UC Riverside Bear Facts Orientation

Programs and Activities Included in Family Orientation

• Get a glimpse of a day in the life of a UCR student from your campus escort, a Student Orientation Counselor.
• Take a tour of our beautiful campus and experience UCR's big campus/small community atmosphere.
• Learn how you can contribute to your student's academic success from our Associate Deans as they present an overview of UCR's academic expectations and information about the academic colleges.
• Attend the Housing Services workshop and hear about on-campus housing options.
• Take a tour of the UCR residence halls.
• Have lunch with your Student Orientation Counselor and other families.
• Hear presentations about Student Support Services including the UCR Police Department, Campus Health Center, Counseling Center, Career Center, and other offices that serve to ensure your student's physical and emotional well-being.
• Learn information about important University policies, financial information, and deadlines from the Registrar, Student Business Services, Financial Aid and Undergraduate Health Insurance Offices.
• Pick up tips on how family members can assist their student in managing first year transition issues such as the academic challenges of college versus high school, new freedoms, making friends, and conflict management.

Registration Procedures

• Through a separate mailing, your student has received materials for the Bear Facts Student Orientation Program. We recommend you discuss attending Orientation with your student and register online together here. After you and your student have registered, a confirmation card will be mailed to your student, indicating the session dates your student registered for. Travel arrangements should be made after you have received confirmation for your registered session. Space in each Bear Facts Orientation session is limited and is allocated on a "first come, first served" basis. Due to limited space, on-site registration the day of a session cannot be accommodated.

Program Costs

• Fees for the Family Orientation program are $50.00 for each family member Fees include three meals and all materials for the day. Space in the Family Orientation program is limited, so please sign up early. The deadline to register is June 15.

Date Change and Cancellation Policy

• Canceling your reservation five business days prior to your assigned session date will result in a $25.00 per person cancellation fee assessed to your student's account. The remaining amount will be refunded to you after October 1.
• Failure to notify us of a cancellation at least five business days before your assigned session date will result in a loss of payment refund. Failure to attend your confirmed Orientation date will result in a loss of eligibility for any refund.
• If your student has registered for Orientation and withdraws from UCR or has his or her admission rescinded, your student will need to contact our office to cancel his or her participation and any family member's participation in Orientation; failure to notify us of a cancellation will result in a loss of eligibility for any refund.

Family Orientation Program Structure

• While your student is exploring career paths, meeting new friends, receiving academic advising, and planning for fall quarter course enrollment, families will attend workshops presented by campus staff and faculty on campus resources and services. You will learn about tips to ensure your student's academic and personal success at UCR, and have the opportunity to speak with other families and current students about college transition issues and college life at UCR. The Family Orientation program is structured to assist participants in recognizing the important role family members play in supporting their student's college transition. At the end of the day, families and students will reunite and have the opportunity to recap the day's events during dinner at a residence hall dining facility.

Parent Challenges 101

• Although Family Orientation is a one-day program, family members who will be in Riverside on the second day of the Student Orientation program will have an opportunity to meet with Counseling Center staff and other family members of new students. A discussion group called Parent Challenges 101, facilitated by Counseling Center staff, is an interactive forum where parents and family members receive support and education about their student transitioning to college life. Parent Challenges 101 will be offered from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the second day of each student session. Additional information and sign up forms will be available when you arrive for Family Orientation.

Children's Attendance at Family Orientation

• We recognize and appreciate how valuable the entire family is to your student's academic success; however the Family Orientation program is designed for adult family members. Family members are encouraged to keep young children at home because childcare will not be provided. Children, age 13 and older, who attend Family Orientation, will be charged the full rate of $50.00 to cover the cost of meals and materials.