Parents and family members of Syracuse University students will be joining the campus community this weekend, from Oct. 31-Nov. 1, for Family Weekend 2014. This year, more than 3,500 people and 1,300 families will be attending, representing more than 37 states, including Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico and five other countries (Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, Switzerland and Turkey).
A family shows off the photos they had made in the photo both during Family Weekend last year.
“Family Weekend provides an opportunity for parents and family members in the states and abroad to connect 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, assistant vice president for the Division of Student Affairs and director of the Parents Office. “For many family members, this is their first visit to campus and the time when they are able to see their student in their new ‘home away from home.’”
Since 1953, Family Weekend has been a signature tradition on campus, and has been coordinated by the Parents Office since 1972. 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—all of which make up the vibrant and diverse campus-life experience at Syracuse University.
On Friday and Saturday, the Parents Office will have a hospitality suite located in the Panasci Lounge at Schine Student Center that will have campus-wide information and materials available to family members. The Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau will be available to answer questions about local attractions, dining and shopping. Throughout the weekend, attendees and their students will be able to participate in a variety of information sessions, cultural events in the community and recreational activities throughout campus.
Join the Parents Office at the Family Weekend welcome reception and student showcase at 8 p.m. in the Goldstein Auditorium in Schine. The event is free of charge and light refreshments will be provided. Student performances at the event include National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Divine Nine, First Year Players and Zamboni Revolution improv comedy. Families can also visit the Family Weekend Photo Booth in the lobby of Goldstein Auditorium on Friday and Saturday.
Other highlights of this year’s programming include: the 11th Anniversary WellsLink Transitions Ceremony, with keynote speaker Helen Zia, on Friday at 4 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel; the men’s soccer game versus Boston College on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Syracuse University Soccer Stadium; and the instrumental and choral concerts performed in Setnor Auditorium at Crouse College on Friday at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.
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 study abroad fair in the Maxwell School’s foyer and auditorium. A Cappella fans can catch a concert in Setnor Auditorium at Crouse College. Football fans can cheer on the Orange at 3 p.m. in the Carrier Dome as they square off against North Carolina State.
Saturday evening activities include the Family Affair Reception in the Schine Student Center, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and a concert by the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble at Hendricks Chapel.
As the weekend concludes on Sunday, the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center will host a brunch, and a diversity of religious services will be available. For a festive end to the weekend, families can head to the Carrier Dome at 1 p.m. as the Orange men’s basketball team faces Carleton University in its first exhibition game of the season. Also at 1 p.m., the women’s soccer team will face the University of North Carolina. UNC has won 21 national championships in women’s soccer, and is seen as pioneering program in the NCAA. The game takes place at Syracuse University’s soccer stadium. The Orange plan to dedicate the game to breast cancer awareness, and will wear pink in a show of support for the cause.
A complete schedule of the weekend’s events can be found at http://parents.syr.edu/_documents/fw2014-schedule.pdf.
To register for Family Weekend 2014, go to 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.
For more information on Family Weekend 2014 or the Parents Office, please contact us at parents@syr.edu or 315-443-1200.
