Orientation for Parents and Families

The dates for Undergraduate Orientation 2023 are August 29–September 4, 2023. Undergraduate Orientation is mandatory for all new students, including new transfer students. Tufts also offers nine optional Pre-Orientation programs, which take place prior to Undergraduate Orientation; registration for Pre-O has closed.

Parents and Families Program - August 24, 2023

Parents and Families Program - August 29, 2023

While it is not necessary to register in advance for programming on your student's move-in day or for the Matriculation Ceremony on August 30, we hope you'll take a few minutes to fill out our brief survey to let us know which programs you plan on attending.

RSVP to Parents and Families Orientation Programming

(In addition to the full schedule of programs above, a few highlights of programming for parents and families timed with Pre-Orientation and Orientation arrivals/move-in days is outlined below.)

Arrival Information

Students participating in a Pre-Orientation program will arrive and move-in on Thursday, August 24. Arrival times are determined by program. Visit Tufts Pre-Orientation for details and information on program arrival dates.

For students residing on the Medford campus, arrival/check-in will be at the Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, MA.
For BFA students living in Beacon Street residences, arrival/check-in for Pre-Orientation is 9 -11 a.m at 1047 Beacon Street, Brookline.
Students will need to check-in first prior to moving into residence hall rooms.

Students not participating in a Pre-Orientation program will arrive and move-in on Tuesday August 29 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

For students residing on the Medford campus, arrival/check-in will be at the Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, MA.
For BFA students living in Beacon Street residences, arrival/check-in for Pre-Orientation is 9 -11 a.m at 1047 Beacon Street, Brookline.
Students will need to check-in first prior to moving into residence hall rooms.

For additional Move-In information, visit Residential Life & Learning's Move-In web page.

Information about mailing packages to Medford and Boston campuses is also available online.

Programming Highlights for Parents and Families

On arrival dates, following the check-in and move in process, there will be programming for parents and families: August 24, 3-5 p.m. and August 29, 4-6 p.m. (programs are the same on both dates). Following are details; a printed schedule will also be available at move-in.

During move in days, Tufts dining centers will be open for breakfast and lunch. You are welcome to accompany your student and experience Tufts dining!

Thursday, August 24, 2023

3-4 p.m. After the Drop off (Cohen Auditorium)—a panel conversation with Dean of Students Camille Lizarríbar and the Student Life team. They’ll discuss the transition to college, how to support your student while encouraging their independence, and campus resources available for students throughout their journey at Tufts.
4-5 p.m. Jumbo Reception (Campus Center and Science and Engineering Complex) —After a busy day of moving your student into their residence, join us for an end-of-day reception. Meet the deans and advising deans for your student’s academic program, members of the Student Life team and campus partners, and connect with other parents (light refreshments served).

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

3-3:45 p.m. BFA and Combined Degree Student and Family Welcome (Joyce Cummings Center, Room 180)
4-5 p.m. After the Drop off (Cohen Auditorium) —a panel conversation with Dean of Students Camille Lizarríbar and the Student Life team. They’ll discuss the transition to college, how to support your student while encouraging their independence, and campus resources available for students throughout their journey at Tufts.
5-6 p.m. Jumbo Reception (Campus Center and Science and Engineering Complex) —After a busy day of moving your student into their residence hall, join us for an end-of-day reception. Meet the deans and advising deans for your student’s academic program, members of the Student Life team and campus partners, and connect with other parents (light refreshments served).

Note: On move-in days, our Health and Wellness medical and mental health staff have set aside times for students or parents to speak with them about any individual concerns they may have for the upcoming year. These 15-minute consultations are on a first come, first served basis.

August 24, Health Service/Medical Consultations (in person), 124 Professors Row, Medford, 9 am to noon
August 24, Counseling and Mental Health Consultations (by phone), call 617-627-3360, 9 am to noon
August 29, Health Service/Medical Consultations (in person), 124 Professors Row, Medford, 9 am to noon
August 29, Counseling and Mental Health Consultations (in person), Sawyer House, 120 Curtis Street, Medford, MA, 9 am to noon

Matriculation Day* - August 30, 2023

UPDATE: Due to the weather forecast for thunderstorms, the Matriculation welcome will be held in a webinar format starting at 10 a.m. Remarks will be livestreamed.so that you and your family can watch remotely. Parents and families who are on campus are welcome to view the webinar in an auditorium in Barnum Hall (near the Jumbo statue), Cohen Auditorium (where the "After the Drop-off" panel was), and the nearby Alumnae Lounge. (Your student may watch the livestream with their peers in the residence hall or join you in one of the auditoriums.)

The luncheon after Matriculation is moving indoors. Immediately following Matriculation, lunch will be available for students in Carmichael and Dewick-MacPhie Dining Centers. Unfortunately, the dining centers do not have capacity to accommodate parents and families. Your students' Orientation Week kicks off after their lunch. Please stop by the Dowling Hall lobby for a Jumbo Farewell treat before you leave campus.

REVISED Schedule:

9 a.m. – Continental Breakfast (Dowling Hall lobby)
10 a.m. – Matriculation welcome remarks (Live Webinar)
11:30 a.m. – Stop by Dowling Hall lobby for a Jumbo Farewell treat

Emailed Weather Updates for Matriculation are archived online.

* Please note that parents/families coming for Pre-Orientation arrival/move-in are welcome to come back to campus on Wednesday August 30, but are not required to.

Your Student's New Student Checklist

Incoming new students for Fall 2023 will be introduced to the New Student Checklist on Tuesday, May 30. The New Student Checklist will guide new students through the summer and detail out several requirements they must complete prior to arrival. In addition, over the summer incoming students may access a full listing of academic requirements and information sessions through Academic Essentials on Canvas which will conclude with choosing fall courses towards the end of August, prior to arrival. The Undergraduate Orientation team will also be in regular contact with new students and families throughout the summer in preparation for arrivals in August. Please refer to this website for updated information. If you have questions, please contact orientation@tufts.edu.