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Parent Orientation
Parents and guardians of entering students are strongly encouraged to attend one of the Parent Orientations this summer. Having a son or daughter beginning college is simultaneously exciting and stressful; and, due to its size, the University of Washington may seem complex and overwhelming. The staff of First Year Programs recognizes these issues and is here to help you. Parent Orientations are scheduled periodically throughout the summer to fit with your schedule, and the programs directly address the most important issues and concerns of parents.
Parent Orientation is designed to answer your administrative, academic, and transition questions. Whether your son or daughter is commuting to the UW or living on campus; whether home is 5 or 500 miles away, we will provide you with presentations and information to prepare you for the college experiences that you and your son or daughter are about to begin.
The orientation program has a conference style format. This relaxed setting allows you to get specific and accurate information about student services and campus resources. It additionally gives you the chance to meet other parents who are experiencing similar transitions with their families. Furthermore, the Parent Orientation will provide you with contacts, real people at the university, who can help if you have a question to ask, a concern to share, or maybe a compliment to give. The list of offices/presenters that are involved in Parent Orientation includes:
• Academic Advisers or Deans
• Career Center
• Counseling Center
• Current UW Students
• Health Services
• Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity
• Public Safety
• Residential and Greek Life
• Student Fiscal Services
• University Honors Program
When students register for an A&O session, they will be asked if they want to register family
members to attend a Parent Orientation. Parents who are registering separately or are making
registration changes must call FYP. If any registered guests have any special needs that require accommodation, we ask that you contact First Year Programs as soon as possible at (206) 543-4905 so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Reservations for Parent Orientations are filled in the order in which they arrive. We will begin mailing confirmations in late May. If you do not receive a confirmation letter by late May, call First Year Programs at (206) 543-4905.
Cancellations for Parent Orientation must be made 10 business days before your assigned date. If made before the two-week period, a full refund will be granted or you can change your Parent Orientation date to a more convenient time. However, if a cancellation is made within this period, there are no refunds.
Changes to an Orientation must be made 10 business days before your assigned date. If a change is made within two weeks of a session, there is a $20 change fee. Families who also miss their session may reschedule with a $20 change fee. There are no refunds for missed sessions.
Once you have received confirmation of your assigned Parent Orientation session, you may contact the First Year Programs office at (206) 543-4905 to make changes.
