The following message was sent to parents and families of new students in the Class of 2025

Bottom Line, Up Front:

  • Housing check-in on your student’s move-in date will take place at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, prior to entering campus.
  • A Family Welcome Center will be available on August 18-19 from 1-7 p.m. in the Benson University Center.
  • A family Orientation program will take place in Wait Chapel on August 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Masks are required indoors for all families and visitors to campus, regardless of vaccination status.
  • The New Deac Welcome Week schedule is available online; please download the app.
  • Parent and Family Orientation videos are available online.

Dear Parents & Families,

We are looking forward to welcoming you and your students to our University community very soon. We know that you have been eagerly awaiting key information to finalize your travel to Winston-Salem.

The purpose of today’s message is to update you on a few important topics: Move-In, Parents and Families Orientation, an update on COVID-19 guidelines, and access to our New Deac Welcome Week schedule.

Move In

Students who are doing Pre-Orientation programs or are involved in Athletics were sent their move-in date from Residence Life and Housing. All other new students had the opportunity to schedule their move-in appointment while reviewing their residence hall assignment in the housing portal; those appointments are on August 18 or 19. Please check with your student to ensure you know their move-in date/time.

Housing check-in will take place at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum prior to entering campus. As you begin to prepare, remember these key points:

  • We strongly encourage your students to bring only what they need.
  • Try to bring items with you rather than mail them to your campus PO Box, as there is normally heavy volume at Mail Services.
  • Students and families should arrive at their scheduled move-in appointment time.

Once you arrive on campus, University officials will be posted to help you navigate to your student’s assigned residence hall. Move-in crews will be available to help unload your car and carry items to your student’s new room between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on August 18 and 19 only.

Benson University Center will serve as the Family Welcome Center from 1-7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18th and Thursday, August 19th. This is a great place to pause after your student has moved into their Residence Hall. The Office of Family Engagement and other campus colleagues will be available to greet you and answer any questions you might have. Families will even have a chance to “meet the Daily Deac” and learn about some of the most beloved WFU traditions. We invite you to visit with other families, enjoy light refreshments, and write a postcard that we’ll deliver to your Deacs after school starts.

Family Orientation Session in Wait Chapel: Flourish in the Forest: Navigating Change, Embracing Challenge for Parents and Families — On both Wednesday, August 18 and Thursday, August 19 at 7:30 p.m., we will hold an Orientation and welcome program in Wait Chapel for all families. Your students will be attending their mandatory residence hall meeting, “Living at Wake,” with their Resident Adviser at this same time. This will provide you an opportunity to hear from campus leaders about the many support systems we have available to your students, both in and out of the classroom. An email will be sent to you about this program soon, and it will provide a link to both RSVP and submit questions in advance. You may attend the session most convenient to your family, as the content will be the same on both evenings.

Formal programming for families will end by Thursday evening, so families should plan to depart on Friday (or even Thursday, if you attend the Wednesday Flourish in the Forest session), as students will be involved in their own Orientation programming.

Mask Requirement

All campus visitors (which would include parents and families) must wear a mask indoors when on campus and in all other University properties, regardless of vaccination status. Faculty, staff and students who have not been approved to be unmasked must wear a mask indoors when on campus and in all other University properties, except when in a residence hall room or alone in a private office. Masks are optional for vaccinated faculty, staff, and students.

The New Deac Welcome Week schedule is available online:

  • DOWNLOAD THE APP: On a laptop/desktop computer or unsupported mobile device, visit the following link to access the content in your web browser and download the WFU Orientation Programs app (New Deac Welcome Week 2021). You will find the most up-to-date information, including schedules, maps, and much more.
  • In the app, choose the Schedule by Tracks option and select Parents and Families to see activities related to family Orientation. Note that some events are still being added, so be sure to go back and check the app for any new additions.
  • We encourage you to download the app, as the web browser version does not support all of the features available in the mobile app version.

Parents and Families Orientation videos:

We have made some key Orientation videos available on this page; these videos cover what to be thinking about and doing before school starts, how students can get involved at Wake once school begins, staying safe at Wake Forest, and academic support such as tutoring, accommodations, and time management. We encourage all families to watch these videos by the end of August, so you are fully aware of the support available for you and your student.

As we move through the next two weeks, we encourage you to keep your eyes on your email and Our Way Forward to stay up-to-date on any changes to health and safety guidelines.

With best wishes,

Cherise James, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Orientation and Lower Division Programming

Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support.