When will I be able to move into my permanent housing?
You will be able to move into your permanent dorm room on the evening of Sunday, August 26th, but you will not be able to bring a vehicle into the Yard until Monday, August 27th. Fall Clean-Up participants move into their temporary housing August 20th and August 21st, before work begins, and reside there until work ends on August 26th.

What is the weather in Boston like?
Boston weather is unpredictable. Usually the temperature is pretty nice in late August, ranging from 70 to 90 degrees (21 to 32 degrees Celsius) in the daytime, cooler in the evening. We recommend that you bring warm weather clothing and a light sweater or jacket, just in case. A raincoat or an umbrella is helpful as it rains here, too. Also, it can get chilly at night so make sure to bring a blanket or a sleeping bag.

Why can’t I bring all of my belongings with me?
There is no room for them. In addition, you may well have to lug them up five flights of stairs when you arrive, then lug them back down those stairs and into temporary storage, which is limited, and which will be in another building, on Wednesday morning, and then move it into your permanent room on Wednesday evening. On the other hand, if you absolutely must bring your belongings, there are a few local storage services you might be able to use. Here is one student’s experience:
“For FCU 2010, my father and I drove all the way from Texas with all my college gear. However, we had never been to the Northeast and had not visited the Harvard University area so we clearly had no plan in terms of storage. The folks at Dorm Crew helped us find a temporary storage company nearby. We ended up using Extra Space Storage (http://www.extraspace.com/), a self-storage facility located in Somerville, less than a mile away from campus. Because of their space availability and summer specials, I only ended up paying $10 for a month of storage. They had great facilities and exceptional customer service, so moving into my freshman dorm was easy. I had an extra 2 weeks of storage and I had extra time to wait until I was ready. Because of the nearby location, it didn’t cost very much to take a taxi from the storage facility back to campus. Coming to Fall Clean Up from far away with all the college gear is a completely possible feat, especially since so many self-storage facilities exist near the Harvard area.”
-Lenica Morales-Valenzuela ’14; FCU 2010

How can I get in touch with my family and friends during Fall Clean-Up?
There are computer kiosks from which you can check your email, and pay phones in various Harvard locations that will be available to you. Your room will also come equipped with a phone that can take calls and make local calls. In the case of an emergency, your family can leave a message for you through the Dorm Crew Office by calling (617) 495-5569.

What happens if I do not want to participate in the Meal Plan?
You are not obligated to participate in the meal plan; in fact, many do not. It is simply an option available to you. There are plenty of places to eat in Harvard Square. We will give you a list of local restaurants at registration, many of which may be cheaper than individual meals on the meal plan.

But I can sign up for the Meal Plan and still not get charged, as long as I don’t use it, right?
Absolutely. You will not be charged for a day when you do not swipe your card at the dining hall.

Should I sign up for the Meal Plan?
It’s up to you. The majority of upperclassmen decline the FCU meal plan and choose to buy their own food instead; there are lots of eateries in Harvard Square, a Broadway Market right nearby, and a Star Market in Porter Square. Your own eating preferences will determine the best deal for you.

Where will I live?
Almost all FCU freshmen will be housed in Canaday Hall. A small number of freshmen might also be housed in Hollis Hall and/or Stoughton Hall.

Where will I be working?
We don’t have that information yet, and won’t have it until the night before FCU begins.

I can’t come within the 8am to 6pm window on Thursday or Friday, August 18–19. What should I do?
If you will be arriving on campus after 6pm on either of these days, email us and let us know when you will be arriving. We will be waiting in the Dorm Crew Office, in Weld Basement, to give you your room key and welcome you to Harvard. Carry our phone number in case your flight is delayed so you can call us if it means you will arrive late at night—we will meet you no matter when you arrive if you let us know beforehand. However, you must be here, ready to work, by 8 AM on the morning of Saturday, August 20.

How and when do I get paid?
The current pay rate is $12.00/hour. Your paycheck should be mailed to you on Friday, September 3th, at your campus address, provided that you have filled out the necessary paperwork correctly and on time.

I live nearby. May I live at home and commute to work?
Yes, but we recommend that you come and live on campus with the rest of your classmates. Fall Clean-Up is a wonderful time to meet friends, and the friendships made at this time are often among the strongest forged during the first weeks (and even months) of school. You won’t become as well acquainted with other freshmen, or with the campus, if you’re not living here, enjoying the evening social events, and taking advantage of all that Fall Clean-Up offers.

I’m an international student and I’m going to participate in FIP. How does this affect my participation in Fall Clean-Up?
If you’re doing both FCU and the full daytime programs FIP, you will work Fall Clean-Up on Wednesday and Thursday (August 22–23), and you will not be able to work Fall Clean-Up Friday, Saturday, or Sunday (August 24–26), when you’ll be with FIP. You will be housed all week as part of the FCU group. Please note that this is open only to members of the class of 2016 and transfer students except by invitation.

What will I need to pick up my Harvard ID?
You will need a photo ID issued by a government authority in order to pick up your permanent ID from Harvard.

Can I park on campus?
You will need to obtain a parking permit from Harvard in order to use Harvard’s parking garage. More information is available here. Note that the parking garage is not close to the Yard where registration and FCU housing is located.

I have another question. Who can answer it for me?
We can! Call us at (617) 495-5569 or email us at dorm_crew2@harvard.edu.