There is a facebook page for UChicago parents. Just search UChicago Parents Page and you’ll find it. Just request to be added. The lady running it is a parent of I believe a 2nd year and very knowledgable and helpful to all the parents. She’s also well-connected and can get answers from within the administration on various questions that parents have.
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Uber has had surge pricing recently and my husband tells me that they are having trouble getting enough drivers. My kids have been paying ridiculous fares ($25 for a trip around Hyde Park, etc.). Hopefully that’ll resolve before fall but you might want to look at other ride share companies as well. Last time I was in Chicago (March) I cabbed it from Midway rather than paying $60 in Uber fare. Cab wasn’t cheap but I did save $20 and I just took the 55 bus for my return so overall I spent notably less than had I rented.
Thanks, JB. Ah! No FB for me. Deactivated long ago, and have not missed it since, to be honest. I thought I was missing something from UChicago! Not a big fan of the virtual friendship thingy…lol (guess I’m old school). The parents on CC have been a great resource for all things college so far, and I can always email the school should more questions arise. Guess no parents page for me. 
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Re. renting a car… My personal experience is that it’s a lot easier to rent a car. With our first son, we (luckily) got upgraded and they ended up giving is a minivan. Our initial idea was to make a few trips back and forth to the hotel and load up the (smaller) car, but the minivan made the move easier. One trip, that was it. We did buy a few things when we were there, and my H had to assemble some stuff in the dorm, but no big deal. But it would have been doable even with a smaller car. As far as prices are concerned, we got a good deal when we visited in April, nothing outrageous, but I understand it’s a personal preference.
We always try to make the most of our trips, regardless of where we go, but that’s just us. Even if we devote whatever is left of the day to walk around town, go to ONE museum or park or just sit at a Café, it’s worth it, imo. We try not to waste a minute when traveling, and yes, my kids hate me for that… 
J/K, they are used to it. Again, all personal preferences.
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I know many people are down on social media (FB in particular), but I’ve found that parent page to be a good resource for information. FWIW
The houses for both of my kids were using F/B to send out some info and connect everyone, but I have the impression that houses might also be using Discord more, especially in this pandemic when everyone was kind of shut up in their room and running chat groups. It’ll vary by house but I’m pretty sure all of them use social media of some kind to communicate info. For the parents, I believe that the parent FB page appears to be very helpful. For good or ill, FB is the tool of choice for the parental age group.
No doubt, JB. Gen Z has def. migrated to reddit/discord. I guess I just reached my satiation point…lol…
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Yes. They understandably wish to get away from the parents 
Housing app. is open! 
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Culbreath, Move-In has been tweaked if those dates are accurate. Used to be two Saturdays prior to the start of the academic year; now it appears that students only have four or five days on campus. I’m wondering if some of Orientation will be virtual again this year as it was last year. The challenge, of course, is that the city’s own Covid orders - including restrictions on in-person gatherings that might still be in place - will determine orientation planning. You might check with the College and ask what they are thinking for the parents and families; is it a drop-off and good-bye like it was last year, or will there be a couple days of family programming on campus similar to the pre-Covid years. They may not have answers yet but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Arriving a day or two prior to move-in might be a good idea if your time with your student after move-in is limited.
Quizwhiz is anything being asked about vaccinations or mentioning a mandate for living in the dorms? It’s protected health info. so guessing that a vaccine rule would be announced generally with the student being able to upload to their health portal. I was just curious about what UChicago is thinking about vaccines and being on campus in the fall.
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So far, no. We received an email on Monday with a ton of info for both students and parents. Lots of modules to go over. I emailed them directly to get some answers on health insurance and they responded promptly. I think more details will emerge over the course of the next few months. In regards to immunizations, I would think they’d follow their usual protocol, no? What have been their vaccination requirements in the past, if any? I usually don’t pay much attention to that part since it doesn’t affect my children personally, but will let you know what they say!
My understanding is that UChicago follows what the Illinois Department of Public Health says about immunizations, and so far IDPH hasn’t made the Covid-19 vaccine a requirement for IL colleges and universities. Some other privates have gone ahead and mandated it anyway (DePaul, LUC, Roosevelt, Columbia College of Chicago and, most recently, NU with an EUA exemption apparently). Things can change once full FDA approval happens, of course.
Students upload vaccine records to a confidential portal. You guys will get all that info eventually. Yes - lots of modules but your DC will have plenty of time to review and figure things out. Those monthly To Do’s they issue are very helpful, IIRC.
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Yes, I guess in due time. With my older son, it wasn’t until June (maybe July…?) that we had to submit all the immunization records. That’s the easy part - 
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It will be interesting to see what UChi does in regards to the Covid vax. I think sooner or later it’s coming.
Omg, those monthly to do’s are so cool! SO helpful! When you have a trillion things in your head, having the schedules ready for you is a life saver. Adding a trivia quiz doesn’t hurt either… 
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It’s official, COVID-19 vaccine will be required for students this coming year, with medical and religious exemptions.
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Yep. Our second year finally emerged from whatever he was working on to discuss with us tonight. He’ll take care of it after finals and once he arrives at his internship destination. I think the deadline for uploading vaccine verification will be early Sept for him (he’s not in sports) so he has plenty of time, although now that the mandate is announced the sooner the better, says me - but not before the end of finals, says he.
JB, do parents usually leave the day after the reception? And there are no events for parents after that, correct? We will plan our trip this weekend after graduation (tomorrow- ) and would prefer to avoid changing flight dates/hotel.
Not sure how Move-in will work this coming fall; last year it was drop off and leave but that was due to Covid. The way it worked with my kids two and four years ago is that parents probably either left after the reception or had dinner out in Chicago and left next morning. I’m not sure how long the reception ran - embarrassed to say I never stuck around but would book out of town as soon as the student procession ended. BTW, the class would do a Class of XX photo at that time so it’s really the case that once they go through Hull Gate that’s it and it’s time for parents to move on to other things.
Thank you, JB. “…move on to other things.” Bittersweet for sure. We intend to stay for the parents reception and maybe stay one more day and find things to do around town. This second time it’s hitting me hard. On a different note (please, forgive my bragging parent moment), my son unexpectedly received the Social Studies Department award during graduation yesterday. What a nice way to end this cycle.
From the communications received so far, Chicago’s plans are to resume normal activity (covid permitting). Since vaccines are mandatory now, it’s looking like we will, indeed, have a normal start in the fall. Hope to see you there! AND…thank you for all the helpful info you’ve provided. Four more months!
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