Below you’ll find answers to common questions about Family Orientation. If you do not find the answer to your question below, please email familyorientation@austin.utexas.edu or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT).
Questions by Category:
Schedule and Activities
What time does Family Orientation start and end?
Day 1: Check-in for Family Orientation and the Resource Fair takes place from 9:30-11:00 a.m. with formal programming immediately beginning at 11:30 a.m. Day 1 programming concludes at 6:30 p.m. with a Family Reception. It is not required or necessary to arrive at 9:30 a.m.; rather, Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. to accommodate families who are driving to Austin early that morning from around the state.
Day 2: Programming will start at 8:00 a.m. and end around 2:00 p.m.
What is the Resource Fair?
The Resource Fair is an opportunity for parents, families and students to meet and talk with representatives from over 20 on-campus departments that takes place during Check-in for Longhorn Orientation.
Will my student be with me during Family Orientation?
Majority of the programming and sessions during the two days will be together. However, there will be student ONLY sessions/meetings (ex: academic advising appointments & class registrations) for some portions of the day.
Can parents/families attend the Student Orientation programming?
Academic advising appointments are only for students and their academic advisors. During this time parents are encouraged to attend Choice Sessions and other Family Orientation programming that will be offered.
What college/school program should I attend if my student has a double major?
If your student has a double major in separate college/schools, you are encouraged to attend the presentation by your student’s primary major. Or, if you have multiple attendees in your party, you may split up and attend the different presentations.
What college/school program should I attend if I have more than one student?
If you have more than one student in separate college/schools, please email us or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) to talk through strategies. Or, if you have multiple attendees in your party, you may split up and attend the different presentations.
My student was admitted to a certain college/school but wants to transfer to another. Can I attend the presentation of the college/school to which my student wants to transfer?
No, you must attend the college/school presentation of the college/school in which your student was admitted to and currently enrolled.
Will the Family Orientation program include any physical activity?
While we try to limit the amount of physical activity, you will be walking outside in the Texas summer heat. We recommend wearing walking shoes, comfortable clothing and bringing a water bottle. We also recommend bringing a sweater as it can get chilly inside campus buildings.
Is there programming available for siblings or children who attend?
No, Family Orientation is restricted to family members who are supporting their students and who are 18 years of age or older.
Will I be able to join the Texas Parents Association during Family Orientation?
Yes, Texas Parents will have sign-up membership stations available for you to sign-up throughout your orientation session. Student membership staff and Texas Parents full-time staff will be available to answer your questions. Learn more about membership here.
Registration and Sessions
Are there deadlines to register for a Family Orientation session?
Online registration for each session will close a week prior at 11:59 p.m. (CT) before the scheduled orientation session date.
Am I required to attend the same orientation session date as my student?
While we highly recommend that you attend the same Family Orientation session that corresponds with your Student’s Orientation session, it is not required. If you attend a session date that differs from your student, you MUST make sure that your student’s college/school is presenting at the session you desire to attend.
I am planning to attend a different Family Orientation session date than my student's Longhorn Orientation, can I register my student to attend Family Orientation to give my student extra exposure to information?
No new information will be presented as many presentations are joined with parents and students. Please do NOT register your incoming student to attend Family Orientation. Please email us at familyorientation@austin.utexas.edu if you have further questions.
Can I switch to a different Family Orientation session?
You can switch to a different session date but you must make sure that your student’s college/school is presenting at the session you desire to attend. A list of the college/schools in attendance at each Family Orientation session can be found here. To change your session, please email familyorientation@austin.utexas.edu with the session date you originally registered for and which session you’d like to switch to. Please note, changing your Family Orientation session does not change your student's Longhorn Orientation date.
I have completed the Family Orientation registration process but I have not received a confirmation email.
The confirmation emails are auto-generated from the registration system and should arrive as soon as your transaction is complete. Please email familyorientation@austin.utexas.edu or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) if you did not receive the auto-generated confirmation.
I have completed the Family Orientation online registration process but need to add an additional registrant.
If you are needing to add a registrant to your initial registration, please complete a new registration order form on the Texas Parents and Families Portal and make sure to list your student's EID so that we are able to tie the two registrations together for check-in.
I missed the ability to register online for my orienation session, can I still attend Family Orientation?
Yes, Same Day registration will be available when you arrive to the Union for Check-in. Same Day Registration is $75 per attendee and can only be paid with credit/debit cards (listed below in Payment information). However, please know that we have limited space for Orientation and Same Day registrants could possibly be seated in an overflow room based off capacity of our current venue.
What if I miss or do not show up for my orientation session?
If you miss your registered Family Orientation session, your payment will not be refunded. You may request to attend a later Family Orientation session date by emailing the familyorientation@austin.utexas.edu email but the session that you request MUST correspond with your student's college/school. As soon as you know you are not able to attend, please let us know so that we can free up a space for another family member to attend!
Payment
What does the Family Orientation registration charge include?
The registration charge covers all-day programming, one meal and one t-shirt. It does not include parking.
Can I receive a waiver for the registration charge?
No. The charge cannot be waived.
What payment methods are accepted for the registration charge?
If you register online or at Same Day registration, charges can be only be paid by debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express).
I will not be able to attend all of the session. Can I pay a reduced registration charge?
No, the registration charge remains the same regardless of the amount of programming that you attend.
I am unable to attend the session I have registered for and need to cancel my registration. May I get a refund?
Registration charges are non-refundable. The only exception granted is by providing documentation that your student has de-committed from their UT Austin enrollment and will be attending a different institution in the fall. If you are unable to attend, please let us know by emailing us familyorientation@austin.utexas.edu.
Parking & Travel
Can parents/families stay in the on-campus residence halls during orientation?
On-campus housing is not provided to parents and family members during orientation. If you need overnight accommodations, please stay tuned as we work with our hotel partners to get discounted rates for our incoming freshman parents and families.
Where can I park during orientation?
Parking for students and families attending both Family Orientation and Student Orientation is serviced by UT Austin’s Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) department and is a separate fee from orientation registrations. Stay tuned for a link for Family Orientation parking and/or your student's Orientation parking if they are attending solo.
Other Important Information
How can I request accommodations if I have a disability?
Please email familyorientation@austin.utexas.edu or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) for more information. Requests must be received at least two weeks before the date of your orientation session in order to coordinate resources.
What if English is not my first language, can I still attend Family Orientation?
Yes, you are able to bring a translator of your choice to accompany you throughout the day; however, you will need to email familyorientation@austin.utexas.edu or call the Texas Parents office at 512-471-2353 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) before registering for more information on how to complete your online registration form.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
We recommend bringing a sweater as it can get chilly inside campus buildings and a refillable water bottle as you will be traveling between buildings in the Texas summer heat.
Will I receive a reminder prior to Family Orientation?
Yes, you will receive a "Final Details" email with more detailed program information from Texas Parents a week prior to your session.
Is childcare available for children or siblings who attend?
No, there is no childcare provided. Family Orientation is restricted to family members who are supporting their students who are 18 years of age or older.