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FAQs

Registration & Parking

Does my student automatically get to attend everything during Family Weekend? When is the registration deadline? Can I register over the phone? Can you tell me which events are already closed/sold out? The event(s) I wanted are not available. Why are some events already sold out? Can I get on a waitlist for a sold out event? What does the registration fee cover? Why is the definition of Youth different for registration and some events? For what events can I register onsite? When will I get the confirmation of my registration? What if I register for something and I want to cancel it later? Where can I park during Family Weekend?

Hotels & Restaurants

Where can we stay in the area? Which hotels are closest? What if I want to take my student to dinner off campus?

Events & Activities

When should we plan to arrive? Do families stay for the entire weekend? Do I have to stay for the whole weekend? What if I can only come on Saturday? What if my student does not want to attend any of the activities? Are classes canceled on Friday, October 3, so my student can attend events? What happens if it rains? When will the gametime for football on Oct. 4 be announced?

Special Accommodations

Are events sign interpreted? We have a family member in a wheelchair. Can we get around to all of the events? Can we have a special parking pass?

Other

My question isn't listed in the FAQ.

Does my student automatically get to attend everything during Family Weekend?
We hope your student will attend all Family Weekend events with you, but they aren't automatically included. You will need to register each individual family member attending Family Weekend, including your student(s). Family Weekend is a special event and does not receive any tuition or student fee money. Family Weekend is completely self-supported.

When is the registration deadline?
The registration deadline for ticketed events is at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 17, but we recommend registering early since certain events will sell out.

Can I register over the phone?
We are not able to take registrations over the phone. 

Can you tell me which events are already closed/sold out?
The registration site updates in real-time as registrations are completed.

I just went to the website to register and the event(s) I wanted are not available. Why are some events already sold out?
Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; this is the most equitable system possible. We regret that certain events sell out. More than 7,000 parents, family members, and students attend Family Weekend each year, and some events sell out quickly due to their popularity and limited availability of space on campus.

More than 60 different events and activities are offered during Family Weekend. We are committed to providing a variety of options that appeal to a broad spectrum of family members, as well as presenting specific events that can accommodate all Family Weekend participants. Special events included in the Family Weekend Registration Fee (e.g., President's Open House, Terp Family Festival, Eppley Recreation Center, etc.) are open to all participants, as are many other events during the weekend for which there is no extra fee. Additionally, we have an unlimited number of tickets for those who wish to enjoy the barbecue buffet during the Terp Family Tailgate & Festival on McKeldin Mall (one of the highlights of the weekend).

Can I get on a waitlist for a sold-out event?
We are unable to provide a waitlist for closed events. It is possible that tickets to "sold out" events will become available if current ticket holders make changes to or cancel their Family Weekend registration. When this occurs, their tickets are released and become available online. You are welcome to log on to the Family Weekend registration site (using your Registration Code) at any time to see if any tickets for a particular event become available.

What does the registration fee cover?
The registration fee includes the following:

  • Access to Family Weekend events, educational sessions, and workshops
  • President’s Open House and college/school/program receptions
  • Terp Family Festival and other family-friendly activities throughout the weekend
  • Opportunity to purchase discounted ticket(s) to the football game on October 4
  • Opportunity to purchase tickets to Family Weekend ticketed events
  • Membership/access to the Eppley Recreation Center on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • Family Weekend giveaway item (one per family)

The registration fee also covers the cost of Family Weekend online and onsite registration services, registration materials, facility rentals, staff, and service fees. Family Weekend is an independent and self-supported event for University of Maryland families and is not financed by the University of Maryland.

Why is the definition of Youth "12 and under" for the Family Weekend registration fee but "9 and under" for ticketed events with food?
The price point for meals is established by the food/catering team and they determined the discounted price for youth meals as "9 and under." The Office of Family Engagement provides a Family Weekend Registration Fee discount for youth 12 and under.

For what events can I register onsite?
Families will be able to register onsite to attend events and programs included in the general Family Weekend registration fee. Events that require advance purchase/tickets will not be available onsite.

When will I get the confirmation of my registration?
Your Family Weekend confirmation is immediate and sent to you via email after completing the online registration form. Tickets to all events (except football tickets) during Family Weekend will be given to you when you check in at the Family Weekend Welcome Center (located in the Stamp Student Union).

