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Parent and Family Orientation: Summer 2025
- Dates
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Students:
Hofstra University is planning the summer orientation for first-year students as an on-campus, three-day, two-night program. Students who paid the deposit can register for a preferred orientation week through the student portal. Attending orientation in person supports students in learning about campus, engaging with future classmates, and enjoying the fun activities that take place each orientation. Both commuting and resident students should stay overnight. We ask that students check their Hofstra Pride email as the Orientation Office will be sending updates about arrival times, health and safety protocols, and online placement exams. Students may view more information on the New Student Orientation page.Parents and Family Members:
We cordially invite parents and family members to attend the Parent and Family Orientation program, which is separate from New Student Orientation. Parent and Family Orientation takes on the first day of New Student Orientation, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m*. Your student will be able to register you for Parent and Family Orientation through the student portal at the same time and on the same form as they register themselves for the student orientation. We will inform you of the Parent and Family Orientation details and updates by email. If you wish to attend Parent and Family Orientation during a week different from your student’s, please email orientation@hofstra.edu - please include your student’s full name and Hofstra ID number (ex: h70xxxxxxx)Parent and Family Orientation FOR FRESHMAN PARENTS – SUMMER 2025
Tuesday, June 10
Monday, June 16*
Tuesday, June 24
Tuesday, June 24
Tuesday, July 8
Tuesday, July 15
Tuesday, July 22
Monday, July 28**
Tuesday, July 29
Monday, August 25***All session are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*Note that during the second week of New Student Orientation Parent & Family Orientation is on a Monday.** Parent and Family Orientation during Transfer Student Orientation is on a Monday from 9 am to 2 pm. This session will be combined with the transfer student orientation.
*** Parent and Family Orientation during Week 8 of New Student Orientation takes place on a Monday. - Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What time does Parent and Family Orientation begin and end?
A. Parent and Family Orientation begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. Check in is from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The event is expected to end by 2:30 p.m. with optional programming afterwards.Q. Does my student attend Parent and Family Orientation with me?
A. Students have a separate orientation from your program. They should be dropped off at the Netherlands Residence Hall complex between 8:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. Their program is a three-day/two-night overnight program.Q. When do I pick my student up on the last day of New Student Orientation?
A. Students may have various appointments on the last day of their orientation sessions. We ask that the students contact you on the evening of their second day and inform you of all the appointment times. We expect all students to be done by 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. on the last day.
Please note that week 2 of New Student Orientation is from Monday to Wednesday and students can be picked up between 11 am to 4:30 p.m.Q. Is Parent and Family Orientation required?
A. We strongly encourage all parents to attend this program so that they are prepared and can better support their students as they transition to college. Additionally, we will be hosting webinars with specific topics that will augment the parent orientation program.Q. I have questions related to New Student Orientation. Where can I find some answers?
A. Please check out the New Student Orientation FAQQ. How do parents and family members register for Parent and Family Orientation?
A. Students register their parents and family members for Parent and Family Orientation at the same time and on the same student portal form as for New Student Orientation. Parents can see the confirmed dates through Family eSpace parent portal.Q. I would like to have access to my Hofstra student’s record (bills, grades). How do I do that?
A. Students may authorize parents on FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) form. Parents can then call departments and have access to the records students specified on the form (academic, financial, advising, etc.). On the FERPA form, students can also give access to their parents to theFamily eSpace parent portal. In addition, to receive financial statements, students should authorize their family members for eBill.Q. My Hofstra student’s age is 17 or under. Do I have to sign anything?
A. Parents/guardians of minor students must complete the Authorization Form – Minor Students throughFamily eSpace parent portal. - Schedule
- Prepare
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Students should regularly check their @pride.hofstra.edu email account since all official communications are sent there. They will need to complete placement exams online before New Student Orientation. Please ask your student to consult Prepare for Orientation checklist.
- Directions and Hotels
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Please consult Directions and maps when you plan to visit our beautiful campus. The Accommodations page lists nearby hotels with the negotiated Hofstra rates. The Airport/Train directions explain how to get from/to JFK and LaGuardia airports as well as to the Penn Station to/from Hofstra campus.
- Family eSpace
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Please ask your student to authorize you for Family eSpace through their student portal. If you have questions, please email parents@hofstra.edu.
- Hofstra Family Handbook
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Download and Print the Parent and Family Guide.
View the current Hofstra Parent and Family Handbook. - Important Conversations
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Please read and use the Important Conversations Family Guide when speaking with your child about alcohol, drug use and abuse, and sexual violence prevention prior to the start of the fall semester.
- Presentations
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The session presentations will be uploaded during the summer.
- Contact Us
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Informed and involved families are a great asset to our community. You are a part of Hofstra Pride and we welcome your input at any time. Please e-mail us or call at (516) 463-4698. Also, connect to fellow Hofstra parents by clicking on "like" and “follow” on the Hofstra University Parents Facebook page.
Welcome to Hofstra's Parent and Family Orientation! The parents and family members of incoming new students learn about transition to college, academics and campus life through information sessions and interaction with staff and students. Please note that Parent and Family Orientation program is separate from New Student Orientation.
The Parent and Family Orientation program will be presented in person on our beautiful campus. Please note that Hofstra does not provide accommodations for parents on campus; see Directions link at the left for nearby hotels with Hofstra-negotiated rates. Please make sure to subscribe to Family Link e-newsletter; we will send important information to all subscribed parents and family members.
Video FAQ
Academic Excellence
- What steps should students take at the beginning of the semester to achieve their academic goals?
