Family & Supporter Registration & Schedules

In-Person Terp Family & Supporter Orientation

Join us for a one-day, in-person program focused on creating meaningful connections and building a supportive community for Terp families and supporters. This program is separate  from New Student Orientation, but runs at the same time and provides an engaging opportunity to explore how you can support your student’s success at UMD.

What to Expect: 

• Opportunities to engage with faculty, staff, and campus partners
• Insights into campus resources and strategies for student success
• Interactive sessions designed to foster connections with other Terp families
• Perspectives shared by current students about their experiences
• And more!

This program is perfect for family members & supporters who want to strengthen their connection with the University and feel empowered to support their student's transition to like at UMD. 

For questions or assistance, please contact our office at 301-314-8217.

Dates

Important Note: The Terp Family & Supporter Programs are open to all family members and supporters, regardless of whether their student is attending a First-Year Overnight or Transfer/First-year One day program. You are welcome to attend any session that best fits your schedule!

June 2025

• Monday, June 2, 2025 (First-Year Overnight)
• Wednesday, June 4, 2025 (First Year Overnight) - College Park Scholars
• Friday, June 6, 2025 (Transfer One Day)
• Monday, June 9, 2025 (First Year Overnight)
• Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (First Year Overnight)
• Friday, June 13, 2025 (Transfer One Day)
• Monday, June 16, 2025 (First Year Overnight)- Honors Program
• Tuesday, June 17, 2025 (First Year Overnight) - Freshman Connection
• Monday, June 23, 2025 (First Year Overnight) - College Park Scholars
• Wednesday, June 25, 2025 (First Year Overnight)

July 2025

• Monday, July 7, 2025 (First Year Overnight)
• Wednesday, July 9, 2025 (First Year Overnight)
• Monday, July 14, 2025 (First Year Overnight) - Honors Program
• Wednesday, July 16, 2025 (First Year Overnight)
• Friday, July 18, 2025  (Transfer One Day)
• Monday, July 21, 2025 (First Year Overnight) - College Park Scholars
• Wednesday, July 23, 2025 (First Year Overnight)
• Friday, July 25, 2025 (Transfer One Day)
• Monday, July 28, 2025 (First Year Overnight)
• Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (First Year Overnight) - Freshman Connection

August 2025

• Monday, August 4, 2025 (First Year One Day) - Freshman Connection
• Monday, August 18, 2025 (First Year One Day)- Freshman Connection
• Friday, August 22, 2025 (First Year & Transfer One Day)
• Tuesday, August  26, 2025 (First Year & Transfer One Day)
• Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (First Year & Transfer One Day)

Terp Family & Supporter Onboarding Hub

We're making significant change to enhance your experience and better support you and your student's transition to the University of Maryland!

The Online Onboarding Hub will:

• provide essential academic, campus, and support resources for you and your new Terp
• highlight "need-to-know" information, next steps, and deadlines

The Onboarding Hub will be your go-to resource for preparing to support your student's journey as a new Terp. 

Access the Terp Family & Supporter Onboarding Hub here!

In-Person Program Registration

While we update our website, rest assured you will still be able to register for our in-person Family & Supporter Orientation program once the dates are announced. Stay tuned for more updates!

For any questions, please contact our office at 301-314-8217

Terp Family Orientation (aligns with 2-day Overnight New Student Orientation)

Terp Family Orientation (aligns with 1-day New Student Orientation)

The Platinum Tour occurs on the second day of the Overnight New Student Orientation Programs. 

Please email us at terpfamilyorientation@umd.edu or call our office at 301.314.8217 with your student's UID number, all participants first and last names, email addresses, and the date you would like to attend to register. 

Dates

June 2025

• Tuesday, June 3, 2025
• Thursday, June 5, 2025
• Tuesday, June 10, 2025
• Thursday, June 12, 2025
• Tuesday, June 17, 2025
• Wednesday June 18, 2025
• Tuesday, June 24, 2025
• Thursday June 26, 2025

July 2025

• Tuesday, July 8, 2025
• Thursday, July 10, 2025
• Tuesday, July 15, 2025
• Thursday, July 17, 2025
• Tuesday, July 22, 2025
• Thursday, July 24, 2025
• Tuesday, July 29, 2025
• Thursday, July 31, 2025

There is a $20 fee per attendee for the Platinum Tour. The fee for the Platinum Tour includes the following:

• Lunch at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union w/ some faculty and staff
• Platinum Tour reusable water bottle
• Staffing and facility usage

Participants must cancel 24 hours ahead of the tour to not be charged; refunds will not be issued if canceled within the 24 hours.