What if I register for something and I want to cancel it later?
You can make adjustments to your registration or cancel your entire registration at any time before 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 17. Changes to your registration should be made by accessing the online registration form using the unique Registration Code listed on your Family Weekend confirmation. To cancel your entire registration, please send an email to familyweekend@umd.edu and include the Registration Code and your name as found on the confirmation letter.

Cancellations received by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 17, will receive a refund for purchases with the exception of the following: 

  • T-shirts are not refundable after Wednesday, September 3.
  • Donations are non-refundable.
  • Terrapin Club Membership is non-refundable. 

Eligible refunds will be posted to the credit card used for the original payment less a $30 cancellation fee. We are unable to refund payments after Wednesday, September 17.

Where can I park during Family Weekend?
Parking information for Family Weekend is available on our Parking page.

Where can we stay in the area? Which hotels are closest?
A list of area hotels is available on the Conferences & Visitor Services website, and many more can be obtained by doing a simple web search. Hotels fill quickly, so we encourage you to make your reservation as soon as possible.

What if I want to take my student to dinner off campus?
We encourage you to do so (and we're pretty sure your student will enjoy the treat). There are tons of great options near campus and in neighboring cities. Yelp can be used to identify local places to eat. If you do plan to take your student to dinner, we strongly advise you to make a reservation BEFORE you arrive for Family Weekend since reservations will fill up.

When should we plan to arrive? Do families stay for the entire weekend?
We have tons of events planned just for you. We encourage you to arrive early on Friday so you can make the most of the weekend. Events wrap up Sunday afternoon. View the Schedule of Events for more information. 

Do I have to stay for the whole weekend? What if I can only come on Saturday?
How long you stay is up to you. We hope you stay as long as you are able. 

Are classes canceled on Friday, October 3, so my student can attend events?
Classes are not canceled for Family Weekend. Faculty are not expected to alter class schedules, so students are generally expected to attend their classes as usual. However, we recommend that your student connect with their instructors in advance to review the attendance policy for any classes that may conflict with Family Weekend activities. Some faculty may be flexible, but it’s best for students to communicate early and directly. 

What if my student does not want to attend any of the activities during Family Weekend? Should I still come?
Yes! Family Weekend is an opportunity for families to enjoy and learn more about the institution, and the more you know about the University, the better you will be able to support your student throughout their educational career. If your student does not want to attend, it is probably just a statement of their need to assert some independence or autonomy, which is natural. Many families attend Family Weekend and see their student only occasionally. Others have their students with them at everything—it really depends upon the student. If you want to come, we hope you will join us.

What happens if it rains?
The show must go on! Those events scheduled in outdoor locations have alternate indoor sites in the event of inclement weather. Since we never know what kind of weather a Chesapeake-area autumn will bring, we encourage you to come prepared with a jacket or sweatshirt and an umbrella.

When will the gametime for football on Oct. 4 be announced?
We won’t know the official game time until the Big Ten announces it in September. As soon as it's confirmed, we’ll update the Schedule of Events and share the details via email. We hope for a Saturday 3:30 p.m. kickoff, but if kickoff is at noon, the Terp Family Festival & Tailgate will be 2:30 - 5 p.m.

Are events sign interpreted?
If a member of your family is hearing impaired, we can make arrangements to have activities sign interpreted. Please make reference to this on the registration form in the accommodations section. Requests for interpreters must be made no later than Wednesday, September 3.

We have a family member in a wheelchair. Can we get around to all of the events?
Events are held in accessible areas and buildings unless otherwise noted on the Schedule of Events. Drop-off areas are available near most buildings utilized for Family Weekend for those without an ADA accessible license plate or placard. Specific transportation needs may be accommodated by our Paratransit service provided by the Department of Transportation Services. Note: The University of Maryland does not provide wheelchairs.

Can we have a special parking pass?
Parking is available close to all facilities on campus for those vehicles displaying disabled parking identification. For individuals without an ADA accessible license plate or placard, drop-off areas are available near most buildings utilized for Family Weekend. Shuttle-UM service is provided free of charge throughout the weekend for various locations around campus. Review additional information about accessible parking and guidelines on campus.

My question isn't listed in the FAQ.
If you can't find what you're looking for, contact the appropriate team.

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