Family Weekend returns at the University of St. Thomas Oct. 9-11, bringing parents, grandparents and other loved ones to campus for a weekend of reconnecting with students. Whether it’s your first time visiting or your fourth, here’s what you need to know to make the most of the weekend.
Vice President for Student Affairs Linda Baughman said that Family Weekend is about more than just a schedule of events –– it’s a reflection of how St. Thomas defines its community.
“We consider students’ families to be part of our community,” Baughman said. “This is one way to celebrate that families are a part of our community, too.”
Assistant Dean of Students Jeff Holstein said the timing of the weekend is especially meaningful for first-year and transfer students, many of whom haven’t seen their families since move-in.
“I think that it’s a wonderful time for families to be able to reconnect with their students, see some of the things that they’ve been into, and check out some of the hot spots that they’ve been visiting while they’re here,” Holstein said. “Having other families on campus at the same time also takes some of the pressure off students who might otherwise feel uneasy about a visit.”
Schedule of events
This year’s Family Weekend features two Purple on the Plaza events instead of one. Friday evening’s events will have a carnival-style feel with additional activities from Campus Life. Saturday morning’s events will feature performances and giveaways.
Thursday, Oct. 8:
Sidewalk Symposium
Location: Between the Arches and John Ireland Statue
Time: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Description: The Sidewalk Symposium features undergraduate students who have completed research, scholarly and creative activity with faculty mentors in various fields. They’ll be sharing what they learned in a creative and unexpected way — chalk art. Scholars will be drawing at various points on the North Campus. Artist statements and profiles can be found on Tommie Link.
Friday, Oct. 9:
Family Weekend: create[space] Tours & Photobooth
Location: create[space]
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Purple on the Plaza
Location: Ryan Family Plaza (in front of Lee and Penny Anderson Arena)
Time: 4 p.m.
Men’s hockey vs. Air Force (season opener)
Location: Lee and Penny Anderson Arena
Time: 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10:
Purple on the Plaza
Location: Monahan Plaza (outside Anderson Student Center)
Time: 11 a.m.
Family Weekend Gameday Prep!
Location: Schoenecker Hall North classrooms (first floor, directly across from the entrance to Northsider)
Time: 11 a.m.
Men’s soccer vs. Delaware
Location: South Field
Time: 12 p.m.
Football vs. Stetson
Location: O’Shaughnessy Stadium
Time: 1 p.m.
Men’s hockey vs. Air Force
Location: Lee and Penny Anderson Arena
Time: 6 p.m.
Parking
Complimentary parking is available from 6 p.m. Friday through 10 p.m. Sunday in three locations:
- Anderson Parking Facility on the corner of Cretin and Grand avenues –– however, no overnight parking is allowed.
- Morrison R2 (front half) on North Campus, along Finn Drive. Overnight parking is allowed.
- Lot A on North Campus, located by the Finn Street entrance to campus off Selby Avenue. Overnight parking is allowed.
Food on campus
On-campus dining locations open to visiting families include: The Loft, The View, Scooter’s, T’s and Summit Marketplace inside of Anderson Student Center, Northsider in Schoenecker Hall North, Stacks Café in O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library, and STEAM Café in the Schoenecker Center.
On Saturday only, lunch at The View will be $10.50 when a family member eats with their student from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Scooter’s will have $5 nachos from noon to 7 p.m.
Tommie Shop
The Tommie Shop, located in ASC, is hosting a deal where anyone who spends $100 or more on Friday or Saturday will receive a free Oahu stainless steel bottle –– which features an Owala-style design –– while supplies last.
Hours:
- Friday, Oct. 9: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 10: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 11: Closed
Getting tickets to games
Families can purchase a Family Weekend Combo Pack covering Saturday’s football and hockey games for savings of over $20 per package. Select your seats for the Tommie football game, and an equal number of men’s hockey tickets will be placed into your account after.
Despite students receiving free tickets on Tommie Link, families are encouraged to purchase a ticket for their student, as student tickets are only valid in the student section. Questions can be directed to tickets@stthomas.edu.
Where to stay
St. Thomas has partnered with some area hotels to offer discounted rates for visiting families, listed on its website. Holstein said these discounts are available all the time, beyond Family Weekend.
Sending mail, care packages and staying connected
As midterms approach, Holstein and Baughman encouraged families to check in with their students ahead of the weekend.
To send mail or packages to your student, use this format, according to the St. Thomas Campus Mail Department:
Student’s Name
2115 Summit Avenue
St Paul, MN 55105-1094
All student mail and packages are delivered to Campus Mail Services. There are no deliveries to residence halls.
Plan ahead
Beyond the scheduled events, letting your student lead the way around campus — and exploring a bit of what the Twin Cities has to offer beyond St. Thomas — can make for an even more exciting weekend.
Families can find a complete, continuously updated list of Family Weekend events and offers through the university’s Family Portal, which sends periodic emails with event details, discounts and campus resources.
Reagan Boschulte can be reached at bosc3829@stthomas.edu.
Witney Geddis can be reached at gedd4212@stthomas.edu.
