FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

Check-In 11:00am - 4:00pm

Coffman Memorial Union, Theater Lobby (First Floor)

Come check-in for the weekend to receive your printed schedule, promo items and wristbands, which will serve as your ticket to events (excluding the football can and Celebrating Gopher Families). Please make every effort to check in on Friday. Check-in will also be available during the Gopher Get Together event on Friday night from 5:00pm-8:30pm. Your student can also check-in your family!
 

Educational Sessions 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Coffman Memorial Union, Theater (First Floor)

Attendance at all educational sessions is included in the PFW registration, but not required. 

Don't Ask Me What My Major Is 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Understanding the Importance of Major Exploration:  Choosing a major can be a sometimes stressful and challenging process for students (and their parents!). This session will introduce major exploration, the myths related to choosing a major, University resources to assist students with finding a major that is a good fit, and ways to support your student as an ally in the exploration process.

Career Tracks 1:00pm - 2:00pm

In this interactive session, you will learn about tools and resources available to your students as they plan for their careers. We'll talk about ways parents can support their students to grow into independent, confident, career-ready adults. We'll discuss some of the new trends in how students are learning about careers and finding career opportunities. Finally, you will hear from two students about their experiences planning for their careers.

Offices to Support your Student- What Families Need to Know 2:00pm - 3:00pm

This panel will feature UofM staff from a variety of support-related offices (Boynton health professionals,, Student Counseling Services, Aurora Center, CARE Program, Disability Resource Center). The panelists will share information, provide "how to's" for families, and answer questions.

Walter Library Open House 2:00pm - 4:00pm 

Walter Library

Explore a mini-exhibit about the history and construction of the first "new" library on campus. Meet in the unique and historic Upton Room 102.

Visit z.umn.eduWalter100 for more information.

College Specific Programming 3:00pm - 5:00pm 

• College of Biological Sciences (CBS) in the Molecular and Cellular Biology Building

  • Join us for an open house with CBS Student Services. There will be student led lab tours from 3-4pm and fall refreshments will also be provided!

• College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) in Burton Hall Atrium, 2nd floor (178 Pillsbury Dr SE)

  • CEHD welcomes you to campus and hopes you will come by to meet some of the advisors, career staff, and Dean's Office staff who are working to support your students in our college. Light refreshments will be served.

• College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) in Coffey Hall, Rooms 120 & 125

  • Are you the parent, family member, or friend of a CFANS student? The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences will be hosting an Open House on Friday, October 27th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Coffey Hall, Rooms 120 & 125, on the St. Paul Campus. You will have an opportunity to take a campus tour, and meet with CFANS students, faculty, and staff while enjoying light refreshments. We'll also be offering family portraits to commemorate the day! This is a great opportunity to explore where your student learns while discovering more about the people, opportunities, and resources available to support your student.

• College of Liberal Arts (CLA)

  • Info coming soon!

• College of Science & Engineering (CSE) in Mechanical Engineering Building, Room 2-134

  • Join the College of Science and Engineering to learn more about experiential learning opportunities for students in the Anderson Student Innovation Labs. The Innovation Labs are meant to be a student's laboratory, playground, and gateway to innovation and creativity. They are filled with all kinds of equipment and tools including 3D printers, laser cutters, hand tools, and more. Training and documentation are available for all students so that they can dive right in. Learn more at cse.umn.edu/andersonlabs. CSE Academic Advisors, Career Services, and other student programs will also be available for general questions. Light refreshments will be provided.

• Carlson School of Management (CSOM) in Hanson Hall 1-102

  • Join the Carlson School of Management for a mock class from Dr. Rand Park, followed by a Q&A panel with faculty, staff, and students and finally enjoy light refreshments and mingling with parents/families and staff.

   

• School of Nursing in 4-130 Weaver-Densford Hall

  • Join the School of Nursing for a program offered each hour, from 3:00pm - 4:00pm and again from 4:00pm - 5:00pm featuring a welcome from staff, Q&A with OSCAS staff & current Nursing students and a facilities tour featuring the Office of Student & Career Advancement Services, Bentson Center (Skills Lab/Simulation Center) and the Health Sciences Education Center.

Family Re-Union 5:00pm - 6:00pm 

Coffman Memorial Union, Theater (First Floor)

Come have some fun with an upbeat, exciting kickoff event with offices from the Office for Equity & Diversity. Enjoy heavy appetizers, music, and socializing with students, family members and staff from across campus here to foster community and belonging on our campus. 

