Overview
Gallaudet University and Student Success are thrilled to provide virtual orientation programs to the parents and families of our incoming students.
We recognize the importance of the family’s role in their student’s success. We value providing support for students in a multitude of ways and encourage students’ families to attend the Family Orientation Program (FOP). We understand that sending your student off to college is a significant milestone, and the transition requires adjustment. FOP is here to make that transition as smooth as possible.
During FOP, families will receive an overview of the campus resources to support their student’s overall success at Gallaudet. Families will meet faculty and staff from various departments to answer questions about campus/student safety, residence life, student services, and more. Most importantly, parents and families will have the opportunity to meet one another and connect through a shared experience.
Orientation Schedule
View the Fall 2026 Family Orientation Program Schedule here
9:00 AM —
4:00 PM
Student Move-In
4:00 PM —
6:00 PM
Families & Students Dinner
Plaza Dining
6:00 PM —
7:00 PM
Family Welcome Presentation
7:00 PM —
9:00 PM
Family Meet & Mingle
8:00 AM —
8:50 AM
Breakfast w/ GU Leaders
9:00 AM —
10:30 AM
Academics & Academic Support
10:30 AM —
11:30 AM
Paying for College
11:30 AM —
12:00 PM
Bison Walk
Gallaudet Mall
12:00 PM —
1:30 PM
Community BBQ
Gallaudet Mall
1:30 PM —
2:20 PM
Campus Services
2:30 PM —
3:20 PM
Student Affairs: Life On Campus
3:30 PM —
4:00 PM
Visit the Bison Shop!
SAC Building
FAQs
Common Questions
The Department of Public Safety has an escort service and will send an officer to escort you to where you need to go on campus. The officers do not step off campus.
There are many different ways of getting around the Washington, D.C. area. Gallaudet University provides Shuttle Bus Services to Union Station and there is a public bus stop at front of Gallaudet University. Cabs are plentiful, as well as Uber and Lyft services. There are also Bike Share systems set up at the entrances to Gallaudet.
Please refer to the Housing FAQ page.
Lock the doors before you leave, refrain from sharing information about what you have at home, take advantage of the on-campus escort service provided by the Department of Public Safety, engrave your valuables with operation ID, a service provided by the Department of Public Safety, never prop your doors open, never allow strangers to come in your home, and lock all valuables in your desk or closet before you go out.
Please see the Department of Public Safety to obtain a student ID. Refer to the Undergraduate Student Orientation or JumpStart pages for more information.
You will have peer mentors who will help you during your first week of the Undergraduate Student Orientation Program. Peer mentors will make sure that Gallaudet becomes your home away from home and that they are available for you throughout the academic year at the Office of Student Success.
We provide basic internal medicinal service and make referrals. SHS is not the primary health provider for students.
Family Engagement
Students should check the final examination schedule online before they purchase flight tickets to travel for family events or holidays. If there is a conflict, they will need to discuss it with their instructors to see if they can make up the exam. The decision is made at the instructor’s discretion. Do not expect exceptions. Plan ahead.
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) does not allow us to share academic-related issues with parents without the child’s consent. Grade reports are available to the student only. If you wish to review the grade report, ask the student to share the grade report with you. You may also ask your child to sign a consent form giving the University official permission to share information about their academic records with you. The signed form will be kept in the student’s files.
In case of an emergency, the student should contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS will evaluate the situation and determine the appropriate response.
No, we will not. However, if a student becomes gravely ill or injured, we do contact their emergency contact on file.
Please register for Family Orientation (August Only) to receive discount codes for the Gallaudet University Kellogg Conference Center Hotel. For hotel information outside of Gallaudet, visit our page about Where to Stay and Eat for a full listing of hotels and restaurants available in the area.
Please check the FERPA page for more information
You should contact the Department of Public Safety to learn about emergency communications.
You can pay online via your child’s Bison Account or in person at the Cashiers Office located in College Hall B04.
Policies and Information
Depends on the scope of coverage, Student Financial Services now oversees the insurance waiver/coverages.
Yes, students are required to have a health insurance plan, please see Student Financial Services for more information.
To find out who your roommate is and which residence hall you are assigned to, please contact us for more information.
Yes, please make sure you have been vaccinated and can provide proof of vaccination before coming to Gallaudet.
A semester charge will be $50.00. There is also a small fee for vaccinations and other services.
I got in! Now what?
Please refer to the Residence Life page to ensure you bring the things you need for residential living. We strongly encourage you to bring a laptop for academic work. If you have Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), talk with your VR counselor about covering the cost for your laptop as a necessary educational expense.
Preparing to Apply
You will receive information about placement testing when you are admitted. Please make sure you complete these tests as soon as you can. The sooner you complete the tests, the sooner you will receive your class schedule. Your advisor will have the information to see if you have completed all your placement tests.
Contact
- Family Orientation Program
- SLCC | #1200
- click to show email
- 202.448-7036
- (202) 250-2071
- 202-448-7036
Monday - Friday
9 - 5
