<p>I noticed the move-in dates for first-year students are finalized for 8/22 and classes begin 8/26. Last year, first year students moved-in an entire week before classes, thus were able to complete the CommonVU orientation program without the distraction of classes. </p>
<p>Is there a reason this year's freshman were not granted the same luxuary? I remember seeing the schedule for last years incoming freshman and thinking how smart is was on Vandy's part to give them so much time to adjust and enjoy the orientation without having to worry about class, homework, etc.</p>
<p>I am guessing orientation may be shorter this year. It seems to be the trend among schools to shorten it up. With freshmen in the Commons, they may feel that there will be ongoing programs to help with the transition to college.</p>
<p>No, the CommonVU orientation is scheduled for Saturday August 22-Sunday August 30 - overlapping with classes. </p>
<p>In comparison, last year freshman moved in Saturday, August 15 and had orientation that whole week and didn't start classes until Monday, August 25. Much nicer schedule.</p>
<p>I know they try to get feedback from participants about the effectiveness of orientation, so that may have had some impact, but I wonder if budget is another concern. The earlier you come, the longer you are on the card for meals, as are the VUceptors. I do know there is a pay freeze on campus and the only hiring being done on campus is essential replacement hiring. No real idea, but just a guess.</p>
<p>When I visited, the vandy speaker, while talking about the orientation for the commons, made a point to say that freshmen get to campus really early to get accustomed to everything. She went on to say that when colleges have freshmen arrive on Saturday and then classes start the following Wednesday, everyone is rushed and confused.</p>
<p>Costs probably play a role. Last year they required RA's (across all campus) to be here 2 weeks early which costs Housing money. Factor in VUceptors, move crews, opening the common center, and security and prices start getting pretty high.</p>
<p>I wouldn't stress about having to start classes at the same time. it's really not that bad, though I do feel bad for the bookstore rush you will surely endure (amazon is cheaper).</p>
<p>Don't worry, the Commons is a "high touch" model. Regardless of how early orientation begins the coddling will not end till you are sophomores :P.</p>
<p>dwhite,
I have done this schedule twice with freshmen. I would suggest arriving in Nashville on Friday. If you are purchasing books for your student, go to the bookstore on Friday to take care of this little chore. Students can buy books on their card, but if you are ultimately footing the bill, go with your student so you can charge them to your credit card (if you are a rewards card person). The likelihood of the temperature being anything but miserably hot is pretty small, so drag yourself out of bed early and get that freshman moved in. You will then be ready for the necessary trip to Target which will look like Vanderbilt West. I have never been able to afford to stay within walking distance for move in day, but if you can afford it, the opportunity to quickly retreat to your hotel room for a shower and/or few minutes of peace and quiet would be worth the $$$. The move crew of upperclassmen will make your job easier and it can be quite a fun time.</p>
<p>We stayed at the Hampton Inn on West End last year when we moved our D into Vandy/Barnard. It was money very well spent (plus, I got a great discount on Orbitz!). It was an easy walk between the hotel & the dorm - and the parking was free.</p>
<p>I remember reading an article in the Hustler online about how they decided to cut orientation down to 4 days for us because of the economy/wanting to cut costs. It also said something about changing the program around a little. I'd go dig for it on the site, but I think it was from back in February when I first got my letter, and I'm too lazy right now.</p>
<p>having moved in freshman twice, i have to say that i felt the week long orientation week was somewhat too long. It was great to have a chance to settle in, but with no classes starting, it seemed that there was too much time, with not that much planned (a few hours of activities/day) --the result I think is that my D had more time to miss home and friends (who had not yet left for college) and worry about whether she was going to make new friends, be happy etc. once classes were imminent, she had to think about that, get books etc. and that actually eased the transition. I don't know if they got this kind of feedback from others, but I think the new schedule sounds about right.</p>
<p>Great advice in post #8. I suggest reserving a room as soon as you know that Vandy is a definite possibility (for Parents Weekend, too) - you can always cancel if circumstances change. Right now, hilton.com is showing the Embassy Suites on Broadway as available for $143.65 a night on 8/21 and 8/22 - an excellent value for the location and quality of the hotel. We've also stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites on Elliston Place - convenient walking distance and very nice quality rooms - they're available for $169/night. And there's a new Hilton chain hotel opening on 8/1 - a Garden Inn on Broadway for just $118/night.</p>
<p>I'm not a Hilton flack - we've also stayed at the West End Marriott, which is directly adjacent to the stadium. They usually hike up their rates for Vanderbilt events, so I'm not surprised to see them at $199/night that weekend. But all these charges are without AAA or other discounts - maybe you can find a better rate. And, as 2VU0609 says, you can find less expensive hotels a little farther away.</p>
<p>My d was a VUceptor this year and thought the program dragged on a bit. Vandy and other schools that focus on undergrad ed are always looking at ways to improve the freshman experience. I don't think next year's class will be at a disadvantage with a shorter orientation period.</p>
<p>I agree about getting to Target early, if possible. Something my d did freshman year was to order her books online before she arrived on campus and have them waiting at the bookstore. That was a nice service, but she's since evolved a complicated method of buying textbooks via Amazon, classmates, and the bookstore.</p>
<p>I'm feeling wistful reading this thread! Like Bridie and 2VU0609, I have a Vanderbilt senior and will be at graduation on May 8th. It's been a wonderful four years.</p>
<p>Daughter was a freshman last year and I agree with Bridie that the week-long orientation was too long. Just gave her more time to get homesick! </p>
<pre><code> We flew in from OOS, and not living in a hub city, actually flew in Thursday night (I wanted to make sure we'd have all day Friday and didn't want to risk cancelled/delayed flights). Spent Friday at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Target picking up what we couldn't bring from home, and did the textbook run at the bookstore.
