Parent Newsletter: June 2019
Parent Newsletter: June 2019
UP Parents
June 2019 Incoming Parent Newsletter
Greetings from the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations!
Welcome to the Pilot family! This newsletter kicks off a monthly communication that you will receive from our office over the next four years. While there are many resources available to UP students to help them succeed, our office strives to be a resource for YOU throughout the college years and beyond. We hope the topics covered in our monthly newsletter, the information housed at up.edu/parents, and the various events we host throughout the year will help you feel connected to and supported by the Pilot community as we partner with you in the growth and development of your student.
We look forward to getting to know you. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Sincerely, 
Katie Seccombe
Associate Director of Parent Engagement

Preparing for College

Over the summer, we encourage you to take time to discuss important topics to make the transition to college easier for both you and your student. These can be broken up into 5-minute chats and incorporated into everyday interactions (such as running errands, washing dishes, etc.). The more natural the setting, the more smoothly the conversation may go. You know your student best! We also encourage students to practice basic life skills before arriving to campus, such as doing laundry. What are other conversations or life skills that you’d like to discuss with your student before August?

Pilot Welcome Receptions

Attend a Pilot Welcome Reception if one is being held in your area! Pilot Welcome Receptions are held in cities with a large population of new UP students. These free gatherings are a great opportunity for you to meet University staff and other new UP families from your area before heading to campus for Orientation. Register today!

Orientation

Join us August 22–25, 2019 for Orientation! Although students are busy with their own sessions during Orientation, parents are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Special programming is provided to welcome you into the UP family and help you navigate this time of transition. Check out the Orientation website for more details, including the “Schedule-at-a-Glance” to learn about the flow of the weekend and when parent-specific programming is being offered. You may also find this list of local hotels helpful as you begin to make travel accommodations.

Shepard Academic Resource Center

In their ongoing effort to partner with and support students, the Shepard Academic Resource Center (SARC) has put together a New Student Page that contains information to help your student prepare for UP, including to-do lists and Frequently Asked Questions. Encourage your student to carefully review this page and contact SARC if they have questions. Also, be on the lookout for SARC parent newsletters sent out from their office throughout the course of your student’s first year at UP.

Residence Life

We’re excited to welcome your student to campus! Housing assignments for first-year students will be sent to their UP email address on July 10. A link to their roommate’s UP email address will be included so that they can reach out to get to know each other. Please check the Residence Life page for information about life on campus, including FAQ’s about what students should or should not bring with them to their residence hall room. More information about move-in will be emailed to students over the summer. Move-in day for first-year students and transfer students is on Thursday, August 22.

What is FERPA and why is it important?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of students and prohibits colleges from disclosing any student information, including financial information, without the explicit authorization of the student (no matter who pays the bills). To comply with FERPA, UP provides an opportunity for students to grant access to family members through the Proxy system in order for family members to view certain information online (such as student grades or tuition invoices) or to speak with specific departments regarding the student. Please encourage your student to review details about Proxy and to have a discussion with you regarding what information they feel comfortable sharing and whom they feel comfortable granting access to. 

First Generation College Students and Families

First Generation (also known as “FGEN”) students are defined by the University of Portland as those students where neither parent or guardian has earned a four-year college degree. Approximately 20% of the UP student population identifies as first generation! If your student is a first generation college student, know that they have a whole community of people excited to meet them and welcome them to UP. College is a big transition for the whole family, so we encourage you and your student to check out all the helpful resources and programs available through our FGEN program, including reflections from current students and an Instagram page.

Keep us updated!

We encourage all incoming families to share their contact information with our office and keep us updated should that information change over the next four years. As a Pilot parent, you are a valued member of our community, and we are committed to keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, events, and resources. We try to reach as many people as possible, but sometimes we don’t have current contact information for everyone. Please use this form to update your information at any time. Thank you! 

Family Weekend

Save the date and join us for First-Year and Sophomore Family Weekend, February 14–16, 2020! Family Weekend is a special time to immerse yourself in the UP community, meet your student’s roommates and friends, connect with University staff and faculty, and learn what it means to be a proud Pilot! More information and registration details will be available later in the fall semester.
parents@up.edu | 503.943.7328 | 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203
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