August 25, 2020
The August First-Year Family Orientation is the last program of the summer offered to parents and guardians of our new first-year students who have a student attending the August student orientation program or were unable to attend a June session. The family orientation program runs alongside, but separately, from the orientation program your first-year student may be attending. At BSU, we value a strong partnership with families and encourage you to attend Family Orientation to learn more about BSU and ways to support your student's experience.
Please Note: your student receives separate communication about the details of the student orientation program. If you are a family member of a new transfer student, please see information about transfer family orientation.
The Family Orientation program provides parents and supporters of new incoming Bridgewater State University students the opportunity to learn more about the student experience. Family members will have the opportunity to attend sessions on topics such as academic support, community standards, housing, billing and payment, financial aid, campus safety and more. Family Orientation is a great way to learn more about the university and connect with other families.
Those who attend the Family Orientation Program will:
- Feel welcomed
- Attend information sessions to learn about campus resources and services
- Explore their shifting role and how it relates to communicating with their student and student privacy laws (FERPA/HIPPA)
- Be informed about academic support services
- Learn about resources available to them in supporting their student's success
- Have an opportunity to ask questions
- Leave feeling their student made the right choice to attend BSU
Due to space and material constraints, it is important that you and other attending family members register for your Family Orientation session. Please note, your student will register separately for student orientation. The cost to attend Family Orientation is $15 per person.
Please check back in spring 2020 for the registration link.
Arrival via car
Please refer to the campus map for driving directions to the Bridgewater State University campus.
Parking for families is in the Spring Street Lot. For GPS Directions, enter Spring Street in Bridgewater, MA 02324. The Spring Street Lot is letter "H" on the campus map. From there, follow the walking signs to the check-in location. You will walk to the Rondileau Student Union. The building is number "10" on the campus map.
Student Drop Off
If you are traveling to campus with your student, please also park in the Spring Street lot. However, your check in location is different from your students. Please note: Your student will receive a separate confirmation regarding the Student Orientation program; it will include information on arrival, parking and check in location.
Arrival via MBTA (Middleborough/Lakeville Line)
If you are traveling to BSU by the MBTA commuter rail, you will have a short walk from the Bridgewater station to the Rondileau Student Union at 19 Park Avenue. You will exit the train station and turn left. Remain on the walkway through the underpass to West Campus. Follow the walking signs to the Rondileau Student Union which is number "10" on the campus map.
Once you arrive, check in begins at 8 a.m. for both family members and first year students. The program starts at 8:30 a.m. for both students and family members. As a reminder, the family program is separate from the students however, there is an opportunity at lunch to connect. The day will end for families at 4 p.m. with tours of campus and Bear Plaza. If you traveled with your student, his/her program will not end until approximately 4 p.m.
Please refer to Parking and Directions and the day’s schedule to assist you in planning your arrival to campus.
PLEASE NOTE: Check in locations and times are subject to change.
Please check back for full orientation schedule.