The Office of Parents Programs offers a variety of events throughout the year. We know the importance of maintaining strong relationships between parents and their college students. To help develop and grow these positive relationships, we host special events for your family to get together throughout the year. Events held on campus offer faculty and staff interaction, as well as the opportunity to become more familiar with our campus. We also encourage you to participate in other University and community events. If you are planning to visit Columbia, let us know! We would love to see you!

Parents Weekend
Parents Weekend is held each fall. Families of all undergraduate students are encouraged to visit campus for a fun weekend! Events include a variety of social and educational activities for parents to visit their student’s new “home away from home.”  Highlights of the weekend include a welcome reception hosted by the University’s president, a Beach Bash at the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center, 5K Run/Walk and a traditional pre-game tailgate party before the football game.

Information about registering for Parents Weekend is mailed to parents of current, full-time undergraduate students early in the summer. In addition, information will be posted on our Web site and distributed to members of the Parents Association via e-mail.

We encourage parents to make hotel reservations as soon as possible, as rooms fill up quickly for fall home football game weekends.

During your visit, take advantage of some of the attractions that Columbia has to offer.  Schedule time to visit the South Carolina State House, the State Museum, the Columbia Museum of Art or the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden.  You will also want to visit Five Points and the Vista for great restaurants and shopping.  

Parent Information Tent on Move-In Day
Visit the central location for parents on move-in day each August! We’re located in front of the Russell House University Union on Greene Street. In addition to campus maps, water, sodas and the very popular misting fan, parents have the opportunity to speak with staff from the Department of Student Life to learn more about the programs and services available to their students. Brochures and display boards are available, and registration information for fraternity and sorority recruitment is provided as well. 

Be on the look-out for our staff members roaming campus… they are armed with Polaroid cameras to capture photos of parents and students on move-in day! The pictures are inserted into a paper frame with the wording, “I Survived Move-In Day at the University of South Carolina” and given to the family as a keepsake.

Orientation
Summer is an exciting time for both new students and new parents! Orientation is a great time to become more familiar with the University and the Columbia area, meet staff, students and other parents, and most importantly, ask questions! 

In an effort to meet parents of first-year students, the Office of Parents Programs is represented at each session of summer orientation. Parents are encouraged to talk with us about our services and sign-up for the dues-free Parents Association. Make sure to pick up your copy of the parents calendar and handbook to use as a reference throughout the year.

Freshman Send-Offs
Each summer, Carolina alumni clubs from various geographical areas sponsor social events for South Carolina-bound students. Coordinated through the Carolina Alumni Association, incoming Carolina students and their families are invited to meet each another before moving to Columbia.  Many alumni remember how exciting their first semester at Carolina was and love to share stories and advice.  Representatives from the University, including the Office of Parents Programs, attend many of the send-off parties.  We look forward to the opportunity for us to meet you in person!