<p>Thanks all. As usual this board has been super helpful. I even learned that I have a Notre Dame Gmail account–who knew? Several messages in the InBox that had been piling up–housing contract, authorized payers, honor code, etc. One message says I’ve passed the Honor Code test but now need to sign it. So far haven’t been able to figure out how to sign the Honor Code online.</p>
<p>I “found” my dorm (Siegfried) and roommate. He found me as well–got a long message from him. Seems we’re located on the newer side of campus–more air conditioning, less tradition.</p>
<p>I see we need to specify whether to activate, at added expense, the landline in the dorm room (Siegfried). My assumption is that almost everyone uses cell phones and there is no particular reason to pay extra for a landline. Am I missing something?</p>
<p>I’m assuming that landlines in dorm rooms are unnecessary and almost extinct.</p>
<p>One more question regarding Freshman Move-In Weekend. On Sunday August 19th, is attending morning mass in the Basilica easy to do? Parents are now considering coming with me, and would much prefer the Basilica to the gym if possible.</p>
<p>We went to Mass in the Basilica instead of the Joyce Center last year. As long as you get there enough ahead of time you should be able to get a seat.</p>
<p>When do students get their class schedules? Is there enough time to get the required texts from Amazon? Any other good way to get the materials?</p>
<p>Dadof5kids—I can’t remember when our son received his schedule as a freshman last summer but we did have enough time to get his books from Amazon. We ordered all his books from Amazon again this year. He likes to look at them before classes begin and then we ship them to the UPS store in South Bend about a week before move in. They hold the boxes there until we come in to pick them up. It is worth it just to avoid the mayhem of the bookstore.</p>
<p>NDFrosh12-We attended the 10am Mass and got there about 1/2 hour before it started to get a good seat.</p>
<p>Don’t rule out Mass at the Joyce Center on Sunday morning. It’s quite the event, with all the freshmen sitting together on the floor, surrounded by your families in the arena seats. It may hit your parents hard - this is where they recognize that you are truly a Notre Dame student now, and have a new “family”. Tell them to bring Kleenex…</p>
<p>MImama is correct. I would highly recommend Mass at the Joyce for the reasons she states. You can attend Mass at the Basilica some other time. Even for non-Catholics; it is a special part of the weekend. </p>
<p>I know someone who works for the telecommunication group on campus and either last year or the year before it was like 10 land line phones that they hooked up.</p>
<p>I actually wasn’t that big of a fan of the Mass in the Joyce Center. Except for the bit where they did a little reading in each language offered at the university, it was rather dull. I seem to recall that it either immediately preceded or followed a “mandatory” talk at the same location, though, so they kind of try to force you to do it (not that anyone monitors it).</p>
<p>It probably depends on which “style” of worship you prefer. Personal preference. Our family just preferred a more intimate celebration of the Eucharist. Also, by Sunday midday, our son had had just about enough of the large gatherings of Frosh-O and wanted a more serene worship experience.</p>
<p>I have a great fondness for Notre Dame’s Frosh-O Mass (I have been to several). There is the visible community of freshman as they gather together on the main floor and the sense of community you share with the other freshman parents around you. For me, it is also symbolic of the hand off of my child to the University and I leave feeling supported and at peace. It is a unique Mass. You will probably have several opportunities over the next four years to attend Mass at the Basilica. You only get one Frosh-O Mass with your student. I would recommend it even if you aren’t Catholic. </p>
<p>I have to agree with Greta. The Mass made me feel like my daughter was becoming a member of a new family and it gave me comfort leaving her 700 miles from home. Even though it is a large gathering, you don’t feel as though you or your child are just a number. They really do a great job of making you feel welcome at the university and you will leave knowing that your child has a support system around them. Enjoy the moment - this will be my last year dropping daughter off at ND - it goes too quickly!!</p>
<p>Now that I’m actually here and moved in, I just wanted to stop by CC and express my sincere appreciation for all the help you folks have generously provided to a “Dumb Freshman”. You’ve certainly provided comfort and support along the way.</p>
<p>Everyone here at Notre Dame seems more than willing to answer the rest of my dumb questions, so this figures to be my final post here.</p>