2C - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - September 3, 1996 PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES Before books and exams, students pass moving hurdle By Stephanie Jo Klein Daily Staff Reporter The SATs may be over, but incoming first-year students still have one test to pass before they can set foot on campus. They have to get here. More challenging than any college essay, first-year students around the country are expected to pack all their earthly belongings into small boxes, suit- cases and duffel bags and instinctively know how to get themselves and their stuff to school. For many University students, driving is the easiest and cheapest option, as the only expenses are gasoline and food stops. Natalie Waldinger, an Engineering junior, said that after flying to school her first year from her home in New York state, she found driving much easier. "It's a lot cheaper," Waldinger said. "When you fly, you have to ship every- thing, in addition to paying for the air fare.' Waldinger said she rode with a friend and her friend's mother, and despite being jammed in between all the luggage in the back seat during the 10-hour drive from New York, it was not a bad trip. "As long as you have somebody else to drive, you can sleep the whole way," she said. Not all students have perfect rides, however. Students driving from farther out-of-state locations may encounter problems in finding the best route and cheapest lodging for the long journey. Although the University sends basic directions with orientation materials, the American Automobile Association provides members with free regional maps pointing out the most direct routes. Bill Semion, spokesperson for AAA of Michigan, said if travelers call ahead, they can get personalized maps and books. Semion said AAA memberships, which cost about $30 a year, also guarantee dis- count rates across the country, which can be helpful on a cross-country trek. "You can save quite a bit of money - you can get discount tickets and hotel rates." The University's web pages also pro- vide ample information, with travel agency phone numbers on the gopher and other informational web pages. One such page was started by Lara Friedman, a former University graduate student in the School of Information and Library Studies. She and other students set up the Internet Travel Guide, which provides information geared towards budget-conscious students. The guide can be found at http://wwwlib.umich.edu/chdocs/trav- el/travel-guide.html. It has links to web- sites from many travel organizations nationwide and points out special dis- counts for students, Friedman said. Once the long drive is over, traffic and parking could still keep some drivers at an impasse, said University Housing Assistant Amy Gibbs. "Obviously, the traffic is horrendous," Gibbs said. Gibbs recommended students pay close attention to their scheduled move- in dates. First-year students are sched- uled to enter residence halls Aug. 27-28, while upperclassmen can enter the build- ings after the 29th. Since University-provided temporary parking permits mailed to dorm resi- dents before move-in are only good for one hour, Gibbs suggested teamwork to keep congestion to a minimum. Sending students to wait in line for FILE PHOTO Scott Turbow, now an LSA sophomore, moves into his South Quad dorm room last fall with the help of his father Melvin. Moving to Ann Arbor and then settling in to housing arrangements can cause headaches for students. 40 room keys while parents park is a good way to save time, Gibbs said. Jeff Sawka, an Engineering sopho- more, said he got an early start during move-in, leaving his Troy home at 8 a.m. With the help of his parents and sister, who was also a University student, Sawka said he was able to settle into his room, despite the long lines at the dorms. "It was mass chaos," he said. "I was expecting a nice, easy transition." Sawka said it was hard work, but by dinner time, his loft was built and his TV was plugged in - he survived. For those who do not relish joining the convoy of cars with Michigan sweat- shirts piled to the ceilings, flying is the next best option. Sandy Strong, a travel consultant at Ann Arbor's Landmark Travel, said stu- dents who fly to school will benefit most if they plan ahead. Booking flights at least 21 days in advance will ensure the best fares and will increase the chances of available seating. In the face of high ticket prices, with a round- trip ticket from New York priced at $300 and a ticket to and from Chicago priced at $100, prior preparation is a must, Strong said. "Start early and keep someone picking them up at the airp* they have to take the Commuter shuttle, which often takes up to an hour. Jim Bricker, a dispatcher with Com- muter Transportation at Detroit Metro Airport, said "It was mass chaos. I was expecting a nice, easy transition." - Jeff Sawka Engineering sophomore a one-way ticket to Ann Arbor costs $15. During move-in, shuttles run every half hour from the airport, he said. Worse than the long journey, however, is A ting to campus tofiT all of your belongings locked in storage. Walter Adams. a supervisor for the United Parcel Service office in Ypsilanti, said that hap- pens if students ship too soon. Adams said that since 3 U custom t-shirts ink Inc. screen printing . embroidery . design 711 n. university ann arbor above moe sport shops 665.3200 Si- S N ETWORK with the university's best staff and world class law students at: LAWYERS CLUES DINING SERVICES . great meal benefits " super-flexible schedules * central location * catering opportunities! apply in person or call now at 764-1115 551 S. State St. where State St. meets Madison an eye on the sales. You can save up to 50 percent on a sale,' Strong said, adding that Detroit Metropolitan Airport is good for budget flights, including smaller com- panies like Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Because Northwest Airlines is Metro Airport's main carrier, Northwest flights have the most availability, Strong said. TWA also often has cheap fares that require changing planes in St. Louis, Mo. Waldinger, who flew to school her first year at the University, said students need to be aware that unless they have U ENES! the University will not allow package& be delivered to the dorms until the first or second day the buildings open, early packages cause problems. "We end up being a storage facility," he said. "Students come to campus and ask for their packages, but we can't give it to them yet because it's in a trailer with 5,000 other packages." However students choose to arrive, they should remember one thing more - they will have to do it all in reverse e next May. And after a year of college , leaving may be the hardest test of all. wiiii WE'VE GOT THE FIXINS!! Looking for carpeting, lofts, refrigerators, bean bags, futons, lamps, oversize pillows, stackable crates, and other GOOD STUFF for your room this fall? VISIT THE 3 Convenient Locations: The Central Site. Near South Quad & West Quad The Hill Site. Next to Markley Hall The North Site. Behind Bursley Hall f ARBOR VACUUM & SMALL, APPLIANCE CENTER Adel Bishar Vacuums BIG CHILL REFRIGERATOR RENTAL CO. Mark Mulder Refrigerators MARK DOUGLAS CARLSON Rugs, Carpet Remnants COLLEGE CARPET John Balardo New Carpets, Carpet Remnants, Rugs COLLEGE LOFT SYSTEMS Irma Carter Carpet Remnants, Lofts DBA- FAST FUN FURNITURE Michael Kirschman Bean Bags, Futons 1 1 I - DISCOUNT FURNITURE Michael Sutherland Furniture, Futons, Lamps, Clocks, Fans DTM CARPETS Dan Belen New Carpets ENGINEERED LOFTS Brandon Marriott Lofts TERESA ENIMIL Body Pillows, Pillows, Laundry Bags, Linen Products K-LOFT Randy Logan Lofts MAGIC CARPETS Dale Turken New Carpets MAGIC CARPETS, TOO Scott Turken New Carpets I I I _ __ ±_ __ _ _ __ _ . __ _ _ __ _ _ LOFT MASTERS SPACE SPEEDY LOFTS STACKING UP STRONG SALES UNIVERSITY ,......, --- .r. c,. '