<p>Since freshman orientation is only about 2 weeks away, I thought it might be helpful to post a list of what you need to bring for your dorm.</p>
<p>(I'm sure current students and other parents will chime in here with suggestions too...)</p>
<p>Essentials</p>
<p>Sheets--twin XL (1-2 sets)
Mattress pad--twin XL
Blanket or comforter
Pillows with pillow cases
Towels
Clothes hangers (not provided by school)
Desk lamp
Laptop or desktop computer
Shower sandals
Backpack or messenger bag
Office supplies (stapler, scissors, tape, etc)
Shower caddy or small plastic bucket (to carry/store personal grooming supplies)</p>
<p>DO NOT BRING--fire hazard</p>
<p>Upward facing lamps
Cooking appliances that have an exposed heating element (includes: coffeemakers, electric kettles, hot pot, rice cookers, slow cookers, hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens)
Non-switched extension cords
Air conditioners
Space heaters
Candles, incense burners</p>
<p>Nice to have, but not essential</p>
<p>Mini-fridge (cannot be larger than 3.1 cu ft)
Microwave
Printer (requires cables, wireless printing not enabled in dorms)
Rug (5' x 8' will fit in most dorm rooms)
Fan (no AC in dorms and the upper floors tend top be very warm thru the end of Sept)
TV/game system (dorm rooms are wired for cable TV) Bring your own cables
Comfy chair or futon (Quad dorms can easily accommodate; Sue B might be a tighter fit)
Coffee mug/bowl/1 set silverware
Mattress topper</p>
<p>IMPORTANT Before deciding to bring any larger items (fridge, microwave, TV, rug), please coordinate with your roommate(s) so that you can avoid duplicates.</p>
<p>I’ll ask here, since I can’t get my son to post the ? on the FB page </p>
<p>I am assuming, by the carpet info, that the floors in the dorm rooms are not carpeted (he is in Gilbert). Just want to double check.</p>
<p>Also, he has a hepa air filter. I know free standing air conditioners are not allowed – is this?</p>
<p>And – are there vacuums available in the dorms, or should I send him up with one of those electric brooms (he has to get rid of dust – lucky kid).</p>
<p>There are vacuums, but if you have one that doesn’t emit as much dust then it might be the right thing to have. Don’t know about the air filter but I’d assume it’s ok. I don’t remember if Gilbert has carpet, but I think not.</p>
<p>Remember, Target, Walmart, etc. are 10 minutes away. You can buy a microwave, a desk lamp, a rug, cork board, hangars, whatever you want. We ordered a fridge from Walmart and picked it up at the Henrietta store so we didn’t have to carry it in the car. </p>
<p>Also, many kids have larger fridges. Not by a lot but it’s not like the limit is strictly enforced. I don’t think anyone ever looks. They just don’t want big ones.</p>
<p>Here’s what I would bring: a long ethernet cable. You can get a cheap ethernet cable now but they tend to be expensive in stores. It’s a drag to show up with a 4-6 foot cable and find your ethernet connection is 18 feet from the desk. I’d also bring a long extension cord and a couple of medium length ones, but you can obviously get these in Rochester. Dorms have a limited number of outlets and they may not be where the bed or desk go. </p>
<p>If you want a TV, you will want a long cable for that too. You’d be amazed at how much cable it takes to run from the outlet around the edges of the room under the furniture and behind things. That’s better than having it in the middle of the room.</p>
<p>Every kid has or wants a mattress topper. Get it now. You want a good one. You may be able to order one for pickup in Rochester. My kid has a 3" thick foam one from Costco. There is no Costco in Rochester. There is a Sams Club in Henrietta.</p>
<p>I cannot remember from D’s freshman year whether or not her room in Gilbert was carpeted but I do remember buying a rug in Target either on move-in day or parents weekend. We did send a dustbuster- Rooms get dusty and in the winter or any nasty weather you do track in all kinds of stuff that needs to be cleaned up and good for cleaning up crumbs. I also recommend headphones-so you can listen to what you want in peace, as opposed to what your roommates might want to be listening to.</p>
<p>No carpet in Gilbert. (D2 lived there freshman year–which is when she got her rug.)</p>
<p>And definitely recommend the mattress topper. D2 has a 2 inch memory foam and is envied by her friends. Mattresses are hard. Overstock.com often has some very good deals on toppers. (And $2.95 shipping no how big/heavy your package is. Have it shipped to campus to pick up on move-in day.)</p>
<p>P.S. Remind your kid to unplug EVERYTHING and put away any stuff he/she is not supposed to have in the dorm room over breaks. All rooms get inspected for fire code violations during long breaks (winter, spring). Inspectors cannot open drawers or wardrobes, but they are allowed to follow any cord they see to its end. </p>
<p>Also fridges have to emptied and unplugged over long breaks.</p>
