Important: The information on this page relates to Fall Family Weekend 2008. Please check back in August for information about Fall Family Weekend 2009. Thank you.

September 19-21, 2008

We cordially invite you to attend Fall Family Weekend here at Alfred University.  This special weekend is designed to give you an opportunity to become better acquainted with the campus, to enjoy special events and activities, and to interact with members of the Alfred community.

While our program will include many events planned especially for visiting families, there is also unscheduled time for you to spend getting caught up with your son or daughter.

The schedule of events is included below, followed by a list of frequently asked Family Weekend questions and answers. Additional events are being planned. Please check back for updates.

View the '08 Fall Family Weekend brochure >>>

Families planning to attend are encouraged to make lodging reservations as soon as possible because spaces at local hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts fill up very quickly.

Please call us at the Office of Summer and Parents Programs at 607.871.2612 if you have any questions or concerns about the weekend. We hope you will plan now to join us for this very special event.

2008 Weekend Schedule

Friday, September 19

Equestrian Center - Families are welcome to visit the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at any time during the weekend. View directions to the Equestrian Center>>> Printed directions will also be available at the Campus Center Information Desk. Visit the Equestrian Center webpage >>>

8:20 am-4 pm "Students for a Day" - Parents are invited to share in the Alfred University experience by visiting selected classes. View list of open classes>>>

8:30-4:30 pm Financial Aid Office - Parents with questions are welcome to stop by. Alumni Hall

9:00 am -12:00 pm Draft Horse Driving at the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center - Families are welcome to come to watch our students in action! (Please see link to directions, above.)

10 am-4 pm Visit the Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art at Alfred University - Exhibit: Work by Chris Miller, visiting assistant professor and Turner Teaching Fellow.

11 am-4 pm Visit the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery- Exhibit: Nick Cave - Alter-Skins - Visual and performance artist Nick Cave constructs intricately bejeweled costumes from a range of materials including sequins, beads, twigs and bottle caps. See his "Sound Suits" - so named for the noise the garments generate when worn in performance.

11:30 am-1:30 pm Lunch - Families are welcome to enjoy lunch on campus at Powell or Ade dining hall. Meal plan students can use guest meals to pay for their families. Cash prices will also be posted. Pay at the door.

12:20-2:20 pm Dressage at the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center - Families are welcome to come to watch. (Please see link to directions, above.)

3:00-6:30 pm Family Weekend Information and Sign In - Sign our guest book; pick up weekend schedule, family buttons and other materials & information. Information Desk, 2nd Floor Lobby, Powell Campus Center

4:00-5:00 pm Live Music provided by members of the AU Concert Band - Powell Campus Center

4:30-6:00 pm Family Reception and Book Signing - Come enjoy some light refreshments and meet some of the University administrators and faculty authors. Alumni Lounge, Powell Campus Center

5-7:30 pm Dinner - Powell Campus Center
5:30-8:30 pm Dinner - Ade Hall
Families are welcome to enjoy dinner on campus at Powell Campus Center or Ade dining hall. Meal plan students can use guest meals to pay for their families. Cash prices will also be posted. Alfred and area restaurants look forward to serving you during Family Weekend, as well (reservations suggested).

8 pm Movie - "WALL-E" - In a futuristic world, human beings have destroyed Earth and evacuated the planet, leaving the cleanup to an army of robots they've programmed to do their dirty work. Due to a mishap, the dutiful WALL-E is the only one left. But with the arrival of a female probe named EVE, the monotony of WALL-E's existence is broken -- and he experiences love for the first time  This movie, filled with surprises, action, humor and heart, is rated G. Admission: $3 adult, $2 children & AU students. Pay at the door. Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

9 pm AU Game Show - Bring the whole family to this evening of fun. Guests can play game show-style events in hopes of winning big prizes! Knight Club, Powell Campus Center

9 pm Observatory Open House - If the sky is clear, this is your opportunity to view the autumn sky through the sophisticated instruments of the John L. Stull Observatory. (Note: if the sky is cloudy the observatory will be closed.)

11 pm Movie - "WALL-E" - Admission: $3 adult, $2 children & AU students. Pay at the door. Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

Saturday, September 20

Equestrian Center - Families are welcome to visit the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at any time during the weekend. View directions to the Equestrian Center>>> Printed directions will also be available at the Campus Center Information Desk. Visit the Equestrian Center webpage >>>

8:30-9:30 am Parents Advisory Board Meeting - Powell Board Room

9-11:00 am Continental Breakfast - Ade Dining Hall

9-11:30 am Complimentary Coffee/Tea for Families - Powell Campus Center, 2nd Floor Lobby

9:00-Noon Family Weekend Information and Sign In - Sign our guest book, pick up weekend schedules, family buttons, campus maps and other materials and information. PCC, 2nd Floor Lobby

10-11:30 am Parents Association Meeting - All interested parents are welcome! AU Administrators and staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Kenyon/Allen Room, Powell Campus Center (adjoins Alumni Lounge, to the right).

10 am Campus Tour - Here’s your chance to take a guided tour, ask questions and find out more about the University. Interested families should meet the student tour guide in the lobby of Alumni Hall.

10 am-4 pm Alfred Box of Books Book Sale - All are welcome to come browse through the wide selection of items including fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, videos, and more, priced to sell: $.50 cents for paperbacks, $1.00 for hardbound books and audio/video materials. Proceeds will benefit the library. The sale will take place on the lawn in front of the Box of Books, Main Street (across from the village bandstand).

