CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PARENT DAY 2024
We understand that your student's first year comes with plenty of questions. Our office provides Parent & Family Programs the resources to support your family during this transition. Explore the options below to learn more about the programs offered.
Our 2024 Parent Day Goals
- Partner in student success: To help you become a partner in your student's success by learning key information about the academic opportunities, support services, and experiences outside of the classroom that are available to students.
- Ask Questions: Offer an opportunity to ask questions based on real experiences your students are already having, including the many transitional issues that challenge both students and families.
- Learn Resources & Services: To learn information about resources and services available to CSUN students.
- Meet Others: Providing an opportunity to meet college administrators, faculty, staff, and orientation leaders who support and educate new students as they begin the journey toward graduation.
Parent Day is an event designed to provide parents and family members of new students with an opportunity to engage with the campus. It typically includes campus tours, discussions, and informational sessions aimed at familiarizing parents with the resources and support available to their students. This event will also feature presentations from university staff, faculty, and students, covering topics such as academics, student services, and campus life. It serves as an opportunity for parents to learn more about their student's university experience and to connect with other families of the CSUN community.
| Time | Activity | |
| 8:30am | Check-in / Light Refreshments | |
| 9am | Campus Tours | |
| 10am | Welcome | |
| 10:15am | PRESENTATION 1: Supporting Academic Success | |
| 10:35am | PRESENTATION 2: Student Engagement & Wellbeing | |
| 11:05am | PRESENTATION 3: Creating a Safe and Supportive Campus | |
| 12:00pm | LUNCH | |
| 1:15PM | OPTIONAL WORKSHOP: Financial Aid & Scholarships | |
| OR | ||
| 1:15pm | OPTIONAL WORKSHOP: Mental and Physical Health and Wellness | |
PARENT SESSIONS & LEARNING OUTCOMES
Parents will attend several presentations/sessions, each with direct learning outcomes and could include the following:
Campus Tour & Tradition of the Rose (60 min)
Led by New Student Orientation Leaders
Campus Tours will introduce parents to key service areas of the campus, promoting resources designed to support academic, social, and cultural needs to enable success. During the tour, parents and families will also be introduced to the Tradition of the Rose, a symbolic CSUN tradition – Individuals place roses at the foot of the Matador Stature to celebrate major accomplishments and milestones such as birthdays, engagements, successful semesters, and graduations. Through this session, parents will:
- Express familiarity with the physical layout of the campus.
- Identify the location of campus buildings, parking structures and lots.
- Identify location of key resources and gathering locations on including Klotz Student Health Center (SHC), the University Library, the University Student Union (USU), and others.
Supporting Your Student’s (Academic) Success in College (30 min) Performance Hall
Presented by Sr. Director for Advisement or Designee (or Neddie)
Focusing on academic based information central to a freshman's success, Parents will be introduced to the role they can play in supporting and reinforcing students academically, and include information about units required, declaring a major/minor, important dates to remember (midterms, finals), advisement and registration, repeating courses, and other academic policies. This session will also focus on parents encouraging a “Growth Mindset”, and through CSUN’s supportive resources (staff, tools, programs, etc.) students can embrace challenges and persist in the face of obstacles which will be opportunities to learn and grow. Through this session, parents will:
- Learn general academic requirements, resources, and support services available to students.
- Learn of key resources and services available to students to support their retention and successful continuation until graduation.
- Learn how to encourage a “Growth Mindset”
Student Engagement & Wellbeing (20 min)
Presented by AVP Student Affairs, or Director Basic Needs
Focusing on the importance of student life, information highlighted include campus resources and services dedicated to student engagement and well-being during a student’s academic journey. Co-curricular programs and services discussed will include leadership, volunteering, service-learning, and basic needs. Through this session, parents will:
- Learn of key resources and services available to students to support overall engagement and well-being while at CSUN.
- Become aware of how engagement and well-being support overall student success.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Campus Environment:
Student Expectations, Campus Safety, Rules, & Regulations (55 min)
Presented by:
SDTP Director, SDTP
Sr. CARE & Conduct Coordinator,
Assistant Director for Equity and Compliance Office
Deputy Chief, Department of Police Services & Mobile Campus Response Team
This presentation will discuss the university classroom, including differences between high school and college, appropriate classroom conduct, meeting faculty expectations, ethical issues (i.e. cheating, plagiarism including using the Web and internet resources for cheating), the student conduct code, and campus community standards. Also discussed will be campus, local, state, and federal laws as they relate to student safety and well-being, including sections on Title IX, sexual assault, Violence Against Women Act, student records, and FERPA rights, and credit card information. The Department of Police Services will also speak on campus wide safety implements on a range of topics and situations. Through this session, parents will:
- Recognize their student’s roles and responsibilities inside and outside the classroom as a member of the CSUN community.
- Learn about the mandated topics and related services that universities are required to inform students about.
- Become aware of university expectations as it relates to the student conduct code, and its references to cheating and plagiarism.
