Welcome Parents & Family Members!

I met many of you during you and your student’s college decision-making process and am glad you have decided UC San Diego is the best fit for your student. Parent & Family Programs was established by UC San Diego to create the partnership between the university and parents and family members of current students. Recent research is showing that students look to their parents or a family member for advice and direction more than their peers. Also, students are now saying that the involvement of the parent or a family member assists them to have a better college experience. What that means is that the more aware you are of campus resources, activities, and policies – the better able you will be to assist your student.

There are many ways you can increase your knowledge of services and resources at UC San Diego. Here are just a few:

• Orientation is one of the times you can increase your knowledge and awareness of the many services at the university to assist you and your student! Orientation sessions are conducted in both June and September by individual Colleges. See the Orientation Information page for more details. Your student will receive more information to register for Orientation during the month of May.

• Update your email address! Parent & Family Programs sends a monthly e-newsletter, volunteer opportunities, and campus announcements specifically for parents and family members specifically by email. The email address we use for these mailings is the address listed as part of your student’s TritonLink profile. Not sure if your email is listed or if your student has updated your email address? Ask your student to log into TritonLink and look under “Addresses.”

• Come to Family Weekend 2009 – SAVE THE DATE, October 23 – 25, 2009. More information to come electronically or in hard copy mail during early September.

• Call us, email us, stay in contact! Calling our Family Helpline ((858) 534-7273) or emailing parents@ucsd.edu can provide assistance as needed and the Parent & Family Web site also affords direction.

I hope to see many you during Orientation! Best of luck in your transition to UC San Diego!

Cara D. Appel-Silbaugh, Ph.D.
Director
Parent & Family Programs
Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs