@Lucy11 - My son was upset last year since he had requested a single above all else and ended up in a double. He and his roommate became great friends and had a wonderful year. Although I don’t think housing pays much attention to requests for singles or doubles even if indicated as top priority (they look at dorm choice first), they did a great job matching my son last year.
@momo2x2018 Full disclosure - my experience with I -House shower arrangement is for girls. But I would be really surprised if there were still communal showers for guys.
Yes I remember your posts about that last year, I’m glad it worked out for your son.
So few parents asking questions about O-week this year as compared to last year. I wonder why.
The communication from the College seems pretty good. My son seems to be finding out everything he needs to know. Anything I need to know - I ask him. But I also noticed last night that another forum which shall not be named has spouted questions and conversations in the past few days so maybe everyone else is finding out information over there.
My son said campus is becoming more and more alive. For those of you who want to watch, I suspect most of this week will be Live on Facebook. Or at least the opening convocation and the ever popular parade.
Ok, I know I probably have a reputation as an overly optimistic I-House booster, but I wanted to let you know something my DD (rising 2nd year) told me yesterday. She went to visit her high school calc teacher with some friends, and he asked each of them their favorite thing about their college. My DD said “housing” (meaning I-House, her house, her friends in the dorm). I guess the “right” answer would be intellectual peers/academic rigor/classes, but I’ll take it. So happy she’s happy. Take heart all you I-House worriers!
D(eparture) Day is here! We are leaving on the red-eye for the Windy City! I cannot believe it…! S is rather less excited than I am (I think he’s anxious)
Enjoy your stay in Chicago and your time with your son, momo2x2018.
I felt the same way last year. We arrived on campus the day before move in and I insisted on tailgating someone with a keycard into the dorm so we could at least see the common areas. DD: "Mooooom! (Eyeroll included)
To all those going to OWeek, have a great time!
And get your umbrella and ponchos ready. It is shaping up to be a rainy weekend.
Well I hope that system that hit us this morning in MN is long gone by the weekend. It’s currently over IA. Safe travels, everyone!
Thanks to @kaukauna for the link below. I think everyone should check out Mansueto this weekend:
https://news.uchicago.edu/story/art-mansueto-library-transforms-ois-ancient-figures
I was sitting at Mansueto this afternoon and the ancient figures on top made me feel like I was in the tomb from the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark 
Wait a minute, isn’t Dr. Henry Walton (Indiana) Jones an U of C professor? No wonder I had that revelation 
Campus looks very nice as usual. There is no major work at the Main Quad. But there are some scaffoldings near Social Science Research. Most people probably won’t notice them though.
Somewhat to my surprise the Main Quad was pretty quiet this afternoon. Maybe this was because I arrived there by late afternoon and most students in pre-orientation had gone to eat.
I was able to sneak into Stuart Hall. This was the first time I walked in that building since the mid 1980’s when it was part of the Graduate School of Business complex. I wandered into the two lecture halls on the ground level. I had some good memories of sitting in those two large rooms.
I still remember on my first day of Corporate Finance class when Professor Merton Miller walked in and stared at jam packed classroom and then said loudly to himself: “I should do what Richard Dent does and renegotiate my contract!” 
Those attending Convocation should know that parents are directed to the Main Quad in order to watch the event on big screens (no room in Rockefeller Chapel, due to size of class). Not sure what they do in case of rain specifically, but in the past they’ve had Stuart, Rosenwald, Pick and probably a few other buildings open for those wishing to watch from indoors. Pick is actually along the parade route, if I’m not mistaken, so if you are planning to be indoors, that’s probably a good choice.
Hey @DunBoyer I just walked by BJ. I am really surprised they replaced the iron gate fence entrance on 60th Street and installed a tall double panel glass door there. What the heck?! Outdoor glass door in Chicago?
On the positive side, the ramp for handicapped looks good and seems to be easily accessible.
What??? They got rid of the iron gate???
@JBStillFlying : go see it yourself tomorrow.
The entrance to BJ at 60th and Ellis is now a tall glass arch panel with two doors. When I walked by it the first time, I thought there was just one big glass panel. There were a whole bunch of security and possibly Residence Life people there and so I couldn’t look at it closely. Later on I walked by the same spot again and then I discovered there was another big glass arch panel on the other side of the entrance. So in essence there was a glass panel enclosed space at that entrance. Why does Residence Life build it that way? I have no clue. I would let BJ residents answer that question.
Ack - I saw it today. Ack!