<p>Can some veterans out there provide information about the activities planned for the 25th? It seems that there is an expectation that parents will remain all day to participate in welcoming activities. How about just dropping the kid off and letting him/her get on with it? Is that "not done" at Vandy?</p>
<p>Move-in was handled extremely well for freshmen at Vandy two years ago. As you must know from your student's information packet, you move your car to one of several large lots around campus, and then are dispatched in groups to your student's dorm, where you quickly park, have your car unloaded by the Move Crew (who then, with your student, blessedly lug everything to his/her actual room), and then go to a nearby longer-term parking lot.</p>
<p>I'd say that most parents did stay around that morning to assist with room setup, though it's not necessary. We've always had to do a last-minute Target and grocery store run, but better planners wouldn't have to.</p>
<p>I recall a fairly short welcoming ceremony for parents under an asphyxiatingly hot tent on Alumni Lawn that afternoon. The highlight for me was Gordon Gee's speech - I'm sorry that I won't be hearing him speak as Chancellor again.</p>
<p>Move-in can be what you want - certainly just drop your child off, if that's how the two of you want to do it. Vandy is just as much about "letting the kid get on with it" as any other school I've had experience with. You're the customer - don't stay all day if you'd rather not.</p>
<p>Since my youngest was also a freshman 2 years ago, I can echo frazzled's description of that day. Move-in with youngest was MUCH smoother than move-in with oldest. The common factor was it was the hottest day of the year both times (or close enough to call it that!). We live fairly close and the hottest days of this week are supposed to be earlier this week with temperatures plunging to 90 as the day's high by Friday. My D was on move crew last year and based on that and parents newsletter, I believe the procedure is slightly different now in that Founders Walk has been moved to Saturday night so parents can participate. S participated in first Founders Walk where incoming freshman walk in the gates and it was held on either Monday or Tuesday of orientation week at that time. It was a neat thing to see the class walk out on the jumbotron at Senior Day and I wish I could have seen them come in at the beginning of their academic careers.<br>
Good luck on the move-in!</p>
<p>Like 2VU says, one thing that changed for last year's freshmen was that parents were invited to go on Founder's Walk with the students on Saturday afternoon. We moved D in early and hit Wal Mart. H and I went back to the hotel after lunch and cooled off. D came over later after unpacking. In the afternoon she went to a Visions meeting and we went to the Chancellor's talk for parents in Memorial. Afterward, we all met up with the Visions groups near Greek row, did the walk which concluded at one of the large lawns near a building I can't remember, sat outside for a brief presentation to both parents and students from some of the administration including Gee. There was a barbecue set up on another lawn but we ended up taking her for a steak dinner instead.</p>
<p>As with many Vanderbilt events, I thought Founder's Walk was very impressive and made me feel great about leaving my kid. All the kids in the move crew came back for the walk and line the street near the entrance to Kirkland and cheer for the freshman. There are all sorts of signs welcoming them plus the bagpipers, drum corps, cheerleaders, marching band, flag corps and dancers are out. If it is on the schedule this year, I would not miss it.</p>
<p>I also believe there is a family breakfast Sunday morning, then a break for church. Students then have meetings the rest of the day, Sunday.</p>
<p>We worry about overstaying our welcome with our daughter on the one hand, and having her be the only kid whose parents don't care enough to stay, on the other. Based on the advice offered here, we'll stay. Thanks again.</p>