Welcome to NC State!
The Office of New Student Programs welcomes you to NC State University, a community of achievers, rich in tradition and academic excellence. 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 students.
During the program, you will be able to:
- 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 parents and family members.
Review the information below to help prepare for your session, and contact New Student Programs at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234 if you have questions. Please note that NSP and all university offices will be closed for winter break Dec. 23, 2022 – Jan. 3, 2023.
Registering for Orientation
Spring Orientation for new students will take place Friday, January 6, 2023. Attendance is mandatory for students and highly recommended for parents and family members. Family Orientation runs in conjunction with the student program and is designed to introduce families to the academic programs and special services available at NC State.
Friday, January 6, 2023
- Student and family programming will take place from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm
- Lunch will be provided for the student and up to two guests attending Family Orientation
The cost of attendance is included in the mandatory New Student Fee charged to all new students.
- This fee covers your student’s attendance and the attendance of up to two guests for Family Orientation, including guests’ materials and lunch tickets (up to two per family) for Fountain Dining Hall.
- No payment is due to New Student Programs. The New Student Fee will be included in your student’s Spring tuition bill.
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.
Registration for Family Orientation is tied to the student’s registration for orientation. Therefore, the student should register any guests (up to two) for Family Orientation at the same time that the student registers for New Student Orientation. They can find instructions on the 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 advance enrollment deposit can register for orientation.
Preparing for Orientation
Family Orientation is a full-day program, and participants can expect to arrive on campus at approximately 8:00 am and stay on campus until 6:00 pm. Here are some topics and resources you can expect to learn about while attending Family Orientation:
- Academic Resources and Unique Challenges facing new students
- Opportunities to Engage in the NC State Community
- Campus Expectations and Safety
- Financial Information (Cashier’s Office)
- Dining Options
- Student Health
- Technology at State
- Parking and Transportation
View the 2023 Spring Orientation Schedule here! (Coming Fall 2022)
- Students are required to attend the program until 6:00 pm, and family programming will be offered until 6:00 pm as well.
- Once you arrive on campus using the directions provided below, Orientation signs will direct you to where you are able to park during your Orientation.
- The majority of the program will take place in Talley Student Union, and lunch will be provided for up to two family members at Fountain Dining Hall.
On-campus housing for families is not available during Spring Orientation. If you need overnight accommodations in the Raleigh area, you can find a list of local hotels that offer discounts to NC State family members on the Parents & Families Services website.
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.
Learn more about student housing and the move-in process on the Student Orientation webpage.
PARKING FOR ORIENTATION (FRIDAY, January 6)
Orientation participants may park on campus in the Coliseum Parking Deck entering via Jensen Drive. The parking lot address is 201 Jensen Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.
HOW TO GET TO NC STATE:
- Directions to the Coliseum Parking Deck (201 Jensen Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607) can be found using this Waze Link or on the NC State Campus Map interactive website.
- Visit the University Transportation website for road construction updates/closings.
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 Coliseum Parking Deck from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm for the day of your session. Parking is free and open to the public after 5:00 pm
Register for your permit before leaving for orientation (sent 7 days prior to the orientation session), and 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.
- 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 need to change which vehicle you are bringing after registering, 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.
Need assistance?
If you have any questions about your student’s transition to NC State, contact New Student Programs:
- Text 833.712.1255 (Weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm)
- Email new-students@ncsu.edu
- Call 919.515.1234 (Weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm)
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 Sarah Shannon-Mohamed at new-students@ncsu.edu or 919.515.1234 during business hours of 8 am to 5 pm EST as soon as possible or at least 10 working days prior to the event.
