<p>I might add that this is free food we’re talking about.</p>
<p>yeah, maybe the freshman and freshman parents haven’t realized the importance and value of FREE food yet! </p>
<p>they’ll learn!</p>
<p>of course, with the unlimited plan, nobody will run out, but they will enjoy the chance to eat something other than dining hall food.</p>
<p>Overall this thread feels a lot like the threads asking if a parent should make their child attend their graduation. With most posters claiming it is the “right” thing to do … and a smaller set of posters claiming kids should be able to decide for themselves. Some of the posts by both sides are somewhat snarky and some of them feel snarky to those on the other side. </p>
<p>This thread feels very similar to me … and to me the angst in the thread rises when someone posts their position using language saying it is or implying their position is obviously the correct one … at the least implicitly dismissing the alternative viewpoint.</p>
<p>^^^ Yep, and all over the definition of the word “required”.</p>
<p>Snark!!! :-)</p>
<p>Roll Tide! Can’t wait to be in Tuscaloosa in a week to bring D back for year #2!!!</p>
<p>3togo… I argue for a living and enjoy arguing. I sometimes have to be reminded that not everyone shares my sensibilities. I recognize that I sometimes enjoy pushing people’s buttons. When I realize I have actually offended someone, I try to apologize. I can sometimes paint with a broad brush (“helicopter parents”) and I deserve to be called out for it when I do. </p>
<p>Some folks on this board can be a little on the sensitive side. Some see the world through crimson-colored glasses and consider any challenge to that viewpoint as a personal affront. I can dig all of that, and will try harder to get along with people. What I really don’t like, however, is being preached to by self-righteous people who are convinced their worldview is the only correct one. They don’t know me, they don’t know my kids. This is the Internet, for crying out loud. Not a PTA meeting. </p>
<p>Moving on. Peace.</p>
<p>Hi all, I have answers from Susan from the honors college regarding business attire (sorry only asked about the boys), and transportation. I hope she doesn’t mind me posting what she wrote. </p>
<p>About Attire: “As far as dress for the dinner and the definition of Business attire, a suit is not necessary. If your son has a sports coat to wear with a long or short sleeve shirt and a tie, that will be fine. Even a shirt and tie without a sports coat will be acceptable.”</p>
<p>About transporation: "“As much as we would like to be able to provide transportation for all the National Merit students to the event, it would be very difficult logistically. Not all of the National Merit students live in the Honors dorms and they are spread across campus in the various residential communities. Please let your son know that the dinner is being held at the football stadium (Bryant-Denny Stadium) and that he will enter through the main entrance, Gate 1, off University Boulevard past the coaches statues. There will be someone at the door to greet him.”</p>
<p>I love the University of Alabama staff as they always answer any questions I have had so quickly. It will be a hot sticky walk for the students but, except for the student with crutches, most of them are young and healthy so I am sure they will have no problems as long as they give themselves enough time to get there. (They may not look or smell as good as they “could” but…) Perhaps the student who physically cannot walk can contact the honors college and they can arrange something for her. I am hoping my son will meet another student going to the dinner earlier or along the way, but even if he doesn’t, he can get there by himself. Then he will have to make a point of making friends there for the walk home!</p>
<p>Susan also wanted to remind everyone about the move-in receptions. She said: "</p>
<p>Too long, here is the rest of what Susan said:</p>
<p>“As a side note, the Honors College will be hosting hospitality receptions at three of the Honors dorms on Saturday, August 18, during student move-in. The receptions will take place from 10 am - 4 pm and will offer sandwiches, chips, dessert and drinks to hungry students and their families. It will be a great opportunity to take a break from
moving, meet other Honors students and their families, as well as connect with some of the Honors College staff. The receptions will be held in the following locations: Ridgcrest South second floor atrium, Lakeside West third floor lobby, and the Riverside West clubhouse. All Honors students and their families are welcome at these receptions whether they live in one of the three dorms hosting or not.”</p>
<p>I am so excited that my son is going to UA, and so grateful for the scholarships he has received. I am also excited that he will have the opportunity to meet all the wonderful sons and daughters that I have heard about on CC. Roll Tide!</p>
<p>Isn’t 348-Ride available?</p>
<p>For the student on crutches…please contact Susan Haynes and tell her. Certainly, special arrangements can be made for this situation!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>My son usually thinks everything is lame, however he was excited to receive the NMF dinner invitation as it is being held in the Bryant Denny Stadium, he immediately added this event to his phone. As an OOS student he is looking forward to meeting other recipients and staff members. This sounds like a great way for the NMF’s to meet each other.
