Transitioning to college is a big step — one that can be overwhelming and confusing
for students. That’s why we want to make sure you can help your student navigate this
life-changing process by having all the information about the University of Houston
at your disposal.
The Family and Supporter Orientation is an in-person experience where you will get the opportunity to learn about resources available for student
success and connect with future Cougar family members.
Registering in advance ensures your attendance at our catered family meals for an
associated fee (which covers all meals and UH Swag bag).
Freshman Family & Supporter Orientation Sample Schedule
Day 1
Time
Event
8 - 9:45 a.m.
Check-in In Waves
10 a.m.
Welcome
11 a.m.
Family & Supporter Welcome
12 p.m.
Lunch
1:15 p.m.
College Engagement Meeting
2:30 p.m.
Business of Being a Student
3:30 - 5 p.m.
Resource Fair & Breakout Sessions
5 p.m.
Social with Coog Moms
Day 2
Time
Event
8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
9 a.m.
Coog Talk
9:45 a.m.
Campus Safety & Care Panel
11 a.m.
Campus Tour
12 p.m.
Explore UH and Houston!
Transfer Family & Supporter Orientation Sample Schedule
Time
Event
8 - 9:15 a.m.
Check-in & Resource Fair
9:30 a.m.
Welcome
10 a.m.
Be Well, Do Well & Business of Being a Student
11 a.m.
Family & Supporter Welcome
12 p.m.
Lunch
1 p.m.
Campus Safety & Care Panel
2 p.m.
Coog Talk & Coog Moms
3 p.m.
Explore UH!
Orientation Fees and Refunds
The fee for freshman two-day Family and Supporter Orientation sessions is $60. The fee for transfer one-day Family and Supporter Orientation sessions is $40. Registration is available
until five business days prior to orientation.
All orientation fees for both students and family and supporter members are non-refundable regardless of cancellation.
New Student Programs does not offer housing for Family and Supporter Orientation.
We do offer a discount code for our Hilton Hotel that is housed on the University
of Houston campus and for surrounding Drury Inns, if family members and supporters
would like to stay.
Hilton University of Houston: Corporate Account Code - 3259528
Drury Hotels: University of Houston Rate Code - 327206
Family and Supporter Orientation offers intentional programming designed to educate
participants on all things UH and prepare them to be informed supporters of their
students both during this transition and into their collegiate careers.
If you need to change any information (date, email address, etc.) after registering
for family and supporter orientation, please reply to your registration confirmation
email with updates on what needs to be adjusted. Please note, changing your Family
and Supporter Orientation session does notchange your student's orientation date.
Your student will be attending New Student Orientation, and you will be attending
Family and Supporter Orientation. There will be some sessions in which you are together
and there will be other times where your programming is separate. As a family and
supporter in attendance, you will have separate meals and you will not participate
in the academic advising and course registration process.
First, your student needs to be aware of the major they were admitted into. Next,
they need to complete the change of major request two weeks prior to attending orientation.
Lastly, you will need to go to the college meeting/presentation that corresponds to
your student’s major on the day of orientation.
Students will meet with an academic advisor at New Student Orientation. Advisors are
available to help with course selection, degree requirements and other academic questions.
Family members and supporters are not permitted to attend the academic advising session
at New Student Orientation.
Class enrollment is done online through the myUH system. Students will consult with
their academic advisors to ensure they are enrolling in the appropriate courses for
their degree plan. Students will be guided through the enrollment process while attending
New Student Orientation and should leave the program with a class schedule.
Parents and guardians are welcome at all orientations and, if attending, will follow
a separate schedule of events. Because of the nature of the program, it is not appropriate
for anyone except parents/guardians or spouses to attend as a supporter. Friends or
siblings are not allowed to accompany students in attendance. Supporters under 18
will not be able to attend Family and Supporter Orientation without a parent or guardian.
The exception would be an older sibling who is acting in a guardian capacity; however,
in this case, the sibling would attend the Family and Supporter Orientation and would
not be with the student during any time parents and students are not ordinarily together.
New Student Programs staff can assist. Email orientation@uh.edu at least one week prior to your orientation date.
To receive complimentary event parking for orientation, you are required to park in
the University Gateway Garage. Follow these instructions to park. Select freshman or transfer from the drop-down menu. Gates for this garage
will be open for orientation attendees only. A parking ticket will not be validated if you park in a garage that is not the University Gateway Garage.
At check-in, you will receive a bag that will help when collecting handouts throughout
the day. If you are a notetaker, we recommend you bring additional paper to write
on. We also recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes as you will be traveling between buildings and bringing a sweater as it will get chilly inside campus buildings.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects a student's right to privacy
concerning their academic records and information. You can learn more about FERPA here.
Delegated access allows a UH student to name a delegate to their myUH self-service
account. This individual can view and/or take action in the account. You can learn more about delegated access here.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns related to orientation that weren't answered
above, please contact us at orientation@uh.edu. We look forward to seeing you!
