Parent Events
Commencement and Presidential Reception
May 18
Because the University graduates several thousand students each spring, we do
not hold an all-campus graduation ceremony. Each college within the University
schedules its own commencement, giving students the opportunity to walk across
the stage individually, in the presence of their own faculty and college administrators.
Also, each college designates its own commencement speaker.
University President Robert Bruininks and his wife, Susan Hagstrum, invite graduates
and their families to a graduation reception at Eastcliff, the official residence
of University presidents.
The schedule for commencement and other information can be found at www1.umn.edu/twincities/commencement/.
Save the date!
Parents Weekend is scheduled for the weekend of October
3-4.
Annual Events for Parents
Parent
Orientation (summer)
Adjustment to college life or a new university can
be an exciting and a challenging experience
for both students and parents and we invite all parents of
incoming
students to participate in Parent Orientation. Attending Parent Orientation
is a great opportunity to become more familiar with the University. The
one-and-a-half-day program is designed to help answer questions
about University resources
and opportunities
and
find out what to expect the first year. Staff from several campus offices
and current students are available to answer questions. For
more information,
see www.ofyp.umn.edu.
Milwaukee/Madison Student Send-Offs (early
August)
These send-off picnics in Milwaukee and Madison are a great way to
gather freshmen
and their familes. It's
a chance to meet "experienced" parents and students and find
out answers to questions that have been accumulating over the summer.
Move-in Event (weekend before school starts)
After parents move their students into the residence hall on move-in day, they
can take a break and give their students some time to unpack, settle in, and
meet their roommates and neighbors. A reception for parents provides refreshments
and staff can answer last-minute questions.
Band Parents Day (fall)
Join other band parents to watch a halftime performance at a University of
Minnesota football game. For information, call the band office at 612-624-6873.
Parents Weekend (fall)
Each fall, parents are invited to campus for a weekend of activities and programs,
including a Big 10 football game.
A few weeks after classes start in the fall, parents are invited to campus to
experience some of the educational opportunities, activities, and pageantry of
the University. Activities include special workshops for parents, a chance to
visit the University's galleries and museums, and the simple pleasure of a fall
day on campus with your student.
Parents Weekend 2006
Family members and students gathered for the Chili Fest at Riverbend Commons
on Saturday, September 30, 2006. It was one of many activities scheduled for
the weekend, including a Gopher football game.
GradFest (spring)
GradFest is the U of M's official "one-stop" source for graduation
information, services and products, and has promised "no hassle for a
tassel" to U of M graduates. GradFest is a great way for students to save
time and money while beginning to prepare for commencement and life after college.
Parents are invited to attend GradFest and help their students take care
of graduation planning needs while exploring dozens of graduation-related
exhibits where students can:
Pick up a cap & gown
Order graduation announcements
Select a college ring
Have a commencement portrait taken
Take care of financial aid exit interview
Save on diploma frames
Join the Alumni Association
Have their resume evaluated
Talk with local recruiters
And much, much more
For more information, see www.bookstores.umn.edu/grad/gradfest.html.
Classes Without Quizzes (April)
The College of Food, Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences invites parents
to attend Classes Without Quizzes. Held annually on the first Saturday in April,
this uniquely diverse forum gives parents a chance to talk with faculty researchers
and experts while learning about the science that affects all of us. The half-day
program will include topics ranging from identifying key plants for your landscape
and caring for trees to consumer trends in the grocery store and economic issues
in solving the global warming dilemma. Check out
the latest happenings at the University of Minnesota! Register early because
space is limited.
For more information, visit the Classes
Without Quizzes Web site.
Workshops
From time to time programs and
workshops are offered about topics of current interest
(e.g., off-campus housing).
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