<p>I have a daughter who will be taking part in the Freshman Arts Program the week before move-in. The FAP participants will move into their dorm spaces for the term on the Friday afternoon before the rest of the class moves in on Saturday. FAP asks that parents not come until Saturday, since they have student FAP sessions planned for Friday night. I would like to be there for that Saturday, but I'm wondering if it's worthwhile, and what I would do after flying in. I could bring additional furnishings beyond what she can carry on her flight, but a big box with a FedEx label could carry more gear far more economically. I'd love to be there for fatherly support, but by then she'll have been on campus for a week and will have a network of friends. Are there any formal events for parents that might make a weekend-long visit particularly worthwhile?</p>
<p>You should come--there will inevitably be things your daughter will need help with in move-in, and she'll probably feel sort of left out if you're not there (even if she thinks she will be fine now). There are parents events on Saturday and Sunday (when there is a huge President's welcome). My recommendation is to clear out by Sunday afternoon though, because she'll want to get her week of social life/camp Harvard underway, and you'll be in the way of that!</p>
<p>Don't worry. It doesn't mean she doesn't love you. ; -)</p>
<p>Definitely come for Move-in though. I am SO SO SO glad my mom came last year. It was a bigger adjustment/move-in than I anticipated.</p>
<p>Gosh, you're such a darling sunglasses.;)</p>
<p>I'm going to skip the move in. My DD will be attending the FOP the week before and we have no idea what if anything she'll be able to STOW before she leaves for that. So.. she'll just have to rough it. I'm relatively sure she'll just be happy with a shower and a bed for the first week. There's a Nov Frosh parents weekend I think. I'll try to make that and of course we'll provide whatever moral support she needs along the way. It's doesn't mean we don't love her ; - ) I just think we'll be in the way.</p>
<p>I dropped my daughter off and I'm glad I did. There was plenty to do. Beyond helping her move in, there were also trips to Target to get all the stuff she couldn't pack, opening bank accounts, getting her computer up and running, etc. </p>
<p>Plus the school puts on a number of events for the students and parents. There will be some ceremonies and speechifying in which the President will officially declare open the 371st school year --choirs will sing and orchestras will play. There will be receptions. Parents get to eat a free meal at Annenberg Hall, the freshman dining hall:
<a href="http://www.fas.harvard.edu/%7Ememhall/images2/annen1.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~memhall/images2/annen1.jpg</a></p>
<p>There will this huge flea market of furniture, housewares, and other stuff over by the Science Center. There will be some lectures for both parents and students on what to expect and how to make your time at Harvard a success. The event that was the coolest was a free concert in Sanders Theater of about a half dozen of the best student a capella groups.</p>
<p>If you can go, go. You won't regret it. But as Sunglasses says, by Sunday afternoon it's time to leave and let your young one go it alone from there.</p>
<p>I agree with coureur. We made numerous trips to target. Bought shelves that had to be assembled. Moved shipped boxes from the science center to the dorm. The opening ceremony was lovely, outside under the trees on a perfect day. At least for some of the early programs, students bunk in a dorm, but not their dorm.</p>
<p>Thanks all, it sounds great - I'll definitely plan to come. Hey, I'd make the trip for the a capella groups alone!</p>
<p>Now I'm thinking we may have to revise our itinerary if there are things going on for parents on Sunday. My daughter will also be on a FOP trip and will have minimal belongings with her, so we're planning to drive up from NC with the rest of her stuff and will definitely be there for move-in on Saturday. I hadn't realized that there would be anything planned for parents on Sunday, so we had figured we could hit the road early and head home. A competing concern is how long we want the 16-year-old brother at home and left to his own devices. (Not left completely alone, but still). I guess since we're driving, we can play it a bit by ear. It'd be nice if Harvard would send out a schedule to assist us in planning.</p>
<p>
[quote]
there were also trips to Target
[/quote]
If one of the parents doesn't mind answering, how close is the nearest Target or Staples? Do you need a car to get there?</p>
