Parents and Families : University of Rochester

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Students transport belongings in a large rolling bin on move-in day

Helping families understand and support the student experience

View Resources

Fall foliage with the tower of Rush Rhees library in the background.

Orienting families to the University of Rochester

Orientation

Students in caps and gowns smiling and posing at commencement

Ensuring our parent community feels informed, valued, and respected

View Ways to Stay Informed

Important Dates

Commencement WeekendMay 16–May 18
Fall Welcome WeekAugust 18–August 20
Fall Classes BeginAugust 25–August 25
Meliora WeekendSeptember 18–September 21

MONTHLY POLL

May 2025

During the 2025 spring semester, on what topic regarding your student did you personally contact the University of Rochester?

Choose your answer >

Future Commencement Dates

May 15 - 16, 2026
May 14 - 15, 2027
May 12 - 13, 2028
May 11 - 12, 2029

Visit the Commencement website to learn more.

Celebrate and Connect!

Students come from all 50 states and more than 130 countries. Most undergrads live on campus for all four years of their college experience.

UR Acronyms & Abbreviations

At the University of Rochester names of departments, offices, programs, and more are commonly referenced by an acronym or abbreviation, rather than their full name. We recognize that this might pose confusion for parents, families, new students, or other individuals not familiar with the University. View a list of our most commonly used acronyms and abbreviations with links to respective web pages for more information.

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Dear Family

Every year, graduating seniors submit messages to their families to show appreciation for their support over their journey at the University. View the collections of previous notes from seniors to their families.

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