Registration Opens

March 16, 2026 for Summer & Fall 2026 sessions. Registering in advance ensures your attendance for an associated fee (which covers meals and UH Swag bag).

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How to Register

Family members and supporters register through the student’s New Student Orientation Registration form.
When students sign up, they can add up to two supporters.

See the FAQs below for details. 

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Fees

Freshman (2‑day) Family & Supporter Orientation: $60
Transfer (1‑day) Family & Supporter Orientation: $40

All orientation fees are non‑refundable.

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Where to Stay

Housing is not provided, but families can use a special UH Hilton rate (based on availability). The Hilton Hotel is located on-campus.

How to Book the Discount:

• Online: Visit the Hilton University of Houston website
  
  • Select “Special Rate”
  • Enter the University of Houston Alumni Rate Code (3259528) in “Corporate Account”
• Or call (866) 327‑1161 and request the University of Houston Alumni Rate Code (3259528)

This program provides an overview of the academic, financial, and campus support services available to your student. You will attend presentations from departments across the university, learn about next steps for your New Coog, and receive guidance on how to stay engaged throughout their first year.  

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What to Expect

Family & Supporter Orientation includes time both with your New Coog and in separate sessions designed just for you. You’ll be moving between locations throughout the day, so plan for plenty of walking and wear comfortable footwear.

 Sample Schedule – Day 1

Time	Event
8–9:45 a.m.	Check‑In
10 a.m.	*Welcome
11 a.m.	Family & Supporter Welcome
12 p.m.	Lunch
1 p.m.	College Engagement Meetings
2:30 p.m.	Be Well, Do Well & Business of Being a Student
4 p.m.	Resource Fair & Breakout Sessions
5 p.m.	Coog Moms Social Event

 

Sample Schedule – Day 2 (Freshman Only)

Time	Event
8:30 a.m.	Continental Breakfast
9:15 a.m.	Campus Safety & Care Panel
10 a.m.	Coog Talk: Supporting a New Coog
11 a.m.	Explore UH!

 

View Session descriptions in the UH Go app.

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes, there will be a lot of walking. 
• A sweater (campus buildings get chilly)
• A portable phone charger
• A notebook if you like taking notes

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What Else to Know

• You’ll receive a UH bag at check‑in for handouts.
• Free event parking is in the University Gateway Garage by presenting the QR code from the student’s confirmation email at the entrance.

See FAQs below for important parking details!

Family members and supporters are registered for Family and Supporter Orientation using the same registration form that students complete for New Student Orientation.

When students register, they will have the option to add up to two family members or supporters who plan to attend. 

We recommend that students and their family members or supporters plan to complete the registration together so all attendees can be added at the same time.

Freshman (2‑day) Family & Supporter Orientation: $60
Transfer (1‑day) Family & Supporter Orientation: $40

All orientation fees are non‑refundable.

The Family & Supporter Orientation fee includes program materials, meals, access to all Family & Supporter designated sessions, and campus resources, as well as a UH swag bag provided at check‑in.

Please reach out to orientation@uh.edu if you need to change any information (date, email address, etc.) after registering for family and supporter orientation.

It is possible for students to attend Orientation with friends or classmates as long as they select the same available session date. Because space is limited, planning and registering early is strongly encouraged.

If you are coordinating with other families or supporters, arriving together helps streamline check‑in and keeps your group organized from the start.

Parents and guardians are welcome at all orientations and, if attending, will follow a separate schedule of events. Because of the nature of the program, it is not appropriate for anyone except parents/guardians or spouses to attend as a supporter.

Friends or siblings are not allowed to accompany students in attendance.

Supporters under 18 will not be able to attend Family and Supporter Orientation without a parent or guardian. The exception would be an older sibling who is acting in a guardian capacity; however, in this case, the sibling would attend the Family and Supporter Orientation and would not be with the student during any time parents and students are not ordinarily together. 

Family and Supporter Orientation offers intentional programming designed to educate participants on all things UH and prepare them to be informed supporters of their students both during this transition and into their collegiate careers.

Your student will be attending New Student Orientation, and you will be attending Family and Supporter Orientation. There will be some sessions in which you are together and there will be other times where your programming is separate. As a family and supporter in attendance, you will have separate meals and although you will have time with the college, you will not participate in the academic advising and course registration process. 

