Please note - The information on this page relates to Spring Family Weekend 2008. It has been left here to give you a general idea of what to expect. The Spring Family Weekend 2009 schedule will be available in March. The '09 dates are April 24-26.

April 25-27, 2008

Spring Family Weekend is designed to give you an opportunity to visit with your son or daughter, to enjoy special events and activities and to experience the coming of Spring to our campus.

The schedule of events is included below, followed by a list of frequently asked Spring Family Weekend questions and answers.

Spring Family Weekend brochures are mailed to all current parents in late March. The 2008 brochure can also be accessed in PDF form here. The dates for Spring Family Weekend 2009 are April 24-26.

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 the Office of Summer and Parent 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.

Friday, April 25
8:20 am-4 pm "Students for a Day" - Parents are invited to share in the Alfred University experience by visiting selected classes.

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

9 am-Noon Experience the Sights and Sounds of Harder Hall - Families are welcome to visit Harder Hall to observe art students in action. This is an informal opportunity to stroll through the building on your own and see student artists working in various media. Location: Harder Hall

11 am-1:30 pm Lunch - Ade Hall
11:30 am-1:30 pm Lunch - Powell
Meal plan students can use guest meals to pay for their families. Cash prices will also be posted in the dining halls.

12:20-1:10 pm Women’s Studies Roundtable - This last Women's Studies Roundtable of the semester will be dedicated to Carol Burdick, well-loved poet, writer and long-time member of the AU faculty who passed away on April 12. AU faculty and staff will be reading from CB's written works. Please join us for this special tribute to CB. All are welcome. Location: Women’s Leadership Center, The Commons

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

4 pm Honors Convocation - Families are encouraged to attend this very special event. Awards will be presented and recognition given for outstanding achievement at this annual ceremony honoring student & faculty excellence. Location: McLane Center

5 pm Reception for Students and Families Hosted by President Edmondson immediately following Honors Convocation. This is an opportunity for families to enjoy refreshments and visit with President Edmondson, University administrators, faculty and staff. Location: McLane Center Lobby

5-7:30 pm Dinner - Powell
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 in the dining halls.) Alfred and area restaurants look forward to serving you during Family Weekend, as well (reservations suggested). View a list of local restaurants >>>

6 pm Pine Hill Derby - Sponsored by AU's student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Location: Pine Hill (weather permitting). (Barbecue for spectators will begin at 5 pm.)

6-7:30 pm Ice Cream Bash with performances by Middle Eastern Dancers and a balloon artist. Face painting, arts and crafts, and of course, ice cream! $3 adults, $2 children. Pay at the door. Location: Fire Hall, Main Street

6-8 pm AU Art Union Juried Art Competition Show Reception - Awards will be announced and refreshments provided. Location: Gallery 17, Main Street

6:30-7:30 pm Gathering of the Friends and Family of CB Burdick - Friends, family and former students of long-time faculty member Carol Burdick are invited to this gathering in memory of CB. Location: Howell Hall

7-9 pm Third Annual March of Dimes Benefit Concert - Come enjoy free hot dogs, music by The Vintage Truth, and donate to the March of Dimes to save premature babies. Sponsored by PBL. Location: Village Bandstand, Main Street

8-9 pm AU Orchestra: Music from the Movies - Enjoy selections from Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, James Bond, Phantom of the Opera and piano soloist David Peter Coppen in the Warsaw Concerto. Free admission. Location: Holmes Auditorium

8 pm Comedy: Whose Stage Is it, Anyway? - Alfred's two comedy troupes compete in improvisational games. Free admission. Location: Knight Club

8 pm Movie - National Treasure: Book of Secrets - $3 general admission. Pay at the door. Location: Nevins Theater

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

9 pm Comedian: Joe Matarese - Free admission. Location: Knight Club

10 pm Friday Night Live - Student-run comedy show. Free admission. Location: Holmes Auditorium, Harder Hall

11 pm Movie - National Treasure: Book of Secrets - $3 general admission. Pay at the door. Location: Nevins Theater

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

9-11 am Parents Advisory Board Meeting - Powell Board Room

10 am-12:30 am Cyber Fresh Cafe open - Powell Campus Center

10 am Campus Tour - Interested families should meet the student tour guide in the lobby of Alumni Hall.

10 am Parents Information Session: Internships - Gaining Valuable Hands-On Experience - Should your son or daughter seek an internship position? Would this increase his/her chances of getting a great job? Tips and pointers will be presented along with suggestions on how students can find and excel at internships. Location: Kenyon-Allen Room, Powell Campus Center

10 am Fun Bun Run/Walk - Everyone is welcome to participate in this community event. The first 50 walkers and runners will receive T-shirts and other fun prizes will be awarded! Meet at the Bandstand on Main Street. (This event is co-sponsored by the AU Health and Wellness Program, Counseling and Wellness Center and the Women's Leadership Center.) To register in advance please contact Pamela Shu, Health and Wellness Director via email or by calling 607.871.2300.

