Parent and Family Orientation
Learn about how we help families support their students' success at UB.
On this page:
You play an important role in your student’s college success. While your student is required to participate in their student orientation program, there are a number of ways you can support their transition.
- Review your student's orientation requirements for Summer Orientation and Welcome Weekend, then help them make a plan to participate.
- Take advantage of Parent and Family Orientation events and resources, detailed on this page.
- Help your student work through the New Student Checklist.
- Help your student answer common questions about their start at UB; review the orientation FAQ page.
- Review Information for UB Parents and Family Members.
- Have a question about orientation? Email us.
Parent and Family Orientation Resources
Review the items on this page to help support your student's transition to UB.
Short, recorded videos offer helpful and timely information for you as a supporter of a new UB student.
We also welcome you to submit your questions via email. We will respond to you and post the most frequently asked questions on this page. Check back regularly through the start of the semester.
Academics at UB
Review the information linked below to better understand what to expect for your student's academic experience this semester as well as the services and people at UB who support your student's success.
Advice from UB Faculty
UB faculty share their role and expectations, and their approach to teaching in the UB classroom.
Academics at UB Resources
Paying for College (Billing and Financial Aid)
Review the information below to learn about Financial Aid and how to pay the bill at UB.
Financial Aid Information
Billing and Payment Process at UB
Life on Campus
Campus life can help ease your student's transition to college and help them build community from the start. That might mean utilizing resources or services offered from UB or connecting with other new students. You play an important role helping your student set realistic expectations for the semester and navigating the ups and downs of their new college environment.
Review the information below to learn more about what's ahead for your new UB student.
Living on Campus
Dining on Campus
UB Information Technology
UB Information Technology staff overviews the steps and tasks for new students to get started with tech tools and resources.
Supporting Your Student's Experience
Answers to questions submitted from the Parent and Family Orientation On-Demand Information will be posted on this page.
All students are assigned an academic advisor or advising center based their major and/or special program affiliation (such as EOP or Honors). Advisors help students make well-informed decisions and plans regarding their course of study, help students stay on track academically, and provide resources and referrals. Contact information for each student’s academic advisor is listed on their HUB Student Center, and can also be found via this directory.
For new students, academic advisors will reach out to students prior to the start of the semester to assist with registering for courses. The timeline for new student course registration is detailed on Step 3: Register for Classes by student's assigned advisor code. Learn more about advising at UB.
The first eBill will be generated and sent to students in July. It is due, in full, prior to the start of classes. Review information about UB's billing cycle and process to learn what to expect.
Students may designate someone, such as a parent, guardian or spouse, as an authorized payer. Authorized payers can view and pay the bill, view transaction history, and more. Learn more about authorized payers, including how to set up an authorized payer.
Most new students living on campus will move in on Thursday, August 24; international students will move in earlier. Campus Living (UB’s housing office) will email students in August with detailed instructions about move-in for their assigned building or apartment.
After move-in, new first-year students are required and new transfer students are very highly encouraged to attend Welcome Weekend from August 25 - Sunday, August 27. The first day of classes is August 28.
The orientation office will host 1-hour live question and answer sessions featuring experts from the orientation office in July. These sessions allow parents and family members of new students to ask their questions to both staff and current students prior to the start of the semester.
Please note, sessions will not be recorded or distributed. Sessions are identical; we recommend selecting the day/time that works best for your schedule and only attend once.
Session details:
- Thursday, July 13, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Eastern time
- Thursday, July 20, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Eastern time
- Thursday, July 27, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
Check back in July for the Zoom link to join.
Use the Zoom App
For the best experience, we recommend viewing from the Zoom application on your device, not the web browser. Visit the Zoom website to sign up for a free account.
Program Overview
UB offers a two-day, on-campus orientation program in July for supporters of new first-year, U.S. students. Parent and Family Orientation runs concurrently, but separate from, the first-year student orientation program.
During Parent and Family Orientation, we’ll cover what to expect during your student's first year at UB and how you can support the start of their college journey. You'll also learn about services and resources your student should utilize during their first year, strategies for you to help your student navigate the transition to college, and an opportunity to get to know the UB community and campus environment.
Please Note: The Parent and Family Orientation program is appropriate for family members ages 16 and up.
LEARN MORE ABOUT
The fee includes all costs associated with the program, including meals, staff, and materials. The fee for Parent and Family Orientation is $100 for the first guest and $50 for each additional.
Program Registration
Register for Parent and Family Orientation through the “Parent & Family Orientation” tab in the orientation data form, which your student can log in to at any time. Please note that your student will need their email address and password (created during the initial login to the system) and payment must be made by credit card.
Registration and payment must be received by June 20. Registration must be completed in advance; day-of walk-in registration is not available.
Cancellations must be made in writing at least four business days prior to the scheduled orientation session for a full refund. Refunds cannot be processed after that deadline.
If cost is a barrier to attend on-campus Parent and Family Orientation, submit a fee waiver request to the orientation office by June 20.
Please note: the form must be submitted by your UB student (requires UBITname and password).
Additional Details
Supporters attending on-campus orientation will need off-campus overnight accommodations. If you need suggestions, check here for a list of partner hotel accommodations.
The on-campus Summer Orientation takes place on North Campus. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and a high-quality face covering.
Prepare for your trip to campus
Additional Resources
Not attending orientation?
If you plan to travel with your student to Buffalo, NY, but not to attend the orientation program, spend your time getting to know the City of Good Neighbors.
Sample Schedule
Day One
| TIME | SESSION |
| 10:00 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. | Summer Orientation Check-In
Arrive no later than 11:45 a.m. to check in to the program and allow your student to settle in to overnight housing. Arrive earlier to take advantage of Choice Events listed below, including lunch.
This session is with your student. |
| between 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Choice Events after Check-In
Arrive to campus earlier to take advantage of:
This session is with your student. |
| 1:00 p.m. | Summer Orientation Welcome
This session is with your student. |
| 2:15 - 5:00 p.m. | Afternoon sessions; topics include:
|
| 5:00 - 7:15 p.m. | Rotate through presentation and dinner:
|
| 7:15 p.m. | End of the first day
Your student's program continues until 9:30 p.m. before their overnight stay in Governors Complex on campus. |
Day Two
| TIME | SESSION |
| 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast
This session is with your student. If you have a vehicle with you, we recommend you meet your student before breakfast to store their luggage from their overnight stay on campus. |
| 9:45 a.m. | Morning sessions; topics include:
|
| 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Orientation Endings
Choose experiences most important to (or required for) your student. We strongly recommend you plan your afternoon to participate in the following events:
These events are with your student. Student-only events will be indicated on the printed schedule distributed at check-in.
|
Need Help?
Helping new students transition to life at UB:
Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs
Student Life
University at Buffalo
112 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-6125