<p>Amtc, lol about the razr. S was very attached to his until he got his smart phone. </p>
<p>So sad to hear about the Columbia student. </p>
<p>Nly2012, have a safe trip and move in! Portland is one city on my “must see” list.</p>
<p>good luck, upcoming launchers! sorry to hear the news about the Columbia girl.</p>
<p>Skyped with D after her first day of classes yesterday. Seems everything is well under control with workload/content of classes at this stage. I know it will pick up, but very proud she is starting keeping on top of things :D</p>
<p>jackief - H and I also Skyped with our D yesterday after her first day of classes. All went well and she seems to be a bit more adjusted to life in NYC than she was last week.</p>
<p>I am so sad about the apparent suicide of the Columbia girl. I feel awful for her family and firends. The whole campus is reeling - my son lives in the same dorm one floor above her. They were not allowed into the dorm for several hours and then they were on lock down - I guess while investigations were on-going. He was facebook friends with her but did not really ‘know her’ - move in for most of the class was yesterday so it has really shaken up the orientation process. My son was thankful he did a preorientation program as he feels he has a group that can help each other deal and process the tragedy…I am so sad and rally just want to give my son a hug. We were there yesterday for convocation and he was sooo happy - I hope they will get a chance to reclaim some of their happiness and wonderment as these freshman begin this new phase of their lives.</p>
<p>I feel so sad for her parents.</p>
<p>itsthatime - Any idea where she is from?</p>
<p>yes, she was the valdictorian of Dobbs Ferry high school - about 30 minutes north of columbia
i debated typing htis information fearing it was TMI but then realized it was all over the newspapers and internet and now public knowledge. If it is inappropriate, I will edit this message</p>
<p>This article [Woman</a> plunges ten storeys to her death from Columbia University dormitory window | Mail Online](<a href=“High school valedictorian, 18, jumps 14 stories to her death from Columbia University dorm just days after moving in | Daily Mail Online”>High school valedictorian, 18, jumps 14 stories to her death from Columbia University dorm just days after moving in | Daily Mail Online) says Dobbs Ferry, NY. Of course, they also say 14th floor.</p>
<p>The article here: [Columbia</a> University student dies in plunge from dorm | 7online.com](<a href=“http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=8789212]Columbia”>http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=8789212) says she went to Dobbs Ferry High School in Westchester County, NY.</p>
<p>Best wishes to all the upcoming launchers.</p>
<p>Just awful about the Columbia student.</p>
<p>Worried about S…I have no clue as to what’s going on with orientation, registration, roommate stuff, stc. I guess if he wanted me to know or help he’d reach out. Thus far I have only gotten a one word text from him–“hi.” No response to any of my queries.</p>
<p>So sad. Just heart wrenching.</p>
<p>Hi everyone - very behind due to lack of internet. It was great to see Lark and her D at Pomona when we checked in and our D’s ended up in the same sponsor group (of about 15) and right across the hall from each other (small world). Check in was very smooth and impressively organized with a lot of help. D was a bit excited that her essay was one of the ones alluded to (not by name) when the admissions officer gave details on some of the interesting freshman in class. We had almost everything she needed, but I made a Target run for a shoe rack after she saw the closet - and also got a 3-drawer plastic dresser for additional storage under the lofted bed. No idea HOW she’ll manage at checkout though! So much stuff. They have a nice resale sale going on during checkin and her roommate got them a frig and my D picked up some extension cords and a desk lamp for almost no money. No really weird topics came up at the Q&A sessions. Only close one my husband heard was a parent asked since they are ALL underage, why is there even a need for a “substance free” dorm… ummm ok. The speakers did emphasize that this is not HS and it’s time for parents to let go – so the Dean’s office can take over! Faculty, staff, admin seem very focused on the students, happy and involved. I videotaped the speeches by President etc. to share with the grandmothers. I also bought myself a coffee table book of campus buildings… my treat for being brave. They have a fun tradition for orientation - at the end of the day - after dinner - the new class enters carrying blue and white carnations (school colors) formally through the college gates to the deafening sounds of cheering and face painted frolicking by all the mentor groups - and it was LOUD! The Outdoor Adventure mentors are especially loud and warpainted - think Lord of the Flies a bit… haha. I couldn’t help but think… now we’re letting these crazy people take our babies to the wilderness? That’s where they are for the next three days - on various outdoor wilderness adventures. My D is on a mountain biking/rock climbing one that will have 8 boys and 3 girls plus a girl leader - maybe another leader too. I’m