Family Weekend

Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of the questions we are most frequently asked about our in-person Family Weekend, as well as responses to those questions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to contact us at college-programming@uchicago.edu or 773.702.8616 any time.

• Does my student automatically get to attend everything during Family Weekend?

  We hope your student will attend all Family Weekend events with you. Your student is welcome to attend all events free of charge. Your student does not need to be registered for the event, but they should bring their student ID with them to each event.

• When is the registration deadline?

  The online registration deadline is the Sunday prior to the event. Onsite registration will be available, but families are strongly encouraged to register online to avoid unnecessary waiting on the day of the event.

• What does the registration fee cover?

  The $50 Family Weekend registration fee covers your participation in any and all tours, special events, classes as well as breakfast at check-in, and Sunday’s Dean’s Brunch.

  Attendees under the age of 18 do not need to pay to attend Family Weekend. 

• When will I get the confirmation of my registration?

  Your Family Weekend confirmation is immediate, following completion of the online registration form and payment. Your Family Weekend passes allows you to access all events during Family Weekend will be given to you when you check-in at the Family Weekend Check-In (located in Ida Noyes Hall). 

• Where can I park during Family Weekend?

  When you arrive for Family Weekend you should proceed to Ida Noyes Hall to receive your Family Weekend materials. Family Weekend registration will be open on Friday, October 13 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturday, October 14 from 7:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The College Programming and Orientation has made accommodations to allow short-term parking for 15 minutes in front of Ida Noyes Hall in order for you to pick up your registration materials. After you have registered, we ask that you move your car to another area of campus, so that other families can pick up their registration materials. Parking is available on streets around campus, as well as, in the parking structure at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue.

• What are the safety precautions being put in place as it relates to Covid-19?

  Covid-19 policies on-campus will change as the situation in Chicago changes. We encourage all of our attendees to visit the UChicago Forward website to review all campus policies before visiting campus. 

• Where can we stay in the area?

  For your convenience, the University of Chicago has worked out special rates with hotels throughout the city. For information about partner hotels, please visit the University’s visit page. Hotels do fill up quickly during major campus events so families are encouraged not to wait too long before making a reservation.

  Many families choose to stay in the downtown area during Family Weekend to have access to restaurants and amenities in the area. Getting to Hyde Park is an easy cab ride away or it can be accessed by public transportation. You will find directions to campus on Safety & Security’s transportation site. Please note that some hotels provide shuttles to campus. This service is provided by the hotels and not administered by the University or College Programming and Orientation. Please check with the staff at the hotels for more information.

• What if I want to take my student to dinner off campus?

  We encourage you to do so (and we're pretty sure your student will enjoy the treat!). Information about restaurants in and around Hyde Park will be available in your registration materials. You might also consider websites such as Open Table, Yelp, Time Out Chicago, or Eater Chicago for additional ideas.

• When should we plan to arrive? Do parents stay for the entire weekend?

  The schedule is designed to allow you to pick and choose events throughout the weekend and to take advantage of quality time with your student. With that in mind, many families choose to check-in on Friday to take advantage of our information sessions and the neighborhood tours. However, for those families that can not join us on Friday, registration continues on Saturday morning. Registration opens on Friday at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Registration on Saturday opens at 7:45 a.m. and closes at 11:30 a.m. Most families do choose to remain in town through the close of the weekend following the Dean’s Brunch. We do offer luggage check on Friday and Sunday for those guests who might be coming from or heading to the airports.

• Do I have to stay for the whole weekend? What if I can only come for Saturday?

  How long you stay is up to you. There are a number of events planned for Saturday and the weekend culminates with the Dean's Brunch on Sunday morning, so you will still have the opportunity to take part in plenty of activities.

• What if my student does not want to attend any of the activities during Family Weekend? Should I still come?

  Yes! Family Weekend is an opportunity for parents and guardians to both enjoy and learn more about the institution—and the more you know about the University, the better you will be able to support your son or daughter throughout his or her educational career. Many families attend Family Weekend and see their student only occasionally. Other parents have their students with them at everything—it really depends upon the student. If you want to come, please do! 

• We have a family member in a wheelchair. Can we get around to all of the events?

  All events are held in handicapped-accessible areas and buildings. However, it is important to remember that, as with most college campuses, there can be some distance between buildings and events. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact us at college-programming@uchicago.edu or 773.702.8616, and we will be happy to assist you.

• Can we have a special parking pass?

  We do not provide special parking passes for handicapped parking. Parking is available close to all facilities on campus for those vehicles with a handicapped license plate or tag.

• I have additional questions. Who can I get in touch with?

  Family Weekend is coordinated by the College Programming and Orientation (CPO), located in Harper Memorial Library, Suite 152, at 1116 East 59th Street. If we can help in any way during your preparations to attend Family Weekend, or at any time during the academic year, please stop by, call us at 773.702.8616, or email us at college-programming@uchicago.edu. During Family Weekend, you will be able to speak with CPO staff at the registration area in Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St, during times that registration is open.