Family Programs
Parent & Family Program Goals
Parent & Family Programs are designed:
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.
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 opportunity to meet college administrators, faculty, staff, and orientation leaders who support and educate new students as they begin the journey toward graduation.
To learn information about resources and services available to CSUN students.
Parent & Family Day
Parent & Family Day
Parent & Family 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, roundtable 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.
Dates
Parent & Family Day for Fall 2024 has yet to be determined. Please check back in September for updates. For information on potential future Parent & Family programming, please email our department at orientation@csun.edu.
Parent & Family Day Schedule Example
Schedule example for Parent & Family Day:
Agenda Overview:
- 8:00 AM- Check-in and light Breakfast
- 8:30 AM- Campus Tours
- 9:45 AM- University Welcome
- 10:15 AM- Overview of Sessions
- 10:30 AM- Breakout Sessions #1
- 11:20 AM- Breakout Sessions #2
- 12:15 PM- Lunch/Parent Conversations
- 1:30 PM- Breakout Session #3
- 2:20 PM- Breakout Sessions #4
- 3:30 PM- End of Program
For more details on each presentation, please look under the following tab "Parent & Family Day - Session Overviews."
Parent & Family Session Overviews
The following session overviews are examples of topics covered during a Parent & Family Day; these session overviews are listed in alphabetical order.
| 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 Stature 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 & Parking Location
Event Location: University Student Union (USU) |
Event Location:
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, orange juice and freshly baked pastries.
Parent & Family 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. Please print the parking permit prior to arriving on campus; additional parking permits will be provided at the orientation check-in area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How many guests can attend the Parent & Family Day?
- Each family can make a reservation for up to 2 attendees.
- Small children (under 5 years of age) will not count toward the overall guest attendance.
- How do you register for Parent & Family Day?
- Students will receive an email to their CSUN email address with information regarding Parent & Family Day, including a registration link. Please consult your student for information regarding Parent & Family Day registration.
- Registration information will be posted on this site once registration officially opens. Check back in early September for Parent & Family Day registration information.
- How will you receive communication about the Parent & Family Day?
- All initial communication will be sent to the student's CSUN email.
- Please connect with your student for registration confirmation and additional information.
- A confirmation email with a parking pass and campus map will be sent to you 2 days prior to the event.
- How much does this event cost?
- Parent/family attendance costs for Parent & Family Day is covered in the required orientation fee automatically assessed to your student; parents/family will not need to pay additional attendance costs for participation in Parent & Family Day.
- Where can you stay?
- Extended Stay America 1.6 miles away (see directions for Extended Stay America)
- Radisson - 4.7 miles away (see directions for the Radisson)
- Hilton - 7.9 miles away (see directions for the Hilton Hotel)
- What materials should you bring?
- Our office will provide a handbook with a notes section, but feel free to bring additional materials to write on such as a notebook
- Please bring a writing utensil (pen, pencil, etc.)
- Feel free to bring a your own water bottles/canisters as there will be water stations located throughout the campus.
- There will be a Campus Tour and the tour will be completely Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible.
- What are off-campus activities you can do before or after Parent & Family Day?
- Brunswick Matador Bowl -1.5 miles miles away (directions for Matador Bowl)
- Northridge Fashion Center 10-1.5 miles away (directions for Northridge Fashion Center)
- Winnetka Theaters 21-2.7 miles away (directions for Winnetka Theaters)
- Lake Balboa-5.2 miles away (directions for Lake Balboa)
- AMC Promenade 16-7.7 miles away (directions for AMC Promenade)
- Sherman Oaks Castle Park -8.5 miles away (directions for Sherman Oaks Castle Park)
- Ultrazone (LaserTag)-9.9 miles away (directions for Ultrazone)
- Need additional accommodations?
- Connect with our staff by calling (818) 677-3968 or emailing .
Campus Resources
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
Day-of-Program Materials & Forms
Information that was presented and/or distributed will be placed below:
- DUAL NSO Program Presentation Slides (Fall 2023) CLICK HERE
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.