- Become aware of the university’s services, resources, and responses surrounding various laws, policies, and executive orders promoting student safety and education (incl. AB 1088, EO 1098 - Title IX, Sexual Assault, Violence Against Women Act, FERPA, etc.).
- Learn about enforced campus security and safety implements.
Financial Services (55 min) Optional
Presented by Financial Aid & Scholarships Department representative
Focusing on financial assistance and scholarships as a means to cover the cost of attending CSUN. Information presented will cover types of financial aid available, eligibility requirements, application information, deadlines, and scholarship opportunities. Through this session, parents will:
- Participants will learn about the financial aid process, information on scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs to help make informed decisions about financing their student’s education.
Health and Wellness (55 minutes) Optional
Presented by Student Health Center and University Counseling Services Staff
This session will inform parents about how the campus supports student physical and mental (therapy and emotional support) health. Presenters will focus on the importance of health during a student's academic journey and how to utilize/access the many resources and services. This will include current CSU policies in place (i.e. vaccine requirements, etc.) Also, this presentation will cover challenges and struggles students and parents face and how to collectively assist them and provide effective ways for the important transition young adults navigate during this developmental time in their lives. Through this session parents will:
- Understanding the link between mental health/physical wellness and student success.
- Become familiar with the physical and mental health resources available on campus, such as the student health center, counseling services, and wellness programs.
- Learn tips on opening up communication their student’s physical and mental health, and how to encourage their child to seek help when needed.
| Session Name | Session Description |
| Campus Tour | Campus Tours will introduce parents to key service areas of the campus, promoting resources designed to support academic, social, and cultural needs to enable success. During the tour, parents and families will also be introduced to the Tradition of the Rose, a symbolic CSUN tradition – Individuals place roses at the foot of the Matador Statue to celebrate major accomplishments and milestones such as birthdays, engagements, successful semesters, and graduations. |
| Creating a Safe and Supportive Campus Environment | This presentation will discuss the university classroom, including differences between high school and college, appropriate classroom conduct, meeting faculty expectations, ethical issues (i.e. cheating, plagiarism including using the Web and internet resources for cheating), the student conduct code, and campus community standards. Also discussed will be campus, local, state, and federal laws as they relate to student safety and well-being, including sections on Title IX, sexual assault, Violence Against Women Act, student records, and FERPA rights, and credit card information. The Department of Police Services will also speak on campus wide safety implements on a range of topics and situations. |
| Financial Aid & Scholarships | Focusing on financial assistance and scholarships as a means to cover the cost of attending CSUN. Information presented will cover types of financial aid available, eligibility requirements, application information, deadlines, and scholarship opportunities. |
| Health and Wellness | This session will inform parents about how the campus supports student physical and mental (therapy and emotional support) health. Presenters will focus on the importance of health during a student's academic journey and how to utilize/access the many resources and services. This will include current CSU policies in place (i.e. vaccine requirements, etc.) Also, this presentation will cover challenges and struggles students and parents face and how to collectively assist them and provide effective ways for the important transition young adults navigate during this developmental time in their lives. |
| Student Engagement & Well-Being | Focusing on the importance of student life and building a sense of belonging within the campus community, parents will be introduced to campus resources and services dedicated to student engagement and well-being during a student’s academic journey. Co-curricular programs and services discussed will include student leadership, volunteering, service-learning, and other opportunities for campus engagement. |
| Supporting Your Student's Success in College | Focusing on academic based information central to a freshman's success, Parents will be introduced to the role they can play in supporting and reinforcing students academically, and include information about units required, declaring a major/minor, important dates to remember (midterms, finals), advisement and registration, repeating courses, and other academic policies. This session will also focus on parents encouraging a “Growth Mindset”, and through CSUN’s supportive resources (staff, tools, programs, etc.) students can embrace challenges and persist in the face of obstacles which will be opportunities to learn and grow. |
| University Welcome | The University Welcome conveys the purpose of higher education and the mission of Cal State Northridge. |
Event Location: University Student Union (USU) |
Parent & Family Day will begin at the University Student Union which is located on the east side of the University. Please join us for a small breakfast consisting of coffee, iced tea and freshly baked pastries.
As we get closer to the event date, a parking permit will be sent to those who have registered for the event by email. Please print the parking permit prior to arriving on campus; additional parking permits will be provided at the orientation check-in area.
We have compiled multiple links for you to gain further knowledge of the resources CSUN has for you and your student. Feel free to contact any departments directly or our office, the Office of Student Development and Transitional Programs with any questions, concerns or comments.
General Education Honors Program
Parents Supporting Academics and Personal Development
Student Health - Consent Treatment for Minors (form)
Student Service Centers and Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) Advisement
Information that was presented and/or distributed will be placed below:
Forms/Tutorials of interest mentioned during presentations include the following:
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Office of Student Development and Transitional Programs at (818) 677-4100 or email us at orientation@csun.edu
Disclaimer: This website contains information that is authorized and available at the time of publication. Its content, including dates and fee amounts, is subject to change without notice or obligation.
