Parent Overview, Schedules and Registration

As the name suggests, this portion of our website is designed to provide transitional resources to the parents of new entering Maryland students - it really is Just For Parents. We hope that you will find the information and links provided on these pages helpful as your family goes through the college transition together. Don't forget, should the need arise, our staff is just a click away. We are here to serve you and answer your questions.

The Orientation Staff Is Here To Help

Having a son or daughter beginning college or transferring from one school to another is simultaneously exciting and stressful; and, due to its size, navigating the University of Maryland may seem daunting.

The staff in the Orientation Office recognizes these issues and is here to help you! We have designed an orientation program and have gathered resources specifically for the parents of first-year and transfer students.

General Information for Parents

Parent Orientation is designed to answer your administrative, academic, and transition questions. Whether your son or daughter is commuting to Maryland 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 list of offices/presenters that are involved in Parent Orientation includes:

•  Academic Colleges,
•  Health Services,
•  Financial Aid and the Bursar,
•  Public Safety,
•  Parent and Family Affairs,
•  Dining Services,
•  Counseling Center,
•  Commuter Affairs and Off Campus Housing,
•  Resident Life,
•  Disabled Student Services
•  Office of Information Technology

The orientation program has a conference style format. This relaxed setting allows you not only to get specific and accurate information about campus services and resources, it gives you the chance to meet other parents who are experiencing similar transitions within their families. The program also provides 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 make.

Parent Program Schedules

Parent Orientation programs begin with check-in between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM. The programs conclude at approximately 3:00 PM.

Please note: Parents and students do not attend the same Orientation Program. Parents are encouraged to speak with their students prior to attending Orientation to discuss issues related to their transition.

• Please click here for program schedules

Registration and Fees for Parent Orientation

The best time to register for Parent Orientation is when your son or daughter is reserving a space in an orientation program. All registration for student and parent orientations is done over the phone at (301) 314-8217. The Orientation Office is open weekdays from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM and our staff will be happy to assist you with registration and answers to your questions.

Although attending the orientation program concurrently with your son or daughter is recommended, we understand that the orientation schedule might not permit you to do so. If this is the case, our staff will be happy to accommodate you on another available orientation date.

Please note that due to the nature and content of the Parent Orientation, we do not recommend bringing younger children.

How much does orientation cost and why is there a fee?

The $60 program fee for Parent Orientation covers all of the costs associated with the program including breakfast, lunch, staffing, materials, and logistics. The charge is a per person fee for all participants aged 18 and over. Orientations at the University of Maryland include a program fee because the budget for the Orientation Office is self-supporting, receiving no funding from either the university or the state. The fees associated with our program are charged directly to your son or daughter's student account. Please do not send payment to the Orientation Office.