Skip to main content
respect

Fall 2024 First-Year Family Orientation

The Office of New Student Programs welcomes you to NC State University, a community of achievers, rich in tradition and academic excellence. 

Welcome to NC State!

To assist you and your family as new members of this community, we invite you to attend a Family Orientation session. These sessions are designed specifically for parents and families of first-year, domestic students beginning at NC State in August 2024. While students are attending New Student Orientation, family members can attend Family Orientation.

Orientation Dates

  • Domestic First-Year Orientation sessions are college/program-specific, so students need to attend the appropriate session for the major/college in which they are currently enrolled. Students can attend any of the sessions designated for their college (e.g. students in the College of Engineering can attend any of the various Engineering sessions).
  • Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are attendance caps for each session.
  • Students are required to attend from 8:30 a.m. on the first day until 12:30 p.m. on the second day. Take travel time into account as they select their session, and make plans.
  • Monday, July 22 – Tuesday, July 23
  • Tuesday, July 23 – Wednesday, July 24
  • Wednesday, July 24 – Thursday, July 25 (Note: This session is only available for students majoring in Animal Science)

*Students majoring in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate orientation dates below under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program

  • Monday, July 8 – Tuesday, July 9
  • Monday, July 8 – Tuesday, July 9
  • Tuesday, June 11 – Wednesday, June 12
  • Wednesday, June 12 – Thursday, June 13
  • Thursday, June 13 – Friday, June 14
  • Monday, June 17 – Tuesday, June 18
  • Monday, July 29 – Tuesday, July 30
  • Tuesday, July 30 – Wednesday, July 31
  • Wednesday, July 31 – Thursday, August 1

*Students majoring in Textile Engineering attend the Orientation for the Wilson College of Textiles

*Students majoring in Paper Science Engineering attend the Orientation for the College of Natural Resources

  • Wednesday, July 10 – Thursday, July 11
  • Thursday, July 11 – Friday, July 12
  • Monday, June 24 – Tuesday, June 25
  • Wednesday, July 17 – Thursday, July 18
  • Thursday, July 18 – Friday, July 19
  • Thursday, July 25 – Friday, July 26

*College of Natural Resources session includes Paper Science Engineering majors

  • Tuesday June 25 – Wednesday, June 26
  • Tuesday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 10
  • Monday, July 15 – Tuesday, July 16

*Students majoring in the Life Sciences First Year Program should locate orientation dates above under the heading Life Sciences First Year Program

  • Wednesday, June 26 – Thursday, June 27
  • Thursday, June 27 – Friday, June 28
  • Tuesday, July 16 – Wednesday, July 17
  • Wednesday, July 17 – Thursday, July 18
  • Monday, July 22 – Tuesday, July 23

*Wilson College of Textiles session includes Textiles Engineering majors

About Family Orientation

Family Orientation is designed for those who will serve as a student’s primary support throughout their transition to the university. During the program, attendees will:

  • Get better acquainted with the academic programs and campus services offered to your student
  • Gain insights into the potential adjustments your new college student and your family will face
  • Meet NC State staff, current students, and other Family Orientation attendees

Can children or young adults attend the program? Children and young adults are welcome to attend Family Orientation, but the majority of the sessions are presented in a lecture format and may not be engaging for them. Please note: Children and young adults in attendance should be supervised at all times by their family members while on our campus for Family Orientation.

Will students and guests be together during the program? Guests should not expect to be with their student throughout the entire program. Some sessions of New Student and Family Orientation will overlap, but the majority of presentations and activities are separate.

The cost of attendance is included in the mandatory, non-refundable First-Year Student Fee charged to all new first-year students.

  • This fee covers your student’s attendance and the attendance of up to two guests, which includes your materials and lunch tickets (up to two per family) for Fountain Dining Hall.
  • This fee does not include overnight housing for family members. See the “Housing” section below for a list of options.
  • No payment is due to New Student Programs. The First-Year Student Fee will be included in your student’s fall tuition bill.

Registration for Family Orientation is tied to the student’s registration for orientation. Therefore, the student should register guests for Family Orientation at the same time that the student registers for New Student Orientation. They can find instructions on the New Student Orientation webpage.

Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent to the student’s and family member’s email addresses. Please keep a copy of this email for your records.

Only students who have been accepted to NC State and have paid their advanced enrollment deposit can register for orientation. Registration is now open, and all accepted students who have paid their deposit will receive an email inviting them to register. Students should expect to receive their invitation email within three days after submitting their deposit.

