Opening Days is designed with not only the new student but also the parents and family members in mind. There are two orientation programs that we offer: a series of virtual sessions over the summer and some in-person opportunities during the Opening Days program on Tuesday, August 22 and Wednesday, August 23. Family members who will be in Salem to help their student move-in are invited to stay through lunch on Wednesday. See the detailed schedule below for more information.

If your student is a fall early arrival athlete or participating in the Jump Start program, we will offer a brief on-campus orientation session on their move-in day. More information about the orientation will come from either the Jump Start administrator or the coach.

Information for 2023 Opening Days Parents and Family

 

We know that you probably have many questions about different programs and departments on campus. Here are some links to some of the departments on campus which parents tend to have questions for:

Books on College Transition for Students and Parents

Ahmad, Shaheena. The Yale Daily News Guide to Succeeding in College. New York: Kaplan Books, 1997.

Barkin, Carol. When Your Kid Goes to College: A Parents' Survival Guide. New York: Avon Books, 1999.
After author's son went off to college she interviewed parents around the country to get their perspectives.

Bickle, Bruce and Stan Jantz. Real Life Begins After High School. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Servant Publications, 2005.

Brody, Janis. Bringing Home the Laundry: Effective Parenting for College and Beyond. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Co., 2000.

Coburn, Karen Levin and Madge Lawrence Treeger. Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years. New York: Harper Collins, 5th ed.

Cohen, Harlan. The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College. Napierville: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2011, 4th ed.

Combs, Patrick. Major in Success: Make College Easier, Fire Up Your Dreams, and Get a Very Cool Job. Berkley, California: Ten Speed Press, 2007, 5th ed.

Dobkin, Rachel and Shana Sippy. The College Woman's Handbook. New York: Workman Publishing, 1995.

Hanson, Jennifer. The Real Freshman Handbook: A Totally Honest Guide to Life On Campus. New York: Mariner Books, 2002.

Johnson, Helen E., Christine Schelhas-Miller. Don't Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money:The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000.

Jones, Connie. She's Leaving Home. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2002. Only used copies available.

Jones, Marilee and Ginsburg, Kenneth. Less Stress, More Success: A New Approach to Guiding Your Teen Through College Admissions and Beyond. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2006.

Kastner, Laura and Wyatt, Jennifer. The Launching Years. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2002.

Light, Richard J. Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2004.

Pasick, Patricia. Almost Grown: Launching Your Child from High School to College. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1998.

Rich, Jason. The Everything College Survival Book: From Social Life to Study Skills --All You Need to Fit Right In. Holbrook: Adams Media Corp., 2005.

Rollins, C.E. 52 Ways to Get Along With Your College Roommate. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.

Rubenstone, Sally and Dalby, Sidonia. Panicked Parents Guide to College Admissions. (Chapter 1) Peterson's, 2002.

Savage, Marjorie. You're On Your Own(but I'm here if you need me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years. Fireside, 2009.

Seaman, Barrett. What Your College Student Won't Tell You. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2005.

Smith, M.J., Smith and Fred Smith. The Smart Student's Guide to Healthy Living. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2006.

Steenhouse, Andrea Van. Empty Nest… Full Heart: Journey from Home to College. Denver: Simpler Life Press, 2002, 2nd ed.

Woodacre, Margo Bane and Steffany Bane. I'll Miss You Too: An Off-to-College Guide for Parents and Students. Napierville: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2006.

Willamette University

Opening Days

Address
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6463

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