<p>As a student I’ll say: definitely get a mattress topper. A rug, even a very cheap one, also makes a room feel 10x more comfortable/homey. I’d also suggest bringing along some disinfecting wipes, and room freshener spray. Command hooks are also really useful to hang up things like towels, jackets, and bags.</p>
<p>AC units are prohibited. (Fire hazard as the dorms are not wired for that kind of heavy voltage draw.) Your housing contract–which you presumably read and signed-- lists them under things specifically not allowed in the room.</p>
<p>None of the on-campus dorms have air conditioning. (The Riverside Apts have AC, but I’m pretty sure the Southside Apts do not.)</p>
<p>Most students cool off by opening their windows and using a fan.</p>
<p>Remember: you can raise your bed in stages and put your stuff under it. You also get a large wardrobe and a dresser. You have plenty of storage. </p>
<p>Here are two suggestions, one a repeat:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Use those space saving bags if you don’t have a giant truck. You know, the ones you attach to a vacuum cleaner that sucks the air out. Your bedding and towels will shrink by at least half. Jackets, shirts, etc. shrink a ton. (Too bad shoes don’t.)</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t overload on stuff before you get there. Get into your room, meet your roommate, make a list of what you guys might need together. Figure out how you want the room set up and decide how many extension cords you might need of whatever length and if you need longer cables. Then go with your parents to Target and Walmart and Wegman’s, etc. and pick up stuff. Much easier, less waste. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Also, as WOWM mentioned, no torchiere lights. They’re illegal in dorms in NY because of fire risk. This is probably the biggest thing to avoid. But you can go to Target and get a nice table lamp for cheap.</p>
<p>I read over the housing contract and fire safety rules. It only prohibits window air conditioners. It makes no mention of portable air conditioners from what I have gathered. As long as you have a portable AC connected to a surge protector it seems to me to be fine? A large AC would draw no more power than the 40 in. TVs I have seen in dorms which are hooked up with xboxs and speakers.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention: all extension cords have to be switched. You can get a power strip or two and use that as the switch. Power strips are your friend. You will want one for your desk. You’ll likely want at least one more for the floor.</p>
<p>redsoxfan, I’ll bet you the school considers that a window a/c; it vents through the window. The only difference is the main part of the unit sits on the floor.</p>
<p>From all I’ve learned about Rochester, I don’t understand DarkIce’s comments at all. DarkIce, it’s Rochester, it’s the northern United States, you’ll survive. All of your posts make it sound like you’re afraid of melting.</p>
<p>A lot of colleges recommend us to bring fans along, and every single student survives the 2 weeks of warm weather during the academic year.</p>
<p>Eastcoast, I went to Cornell for four years, I know what upstate NY weather is like - if you’re used to air conditioning it’s hard to sleep comfortably for the first month and a half or so of school, and again for the last month and a half or so. Only 3 months total, sure, but I’d rather be comfortable for those 3 months.</p>
<p>My first year it was unusually hot the first month and most of the second. The libraries were packed and it was difficult to sleep especially if you are used to going to sleep at a comfortable temp.</p>
<p>As a funding parent (and considering how much it costs) and also as a native central new yorker (many years removed), I would have to agree that although the uncomfortable season doesn’t last for months and months, spending critical time (finals, back to school) is something that should be resolved considering the cost of attending and the importance of the periods of time that are involved. </p>
<p>Finals are tough enough without the hassle, especially considering the money that is involved.</p>
<p>My view is that even a Motel 6 at $40 per night is airconditioned, and based on the bill, UofR rooms go for more than that. </p>
<p>My son never missed AC - it just wasn’t an issue. And please University of Rochester - don’t raise tuition enough to retrofit AC into the dorms! :)</p>
<p>Classes start August 31st this year. Looking at weather history for September, it looks like the average high temperature varies from 68 to 75-ish for the last 80 years. (with a few slightly lower or higher average maximums). Looking at last year on the Farmer’s Alamanac website showed some days in late August hitting low-mid 80s’, with an occasional hotter day. Move in day for freshmen last year (August 25th) was a high of 80 and a low of 60. Average minimum temps at night are in the 50’s. I could only find two days in late August last year that spiked to the low 90’s. </p>
<p>Average temps in May are even cooler.</p>
<p>Really - students will not have trouble sleeping or studying due to heat.</p>