by Maureen Quinlan, News Correspondent
The Office of Parent Programs and Services will host its annual Parents’ Weekend starting Friday. About 2,000 families are expected to join the campus community for the weekend.
Organizers say the event provides an opportunity for parents to come to campus and reconnect with students.
“When students have been here for five or six weeks, we like to bring the parents back to give them a chance to see how their son or daughter has adjusted to college life,” said Susan Brown, associate director of parent programs. “We want to introduce them to some university programs, and let them meet the deans of the colleges.”
The weekend includes a variety of social, athletic and academic activities for parents, students, families and students whose parents are not visiting.
“It is great that our parents get to see what we’re doing throughout the academic year on Parents’ Weekend,” freshman business major Christina Bivona said.
Throughout the weekend, each college will have a professor speak about his or her area of expertise as part of the faculty spotlight feature.
There will also be a reception in Gallery 360, and a men’s hockey game against University of New Hampshire. Also on Friday will be “Northeastern’s Got Talent,” a variety show that will showcase student group and individual talent acts at 8 p.m. in the Blackman Auditorium.
Breakfast with the deans of individual colleges, a barbecue in Centennial Commons, and more faculty spotlights will take place on Saturday. Howie Mandel, host of television’s Deal or No Deal, will also perform Saturday.
“He was definitely a good choice for parents; he’s sold a lot of tickets so far,” said Eric Frankenberg, president of Council for University Programs (CUP).
The group is sponsoring the event with Student Affairs and Parent Programs.
“My family and I are excited to see Howie Mandel because he should be entertaining, and it will be a great way to spend quality time with my parents,” Bivona said.
Parents can partake in breakfast at the dining halls, a co-op panel, a housing services presentation about the process of applying for housing and a farewell boat cruise on the Boston Harbor Sunday.
Athletic events will go on all weekend, including a women’s soccer game Friday and Sunday and a men’s game Saturday. Various religious services for different denominations will also be an option for students and their families.
Parent tickets are $45, which covers the presentations, barbecue, the breakfasts, use of the Marino Center, the gallery reception and “Northeastern’s Got Talent.” The Office of Parent Programs and Services requests that all parents register before they arrive on campus, but registration will be held in Ell Hall for those who do not.
Freshman mechanical engineering major Lou Cassano recognized the event as a positive thing for parents, if a bit of a nuisance for students.
“This weekend gives parents a chance to see their kids who are desperately trying to avoid them,” he said.
But the Office of Parent Programs and Services views it as a positive experience, Brown said.
“Our hope is that parents will come and be part of Northeastern’s community and experience life and the city with their students,” Brown said. “Of all the parent programs we offer, this one is the most relaxing and enjoyable.”
