Parent Day

Greetings, Parents & Family Members -

We understand that your student's first year comes with plenty of questions. Our office provides Parent & Family Programs to support your family during this transition. Click on the options below to learn more about this annual event.

Information about a time/date for Parent Day will become available in early September. In past years, we have typically held this program on the first or second Saturday of October.

Parent Day Goals

Parent Day is designed to:

To 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.
To provide you with the knowledge of resources and services that are being offered to students and families
To assist you with understanding how you can support your student as they head into finals and prepare for the current and upcoming semesters.

Program Schedule

Parent Day Schedule Example

at a glance:

8:00 AM – Check-in and Campus Tours
9:00 AM – University Welcome
9:15 AM – Partnering with the University Part 1 – Student Life
9:35 AM – Partnering with the University Part 2 – Academic Success
10:15 AM – Breakout Session #1
11:00 AM – Breakout Session #2
11:45 AM – Breakout Session #3
12:30 PM – Tradition of the Rose and Lunch

Detailed :

8:00AM	CHECK-IN & CAMPUS TOURS Campus tours will start every 10 minutes. The last tour will begin at 8:30 am
9:00AM	UNIVERSITY WELCOME
9:15AM	PARTNERING WITH THE UNIVERSITY Academic Success This presentation will inform parents of academic information that is central to a freshman's success. Parents will be introduced to the role they can play in supporting and reinforcing student academic success. The discussion should include what their student was told about graduating on time, units required, declaring a major, important dates to remember (midterms, finals), advisement and registration, and other University Policies such as executive order 665 and repeating courses. There will be an opportunity for questions following this section. Student Life This presentation will focus on the importance of engagement in co-curricular activities as means to promote student success and will discuss how parents can support student involvement. Parents will be introduced to the Student Conduct Code, student records access policies, and University practices and resources that combine to promote a secure campus environment. There will be an opportunity for questions following this section.
10:15AM	BREAKOUT SESSION #1 Meeting the Costs of College - Presented by the Department of Financial Aid & Scholarships The First Year Transition - Presented by University Counseling Services
11:00AM	BREAKOUT SESSION #2 Police Services & Campus Safety - Presented by the Department of Police Services "Let's Talk" - Student Panel - Presented by Various Students from New Student Orientation
11:45AM	BREAKOUT SESSION #3 Police Services & Campus Safety - Presented by the Department of Police Services The First Year Transition - Presented by University Counseling Services "Let's Talk" - Student Panel - Presented by Various Students from New Student Orientation
12:30PM	LUNCH & TRADITION OF THE ROSE

For a summary of what each presentation is about, please look under the following tab "Program Activities, Presentations, and Speakers"

Program Activities, Presentations, and Speakers

EXAMPLE OF ACTIVITIES, PRESENTATIONS, AND SPEAKERS (from 2019 on-campus program)

CHECK-IN & CAMPUS TOURS
Parents are encouraged to grab some light refreshments (provided) and take a tour of the campus guided by CSUN’s New Student Orientation (NSO) Leaders. Both English and Spanish speaking tours will be available. There will be photo opportunities and a campus trivia table with prizes too! Drawstring backpacks, paper/pens, and a Parent Day handbook will be provided upon check-in.

UNIVERSITY WELCOME

PARTNERING WITH THE UNIVERSITY
Dr. William Watkins, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Student Life: This presentation will focus on the importance of engagement in co-curricular activities as means to promote student success and will discuss how parents can support student involvement. Parents will be introduced to the Student Conduct Code, student records access policies, and University practices and resources that combine to promote a secure campus environment. There will be an opportunity for questions following this section

Dr. Elizabeth Adams, Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies
Academic Success: This presentation will inform parents of academic information that is central to a freshman's success. Parents will be introduced to the role they can play in supporting and reinforcing student academic success. The discussion should include what their student was told about graduating on time, units required, declaring a major, important dates to remember (midterms, finals), advisement and registration, and other University Policies such as executive order 665 and repeating courses. There will be an opportunity for questions following this section.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

POLICE SERVICES & CAMPUS SAFETY/EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Department of Police Services
This session will inform parents of the capabilities of the Department of Police Services in providing safety, security and law enforcement services for the California State University community. Information will also be provided on crime prevention programs, emergency preparedness resources and educational opportunities that promote personal safety and the protection of property. The discussion will help parents understand the campus partnerships that help reduce the risk of victimization and foster safety within the campus community. A new video on active shooter awareness will be shown, followed by discussion on how this video is being introduced to students on campus. If time permits, there will be an opportunity for questions following this section.

THE FIRST YEAR TRANSITION TO COLLEGE
University Counseling Services
This presentation will focus on the common challenges first year students’ face when coming to college and common challenges parents face when their child goes to college. The discussion will provide strategies and tips on how parents can support their student in the first year and promote student success. A question and answer period will follow.

MEETING THE COSTS OF COLLEGE
Financial Aid and Scholarships
This session will review the costs of attending CSUN; provide insights into factors that may contribute to future changes in costs, suggest ways that students can assist in managing costs while in college, outline sources of financial aid, and discuss the role parents can play in meeting college costs. A question and answer period will follow.

“Let’s Talk” – Student Panel
Office of Student Involvement & Development
At this session parents will have the opportunity to connect with CSUN Students to ask questions and learn what has helped them in their college journey. Students will share about their personal experiences related to the transition and adjustment into CSUN on topics ranging academic success to social and cultural contexts.

TRADITION OF THE ROSE & LUNCH
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.

Lunch will be provided where you will be able to dine with other parents/guardians, and NSO Leaders.

Location, Parking, and Items to Bring

PARENT DAY LOCATION

University Student Union (USU)

PARENT DAY PARKING

As we get closer to the event date, a parking permit will be sent to those who have registered for the event by email.

There will be New Student Orientation Leaders at the parking lot to hand out passes if unable to print one prior to the event. They will also assist parents/guardians as they navigate to the appropriate locations on the morning of the event date.

WHAT TO BRING:

Most materials will be provided for you, including informational handouts, notepads, pens and a supplemental handbook. There will be several touring options for you to consider when the workshop portions of the program conclude. The university tour will be completely ADA accessible.

Feel free to bring a your own water bottles/canisters should you wish to aid our campus' sustainable efforts. There will be water stations located at the venue and throughout the campus.

Campus Resources

We have compiled multiple links below for you to gain further knowledge of the resources CSUN has for you and your student. Please feel free to contact any departments you may find on your search as well as the Office of Student Involvement and Development with any question, concerns or comments you may have.

Degree Planning Guides

Department of Police Services

General Education Honors Program

Parents Supporting Academics and Personal Development

Student Health

Student Services and Classes

Student Service Centers and Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) Advisement

University Catalog