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Move-Out Day: What's a Parent to Do?
Helpful answers from Assistant Dean of the College John Pfister
What are potential moving-out day pitfalls?
JOHN PFISTER: Whether students are moving into their dorms or out, it can be really tense for families, and occasionally issues erupt. My advice to parents is to table some of the issues and make it as nice a day as possible. Think of move-out day as a workday—just facilitate the move.
What if everything won't fit in the car and tensions are rising?
PFISTER: Take a deep breath and talk to a community director or an undergraduate advisor (UGA) on the floor. They can help resolve problems.
Is there any equipment parents can bring that will be helpful?
PFISTER: Many dorms already have dollies, but if parents want to bring a folding dolly of their own, that can be a big help on a hot day. And don't forget plenty of packing tape.
Is storage available at the College?
PFISTER: Yes. Areas called Controlled Storage are available in the dorms on a first-come/first-served basis. At $10 a box or an item, they're a good deal—but they fill up fast. Students should act quickly. By the time the first week of finals rolls around, they're already getting filled. Controlled Storage spaces open up the last week of classes. The sooner your student moves stuff to them, the better.
Do you have any advice about packing that I could give my student?
PFISTER: If they're going to send things home, get good, clean, sturdy cartons—not used produce boxes. And, again, start early. As the last day of class approaches, get into packing mode and pack one or two boxes quickly. Send those off before that last class. Your student will feel less cramped and he or she will avoid the crowds at the Hanover Post Office or Hanover Hardware (7 South Street, Hanover, 603-643-2308), which ships via UPS. They can also help your student box things up.
What do students typically leave behind?
PFISTER: TVs, refrigerators, winter clothing, futons, bicycles, school supplies—things that are big and bulky or that don't make any sense to take home. Also, things that are expendable.
How does Dartmouth handle all the waste at the end of the year?
PFISTER: At the end of each term and especially at the end of the academic year, we see a huge spike in the volume of trash being hauled away at Dartmouth. Fortunately, at the end of each term a student-run group called Sustainable Move-Out places drop bins in all the dorms and Greek houses for smaller unwanted items, and volunteer crews, with the help of Facilities, Operations and Management, will pick up larger items. Sustainable Move-Out then either resells the items to students in the fall and gives the proceeds to Upper Valley charities, or donates the items directly to charity. Either way, it's win-win. Especially for parents.
Whom can I contact with other questions?
PFISTER: The Office of Residential Life has lots of information on its website. I'm also a big fan of parents calling the Housing Office directly with questions (603-646-3093). The people at Housing are some of the nicest you're going to meet on campus, and there is no question they can't answer. If you or your student have questions about Sustainable Move-Out, check out their website or e-mail Sustainable.Dartmouth@Dartmouth.edu
John Pfister is an assistant dean of the College and provides academic advising, support, and long-term planning to the residents of the East Wheelock Cluster Living-Learning Program. He is also a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and has taught at Dartmouth for almost twenty years.