Falling from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10, Oregon State University will be hosting Family Weekend, offering plenty of fun ways for students to share their college experience with families.
Whether your family lives an hour away or states away, this weekend gives students the opportunity to close the distance between them and their families.
During this weekend, the streets of OSU are packed with students, parents and siblings.
Fourth-year accounting major Ciera Johnson’s family will be visiting from Eugene. Despite the proximity to OSU, this will be the first time her family participates in Family Weekend.
“It is cool seeing everyone with their parents, especially for out-of-state people,” Johnson said.
Attending university as an out-of-state student can be challenging, both for the students and for the parents who miss them.
Kate Hall, first-year theatre arts major, is excited for her family to fly in from Sacramento to visit her.
“My mom has been planning since before school even started,” Hall said.
With activities ranging from workshops and educational sessions, Family Weekend has a diverse range of opportunities for families to connect with the OSU community.
For those who want an activity that’ll get their blood pumping, Dixon is offering free group fitness classes on Nov. 8.
That day, Dixon is also giving free access for families and friends to walk through the gym and see all the amenities available to students.
With activities and tours for multiple departments, families will have the chance to see the academic and research side of their student’s lives.
The list of activities is constantly being updated, so by the time Family Weekend comes, there might be something new in store. You can visit this link here for more information on the events planned for Family Weekend.
For some events, it is required to sign up for them beforehand. Parents also have the option to register for various activities and get updates on Family Weekend events through the Oregon State Family Portal.
One of the most popular events seems to be OSU’s football game vs. San Jose on Nov. 9. Come Saturday, the stands will be filled with families rooting for the Beavers.
“We’re going to go get food, lots of food. We’re going to go to the football game and I’m going to give them a tour of my classes and the campus,” Hall said.
Johnson also plans on taking her family to the football game.
“I’m pretty excited about it. This is the only Family Weekend they’ve come up for, so it’ll be the first time,” Johnson said.
The life that students cultivate during university is often filled with more independence and responsibility. For many students, Family Weekend is not just about spending time with family, but showing their family the lives they are creating.
Hall is most looking forward to getting to show her family her life here at OSU compared to back home.
“I’ve never lived by myself before in the past. So, now they get to see everything,” Hall said.
Due to the crossover between the football game and Family Weekend, there will be different parking directions on game day, Nov. 9.
For more information on where to park, click here for a map of game day parking.
