Communications

Date: May 16, 2011

To: Parents of all New U.Va. Students

From: Patricia M. Lampkin, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer

Re: Welcome

Dear Parents:

Greetings and welcome to the University of Virginia community.  As your daughter or son prepares to enter the University, the coming year promises change, excitement, and the start of a new chapter for your family.

Summer Orientation marks the beginning of this transition for you and your son or daughter.  We look forward to introducing you to the many unique aspects of the University and to answering any questions or concerns.  Please plan to participate in the Parent Orientation program so you can learn more about the University and the student experience.  The parent program begins with an afternoon reception on the first day and continues with a full day of programming on the second day.  Due to changes in this year’s overall program, some of the parent sessions may be constrained by space.  Please have your student carefully read more details about this when they register you and himself/herself for orientation.  The deadline to register is June 1, and your student is responsible for the registration process.  Details are available at: www.virginia.edu/orientation/summer/register.html.

Beyond orientation, we look forward to your involvement in programs planned especially for parents and family members.  Family Weekend, programs and activities in your region sponsored by UVaClubs and UVaFamilies, athletic events, travel programs, publications, and the University’s website all offer avenues for you to stay informed about the University of Virginia and become an active part of this community.

In particular, we invite you to become involved in the following ways:

• Sign up for parent e-mail news updates.  These periodic messages from me highlight health and safety issues, remind you about key dates, such as flu immunization clinics, and summarize other topics that may be of special interest.  Your information will be used only for communication from my office and other U.Va. offices interacting with parents.  You can sign up by going to http://hoosonline.virginia.edu/parentsemail.
• If you would like to receive a daily e-mail with news updates from the University, please go to www.virginia.edu/uvatoday and click on the orange “Sign Up” link at the bottom of the page.
• As a reminder, you can always visit the University’s main website at www.virginia.edu for the most up-to-date information on activities and events on the Grounds.  In times of emergency or inclement weather, the home page will be updated frequently.
• Please mark your calendar for Family Weekend this fall – October 28-30.  We recommend making hotel reservations as soon as possible since local accommodations fill up quickly.  The website, www.virginia.edu/familyweekend, provides more details and will be updated this fall with the complete schedule.

We deeply value the support of parents in the educational process.  Without question, your influence and guidance will remain strong as your student meets new academic challenges, grows academically and socially, and develops an expanding sense of independence.

I look forward to seeing you this summer at orientation, when I will have the opportunity to welcome you and your daughter or son to the Grounds.  We hope orientation will be the beginning of a rewarding new chapter in your family life as you join the University of Virginia community.

Sincerely,

Patricia M. Lampkin

Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer