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By Bill Roberts, Penn State Parents Council member

Like many of your students, my daughter is very excited for her upcoming session of New Student Orientation. I know that she can’t wait to be part of the Class of 2023. Since my son’s orientation at University Park several years ago, I haven’t given much thought to NSO. What could have changed?

For starters, the biggest change is that orientation for my son was only one day but now it is two days. Back then it was called First-Year Testing, Consulting, and Advising Program (FTCAP). During FTCAP, we spent one long day on campus. This significant restructuring caused me to wonder what else was different. I asked my daughter and she only gave me information about when she had to arrive and when she could leave. Like most parents, I asked more pressing questions. Where would you be staying? Would you need money for food? Are there any forms that need to be completed beforehand? I am sure there were a lot more questions that I completely missed.

After doing some research, I found that everything I would need to know is on the New Student Orientation (NSO) at University Park website (https://orientation.psu.edu/up). There are links for students to review, as well as information for parents and family members. I took the time to review all the NSO information and would like to share a few points that are definitely worth mentioning.

• Penn State NSO has information (and sessions) for parents and families via https://orientation.psu.edu/family. I was surprised that I had my own Pre-NSO homework!
• Also, on the homework page, the last paragraph is about the Penn State Parent and Family Experience. The Parents Program, who is now sending you emails, is an office that is dedicated to supporting parent and families and has a wealth of information. I know first-hand as I joined the Parents Council in the Spring of 2014.
• On the Parents and Families Pre-NSO Homework page (https://orientation.psu.edu/family/homework), I found information on the immunization forms that Penn State requires. Additionally, I read that my daughter will need to use LionPATH to provide my family’s health insurance information. This is a new requirement for all full time Penn State students.

NSO is a great event for our students to socialize with each other but it also an opportunity for parents and family members to learn more about Penn State. Here is some additional information that I found on the website that might be helpful to your student post-NSO.

• If possible, take part of Penn State Alumni Chapter Send-off events. As a resident of South Jersey, my son was invited to the Penn State South Jersey Alumni Send-off event held during the summer of 2013. It was definitely worth going as it was a chance to meet other parents and their students. My son even won a PSU stuffed lion that he gave his sister. She will be bringing that with her when she moves on campus!
• The Penn State Lion’s Pantry provides support for Penn State students who are experiencing food insecurity. NSO is asking incoming students to consider bringing a non-perishable food or personal toiletry item to donate when they attend NSO.

One of the things I plan to do on my trip to NSO will be going to the Berkey Creamery for Alumni Swirl. Definitely a stop for all family members!