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Clark University
Orientation
parent hugging their daughter

Welcome to the Clark Family

Your student isn’t the only one who has joined the Clark community. This is a special time for your entire family, and we want you to stay involved and informed during their time with us. We hope you will be able to learn more about Clark University, visit campus when you can, and discover the difference a Clark education can make.

Supporting Your Clarkie

Sending a student off to college is a major milestone for parents and families, often accompanied by a variety of feelings — including pride, excitement, anxiety, and trepidation. Letting go is rarely easy, and it can be hard to adjust to having a student away from home.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that:

  • Most students make the adjustment to college life quite successfully.
  • One of the major aims of the college experience is for young people to develop the capacities of self-responsibility and independent action.

How can you help your student adjust to college life and become more independent? Offer your love, support, understanding, and encouragement. You can stay engaged by:

  • Asking questions and encouraging your student to solve problems, research possibilities, and take advantage of the many academic, co-curricular, and support services that Clark offers.
  • Gently reminding your student to get enough sleep, physical exercise, and nourishment so they can do their best work and stay healthy.

First Year Families Orientation

First Year Families Orientation

2024 Family Orientation Schedule
8 am – Noon
Residence Hall Move In and Explore Campus

Please refer to communications from RLH regarding arrival time. Looking for additional information? Click Here

10 am – 1:15 pm
Orientation Check-In in the Kneller

All students should check in for Orientation, review missing documentation, and receive information about programming/meals for the rest of the day.

Location: Kneller Athletic Center

11 am – 1 pm
Lunch for New Students and Families on the Green

Make sure you stop by the Kneller to pick up a ticket for Lunch!

1 – 1:45 pm
New Athletes Session with Trish Cronin, Athletics Director in Jonas Clark Room 001

Location: Jonas Clark 001

1:30 pm
Doors Open for New Student and Family Welcome

Location: Kneller Athletic Center

2 – 2:45 pm
Undergraduate New Student and Family Welcome in the Kneller

Location: Kneller Athletic Center

2:45 – 3:45 pm
Family Resource Fair and University Meet and Greet in the Center for Media Arts, Computing and Design
4 – 5 pm
Family Goodbye Reception on the Green

Please Note: Pre-Orientation Programs

All Pre-Orientation programs (ACE, Connections, Fall Athletes, Bridge to Clark: Student Accessibility Services) and Transfer Student Move-In Day and Orientation offer a Family Welcome and the opportunity to learn more about Clark’s resources.

parents with mascot

Information for Parents and Families

Find useful links to keep you in the loop about life on campus, events, news, and resources.

Explore Now
Contact Information

Division of Student Success

Office Information
Office Hours

  • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    Monday through Friday