Family Orientation is designed to help you prepare for your student’s transition to Columbia and introduce you to the many resources and people who are here to support them. We hope to see you in-person! A full slate of events will be held for families of First-Year Students on Sunday, August 25. Families of International First-Year Students checking in to campus on Saturday, August 24, should check in for Family Orientation on the 24th as well — and select that ticket option when registering. *

Saturday, August 24

International First-Year Student Check-in

Family Orientation Check-In (for families with international students): 2:00-6:00pm — Roone Arledge Auditorium, Alfred Lerner Hall (enter via Broadway)

• Pick-up your name badge, swag, and printed schedule. Dinner for international students and family will be available at this location from 4-6pm.

Sunday, August 25

First-Year Student Check-in

Breakfast: 7:00-9:00am — Hamilton Lawn

Family Orientation Check-In (for families of first-year students): 8:00am-5:00pm — Tents, Butler Lawn

• Check in to receive your name badge, swag, and printed schedule. International families who arrived late or were unable to check in on Saturday can check in on Sunday to receive name badges, swag, and printed schedules.

Family Orientation Programming: 9:00am-5:00pm — Various locations

• A full list of programs with times and locations will be provided prior to arrival.

Class of 2028 Convocation Ceremony: 6:00-8:00pm — Low Plaza

• Convocation is the formal assembly of the Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, and Columbia University community to welcome first-year students and mark the beginning of their undergraduate journey. The ceremony, open to students and families, is held on Low Plaza and features remarks from President Minouche Shafik, Columbia College Dean Josef Sorett, and Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang, among others.
• Families should plan to depart campus after Convocation concludes so that your student can begin their NSOP experience!
• Students do not need to be registered for this event.

Disability Accommodations — We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you require disability accommodation to attend this event, please contact us at disability@columbia.edu no later than August 15th. We will work with our colleagues at Disability Services to fulfill requests made after this date, but cannot guarantee they will be met. Also, please review the Morningside Campus Disability Access Map

* Family Orientation check-in on August 24th is for families of international first-year students. Families of domestic first-year students participating in the August 24th bag drop will check-in for Family Orientation during their students' check-in on August 25th.