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Parent & Family Orientation 2023

Welcome to the Wildcat Family!

Even if you went to college, Northwestern is a unique place, and we feel strongly that parents and families need orientation too! Parent and Family Orientation (PFO) is designed to introduce you to the people and resources available to help support you and your student during their time at Northwestern. PFO is for the parents and families of both 2023 Transfer Students and the Class of 2027. Orientation leaders, called Family Ambassadors, will guide you through the program, answer your questions and give you some insight into student life on campus.

Recordings of select 2023 Parent and Family Orientation Events

President's Welcome for Parents and Families

March Through the Arch

Dean of Students Welcome & Panel Presentation

 

Schedule for Monday, September 11
TIME EVENT INFORMATION
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Move-In Day
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Wildcat Welcome/Parent and Family Check-in (Assigned Wildcat Welcome Center)
8:30 am – 10:00 pm

Move-In Day Parking Shuttles to Ryan Field

  • Shuttle Stops: Arts Circle (South Garage), Weber Arch, Jacobs Center, Tech, Patten Gym, North Garage & Ryan Football Field.
  • Shuttles will pick up on the East side of Sheridan Rd. and head North.
  • University staff will ride on shuttles to assist families and answer questions.
11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Complimentary lunch for parents and families (See map for all four Dining Hall locations)

  • Families are invited to take a break from move-in and enjoy a free lunch in the dining halls provided by Dining Services. New students will use their meal plan and swipe their Wildcard. Families can drop in anytime between 11 am – 4 pm.
4:00  – 5:00 pm

President’s Welcome for Parents & Families (Ryan Fieldhouse and Wilson Field) - Recorded

  • The Northwestern University President addresses the parents and family members of new students and sets the tone for the upcoming school year and the undergraduate experience.
  • Student staff will be available at each Wildcat Welcome Center to walk family members to the President’s Welcome.
5:30  – 6:30 pm

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 to the President’s Reception following the welcomes.
    • Weinberg (Cahn)
    • Medill (MFC Forum)
    • Bienen (RCMA McClintock)
    • SoC (Louis Theater, southeast corner of the Wirtz Center)
    • McCormick (Ryan Auditorium Tech)
    • SESP (ANN G02)
6:30  – 8:00 pm

President’s Reception for Parents and Families (Norris University Center 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.
8:00  – 9:30 pm

“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 students may have over the next year. Skits are followed by a student panel with time for Q&A from the audience.
Schedule for Tuesday, September 12
TIME EVENT INFORMATION
10:00 – 11:15 am

March through the Arch & Kiss n’ Bye (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 a pep rally and speeches by various Northwestern and community officials. This event culminates in Kiss ‘n’ Bye, the final opportunity to bid farewell to your student before they begin orientation programming, and you proceed to your next event.
Lunchtime

Tuesday Lunch

11:30 am – 3:00 pm

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

  • Family Ambassadors are available to give a 1.5-hour walking tour of campus. Tours leave every half hour from “The Rock”:
    • 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
    • 12:00 – 1:30 pm
    • 12:30 - 2:00 pm
    • 1:00 – 2:30 pm
    • 1:30 – 3:00 pm
1:00 – 2:00 pm

Dean of Students Welcome and Panel Presentation (Cahn Auditorium) - Recorded

  • Hear from Dean of Students, Mona Dugo and many other University staff  who will support your student during their time at Northwestern.
2:00 – 4:00 pm

Parent and Family Resource Fair (Louis Room, Norris)

  • This event serves as a chance to learn about the resources and support services that Northwestern and Evanston provide for your student throughout the year, from religious life to health and safety to athletics.
2:30 – 3:30 pm 

Wellness in Community – Roundtables for Families of LGBTQ+ Students (Wildcat Room 101 A & B, Norris) 

  • Join a conversation with staff members from various departments that provide direct support and wellness programing for students in the LGBTQIA+ community. This is a great opportunity to connect over the challenges of the adjustment experience, learn about campus culture, and familiarize yourself with resources available to support students in their transition to campus. This session is available for families with students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Pansexual, Trans, Asexual, Intersex, Queer and Questioning. This session is also available for students of LGBTQ+ parents and caregivers.
3:45 – 4:45 pm        

Wellness in Community – Roundtables for Families of Students of Color (Wildcat Room 101 A & B, Norris) 

  • Join a conversation with staff members from various departments that provide direct support and wellness programing for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students. This is a great opportunity to connect over the challenges of the adjustment experience, learn about campus culture, and familiarize yourself with resources available to support students in their transition to campus. This session is available for families with students who identify as African American, Black, Asian, Asian American, Desi, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, American Indian, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, and Multiracial, Multiethnic, Bi-racial and Mixed students.
3:30 – 5:00 pm

“A Year in the Life” Skits and Panel Presentation with Family Ambassadors – Repeat of Monday evening performance (McCormick Auditorium, Norris)

  • This is a repeat of the Monday evening performance just case you were too tired to attend on move-in day.
  • 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.