Families and guests
We welcome families to participate at orientation! All summer orientation sessions include a separate, simultaneous program for family and guests. The family program is geared specifically to help families better support their student during their transition to college life. It is also an opportunity to become familiar with campus, connect with administrators, faculty, other families and participate in breakout sessions on topics ranging from safety to financial aid and housing.
Please see the information below for more specific details about the student and family programs.
Orientation program details for families and guests
- Students must register each parent or guest through the orientation registration portal
- If a guest needs to be added or removed from an existing registration, please email orientation@unr.edu with the name and email address for the guest.
- There is a $85 per guest fee for the First year student orientation program.
- There is a $45 per guest fee for the Transfer student orientation program.
- Guest fees are waived for students who qualify for an Advanced Registration Fee Waiver.
- Guest fees cover programming, materials and food.
- Check-in for this single-day program begins at 8:30 a.m. in Gateway Plaza outside the .
- Several optional pre-program activities such as a resource fair, open houses and tours of popular locations on campus will take place between 8:30-9:50 a.m.
- Campus offices will be open by 8 a.m. for students who have business to complete on campus ( i.e. financial aid, WolfCard, etc.).
- The Orientation program will begin at 10 a.m. and will consist of main sessions, breakout sessions and a student panel, ending by 5 p.m.
- Optional tours of the residence halls will be offered from 5-6:15 p.m.
- Students who have not submitted a photo for their WolfCard should plan on checking-in by 9 a.m. to do that before the program begins.
- A continental breakfast, full lunch and snacks will be provided through the day.
- Check-in for this single-day program begins at 9:30 a.m. in Gateway Plaza outside the
- Several optional pre-program activities such as a resource fair, open houses and tours of popular locations on campus will take place between 9:30–10:50 a.m.
- Campus offices will be open by 8 a.m. for students who have business to complete on campus (i.e. financial aid, WolfCard, etc.)
- The Orientation program will begin at 11 a.m. and will consist of main sessions, breakout sessions and a student panel, ending by 5 p.m.
- Optional tours of the campus and/or residence halls will be offered from 5-6 p.m.
- Students who have not submitted a photo for their WolfCard should plan on checking in by 9:30 a.m. to do that before the program begins
- A continental breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided through the day
- If you are flying, plan to fly into the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
- Shuttle service is not provided, however, the University is about a 10-15 minute drive with any ride-share company (Taxi, Uber, Lyft)
- The University address is
- If driving, the University is easily accessible off of I-80, N. Virginia St. exit.
- Driving east on I-80, take the N. Virignia St. exit and turn left onto Virginia street.
- Driving west on I-80, take the N. Virginia St. exit and turn right onto Virginia street.
- There are many hotels available close to the airport and/or the campus.
- Please see our list of hotels
Free parking is available for students and guests attending orientation on the top two levels of the .
- A valid parking pass is required.
- Parking passes are available to download and print. The parking pass must be displayed in your window.
- Passes are only valid on orientation days and not valid at numbered "pay by space" spots.
- The University is not responsible for tickets received due to no parking pass