Article Archives
2013 Parent Survey
The Office of Parent and Family Affairs is conducting our biennial survey of the parents of the university's undergraduate students. Your feedback is very important to us and will be instrumental in helping us evaluate and improve our programs, services and resources. The survey also will help us identify current issues of importance and trends regarding student/parent communication. Click "Read more" for additional information and to take the survey. read more
Open Forum on Big Ten/CIC Integration
The University of Maryland will formally join the Big Ten Conference beginning with the 2014-15 academic year. We will also join the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), an academic and research consortium of Big Ten universities, beginning with the 2013-14 academic year. We will be hosting an Open Forum on Monday, April 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom in Adele H. Stamp Student Union. At the Forum, President Loh will give welcoming remarks and the Chairs of each Workgroup will give short presentations on progress to date. Following the presentations, we will open up the floor for comments and questions from attendees. Your input and feedback is an important part of making this transition and we hope that you can make plans to join us for the Open Forum. ... read more
Making the Most of Spring Break
Spring Break is upon us, and for many students the first collegiate Spring Break experience is a rite of passage. Spring Break is often a time to travel with friends to Mexico to bask in the sun and enjoy the ocean, hit the snowy slopes of the Rocky Mountains, head overseas to explore a new place, or participate in a University sponsored service-learning trip. Spring Break is also time for students to stay home, catch up on coursework, and prepare for the end of the semester and the upcoming summer months. Regardless of your student's destination, you can help your son or daughter to make the most of the Spring Break experience. read more
Our campus safety
Safety is priority No. 1 . The crime rate on the campus has declined over the past five years. Robberies are down by more than 50 percent and burglaries by an even larger margin. There were two cases of aggravated assault last year less than one-fourth the number five years earlier. Even one criminal act is too many, but we are moving in the right direction. As a community, we must constantly work to strengthen security through all available means. Our approach must be comprehensive. ... read more
A message from the President
Even in January, " buds" are opening on this university's campus--symbols of growth and vigor. read more
UMD Ranked 5th Best Value
The University of Maryland has been ranked 5th in Kiplingers Personal Finance magazines annual ranking of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges 2012-13 making it UMDs second year in the top 5 and the fifth consecutive year in the top 10. ... read more
2012-2013 Parents as Partners Campaign
Every member of the university community, including parents, is dedicated to creating an environment filled with opportunities that inspire our students. Whether you are involved in Maryland Parents Association activities, participate in Family Weekend, attend sporting events and fine arts performances, enjoy Alumni Association events, represent the university in your home communities, or serve as your students personal consultant and cheerleader, all of you are engaged in your students experience. read more
December Commencement 2012
Congratulations to the Class of 2012! The campus-wide ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19, and the individual college and school ceremonies will occur throughout the day on Thursday, December 20. These events are not only a celebration of the graduating students' accomplishments at the University of Maryland, but also an occasion for everyone--graduates, families, friends, staff and faculty--to acknowledge our joint enthusiasm for the graduates' future endeavors and aspirations. Complete commencement details can be found at www.commencement.umd.edu. read more
GREEK 101: What Parents Should Know About New Member Education
The University of Maryland has had a long and rich relationship with its collegiate fraternities and sororities. As an important component of the co-curricular programs for undergraduate students, Greek chapters have supported the central mission of the University by providing an enriched out-of-class living/learning experience since they were first founded here on campus back in 1914, and fraternities and sororities are characterized by a tradition of involvement and leadership in campus life. ... read more
Join us for Family Weekend 2012!