not sure on the water situation since she told me they won’t have water at the site - and are each bringing three water bottles… Now I assume the leaders will be bringing gallons of extra? I restrained myself from calling the Dean’s office to check… but I did text her to remind her that dehydration is dangerous - not just inconvenient… I know mom - I’ll be fine was the reply. We did have a really detailed phone call from her last night about her first few days. She met a boy - who she says is almost like her twin interestwise - same advisor too - and same Outdoor Adventure - so sounds like he’ll be a friend. She also really likes the girls in her sponsor group so far. I haven’t been online for a few days, so I’ll be reading everyone else’s stories when I have time. We’re on vacation until Saturday in the gold mining and winery parts of N California - limited internet and what there is isn’t wireless hence I’m on my H’s computer while he sleeps late.</p>
<p>I was really excited for D yesterday. She forwarded me an email she received from the honors program director. He said there were some research opportunities in her dept and that he would talk to her about it today. I haven’t talked to her about considering her course load, sport, and honors activities when making a decision. I want to see what she figures out on her own. I feel it’s too soon but it’s nice to know she will have these opportunities available to her.</p>
<p>Here at home, S’14 is getting ready to launch a few days early. He has a campus job opportunity, as well, that he needs to look into. </p>
<p>Both of my kids couldn’t be more different. D is a go getter, S wait to see what falls into his lap. </p>
<p>Psychmom, I hope you hear good news from your S soon. I remember feeling anxious when S couldn’t get into an important class ( the first of a sequence in his major). He somehow worked it out but had to take the 1st and 2nd classes concurrently.</p>
<p>Now I’m a bit caught up… terribly sad about the Columbia student. Worrisome on natural disasters. Funny but maddening on WW roommate mom. Geez. How do some people surivive behaving like that. My D did get her first official California sunburn yesterday. On our drive yesterday at a Starbucks off the interstate my H was almost hit by a car when some gangbangers pulled up - jumped out of a car - and stole an elderly woman’s purse then jumped back in their car and sped off. And this wasn’t a sketchy area - just a typical highway exit with lots of fast food places. So keep your eyes open in all such places. No one got the license plate number unfortunately. Poor elderly woman was VERY shaken, although she didn’t fall thank goodness.</p>
<p>So much going on TEN PAGES OF POSTS since I last checked in - I am going to do 2 posts, one to finish up on our travails of getting to RIT from the DC area, and the one of my son launching.</p>
<p>The travails (OK, and his not finishing HS and getting his GED now in the past!)
Last installment, rock thrown through minivan window night before we load up and drive…</p>
<p>Saturday morning we spend hours renting a minivan, load up and leave…</p>
<p>On the northern end of the Baltimore beltway I GET A FRIGGEN FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED! I manage to get to the very narrow shoulder (so narrow my H can’t get out the passenger door but has to climb out the window onto the jersey barrier). Leaving out many details, we are there 1 1/2 hours dealing with the rental car company until finally AAA has to tow us (they can’t change us to the temporary mini spare because the specialized tool to winch the spare down from its storage nook under the car is missing from the car’s flat tire tool pack).</p>
<p>We get towed to BWI airport, half an hour backwards on our trip (where ensues an argument where they won’t allow the tow driver to drop the loaded van next to the new rental van because it is the “pick up” floor of the rental center, and the mini van loaded with all its precious cargo has to go to the “drop off” floor. Also problems when the contract I left on the car console slid to the back and got lost in the stuff when the car was tilted for towing, and at first they told me they could not help me without the contract.)</p>
<p>All eventually worked out, including unloading one minivan and reloading the other (by S and DH as it is verbotten for me to lift anything.)</p>
<p>We never got to Rochester Saturday night, staying in a motel in PA instead and arrived at Rit just intime to sneak a peek at S’s room and make it to his 1pm appointment.</p>
<p>Most expensive and incovenient rock … but we are darned glad no one was hurt as we know people have even been killed by rocks thrown from overpasses. And S, who can be rigid and hate to have his routine thrown out of whack, was an absolute trouper throughout the ordeal, and my DH and I have apparently lived to tell the tale. He is driving back to DC today to swap the rental and our other car, and driving back to Rochester tomorrow… but hey, the weather is nice!</p>
<p>Just absorbing this tragic news about a Columbia University student, I can not imagine how devastated her family must be over the loss of their only child. Prayers for these parents.</p>
<p>Now onto actual settling of S into RIT.</p>
