Parent Orientation Program - for Parents of Freshmen

Program Fees

There is a separate program fee for the in-person Freshman Parent Orientation. Fees can be found under the "Freshman: Fees & Billing" page. The fee does not include housing for parents. The freshman online sessions include workshops for parents at no additional cost.

Overnight Arrangements

Parents who are attending the in-person Parent Orientation program must make their own overnight arrangements separately.

There are several local area overnight options from which to choose. In addition to hotels and motels, UCSB Conference & Hospitality Services has set aside space in the university-owned San Joaquin Villages Apartments for parents who are attending Parent Orientation. See Hotels & Lodging for these apartments and additional options.

Important Notes

  • Parents must be included on the student's reservation form if they plan to attend Orientation.

  • Parents must make their reservation and payment for overnight accommodations separately from the Orientation reservation.

  • Orientation is intended for entering freshmen and their parents or guardians only. We are unable to provide activities or accommodations for younger family members.

2-Day Program Overview - for Parents of Freshmen

Day One

  • 7:30-9:10am - Check-In at Manzanita Village +; Campus Tours +
  • 9:20am - Walk to Welcome Assembly from Manzanita Village +
  • 9:45am - Welcome Assembly +
  • 10:30am - Dean's Address, Academic Presentation, and Panel Discussion *
  • 12:40pm - Lunch in the Dining Commons +✧
  • 1:45pm - Special Tours and Meetings +
  • 3:15pm - Student Services Presentation - career services, student health, study skills, etc.
  • 4:45pm-Housing & Move-In Weekend Workshop
  • 6:00pm - Dinner in the Dining Commons +✧

Day Two

  • 7:30am - Breakfast in the Dining Commons +✧
  • 9:00am - Student Services Presentation - counseling, safety, student involvement, etc.
  • 10:20am - Student Viewpoint Panel
  • 11:45am - Co-Curricular Workshops on Involvement Opportunities +
  • 12:30pm - Lunch in the Dining Commons +✧
  • 1:30pm - Your Student's First year - presentation on how to support your student and be a partner in their success
  • 3:00-4:30pm - Close of program - students will conclude course registration between 3:00-4:00pm 

+ Activities where parents and students are together. See Freshman Orientation on this website for Freshman Student Program Overview.

✧Our campus dining commons can accommodate many diets with a variety of food options available. Dining commons menus will be posted online for the current day, plus six days in advance, and guests may use this Food Facts Tool to identify common allergens and determine safe foods to consume. Additionally, for guests with medically required gluten-free diets, there is a secured, Gluten-Free Cabinet in each dining commons that can be accessed with advance notice and coordination with our Dietitian. Any guests following a medically required gluten-free diet should contact sa-orientation@ucsb.edu at least seven days prior to their Orientation session.

* The College of Letters & Science academic presentation for parents will also be presented in Spanish. También presentado en Español.

2-Day Online Program Overview - for Parents of Freshmen

All parents and family members of incoming freshmen are welcome to join the online workshops offered for parents during our two-day online sessions (August 5-6 & 8-9, 2024). Parent workshops during our online sessions are offered at no additional cost. Please register as a guest under your student's reservation to receive program schedule details and Zoom links. All program times are Pacific Time (PT).