<h1>1)</h1>
<p>no problem w/connectivity, from MY sons perspective (others may have different views). Restrictions, well, that's another thing. Lots of requirements from DoT, and from the local IT admin... Still working out some kinks, but hope it will get better. They can still get to facebook stuff, but they shouldn't be spending all their time on those sites. </p>
<p>Besides, ANY laptop connecting to the network would have to meet the same restrictions. So, having an issued laptop AND a personal laptop that are BOTH locked down...doesn't gain you much... even IF they allow it.</p>
<h2>Favorite folders, music, etc... put it on a USB flashdrive and send it along. Or look for a good deal on USB harddrives, and have him preload some music on it. Other threads talk about this. Make sure they know they know HOW to backup/copy important documents!</h2>
<h2>Indoc is one thing. Academics are absolutely something else. They'd best be ready for the rocket-sled ride of their life! ('Drinking from a fire-hose' comes to mind). </h2>
<h1>2)</h1>
<p>You may get a mix of answers -- Some take a phone, and have it confiscated, but will have it there when stuff is returned(ABSOLUTELY dead as a doornail)... Some don't take a phone, and put it on the list of things for parents to bring for Parents Weekend.</p>
<p>For us, our son elected to have us bring it for Parents Weekend... so he could have it fully charged and ready to dial once he was released. I worked out fine. He didn't want to have a single thing making him stand out. </p>
<p>He had a solid weeks-worth of things he wanted to pack into his SHORT leave. First, we took him to placed to fill his (bottomless pit) stomach. Then we took him back to the hotel where he was planning on knocking items off his list of 'things to do when I can be human again'. He fell asleep on the way back to the hotel. Woke up enough to go upstairs and fall asleep on his bed. Didn't wake up again for at least 12 hours, hungry again.</p>
<p>--
Now, as a parent of a BOY, we just simply didn't get much in writing from the kiddo. I'd suggest negotiating the value of what you are bringing on Parents Weekend -- start with, say, $10-value per paragraph... For an Ipod, you should get a pretty decent couple of pages from them. ;)</p>
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<p>Also, they WILL(should) get to phone home each weekend. It WILL be the most anticipated phone call(s) you will get. We were at the edge of the pews in the back, ready to bolt out of the doors in case our cellphones did the little vibrate/call thing. Our son's company had that revoked one Sunday... EVERYONE was bummed about that!</p>
<p>Your Plebe Candidate and the rest of the family are in for ONE EXCITING RIDE, unlike ANYWHERE else. Yahoo! Welcome on board.</p>