Offices co-hosting this event include: Circle of Indigenous Nations, Disability Resource Center, Gender & Sexuality Center, Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, Multicultural Student Engagement, President's Emerging Scholars, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program and the Women’s Center.

Gopher Get Together 6:00pm - 8:00pm 

Weisman Art Museum

The Gopher Get Together will be an open house style event where you can come and go as you please. Enjoy dessert and live jazz music as you explore the art galleries and spend time with your family, other families and campus staff. There will also be an opportunity for the perfect Gopher Family Selfie outside on the second floor with an amazing view of the river, Washington bridge and the downtown skyline. Attendance to this event is included in the PFW registration, but not mandatory.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2023

Educational Sessions (Times Dependent on Football Kickoff Time)

Coffman Memorial Union, Theater (First Floor)

Attendance at all educational sessions is included in the PFW registration, but not required. 

Going Global Starting at 9:00am or 2:00pm (Times Dependent on Football Kickoff Time)

Going abroad is one of the most exciting parts of the student experience, but it requires family support, forethought, and planning. Learn how students incorporate international opportunities into undergraduate programs. Hear about the impact of study abroad on career preparation, and empower your future U graduate to distinguish him/herself in the global workforce.

What's Next: Housing 2024 Starting at 10:00am or 3:00pm (Times Dependent on Football Kickoff Time)

It may feel early to think about housing for the next year, but the time for signing a lease or extending a contract is already here. Learn about housing options on campus and in the U of M community as well as important details about what to look for when signing a contract. This session will include representatives from Housing & Residential Life, Off-Campus Living and Student Legal Service.

Ski-U-Mania Tailgate Two hours before the Football game 

Outside McNamara Alumni Center

Join the official Gopher tailgate of the Alumni Association. Open to all, this tailgate will feature food trucks, alumni vendors, sponsors and activity booths, bar service, a kids corner with face painting plus a chance to win raffle prizes!

Gopher Football Game Kickoff TBD (exact time may not be announced until 10 days prior)

Special family rate tickets are available for purchase using this link: z.umn.edu/PFW23. 

These tickets are NOT included in registration for Parent & Family Weekend, be sure to purchase tickets separately!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2023

Sunday Morning at the Rec 10:00am - 12:00pm

Recreation & Wellness Center

Enjoy the Recreation and Wellness Center and all it has to offer including all of the center’s equipment and services!

Enjoy a yoga class at 10:15am or bouldering and crate stacking throughout the morning as well.

 
Sunday Send Off! 10:00am - 12:00pm

Recreation & Wellness Center, Beacon Room

Join us for a fitting end to a fun-filled weekend with offices from the Office for Equity & Diversity. A light brunch with pastries, coffee, and juice with a chance to unwind and relax after a fun-filled weekend. Family members will also have the opportunity to prepare something fun to be shared with their students later with staff from across campus here to foster community and belonging on our campus. 

Offices co-hosting this event include: Circle of Indigenous Nations, Disability Resource Center, Gender & Sexuality Center, Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, Multicultural Student Engagement, President's Emerging Scholars, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program and the Women’s Center.

Celebrating Gopher Families Brunch (additional cost) 11:00am-12:30pm 

McNamara Alumni Center

Does your family’s Gopher connection span generations? If so, then this brunch is for you! The University of Minnesota Alumni Association invites families with U of M alumni (e.g. parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, and/or other family member) to celebrate the special legacy they are passing on to their student(s). This event will feature photos with Goldy and a special pinning ceremony for students and their alumni family members.

Pre-registration is required and includes a delicious brunch buffet and gift for all. Space is limited so register early!

• Cost for UMAA members: $20/per person
• Cost for non-UMAA members: $30/per person 

As part of Parent & Family Weekend, families are invited to cheer on our Golden Gophers as they take on the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

A few important notes:

• Kickoff time has not yet been announced and may not be until only a few weeks prior!
• If your student has season tickets, you have some options. First, your student can sit in the student section while your family sits in the seats you purchase. You can meet up before and after the game.  Or, after you check in with your student, you decide as a family that you'd all like to sit together, your student can transfer their ticket to another student and you can purchase a ticket for them to sit with you. It is not possible for families to sit in the student section.  
• Purchasing football and other athletic tickets is a separate process from registering for Parent & Family Weekend. 