Celebrate the university's 32nd annual Family Weekend on October 5 - 7, 2012. Family Weekend is the largest university-sponsored program for parents and family members, and this special weekend will include exciting events the whole family can enjoy. Online registration is open now! For more information, including a detailed schedule, visit the Family Weekend website at www.familyweekend.umd.edu (or click "Read more"). read more
Parenting a College Student
Your student, along with eight million others, is immersed in four of the most important years of his or her life. It is a time that is both exciting and frightening--a period of joy, pain, discovery, and disappointment. With all that is learned and experienced, your son or daughter will no doubt leave the University of Maryland as a different person and, along the way, you will experience much of the same happiness and defeats as does your student. ... read more
Adjusting to College is a Family Affair
Parents are increasingly aware of the challenges that the transition to college presents to their children and to themselves. Most universities schedule orientations for both first-time college students and parents to help them cope with the changes and demands of the freshman experience. However, the reality is that a child's departure to college affects all members of the family system--not only the student who is leaving and the parents who are letting them go--but also the siblings left behind. read more
AlcoholEdu for Parents
Dear Parents of New Students: As a companion to the AlcoholEdu online alcohol education course for first year students, we are providing parents with access to AlcoholEdu for Parents. We encourage you to log-on and review the information being shared with your son or daughter. Our hope is that this will generate a conversation between you and your student about this important topic. read more
Family Weekend 2012
Friday, October 5 - Sunday, October 7, 2012
The University of Maryland is pleased to host an annual Family Weekend program, which is the largest University sponsored event for parents and families. Since its inception in 1980, Family Weekend has provided parents and family members with the opportunity to enjoy the campus community, spend time with their students, experience a variety of academic and social programming, and share their Terrapin Pride. ... read more
Study Abroad: Within Reach and Outside the Borders
Study abroad can be affordable--even less expensive than a traditional campus semester--and helps students distinguish themselves in professional pursuits. At the University of Maryland, we encourage students to think outside their borders. They may travel later in life, some for as many as several weeks at a time, but the opportunity to live and learn abroad as an undergraduate is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. ... read more
Home for the Holidays
As the end of the first semester approaches, students and parents anticipate the long holiday vacation. Both are excited about the holiday visit; both have clear pictures in their minds of what the visit will be like. Unfortunately, these expectations are usually not the same. Changes have been taking place across the miles--at home and at college. read more
Thoughts On Your Student Choosing a Major
Every year when I talk to parents, I am aware that one issue foremost on their minds is their son's or daughter's choice of a major. Some parents wonder whether the major their student has chosen will lead to a successful career. Others are telling a resisting student which major they must choose in order to have a successful career. Others worry that their student will not qualify for a particular major. And still others worry because their student has no idea what major to choose or what in the world he or she wants to do following graduation. read more
Join us for Family Weekend 2011!
Friday, October 21 - Sunday, October 23, 2011
We are excited and ready for Family Weekend, but there may be something missing... YOU! Catch the Terp spirit and join us for a terrific weekend on campus. Where else can you play golf, witness mind-reading, eat great food, learn about NASA or HeLa, laugh at a comedy show, meet President and Mrs. Loh, eat more great food, rub Testudo's nose, get a chance to win a 1 carat diamond, bounce on McKeldin Mall, experience a rock-art show (sounds weird, but youll never forget the performance), enjoy brunch, and eat Dairy ice cream... all in one weekend with your student? And thats not all! If you havent registered to attend, please visit the Family Weekend website and register today. We look forward to welcoming you to campus. ... read more
Spring Commencement 2011
Congratulations to the Class of 2011! The campus-wide ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, and the individual college and school ceremonies will occur throughout the day on both Thursday, May 19 and Friday, May 20. These events are not only a celebration of the graduating students' accomplishments at the University of Maryland, but also an occasion for everyone--graduates, families, friends, staff and faculty--to acknowledge our joint enthusiasm for the graduates' future endeavors and aspirations. Complete commencement details can be found at www.commencement.umd.edu. read more
Parents as Partners Campaign
So many members of the community are engaged in the university. Among this community are passionate parents who have created a legacy of positive support and involvement in the University of Maryland experience. I am surrounded in my own work by the profound impact you make. Whether you are engaged in Maryland Parents Association activities, help host regional receptions, participate in Family Weekend, attend sporting events and fine arts performances, enjoy Alumni Association events, or represent the university in your home communities, all of you are engaged in your students experience and you reflect the Terrapin spirit. ... read more
Nutrition and Eating Disorders on College Campuses
College can be a Petri dish for the development of problems in a student's relationship with food and their body. read more
Online Piracy: A Potential Danger of College Life
For young music or movie lovers with computers and high-speed Internet connections, the temptation to share media collections online is common. read more
Guarantee Career Success
The spring semester is upon us. If your UM student has not yet begun his or her internship search, all hope is not lost. read more
Erik B. Young, M.D. International Travel-Study Awards
The purpose of the program is to give deserving undergraduate students the opportunity to broaden their international horizons while they hone their academic skills. read more
Health & Wellness: The Center for Health and Wellbeing Offers a Holistic Approach to Help Students Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
Campus Security: Spotlight on the Department of Public Safety
20 Tips for the Families of All Students
The following list was adapted from "20 Items I Wish I Could Discuss with the Families of All Students" by Michael J. Kiphart, Dean of Student Affairs, Carroll Community College, and is used with permission. read more
8 "Simple" Rules
The following is adapted from Michelsen, J. (1976), "Parenting a College Freshmen," Peoria, IL: Bradley University. The suggestions are purposely subjective and were written by a student not long after graduation. They are based on careful observations of mistakes and/or breakthroughs made by her parents and the families of her friends. The original material has been adapted to reflect changes over the past 30 years since the piece was written. read more
Tuition Tax Deductibility in Jeopardy!
December 31, 2005 will mark the end of tuition tax deductibility for college tuition as we know it, unless we can convince Congress to act in the meantime. Under current law, a deduction of up to $4000 for college expenses for a dependent is available to joint filers with an adjusted gross household income of $130,000 or less. The deduction is phased out at higher income levels, and becomes completely unavailable for households with income of more than $160,000. read more
Thanksgiving Greetings
Wishing you the best during this season of thanksgiving and joy. ... read more
