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Family Orientation

An incoming UCR student is joined by their family members at Highlander Orientation.

Congratulations and Welcome!

UC Riverside recognizes the important role families play in the success of UCR students. We also understand that families are not composed solely of parents and their college-bound students. So whether you are a parent, guardian, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, partner, spouse or supporter, we welcome you to the Highlander family!

This year, Highlander Orientation is offering a total of thirteen two day sessions; ten of these sessions will be in person on the UCR campus and three of these sessions will be offered virtually. To review the dates of upcoming Highlander Orientation sessions and determine which session is best for you and your student, please review the session dates listed on our website.

It is our pleasure to invite you to the Highlander Family Orientation!

Highlander Orientation for Families

The Highlander Family Orientation program is a two-day comprehensive program designed to help family members become familiar with campus resources, policies and procedures. It also helps family members better understand what first-year UCR students will face during their time at the University. They will have the opportunity to hear from, meet, and interact with faculty members, campus administrators, staff and student leaders.

Although the Student and Family Orientation sessions run at the same time, they are two separate programs and we have designated presentations that are specifically designed for our student population as well as our family population. However, there will be some sessions available during Family Orientation which will overlap with the Student Orientation.

We are dedicated to creating a program that will be engaging and informative for our new students and families alike. Please encourage your student to continue to check their e-mail to receive more important information and updates on Highlander Orientation 2024. If you would like to speak to someone directly, we encourage you to reach out to us by email (orientation@ucr.edu) or phone (951-827-2789). We appreciate your patience and are extremely excited to have you as a part of the Highlander family!
 


What Are UCR Parents Saying About Highlander Orientation?

  • "After one day at UCR, I feel like everyone really cares about our kids and wants them to do well. There is help available everywhere. I'm very impressed."
  • "I was not expecting the effort and care that everyone expressed. Their devotion to making the college experience as successful and enjoyable as possible was evident in every presentation."
  • "Family Orientation made us feel very comfortable about sending our son to UCR. Everybody was very informative, polite, gracious and ready to help. Orientation really made the true meaning of personal touch."
  • "Orientation was excellent. Thanks for making this experience [the student's transition into college] easier for parents. It shows that the entire administration takes a caring attitude."

Highlander Family Orientation Logistics and Planning

  • Both Student Orientation and Family Orientation will start with check in and a welcome presentation at approximately 10:00am. More details about the schedule will become available in the near future.
  • We also have a one-day Spanish Language Family Orientation which will be conducted completely in Spanish. 
  • The registration fee for guests for the 2024 program is $75 for guests ages 16+, $30 for guests ages 4-15, and free for guests ages 3 and under.
  • More information about the schedule and details of the Family Orientation Program will become available in the near future. Any questions about the Family Orientation Program can be directed to orientation@ucr.edu.

Orientación Familiar — Oprima aquí para información en español


Registration Procedure

Register Online

  • We recommend discussing Highlander Orientation options with your student before beginning the registration process.
    • Family members are encouraged to attend the same Highlander Orientation session as their student; however, families are able to register for a separate session if preferred.
  • Students must register their family members for a Highlander Orientation session; there is not a separate log in portal available for families. Your student can register for both the Student and the Family Orientation on the same website. 
  • Space in each Highlander Orientation session is limited, so please register early.  
  • While day of registration will be available on a first come first serve basis for families, Family Orientation sessions sessions often reach capacity before the sessions begin. If families are interested in attending Family Orientation it is highly recommended that families register before the June 1st deadline.

Program Cost

  • The registration fee for guests for the 2024 program is $75 for guests ages 16+, $30 for guests ages 4-15, and free for guests ages 3 and under.
  • The deadline to register for Family Orientation is June 1.

Housing Options During Your Session

Our Family Orientation program consists of a two-day on-campus session; while we do not provide housing for guests on-campus, there are a number of hotels available in the local Riverside area. We have listed a few options that are within driving distance below for your convenience. 

 

Courtyard by Marriott: Riverside
1510 University Avenue
Riverside, CA 92507

www.courtyardbymarriott.bookonline.com

 

Riverside Downtown Marriott
3400 Market Street
Riverside, CA 92501
www.marriott.com/ralmc

Hyatt Place
3500 Market Street
Riverside, CA 92501
www.hyattplaceriversidedowntown.com

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
3649 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
www.missioninn.com