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Parents and Families

Parents & 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 website works in partnership with the U-M Parents website to provide an up-to-date quarterly newsletter, Family Matters, an information-packed newsletter designed for current Wolverines' parents and loved ones.

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 provides current information about campus life and offers resources that can help support you in your supporting role for your Wolverine. In addition, subscribers will receive occasional messages sharing the University's response to unexpected or emergency situations.

To receive Family Matters via email, submit your contact information using our new, streamlined online subscription form. It takes less than a minute to complete and takes effect immediately. To learn more about Family Matters, 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.

COVID-19 and Holiday Travel

We know our families and loved ones are likely eagerly awaiting your student’s return home during the upcoming scheduled university breaks. As you prepare to reunite with your student, they can help maintain the health and safety of their community at home and at U-M—their home away from home—through pre- and post-travel COVID-19 testing.

Read on for detailed testing guidance during holiday travel or watch a "Friendsgiving" video conversation with Michigan public health experts for their tips on domestic and international travel to interacting with family and friends.

Vaccine

What’s New? Stay Up-to-date…

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. These regular updates include the stabilization of COVID-19 spread in the U-M community, increases in COVID-19 and influenza in the state and on campus, booster shots, and important tips for staying healthy over the holiday breaks. 

If you miss any of these updates, you can view President Mark S. Schlissel’s most recent message at any time during the week. You also can stay informed on a daily basis by visiting the Campus Maize and Blueprint page.

Campus Blueprint

Our Time With Your Student

Dear Wolverine Families, 

For an administrator in higher education like me, there is nothing quite like Parents & Family Weekend. While I had a wonderful time welcoming students (back) to campus a few short months ago, the fun of this special weekend earlier this month was an entirely new experience.

In many ways, I have been feeling like a second-year student myself. I started this job in the middle of the pandemic and met most people through a computer screen for the better part of a year. This semester, I am experiencing many “firsts” at the University of Michigan. Perhaps that’s why I felt a special kind of warmth at our fall semester events, getting to see many parents, families, and loved ones alongside their students.

Now that we’re into November, we are looking at Thanksgiving Break and the expected holiday travel rush, and the end of the semester not too far beyond that. Some students are also reaching the point in the semester where they are feeling a bit burned out. Fortunately, we have well-being resources to help students build resilience and healthy habits and offer some respite—and many students are taking advantage. 

In this edition of Family Matters, you’ll learn about what your student can expect for traveling over the holidays, including public health safety protocols and easy transportation to and from the airport. We’ll also walk you through the latest student mental health and well-being resources that have been recently added to our array of support services. 

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 updates on the importance of getting a flu shot, COVID-19 cases related to social activities and travel, and opportunities for COVID-19 testing before the Thanksgiving break. 

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. 

A COVID Update

Dear Parents and Families,

Today, University of Michigan President Mark S. Schlissel, Provost Susan M. Collins, and Vice President for Student Life Martino Harmon hosted a Campus COVID-19 Briefing, where they were joined by campus leaders to provide safety updates, information about campus conditions and resources, and a preview of next week’s Diversity Summit events. 

The briefing included research findings by U-M faculty that are informing the campus health and safety response. 

Earlier today, your student received this emailed update announcement, which includes a link to the COVID-19 Briefing and other information. Future briefings will be scheduled as needed and shared.

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

A Campus Update

Dear Parents and Families,

We wanted to make sure you are aware of two incidents that were investigated by campus safety personnel and our law enforcement partners. For both, there is no current or pending threat to our community. There is nothing to indicate these incidents are related. 

Earlier this morning, U-M’s Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) responded to reports of alleged gunshots on the UM-Flint campus. Within minutes, DPSS determined that there was no threat to the campus and an all-clear alert was issued.

Yesterday afternoon, your student received this emailed update, which detailed the university and law enforcement response to a misogynistic and bigoted shooting threat to the Ann Arbor campus posted on a Russian-operated confessions website. 

The FBI and DPSS found there to be no further threat from the individual on the East Coast who made the post, and instructors were asked to be flexible wherever possible and understand the impact this news has had on our students and greater campus community.

We recognize that these incidents are deeply frightening and upsetting, causing trauma and heightened levels of anxiety. Please encourage your student to reach out if they or someone they know needs support. 

A COVID Update

Dear Parents and Families,

With the fall semester well underway, 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 information about COVID-19 testing availability and declines in COVID-19 cases on campus. 

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. 

A COVID Update

Dear Parents and Families,

With the fall semester well underway, 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 key findings from our first month since resuming more traditional residential activities. Cases of COVID-19 have been steadily decreasing, and illness among students has been very mild. 

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. 

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