Welcome New Parents

Dear UVA Class of 2026 Families:

Greetings and welcome! We are so pleased you and your student have chosen the University of Virginia. This is an exciting time as a new chapter begins for your student and your family.

I arrived at UVA one year ago, on June 1, 2021, as the new Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer. In the past 12 months, I have seen what a special community this is. An outstanding academic program is matched by a dynamic network of opportunities for students to develop into citizen-leaders who will eventually shape our society and democracy.

The area I am honored to lead – the Division of Student Affairs – is committed to students’ well-being and success. Our division includes Orientation and New Student Programs, Student Engagement, Student Safety and Support, Multicultural Student Services, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Housing & Residence Life, Student Health and Wellness, the UVA Career Center, and the Office of African-American Affairs. Students are at the center of our mission. Whether it’s fostering a vibrant life outside the classroom or providing resources around physical and mental health, we care about our students’ total experience at UVA.

Summer Orientation, a two-day program on the UVA Grounds, marks the official beginning of your student’s entry into the University. Running concurrently with the student program will be the Parent Orientation program, which we strongly encourage parents or guardians to attend. You will learn about UVA, meet University faculty, staff, other parents, and come to understand more about the college journey your student will be taking.

If your student provided your email address on the application for admission, then we will use this address in sending you periodic updates throughout the academic year. If your student likely did not provide your email address, you may sign up for these Student Affairs updates by going to the online form. Anyone in your family is welcome to sign up.

A few other ways to stay informed and be involved as a parent:

• The UVA Daily Report is a great way to stay up to date on what’s happening at UVA. To sign up, simply go to the website and enter your email address in the Sign-Up box.
• You can always visit the University’s home page at www.virginia.edu for high priority information. In times of emergency or inclement weather, the home page will be updated frequently.
• The University uses UVa Alerts to send notifications to the community if an imminent threat arises. Text UVA to 226787 to receive emergency alerts from the University of Virginia. Message and data rates may apply. Text messages are sent on an as-needed basis. This service is provided per the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Text STOP to 226787 to cancel or HELP for tech support.
• Throughout the school year, UVA’s Office of Engagement hosts hundreds of events in locations around the globe as well as online. Watch for invitations in your mailbox, and be sure to watch for information about Summer Send-Off gatherings taking place in many areas.
• Please mark your calendar for Family Weekend this fall – October 28-30. The weekend includes various activities, including a football game against Miami on Saturday. We recommend making hotel reservations as soon as possible since local accommodations fill quickly. The Family Weekend website will be updated with more details in September – please check back for the complete schedule and other information.

You are an important partner in your student’s education. Thank you for preparing them to continue their educational journey at UVA. We welcome you to the larger UVA family, and we hope Orientation this summer will be the first of many times you will visit the UVA Grounds.

Warm regards,

Robyn S. Hadley
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer, 
Dean of Students