Housing Families
Feeling nervous about sending your student off to college? You're not alone. The families of our 6,000+ residents share these exact feelings each and every year. Moving your student to campus, especially when it is for the first time, can result in a mix of excitement and anxiety.
We hope this information points you to helpful resources, alleviates any concerns, and keeps you informed about what's happening in our residential communities. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to our staff.
Keep in Touch
With Housing
Housing families will automatically receive general information about important dates and other community announcements via email. These periodic emails typically begin in May as Housing application and payment deadlines approach for incoming students. Check with your student to see if your current contact information is listed on their Housing application.
You can also sign up for the Gopher Family Connection to get a regular newsletter about other aspects of student life and resources, tailored to your interests (we share announcements there, too).
See Information Requests below for more about the process to access to details specific to your student (housing assignment, billing, conduct, etc.).
Other Resources
- University Parent & Family Program
- One Stop Student Services (registration, payment plans, and more)
- Safe Campus
With your student
Sending cards, letters, or other items to your student lets them know you’re thinking of them and makes them feel closer to home. Wish them a happy birthday. Celebrate a big (or small!) achievement. Share treats for them and their roommates. Help them through that finals week crush.
Information Desks at each building can receive packages sent by USPS or other bonded shipping companies. You can also check out Care Packages from Student Unions & Activities!
Information Requests
Understanding What Information Can Be Shared
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) mandates by law that college students are considered responsible adults, and this means they are allowed to determine who will receive information about them. Under this law, family members who want to receive information about their student’s behavioral records can only do so if their student signs a “Release of Information Form.” These waivers are available through the Residence Director in each residence hall/apartment complex.
In most cases, the University will not contact family members or provide disciplinary information without the student’s permission. The University will contact a student's family in the case of an extreme emergency where the student's health is in serious jeopardy or if there is a concern that the student poses a threat to themselves or others. As a general guideline, if the student is able to communicate about the situation, it is up to the student to decide whether and how to discuss the issue with family members.
Twin Cities campus residents may opt to release or share information with their family contact. If your student has granted you access, you will be able to access the following information based on what your student authorizes.
Contracts & Billing
- Housing application, assignment, billing, charges, credits, payments, balances, meal plan information, communication history
- Other information maintained by Housing & Residential Life for student housing (non-conduct related)
Student Conduct
- Student disciplinary file and history, student conduct and behavior, judicial letters, records
- Other information maintained by Housing & Residential Life for student conduct in housing
For additional clarification on this process, please contact us.