Parent/Family Member

Parent & Family Orientation will be offered as live tracks during Blazer Beginnings.

• For freshmen attending a summer/fall orientation date, one family member is included with payment of the Freshman Enrollment Deposit and any additional family members may join for a $35 fee to cover the cost of meals and staffing.
• For freshmen attending a Spring orientation date, you should click on the “Transfer/Non-Traditional Freshman” tab on this page for details.

All family members have access to pre-recorded videos free of charge in a specially designed course in Canvas, UAB’s learning management system. Click the link below to get started!

Dates

Honors College— Summer/Fall Honors Freshmen Only

Students must formally accept their Honors College offer in order to make a reservation for an Honors College orientation date. Please note that each of these dates includes a mandatory honors session the evening of the first day of orientation. This will include honors advising and information as well as an honors family dinner with faculty, staff, and current students.

• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4-5, 2024
• Thursday and Friday, June 6-7, 2024
• Monday and Tuesday, June 10-11, 2024

Summer/Fall Freshmen

• Wednesday and Thursday, May 29-30, 2024

Fall Freshmen

• Wednesday and Thursday, June 12-13, 2024
• Monday and Tuesday, June 17-18, 2024
• Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, 2024
• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 25-26, 2024
• Thursday and Friday, June 27-28, 2024
• Tuesday and Wednesday, July 16-17, 2024
• Thursday and Friday, July 18-19, 2024
• Tuesday and Wednesday, July 23-24, 2024
• Thursday and Friday, July 25-26, 2024
• Monday and Tuesday, July 29-30, 2024

International and Out-of-State Fall Freshmen

• Thursday and Friday, August 22-23, 2024

International/Out-of-State Fall Freshmen are also welcome to attend any of the above dates for Fall Freshmen.

Please make note of the Blazer Beginnings schedule before making travel arrangements – all portions of Blazer Beginnings are required for students unless specifically marked as optional. Parents and family members are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

Day 1

8:45-9:15 AM
Check-In, ONE Card Photos
Hill Student Center

9:15-9:45 AM
Welcome and Morning Instructions
Hill Student Center

9:45-11:45 AM
Student Track: Campus Tour and Blazer Talk
Depart from Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Making the Parent Transition, Family Engagement, Campus Dining
Hill Student Center

11:50 AM-1:20 PM
Lunch
Hill Student Center

Student Organizations and Services Expo
Campus Recreation Center

1:30-4:30 PM
Student Track: Academic Advising, Blazer Culture, Campus Dining, Paying for College
Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Student Health, Disability Support, Information Technology, Transition from High School to College, Academics, Career Center, Paying for College
Hill Student Center

Day 2

Reminder: All sessions on Day 1 and Day 2 are required for students.

8:45-9:00 AM
Check-In, ONE Card Pickup
Hill Student Center

9:00-9:25 AM
Breakout Sessions: On-Campus and Off-Campus Housing Information
Hill Student Center

9:35-10:35 AM
Breakout Sessions: Specialized Interest Information Sessions
Hill Student Center

10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Student Track: Student Health, Disability Support, Campus and Community Safety, Professor Perspectives
Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Parking & Transportation, Buying Textbooks, Campus Safety, Current Student Panel Q&A
Hill Student Center

12:00-12:50 PM
Student Track: Lunch
Commons on the Green Dining Hall

Parent and Family Track: Lunch
Hill Student Center

1:00-1:50 PM
Breakout Sessions: Student Success Workshops
Hill Student Center

2:00-4:15 PM
Student Track: UAB Traditions and Policies, Class Registration
Hill Student Center

Parent and Family Track: Blazer Athletics, Caring for Your Student, The Car Ride Home
Hill Student Center

3:30-4:30 PM
Housing Tours (optional)
Depart from Hill Student Center

Plan to stay after orientation to tour on-campus housing if you plan to live on campus. This is your ONLY opportunity to see all 3 freshman residence halls. Last tour departs at 4:30 PM.

3:15-5:00 PM
Individual Financial Counseling and UAB Office Visits (optional)
Hill Student Center

Make the most of your time at UAB! You are welcome to visit the following locations before they close at 5:00 PM. Please note that students must be present for student-specific information to be discussed: One Stop, Disability Support Services, TechConnect, Veteran Services, and UAB Bookstore.

When your student is selecting the date they will attend Blazer Beginnings, please note that some orientation sessions will be offered virtually and some will be offered on campus. Family members may attend an on-campus session by making a reservation and paying a $10 fee to cover the cost of meals and staffing. Parent and family tracks is not offered for virtual sessions.

A separate Parent & Family Orientation is also available for family members of incoming students as pre-recorded videos housed within a specially designed course in Canvas, UAB’s learning management system. There is no cost for family members to participate in the Canvas course.

Transfer/Non-Traditional Dates and Schedules

Tracks for family members will be offered live during on-campus orientation dates and as pre-recorded videos in a specially designed online course. Get more information on the Parent & Family Orientation webpage.

The Blazer Beginnings schedule is below. There are a variety of schedule options available depending on the type of session: on-campus or virtual, daytime or evening. Click on the dates below to determine which option works best for you.

Please note that attendance at ALL portions of orientation is required for students. Parents and family members are encouraged, but not required, to attend.