/ Student Life

Families

New Student Orientation isn’t just for students.

A family taking a photo

Families aren’t required to participate, but we strongly encourage you to attend. Special programming is designed for siblings and parents or guardians. 

New students must RSVP on behalf of their families through the link in their 1Hope email account. This link will be sent out in mid-June.  

2024 FAMILY SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change. 

Thursday, AUGUST 22

Time Event Location
8 a.m.–3 p.m. Student Move-In Residence Halls
11 a.m.–12 p.m. Step2Success: Students’ Experiences at Hope College

A panel of students from diverse backgrounds share their 
experiences of life at Hope College.
Bultman Student Center (BSC) Great Room
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch Phelps Dining Hall
1–4:30 p.m. Resource Room

Martha Miller Rotunda

1–2 p.m. Step2Success: Icebreakers

An opportunity to meet and connect with other incoming freshmen and students on campus for fun, community-building activities.

Pine Grove
2–3 p.m. Step2Success: Connecting with Your Community

An opportunity to network and connect with the students involved in Hope’s Multicultural Student Organizations (MSOs). Build your community at this mini-involvement fair.

BSC Great Room
4–6:30 p.m. Dinner Phelps
5–6 p.m. Transfer Student and Family Welcome Dinner Maas Auditorium
7–9 p.m. Windmill Island Getaway

Windmill Island
1 Lincoln Ave
Holland, MI 49423

Friday, AUGUST 23

Time Event Location
7:30–9 a.m. Breakfast Phelps Dining Hall
9–9:45 a.m. Parent Seminar 1
(choose one)
  Campus Safety BSC Schaap Auditorium
  Q&A with Campus Ministries

The Campus Ministries staff talks about religious life and spiritual growth at Hope.
BSC Great Room
  Global Engagement: Off Campus Study

At Hope we believe in preparing students for lives of service and leadership in a global society. Join us as we explore study abroad as one path to global citizenship. Learn about the ins and outs of study abroad and what steps your Hope student needs to take to start the process of exploring the world.
Martha Miller 240
  Your Student with Documented Learning and Living Needs

This seminar is for parents whose student has had either an IEP or a 504 plan in high school. Representatives from Disability and Accessibility Resources will discuss the transition from high school to college and how to access accommodations that are available to students at the college level.
Martha Miller 158
10–10:15 a.m. Sibling Program Drop Off DeVos Fieldhouse
10:15–11:15 a.m. Opening Session DeVos Fieldhouse
11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch Phelps
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Legacy Family Open House (by invitation) Jack Miller Lobby
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. First Gen Student & Family Gathering BSC Schaap Auditorium
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. FOCUS+ Meeting (by invitation) Graves Hall (Winants)
1:30–2:15 p.m. Parent Seminar II
(choose one)
  Chatting with Dining Services

The director of residential dining will describe accommodations for different allergies and dietary needs, as well as answering any questions about dining and meal plans.
BSC Schaap Auditorium
  The College Transition Graves Hall (Winants)
  Teaching as a Faithful Profession

Hope faculty discuss how their Christian faith impacts their calling at Hope College, from classroom teaching to the larger campus environment.
VanderWerf 104
  Your Hope Student-Athlete

The athletic directors will talk about what it means to be a parent of a student-athlete at Hope College.
DeWitt Theater
2:30–3:15 p.m. Parent Seminar III
(choose one)
  Hope Parent Roundtable

Talk with Hope parents and have your questions answered about helping your student succeed in college.
DeWitt, Lower Level Learning Lab
  Your Student’s Health

The directors of Counseling and Health Services will discuss programs and services offered at Hope for your student’s health.
Martha Miller 135
  Your Hope Student-Athlete

The athletic directors will talk about what it means to be a parent of a student-athlete at Hope College.
DeWitt Theater
  Boerigter Center for Calling and Career

Learn about the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career and resources to support your student with career discernment and experiential opportunities.
BSC Schaap Auditorium
3:30–4:30 p.m. Step2Success: Life & Learning at Hope College

Do you want to be successful in and out of class? Hear directly from faculty and staff about the skills and strategies needed for student success.
BSC Great Room
5–6:30 p.m. Picnic in the Pine Grove Pine Grove
(if rain: Phelps)
6:45–9:15 p.m. Super Siblings Extravaganza BSC Schaap Auditorium
7:30–9 p.m. Hope Orientation Parent Experience Jack H. Miller Auditorium

Saturday, AUGUST 24

Time Event Location
10–11 a.m. Worship Service Dimnent Chapel
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Brunch Phelps Dining Hall
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Campus Ministries Open House Huys der Hope

TIME OF REFLECTION

On Friday morning, following the Family Opening Session, there will be a Time of Reflection for you to write a letter to your student. Materials will be provided. This letter can address the hopes and dreams you have for your student during their next four years at Hope and will be given to them upon completion of their senior year. We encourage you to bring a pen when you come to the Family Opening Session. Upon exiting the Time of Reflection, Orientation staff will be present to collect your letters, sealed inside your envelope. Please note, if you are unable to write your letter in the allotted time, Orientation staff will be collecting letters throughout the weekend at the following locations and events: The Bultman Student Center, Hope Orientation Parent Experience, and Opening Convocation.

Schedules are subject to change. A final schedule will be provided on your arrival in August.