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News and Events
All parents receive the Parent Newsletter, mailed in August, December, and March. Parents of incoming freshmen and transfer students also receive an orientation issue during Parent Orientation. Past issues can be found in the newsletter archive.
Spring 2013
The second year—students may experience what has been called the "sophomore slump."
College student mental health—early intervention may prevent or decrease the severity of mental health issues.
Parents speak: Results from 2012 U of M parent survey.
Miscellaneous—Parents Weekend save the date, GradFest, Classes Without Quizzes, commencement, email alerts.
Download the Newsletter
Download the Spring 2013 Newsletter.
Past Newsletters
Articles from past newsletters can often have long-lasting relevance.
See past newsletter articles >
Subscribe to Parent Email Updates
Parents may sign up for email updates to receive periodic special announcements. Email messages can also be read online (see below).
Sign Up
If you'd like to sign up for email updates, send your email address to parent@umn.edu and ask to be added to the list. It will take anywhere from a day to a week before you see a message, depending on how soon one is sent out after you've been added to the list.
Recent Parent Email
The following links go to email messages sent recently to the University Parent email update list.
May 10, 2013
Finals Time; Summer U-Pass; Residence Hall Heating/Cooling Transition; Global Learning Adventure Tour; Off-Campus Housing Fair; A Note about Apartment Subletting; Miscellaneous
May 3, 2013
Boomerang Graduates; Stress Relief Canine Style; Student Success Courses; Care Packages; Dining Services Parent Survey; University Parent Social Media; Miscellaneous
April 19, 2013
Message from President Kaler; Parent Input Requested on Dining Services; Spring Jam; Summer School Housing; Information for Student Entrepreneurs; Note to Parents of Incoming Students; Note to Parents of Soon-to-Be Graduates; End of the Semester; Miscellaneous
April 4, 2013
Classes Without Quizzes; Eastcliff Reception for 2013 Graduates and Families; Theatre, Arts, and Dance; If We Have Helped...; Miscellaneous
March 26, 2013
Financial Update; Social Media/Parents; Career Development; May Session; Vocabulary for U of M Parents; Miscellaneous
March 14, 2013
Graduation; Finances; Mental Health; Spring Break; Miscellaneous
March 1, 2013
State of the University; Major Decisions: A Job for CAPE; Absence Policy Reinstated; Careers in Law; Careers in Transportation; Preparation for K-12 Teaching; Do-It-Yourself Tools for Resolving Student Conflicts; Learning Abroad; Miscellaneous
February 12, 2013
State of the University; Tax Assistance for Students; Commencement Information; Strengths at the U; Classes Without Quizzes; Peer Research Assistance; Miscellaneous
January 29, 2013
Message from President Kaler; Looking Toward the Second Year of College; Dining Options for Off-Campus Students; Billing Dates; Time Management: Assignment Calendar; Career Planning; Arts and Dance (Free!); 1098-T Tax Information; Parents' Collective Wisdom; Miscellaneous
January 18, 2013
Influenza Message; Career Development; Learning Abroad; Student Support Through University Counseling & Consulting Services; Off-Campus Housing; Community Service for the Common Good; Miscellaneous
January 9, 2013
Message from President Kaler; Grades and Questions; Financial Information for Spring; Welcome Week Leaders; Precautions; Upcoming Events; One-Credit Courses for Students; Miscellaneous
December 19, 2012
Winter Storm Notice!; Talking About a Difficult Subject; IT Service Interruption; Bowl Game Update; Students Can Study Away in the USA (and Canada); Funding for Study Abroad; Final Deadline Approaching for Parent-Student Service-Learning Trip; Spring U-Pass On Sale Now; U of M Job and Internship Fair; Reduced Campus Shuttle Service During Winter Break; Miscellaneous
December 4, 2012
CSE Illumination; CDes Students Partner with Habitat for Humanity; Service Learning Trip for Families; CFANS Tree Sale; School of Nursing Scholarship Benefit; Athletics on the Road; Adopt A Family Update; Recreational Sports Winter Outdoor Gear Sale; Exam Preparation; Finals Care Packages; Extreme Makeover: Major Edition!; Miscellaneous (and a secret)
November 16, 2012
Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays; Zimride for Thanksgiving; Freshman Seminars Abroad; Billing Update; CLA Student Position; Off-Campus Living Notes: Winter Edition; Parking Lottery for Spring Semester; Miscellaneous
October 31, 2012
Off-campus Living for Next Fall; Paper Trails; Minnesota Supreme Court Tour; Halloween Message; Deadline for Orientation Leader Applications; Finances; Parents' Collective Wisdom; Miscellaneous
October 18, 2012
Food Day; Parents' Collective Wisdom; Freshman Seminars Abroad; When Times Are Tough; Upcoming Holidays; Fall Care Packages; Parents' Role in Student Success; Common Book; LGBT Parents: Survey Request; Miscellaneous
October 8, 2012
Mid-Term Alerts; Parents Weekend Evaluation; Josten's Ring Event; More on Strengths (and Guatemala); Dakota Sacred Sites Tour; Flu Shots; Facebook Goal Surpassed; Parents' Role in Student Success; Success Over Stress; Graduate and Professional School Day; Miscellaneous
September 25, 2012
Fall in the Air; Career Services; Learn and Earn: Upcoming UROP deadline; Strengths at the U; Holiday Transportation; Parents' Role in Student Success; Common Book: Author Talk; Voter Registration; Workshop Resource for Students; Miscellaneous
September 10, 2012
Parents Weekend Registration Deadline; Financial Update; Flu Shots for Students; Reuse-a-Palooza; Learning Abroad: For Students Going or Returning; University Libraries; Parents' Role In Student Success; Miscellaneous
September 4, 2012
Message From President Kaler; Parents Weekend: Register Now; Move-In Reports; Getting Around; A Question for the U of M Chief of Police; What's Happening; Miscellaneous
August 27, 2012
Move-In Events for Parents; New Student Convocation: You Can Watch!; Parents Weekend 2012: Registration Deadline Is September 10; Off-Campus Housing; Safety Messages; Health and Dental; Miscellaneous
See the email archives for more >
Events for Parents
Save the Date
Parents Weekend 2013 is scheduled for October 18-20. Parents Weekend features opportunities for parents and students to spend time together, both in scheduled activities and on your own.
A detailed schedule and registration information will be included in upcoming parent emails and in a mailing to be sent in August. To sign up for email updates, send your email address to parent@umn.edu.
There are a number of events throughout the year that parents can attend.
Find out more about Events for Parents >
Timely Issues
The weather, the academic cycle, and even the athletic teams can affect your student's temperament and productivity as the year goes by. Timely Issues talks about some of the issues that are likely to affect students this time of year.
See Timely Issues >
Seasonal Updates
As the seasons change, so does the information parents need to know. See Seasonal Updates for spring semester and May and summer sessions, links to the spring semester and summer tuition payment schedule, information about stress and finals, spring commencement, honor societies, moving out, storage facilities, resources for off-campus living, and orientation.
See Seasonal Updates >