The invitation says “attendance is required” which means he will be there, dressed in a shirt, tie and perhaps a jacket.<br>
He’s also looking forward to WOW week activities and getting involved, since he won’t know anyone on campus these activities should be a great way to connect.</p>
<p>348-Ride will be available.</p>
<p>As others have mentioned, FREE FOOD!!! That is usually enough of a reason to go.</p>
<p>While the dinner may not be required in the sense that UAPD will not come knocking on your door to personally escort you to the dinner, it is a great way to meet people and see who all is NMF. Some of my closest friends I met by going to events like this.</p>
<p>As for attire, dress nice, even if what you have isn’t as “fancy” as what other people are wearing. For example, I’m sure that honors would be fine if one dressed more Texas-style.</p>
<p>the football stadium is not that much of a walk from Ridgecrest and Lakeside. If anything, wear comfortable shores to walk in and switch to dress shoes at the stadium.</p>
<p>Why not look at these “required” events and some of the “not required” events as opportunities?? An opportunity to meet new students, returning students, and the staff members. Most new students will welcome the opportunity to get to know their peers and the administration in a more casual, relaxed atmosphere. These events are a great icebreaker…</p>
<p>A couple posts back, someone mentioned the Honors receptions on 8/18 at 3 different dorms. Will students get info on this, or ??? This is the first I heard of it, will mention it to son, etc. What would someone wear to something like that reception?
Also, is Honors Convocation different to the University-wide convocation? We have had no info on any convocation other than seeing it on the WOW schedule…</p>
<p>As I recall, the reception was not a dressy or formal event. It was in the common area between the towers of RCS and was simply drop in.</p>
<p>D said she wore a sundress and sweater to the reception last year…not too dressy, but NOT shorts and a shirt either.:)</p>
<p>The move in reception sounded like a drop in event…something to do as a family to become familiar with the honors staff and to grab something to eat. We are definitely going in whatever we have on to move which will be shorts!</p>
<p>I’m sure that will be fine.
You’re right, it was drop in and an opportunity to chat with Dr. Morgan and Dean Sharpe…and there was free food…lol.</p>
<p>free food is never “lame” and it can also be a good chance for all us NMFs to get together for networking purposes.</p>
<p>
This doesn’t surprise me. Not my favorite way to relate to others though.
</p>
<p>Here’s a thought slippy. You asked what the consequences would be if your son didn’t attend a required-to-attend event. How about HE figure out what those consequences are. And if he simply doesn’t go, and later discovers some negative consequences, then he can’t blame anyone but himself. That way, helicopter parents (like you?) don’t have to get involved in it at all. </p>
<p>In fact, there’s the Parents thread you can visit or the Parent’s Cafe for when you decide to stay away from the UB thread.</p>
<p>He told his mom last night he was going to the dinner. I was told I need to give him a refresher course on tying a necktie.</p>
<p>Funny story, bro:
My son had his BSA Eagle Board of Review last night (yeah, leaving it a bit late before he heads off tomorrow)…and during the discussions they silently presented him with a necktie and laid it in front of him at the table - he thought they were expecting him to be able to show some knot skills, like a bowline or a half-hitch…so, ok, he proceeded to ask them which knot they wanted him to demonstrate. He felt like an idiot when, no, they wanted to see if he could tie a necktie properly around his NECK. He has lots of practice with this, being in theater, orchestra, and formal occasions, so no worries.<br>
The BOW tie, now that’s a challenge…For those of you in Kohl’s shopping areas, they have houndstooth bow ties (the real kind - not pre-knotted), which I just ‘had’ to get! “OH MOM,” son protests…</p>