<p>S’s room seems perfect for him, he is really lucky because he needed a single as a disability accommodation. I have no idea how 2 people could live in that room! That is probably why they made several of them into singles, because they are very small as doubles (but they are meant to be doubles because that is what they are listed as, and most are.) </p>
<p>S (S2) is here for a pre-orientation for his Spectrum Support Services Program (SSSP). 18 students in the pre-orientation. Sunday he did meetings with the head of the program and the disabilities coordinator, whom he had met with before, and that was fine, moved his stuff into his room – it was fairly easy which was the idea for having an early move in day. There was a joint session for the 18 students and parents where we met the orientation staff introduced themselves – and the parents all checked each other out, and the other kids, and the kids pretty much ignored each other and waited to get the information they needed. S2’s roomate arrived at the same time and I immediately knew he was in the same program as both parents said to their kids at the same time, X/Y aren’t you going to introduce yourself?"</p>
<p>So he has a full program for 2 1/2 days, with downtime scheduled in… he said some of the sessions were boring (2 sessions on study habits and such, but he needs what they are offering, and the staff needs to get to know them). He opted out of bowling last night and we did one giant shopping trip to get all the things he still needed, like fans and school supplies, and he asked us to take him out for his “last fancy dinner.” </p>
<p>I couldn’t be happier. He would have done fine at Beloit or Knox – so small there is less to know and figure out. But at RIT he really needs the help figuring out the shuttle system and a myriad other things. The group is going together to register to avoid chaos and long lines. Tonight’s social activity is with all the pre-orientation groups and is sponsored by the e-gaming society and is a video gaming night, and S is much looking forward to it.</p>
<p>The plan is for us to not see him until Thur morn, when his program has an open house as part of the regular RIT orientation, and for mom and dad to participate in some of the regular RIT orientation programs. The regular freshman move in day is tomorrow, so that is when campus will get busy, so by then he will know some people, know his way around a bit, be unpacked and settled in. We will then say good bye at the end of Thursday after the RIT welcoming convocation.</p>
<p>I think it is going to be terrific. Yay!</p>
<p>Daughter just called, but only to report that she and her roommate just received their “hug” from John Sexton. If you are at all familiar with NYU, you know that this is quite the big deal. She sounds like she might be getting sick… hope John Sexton didn’t “receive” her cold.</p>
<p>silversas - we came from dc to rochester too! What an ordeal I know exactly where you were. What route did you take up to Rochester? I’m trying to figure out if we went the best way - I believe we did baltimore beltway to 81 towards york, 11/15 and I forget the rest.</p>
<p>I texted today with S, he’s doing his community service project. He initially was supposed to hand out good citizen cards to people in the city, so I texted and asked him how the fine citizens of rochester were enjoying being harrassed by them. He said they ended up picking up trash, but now he was going back to take a shower and do his laundry. I said that was probably a scared straight program to make them want to keep in school.</p>
<p>I think the texts are a quick easy way to stay in touch without being overbearing. As long as I limit the texts.</p>
<p>Someone else mentioned the other child mentioning the… wonder what they’re doing now, what’s the weather like - we do that and I nearly spit out my drink reading it.</p>
<p>Thoughts and prayers to the family at Columbia, and all the students and families touched by this…so incredibly sad.</p>
<p>Our D is close enough to come home from time to time (about an hour or so). She knows she’s welcome anytime, and we know that’s not going to be all that often.</p>
<p>Very, very sad to hear about the girl at Columbia. How tragic for her family. </p>
<p>Those launching at NYU, the son of a very good friend of mine is starting his soph year there, and he was one of the welcome/move-in helpers. If you met Jake, you’d remember–he’s devastatingly handsome and kind, not to mention a fantastic singer. Reminds me of Jake Gyllanhall (sp?) in looks. </p>
<p>Good luck to all the newly launched, and sorry to hear about flat tires, flight delays and glitches along the way. </p>
<p>My girl hasn’t Skyped with me yet, but she did Skype with a local reporter here in CLE about Isaac storm preps at Tulane: [Local</a> volunteers head to Gulf Coast to battle Isaac damage | wkyc.com](<a href=“http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/258100/3/Local-volunteers-head-to-Gulf-Coast-to-battle-Isaac-damage]Local”>http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/258100/3/Local-volunteers-head-to-Gulf-Coast-to-battle-Isaac-damage). They are on lockdown beginning at 2pm today.</p>
<p>That is so cool, ReneeD7! (Well, not about the storm, but about the interview.) Your daughter is lovely and did a great job.</p>