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For Parents & Families

Ensuring that your student has an exceptional college experience is our top priority. We’re here to partner with families to provide the resources you and your student need to make a Smith education a powerful, lifelong investment.

The Big Picture

Considering Smith?

Is your student considering going to Smith? The college application process—and eventual decision—is stressful on parents and family members, too. There’s a lot of information to take in, from cost to location to campus culture and everything in between. Learn more about the fundamentals of a Smith education to help your student make an informed decision about where they’ll be taking their next (big!) steps.

Applying to Smith Tuition & Financial Aid

Helpful Information

Have you forgotten when finals start but don’t want to ask your already-stressed-out Smithie for the 10th time in a week? Planning a trip to campus and want to scope out what’s on offer at the Campus Center Café ahead of time?

We get it, so we’ve gathered together a few lists of links you may find helpful. From the academic calendar to health and wellness information, get a glimpse of your students’ life on campus and stay informed about the important stuff.

You can also check out the Family Handbook, where we’ve listed some important topics, frequently asked questions, and acronyms.

Take Care

Be there for them even though you can’t be here for them. Many parents and family members enjoy sending care packages to their student—especially during finals or other high-stress times—to provide some comfort and a sweet pick-me-up (or two!). We’ve compiled a short list of local vendors (including our very own bookstore!) and options for sending a hug to your favorite Smithie.

Student and their family at an assembly during Family Weekend.

Family Orientation

Orientation isn’t just for new students! On move-in day—August 29, 2024—parents and families are encouraged to explore the campus and meet some of the staff and faculty who will help to shape their student’s college experience. Families spend the morning with their students as they check in, move into their rooms, eat lunch, and hear the first presidential address of the year. In the afternoon, while students are getting filled in on the essentials of campus and academic life, families can partake in walking tours or one of several sessions tailored to their curiosity or concerns from 2–5:30 p.m.

Schedule of Events

For a full list of events and sessions open to families, please see the Family Orientation schedule below.

Lunch for all new students and families 

11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. 
New students and families are invited to join us! Lunch will be served buffet style, so feel free to come at any point during this time. Check this link for locations.

President’s Welcome Assembly

12:45 p.m. 
John M. Greene Hall
All entering students and their families are invited to President Sarah Willie-LeBreton’s community address. 

Welcome Reception

1:30–2 p.m.
Chapin Lawn (Rain Location: Campus Center Carroll Room)
Following the President’s Assembly, light refreshments will be served until 2 p.m., when parents and students will head to their respective sessions. 

Meet the Campus Life Staff

2–3 p.m.
John M. Greene Hall
Get to know all the ways Smith staff works to support your student throughout their time at Smith. This presentation will introduce you to academic and campus life staff, who will lead a lively discussion of what to expect in your student's first year at Smith and give an overview of the rest of the Family Orientation activities. 

Family Orientation Sessions

3:15–5:30 p.m.
Choice Sessions—please choose one in each time block.

3:15–4:15 p.m
Campus Tour 

Departing from the front doors of Seelye Hall, these walking tours will end at the Campus Center.

Welcome to the Smith College Libraries

Neilson Library Browsing Room, Room 102
Susan Fliss, Dean of Libraries; Jean Ferguson, Director of Learning, Research and Technology; Additional members of the SCL team
When your student asks for your help doing research or working on a course project, send them to us! Learn about the spaces, services and collections at the Smith College Libraries (SCL), including our recently renovated Neilson Library.

Engaging in Co-Curricular Life

Seelye Hall, Room 201
Tamra Bates, Director of Student Engagement
Join Tamra Bates from Student Engagement as they answer your questions about getting and staying engaged on campus and off. With events and games to attend, clubs and organizations to join, and a community to engage in, there is something for everyone here at Smith.

Living in Smith Houses

Seelye Hall, Room 206
Crys Arellano-Fryer, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Residential Education
Students and parents are invited to learn more about the Office of Residence Life, living in Smith College houses and community, and the residential education experience. The presentation will feature both professional staff and a panel of current students who will share their experience living on campus and with Residence Life at Smith. All are welcome!

Understanding Internship and Career Opportunities at Smith

Seelye Hall, Room 208
Faith McClellan, Dean of Career Development
Hear from the Dean of Career Development about a wide range of opportunities through which students can gain personalized career support at Smith, including funded internships, career exploration coaching, industry-specific advising cohorts, job treks, career fairs, alum networking, resume and interview preparation, and much more. Although your student may have an idea of what careers interest them, many do not, and that is okay! The Lazarus Center for Career Development is here to support students at any stage of their career exploration. 

Campus Safety and Your Student

Seelye Hall, Room 211
Jimi Nealy, Chief of Campus Safety
Through an equitable and inclusive model of service and outreach, the Smith College Campus Safety Department helps ensure that every member of the Smith community can safely live and work on campus in an environment of mutual respect and support. Join Chief Nealy to learn more about Campus Safety programming and support.

4:30–5:30 p.m.
Campus Tour 

Departing from the front doors of Seelye Hall, these walking tours will end at the Campus Center.

Smith’s Student Support Resources

Seelye Hall, Room 201
Becky Shaw, Associate Dean of Students; Kris Evans, Director of the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness
Join Becky Shaw from Student Affairs and Kris Evans from the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness to understand the college's support resources and how students can reach out for help if they are having a difficult time.

Student Financial Services 101—Student Financial Services 

Seelye 208
Polly Gelfman, Assistant Director of Student Financial Services
Michael Ireland, Associate Director of Student Financial Services
Meet with the staff from Student Financial Services to discuss your student’s money management, campus employment, the billing process, and financial aid.

Accessibility and Accommodations Information Session

Seelye Hall 106
EJ Seibert, Director of Accessibility
EJ Seibert, director of the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC), will explain to students and families how the ARC supports equal access and participation for students with disabilities and/or access needs in all programs and activities at Smith College. This session will cover disability services, accommodations, and documentation; academic requirements and support services; students’ rights and responsibilities. Students and families are welcome.

Dinner and Family Time

5:30 p.m.
Dinner on campus for residential board-paying students.  Students wishing to dine with families should plan to eat downtown at one of our local restaurants.

Welcome Event with Athletics

5:45–6:30 p.m.
Ainsworth Gym
For first-year athletes and their families.

Academic Services

Regardless of your student’s academic interests, Smith has the resources and tools necessary to help them thrive. With several tutoring centers on campus, staffed by both faculty members and peer advisers, each student receives the support they need, when they need it—whether that’s group study sessions or individualized tutoring appointments.

The Jacobson Center Writing

The Spinelli Center Math & Science

The Lazarus Center Career Advising

Class Deans Academic Advising

A student and writing tutor discussing a paper.
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Your Smithie, Supported

The Office of Student Affairs takes a holistic approach to supporting your Smithie during their years on campus. Partnering with other entities like the Dean of the College, Student Engagement, and the Accessibility Resource Center, we aim to provide services, programs, and activities in support of Smith’s goals of exploring, engaging, and belonging.

Learn More About Student Affairs

Is the Area Safe?

Smith and Northampton are significantly safer than most medium- or large-sized cities. Still, we are extremely cautious. Students are briefed on personal safety and have access to self-defense courses. Houses are always locked and have intercoms for identifying visitors. We offer nighttime escorts and shuttle buses, emergency alarm boxes across campus, and our security officers patrol 24 hours a day.

We have a campuswide emergency notification system to quickly communicate news to the entire community, and Campus Safety coordinates responses to all emergency situations.

Learn More About Campus Safety