Orientation Information for Families

We look forward to welcoming our newest families, the Class of 2028, to campus for New Family Orientation in the Fall 2024! 

New Family Orientation programming will take place August 19 and August 20, 2024. All sessions for parents are OPTIONAL and separate from required orientation activities for students.

New Family Orientation is meant to give parents/family members a glimpse into a few of the programs and services on campus. Please note we will try to have mini programming available to those first year families that may arrive before 8/19, which includes fall student athletes and LA Engage participants. 

What is New Family Orientation?

Orientation is designed to create a dynamic, celebratory and welcoming environment—a space where parents/family members can learn more about some of the services and resources offered by the College and often times meet staff, faculty, and administrators at Oxy.

Sessions are designed to be fun and an opportunity for parents/families to meet one another and socialize. We acknowledge move in day can be a busy and stressful time so pick and choose sessions that best fit your schedule, all sessions are OPTIONAL for parent/family members.

Please note there are many scheduled and required sessions for students only during New Student Orientation, so please consult the student schedule here. There are only a few events where both students and families (parents) are invited together.

As for meals on 8/19 and 8/20, dinner is on your own and for students there are not any formalized plans for activities during this meal time. Yet, in years past, some student orientation leaders or RA's may informally gather folks in their hall for dinner, and trip leaders will be present to answer any questions or help facilitate interactions. Therefore, our general guidance to parents is you may take this time to have a meal with your student OR this is an opportunity for students to interact with one another in our dining halls. 

Dates and Important Links

• New Family Orientation: August 19-20, 2024
• Homecoming and Family Weekend: October 18-19, 2024
• Academic Calendar 2024-25, Fall Break is October 14-15, 2024
• New Student Guide

Questions?

Please email parents@oxy.edu.

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2024 Schedule for New Family Orientation Activities

Updated 6/20/24

Families of Fall Student Athletes - Friday, August 16, 2024

• 1:00 - 2:00 PM | Location is TBD | - Open House - Meet Campus Partners: Katie Valdes, Registered Dietitian and Samantha Hilton, First Year Experience & Student Success Librarian
• 2:00 - 3:00 PM | Location is TBD |  “Your Student is in College, Now What?” with Kathryn Leonard, Interim Dean of the College, and Vivian Santiago, Interim Vice-President for Student Affairs 

• 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Location is TBD |  Families of Fall Student Athletes and Coaches Reception - light appetizers and refreshments

LA Engage Move-In Day - Saturday, August 17, 2024

• 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER  | Welcome Center and Check-In - Stop by the Alumni & Parent Engagement Table for a schedule, nametag, and parent swag!

• 2:00 - 3:00 PM  | Location is TBD | “Your Student is in College, Now What?” with Kathryn Leonard, Interim Dean of the College, and Vivian Santiago, Interim Vice-President for Student Affairs 

• 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Location is TBD | Reception for Families of LA Engage Arrivals - light appetizers and refreshments

• 5:00 - 7:00 PM |  Dinner on your own* (Families can purchase food at The Marketplace or try a local restaurant)

Monday, August 19, 2024 (New Student Move-In Day)

• 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM | JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER (JSC QUAD) | Welcome Center and Check-In - Stop by the Alumni & Parent Engagement Tent for a schedule, nametag, and parent swag!

• 11:00AM - 1:00 PM | ACADEMIC COMMONS/LIBRARY | Special Collections & Archives Open House, Drop-In and Meet the First Year Experience Librarian

• 12:00 - 1:00 PM |   Lunch on your own (Families can purchase food at The Marketplace or try a local restaurant)

• 12:00 - 1:00 PM  | BOOKSTORE | Bookstore Open House

• 1:00 - 2:15 PM | JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER QUAD | Campus Tours by our Admissions Office

• 1:00 - 1:30 PM |  Locationis TBD | Presentation by Campus Partners: Campus Safety 

• 1:30 - 2:00 PM | Locationis TBD | Presentation by Campus Partners: Campus Dining 

• 2:00 - 3:00 PM | Location is TBD | “Your Student is in College, Now What?” with Kathryn Leonard, Interim Dean of the College, and Vivian Santiago, Interim Vice-President for Student Affairs 

• 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Location is TBD  | You Heard It Here First! Student Panel for Parents

• 4:00 - 5:15 PM | Location is TBD  |   President's Reception for New Families hosted by the President's Office

• 5:30 - 7:00  PM | REMSEN BIRD HILLSIDE THEATRE | Welcome to Oxy! A Community Celebration - both students and families are invited to attend!

• Dinner on your own* (Families can purchase food at The Marketplace or try a local restaurant)

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

• 9:00 - 10:00 AM | Location is TBD  | Hike for Parents | This is a short but very steep hike up to Fiji Hill. There is no pre-registration, space is limited to the first 40 guests.

• 10:30 - 11:30 AM |  Location is TBD  | Parents Coffee with Advancement

• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |  Location is TBD  | Presentation by Campus Partners: Student Employment

• 12:00 - 1:00 PM | BRANCA PATIO | First Generation Lunch

• 12:00 - 1:00 PM  |  Lunch on your own (Families can purchase food at The Marketplace or try a local restaurant)

• 12:00 - 1:00 PM |  FEAST GARDEN | FEAST Garden Open House

• 1:00 - 2:00 PM |   Location is TBD | Presentation by Campus Partners: Supporting Student Well-being, with Emmons Wellness Center

• 2:00 - 3:00 PM |   Location is TBD | Presentation by Campus Partners: Careers, Pre-Health, Pre-Law, and Fellowships

• 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Location is TBD | Campus Partners Session: Undergraduate Research Center

• 4:00 - 5:30 PM | ACADEMIC QUAD | Academic Resource Fair -- both students and families are invited to attend! 

• 5:30 - 6:30 PM | JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER QUAD | **Sweet Send Offs** - Take the time to have a sweet treat with your student as you say your goodbyes.- both students and families are invited to attend!

• Dinner on your own* (Families can purchase food at The Marketplace or try a local restaurant)

**This event concludes programming for New Family Orientation; family members are asked to depart campus as the remainder of the new student orientation schedule is for students only.**

(Families are welcome to participate in ANY New Family Orientation activities, on any day, should your schedule allow. All sessions are OPTIONAL. Pick and choose sessions that best fit your schedule.)

*Dinner on your own indicates there are not any "formalized" plans for activities during this meal time for students. Therefore, our general guidance to parents is you may wish take this time to have a meal with your student OR this an opportunity for students to interact with one another in our dining halls. Note, in years past, some student orientation leaders or RA's may informally gather folks in their hall for dinner, and trip leaders will be present to answer any questions or help facilitate interactions.