<p>Oh yeah, water! That reminds me- upon move-in, there will be a DS Waters/Sparkletts rep outside the dorms (last year, we found one in front of Marks Tower) to sign up for water delivery. You rent a dispenser ($8.50/mo for the hot/cold one) and they will bring 5 gal. bottles ($8.50 ea), or cases of small bottles ($7.49 for case of 24) to the dorm. Student can leave a note for the delivery man to tell him what to leave. In the beginning, there were some communication probs with the del'y man because the schedule they gave us was not always correct and he kept leaving cases that S didn't want. I finally called and told them my son would not leave notes- we just always wanted him to leave two 5-gallon bottles (every two weeks.) In the long run, it turned out to be a very good thing.</p>
<p>(Tip: tell your student not to have paper cups available because then it is too convenient for friends to use up their water.)</p>
<p>Please explain further about the water delivery. My son put down Fluor Tower first choice. He was thinking of renting a refrigerator to store cold bottled water, but it now sounds like the Sparkletts water is more sensible. Is there room to place the water dispenser inside the student's room?</p>
<p>Gosh - the dispenser is $8.50/ month and the 5 gallon bottles are $8.50 each and they use one bottle per week - over the course of 9 months of school that adds up to about $400 for water. How bad is the tap water??? Maybe I will pay my daughter $100 to learn to love the tap-water-taste so I can save some money!!!</p>
<p>This may be kind of a stupid question, but what is ethernet? In all the housing information I read, it says "free ethernet is included." Is this wireless internet?</p>
<p>Also, do many people bring a TV? My roomie and I were planning on it, but if there isn't really a need, then I'm sure we could use the extra space!</p>
<p>Some people like the tap water, and some don't. Personally, I just have a small Brita filter that fits into my fridge just fine. It wasn't that expensive, and makes me feel a bit better about the water I am drinking.</p>
<p>mdcissp- The water dispensers don't take up much room so there should be a place for it in the dorm. Fluor Tower has refrigerators so he doesn't need to rent one.</p>
<p>Yes, it is expensive. There were several times my son would leave a note to not leave water so the cost can be less. If they have a car, they can save money by buying it cheaper in the grocery store. </p>
<p>Nikara also has a great idea about the Brita filter.</p>
<p>Definitely a personal decision. The tap water is fine also.</p>
<p>I tried to find that Sparkletts delivery last year but to no avail and in Birnkrant, with adding fans for the heat, there really wasn't room for the dispenser.</p>
<p>I did try the Brita filters but my D just couldn't get herself to fill it regularly and since she drinks her water in bottles--it was hard to fill the bottle. </p>
<p>All the dorms provide a refrigerator/microwave for each room. The internet is wired. Be sure to bring a cat-5 cable. Also be sure to bring those extension surge protectors because there are definitely not enough outlets.</p>
<p>cc411: Thanks for the number. I did notice, though, that Trojan Amenities is starting water delivery. It is $109 for every other week--one case. Do you think the price is comparable to Sparkletts?</p>
<p>I just found that Valet Today link also (posted on the Laundry Delivery thread.)</p>
<p>I think Trojan Amenities (Valet Today) is new this year. I did not see any offers for this service last year. Maybe DS Waters has been replaced by Trojan Amenities. I'll try to find out.</p>
<p>Valet Today charges $109 for 8 cases of water (24 half-liter bottles/case). this is $13.63/case.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I notice that the Apple store usually has a back to school special for college students.
[/quote]
Academic discounts ain't what they used to be, but neither are Apple's prices. The back-to-school promotions are minor and not worth waiting for. If you want to save some moolah on a Mac, buy last gen ones on closeout --- the price of a new one at MacMall is identical to the price of a refurb at apple.com. Both come with a 1-year Apple warranty, but you are eligible for a 2nd year of credit card coverage on a new one, which does not work for refurbs. Plus, when you buy a new one you get a decent deal on a printer and some software. If you go with MacMall and want AppleCare, you should buy it at the academic price from Apple --- much, much cheaper</p>