Family Members

Family Members

We offer a Family Orientation during each of the student orientation sessions. Family orientation is for parents, family members and supporters.

When a student registers for Orientation, they can indicate the number of family members planning to attend the Family Orientation program. The cost to attend Family Orientation is $35 per family member (12 years and older) and will be billed with the student's tuition before the semester begins.

You will be able to see the orientation date confirmation in the orientation profile in MyPortal one week after your student submits their orientation registration form.

During Family Orientation we offer sessions designed especially for family members, as well as sessions that families may attend with their student. Due to space limitations, several of the student sessions, such as academic advising and registration, are attended by the student only.

After your student registers for Orientation, check out the new student checklist for the next steps.

If your student did not sign family members up to attend Family Orientation when they registered for orientation or you're not sure, call New Student Programs at 843.953.2017 or email orientat@cofc.edu to register.

Family Orientation topics include:

Student Health Services	Campus Tours
College Bookstore	Academic Advising and Planning Center
Dining Services	Center for Student Learning
Treasurer's Office	Center for International Education
Counseling Center	Financial Aid Information
Career Center	Small group discussions with faculty and staff
Campus Housing	Residence Life and Housing

Additional Information

There's so much to learn when you go to college. New Student Programs is here to make the transition easier.

Orientation Questions & Accommodations

For questions about New Student or Family Orientation, call the Office of New Student Programs at 843.953.2017 or email orientat@cofc.edu. The office is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. EST.
If you or your student has questions about accessibility or accommodations needed during Orientation, please contact New Student Programs at least two weeks in advance of your scheduled Orientation so we may arrange appropriate accommodations.
Join us for our Family Webinar Series

The New Student Programs staff host a series of live webinars for families during the summer and academic year. These webinars can be accessed via Zoom. Questions can be sent prior to the webinar date to parents@cofc.edu or you may ask questions in the Zoom chat. Webinars are recorded and posted on the College of Charleston's New Student Programs YouTube channel.
Family Orientation Schedule

You will receive an orientation schedule when you check in. The family orientation schedule will be different from your student's orientation schedule. Some sessions are designed just for families. Some are designed just for students. And you can attend some together.
The CofC Parent & Family Experience

The CofC Parent & Family Experience is a resource for parents to find information about campus services, opportunities for your student, important dates, announcements and information that supports your student’s success at the College of Charleston. Parents can customize this Internet-based tool to receive information that is relevant to you and your student, as well as to set the frequency with which you would like newsletters from the College.

If you have an incoming student attending Orientation, your parent email is added to the parent portal if your email is on file with College of Charleston. If you do not receive a welcome email or want to subscribe you can sign up now.
Information about New Student and Family Orientation will be posted to The CofC Parent & Family Experience so it's a good idea to begin using this portal now. You can log in directly to the portal or access the information when you receive a newsletter. Complete your profile to select the communities you wish to join based on your interests.
Note: This Parent & Family Experience communication platform will not be used to disseminate Cougar Alerts for campus emergencies. Parents, visitors, potential students and community members who wish to be notified in case of a campus emergency, can text the word cougaralert to 333111 to automatically receive Cougar Alert emergency notifications via text messages.
Orientation Community Service Project

New Student Programs has an orientation community service project to support the Cougar Food Pantry on campus. Purchasing items to donate to the food pantry is something fun that you and your student can do together. You can bring your donation to orientation and drop items off at the Office of New Student Programs or give these to any Orientation Intern.
We can use non-perishable food, school supplies, or toiletry items. Please do not donate expired food items as the food pantry is not able to use them. These items help support our students in need and are greatly appreciated.

The CofC Parent & Family Experience

This is the best place to find information about campus services, opportunities for your student, important dates, announcements and information that supports your student’s success at the College of Charleston.