If you have questions about tickets, please connect with the Gopher Ticket Sales & Service Office at [email protected] or call 1-800-U-GOPHER.  For questions about Parent & Family Weekend, please contact [email protected]. 

You can now register for Parent & Family Weekend 2023!

Visit  z.umn.edu/PFWRegister

Early Bird registration is open through September 30, 2023.  

Registration will be open through October 26, 2023. Registration after will be on site, based on space availability and payable by cash or check only.

Cancellation policy: 

• Cancelling October 12, 2023 or earlier, allows for a full refund.
• Cancelling on and after October 13th, 2023 and through or before October 26, 2023 allows for a 50% refund.
• No refunds are available from October 27, 2023 and beyond.

Cost:

This year's registration is a flat rate per family to help make registration easier:

• Register by the end of September for the Early Bird rate of $40 per family
• Registration starting October 1, 2023 will be $60 per family

Promo Code/ Fee Waiver:  If your student meets the eligibility criteria for a Pell Grant, your family might be eligible for a reduced or waived registration fee.  Please click here to register for a fee waiver.  These requests will be verified for eligibility and we will get back to you as soon as possible with additional information.

What you can expect

Programming will begin in the afternoon on Friday and will wrap-up by 12:00pm on Sunday. 

Consider what works best for your family as you plan your attendance. Some families choose to come for the entire weekend, while others may pop in for a quick visit. Whether you attend all or one of our events offered, we are excited to have you join us on campus.

Keep in mind that the U of M is a large campus, and visitors will do a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes and appropriate layers for outside activities are essential

As you are making travel arrangements, do what works best for you and your family. Oftentimes, families coming from a distance choose to travel to campus on Friday and return home on Sunday afternoon. 

I have heard from some families that the hotel blocks I have arranged for are either full or unavailable for the entire weekend.

I encourage you to keep checking back with the hotels listed on this page as we do see a fair number of cancellations as the weekend gets closer.

***If you have already made reservations but are no longer planning on using them, I kindly ask that you cancel your booking to allow other families to be able to make reservations.

Hotel Reservations:

Discounted rooms are available to you at hotels near campus at the Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown Hotel, the Graduate Minneapolis Hotel and the Hilton Garden Inn.

You do not have to book at these specific hotels if you have another preferred hotel, these are where discounts have currently been arranged for you in coordination with Parent & Family Weekend.

Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown Hotel

To make a reservation, please mention the group name ‘2023 Parent & Family Weekend’ via phone (877-699-3216), or book online using this link: Book your group rate for 2023 Parent & Family Weekend

Book your reservation by 10/6/22 to get the $159 rate or until they are filled.

Graduate Minneapolis Hotel

To make a reservation, please book online using this link to receive the $239 rate:
 

Graduate Minneapolis | Hotel in the Heart of UMN Campus (graduatehotels.com)

How to use your booking link:

1. Select the exact dates of your stay (top of page)
2. Click on check availability
3. Select room type – “Book now”
4. Confirm your stay, enter your name & credit card

You may also call (844-684-9427) and mention ‘2023 Parent & Family Weekend.’

Reservations available until filled.

Hilton Garden Inn
 

To make a reservation, please book online using this link for the 10% off discounted rate:
 

Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis University Area
 

You may also book by calling hotel direct or Hilton reservation line at 800-445-8667 and reference the “UMN Friends / Family Disc.” or letter code: UMNFF

 

Reservations may be made through 10-19-23

Hilton Minneapolis

To make a reservation, use the link below to book 15% off the best available rate: Book for 2023 Parent & Family Weekend
 

Parent & Family Weekend is not only for families of first-year students and it’s definitely not just for parents. All families, extended families, grade school siblings and supporters are welcome to join us! 

Keep in mind that the U of M is a large campus, and visitors will do a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes and appropriate layers for outside activities are essential.

Students are typically eager for a visit from home by this time in the semester. They may be tired, overwhelmed, or stressed and in need of some family time. By late October, students are generally settled in and have a regular routine. Ask them to take you to their favorite study spot or explore a nearby restaurant they've been wanting to try. 

Make sure to discuss your student’s schedule for the weekend in advance. Classes are still in session on Friday and your student may have study group or student group activities already on their calendar.