Family Members
Parent/Family Day is Saturday, October 24, 2009. More information coming soon.
• What does the office of Family Programs do?
• What can I expect at Summer Orientation (part I)?
• What can I expect at Experience Stony Brook (part II)?
• What is the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)?
• Where can I get information about other Stony Brook University offices and services?
• How can I stay connected to my student at Stony Brook?
What does the office of Family Programs do?
The office of Family Programs is committed to providing support to
parents and family members of Stony Brook University students, as well as providing resources to all parents and family members throughout their student’s time at the University. We focus on providing information and referral, as well as develop programming opportunities, such as the Parent/Family Program during Summer Orientation.
What can I expect at Summer Orientation (part I)?
Parents and family members are welcome to attend summer orientation, although they will not be able to participate in summer orientation program along with their student. Instead, family members are invited to attend our Parent/Family program, which includes information from Student Accounts, Financial Aid, University Police, Student Health Services, the Counseling Center, the Registrar, and Campus Residences or Commuter Student Services. A meal will be provided, although the Family Program will not include a tour of the campus or residence halls. Please note that the Family Program may be inappropriate for small children. Parents who are driving their student to summer orientation should be sure to park in the H Lot, also known as the Student Activities Center lot. Parking cannot be validated for the parking garage or other areas of campus. Click here for additional information on
traveling to campus.
For first-year students, the Parent/Family program will also feature
your student’s academic advisor and the faculty director of their
Undergraduate College. First-year students will be taken on a tour of the
campus and/or residential quad during summer orientation, however these
tours are for students only. Parents and family member can not be
accommodated on these tours due to space and time limitations.
Click here for a glance at the one-day summer orientation schedule for first-year family members.
Click here for a glance at the AM or
PM half-day summer orientation schedule for transfer family members. Please note that schedules are subject to change. Family members with students in the EOP/AIM and Honors/WISE programs may follow a different schedule. There is no Parent/Family Orientation on August 28 or August 30.
What can I expect at Experience Stony Brook (part II)?
Guests are welcome to assist students with move-in, as well as participate in the Family BBQ during the first day of Experience Stony Brook. After the Family BBQ, parents and students part ways, as students are formally welcomed during University Convocation. Guests are not able to attend other Experience Stony Brook events.
What is the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)?
In 1974, Congress adopted the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment. This amendment provides that students who are enrolled in post-secondary education are the sole guardians of their own educational records. This means that only your student will have access to his or her record at the University and you may view them only with his or her written permission.
In accordance with this amendment, all correspondence from the University regarding grades, academic honors and/or discipline will be sent directly to your student at the address he or she lists with the Registrar/Office of Records. In addition, advisors cannot discuss specifics with family members about the student's progress or about any problems that arise without the student’s written consent. Please keep in mind that although advisors are not at liberty to divulge specifics, they will be happy to discuss general university policies with parents at any time.
As a part of the educational process, students are expected to assume responsibility for their own academic progress along with the appropriate communication of that progress with their desired family members. An open relationship between students and family is essential so that students feel free to share both achievements and disappointments.
Where can I get information about other Stony Brook University offices and services?
A primary resource for University students and family members is the Stony Brook University website. The office of Family Programs recommends that parents bookmark the
For Students page which provides access to websites of all major university offices including Campus Residences, Campus Dining, University Police, Disability Support, Health Services, Athletics and many others. Family members should also feel comfortable contacting the office of Family Programs to seek direction with any questions or concerns that may arise. Click here for information on how to
contact us.
How can I stay connected to my student at Stony Brook?
There are a variety of ways to stay connected to your student’s Stony Brook University experience and the office of Family Programs is a great place to start. The office publishes an electronic newsletter two times per year, entitled Connections. If you are interested in receiving this publication, please send an email to
studentfamilyoffice@notes.cc.sunysb.edu and type "Connections" in the subject line. In addition, the Director of New Student Orientation and Family Programs is seeking family members to develop the SBU Parent & Family Advisory Board, which will play a roll in shaping upcoming programs and services that are offered to parents and family. If you are interested in being a part of the Advisory Board, please contact Heather Robertson at
heather.robertson@stonybrook.edu.
The Stony Brook University campus is alive with activity and family members are welcome to join in the excitement. Be sure to check out the University Events calendar at
www.stonybrook.edu/calendar. This web site not only connects you to the fun stuff, such as Homecoming, Junior Ring Ceremony, Staller Center performances, and Athletic events, but it keeps you connected to critical dates and deadlines via the Academic Calendar. Many of these dates could have serious consequences for your student, including increased fees or missed deadlines.
There are a variety of non-university sources that assist parents in navigating the transition from high school to college, or from home to campus.
Click here for a list of recommended readings and resources. Adobe Acrobat is required. This document is updated regularly. Stony Brook University is also a member of
College Parents of America, an organization that provides parents and family members with information and resources on the college experience.