Dear OSU parents and family members,

Welcome to fall term! This is always an exciting time on campus with football games, students and faculty back in Corvallis and the changing colors, scents and sounds of autumn in the Willamette Valley.

I enjoyed meeting so many new incoming parents, families and students at the summer START sessions and am looking forward to connecting with many more of you throughout the year. Options to get involved and engage with other parents and families include joining OSUAA’s Parent and Family Council (see below); attending Fall Family Weekend (Nov. 8-10) and cheering at a football tailgate when the Beavs play at home or on the road.

And speaking of engaging, the new Oregon State Family portal is up and running! Sign up to access resources, join communities and find helpful information all year long. More information below!

I continue to welcome your content ideas and input for articles and posts, so let me know if there are topics you would like to see covered.

Thank you for being part of the OSU community and for supporting student success at Oregon State University.

GO BEAVS!

Julie Schwartz
Senior Director, Parent and Family Engagement Program
OSU Alumni Association

Introducing the new Oregon State Family Portal

The Oregon State Family Portal is for YOU — parents and family members with a current student (or students) attending OSU. It is designed to provide the information you need, when you need it. The portal will help you keep connected and focused on what matters most: your student’s success at OSU.

Because the portal provides dynamic newsletter content (customized to your preferences), we will no longer be publishing the Beaver Family Newsletter, so be sure to sign up to continue hearing from us regularly!

OSUAA Parent and Family Council

It’s not too late to join the Parent and Family Council this academic year.

What is it? The Parent and Family Council is a community of dedicated individuals who are actively engaged in their students' college experiences. The council helps educate and connect parents to OSU and seeks to encourage families to support the university through volunteering, mentoring other families and philanthropic generosity.

Member opportunities:

• Attend quarterly council meetings (virtual).
• Become a resource to expand mentoring and career opportunities for students.
• Volunteer at campus and regional events such as orientation, Orange & Black Day, Move-in Day and Family Weekends.
• Engage with fellow parents, act as parent ambassadors for both prospective and admitted students in your area, advise OSU/OSUAA on key topics and areas of interest for current parents and encourage other parents to get involved!

Join us for the annual OSU Alumni Association Fall Family and Parent Social | Nov. 8

Kick off Fall Family Weekend by meeting fellow parents and family members during the OSUAA Fall Parent and Family Social. All current OSU parents, families and their students are welcome to attend this informal gathering.

Highlights include:

» Hear from OSU leadership on ways to support your student’s success.

» Learn how to stay connected with your student and OSU as a Parent and Family Council member or regional volunteer.

» Enjoy delicious, savory appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages (no-host bar available for those 21 and older).

And don’t forget to sign up for Fall Family Weekend under “Communities” on the Oregon State Family Portal to stay updated on all the activities that will be happening on campus Nov. 8-10.

BEAVER BITES

See more on the Oregon State Family Portal

Ask Alumni | Navigating the Empty Nest: Supporting Your Mental Wellness as Your Kids Go to College | Oct. 9

Adjusting to an empty nest can be an emotional and challenging transition. This virtual workshop features Kathleen Phillips, MCoun ’21, a licensed professional counselor, and is designed to help you navigate the changes that come when your children leave for college. We’ll explore strategies for managing feelings of loss, redefining your identity and finding new ways to fill your time with purpose and joy. Through guided discussions and practical exercises, you’ll learn how to support your mental health during this life stage. Whether you’re just beginning this journey or have been living the empty nest experience for a while, this session offers valuable insights and tools to help you thrive. 

Beaver networking opportunities

As part of the OSU community, your student is a part of a family of 200,000+ Beaver alumni who support them during each stage of their academic and professional development! We highly encourage you to remind your student to join OSU Connections, the online hub for Beavers to grow their personal and professional networks. If you are an Oregon State graduate, you are encouraged to sign up as a mentor by completing your profile on the site to indicate the ways that you wish to support students and other alumni, as well as highlight areas for personal connection with others through your self-selected identities and campus involvement.

Join us at an OSUAA Tailgate Town this football season

Parents, families, current students, alumni and friends are invited to these pregame gatherings — whether at home or on the road. Home tailgates are FREE to the public and include games, prizes and special activities for kids. Food, beverages and student-made ice cream are available for purchase. OSU Cheer and Band come through the Alumni Center on game days.

Join Beaver Nation at home or on the road to get amped for the game and cheer for our Beaver Football student-athletes! Registration is required for away tailgates.

Global health expert leads Travel Talk on ecology and culture of India | Nov. 12

Discover India’s rich cultural tapestry, its evolving role on the global stage and its impactful conservation efforts with the upcoming Travel Talks webcast hosted by the OSU Alumni Association Alumni Group Travel program. Sunil Khanna, director of the Center for Global Health at Oregon State, shares stories and insights in Essence of India: A Global Perspective on Ecology & Culture. There, you’ll also learn about the October 2025 OSU-exclusive tour where Khanna will serve as faculty ambassador. Get glimpses of the experiences that await, from landscapes teeming with wildlife to bustling streets and iconic heritage sites.

Homecoming | Oct. 18-20

Community. Laughter. Reminiscing. It’s what you can expect when you come to Oregon State for Homecoming 2024. Be part of the tradition with the 8th Annual Multicultural Alumni and Friends Tailgater, OSUAA Tailgate Town, a special pancake breakfast, campus tours, scavenger hunts, Beaver Football against UNLV and special activities all weekend, across every corner of OSU. Make plans to make memories by joining us for Homecoming Weekend events. Go Beavs! View the full list of festivities — more to be listed soon.

Want more?  

View all OSU Alumni Association upcoming events.

Helpful links for parents and families

• Oregon State Family Portal
• Annual Calendar
• Upcoming OSUAA Programs & Events
• Parent and Family Council
• Parent Handbook/FAQ
• Upcoming Family/Student Events
• Student Health Services
• Office of Student Orientation
• Become an OSUAA member
• OSU Today 
• Honors College parent and families webpage

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