UC San Diego Welcomes Thousands to Campus for Annual Family Weekend

Article Content

More than 1,100 parents, family members and students attended family weekend last year. Photo/Erik Jepsen

The University of California, San Diego is opening its doors to parents, families and students for the fourth annual All-Campus Family Weekend Oct. 21 – 23 to give participants a sample of UC San Diego’s excellent location, academic programs and quality of life. The fun-filled weekend will feature comedic performances, an alumni barbeque, visits to the Birch Aquarium and a “green eggs and ham” brunch among other events.

More than 1,100 parents, family members and students attended family weekend last year and the campus expects a high number of participants again this year.

“We are excited to give students and their families a warm and fun welcome during Family Weekend,” said vice chancellor of Student Affairs, Penny Rue. “This campus-wide initiative has helped strengthen parent and family engagement and build connections that help students have a successful college experience at UC San Diego.”

This year, funds for registration assistance were made available to families with financial needs to ensure that as many participants as possible can experience Family Weekend. Research has proven that parent involvement increases college student satisfaction.

The weekend will feature dynamic events such as a behind-the-scenes tour of the La Jolla Playhouse, a concert at the acoustically-renowned Conrad Prebys Concert Hall and a lunch with UC San Diego alumni and athletes. For the full schedule, go to: http://parents.ucsd.edu/. Some of the Family Weekend events include:

• Classes Without Quizzes, Oct. 21, 4-5 p.m. in Center Hall. UC San Diego professor David Woodruff presents a dynamic lecture titled “Bioengineering: Wildlife Conservation and the Sustainability of Life.” Woodruff will describe humanity’s transition to planetary stewardship and explain how his own work on wild chimpanzee and elephant DNA is relevant to society’s future.
• Family Fun Night, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m. in Price Center East Ballroom. From comedy to musical acts, Family Fun Night presents a variety of student performances, followed by a show by National Comedy Theatre.
• ArtPower! Presents: The Hugo Wolf Quartet, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. at the Conrad Prebys Concert Hall. This young, Vienna-based quartet continues to generate buzz for its intensely expressive performances of the standard and not-so-standard repertoires. Enjoy their performance in the new, acoustically-renowned Conrad Prebys Concert Hall.
• Family Weekend Breakfast and Welcome with Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, Oct. 22, 8-10 a.m. in the Price Center Ballrooms. Enjoy a continental breakfast and live student performances, followed by a warm welcome from UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and other campus leaders.
• Alumni, Athletes and Friends Barbeque, Oct. 22, Noon-2 p.m. on Spanos Track and Field. Families are invited to join UC San Diego alumni and athletes for a picnic-style lunch. The event is an opportunity to learn more about the university’s athletics and campus life. 
• Discover the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Oct. 22, 1-5 p.m. at Birch Aquarium. The Birch Aquarium is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Families are invited to explore the aquarium and experience the inner workings of what it takes to keep more than 5,000 marine specimens happy and healthy.
• La Jolla Playhouse: A Behind the Scenes Tour of the Playhouse, Oct. 22, 1-2:30 p.m. at the La Jolla Playhouse. Attendees will get an exclusive tour of the stages and production shops of the renowned La Jolla Playhouse while learning more about its history, role in the community and reputation in the international theater scene.
• Green Eggs and Ham Brunch, Oct. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the UC San Diego Faculty Club. Featuring a Dr. Seuss themed menu, this annual brunch, hosted by the office of Parent and Family Giving, celebrates two of the university’s great benefactors, Theodor (“Dr. Seuss”) and Audrey Geisel. 
  

UC San Diego welcomes parents and families to stay involved with their students’ education throughout the year. From outreach and volunteer opportunities to charitable contributions to the Parents Fund, support from UC San Diego families helps to ensure that students have an outstanding educational experience. For more information about parent and family programs call (858) 822-3867 or go to: http://parents.ucsd.edu/.