Parent Events



Annual Events for Parents

Classes Without Quizzes (spring)

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.

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.


Commencement and Presidential Reception
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/.

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 (late summer)
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.