Parents and Families |

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College is a major transition - for students, as well as for parents and families. However, plenty of information is available to make the transition as easy as possible.

The U-M Parents website is a detailed resource that provides information specifically designed to support parents and families. It contains information about academics, student life, health, safety, and financial, other many other topics. Student Life's Parents & Families works in partnership with the U-M Parents website to provide an up-to-date quarterly newsletter, Family Matters.

Parents and incoming students who don't know their way around campus will benefit from visiting Campus Information Centers (CIC). CIC offers maps and directions around campus, a building search, an acronym decoder, and plenty of other tools and resources for helping you find your way on campus. They are open 19 hours every day and are ready to answer any type of question you may have!

Our Family Matters Newsletter offers current information about campus life and challenges. To receive it via e-mail ask your son or daughter to register your e-mail address. The student must go to the Student section of the Wolverine Access website, click on Alerts, Bulletins, and Newsletters, and enter your e-mail address(es). It will take only a minute to fill out and it takes effect immediately. To learn how to subscribe or unsubscribe, view the subscription options.

Student health and travel abroad insurance plans are also available through University Health Service (UHS).

If you are just interested in happenings around campus, check out the University Record, which puts out a daily newsletter containing University news.

Lastly, take a look around the Student Life website. You'll find information about all of the resources the University offers its students. If it's relevant for your student, it's relevant for you as a parent.

Important Updates related to COVID-19

Dear U-M student family member,
We want to provide important updates that have been shared directly with your student
related to COVID-19. We also want to assure you U-M health professionals are actively
monitoring the rapidly changing developments, and making appropriate recommendations
to promote a safe and healthy environment for your student.

A COVID Update

Dear Parents and Families,

As we move into a period of particularly frequent travel for our students and more activities happening indoors due to colder weather, we are committed to providing you and your student with up-to-date information on current campus life and opportunities that will make an education at U-M a safe, positive experience.

Earlier today, your student received this emailed update, which includes COVID-19 booster shot recommendations, testing resources, an update on the Omicron variant, and important tips for staying healthy during the remainder of the fall semester and upcoming winter break travel.

Our top priority is ensuring the health and safety of your student and our broader University of Michigan community. While living with the realities of COVID-19 has become more prevalent, we continue to strengthen our approach to keeping our community safe.

To stay up to date throughout the week, you may also view the Campus Maize and Blueprint site.

Important Dates to Remember

As the end of the fall semester approaches, you may want to pencil in some of these important upcoming dates and events to help stay connected with your Wolverine and be aware of your student's possible upcoming travel during university breaks.

Labor Shortages and the Benefits of On-Campus Student Jobs

Labor shortages and supply chain delays have become commonplace during the pandemic, and the open job situation on campus reflects that of much of the country. Student Life normally employs thousands of students across campus, from program coordinators and office assistants to cooks and baristas. This year, far fewer students than usual have applied for on-campus jobs, and the lack of potential workers is affecting businesses that normally cater to U-M students as well.

In response, many Student Life positions for students offer increased wages above industry standards, and we have increased outreach to students who might be interested in a position that offers income as well as valuable work experience. And the best part? When students work on campus, they don't have to look far for a job that’s flexible and can help make a difference.

Planning for Winter Break Travel

In a few short weeks, your student’s fall semester will be complete and they will be departing our Ann Arbor campus for their winter break destination, whether that is their permanent residence or elsewhere. Read on for tips to help your student maintain their health and safety during their holiday travel, as well as transportation options available to and from campus to Detroit Metro Airport and other locations.

Supporting Your Student’s Mental Health and Wellbeing

As we near the end of the fall 2021 semester and approach final examinations, we know our students may face increasing stressors that can make balancing their own mental health and wellbeing more challenging.

The university currently offers numerous resources to help students navigate stress and is also broadening its approach to more holistically address our students’ mental health and wellness.

Read on to discover resources that are available for your student, as well as updates on the university’s efforts to strengthen its approach to supporting your student’s mental health and wellbeing.

Flu Cases on Campus

Your student may have shared with you or you may have read that the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus recently experienced a large and sudden increase in cases of influenza among students. Last week, federal health experts arrived in Ann Arbor to learn more about how the flu is spreading and the effectiveness of this year’s flu vaccine.

We encourage every member of our community to get a flu shot. Flu vaccination rates in our community are far lower than COVID-19 vaccination rates—and the COVID-19 vaccine does not protect against the flu virus.

Celebrating Thanksgiving Dinner on Campus

Is your student planning to remain in Ann Arbor during the Thanksgiving break? If so, they can enjoy a meal with all the trimmings at Mosher-Jordan Dining Hall on Thursday, November 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Students without a meal plan may purchase Thanksgiving dinner—all they care to eat—with Blue Bucks for $14.67 or with a credit card for $16.97 (plus any applicable taxes). More information, including bus schedules, is available on the M | Dining website.

Parents and Families

Parents & Families