I think this is the worst advice (Shot Gun in Car) I have seen on this forum. I just graduated from college, and know for a fact that at my school (small liberal arts in New England) a shotgun on campus would have resulted in expulsion. No dean's meetings, no suspensions,—flat out summary dismissal. If they say No Guns, chances are they mean NO GUNS. After Columbine this is a very sensitive topic, and people take it seriously at schools: high schools and colleges. No Guns, means no guns.'Nuff said.

You're definitely running a risk. It's up to each person to decide if the risk is worth it. And it's not like the advice was to carry concealed, or keep a pistol under your pillow.

Admittedly, keepin a shotgun in the trunk is unusual. But based on my 8 years in the system, it's also (a) not the most unusual weapon I've seen on campus and (b) unlikely to be discovered. My car was simply never searched. Never. Granted, post 9/11, this could change, but really... how often do the campus cops stop you and demand to see in the trunk?

Whether or not it's legal in the community is also a different subject. If you're going to do this, make sure the gun is at least stored and transported according to all applicable laws.

Knowledge is a good thing....look into when the college is holding events. Mine use to have Fine Arts night...it was when a guest performer would show his work or perform. These events usually had a 'reception' that was open to the public (students too). They usually had free food and drink.

Also get to know the people who run the campus 'snack shack'. When they close at night, they have to throw out all the food that didn't get sold...Just before they did that they would usually ask anyone within earshot if they would like...some slices of pizza, fries...etc.

Someone on the forum said that you should get to know the people in whatever department you would be studying in...get to know the secretaries too.....they can be the most valuable people to know...I had many times when the "boss" said no but somehow it 'magically' happened. All because I was known by the secretary and didn't treat them like garbage (like some students did). Remember to treat the maintenence staff with respect too....I managed a few things only because I knew the staff and wasn't disrespectful.

This is probably the best long term advice in this entire thread.

It's easy to dismiss these people, especially when you're young. But they run the place. And they can make a huge difference in your academic career. (I owe my M.S. to a certain dept. secretary through an odd set of circumstances that were entirely my fault and involved a couple of arbitrary but completely inflexible deadlines. She saved me.)

Don't suck up. They can smell it. Just be nice, treat 'em like people. Because, you know, they are. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

RE Getting to know the secretaries and the maintenance people.

Folks, that's not a college hint - that is a HINT FOR LIFE. They can either make your day more pleasant, or make your life a horror. Treat them well, get to know them by name, talk to them when you DON'T need somethink - aka treat them like PEOPLE. You'll be thankful you did

When I used to go into the field for business - I always made sure I stopped for a box of doughnuts or a dozen bagels (hey, this IS NYC) and put them out on the table for the "crew". To this day, I can walk into most of the field sites I used to go to, and be welcome with open arms (10+ years later)

BTW if you want the REAL dirt on what's going on, ask those same secretaries and maintenance people - remember, the maintenance folks go everywhere, and see everything

I would add:
multi-tool
flashlight/lantern w/extra batteries
battery/hand-cranked/solar radio
bike tire tubes/repair kit
matches
duct tape
wire
5 min. epoxy
paracord
snacks
1 cs. bottled water


Pete

I'm at college now started yesterday. Make sure to preview your room. I have 3 room mates and not much room.( kind of like my maxpedition fat boy). I did not fallow the list provided by the school. I figuired if I did not think of it or am not willing to go get while 'm hear it is not that important. Btw the shelves at target are almost bare.

"Make sure to preview your room."

Definitely!! Whether or not it is your first time at the school, ask other students about the housing, specifically for any environmental problems they are aware of. My second year at tech school I was assigned a ground floor room in a dorm that was known to flood up to 6" in the rooms on the ground floor. All the other dorms were completely full, so I immediately went and got on the standby list for the better dorms in case anything came available. It turned out they had assigned a handicapped student to the third floor in a dorm without elevators. On the third day we swapped. Problem solved!

Oh! And file everything official they give you or have you sign. Later, when you have a problem and they have 'lost' your records, you'll be able to prove things and cover your butt! Enjoy!!

That's a GREAT point -- as one professor at my college used to say, "If you don't get it in triplicate, it'll just get lost."

Boy, was he right.