<p>How long do most parents stay? Does Indiana encourage leaving after convocation? OOS so need to do the Bed Bath/Target run...do not want to overstay...</p>
<p>IU doesn’t really encourage or discourage parents either way. Your student will have lots of activities that week though. I think the only event parents are invited to is the Freshman Induction. If you don’t plan on staying overnight I would leave after that. Your student will have floor meetings that night and other meetings/events the next few days. </p>
<p>As Welcome Week progresses I see fewer and fewer parents around in stores etc. It’s not uncommon to see parents still in town on Thursday, but by Friday and Saturday, most have gone. </p>
<p>I think when you leave will really depend upon when you arrive, finish move-in, and any store runs. I would plan on trying to arrive in the morning, move-in, run to the stores, go to the later Induction Ceremony, grab dinner with your student, and head out of town. </p>
<p>If you arrive later in the day, you could try to stay overnight and do breakfast and store runs with your student. There should be a few hours to do so. </p>
<p>Depending upon where you live, I might suggest traveling to Indianapolis the night before and driving from there on 8/21. It will take 60-90 minutes from Indianapolis. The road from Indianapolis to Bloomington will be VERY busy that day. I do suggest Indianapolis because I’m sure all Bloomington hotels are fully booked at this point. </p>
<p>A “local” tip follows: An alternative might be to drive to Bedford, which is south of Bloomington, the night before. There are a couple of decent motels there. It will be about 45 minutes to campus from Bedford. The highway into Bloomington won’t be nearly as busy as the drive from Indianapolis. Some times people ask about staying in Martinsville which is about 20 minutes north of Bloomington. That would not be my preference. Bedford and Martinsville are both small towns, but I really dislike Martinsville. The motels in Martinsville also are a bit sketchy in my opinion. </p>
<p>One additional local tip that I warn people here about is the presence of state police on Highway 37 (south from Indianapolis). The state police know that it’s move-in day at IU. They will be out in full force. Don’t speed down 37. The same will be true for any big event at IU (football, basketball, graduation, etc.)</p>
<p>does son need to sign online or let the dorm know when he will move in ? Or just simply move on the day we plan? thanks.</p>
<p>applepear, unless your son plans to move in before Wednesday, Aug. 21, you just show up and move in! If he plans to move in early, then I found this information on the IU website:</p>
<p>Can I move in early?
Residents who need to move in before the official opening on Wednesday, August 21 may register online to arrive as early as Sunday, August 18. There is a $35 per day charge for moving in early and charges are billed to the student’s bursar account. Food service will be available starting August 18 and I-BUCKS will be accepted. You will be able to register for early arrival registration in July; follow RPS on Facebook or Twitter for more information or visit the RPS website.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, stbemtpynest.</p>