years ago (2009). It was a GORGEOUS sunny blue-sky day with puffy white clouds with the temp about 72 all afternoon. I just wanted to lie down on the grass and live there forever. We were welcomed with the usual cheering and banging of pots and pans and bells as we drove up. Honk honk. I love enthusiasm. </p>
<p>The trucks hauled all our stuff up the hill for us quickly, and the student helpers were great in hauling it all up to the FOURTH floor of East Hall. I could never have done it without them. I did haul a few bags up. No sign of an RA on our floor either, but she had left little notes on the doors welcoming everyone which was really nice. And our daughter saw her later in the day, of course. A little lonely leaving her behind, though, which is always difficult. My wife sneaked back and left a small gift on the doorknob while I waited (and scowled about sentiment). </p>
<p>Last year as a sophomore, she flew back a few days early (from California) to bang pots and pans along Broad Street, herself, and welcome the new first-years. And she hauled up her share of boxes into dorm rooms for the new kids, too. So, the traditions continue enthusiastically. Which is the Colgate Way, of course.</p>
<p>We moved my son in to Colgate in 2010. Everyone’s experience sounds about the same as ours. We were most worried about the roommate, since he and my son had only texted once about a refrigerator. Colgate does a great job of pairing up roommate – these two are roommates again (by choice) with five of their new friends! We all parked on the field by the gym and left our cars there until we had to leave at 4:00 PM. My son’s things were up at his dorm within an hour. Yes, we also did not realize they put your things in front of the dorm BUILDING, not the dorm room. But that was okay, as many of the student helpers helped us carry things to the 4th floor. All in all, I don’t think it could have gone any more smoothly!</p>