To register for the Platinum Tour, call our office at (301)314-8217 or email us at terpfamilyorientation@umd.edu. Please include the following:

• our student's full name
• Student's 9-digit UID number
• The names of all attendees
• The email addresses of all attendees

To ensure the quality of our tour, we have a limit of 50 participants per program. If the Platinum Tour on the date you are attending Terp Family Orientation is full, you will be given an option to join a waitlist during the Terp Family Orientation program. If current participants cancel their registration, we will let you know that there is room to join us.

Our Platinum Tours are designed especially for family members and supporters of new Terps. These tours provide an excellent opportunity for our new Terp Family members to ask questions, hear from current students, and learn about the many resources UMD offers. Our aim is to foster a close-knit community among family members, which is why we reserve the Platinum Tour exclusively for them.

Students will have ample opportunities to tour the campus during New Student Orientation or Fall Welcome Week (for those participating in an online NSO). To accommodate as many family members as possible, we kindly ask that students refrain from joining the Platinum Tour.

Siblings or younger family members are warmly welcomed to attend. If they are 18 years of age or older, they must be registered participants. Those under 18 are also welcome to join us, but please note that lunch will not be provided.

Terp Family & Supporter Orientation Fee and Cancellation Policy

There is a fee to attend the Terp Family & Supporter Orientation program.

There is an $99 fee per attendee (over the age of 18) for the Terp Family & Supporter Orientation Program. 

This fee covers:

• Cost of meals
• Materials provided during the program
• Parking
• Building locations 

*Please Note: The budget of the Office of Student Orientation and Transition is entirely self-support, meaning we receive no state or institutional funding. This fee is solely intended to offset the cost of all Orientation programs and UNIV100 office operations, professional staff and undergraduate student staff.

Students will not be charged until AFTER they have attended New Student Orientation. Both New Student Orientation and Terp Family & Supporter Orientation charges will be billed to the student account. Please avoid paying for New Student Orientation and/or Terp Family & Supporter Orientation until the charge appears on the student account, as paying ahead of time may complicate the payment process. Specific program fees and FAQs regarding fees and payment can be found on our 'Paying for New Student Orientation' page. 

Cancellation Policy

If you no longer wish to attend the Terp Family Orientation Program, please notify us at least 24 hours from the program date, via phone or email.  If family members or supporters do not cancel before that time period we will charge the full amount and no refunds will be processed.

*Please Note: If your Terp Family & Supporter Orientation Program is on Monday, contact us via email by Sunday and as long as we have record of this we will honor the request and remove any charges associated with the Terp Family & Supporter Orientation Program.

If you need to reschedule your orientation date, please contact our office at (301) 314-8217 or email us at terpfamilyorientation@umd.edu!

There are two ways to pre-register for our Terp Family & Supporter Orientation Program:

• If your student is attending an in-person orientation on the same day you would like to attend in-person Terp Family Orientation, your students can register you and any other attendees via the online registration portal. Please make sure they include all attendees' first and last name and email address when filling out the form!
• If you would like to attend a Terp Family Orientation on a different day than your student or you would like to attend online, please contact our office to register. We can be reached at (301)-314-8217 or email us at terpfamilyorientation@umd.edu. When emailing, be sure to include: 
  • Your student's name 
  • Student's 9-digit UID number
  • Date of the program you would like to attend
  • The first and last name of all attendees
  • The email addresses of all attendees

We understand that this is not only a time of transition for your student but for you as well. This program will give you the opportunity to explore the beginning of that transition and how the University can support you and your student. You will have the opportunity to hear from campus partners and resources that play a key role in your student's success at the University of Maryland. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand the best way to assist your student as they begin their journey at UMD.

Terp Family & Supporter Orientation and New Student Orientation are two separate programs. Check-In and Morning Welcome will be held in the same location for both family members and supporters and students. Following the Morning Welcome, students will proceed on with one of our Orientation Advisors to their separate New Student Orientation program. Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), family members and supporters are not permitted to attend the New Student Orientation program. We advise you to discuss any concerns or questions that you may have regarding advising and course registration with your student before they attend New Student Orientation, so that they can ask the advising staff and provide you with information after the program.

For more information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act please click here!

Meals at Orientation

What is provided?

