<p>What do parents do the first day that students move in? I see a parent meeting at 1:00. After that, do we leave and head home? I know the kids move in and begin their activities but wondered if there are other things that parents can do or are we better leaving asap. Advice?</p>
<p>I don’t recall any event for parents on campus for mooving-in. (The organized “send-off” was done by local alumni.) This was last year. We spent the night before in town, then unloaded the car & ran errands on move-in day. </p>
<p>It was a very low key day. The college provided refreshments near the frosh quad & mission. There were students to help you move items.</p>
<p>I found the college’s approach refreshing because each family could make the day its own. And, it focuses orientation on the new students.</p>
<p>My only suggestion would be that if you’re not familiar with the area, you might spend time exploring, e.g. see WCMA & the Clark, find places to eat when you return for Family Day, be a bit of a tourist…</p>
<p>Leave it to the Baby Boomers to make it all about them.</p>
<p>Just wanted to be sure we could leave town early enough to make it to our next stop without having to stay another night in town and avoiding a long drive in the late hours. It sounds like it’s move in during the morning, say farewell, go to the parent meeting and then leave. We’re heading out for a few days of vacation after we drop off our student; meeting friends for a few days of R&R in the sun and want to let them know when to expect us. So, perhaps it is about us, except it’s not about hovering but rather heading out for some fun!</p>
<p>I think my plan to do this all in one day may be too ambitious. Leaving very early in the morning would get us there at ten or so. Then the logistics of parking, getting key cards, actually getting everything up in the room and getting to the parent thing at one sounds pretty hectic. Are the provided refreshments enough to be considered lunch or should we make plans for that?</p>
<p>Also, is there an elevator in Mission? </p>
<p>And what do you do with all the stuff packed in your cars if you stay over the night before at a hotel? Obviously the laptop and other valuables could be brought inside but I’d worry about the car being broken into.</p>
<p>There are no elevators in Mission. And yup, DS was on the fourth floor. They were named the D4’s after the Mighty Duck movies.</p>
<p>I think you could do it in one day. We could have. We left at five and went home.</p>
<p>We had stayed the night before, but we certainly didn’t need to.</p>
<p>No, I wouldn’t call the snacks lunch. </p>
<p>DS’s JA came in and asked if we wanted to take him to dinner or if he would go with the entry. Of course, we sent him with the entry. My motto: Bond early, bond well.</p>
<p>We gave him a hug and walked in one directly. He followed his JA in another direction. They all ate together.</p>
<p>It was a very low key day. The layout of Mission doesn’t really encourage meeting other parents, though we met a few.</p>
<p>H went to the 1:00 reception. I break out into hives at anything official, so I stayed behind keeping S company while he put his clothes away.</p>
<p>ElectronBlue- Excuse me, but the thought of someone breaking into a car in Williamstown has me ROFL. It’s small town life. A car break-in would be headline news. </p>
<p>If you prefer to do it all in a day, you could probably skip the parents meeting. I only say that because Family Days in October is programmed for parents. And, not all parents are part of move-in. </p>
<p>(Since there was a reception when Mythmom moved in her son, I would guess there was one last year that we missed. I doubt we missed anything. And, right now there’s an interim president.)</p>
<p>As for refreshments, I remember drinks, cold & hot, & pastries, like muffins & cookies. Think of a continental breakfast. There might have been other items that I don’t recall. If you really want to know, the Dean’s office probably could give you details. (Perhaps there’s more substantial food at the parent gathering. Again, check with the Dean’s office.) There are places to get a bite to eat on Spring St.</p>
<p>As for elevators, I asked my Eph & was told NO ELEVATORS in any of the DORMS. I know Mission. The place to park to unload is in back (northside of building on Lynde Lane). There are about 10 parking spots. The entrance is at the middle of the building. You go up some steps to the door & there’s a stairwell right there.</p>
<p>It was basically a welcome from the pres. As you say, now an interim. I don’t think food was involved, but maybe. As I said, I didn’t attend.</p>
<p>Williams is a rather laid back, very New England place. It does not go overboard with glam things or fancy snacks.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. I’ve visited before but it will be my husband’s first time. Glad to know the parent meeting isn’t a big deal. I’ll probably send my husband to that and not worry if my daughter and I aren’t done with moving everything in by one. </p>
<p>I’m kind of amazed that many kids can move in without an assigned time to show up and unload. I guess it’s a mix of some flying in with less stuff, some staying over in town the night before and showing up early, and those driving in that day from home coming later.</p>
<p>There’s plenty of room for cars. We had a very relaxed time. My daughter had a half hour assigned to her and we had our own square on Broadway when she moved into Barnard and it was mayhem.</p>
<p>But they did have a lot more hoopla. But who needs hoopla?</p>
<p>mythmom: I just love your posts, they’re hilariously informative!</p>
<p>My parents were extremely worried about move-in day. They don’t know how low-key they should act, because they heard a radio program about “Helicopter Parents”, and they’re hell-bent on NOT hovering. It’s a blessing! But I also don’t want to just shoo them away like flies, after all, they are paying for Williams.</p>
<p>Any suggestions on how to deal with lunch? Should I go somewhere on Spring St with my parents to grab a bite and then eat dinner with my entry? Since I live about an hour to an hour and a half away from williamstown, should I aim to get there by 8 AM? I don’t know how crowded/crazy Frosh Quad is going to be that morning.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Chandler: You can just do what’s good for you. About grabbing lunch – sounds good, but might be crowded!!! And hard to park. Probably better to have a brunch type meal on the road in a relaxed way, get to Williams around 11, unpack, go down to town around three for ice cream or something like that, give hugs and voila!!!</p>
<p>Good luck to you and your parents. It’s a big adjustment, but one that is fun and exciting for you. And soon the WOOLF trips come. I think Williams move in and early days is very well planned.</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s true. I’m thinking 8 AM move-in might be less stressful timewise, but the 11 AM move-in sounds more feasible. I might just bring a sandwich or something with me just in case. I’d much prefer the hugs/voila NOT inside my dorm building, doing that in town is probably a good idea.</p>
<p>Thanks, mythmom! I actually signed up for Where Am I?, another First Days trip, so I’m stoked for that.
The only thing I didn’t think was well-planned was the fact that placement tests are the second day, at 9 AM. Yikes.</p>
<p>What is the agenda for September 2?</p>
<p>My daughter says that the earliest that she can “check in” is 8am.</p>
<p>I have yet to see any schedule of things for the students to do. Where does she go and do?</p>
<p>We have decided to wait until we get to Willamstown and buy the big stuff, like refrigerator. We figure that the 1st day is just setting up and the 2nd day is taking test. Is this true?</p>
<p>I think this should provide the information that you are looking for:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.williams.edu/dean/pdffile/FY09%20docs/First%20Days%2009.10%20Orient%20CALENDAR.pdf[/url]”>http://www.williams.edu/dean/pdffile/FY09%20docs/First%20Days%2009.10%20Orient%20CALENDAR.pdf</a></p>
<p>Also FYI, as noted on the calendar, the Eph Mooovers (returning fall sport athletes, including my S) will be assisting with move-in. I’m sure they’ll be happy to answer any questions, too.</p>
<p>Just 1 more wee!!!</p>
<p>I hope to meet all of the parents September 2!!!</p>