STUDENT AFFAIRS

Move-In Day Parking Shuttles to Ryan Field

• Student volunteers will be stationed on shuttles to assist families and answer questions.

Wildcat Welcome/Parent and Family Check-in (Louis Room, Norris University Center)

• Students must check in for Wildcat Welcome, and family members can pick up a Parent & Family Orientation schedule book and chat with the Family Engagement staff.

University Open Houses (Locations Listed Below)

• New students and family members are invited to several different spaces to meet with university staff and learn more about the valuable services they offer.
  
  • Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service (Searle Hall, 633 Emerson Street) 
  • Office of the Ombudsperson (555 Clark Street, Suite 209) 
  • Block Museum (40 Arts Circle Drive)

• Families are invited to take a break from move-in and enjoy a free lunch provided by Dining Services. Locations include Allison Hall, Elder Hall, Foster-Walker Complex, and Sargent Hall. New students will use their meal plan and swipe their Wildcard. Families can drop in anytime between 11 am – 4 pm.

President’s Reception for Parents and Families (Cohen Lawn, Norris East Lawn)

• Attend the President’s Reception and enjoy a casual picnic dinner while you mingle with other parents/families. Come as you are! We understand you’ve been helping your student move in today; this is not a formal event.

Dean of Students Welcome and Panel Presentation (Cahn Auditorium)

• Meet Dean of Students Mona Dugo and many other staff members who will support your student during their time at Northwestern.

“A Year in the Life” Skits and Panel Presentation with Family Ambassadors (Cahn Auditorium)

• Family Ambassadors perform a series of vignettes to give parents & families a glimpse into the experiences they may have over the next year. Skits are followed by a student panel with time for Q&A from the audience.

March through the Arch (Weber Arch, Deering Meadow) – Livestreamed & Recorded

• Witness your student take their symbolic “first steps” onto campus as they enter through the Arch and into our campus community. The Northwestern University Marching Band will usher them to Deering Meadow for speeches by various Northwestern officials.
• The livestream and recording can be found here.
• March through the Arch will happen rain or shine. If unsafe weather (i.e., lightning) forces cancellation of the March, PAs will communicate with students about where to meet beginning at 10:00 a.m. for their first PA group meeting. At 10:30 am, families are invited to watch the livestream of the President & other speakers officially welcoming the new students to campus. The PFO schedule will continue as planned with school welcomes starting at 11:30 a.m.

Academic Welcome for Families (Locations Listed Below)

• Families will learn about their student’s respective school and hear from faculty and staff. Student staff will be available to walk family members from Deering Meadow to the Academic Welcomes.
  
  • Weinberg (Cahn Auditorium) 
  • Medill (MFC Forum) 
  • Bienen (Room 1-190, RCMA McClintock)
  • SoC (Louis Theater, southeast corner of the Wirtz Center) 
  • McCormick (Ryan Auditorium Tech)
  • SESP (2001 Sheridan Road, Room 1205)

Lunch on Own

• Norris University Center offers several dining options on the lower level.
• Dining is also available on Noyes Street and in downtown Evanston

Campus Tours (Leaves from “The Rock” near Harris Hall)

• Family Ambassadors will give a 1.5-hour walking tour of campus.
  • Tours leave every half hour: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm, 1 pm – 2:30 pm, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

International Student Panel (Harris Hall 107)

• Undergraduate families of international students are invited to join a conversation with current international students to learn about their experiences at Northwestern and ask questions. Staff from the Office of International Student & Scholar Services will also be available to answer questions and provide additional support and information.

Parent and Family Resource Fair (Louis Room, Norris)

• Learn about the resources and support services that Northwestern provides for your student throughout the year, and talk with the people who will help them along the way. Offices in attendance will include Student Organizations & Activities, the Global Learning office, Accessible NU, Academic Support & Learning Advancement, Northwestern Career Advancement, NU Medicine (Student Health Services), and many more.

“A Year in the Life” Skits and Panel Presentation with Family Ambassadors – Repeat of Tuesday evening performance (Harris Hall 107)

• Family Ambassadors perform a series of vignettes to give parents & families a glimpse into the experiences they may have over the next year. Skits are followed by a student panel with time for Q&A from the audience.

Summer Sounds (Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston)

• At Home in Evanston/Downtown Summer Sounds is a free outdoor concert for Northwestern's incoming class featuring a live global jam band (Funkadesi), food trucks, and tabling from local noon-profits in Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston. New students and families who are still in town are invited to attend!