- How can I encourage my student to sign up for tutoring and take advantage of the resources you offer?
- How can students sign up for tutoring?
- What does the Center for Academic Excellence do?
- What is the importance of allowing students to take the initiative in seeking help?
Campus Dining
- What should a student do if they have special dietary needs?
- What payment options are available for dining?
- How can students make sure they are on track with their Dining Dollars throughout the semester?
- Which locations is mobile ordering available for?
- What if a student is a picky eater? Are their customizable options available?
- How do dining dollars work?
- What franchises are on-campus?
- Are there any dining options available late at night?
- How many food options are available on campus?
Campus Recreation
- What are clubs and intramural sports and how are they different?
- What is the coaching situation for the competitive clubs? Are there any fees for club sports?
- Can you share more information about Hofstra's cheer and dance teams?
- What is the Fitness Center? Are there fitness classes available?
- how can you signup for the fitness classes? Who instructs them?
- Are there student job opportunities?
- What are some important things to know?
- Do you have locker facilities? Do commuter students have access to them?
Career Design & Development
- How can a student find an internship?
- What resources are available for students to get career ready?
- What is the career closet?
- Does Hofstra help put students in contact with employers?
- How does the Center for Career Desig & Development help students after they graduate?
- What can the Center for Career Design & Development help students with?
- What kinds of internships are available?
- What kind of social media prep do you do for the job market?
Community Standards
- How does Hofstra handle discrimination or harassment on campus?
- What reporting processes are in place for conduct/Title IX incidents?
- What would be a reason a student came to the Community Standards office?
- What are Hofstra's demonstration policies?
- How does the office of Community Standards work with students who have violated policies?
Commuting Student Services & Community Outreach
Dean of Students
- Where do I go on campus when I hit all kinds of roadblocks in getting an issue resolved?
- What opportunities does Hofstra offer as far as religious or spiritual services?
- What steps do you take when helping a student?
First-Gen Support & Engagement
- Can you define what a first-gen student is?
- What are some resources your team has that students should be aware of?
- What advice do you have for first-gen students?
- What are the messages you send out to first-gen students?
- How can parents get their questions answered?
- What are some programs and events your team offers?
- What if a student has a question and does not know who to go to to have it answered?
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- What is the value of a liberal arts education?
- Why is it important to meet with your advisors, both faculty and CUA?
- How do students find out about internships and study abroad opportunities?
Public Safety
- What steps are in place to maintain a safe campus environment?
- Tell me more about the campus shuttle system and where can I find the schedule?
- What are the blue lights around campus?
- How do public safety officers get around campus?
- Are there any new additions to your team?
Residence Life
- What is Hofstra's guest policy?
- How do you monitor who has access to the residence halls?
- Why should students dorm on campus?
- What roles do RAs, Public Safety, residents, and faculty play on campus?
- What are some residential programs that are available to students?
Student Access Services
- Will a student's accommodations automatically transfer over to Hofstra?
- What documentation would a student need to be able to receive accommodations?
- How do I know if Hofstra will be able to accommodate the student after submitting forms and documentation?
- Is the process any different if during s student's time at Hofstra, they suddenly need an accommodation?
- What advice do you have for students?
Student Counseling Services
- When a student shows up what should they expect?
- Do you take walk ins?
- What kind of services or help do you offer?
- Does Hofstra offer a psychiatric nurse practitioner for a student’s prescription needs?
- What is TimelyCare?
- Are there counselors on call for emergency situations after business hours?
- What is considered an emergency situation?
- Can a student sign up for ongoing counseling sessions?
- Do you offer walk-in services?
- What kind of concernes do students bring to a counseling appointment?
Student Employment
- Where can students find available on-campus job opportunities?
- What is federal work study? Can I work without it?
- Can you give me some examples of student employment positions?
- How can students balance their coursework and a job?
- Is summer employment an option?
- What are the benefits of getting an on-campus job?
Student Health
- What types of health services are provided for students?
- What should a student do if they are feeling unwell?
- Do you fill prescriptions at Student Health?
- Is a student required to share medical information with their family?
- Are there any costs for visiting Student Health?
- What is “MEDICAT”?
- Where does a student upload their vaccination information?
- What vaccinations are required for students to have?
- Who is on your staff?
- Where can I find the hours of operation?
- Do you work with Hofstra’s Student Counseling Services?
- Where can a student find more info about the services that are provided?
Student Leadership & Engagement
- Where can I find a list of clubs and what is the best way to contact them?
- How can I be a student leader on campus?
- What is the process to get into a greek-letter organization?
- What is the best way to make the most of my time here?
- What is the process for creating your own club or organization?
University Advising
- How does registration work after a student's first semester? Where can they find the classes available for the next semester?
- How do you communicate with the students?
- What are some things an advisor helps students with?
- How do you try to ensure a student graduates on time?
- What happens when a student decides to switch majors?
- Do students have the same advisor throughout their time at Hofstra? What happens if they are not the right fit?
- Can a student make changes to their schedule once a semester starts?
- How many credits should a student take each semester to ensure they graduate on time?
- Are courses offered in the winter and summer?
- How do you try to ensure a student graduates on time?
Writing Center
- Where are you located and what are the general hours?
- How do you become a tutor as a faculty member?
- How do you become a tutor as a graduate student?
- How do you become a tutor as an undergraduate student?
- Can you pick which tutor you work with?
- Who are the tutors and how are they selected?
- How many appointments can a student make in one week?
- When a student shows up what should they expect?
- Do you take walk ins?