The Williams Curse

<p>My wife & I just returned from dropping DD off for her soph year. I thought that moving in this year would be easier than last - wrong! It might even have been harder - but that's another story.</p>

<p>After leaving Williamstown, we took a few days vacation in Maine, where we ran into a 30-year Williams alum. He recognized us by the Williams gear we were wearing. Its amazing how frequently that happens all across the country, not just in the Northeast. Over the last year we've been greeted by Williams alums in restaurants in L.A. and Boulder, in a couple of midwest airports, even this summer while riding my bike and while driving in a parking lot near my home. This is more than with alums of my own large school alma mater over the last 30 years.</p>

<p>We mentioned this to the fellow we met in Maine, who was a bit cynical, and he told us that this is the "Williams Curse." Once you become associated with Williams, you will be cursed for the rest of your life having to listen to all of the alums telling what a wonderful place it is and how much they enjoyed the time they spent there.</p>

<p>Nice curse.</p>

<p>May the curse come upon me.</p>

<p>Clayleas you simply cannot leave us without telling us what problems you had moving in last year and why they were worse this year. Please share the dirt. Thanks, Dana's Dad</p>

<p>D's Dad,
I wouldn't say that we had problems last year - just a lot of work. We drove 1,000 miles with the SUV packed to the ceiling, stuffed roof carrier on top and a bike hanging off the back. Last year, all First Years dropped all of their stuff off at Poker Flats where it was loaded onto trucks and then delivered to the dorms. Then they had vans for the trip over to the dorm. I guess with the First Year dorms last year, there was not enough parking to go directly there. The college had a tent with bagels, donuts, juice, coffee, fruit, etc. for everyone before heading off to the dorm. </p>

<p>At the dorm, the stuff arrived before we did, and by the time we arrived, the JAs had already taken it to the room. Having packed at home, I think DD had her things pretty well organized so unpacking was not too bad, and we had time to go shopping at the Berkshire Mall and the Home Depot in Pittsfield (I had called in advance to buy the fridge there) as well as the Wal-Mart in N. Adams. And we had no trouble getting over to Chapin by 5:00 to listen to Morty et al. BTW, we did the ID picture taking late at night when there was no line and opened the bank account the next day first thing - again, no line.</p>

<p>This year it was different. DD is a WOOLF Leader so she moved in on the same day as the First Years. She had stored most of her things along with some friends at a facility in N. Adams, so the car wasn't nearly as full for the trip up, and there was no need for a roof carrier. However, there were no JAs to do any carrying, no bagels and coffee, and even the dorm entrance door was a pain as it would lock when it closed. Propping it open wasn't an option since the security system would alarm if the door didn't close within 10 or 15 seconds. Also, when outside the dorm unloading, DD often saw one or more of her friends returning as well. She seemed to spend a lot of time greeting, hugging and talking to her friends while my wife and I carried.</p>

<p>We had to make 2 trips to the storage facility because it wouldn't all fit in the car. That was loading the car to the brim and unloading it twice. I have no idea how she got everything into storage there last Spring. For some reason, they thought that they would store some packaged food items, and lo and behold, mice found them. We had to wash a lot of things, but fortunately, there was no real damage. Also, when we unpacked the bedding, it was apparent that it all had to be washed as well after several month's of musty storage. We had everything necessary for the laundry except the money. We went to Hopkins to load $10 onto DDs ID (had to weave our way through the hoards of First Years waiting there to get their pictures taken for their own IDs), and then the washing machines refused to take the card, so I had to go to the bank for quarters (again weaving my way through the hoards waiting to open accounts). </p>

<p>We did get to Wal-Mart to buy a few items and then got back just in time to make a 7:00 dinner reservation with rskibum and his wife - by far the best part of the day.</p>

<p>There was one other fun thing at the beginning of the day. We had to go to the buildings department to pick up DD's dorm room key. While there waiting, it was interesting to watch all of the First Years arriving with their families and note their expressions. Some seemed very excited as they entered, others were more tense or reserved. I can only imagine the thoughts going through their heads as they approached this whole new chapter in their lives.</p>

<p>Sorry for the length of this post, but you did ask. And the moral here, don't expect moving in to be easier after first year. Its still moving, and moving is a pain.</p>

<p>


</p>

<p>One year at Williams and she's already learned to delegate! :)</p>

<p>After two September move-ins followed by a summer move-out/move-in/move-out/move-in (on-campus summer research job), we decided to reward ourselves by getting her a car.....</p>

<p>Clayleas:</p>

<p>That story certainly raised my expectations for August 2007 when my daughter will be starting college. The moral of the story is that your daughter seems to have loving, patient parents. Dana's Dad</p>

<p>Some curse! Perhaps the cranky Mainer shouldn't admit to going to Williams, and he'll not be cursed with having to listen to what a great college it is!</p>

<p>We have all learned mightily from moving our children into college. </p>

<h1>1; they pack way too much!</h1>

<h1>2; Parents; Go home! Williams has handled new students exceptionally well for over 200 years. That hasn't changed. My D was busy from Day 1, then went on Woolf for 4 days, then met her advisor, and classes the next day. No time to get homesick.</h1>

<h1>3; Always find the time to go out to eat with new friends. (Even if we're all wearing the same grundgy, sweaty clothing from hiking up and down 4 flights of stairs all day in hot humid rainy weather with no time to clean up!) Phew!</h1>

<p>However; the aroma of the food and the quality of the company at Hobson's Choice overwhelmed everything else. (I'm laying it on a little thick, I admit;)</p>

<p>Regarding moving in;
We met the JA's outside of her dorm, in the rain, and they couldn't have helped more. They were great! Of course, we had to make a trip to Wal Mart, then sent her a care package. And, we took lots of stuff back after we found she didn't need it. Like a door mirror, extra chairs, etc.
Taken aback by the unisex bathrooms; we sent a bathrobe, too.</p>