Parents and Orientation

dogs · 04-29-2006, 09:50 AM

Most parents attend the summer orientaion. It is totaly seperate from the students so you don't really see each other until its all over. They have special topics for parenst and a few social events. Parenst are permitted to stay in dorm housing. We chose to get a nearby hotel since we thougt that meant staying at the dorms with shared bathrooms. Turns out the parenst get to stay in their own suites at the Student Viallge which is beautiful and brand new. It certanly costs less than a hotel. There are parent events in the evening or people can go out sightseeing, etc. on their own. Dean Kelmore has a jazz reception on top of the Student Village building which is a beautiful reception space with glass windows that cover every "wall" so that the view of Boston and the river is phenonmenal. Most parenst dress casual for that event although I woulkd not recommend jeans since the DEan will be holding court in a tuxedo. Be sure to meet him since he is wquite intersting.

kinshasa · 04-29-2006, 11:33 AM

I second staying in the student housing. It was about $55/night and so convenient. The weather changed almost hourly and it was nice to be so close to your lodging if you wanted to grab a sweater. Also sometimes there was very little time between a session and an evening activity, too little time to return to a hotel, but 10 Buick St. was right there.

There were four private bedrooms. Two bedrooms shared a bathroom. I was able to meet some other moms and we had a great time sharing. If you're a parent going by yourself I highly recommend staying there.

Shampoodle · 04-29-2006, 12:19 PM

Thanks for the input! While we're on the topic of orientation, however, do either of you know if students are strictly segregated by college during student orientation? Or is there plenty of inter-college mingling? Thanks in advance!

kinshasa · 04-29-2006, 12:33 PM

I think the orientation groups were organized by school: COM, SMG, etc. But the kids were all together at general events. That is to say, you could register for any of the 7 or so orientation dates you wanted; within each orientation, groups were organized by school.

nathansc · 04-29-2006, 05:13 PM

most academic-related events, like help with registration and meetings about specific majors, were separated by college. but fun events, like city excursions and all the things at the GSU one night, were shared by students of all colleges. same with dorms.

rsky62 · 04-30-2006, 10:55 AM

I will be coming to the orientation with my D, my husband will not be attending, just wondering if other parents come without spouses... I did not realize how much time was spent in separate groups. Thanks for the help.

commom · 04-30-2006, 11:24 AM

I'll be attending with my daughter without my husband..I think I'll try staying in the dorms. It sounds convenient and cheap.

kinshasa · 04-30-2006, 11:30 AM

There are many parents without spouses; remember too there are many single-parent families. You won't feel left out.

dogs · 04-30-2006, 02:53 PM

Yes, its the begining of learning to let go I suppose. They seperated us and joked about which parents can hold off checking on their child via cell phone. My husband and I attended together but I would say about a third of the parents are solo for this event. If I recall, at one of the seminars they arranged it so that parents from specific regions could sit with one another. They had current BU students put on a couple of skits about kids leaving home and spent a fair amount of time talking about our transition not just acclimating us to BU. After this orientation I felt much better about my s's choice to attend BU. On the other hand he ended up with many misgivings after orientation, quote "Its all rich kids from private schools", which is not the case. This lasted until about October and now its fine and going well.

GOBU · 04-30-2006, 03:45 PM

From my perspective as a student, orientation was one of the greatest experiences I have had in a long time, and truly helped with the transition to the college life. Also, me and my parents opted for the extended stay, for 5 days, and I saw them once between that time, and that was when I couldn't stand the heat in the dorm I was staying in, so I went and joined them in the StuV, with their air conditioned room and all.

PS. ALL ORIENTATION STUDENTS, BRING A FAN WITH YOU OR RISK MELTING.

KG974 · 04-30-2006, 06:49 PM

ummmmmmm ...my mom's a single parent....waitress= low income...we visited for open house...so she says that i can go to orientation myself...does this happen often?...i dont wanna b the only kid whose parents are there...we really cant afford 2 plane tickets...

dogs · 04-30-2006, 08:07 PM

At least 10% of kids are there without a parent and 10% is a lot of kids. The kids spent no time with their parents anyway so it doesn't matter.

Bing · 04-30-2006, 08:33 PM

KG974, neither of my parents will be there either. They don't see it as financially worth it, my dad has limited vacation days, and my mom thinks it's too much trouble. I still plan on enjoying myself at orientation regardless.

nathansc · 04-30-2006, 09:07 PM

i went to orientation alone last year. it still went fine.

no one will notice anyway. students and parents have their own separate activities. there won't be a time when students and parents are together in a big room, where people will see that u don't have your parents with u. if that's what you're afraid of.

and i totally agree with GOBU's comment. especially if you're from massachusetts or traveling by car, and u can fit a fan into your suitcase, bring it. dorms are crazy hot over the summer, even at night when outdoors it's relatively cool.

jjh33 · 05-01-2006, 01:18 AM

im going there by myself :-)