Freshman Family Orientation Schedule
The Family Orientation program offers parents and family members the opportunity to learn about various campus services, policies and procedures, and also assists them in understanding the challenges their students may face. The goal of Family Orientation is to provide you with the information to help support your student as they transition into the Winthrop community.
The schedule for Family Orientation can be found with the corresponding Freshmen Orientation, Transfer Orientation, or Spring Orientation session schedule. If you are traveling from out of town to attend orientation, families are encouraged to secure off campus overnight accomodations while their student participates in the two-day freshman orientation program.
"While I was at Orientation, my mom was at a Family Orientation where they explained what I was going to experience here at Winthrop, making my mom feel much more secure."
History Education major from Dillon, SC
"During Orientation, Winthrop made sure to include all of the parents and make sure they understand the transition from high school to college, as well as what the students need to succeed and graduate from Winthrop."
Biology major from Aiken, SC
Freshman Family Orientation is held concurrently during the first day of Freshman Orientation sessions (in-person). Students and families will arrive at Orientation together and then separate, branching off to their respective Orientations. Freshman Family Orientation will begin around 8:00 a.m. and end around 5:00 p.m.
In the student Orientation registration process, your student will have the option to register family members. The Freshman Family Orientation fee is $15.00 per person. Family Orientation fees are non-refundable.
If you are in the area while your student is busy with Orientation (like on Day 2 when there are no Family Orientation sessions), we encourage you to explore Rock Hill and the surrounding areas!
Virtual resources will be shared with the families of transfer students throughout
the summer.
CLICK HERE for more information!
We are hosting the Garnet & Gold Letter Program where families are given the opportunity to send a letter of advice, encouragement, support, etc. to their student halfway through their first semester at Winthrop. If you are interested in participating in this program, please email FamilyProgramsGA@winthrop.edu for more information by Friday, August 19, 2022. Submissions received after August 19 will not be eligible.
To request accessibility accommodations for Orientation, please have your student provide information about your needs through the Orientation Registration process, and we will work with you through your request. Please note that both Orientation and Family Orientation do involve a good bit of walking around campus (if the sessions are in-person, on campus). Winthrop University does not have wheelchairs, scooters, or other equipment available for rent, so please plan to bring or rent your own equipment for your visit, sufficient for your needs.
If you have questions about New Student Orientation, please check out our Freshman Orientation, Transfer Orientation, or Spring Orientation webpages.
We also encourage you to explore Rock Hill and the surrounding area. This is a great way to learn more about the city your student will live in, and you may find opportunities to spend time with your student.
Contact the Office of New Student and Family Programs via email at Orientation@winthrop.edu.