11 am-1 pm Career Development Center Open House & Tour - Will your son or daughter find a good job or graduate school after Alfred? What can they do now to prepare? Learn all about the resources and services provided by the Career Development Center at this informative open house. The McComsey Career Development Center at the Allen Steinheim Museum

11 am-1:30 pm Brunch - Ade Hall

11:30 am-12:30 pm Parents Information Session I: "First-Year Academic Expectations" - Learn more about students' first-year academic expectations from our panel of experts. Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

11 am Lions Club Chicken Barbecue - Fire Hall, Main Street

1-3 pm Visit the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery - Exhibit: Nick Cave - Alter-Skins - Visual and performance artist Nick Cave constructs intricately bejeweled costumes from a range of materials including sequins, beads, twigs and bottle caps. See his "Sound Suits" - so named for the noise the garments generate when worn in performance.

1:30 pm Saxon Women's Soccer vs. Elmira - Merrill Field

1:30-2:30 pm Parents Information Session II: "Long Distance Parenting" - This is an opportunity to share concerns & success stories with other parents and to obtain advice and insight from Dean Norm Pollard and other members of the Student Affairs staff.  Kenyon-Allen Room, Campus Center 

2:30-3:30 pm Parents Information Session III: Campus Safety - Campus safety is a concern all parents share. Please join us for this very important event when Vice President for Student Affairs Kathy Woughter will discuss this crucial aspect of your student's college experience. Kenyon-Allen Room, Powell Campus Center

2:30-3:30 pm Counseling and Wellness Center Open - Parents with questions or concerns are welcome to stop by. (Parents with concerns are also urged to contact the Center at 607.871.2300 during regular office hours to discuss confidential matters.) The Counseling and Wellness Center is located in the Crandall Center for Counseling and Health Services on Park Street.

3:30 pm  Mother-Daughter Reception and Reading at the Women's Leadership Center Join us for a reading of poetry and fiction. No reservations are required and all family members are welcome. Women's Leadership Center

4-5 pm Carillon Recital & Hands-On Open House - Hear the beautiful music of the Carillon played by Laurel Buckwalter, AU Carillonneur, then join her in the Carillon to see first-hand just how she does it! Davis Memorial Carillon

4-5 pm Kings, Castles, Knights and Not-so-helpless Maidens: The Royal Tale of Alfred University - Why are our sports teams called the Saxons? Why is that statue of King Alfred in the quad? How did the University get started?  Find out the answers to these questions and more at this informative and entertaining session presented by Laurie McFadden, University Archivist. Nevins Theater

5 pm Saxon Men's Soccer vs. Kings - Merrill Field

5-7:30 pm Dinner - Ade Hall

8:00 pm - Dave Rivello Ensemble - This closely-knit, twelve-member Rochester based jazz band brings flawless flair and powerful drive to Rivello's masterful compositions -- big band adventure with a kick. Free admission. Holmes Auditorium, Harder Hall

9:30 pm - Comedy: Adam Ace - Combining many comedy aspects from improv to physical comedy, the high energy performances of Adam Ace take audiences on a crazy comedy adventure and leave them never knowing what to expect next. “Refreshing,” “Different” and “Original” are a few words used to describe the contagious personality and outrageous look of Adam Ace. Free Admission. Location change: Holmes Auditorium, Harder Hall

Sunday, September 21

9-11:00 am Continental Breakfast - Ade Hall

11 am-1:30 pm Brunch - Ade Hall

1-3 pm Visit the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery

2 pm Movie - "WALL-E" - Admission: $3 adult, $2 children & AU students. Pay at the door. Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

A Message from the Parents Association

Parents are encouraged to visit the AU Parents Association page to find out about opportunities for involvement in the Parents Association and parent volunteer activities. We invite all to attend the Parents Association Meeting on Saturday morning to learn more about the Association, our mission and goals.

Fall Family Weekend FAQs:
To assist you in your planning we have included some frequently asked questions and answers below:

Q: Do we need to register somewhere when we arrive on campus?
A: There is no need to formally register for the weekend, but we would be pleased to greet you at the Campus Center Information Desk during our "Family Weekend Information and Sign In" hours on Friday afternoon and/or Saturday morning. Updated weekend schedules and other information will be available at that location throughout the weekend.

Q: How will we be made aware of changes to the weekend schedule?
A: There will undoubtedly be additions and/or changes to the schedule which cannot be foreseen at this time. A complete, updated listing of events and programs will be available for students & families to pick up at the Powell Info. Desk throughout the weekend & the on-line schedule will be kept up to date at this web site.

Q: Where can I park on campus?
A: During Family Weekend parents can park in any available parking spaces, whether they are marked visitor, student, or faculty/staff (except those reserved for the handicapped). No special parking permits are required during special weekends. (Please do not park in fire lanes, on the grass, or blocking entries or exits.)

Q: Can our student's meal plan be used to pay for our campus meals?
A: Yes, meal plan students can use guest meals to pay for their families. Cash prices will also be posted in the dining halls.

Q: Where are the athletic events held?
A: Only home games are listed in the Fall Family Weekend schedule, and campus locations are indicated. Please check with your son or daughter to see if they have an away-game this weekend. For away-game locations, visit the athletics web page and view the schedule for your child's team.

Q: How can I find out about local church services?
A: A complete list of local religious services will be available at the Powell Campus Center Information desk throughout the weekend.

Q: Whom do I contact if I have suggestions for future Family Weekends?
A: If you have suggestions for Family Weekend programs and events we would be happy to hear from you. Please contact Melody McLay or Frank DiRaimondo at 607.871.2612.