Parents & Families

Family Orientation welcomes all families and supporters who have a new student attending TU, but our program is not mandatory. Family Orientation is strongly encouraged for first-generation families and those sending their first student to Towson University. 

While there is a fee for students to attend New Student Orientation, guests attending Family Orientation will be charged a separate fee. The freshman family orientation fee is $30 and the transfer family orientation fee is $15. The fee covers program materials, meals, staffing and logistics costs. See information on the fee policy here. 

Because of our registration system, your student MUST register you for Family Orientation at the same time they choose their New Student Orientation date. It is important that you communicate with your student to ensure they register you for our program.  If you have questions about registration, call New Student and Family Programs at 410-704-2309 and we will be happy to help!

The Family Network is a community of parents and family members dedicated to ensuring students are successful during their time at TU. Membership is $50 per family and includes discounts to Family Weekend, scholarship opportunities, and an annual copy of the TU Family Calendar. You can sign up for the Family Network on their website. 

You will have access to presentations about campus life, health and counseling, safety, housing and billing/financial aid. You will also receive a guest log-in for the pre-orientation module students are required to complete.

YES! We encourage and welcome anyone who supports a TU student attend participate in our program.

However, all guests who register for Family Orientation will have to follow the program and WILL NOT be able to attend any student-only sessions. This includes transfer families, who may not accompany their student to academic advising and registration.

There are two main reasons: First, due to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), all information pertaining to the student’s academic record is given to the student only. Second, we want students to begin to take ownership of their academic journey since they will be the ones taking classes. Students are assisted by highly qualified academic advisers and support staff who are available to answer any questions they have.

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