Summer Start Students

If your student is a confirmed participant in the Summer Start program, they will register for the Summer Start Orientation session, which will take place on Thursday, June 20, 2024 and Friday, June 21, 2024. If your student needs assistance registering for this session, please contact our office at new-students@ncsu.edu.

Family Orientation will run from 8:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. on Day 1 and from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Day 2.

  • Check-in is from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at Lee Residence Hall.
  • Once you arrive on campus using the directions provided below, Orientation signs will direct you to the parking lots where you are able to park throughout the program.
  • The majority of the program will take place in Talley Student Union.
  • Lunch for up to two Family Orientation guests on Day 1 at Fountain Dining Hall, is included in the First-Year Student Fee. Additional meals for family members are available for purchase throughout Orientation at respective dining locations. All student meals (lunch and dinner on the first day and breakfast on the second day) are included in the First-Year Student Fee.

Resources that will be covered at Family Orientation include:

  • Dining, Bookstore, and Student ID Card
  • Campus Safety
  • Your Student’s Academic College or Program
  • Campus Health
  • Cashier’s Office
  • Living at NC State

For an idea of what to expect, view the 2023 First-Year Family Orientation schedule. The 2024 Orientation schedule will be available in May.

You have several options to consider when making overnight accommodations for Family Orientation. Housing for family members is not included in the First-Year Student Fee.

  • Option 1: Pay to stay on campus in the Avent Ferry Complex. Reservations are required and must be made in advance using University Housing’s request form. Payment must be made no later than five days in advance of your arrival. Registration is live and is on a first-come, first-served basis, as space is limited.
  • Option 2: Make an off-campus reservation at a local hotel. Parents and Families Services provides a list of local hotels offering discounts to NC State families. Note: NC State does not endorse any particular entities that are not part of NC State. The University has no responsibility with respect to any entities, or the housing or services they offer. 

Visit the Family Housing webpage for more information on available housing and hotel options.

Student Housing: Learn more about student housing at Orientation on the New Student Orientation webpage. Students staying on campus must provide their own linens (e.g., bedding, towels, etc.) when staying on campus.

Orientation participants may park on campus in the Lee Lot/West Lot areas located off of Sullivan Drive. The parking lot address is 2530 Sullivan Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607.

HOW TO GET TO NC STATE:

  • Directions to Lee Parking Lot (2530 Sullivan Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607) can be found using this Waze link.
  • Visit the University Transportation website for road construction updates/closings.
  • Please do not try to enter campus via Dan Allen Drive from Hillsborough Street. The road is gated and not accessible to campus from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

ORIENTATION PARKING:

Students and families attending Orientation will use a free virtual parking permit that is validated using license plate recognition. The permit will be valid for the Lee Lot and West Lot from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on both days of your session. Parking is free and open to the public after 5:00 p.m.

You will receive an email with instructions to register for your parking permit approximately 10 days prior to your scheduled Orientation session, and you should register for your permit before arriving to Orientation. Please note that you will need your license plate information to complete the online form. Speak with your student before obtaining your permit to ensure you are only completing this online registration process once for each vehicle that will need parking during Orientation.

Important Virtual Permit Notes:

  • This permit is free for guests, and you should not need to enter credit card information. If you use a credit card to purchase another permit in error, refunds are not available.
  • If you registered for “Family Housing” at the Avent Ferry Complex, this permit covers the Avent Ferry Complex parking lot for both days of your session, and the night before you session (no earlier than 5:00 p.m.). You will need to move your car to Lee Lot or West Lot before Orientation Check-In at Lee Hall at 8:00 a.m. the morning of your Orientation session.
  • Accessible parking is available. It is only valid when a state-issued placard is displayed in your vehicle and you have registered for an accessible virtual Orientation permit through NC State (instructions above).
  • If you change your Orientation session date or need to change which vehicle you are bringing, call the NC State Transportation office at 919.515.3424 to edit your permit.
  • If you will be using a rental car, wait to register for a virtual permit once you have the vehicle and its license plate information.

In compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the New Student and Family Orientation program, please contact Laila Mohamed at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234 during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST as soon as possible or at least 10 working days prior to the event.

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions throughout the summer about orientation or your transition to NC State, contact New Student Programs via:

  • Text 833.712.1255 (Weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
  • Email new-students@ncsu.edu
  • Call 919.515.1234 (Weekdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m.)