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 from 2011 is included below, to give you an idea of what to expect. It is followed by a list of frequently asked Spring Family Weekend questions and answers. Spring Family Weekend 2012 will take place April 20-22. Plans will be made in the spring semester and a schedule will be available here by March, 2012.

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, or contact us via email, if you have any questions or concerns about the weekend. We hope you will plan now to join us for this very special event.

Spring Family Weekend 2011 Schedule (Please check back in March for 2012 schedule!)

Friday, April 15, 2011

7 am-5 pm Equestrian Center - Families are welcome to visit the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center. 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 >>> (A printed list will be available at the Campus Center Information Desk on Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15.)

8:30-4:30 pm University Administrative Offices Open - Parents with questions are welcome to stop by for information. (If you wish to meet with someone, please call ahead to check availability and make an appointment. View contact list >>>)

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. Harder Hall

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

3:00-6:30 pm Family Weekend Information and Sign In - Please stop by to sign our guest book, pick up a printed weekend schedule, AU Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, Grandma and Grandpa buttons, campus maps and other materials and information. Powell Campus Center Information Desk, 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. 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. McLane Center Lobby (street level)

5 pm Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony - AU welcomes its 2011 cohort of Phi Beta Kappa initiates into the Alpha Gamma of New York chapter. Howell Hall (upstairs)

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 family members. 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 >>>

5:30 pm Shirt & Tie Frisbee - Tucker Field

6-7:30 pm Ice Cream Bash - $3 adults, $2 children. Pay at the door. Fire Hall, Main Street

6:30 pm Pine Hill Derby - This annual event, sponsored by AU's student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers, is always a lot of fun for everyone! Engineering students race their home-made vehicles down the hill on the north end of campus. There will be a barbecue for spectators, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Pine Hill (weather permitting).

8 pm AU Jazz Band - Come listen to an evening of jazz - cool, hot and swingin'! Under the direction of Chris Foster, an AU Jazz Band concert is always a good time! Free admission. Miller Theater, Miller Performing Arts Center

8 pm Movie (changed from original schedule!) - "Gnomeo and Juliet" - Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. $3 adults, $2 children and students. Pay at the door. Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

8 pm Music - Rapper Ghostface Killah - Dennis Coles, better known by his stage name "Ghostface Killah," is a rapper critically acclaimed for his loud, fast-paced flow and his emotional, stream-of-consciousness narratives. Over the years, Ghostface has produced several solo endeavors and become a pop culture icon appearing on The Boondock's cartoon, 30 Rock and a slew of films. Opening band is WINO from New York City. $10 admission ($5 AU or ASC students). Davis Gym.

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.)

11 pm Movie (changed from original schedule!) - "Gnomeo and Juliet" - Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. $3 adults, $2 children and students. Pay at the door. Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

Saturday, April 16, 2011

7 am-5 pm Equestrian Center - Families are welcome to visit the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center. View directions to the Equestrian Center>>> Printed directions will also be available at the Campus Center Information Desk. Visit the Equestrian Center webpage >>>

8:30-10 am Complimentary Coffee/Tea for Visiting Families - Powell Campus Center, 2nd Floor Lobby

9-11 am Continental Breakfast - Ade Hall
Meal plan students can use guest meals to pay for family members. Cash prices will also be posted in the dining halls.

9:00-Noon Family Weekend Information and Sign In -Please stop by to sign our guest book, pick up a printed weekend schedule, AU Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, Grandma and Grandpa buttons, campus maps and other materials and information. Powell Campus Center Information Desk, 2nd Floor Lobby

9:00 am - Register for the Hot Dog Day 5K Wellness Walk or Run that starts at 10:00 a.m. $5 for students, $15 for community members. All registered walkers and runners will receive T-shirts. (To register in advance please contact Kim O'Rourke at the Counseling Service via email or by calling 607.871.2300.) Village Bandstand, Main Street

9-11 am Parents Advisory Board Meeting - For members of the Parents Advisory Board and other parents who are interested in joining. Powell Board Room

10 am-12:30 am Cyberfresh Café open - Powell Campus Center

10 am Hot Dog Day 5K Wellness Walk or Run - Everyone is welcome to participate in this community event. (Registration is at 9:00 a.m. - please see important registration information listed above). Begins at the Village Bandstand on Main Street.

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

12-5 pm Hot Dog Day Festival - Booths, arts & crafts, games, carnival rides, raffles and of course HOT DOGS! Come and participate in one of Alfred's oldest traditions. Proceeds to benefit local charities. (Due to the forecast of inclement weather, the games and carnival rides will be in McLane Gym, arts & crafts and food vendors will be on Main Street)

12 pm Lions Club Chicken Barbecue - Fire Hall, Main Street (Stop down early as their barbecues sell out quickly. They'll serve until the chicken is gone, usually around 1:30 p.m.)

12 pm AU Women's Lacrosse vs. Ithaca - Empire 8 Contest. Come out and cheer for the Lady Saxons! Merrill Field (Please note time change!)

1:30 pm "The Dog Launch" - 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 - Hot Dog Day's official sporting event features mud volleyball, tug-of-war, and wheelbarrow racing. The winning team gets free T-shirts. Tucker Field

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! Davis Memorial Carillon

4-7 pm Archery - Members of the AU Archery Club will be demonstrating their skills on the Brick Lawn (if the weather is nice) or in Davis Gym. Visitors are welcome. Feel free to bring your own gear or not. It will be their usual low-key rolling and popping targets demo, and they hope to see lots of visitors! Brick Lawn (or Davis Gym if inclement weather)

5:00 pm New York Reined Cow Horse Association Penning Show at the Equestrian Center - Families are welcome. The shows will start at 5:00 on both Saturday and Sunday. The event is free to watch but not to participate. View directions to the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center>>> Printed directions will also be available at the Campus Center Information Desk. Visit the Equestrian Center webpage >>>

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

7-9 pm MFA Thesis Exhibition Opening at the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery - Harder Hall (adjacent to the lobby)

7 pm Music - Susquehanna String Band and AU Chamber Singers - Performing Arts presents a fun-filled evening of American folk music. Free admission. Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Church, 5 Church Street (just off Main Street).

9 pm Mentalist - Robert Channing - Mentalist Robert Channing's show is amazing, riveting and clean - with a perfect blend of comedy. This dramatic yet up-beat program masterfully illustrates the strange and incredible mysteries of the mind. Free admission. Holmes Auditorium, Harder Hall.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

9-11 am Continental Breakfast - Ade Hall

10 am-12:30 am Cyberfresh Café open - Powell Campus Center

11 am-1: 30 pm Brunch - Ade Hall

1-3 pm MFA Thesis Exhibition at the Fosdick-Nelson Gallery - Harder Hall (adjacent to the lobby)

2 pm Movie (changed from original schedule!) - "Gnomeo and Juliet" - Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. $3 adults, $2 children and students. Pay at the door. Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

5:00 pm New York Reined Cow Horse Association Penning Show at the Equestrian Center - Families are welcome. The shows will start at 5:00 on both Saturday and Sunday. The event is free to watch but not to participate. View directions to the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center>>> Printed directions will also be available at the Campus Center Information Desk. Visit the Equestrian Center webpage >>>

*This schedule is subject to change.

Spring Family Weekend FAQs:

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: 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 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.) Questions about parking may be directed to the AU Safety Office at 607.871.2108.

Q: Where are the athletic events being held?
A: Only home games are listed in the Spring 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: 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.