Welcome to the UVA Family (parents of first-year students)

Dear UVA Class of 2028 Families:

Greetings and welcome! We are so pleased you and your student have chosen the University of Virginia, and we can't wait for you to join the UVA family.

From challenging classes to esteemed faculty to activities that give students literally hundreds of ways to explore their interests, UVA offers a student experience that is world class. The Division of Student Affairs, which we are honored to lead, helps students develop holistically, as complex, dynamic, and multidimensional individuals. Students achieve much more than a degree here. They learn to be part of a community that values learning, service, integrity and citizen leadership.

We look forward to sharing much more with you and your student as you begin this new chapter. In the meantime, please look over the resources below and let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you in any way.

Student and Parent/Family Orientation
Summer Orientation, a two-day program on the UVA Grounds, will mark the official beginning of your student’s entry into the University. A program for parents or family members will run concurrently with the student program. We strongly encourage you to attend. You will learn about UVA, meet University faculty, staff, other parents, and come to understand more about the opportunities available to you and your student. The deadline to register for Orientation is June 3 (your student should register you for the Parent/Guest program).

Communication with Parents
If your student provided your email address on the application for admission, we will use this address to send you periodic updates throughout the academic year. Otherwise, you can sign up for these updates by going to our online form and entering your preferred email. Anyone in your family is welcome to sign up for this resource.

Getting Involved as a Parent, Guardian, or Family Member
A few other ways to stay informed and be involved in UVA life:

• UVA Daily Report. This e-newsletter, delivered every weekday, is a great way to stay up to date on what’s happening at UVA. To sign up, simply go to the Sign-Up box on the website.
• UVA Homepage. For high priority information, you will want to bookmark UVA’s homepage. In times of emergency or inclement weather, this page will be updated frequently.
• UVA Alerts. The University sends notifications to the community if an imminent threat arises. All parents are welcomed and encouraged to sign up by texting "UVA" to 226787.
• Summer Socials and Other Activities. Throughout the school year, UVA’s Office of Engagement hosts hundreds of events both virtually and at locations around the globe. Watch for emailed invitations, and stay tuned for information about Summer Socials taking place in many areas this summer.
• Family Weekend (Oct. 25-27). We hope to see you during this special fall weekend, which includes a football game against UNC-Chapel Hill on Saturday. Discounted tickets are now available. We recommend making hotel reservations as soon as possible since local accommodations fill quickly. Be sure to check the Family Weekend website for more information as it becomes available.

You are an important partner in your student’s education and a vital part of our UVA community. Thank you for preparing your student 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 we have the pleasure of hosting you on Grounds at UVA.

Sincerely,

Kenyon R. Bonner
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer

Cedric Bernard Rucker
Interim Dean of Students