<p>I'm trying to find a list of things that you can check out from the dorm front dest. For example, can you check out a bike tire pump? tools? vacuum? iron and ironing board?</p>
<p>The short answer: Probably the reason you’re not finding a list is that there aren’t dorm front desks where students can check out items 
There aren’t a lot of amenities in the dorms, but it’s pretty easy to borrow things from other people.</p>
<p>The long answer: Here’s what you get in the dorms.</p>
<p>In the rooms there are a bed, desk, closet, dresser, shelves, and desk chair for each roommate. Most rooms also have mirrors, a few have comfy chairs (I’m told these are just in Harkness). There probably won’t be room for extra furniture. There won’t be a desk lamp or a trash can, so plan on bringing those, procuring some in Oberlin, or going without.</p>
<p>The dorm kitchens have fridges and freezers, stoves, ovens, and microwaves. There might be a couple with toasters too? The laundry room has washers and dryers. I don’t think irons and ironing boards are officially supplied, but one seems to wind up in just about every laundry room anyway.</p>
<p>There are vacuums in all the dorms. Not sure what you have to do to get your hands on one, but I don’t think it’s anything more complicated than asking an RA. (I’ve always lived in co-ops, where things work a little differently, but maybe someone who lives in ResEd can explain how things work there.)</p>
<p>Pretty much anything else, students need to bring, borrow, or find somewhere else on campus. The Bike Co-op has tire pumps and bike tools that students can use if they’re members. For tools in general, you’re out of luck unless you own a tool kit or know someone who does. It isn’t all that hard to find someone with a tool kit (despite the fact that there’s not much demand for them – last year I had the only tool kit in a house of 64 people, and it hardly ever got used). For that matter, it’s not hard to find someone who’ll lend you their bike pump, iron, printer, hair dryer, electric kettle, you name it. Oberlin students tend to be pretty share-y, and in a building of 100+ people it’s not hard to find someone who has the thing you need.</p>
<p>Thanks - just hoping to cut down on the stuff!</p>
<p>Steinway pianos… or comparable. Lots of 'em.</p>
<p>About vacuums - For 2 years when I lived in Resed, the janitor would normally leave the vacuum at the end of some hallway in my dorm and so when it wasn’t in use I would normally just go find it, use it, and put it back. However, I think my freshmen year this wasn’t the case so I just borrowed a vacuum from someone who had one.
Also, just to clarify, all dorm rooms should have the “comfy” chair, or at least they all used to (it might have changed with renovations.) I would also recommend getting a desk lamp. As for mini fridges, they aren’t needed but can make life more convenient, so it’s up to you and the communal dorm fridges tend to be fine. Make sure you clarify with your roommate if one of you wants to bring a fridge since one is enough. One thing about the kitchens is that they’re not always stocked with pots, pans, and everything so if you love to cook, you might want to bring something along. You can get those in Oberlin though, so it might be better to wait and see. I never really saw irons around and brought one my first year that never got used; never brought it back.</p>
<p>You can rent a fridge with a microwave (combo) from ResEd. It’s the only way to have a micro in your room without violating ResEd rules. You can bring your own fridge but not your own micro. As a frosh last year my D’s roommate from hell brought a fridge with freezer. While there were micros available in common rooms on the floor, D this year decided she preferred all-in-one convenience. The fridge with micro will be placed into their room in their new dorm before they arrive. She and her new roomie will split the cost. </p>
<p>Oberlin kids are pretty nice but they aren’t saints. My D had a first hand experience along those lines, unfortunately. A dorm is more anonymous than a coop. Some things are just too tempting. A rather modest investment will protect your fav treats and beverages.</p>
<p>The unrenovated dorms - i.e. Dascomb, Barrows, South, and North - have the armchairs/comfy chairs. The renovated dorms don’t have them, unfortunately.</p>
<p>As for getting a vacuum, you have to go knock on your RA’s door and give them your ID as collateral before they’ll give you a vacuum.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if, as a general rule, all of the dorms have a workable microwave in the common area on each floor? The combo idea sounds good, however, we already have a micro fridge that my daughter was intending to bring. A microwave would be useful, though.</p>
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<p>Sudalua, better have your daughter check with her roommate to see what her roomie is bringing. Only one fridge per room is allowed in Frosh housing, and if there is one, you have to share. Otherwise, someone will have the problem of getting rid of her beloved fridge.</p>
<p>Plainsman, thanks much for the tip. That discussion has already happened. My daughter will be bringing the fridge (a leftover from my son’s dorm days) since her roomie is an international student, so much easier on this end. But just want to make sure that she will have access to a working microwave. Is it safe to assume as much?</p>
<p>There should definitely be at least one microwave in each dorm.</p>
<p>Can you only have one fridge in each dorm room? Also does anyone know if Burton has coin operated washer and dryers? thanks</p>
<p>@karioki: “No more than 1 refrigerator per room/unit” ([Oberlin</a> College Housing and Dining](<a href=“http://www.oberlin.edu/resed/policies/itemsnotpermitted.html]Oberlin”>http://www.oberlin.edu/resed/policies/itemsnotpermitted.html) ). And every dorm has coin operated washers and dryers (you can also use ObieDollars in some of them).</p>
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<p>I haven’t taken inventory in any dorms, but I think it is safe to assume. My D and her roomie of last year did not have a microwave in their room. There was easy access to microwave ovens in the dorm common rooms, and never a line of students waiting to use one. But I definitely recommend a room fridge (big enough to share). It’s good that your student is bringing one.</p>