What excites you most about starting the school year?

What things are you the most nervous or concerned about as you start the new school year?

Are there support resources that you anticipate needing this semester?

What organizations or clubs are you interested in joining?

New student move-in day, and the start of Orientation, is Thursday, August 22. Students may start moving in to their residence halls starting at 11:00 a.m. They will receive more details via their UP email account.

Move-in day is one of the most exciting days on campus for students, and possibly one of the most emotional ones for parents, so we plan on keeping you busy:

Stop by the the Pilot Family Hospitality tent by the Bookstore between 10:00 – 4:00 p.m., Thursday only, for snacks and cool UP swag; grab some props for a quick picture at our photo wall, and take a moment or two for our letter-writing activity. We’ll have tissues to share, as well; we’ve got your back!

Plan on attending the Parent Social on the 22nd after the residence hall parent meetings. We’ll be on the Bluff Lawn starting at 7:00 p.m. for some great appetizers and desserts. Chat with amazing fellow Pilot parents, faculty and staff, and take in the most incredible view on campus! This is a casual, come-as-you-are event for you to celebrate a successful move-in day! New students will have their own special activities going on at the same time.

Plan on staying for Orientation 2024 on Friday and Saturday to learn about important university services and resources along with several sessions just for parents/supporters.

Reminders: If you are shipping belongings to campus, remember you must pick them up at the Mail Center in Tyson Hall. Check this campus map to see if you can walk there from your student’s residence hall, or if you will need your car. The Mail Center has a limited number of hand carts to borrow if you don’t have a car.

The main floor lounge in Dundon-Berchtold Hall (the building directly across from the Bookstore) will be open on Thursday for students to get their Student ID card, and to drop off required paperwork for students hoping to get a campus job.

See you later this week!

If your student is considering studying abroad, we wanted to share a few steps that you and your student can take.

·   Passports – If your student is considering studying abroad, you can support them with applying for a passport if they don’t already have one. If your student has a current passport, have them check the expiration date to make sure it will be valid long enough and they don’t need to renew it.

·    Student Experience Abroad – If you haven’t already, you and your student can follow us @UPStudyAbroad on Instagram to hear from UP students abroad (Check out the saved highlights on our profile to see “takeovers” from UP students abroad in various parts of the world!).

·    Research Options – You and your student can learn more about study abroad at UP here.

·     Student Advising – If your student has questions and would like to talk with a staff member in the study abroad office, they are welcome to schedule a meeting with us

·   Attend Sessions – Parents can sign up to join our Study Abroad Webinar on Wednesday, September 25 at noon via Zoom. We will have opportunities for families to learn more about study abroad at UP, get questions answered, and hear about next steps! Encourage your student to keep an eye on our social media @UPStudyAbroad for updates, events, and other opportunities in Fall semester on campus.