Family Weekend 2011 welcomes more than 1,500 families to campus

Parents and family members of Syracuse University students will be energizing the campus this weekend, from Oct. 21-23, for Family Weekend 2011. This year, more than 5,000 people and 1,500 families will be attending, representing more than 36 states, including Hawaii, California and Virginia, as well as Puerto Rico and Canada.

“Family Weekend draws in parents from all over the country because it allows them a chance to touch base with their student in their environment, as well as experience the festive atmosphere and school spirit of a home football game in the Carrier Dome,” says Colleen Bench, director of the Parents Office. “For many family members, this is their first campus visit and opportunity to see their student in their new ‘home away from home.’”

Since 1953, Family Weekend has been a signature tradition on campus. In 1972, the Division of Student Affairs’ Parents Office began coordinating the event. As a whole, Family Weekend is designed for parents, guardians, siblings, grandparents, spouses and friends to see and enjoy the vibrant and diverse campus-life experience at SU. It provides loved ones with an opportunity to meet their student’s dean and faculty members, attend campus lectures and events, enjoy meals together in the dining facilities, visit community establishments and cheer on the Orange at sporting events.

On Friday and Saturday, the Parents Office will have a hospitality suite located in the Panasci Lounge in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center that will have campuswide information and materials available to family members. Throughout the weekend, attendees and their student will be able to participate in a variety of information sessions, cultural events in the community and recreational activities throughout campus.

Other highlights to this year’s programming includes the WellsLink Transitions Ceremony on Friday at 4 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel, followed by school spirit festivities on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quad before the 8 p.m. football game against West Virginia. For those who are not sports fans, master hypnotist Pete Mamos ’95 will be conducting two free shows in the Schine Underground, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

On Saturday morning, the deans will be hosting breakfast in their respective schools and colleges. Attendees are welcome to drop into Career Services for an open house, or to learn more about SU Abroad at the travel abroad fair in the Maxwell School’s foyer and auditorium. Golf lovers can play the scenic course at Drumlins Country Club near SU’s South Campus, and music lovers are able to experience a performance from several of the student a cappella groups in the historic Crouse College.

Saturday evening activities include an array of artistic events, as well as the Family Affair Reception in the Schine Student Center, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. As the weekend concludes on Sunday, a range of religious services will be available, as well as a family reception hosted by the LGBT Resource Center, and an open skate session at the Marilyn and Bill Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion. Seniors will receive their class rings at the official ring ceremony in the Schine, and Phi Eta Sigma will hold its inductions in Grant Auditorium in the College of Law.

A complete schedule of the weekend’s events can be found at http://parents.syr.edu/family-weekend/index.html.

To register for Family Weekend 2011, go http://parents.syr.edu/apps/familyweekend. There is a registration fee of $40 per family, as Family Weekend is a self-supporting event. The registration fee is not a direct charge for parking or any specific event, but a means of sharing some of the overall costs.

For more information on Family Weekend 2011 or the Parents Office, contact Colleen Bench at cobench@syr.edu, or 443-1200.