FAQ

How can I get into Christian Hall?

Easily our most popular question: we have tried to answer all the questions about Christian Hall in one place. See the Christian Hall Reservation Policy.

I'd like to see all the alumni from my favorite club or major invited to Alumni Weekend as an affinity group. How can I make that happen?

The Alumni Relations Office can help you with that. For detailed information about affinity group reunions, see the Frequently Asked Questions: Affinity Groups document.

I want to hang out outside on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Can I bring a tent or lawn chairs and set up camp in front of a dorm?

Absolutely! We know that many alumni like to hang out and reconnect with friends, and we encourage alumni to bring tents, lawn chairs, tables, and anything else they need to be comfortable during the weekend. Since furniture cannot be removed from the dorms, we recommend that alumni bring lawn chairs and beach towels if they want to hang out near the dorm.

Who is the caterer for Alumni Weekend?

All events held on campus are catered by Parkhurst Food Service, which also manages Torvian Dining Hall.

What is the dress code for the Saturday dinner/dance?

There never really has been a strict dress code for the dinner/dance. Historically, alumni have tended to dress up: suit or sport coat/slacks with tie for men; skirt, dress, or nice pantsuit for women. However, for those who prefer something less formal, business casual attire is certainly appropriate: slacks/sport coat with or without a tie for men; and casual dress/skirt or slacks for women.

What determines if the dinner/dance is held at JFK or Stokes?

The number of alumni attending the dinner determines where it is held, though we work hard to keep the dinner and dance in JFK, which is air-conditioned. When are numbers are high, we offer the option of patio seating, and many alumni opt to eat on the patio rather than inside the lounge. Whenever the dinner is held at Stokes, we receive numerous complaints from alumni about the heat, so we make all efforts to keep the dinner at JFK, and alumni seem to appreciate the decision.

When the dinner is at JFK, why is the dance held downstairs at Frankies?

We strive to keep the dinner and awards program at JFK because the lounge is an attractive, air-conditioned setting for the event. However, with the lounge set-up for dinner, there really is no place for dancing upstairs. Therefore, we opt to use the existing dance floor and light set up at Frankies in the lower level of JFK, along with a self-service bar in the tent adjacent to Frankies.

How come you do not offer an open bar or cash bar at the Saturday dinner?

In keeping with its budget for the weekend, the Alumni Association is able to offer a complimentary open bar during the cocktail reception, wine service during dinner, and a self-serve beer and wine hospitality bar after dinner. Currently the Association does not have a license to sell liquor, so a cash bar would present a problem.

How come you don't provide portable fans to those staying in unconditioned dorms?

If we had them, we'd happily let you use them. However, neither the Alumni Association nor the Office of Alumni Relations can afford to purchase and store fans for 300 rooms. We always encourage attendees to bring fans for the dorm room, as it can get hot in July.

I heard that one of the fraternities sponsors a pig roast on Saturday evening in Loretto. How come there are events competing with the dinner/dance?

The Alumni Association does not schedule any official Alumni Weekend events at the same time as the Alumni Memorial Mass, Cocktail Reception, and Dinner/Dance on Saturday evening. However, there are times when various affinity groups may elect to host their own activities off-campus at the same time.

Our class would like to have its own lunch on Saturday? Is that possible?

It is not logistically possible for our Food Service to cater more than two events during lunch on Saturday. Right now, they handle our Celebration Lunch for our 50th anniversary attendees and the golfers' lunch at Immergrun. The Office of Alumni Relations would be happy to provide classes that would like to go off-site for a special lunch with information about local restaurants with group facilities.

I haven't stayed in a dorm in a LONG time.  What should I bring?

We recommend that you bring the following:

All dorm rooms are supplied with the following:

• Pillows
• Sheets
• Blankets
• Small bath towels

In addition to the above items, Christian Hall rooms also include the following:

• Small bar of soap
• Shampoo
• Private bathroom
• Central air-conditioning

You also may want to bring these items:

• Bathroom Cup
• Alarm Clock
• Wash cloth
• Large bath towel
• Toiletries
• Shower shoes or slippers
• Lawn chairs (if you want to sit outside the dorm)
• Snacks (if you get hungry late at night or in-between meals)
• Bathrobe (If you are not staying in Christian Hall, your bathroom will be down the hall.)
• A fan for your room (if you are not staying in Christian Hall)
• Yearbooks or photo albums
• Camera