Parent Family Weekend Schedule

Come check-in for the weekend to receive your printed schedule, promo items and wristbands, which will serve as your ticket to events (excluding the football can and Celebrating Gopher Families). Please make every effort to check in on Friday. Check-in will also be available during the Gopher Get Together event in the evening. Your student can also check-in your family!

Before or after checking in to Parent & Family Weekend, stop by and connect with a variety of resources to support your student.

• Campus Safety Coalition, a non-profit organization formed by parents of UMN students
• UMPD (University of Minnesota Police Department) with delicious sweets and treats!
• University Commons, an off campus apartment building and member of American Campus Communities
• USG (Undergraduate Student Government), with student voter registration guides and resources

Attendance at all educational sessions is included in the PFW registration, but not required.

DON'T ASK ME WHAT MY MAJOR IS 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Understanding the Importance of Major Exploration:  Choosing a major can be a sometimes stressful and challenging process for students (and their parents!). This session will introduce major exploration, the myths related to choosing a major, University resources to assist students with finding a major that is a good fit, and ways to support your student as an ally in the exploration process.

CAREER TRACKS 1:00PM - 2:00PM

In this interactive session, you will learn about tools and resources available to your students as they plan for their careers. We'll talk about ways parents can support their students to grow into independent, confident, career-ready adults. We'll discuss some of the new trends in how students are learning about careers and finding career opportunities. Finally, you will hear from two students about their experiences planning for their careers.

OFFICES TO SUPPORT YOUR STUDENT- WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW 2:00PM - 3:00PM

This panel will feature UofM staff from a variety of support-related offices (Boynton health professionals,, Student Counseling Services, Aurora Center, CARE Program, Disability Resource Center). The panelists will share information, provide "how to's" for families, and answer questions.

Explore a mini-exhibit about the history and construction of the first "new" library on campus. Meet in the unique and historic Upton Room 102.

Visit z.umn.eduWalter100 for more information.

College of Biological Sciences (CBS) in the Molecular and Cellular Biology Building

Join us for an open house with CBS Student Services. There will be student led lab tours from 3-4pm and fall refreshments will also be provided!

College of Design (CDES) 

HGA Gallery in Rapson Hall

Join the College of Design for an open house with our staff and students there to welcome you including both our Assistant Dean and Dean of Students. A light snack will also be provided.

College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) 

Burton Hall Atrium, 2nd floor (178 Pillsbury Dr SE)

CEHD welcomes you to campus and hopes you will come by to meet some of the advisors, career staff, and Dean's Office staff who are working to support your students in our college. Light refreshments will be served.

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) 

Coffey Hall, Rooms 120 & 125

Are you the parent, family member, or friend of a CFANS student? The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences will be hosting an Open House on Friday, October 27th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Coffey Hall, Rooms 120 & 125, on the St. Paul Campus. You will have an opportunity to take a campus tour, and meet with CFANS students, faculty, and staff while enjoying light refreshments. We'll also be offering family portraits to commemorate the day! This is a great opportunity to explore where your student learns while discovering more about the people, opportunities, and resources available to support your student.

College of Liberal Arts (CLA) 

Bruininks Hall, Room 411

Join the College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Education staff to learn more about how our academic programs lead to in demand careers. Have fun making a craft and enjoy free snacks and beverages. Meet with members of our Advising, Career and First Year Experience teams to ask questions about the U of M student experience, get recommendations for supporting your student, and learn about internships, research, and enrichment opportunities available to your student.

College of Science & Engineering (CSE) 

Mechanical Engineering Building, Room 2-134

Join the College of Science and Engineering to learn more about experiential learning opportunities for students in the Anderson Student Innovation Labs. The Innovation Labs are meant to be a student's laboratory, playground, and gateway to innovation and creativity. They are filled with all kinds of equipment and tools including 3D printers, laser cutters, hand tools, and more. Training and documentation are available for all students so that they can dive right in. Learn more at cse.umn.edu/andersonlabs. CSE Academic Advisors, Career Services, and other student programs will also be available for general questions. Light refreshments will be provided.

Carlson School of Management (CSOM) 

Carlson School of Management Atrium & 3M Auditorium

Join the Carlson School of Management for a mock class from Dr. Rand Park, followed by a Q&A panel with faculty, staff, and students and finally enjoy light refreshments and mingling with parents/families and staff. 

