Family Orientation
At VCU, we recognize families as important partners in student success! We also know that students have many support systems. We invite families and supporters to join their students for their Orientation sessions.
We know that by equipping you with knowledge about VCU resources, you will be well-positioned to support your student’s academic journey and ultimate success. We are thrilled to welcome you to the VCU Ramily!
Learn more about:
First-Year Family Orientation
We encourage families of first-year students to attend this experience on campus with your student. Your student can add you to their reservation when they register for Orientation.
The Family Orientation program will happen concurrently with your student’s Orientation and will offer sessions curated for you to learn all about VCU and how to best support and advocate for your student. We'll also connect you with VCU staff who can answer all of your questions. The program will feature time for you and your student to visit campus offices and take care of any important business while you are here such as the Student Financial Management Center, Residential Life and Housing, Military Student Services and more.
If you plan to bring a minor (age 17 or younger) as a guest, you must register at least one additional family member or supporter who is 18 years of age or older and will be responsible for the minor(s). All family members and supporters, regardless of age, are expected to attend the Family Orientation program.
Two-Day Family Orientation
Please note that the two-day Orientation program includes an overnight stay on-campus for your student and, if you are planning to stay for both days, you will need to ensure you have secured overnight accommodations, if needed. We have partnered with VisitRichmondVA.com to secure some discounts and blocks with local RVA hotels. View special rates at nearby hotels for Orientation and learn more about all RVA has to offer! On-campus overnight accommodations are not included for family members.
Day 1:
- 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.: Check-in at Gladding Residence Center.
- 10:30 - 12:15 p.m.: Lunch at Market810, optional financial sessions, Military Benefits presentation, and Library tours.
- 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.: Family sessions to learn about your student’s transition to college, academic and career readiness, academic success resources (advising, tutoring, writing support, and VCU Libraries) and general education at VCU..
- 2:15 - 4:15 p.m.: Sessions to learn about student safety on campus, attend the academic college/school sessions, and housing presentations for students living on and off campus.
- 4:15 - 5:30 p.m.: The Ram Horn Tradition and Campus Resource Fair. Watch your student process across the Commons Plaza to the famous VCU Ram Horns to complete their first VCU tradition! Then meet back up with your student to stop by the campus resource fair.
- 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Optional dinner at Market810.
Day 2:
- 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast with campus departments. Mix and mingle with staff and faculty from across campus who can answer your questions and help you connect your student with important resources.
- 10:00 - 12:30 p.m.: Family sessions including VCU Dine, Barnes & Noble @ VCU, and Ram Tech, student well-being, involvement and resources, and VCU Family Programs.Then, join back with your student to attend a variety of information sessions to learn about various VCU offices and programs that interest you.
- 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.: Students pick up their VCUCard. Visit the Bookstore, Financial Management Center, and more before heading home!
Session topics and times may vary. A final schedule will be available closer to your scheduled Orientation.
First-year students may add up to three family members or supporters to their Orientation reservation for an additional fee. This non-refundable, one-time fee covers the cost to attend the in-person program and includes materials, parking, meals and refreshments during Orientation, access to Ram Ready Orientation Modules for families, staffing, and facilities rental fees.
Summer 2025 First-Year Family Orientation rates (in-person only)
Two-day Family Orientation:
- Family member adult (age 18+): $70
- Family member minor (age 4-17): $35
- Small child age 3 and under: No cost
This fee is collected at the time of registration via a secure online payment system. All major credit and debit cards are accepted. We cannot accept cash or checks. Note: Fees are evaluated annually and are subject to change from year-to-year.
- Students will receive a tote bag and refillable water bottle.
- Families and supporters will receive a tote bag, refillable tumbler and a notebook.
- Student Meals: Students will receive lunch, dinner and snacks on Day One and breakfast on Day Two. All meals will be at Market 810, VCU’s all-you-care to eat dining hall located in Shafer Court Dining Center.
- Family meals: Families will receive lunch, an afternoon snack, and an optional dinner on Day One and coffee/tea and breakfast on Day Two. Families and supporters will enjoy lunch and an optional dinner in Market 810 with their students and the snacks and breakfast will be catered.
One-Day Family Orientation
The one-day program is a fully-packed day that will begin around 9 a.m. and end around dinner time. For families travelling from further away, you may want to consider staying overnight in Richmond before your Orientation.
- 9-10 a.m.: Check-in.
- 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Family sessions covering topics such as on and off-campus housing, your student’s safety, student well-being, resources and involvement.
- 12 - 2 p.m.: Lunch at Market810.
- 2- 4:30 p.m.: Sessions with your student including academic support, college/school sessions, and information sessions to learn about various VCU offices and programs that interest you.
- 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Resource Fair, VCUCard pick-up, and dinner at Market810.
Session topics and times may vary. A final schedule will be available closer to your scheduled Orientation.
Below are some overnight options for those traveling from further away:
- Find a nearby hotel and utilize special discounts and rates for families attending Orientation. More details will be available soon!
First-year students may add up to three family members or supporters to their Orientation reservation for an additional fee. This non-refundable, one-time fee covers the cost to attend the in-person program and includes materials, parking, meals and refreshments during Orientation, access to Ram Ready Orientation Modules for families, staffing, and facilities rental fees.
Summer 2025 First-Year Family Orientation rates (in-person only)
One-day Orientation:
- Family member adult (age 18+): $55
- Family member minor (age 4-17): $25
- Small child age 3 and under: No cost
This fee is collected at the time of registration via a secure online payment system. All major credit and debit cards are accepted. We cannot accept cash or checks. Note: Fees are evaluated annually and are subject to change from year-to-year.
- Students will receive a tote bag and refillable water bottle.
- Families and supporters will receive a tote bag, refillable tumbler and a notebook.
- Student and Family Meals: Students will receive a catered breakfast after checking in. Lunch and dinner (optional) will be held at Market 810, VCU’s all-you-care to eat dining hall located in Shafer Court Dining Center.
Transfer Family Orientation
We invite families and supporters of transfer students to join us for your student’s in-person or virtual Orientation. Your student can add you to their reservation when they register for Orientation.
You will attend the majority of the Orientation program with your student, and there will be some sessions of the program dedicated just for families and supporters. There will be a limited amount of time to visit campus offices during the session, so we encourage you to arrive early if you have specific offices you are hoping to meet with while you are on campus.
Transfer students can select either an in-person or virtual Orientation program. The in-person option will take place on campus and is typically a half-day program that will run for around 5 hours. The virtual option will take place over Zoom and typically runs for around 3.5 hours.
Both programs offer the opportunity to hear from campus partners, connect with representatives from your academic college/school, meet in small groups with other new students and ask any questions you have.
Transfer students can add a family member or supporter to their Orientation registration. For the in-person program, there is an additional fee. This non-refundable, one-time fee covers the cost to attend the in-person program and includes materials, parking, staffing, rental/facilities costs, refreshments and a meal during Orientation, as well as access to Ram Ready Orientation Modules.
Summer 2025 Transfer Family Orientation rates (in-person only):
- Family member adult (age 18+): $40
- Family member minor (age 4-17): $20
- Small child age 3 and under: No cost.
This fee is collected at the time of registration via a secure online payment system. All major credit and debit cards are accepted. We cannot accept cash or checks. Note: Fees are evaluated annually and are subject to change from year-to-year.