Welcome to the Blue Hen Family!
Family Orientation
We want to ensure family members of new students have the information, resources and support they need to help their Blue Hen thrive at UD and feel welcomed to our campus community.
The Family Orientation experience will include:
- Weekly Family Orientation emails throughout June and July
- A live orientation program, which you can attend either in person or virtually with your student
- Live Zoom information sessions about important topics, including housing, dining, student financial services and more, offered throughout July and August
Information and resources will be available to families of new students through the Blue Hen Family Hub. Family members will receive an email invitation to join the Blue Hen Family Hub prior to the start of their student’s first semester at UD, at which time they will be able to access orientation content and a variety of other UD resources. You must sign up for the Blue Hen Family Hub in order to receive the weekly Family Orientation emails.
Your student can learn more about their NSO experience through the NSO portal within their My Blue Hen Home. The NSO portal will share details about each component of their NSO experience as well as registration forms for events, such as the live NSO program, virtual academic advisement, and virtual college pre-advisement sessions.
The entire Orientation and Transition Programs team is committed to making your orientation experience as meaningful as possible and to prepare your student to be a successful Blue Hen. If you have any questions, contact us at otp@udel.edu.
Live NSO Program
Schedule Overview
Students and families will begin the live NSO program together, featuring a welcome from UD administrators and a session dedicated to academic success and expectations. Students will then attend a session led by the Orientation Leaders (OLs) and begin to make connections with other new Blue Hens and learn the ins and outs of being an UD student.
While students meet with the OLs, families will attend sessions about campus involvement, wellbeing, and family engagement from UD staff and administrators, in addition to hearing from student leaders about their experience as Blue Hens.
Please note: Sessions about specific topics and resources such as residence life and housing, dining, student financial services, and campus safety will be offered as individual virtual sessions throughout the summer. Families will register for these virtual session opportunities through the Blue Hen Family Hub.
Family and Guest Registration for NSO
All parents, family members or guests who wish to attend a live New Student Orientation (NSO) program, either virtually or in-person, must be registered through your student’s NSO portal, found within their My Blue Hen Home.
- If you choose to attend an in-person program, students may register up to two adult family members or guests (16 years or older) to attend with them. The cost for each family member or guest to attend is $40.
- If you choose to attend a virtual program, there is no limit or cost for family members or guests to attend with the student.
Students may add family members or guests up to three business days prior to their live NSO program date using the “Edit Registration” link in their registration confirmation email. After that time, call 302-831-3313 or email otp@udel.edu to add family members or guests.
Student Orientation Fee
Each new student is billed a mandatory one-time $230 fee* for the NSO experience, regardless of in-person or virtual participation. The fee also includes the math placement program and new student programming in the fall semester. This fee will appear on your first semester bill.
*Current rates are for the 2023–2024 academic year. Rates are subject to change for the 2024–2025 academic year and will be announced in early July and accurately reflected on student bills.
Family Resources
Additional links that may be helpful to your student during their transition to the University of Delaware can be found in the Resources section.
Keep in Touch
We’re excited that your student has chosen the University of Delaware, and hope you’ll keep in touch by subscribing to UDaily and signing up for the Blue Hen Family Hub.
Details on Parents and Family Weekend, student successes, and new initiatives will be shared here throughout the year as well as through the UD Parent & Family Engagement site.
Families of students starting in Fall 2024 will receive an email invitation to join the Blue Hen Family Hub in June.