Parents and college orientation

[Senusret I]

Ten years ago at my alma mater, New Student Orientation was everything from move-in to the first day of classes. From what I remember, we moved in on one day, the next day was freshman convocation, followed by a cookout. Parents were encouraged to leave after the cookout. Then we got into our academic advising groups. There were other activities, like opening day at the cafe, parties, etc. (G rated parties thrown by the school)

Registration had started online over the summer. If you weren't finished, you'd go to "Completion" which only took me ten minutes with no waiting.

I don't remember heavy parent involvement during New Student Orientation. I know that NSO has changed at my school since then and is more summer camp-y in feeling, so parents are probably even less welcome.

[PANTHERTEKE]

At my school some parents come to the orientation, some don't. Those that do choose to attend orientation have their own orientation-of-sorts for parents when their kids are taken off to tour the school, attend presentations, register for classes, and etc. Then everyone eats lunch at the same time and the parents and new students go off on their own thing again.

But its not a mandatory thing to bring parents, most of the students that bring their parents are out-of-state or people from different parts of the state.

[Munchkin03]

Our orientation was from move-in to first day of classes. We registered before orientation, and during O-week, we met our advisors and advising groups. After new student move-in, parents weren't exactly welcome--in fact, the orientation handbook recommended that parents go home after move-in was completed. Before, however, parents were more than welcome, and several campus groups had special receptions for the parents as well.

This could be a small private vs. large public school difference too.