The parking availability and locations will vary depending on the building. Most have a circle drive or two where families are encouraged to pull up and park. There’s usually is a time limit for how long a car can be parked there. So unloading should basically commence as soon as you kill the engine.
What is the check-in process like?
Checking in will be a solo act for your student. While you’re unloading the car onto the curb to be prepared to move things to the room, your students are directed inside to a parade of tables to receive access to their building and room and receive various materials and information for life in the building. Then your student will return with the means to get to the room and the real fun can begin.
Will there be people to help students move in?
There will be building management, graduate supervisors, resident assistants, and Welcome Week assistants all around helping the check-in and move-in process. We will be willing to do just about anything to help. However, we cannot physically help move your student’s possessions.
Can we move things inside the room when we get there?
As soon as students receive access to their room, anyone else with them is their guest and therefore their responsibility. You won’t be able to move things into the room until your student is there to take you there. We also discourage residents from ever loaning their key to others.
What should we do after?
Once your vehicle is unloaded, you will want to park elsewhere if you’re in a time-restricted unloading area. You may want to grab a campus map from the desk so that you can find high-volume parking such as the Jordan Garage and then find your way back on foot without getting lost. If you’re unloading in a race against the clock, it helps to just get everything from your vehicle to the room and then start unpacking after everything is unloaded.
Parting advice
I have two more helpful tips. Being prepared for the move will make things easier for everyone. Keep the student ID on their person instead of accidentally packed in a duffel bag buried somewhere in your SUV. Have items packed in boxes, bags and baskets instead of loosely packed. If you have your own cart or dolly, bring it if you have the space available in your car.
Finally, keep your cool. It is a stressful day for everyone. It is easy for emotions to run high when parents and guardians realize that they’re going to have to leave their baby behind once all of this hectic, move-in stuff is completed. Let’s not forget what Indiana’s hot and humid Augusts can do to a person’s temper.
The staff is dedicated to helping make this day as un-stressful as possible and are trained to pass off the irate problem parents to managers when necessary. Staff will often be juggling many people’s move-in needs at once. Who do you think they will want to help when they have to choose between the polite, respectful folks or ?Parent-zilla?
Also, if you let your frustrations really get the best of you, and IUPD officer is never too far away.
Ultimately, you help decide how well your student’s first day as an IU resident goes.
