In-person Family Orientation

In-person family orientations serve families of new students who are coming directly from high school.

At Family Orientation you can expect to:

Explore resources available to support your student
Learn how you can support your student’s transition to college life
Discover ways to connect to campus events, news, and information
Meet campus professionals and other Bronco families

Family Orientation Logistics

Before booking travel, confirm that your student has completed orientation sign-up.

June Dates:

*~~June 13 – 14~~ (FULL)
*~~June 20 – 21~~ (FULL)
*~~June 24 – 25~~ (FULL)
*~~June 27 – 28~~ (FULL)

*View the specialty group dates tab for dates relating to honors, Spanish translation, and veteran dependent Orientation Programs.

Family orientation coincides with student orientation. Some sessions are together.

July Dates:

~~July 15 – 16~~ (FULL)
~~July 19 – 20~~ (FULL)
July 22 – 23 (Monday – Tuesday)
July 25 – 26 (Thursday – Friday)

Honors

Students accepted into the Honors program can attend additional programming at an Honors focused program. While these orientations have an additional session, Honors staff will be at every Orientation program.

*Honors Program Dates:

June 20 – 21 (Thursday – Friday)
June 27 – 28 (Thursday – Friday)

*These programs are not only meant for Honors students.

Spanish Translation

We know some families and guests are Spanish speaking. We are pleased to offer English to Spanish translation during two programs for anyone who would like a translation device or to speak to bilingual Orientation Leaders.

Translated Programs:

June 24 – 25 (Monday – Tuesday)
July 19 – 20 (Friday – Saturday)

Veteran Dependents

G.I. Bill Education benefits can take as long as eight weeks to process. Veteran Dependent students using G.I. Bill benefits, should attend an Orientation in June so they can register for classes as early as possible.

*Veteran Dependent Dates:

June 13 – 14 (Thursday – Friday)
June 20 – 21 (Thursday – Friday)
June 24 – 25 (Monday – Tuesday)
June 27 – 28 (Thursday – Friday)

*If any of these programs are full or don’t work with their summer schedule, contact our office.

Hotels Near Campus

Our close proximity to downtown Boise gives you plenty of great hotel options to choose from; some of the hotels outlined below provide Boise State discounts for families attending orientations. Please note: Families and guests do not stay with students in the residence halls.

Day 1:

8:00am – 9:00am Check-in

9:15am – 9:30am Welcome

9:30am – 10:00am Academic Experience

10:15am – 11:00am Bronco Family Welcome

11:00am – 12:00pm Faculty Panel

12:00pm – 1:30pm Lunch and Resource Fair

1:45pm – 2:15pm Campus Life

2:30pm – 3:00pm But how do I actually help my student?

3:15pm – 3:45pm Building Resilience

3:45pm – 4:00pm Safety & Wellbeing (All)

4:20pm – 5:15pm Safety & Wellbeing (Family Panel)

Day 2:

9:00am – 9:30am True Bronco

9:30am – 10:00am What Comes Next?

10:00am – 10:45am Brunch

11:00am – 11:30am Beyond Boise State

11:30am – 11:45am Break

11:45am – 12:30pm Networking and Survey Completion

1:00pm – 2:00pm Check-out

2:00pm – 5:00pm Visit with Boise State Offices (if needed)

Need help navigating to campus?

You’ll find Boise State University between Broadway Avenue and Capital Boulevard, just a short distance from Interstate 84 and less than 4 miles from the Boise Airport. Check-in will be in the Recreation Center while a majority of the Orientation program is held in the Student Union Building.

Need help navigating around campus?

Search locations in our campus map

Orientation Check-in Details:

All families and guests are required to check-in with their student on day 1.
Check-in takes place from 8:00am – 9:00am in the Recreation Center.
After 9:00am, check-in will move outside of the Jordan Ballroom in the Student Union Building.

What will I receive at check-in?

Printed Orientation Schedule
New Student Guide Booklet
Resource Handouts

How do I indicate I need accommodations to participate in the orientation program?

If you need any accommodations for reading, seeing, hearing, language, or other disability-related needs to fully participate in the in-person family orientation, please have your student indicate that when they sign up for orientation or contact our office to add an accommodation.

How do I modify my accommodations for the orientation program?

If your situation has changed and your student has already signed you up for family orientation, please contact our office to update your accommodation details.

Does your student need accommodations beyond orientation?

Establish Services with the Educational Access Center

How do I sign-up for Family Orientation?

Your student can sign you up for family orientation through their orientation sign-up.

Is there a fee to attend Family Orientation?

Yes, it is $75 per guest and included lunch on day 1 and brunch on day 2. Payments for families and guests are non-refundable on the day of the program.

Why is the guest fee $75? What does it pay for?

Student orientation is funded by student fees paid through tuition. The family and guest fee allows us to cover family orientation costs from food to space to staffing, similar to a conference.

Can orientations be updated or canceled?

If plans have changed and your student is unable to attend their chosen Orientation program, they can reschedule to another open session. Likewise, if guest information needs to be updated, have your student call our office at (208) 426-1156 to discuss transferring your reservation and/or fees to another date, if space is available.

Post-Orientation Family Checklist:

Here are a few suggestions to stay connected with your new Bronco as they start their Boise State adventure:

Opt-in to our Parent & Family Newsletter.
Learn more about the Parent & Family resources.
Save the dates for Move-in Day, Convocation, and B on the Blue.
Plan to attend Parent & Family Weekend.
Email Broncofamilies@boisestate.edu with any questions.