10 am Equestrian Center Tour I - Families are welcome to visit the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center and take a guided tour of the facility (directions will be available at the Campus Center desk). Families are also welcome to visit the Equestrian Center anytime during the weekend to look around on their own.

11 am-12 pm Career Development Center Open House - Will your son or daughter find a good job or graduate school after Alfred? What can they do now to prepare? Find out all about the resources and services provided by the Career Development Center at this Open House. Location: The McComsey Career Development Center at the Steinheim.

11 am-1 pm Office of Residence Life Open House - Parents with questions and/or concerns are encouraged to stop in. Location: Bartlett Hall

11 am Equestrian Center Tour II - Families are welcome to visit the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center and take a guided tour of the facility (directions will be available at the Campus Center desk). Families are also welcome to visit the Equestrian Center anytime during the weekend to look around on their own.

11 am-1:30 pm Brunch - Ade Hall
Meal plan students can use guest meals to pay for their families. Cash prices will also be posted in the dining halls.

12 pm Hot Dog Day Parade - Main Street

12 pm Men's Lacrosse vs. Wells College - Merrill Field

12 pm Lions Club Chicken Barbecue - Fire Hall, Main Street

12-5 pm Hot Dog Day Carnival & Activities on Main Street - Booths, arts & crafts, games, kiddie rides, live music, raffles and of course HOT DOGS! Come and participate in one of Alfred's oldest traditions at the carnival and other events down on Main Street. Proceeds to benefit local charities.

1:30 pm Hot Dog Launching Competition - Who can propel their hot dogs the farthest? Student teams use home-made launching devices and compete for trophies. The team with the hot dog landing the greatest distance from the launch site wins! Tucker Field

2 pm Mud Olympics - A Hot Dog Day tradition. Student teams get down and dirty in the mud playing volleyball, tug-of-war and wheelbarrow racing. Tucker Field

3-5 pm Sorry, Family Swim is cancelled. The pool will not be available.

4-5 pm Carillon Recital and Hands-On Open House - Enjoy the beautiful music of the Carillon played by Laurel Buckwalter, A.U. Carillonneur, then join her in the Carillon to see just how she does it! Location: Davis Memorial Carillon

5-7:30 pm Dinner - Ade Hall (Meal plan students can use guest meals to pay for parents and other family members. Cash prices will also be posted.)

7-9 pm MFA Thesis Exhibition Opening at the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery featuring works by Jacqueline Knight (glass sculpture) and Moliu Zhang (electronic integrated art) Location: Harder Hall, Main Level

7-9 pm MFA Thesis Exhibition Opening at the Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art at Alfred University featuring Mark Hursty (sculpture/mixed media). This exhibition -"Conflations"- will include abstract and figurative installations including nylon inflatables, glass sculpture and other recent work. Location: Binns-Merrill, Second Floor

7-10 pm "Hodge Podge" Festival - Highlights include:

7 pm - BMX Showcase
8 pm - Breakdancing Showcase
9 pm - Comedian - GALLAGHER
10 pm - Fireworks

Plus ice cream, BBQ, mechanical bull, amusement park ride and music with live DJ. Free festival admission for all and free food coupons for the first 750 AU & ASC students. Location: McLane Center Parking Lot (rain or shine)

8-11 pm 31st Annual Outdoor Light Show - Free admission. Location: Binns Merrill parking lot (rain date is Sunday)

12-3 pm Visit the Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art at Alfred University - MFA Thesis Exhibition featuring works by Mark Hursty (sculpture/mixed media). This exhibition -"Conflations"- will include abstract and figurative installations including nylon inflatables, glass sculpture and other recent work. Location: Binns-Merrill, Second Floor Location: Binns-Merrill, Second Floor

1-3 pm Visit the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery - MFA Thesis Exhibition featuring works by Jacqueline Knight (glass sculpture) and Moliu Zhang (electronic integrated art) Location: Harder Hall, Main Level

2 pm Movie - National Treasure: Book of Secrets - $3 general admission. Pay at the door. Location: Nevins Theater


*This schedule is subject to change.

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: The schedule on this page will be kept up-to-date. An printed version of the updated schedule will also be available for students & families to pick up at the Powell Information Desk throughout the weekend.

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, "no parking" zones, on the grass, or blocking entries or exits.)

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 at 607.871.2612, email.