Family Orientation

9am – 5pm Family Welcome Lounge & Wish Wall 
Location: Community Commons Gallery (across from Starbucks) 

Parents, families, and support systems are invited to drop by the Welcome Lounge for Campus tours, and to write a note to their student on the “Wish Wall.” 

1pm-2pm Student Disability Services (SDS) Family Information Session 
Location: Community Commons Room 1600 

Students & Families will have the opportunity to connect with and learn about Student Disability Services on campus. 

1pm – 2pm FIRST@DU: Learn about the First-Generation Experience at DU 
Location: Community Commons Room 2600 

This session targets first-generation family members and give them the inside scoop of what they might expect for the academic year, communication from FIRST@DU, and how to navigate the rest of the day. The sessions also helps first-gen families build confidence of the resources their student will receive while at DU. 

2pm-4:30pm Family Orientation Sessions  
Location: Community Commons Room 1700 

The transition to The University of Denver is exciting, challenging, and often faster paced than families expect. At DU, the 10-week quarter system moves quickly, requiring students to develop strong time management, problem-solving, and self-advocacy skills from the start. This session will help families understand the unique pace of the quarter system and explore a coaching approach that supports student growth without stepping in to solve every problem. Learn practical ways to encourage independence, build resilience, and remain a trusted source of support throughout your student's college journey. 

It’s normal to worry about your student during this large transition, but it can be difficult to know when and how to check in on your student’s well-being. In this session, our Health & Well-being Promotion team will help you understand which behaviors are “typical” for college students, and which may warrant some concern. Half of this session will focus on conversations around mental health, including what levels of stress and struggle are common, how to navigate potential changes to your relationship, and when to seek higher levels of support. The other half will discuss how alcohol and other substance use can impact personal and academic well-being and how you can support your student’s safety through a harm reduction approach. 

As your student begins their college journey, your role in their life evolves in meaningful ways. This session provides an overview of the Student Rights & Responsibilities (SRR) process, including what information can and cannot be shared consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Honor Code, and University policies. You will also learn about the Support Person role, your student’s rights within the SRR process, and strategies for balancing support with independence. Whether or not you serve as your student’s designated Support Person, you will leave with a better understanding of the SRR process and ways to remain engaged as part of your student’s support system. 

2:30pm-4:30pm Family Resource Fair 
Location: Community Commons Canyon (1st Floor)