Orientation Information for Families

New Family Orientation for the Class of 2029 will take place on Monday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 19, 2025!

 

All sessions for parents/families are OPTIONAL and separate from required orientation activities for new students.

**We are leaving the schedule below on the website from 2024 for reference only.**

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

What is New Family Orientation?

Orientation is designed to create a dynamic, celebratory, and welcoming environment. In this space, parents and family members can learn more about the college's services and resources and often meet Oxy's staff, faculty, and administrators.

Sessions are designed to be fun and an opportunity for parents/families to meet one another and socialize. We acknowledge that the day can be busy and emotionally charged, so pick and choose sessions that best fit your schedule; all sessions are OPTIONAL for parents/family members.

Please remember that many scheduled and required sessions are only for students during New Student Orientation, so please consult the student schedule first. There are only a few events where students and their families (parents) are invited.

As for meals, dinner is on your own, and for students, there are no 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 that 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

• PDF of New Family Orientation Schedule and Map (from 2024)
• Homecoming and Family Weekend: October 17-18, 2025
• Academic Calendar 2025-26
• New Student Guide

Questions?

Please email parents@oxy.edu.

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**EVENTS HAVE PASSED, WE ARE LEAVING INFO ON THE WEBSITE FOR REFERENCE ONLY**

2024 Schedule for New Family Orientation Activities

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

• 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM | JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER | Welcome Center and Check-In - Stop by the Alumni & Parent Engagement Table on Branca Patio 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 | MEET AT THE JOHNSON STUDENT CENTER QUAD | Campus Tours by our Admissions Office

• 1:00 - 2:00 PM  |  LOWER HERRICK |   Open House - Office of Religious and Spiritual Life

• 1:00 - 1:30 PM |  JOHNSON HALL 200, CHOI AUDITORIUM | Presentation by Campus Partners: Campus Safety 

• 1:30 - 2:00 PM | JOHNSON HALL 200, CHOI AUDITORIUM | Presentation by Campus Partners: Campus Dining 

• 2:00 - 3:00 PM | JOHNSON HALL 200, CHOI AUDITORIUM | “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 | JOHNSON HALL 200, CHOI AUDITORIUM  | You Heard It Here First! Student Panel for Parents

• 4:00 - 5:15 PM | SAMUELSON CAMPUS PAVILION/TIGER COOLER   |   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 | SOLAR ARRAY PARKING LOT | Hike for Parents | This short but very steep hike up to Fiji Hill. There is no pre-registration, and space is limited to the first 40 guests.

• 10:00-11:00 AM |  Payton Jordan Athletic Center | Self Guided Tour of Athletics

• 10:30 - 11:30 AM | CANNON PLAZA  | Parents Coffee with Advancement

• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |  THORNE HALL  | Presentation by Campus Partners: Financial Aid 

• 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

• 12:00- 4:00 PM |  CONCESSION STAND ACROSS FROM THE BENGAL ROOM |  Oxy Ecossentials Thrift Store, follow for updates! @oxyecossentials.

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

• 2:00 - 3:00 PM |  THORNE HALL | Presentation by Campus Partners: Careers, Pre-Health, Pre-Law, and Fellowships

• 3:00 - 4:00 PM | THORNE HALL | 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 no "formalized" plans for activities for students during this meal time. Therefore, our general guidance to parents is that you may wish to 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 that in years past, some student orientation leaders or RAs may informally gather folks in their hall for dinner, and trip leaders will be present to answer any questions or help facilitate interactions.