Parents and family members are strongly encouraged to attend our Family Orientation program. The Family program schedules sessions for family members during day one with some optional programming available to those who are interested on day two.
Those family members who would like to spend day two exploring the local area will have that opportunity with an optional trip to Newport.
Our family program is designed to help family members understand the transition their student will make in September and identify resources available to assist in that transition. We will clearly explain our expectations of new students and identify what is needed for their ongoing success.
Ultimately, your student will have to take responsibility for his or her own education, lifestyle choices, and everyday decisions; our Family Program will help you understand how we intend to foster that development. Whether you are sending your first child to college or your fifth, this program will help you get to know the Roger Williams University community better.
It is important to understand that you will actually spend very little time with your son or daughter during Orientation because the family sessions run concurrently to the student program in different locations. We understand that this may be difficult, but this will help prepare you for the much harder separation that will take place on Opening Day.
Many of the sessions will attempt to explain and prepare you for this separation. Please note that although the family program ends after dinner on the evening of the first night, the student program continues until 5 pm on the second day and students must stay through the completion of day two.
Family members must make their own arrangements if they would like to stay overnight. The preferred accomodation is the Baypoint Inn and Conference Center, a traditional University residence hall. The facility is located 2 miles from campus just over the Mt. Hope Bridge.
Get a sense of what your student's housing experience will be by staying overnight in this residence hall. The University offers a special discounted rate of $89 per night. Space is limited, so please reserve your room early by calling (401) 683-3600. Please remind the clerk that you will be attending a New Student Orientation program, as this will entitle you to a special discounted rate. You may also make arrangements to stay in a local hotel, motel or bed and breakfast by contacting the establishment directly.
We look forward to getting to know you and your students over the course of the upcoming year!