As a parent or family member of an incoming first year student, you are invited and encouraged to attend the Summer Orientation program. In fact, there is a special program for family members that runs concurrently with the student program. During the program, parents will find out information about Ithaca College resources such as housing, financial aid, health services, counseling services, and specific school related information.  Family members will also have an opportunity to ask current students questions regarding student life at Ithaca College.

During the afternoon part of Day 2, your student will meet with a faculty member to discuss courses for the fall.  During this time, separate activities are scheduled for parents. Why are there separate programs during advisement and registration? Orientation marks the beginning of your student’s college career and is a new stage in his/her life. With this new beginning, comes an increased need for independence and self-sufficiency on the part of students. Since course selection and academic planning are vital components of your student’s college career, it is important that s/he becomes familiar with the process from the beginning. We prefer to help develop self-sufficiency in this process at orientation when one-to-one assistance and instruction are readily available. As a result of this personalized service, our hope is that students will have the ability to initiate and complete the advisement and registration process.

 The schedule also allows for time to interact with and have meaningful conversations with other parents.  In addition to informal breakfasts and lunch, we have set up an opportunity for you to dine in local restaurants and to have a great meal and to talk about the day’s information.   You pay for your own meal, but the conversation is free!

 So, enjoy orientation and be sure to leave having all of your questions answered.