Morning: Light refreshments, including water, coffee, and granola bars will be available at check-in. We recommend having a hearty breakfast before arriving to the program to keep yourself energized until lunch. 

Lunch: Lunch locations will be provided soon

• Lunch will be provided during our in-person Terp Family Orientation Programs. 

Dietary Restrictions

If you have any dietary restrictions please refer to the following information:

Kosher meals: Once your student registers for a New Student Orientation Program they will fill out a Pre-Orientation Form to prepare for their arrival on campus. Within this form, students can request Kosher meals for themselves and any members attending Terp Family Orientation. Please note that there is separate cost associated with Kosher meals which will not be covered in the Orientation fee.

Halal: One of the dining locations at the Stamp Student Union Food Court, Moby Freestyle, serves  Halal. Their summer hours will be available soon.

Allergies: 

The Stamp Student Union houses our campus food court with a variety of options. To find more information about the options available and potential allergens click here!

**If you do not see an option that works for your dietary needs, you can bring your own lunch and we can store it our office refrigerator for you. You will still receive a Terrapin Express card (included with the cost of Orientation) that you or your student can use on campus at a later time for snack, coffee, or shopping at the bookstore!

If you have any questions, email us at terpfamilyorientation@umd.edu

Requesting Accommodations

If you need any accommodations during our Terp Family & Supporter Program, please contact us directly at terpfamilyorientation@umd.edu. Please keep in mind that some services, such as interpreters, require us to contract out. Therefore, please get in touch with us at least two weeks prior to your orientation date. 

What to bring

• Parking Pass
• Cell phone charger/portable battery pack
• Refillable water bottle
• Umbrella/poncho/rain gear
• Notepad/Journal/Tablet - To take notes

Download the UMD Mobile App

The Terp Family & Supporter Orientation Schedule will be built into the UMD mobile app. Be sure to download the app before arriving to campus for parking information, directions, and a built in schedule. 

The UMD App puts essential campus services right at your fingertips! It gives quick access to vital campus services, and offers a view that’s custom to you:

• Interactive Map: Find lecture halls, libraries, cafes, and more
• Direct access to our website
• Access to our Terp Family & Supporter Resource Guide

The University of Maryland currently has significant construction due to the Purple Line Project.  Our goal is to provide you with the appropriate resources to ensure your arrival on campus is as smooth as possible.  Please view the Navigating to Campus page for the most updated suggested routes as you are arriving to campus. 

Check-In

A confirmation email with more detailed instructions, including check-in location, about a week prior to your scheduled Terp Family & Supporter Orientation.

Check-in for all programs begins at 8:00am. However, please leave yourself time to navigate campus. While we encourage you to arrive as early as possible, please make sure you check in before 8:20am.

Parking

Parking pass available here!

Please print one before arriving to campus, we will have a few available on-campus, just in case. 

New Student Orientation and Terp Family & Supporter Orientation attendees will park in Lot1. We recommend parking in Lot 1d. Make sure to print out a parking permit and place it in your dashboard. 

Getting to Campus

Please arrive at campus for on the date of the program you would like to attend at 8 a.m. The University of Maryland currently has significant construction due to the Purple Line Project. Please make sure you use the campus entrances on University Boulevard (Maryland Route 193) at the intersection with Stadium Drive (near The Clarice). 

What to bring

1. Cell phone charger/portable battery pack
2. Refillable water bottle
3. Umbrella/poncho/rain gear
4. Sweater/Jacket - the rooms are cold!

Tip: If you are attending a Terp Family Program on a different day than your student is attending their New Student Orientation Program, please note that certain days might have different schedules depending on the type of program. Please check the dates of the program to make sure you are attending the appropriate program.

Check-In

Check-in for all Terp Family Programs begins at 8:00 AM. While our office does offer on-site registration, space is limited and not guaranteed. If we reach capacity, we will not be able to accommodate additional participants.

• Two-Day Terp Family & Supporter Check-In: Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center
• One-Day Terp Family & Supporter Check-In: Edward St. John Learning & Teaching Center

If you plan to register on-site, please follow the check-in instructions with your student and inform a staff member upon arrival. A team member will assist you with the on-site registration process. Please leave yourself time to navigate campus. While we encourage you to arrive as early as possible, please make sure you check in before 8:20am. 

If your student is attending a two-day overnight program: Students will check in separately at Elkton Hall and join you later at the Alumni Center.