Families

New Student Orientation isn’t just for students.

A family taking a photo

Families aren’t required to participate, but we strongly encourage you to attend. Special programming is designed for siblings and parents or guardians.

New students must RSVP on behalf of their families through the link in their 1Hope email account. This link will be sent out in mid-June.

2023 FAMILY SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25

Time	Event	Location
8 a.m.–3 p.m.	Student Move-In	Residence Halls
11 a.m.–12 p.m.	Step2Success: Students’ Experiences at Hope College A panel of students from diverse backgrounds share their experiences of life at Hope College.	Bultman Student Center (BSC) Great Room
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.	Lunch	Phelps Dining Hall
1–4:30 p.m.	Resource Room	Martha Miller Rotunda
1–2 p.m.	Step2Success: Icebreakers An opportunity to meet and connect with other incoming freshmen and students on campus for fun, community-building activities.	Pine Grove
2–3 p.m.	Step2Success: Connecting with Your Community An opportunity to network and connect with the students involved in Hope’s Multicultural Student Organizations (MSOs). Build your community at this mini-involvement fair.	BSC Great Room
4–6:30 p.m.	Dinner	Phelps
5–6 p.m.	Transfer Student and Family Welcome Dinner	Maas Auditorium
7–9 p.m.	Windmill Island Getaway	Windmill Island 1 Lincoln Ave Holland, MI 49423

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

Time	Event	Location
7:30–9 a.m.	Breakfast	Phelps Dining Hall
9–9:45 a.m.	Parent Seminar 1 (choose one)
	Campus Safety	BSC Schaap Auditorium
	Q&A with Campus Ministries The Campus Ministries staff talks about religious life and spiritual growth at Hope.	BSC Great Room
	Global Engagement: Off Campus Study At Hope we believe in preparing students for lives of service and leadership in a global society. Join us as we explore study abroad as one path to global citizenship. Learn about the ins and outs of study abroad and what steps your Hope student needs to take to start the process of exploring the world.	Martha Miller 240
	Your Student with Documented Learning and Living Needs This seminar is for parents whose student has had either an IEP or a 504 plan in high school. Representatives from Disability and Accessibility Resources will discuss the transition from high school to college and how to access accommodations that are available to students at the college level.	Martha Miller 158
10–10:15 a.m.	Sibling Program Drop Off	DeVos Fieldhouse
10:15–11:15 a.m.	Opening Session	DeVos Fieldhouse
11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.	Lunch	Phelps
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Legacy Family Open House (by invitation)	Jack Miller Lobby
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	First Gen Student & Family Gathering	BSC Schaap Auditorium
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.	FOCUS+ Meeting (by invitation)	Graves Hall (Winants)
1:30–2:15 p.m.	Parent Seminar II (choose one)
	Chatting with Dining Services The director of residential dining will describe accommodations for different allergies and dietary needs, as well as answering any questions about dining and meal plans.	BSC Schaap Auditorium
	The College Transition	Graves Hall (Winants)
	Teaching as a Faithful Profession Hope faculty discuss how their Christian faith impacts their calling at Hope College, from classroom teaching to the larger campus environment.	VanderWerf 104
	Your Hope Student-Athlete The athletic directors will talk about what it means to be a parent of a student-athlete at Hope College.	DeWitt Theater
2:30–3:15 p.m.	Parent Seminar III (choose one)
	Hope Parent Roundtable Talk with Hope parents and have your questions answered about helping your student succeed in college.	DeWitt, Lower Level Learning Lab
	Your Student’s Health The directors of Counseling and Health Services will discuss programs and services offered at Hope for your student’s health.	Martha Miller 135
	Your Hope Student-Athlete The athletic directors will talk about what it means to be a parent of a student-athlete at Hope College.	DeWitt Theater
	Boerigter Center for Calling and Career Learn about the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career and resources to support your student with career discernment and experiential opportunities.	BSC Schaap Auditorium
3:30–4:30 p.m.	Step2Success: Life & Learning at Hope College Do you want to be successful in and out of class? Hear directly from faculty and staff about the skills and strategies needed for student success.	BSC Great Room
5–6:30 p.m.	Picnic in the Pine Grove	Pine Grove (if rain: Phelps)
6:45–9:15 p.m.	Super Siblings Extravaganza	BSC Schaap Auditorium
7:30–9 p.m.	Hope Orientation Parent Experience	Jack H. Miller Auditorium

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27

Time	Event	Location
10–11 a.m.	Worship Service	Dimnent Chapel
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.	Brunch	Phelps Dining Hall
11 a.m.–1 p.m.	Campus Ministries Open House	Huys der Hope
2–3:30 p.m.	Opening Convocation Students line up at 1:30	Devos Fieldhouse
3:30–5 p.m.	Goodbyes and Family Photos	The Anchor

TIME OF REFLECTION

On Saturday morning, following the Family Opening Session, there will be a Time of Reflection for you to write a letter to your student. Materials will be provided. This letter can address the hopes and dreams you have for your student during their next four years at Hope and will be given to them upon completion of their senior year. We encourage you to bring a pen when you come to the Family Opening Session. Upon exiting the Time of Reflection, Orientation staff will be present to collect your letters, sealed inside your envelope. Please note, if you are unable to write your letter in the allotted time, Orientation staff will be collecting letters throughout the weekend at the following locations and events: The Bultman Student Center, Hope Orientation Parent Experience, and Opening Convocation.

Schedules are subject to change. A final schedule will be provided on your arrival in August.