During Family & Supporter Orientation, you'll take part in a full day of programming designed to help you support your New Coog. You’ll attend sessions both with your student and in separate family‑focused sessions, giving you a clear understanding of campus resources, academic expectations, student well‑being, campus safety, and ways to stay engaged. You’ll also move between buildings and activities throughout the day, so plan for plenty of walking.

View the Sample Schedule in the Get Ready! section above for additional information.

No. Students are expected to stay for the full program to ensure completion of required steps, including advising and enrollment.

New Student and Transfer Orientation covers essential information that directly supports a successful start at UH. Students receive academic guidance, complete advising and enrollment steps, and learn about campus resources.

Advising and Enrollment holds will not be removed if a student does not attend the full Orientation program.

Orientation includes both indoor sessions and outdoor walking between locations. Please dress comfortably and wear shoes suitable for extended walking.

Yes. Orientation provides opportunities to explore campus and become familiar with key buildings, resources, and student services. Use the UH Go App to view the schedule descriptions. 

• Comfortable walking shoes, there will be a lot of walking. 
• A sweater (campus buildings get chilly)
• A portable phone charger
• A notebook if you like taking notes

You’ll receive a UH swag bag at check‑in for handouts.

Assist your student by fostering independence, remaining involved, and guiding them to campus resources. This involves letting your student take responsibility for their college journey while offering support and advice.

Plan ahead with them! Their Pre-Orientation Modules call for students to build their schedule in advance of NSO. 

Encourage your student to ask questions, stay organized, and follow up with advisors as needed.

Family & Supporters will have an opportunity to visit with academic colleges alongside their students before advising sessions, but advising sessions are exclusively reserved for students to promote independence and direct engagement with advisors.

To receive complimentary event parking for orientation, you are required to park in the  University Gateway Garage. Follow these instructions to park. 

Upon arrival, present the QR code provided in your students' confirmation email at the scanner to enter. Be advised there are many other parking garages on campus and your parking fee will not be validated if you park in a garage that is not the University Gateway Garage.  You can view additional information about the University Gateway Garage on the Parking & Transportation website.

Freshman Orientation

After parking in the University Gateway Garage, please cross the street to the University of Houston-Campus Recreation & Wellness Center, where you and your student will check in at separate locations.

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Transfer Orientation

After parking in the University Gateway Garage, please proceed to Student Center South, where you and your student will check in at separate locations.

You will be with your student for some of the day and separate as well. Family members and supporters participate in the Family & Supporter Orientation, while students attend New Student Orientation.

We encourage families to allow students to remain fully engaged in their own sessions, as this is an important part of fostering independence and supporting a strong transition to the University of Houston.

Orientation Leaders will guide you throughout the day, provide directions, and assist with any questions you may have.

Housing is not provided, but families can use a special UH Hilton rate (based on availability). The Hilton Hotel is located on-campus.

How to Book the Discount:

• Online: Visit the Hilton University of Houston website
  Select “Special Rate”
  Enter the University of Houston Alumni Rate Code (3259528) in “Corporate Account”
• Or call (866) 327‑1161 and request the University of Houston Alumni Rate Code (3259528)

During Orientation, you'll learn about helpful resources such as Coog Moms, the Cougar Parent & Family Engagement Center, communication tools, and opportunities to stay involved throughout your student’s UH experience.

New Student Programs staff can assist. Email orientation@uh.edu at least one week prior to your orientation date.

All Orientation presentations include closed‑captioning to support participants who benefit from visual text or need additional accessibility accommodations. If you have other accessibility needs or requests, we encourage you to contact our team in advance so we can ensure a comfortable and fully accessible experience during your visit. Email orientation@uh.edu at least one week prior to your orientation date.

Federal privacy laws protect your student’s educational records once they begin attending UH. This means the university cannot share information such as grades, schedules, or billing details with families unless the student provides permission through the FERPA Release form.

Because completing a FERPA Release gives someone access to private academic information, it’s important for you and your student to have an open conversation about what access you need to and why. This is a personal decision for each student, and UH encourages families to discuss expectations together before the student signs the form.

You can learn more about FERPA privacy protections, complete the form, and view how to submit the form to UH here.

Once you have a FERPA form on file, your student can grant access through a feature called Delegated Access in their myUH self‑service account. This allows them to authorize someone to view specific information, such as grades, financial aid, or billing, or to take certain actions on their behalf. Students choose what to share and can update permissions at any time. You can learn more about how to grant Delegated Access here.