School of Nursing 

4-130 Weaver-Densford Hall

Join the School of Nursing for a program offered each hour, from 3:00pm - 4:00pm and again from 4:00pm - 5:00pm featuring a welcome from staff, Q&A with OSCAS staff & current Nursing students and a facilities tour featuring the Office of Student & Career Advancement Services, Bentson Center (Skills Lab/Simulation Center) and the Health Sciences Education Center.

Come have some fun with an upbeat, exciting kickoff event with offices from the Office for Equity & Diversity. Enjoy music, and socializing with students, family members and staff from across campus here to foster community and belonging on our campus.

Offices co-hosting this event include: Circle of Indigenous Nations, Disability Resource Center, Gender & Sexuality Center, Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, Multicultural Student Engagement, President's Emerging Scholars, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program and the Women’s Center.

While this event is open to all families and students regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin, it will center the experiences of our students and families of color.

The Gopher Get Together will be an open house style event where you can come and go as you please. Enjoy dessert and live jazz music as you explore the art galleries and spend time with your family, other families and campus staff. There will also be an opportunity for the perfect Gopher Family Selfie outside on the second floor with an amazing view of the river, Washington bridge and the downtown skyline. Attendance to this event is included in the PFW registration, but not mandatory.

A musical crossover event like no other! The UMN School of Music’s annual Collage Concert brings together over 300 musicians for a night of epic entertainment. Visit their website for more information about the School of Music Collage Concert.

Attendance at all educational sessions is included in the PFW registration, but not required.

GOING GLOBAL 9:00AM - 10:00AM

Going abroad is one of the most exciting parts of the student experience, but it requires family support, forethought, and planning. Learn how students incorporate international opportunities into undergraduate programs. Hear about the impact of study abroad on career preparation, and empower your future U graduate to distinguish him/herself in the global workforce.

WHAT'S NEXT: HOUSING 2024 10:00AM - 11:00AM

It may feel early to think about housing for the next year, but the time for signing a lease or extending a contract is already here. Learn about housing options on campus and in the U of M community as well as important details about what to look for when signing a contract. This session will include representatives from Housing & Residential Life, Off-Campus Living and Student Legal Service.

Join the official Gopher tailgate of the Alumni Association. Open to all, this tailgate will feature food trucks, alumni vendors, sponsors and activity booths, bar service, a kids corner with face painting plus a chance to win raffle prizes!

Parent & Family Weekend registrants, with their wristbands, will receive $10 off a purchase of $50+ at the MN Alumni Market.
This promotion is only redeemable in-person at Ski-U-Mania or the Celebrating Gopher Families brunch on Sunday and only applies to in stock MN Alumni Market merchandise only; no other discounts or offers apply.

Plus, stop by the Member Central table to learn about the benefits of an Alumni Association Family Membership. UMAA Family Membership empowers both parents and students as our Alumni Association services are designed to help students thrive right now. Sign up for a 4-year family plan and take home two Maroon Shirts® -- The official 2023 shirt from the Alumni Association.

Special family rate tickets are available for purchase using this link: z.umn.edu/PFW23.

These tickets are NOT included in registration for Parent & Family Weekend, be sure to purchase tickets separately!

Attendance at all educational sessions is included in the PFW registration, but not required.

COPING WITH STRESS 9:00AM - 10:00AM

Join staff from Boynton Health to learn about resources and services available to students to support coping with stress and mental health.

Enjoy the Recreation and Wellness Center and all it has to offer including all of the center’s equipment and services!

Enjoy a Cardio Dance class at 10:15am - 11:00am and/or take on the rock climbing wall from 3:00pm - 10:00pm.

Join us for a fitting end to a fun-filled weekend with offices from the Office for Equity & Diversity. A light continental breakfast with a chance to relax and reflect after a fun-filled weekend.

Offices co-hosting this event include: Circle of Indigenous Nations, Disability Resource Center, Gender & Sexuality Center, Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, Multicultural Student Engagement, President's Emerging Scholars, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program and the Women’s Center.

While this event is open to all families and students regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin, it will center the experiences of our students and families of color.

Does your family’s Gopher connection span generations? If so, then this brunch is for you! The University of Minnesota Alumni Association invites families with U of M alumni (e.g. parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, and/or other family member) to celebrate the special legacy they are passing on to their student(s). This event will feature photos with Goldy and a special pinning ceremony for students and their alumni family members.

Pre-registration is required and includes a delicious brunch buffet and gift for all. Space is limited so register early!

Cost for UMAA members: $20/per person
Cost for non-UMAA members: $30/per person