Our daughter was given a morning check-in time on Saturday, and Vanderbilt has their move-in system orchestrated amazingly. Her room was on the 6th floor, and after we pulled up to the front of the dorm we never touched a box. They assign move in times so that both roommates are not moving in at once, which definitely makes things easier.
</code></pre>
<p>I learned about Bed, Bath and Beyond's registry program from this board last year and I HIGHLY recommend it if you have one in your area. You go to your home store (go in late spring, early summer when the selection is good) and sign up for the registry. They give you a hand-held scanner and you walk around the store and scan the bar code of the things you want. They look up the store closest to your school and you give them the date you're going to pick the stuff up.
The BBB in Nashville was incredibly organized--all the staff dressed in Vandy attire. You give them your name, they escort you to a special area where they pull out boxes of the stuff you ordered and give you an opportunity to look through it to make sure you still want everything, and you pay for it there. They even load your car for you!
If your child has to fly to Vanderbilt, it's really a lifesaver.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the wonderful advice. From the sounds of all the feedback it appears that the shortened program may work out best. As always, advice from people on this board is invaluable. </p>
<p>I did make a reservation at the Marriott for both move-in and parents weekend but I may check out the other hotels for move-in weekend as the Marriott (if I remember) is on the other side (?) of campus from the Commons. I'll have to check out the map of campus and re-evaluate. </p>
<p>The Vanderbilt Marriott is great, although it is a hike back and forth to the Commons. The only shoes I brought with me were flat sandals (normally very comfortable) and I had blisters by the end of the weekend. Make sure you have sneakers or other good walking shoes!</p>
<p>For those of us driving in with packed cars (assuming Vandy is my son's final decision), I understand we can also benefit from the Bed Bath Beyond and Target trips you can preplan (as if we flew in). We have local friends to visit, and might come a night early and I don't want to have a car packed to the gills waiting for Saturday. So..I have questions for a parent who might have had a class of 2012 lucky student in the first year of Commons life last fall:</p>
<p>Should we bring the tiny frig our Duke son doesn't use anymore? Do students rent/buy room frigs and or microwaves? freshman year in the Commons? Later years in the upperclass dorms?</p>
<p>The Commons rooms are easy to see on youtube and look wonderful..already lofted beds over desks and good closets and ceilings looked higher than standard. </p>
<p>So..is there any one item for additional seating that Commons kids buy for those lovely big rooms? (At Duke, son had a tiny lightweight no springs foam Pier One couch that fit in dorm rooms and was easy to carry..although some students favored the bulkier futon couches.) Are kids bringing in that sort of thing? Or is extra seating in Commons rooms completely unnecessary?</p>
<p>Faline,
You are smart to ask those questions. I do know that freshmen have 4 meals a day on their meal plan, but I think Vandy changes what is required of freshman for meal plan on an almost annual basis. The Commons has some kind of green certification and there is evidently no carryout, so it will be interesting to hear current freshmen opinions on the fridge/microwave. If you do buy articles such as a fridge or small sofa, you can store up to 3 items in the basement of your dorm for the next year (or I should say you can do this for Towers; not 100% about rising sophomores going to Branscomb, etc.).</p>
<p>I imagine these items are useful in the older more traditional dorms...but wondered if they were superfluous in the Commons. I have learned that less is more for boys.</p>
<p>I never saw anything about renting a fridge--I think that is now an outmoded concept. We bought a fridge at Target. Her roommate bought the microwave. Both get used a lot. I never heard anything about no take-out at the commons but I know my daughter regularly gets "take out" from the munchie mart there when time does not permit actually going to sit down for lunch or dinner.</p>
<p>I will warn you that the size of the rooms in the Commons varies pretty dramatically. My daughter is in a double in Gillette and the room is tiny. There is no room for any furnishings other than what is provided. She has friends in a triple who have a futon in their room, and friends in other dorms who she says have rooms almost twice the size of hers. I'd hold off on buying/bringing anything extra (like a chair) until you see the room. She and her roommate did buy tension rods and matching fabric shower curtains to hang in front of their closets and the closets do not have doors.</p>
<p>So here's a question for any out of stater's with upper class students--where does your child store all their stuff over the summer?</p>