<p>gadad, might as well take the opportunity to get to know cambridge and the harvard campus. after all, your child will be living there for the next 4 years. boston is a great place and you could scout out fun things to do and let your kid know :) might as well make it a quasi-vacation, and plus it wouldn't cost too much just to explore the area (food mostly)</p>
<p>There are some shops in the walking area, but Target was several miles away. Staples is close, as is a small hardware store and a Crate and Barrel(?). I would rent a car for the day at least, depending on where you are staying. Just to visit, no car needed, but hauling stuff....</p>
<p>Thanks for the help, bandit. We're definitely taking a car.. I'm coming from Asia so it's a necessity for sure! My mom's coming with me and we looooove shopping. We'd never manage without a bigass trunk to haul our stuff around lol :)</p>
<p>Another reason to attend is that move-in day is the only day of the year on which to actually get to "park your car in Harvard Yard."</p>
<p>They stage the move-in parents' cars in a big lot over in Allston and then caravan them over to the Yard for the unloading.</p>
<p>That's not true...you can also drive in on move-out day! Madness.</p>
<p>I'll be doing shopping around the Boston area without a car! (eek) But I hope to ship most of the important stuff...</p>
<p>so, should my parents rent a car. we were actually planning to fly to boston...</p>
<p>wait...is move-in on friday or saturday?</p>
<p>
I saved my parking passes from the move-in and move-out days as souvenirs, and to prove that I really did get to pahk my cah in Hahvid Yahd. Wicked cool!</p>
<p>Other reasons to attend:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>See where your child will be living for the year (and most likely the only time the room will ever be clean before move-out).</p></li>
<li><p>Meet your child's roommates (if they deign to talk to you).</p></li>
<li><p>Have a good cry when it's time to leave on Sunday (at least we did, it was our first to college, very therapeutic).</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Saturday is move in.</p>
<p>Here's a tentative schedule of the weekend that I got from the department administrator in the Freshman Dean's Office -</p>
<p>Saturday:</p>
<p>9am Shabbat Morning Services. Harvard Hillel, 52 Mt. Auburn St.</p>
<p>9am – 1:45pm Parents Association Welcome Reception. The Harvard College
Parents Association will offer coffee and refreshments for parents of freshmen and transfer students. Annenberg Hall.</p>
<p>9am – 5pm Freshman Dean’s Office will be open. 6 Prescott St., (617) 495-1574.</p>
<p>12:15pm Chabad at Harvard Shabbat Lunch. RSVP (617) 547-6124.
Chabad House, 38 Banks Street.</p>
<p>2pm Panel Discussion for Parents of Entering Students. “Transitions:
New Challenges and Opportunities for All.” Thomas A. Dingman, Dean
of Freshmen; Gianina Jean-Baptiste ’09; Stephen Barchick ’09; Dr. Margaret McKenna, college parent and psychiatrist. Memorial Hall, Sanders Theatre. (Students welcome).</p>
<p>3:15pm Serenade by The Harvard Band. Memorial Hall, Sanders Theatre.</p>
<p>4pm Faculty Presentation For Parents and Members Of The Class Of
2010 and new transfer students. “Making the Most of Your Precious Years at Harvard: Concrete Suggestions” with Richard Light, Professor of Education. Memorial Hall, Sanders Theatre. Overflow seating available in Science Center B.</p>
<p>Sunday:</p>
<p>9am – 10:30am Meeting with Harvard University Health Services for Parents of Freshmen and Transfer Students. Fong Auditorium, Boylston Hall.</p>
<p>9:30am Services at St. Paul Catholic Church, at the corner of Bow and Arrow Streets. Reception to follow at the Harvard Catholic Student Center, 20 Arrow St.</p>
<p>10am – 3pm Freshman Dean’s Office will be open. 6 Prescott St., (617) 495-1574.</p>
<p>11am Services at Memorial Church, Harvard Yard. A coffee hour and reception follow on the South Porch, Tercentenary Theatre.</p>
<p>11am – 2pm Harvard Hillel Bagel Brunch and Open House. 52 Mt. Auburn St.</p>
<p>Noon Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations Brunch. Lowell House Dining Hall.</p>
<p>2pm – 3pm Panel Discussion for Parents of Students Eligible for Advanced
Standing. Science Center B.</p>
<p>3:15pm Opening Exercises. Tercentenary Theatre. Welcoming remarks by
Professor Benedict H. Gross, Dean of Harvard College. Sonia Mirand-Lopez
’06, and Professor Diana L. Eck, Lowell House Master. Address by interim
President Derek C. Bok. Rain Location: Sanders Theater with simulcast in Science Center B.</p>