Family & Student Supporter Orientation

Summer 2024 Family & Student Supporter Orientation registration will open this Spring

Arriving for Orientation:

Student and parent posing for a picture at Orientation
Check-In

Check-In for Orientation will take place from 8 - 9:30 a.m. on the ground floor of CMU; parking will be in the East River Road Garage.

Directions

Whether you are driving to campus or arriving via public transit, we have resources to help you find your way to the U of M campus.

Parking
Sign for the entrance to the East River Road Parking Garage

Reduced-rate parking is available in the East River Road Garage, located at 385 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455. When you enter the parking garage, take your ticket and keep it with you. Then, bring your ticket with you to the Orientation Information Booth to receive your reduced rate.

Please note: Families and student supporters are not able to participate in the advising or registration session with their student. It is important that students register for classes on their own with the guidance of their academic advisor and begin making their own decisions about their academic future.

What to bring

When you check in to Orientation you will receive some program materials. We also recommend you bring:

  • Your driver's license or government issued ID
  • Credit or debit card for parking
  • Notebook and pen or pencil
  • Comfortable clothing and shoes

Register for Family & Student Supporter Orientation

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Schedule

Family & Student Supporters of the Class of 2028 (Freshmen)

Please Note: Family & student supporters should sign up for an Orientation session that matches their student's date. Registration closes three business days prior to each Orientation session. On-site registration is not available.

Students are not the only ones who will be busy during their two-day Orientation. Families & student supporters will also have experiences both with their students and on their own. Topics include housing and dining, academic success resources, financial aid, student services, campus tours, and everything else to help make both you and your student comfortable as they start this exciting new journey. 

  • Around 5:30 p.m. at the end of the first day, families and students will say goodbye for the evening as students have dinner together along with evening and overnight activities. 
  • Families will be back in the morning on day two for additional experiences such as meeting with advisors from various colleges for question and answer sessions, a coffee chat with representatives from the Office for Student Affairs, and learning about fraternity and sorority life.

Please note: Family & student supporters are not able to participate in the advising or registration session with their student. It is important that students register for classes on their own with the guidance of their academic advisor and begin making their own decisions about their academic future.

Freshman Family & Student Supporters Schedule-at-a-Glance

Family & Student Supporters of Transfer Students

The Transfer Family & Student Supporter Orientation schedule is a one-day program that focuses on the sessions that are most pertinent to transfer students.

Transfer Family & Student Supporters Schedule-at-a-Glance

Cost

The Family & Student Supporter Orientation Program costs $45 per registrant. Lunch on Day 1 and program materials are provided.

The registration fee is non-refundable but can be transferred to a different date or another registrant. If you need to make changes after registering, please contact [email protected].

Arriving to Orientation

Check-In for Orientation will take place from 8 - 9:30 a.m. on the ground floor of CMU; parking will be in the East River Road Garage.

Directions

Whether you are driving to campus or arriving via public transit, you can find your way to Orientation using the information at z.umn.edu/orientationdirections.

Parking

Reduced-rate parking is available in the East River Road Garage, located at 385 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455. When you enter the parking garage, take your ticket and keep it with you. Then, bring your ticket with you to the Orientation Information Booth to receive your reduced rate.

Student Luggage

Students will drop off their overnight bag on the south side of Coffman Union. Please do not pack your ID as you will need it during check-in. Student luggage will be transported by Orientation staff to Comstock Hall, where it will be stored until they are scheduled to pick it up in the early evening. Once your student's overnight bag is checked, head to Coffman Union’s ground floor for Orientation Check-In.

What to Bring

When you check in to Orientation you will receive some program materials. We also recommend you bring:

  • Your driver's license or government issued ID
  • Credit or debit card for parking
  • Notebook and pen or pencil
  • Comfortable clothing and shoes
  • Umbrella in case of rain
  • Light sweater or jacket for air-conditioned rooms

Overnight Accommodations

Lodging is not provided for Family & Student Supporters Orientation. Learn more about overnight accommodations available for Family and student supporters.

Freshman students attending Orientation in June & July will stay on-campus overnight as a required part of their Orientation experience. Lodging is provided at the end of Day 1 and is automatically reserved for your student; you will not need to make these arrangements.

On-campus lodging is NOT provided for students as part of the Orientation programs in August. However, limited on-campus housing is available on campus at the cost of $38 (including tax) per night. You can register online at z.umn.edu/OrientationHousing

Transfer Student Orientation is a one-day program and housing is not provided.

Learn more about what Students Need to Know prior to attending their Orientation.

Our Orientation staff is readily available to assist you with your Orientation experience and/or questions about the University. Feel free to contact us using the chat feature below, via email at [email protected], or call 612-624-1979.