Parents' Weekend 2009

November 13–15, 2009
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association®.
Parents of new UW students and past participants of Parents' Weekend are invited to come to campus for First-Year Parents' Weekend. Learn what life is like at the UW today and participate in your student's UW experience.

Online registration is now closed.

The Red ShirtTM — A fashionable way to give back

Add The Red Shirt to your First-Year Parents' Weekend registration and pick up your shirt(s) at check-in on November 13. No shipping costs!

This year’s collectible design celebrates a century of song, as “On, Wisconsin” turns 100. So put on the only shirt that rallies Badger fans everywhere and gives back to UW students and alumni.

Schedule of Events

Friday, November 13, 2009


Check-In
12:00–7:00 p.m., Wisconsin Alumni Association, 650 North Lake Street
Pick up your materials and tickets for this lively campus weekend, as well as get questions answered about parking, student involvement opportunities and more from WAA customer service specialists. Please note: this event is check-in only. Advance registration is required.

Photo Opportunity with Bucky Badger
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., Wisconsin Alumni Association, 650 N. Lake Street
To make the entire weekend even more memorable, get a picture taken with Bucky Badger.

Afternoon Lectures
Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street
Chose one lecture from each session that is offered.

Session 1: 1:00–2:00 p.m.

    Keys to Financial Success in College
    Financial experts will give tips on budgeting, how to build a solid credit history and ways to avoid identity theft and scams. Plus, there will be an opportunity to set up one-on-one appointments after the event.
    Co-sponsored by the UW Credit Union

    The Science of Drinking
    UW Professor Kevin Strang will discuss challenges students face with alcohol.

Session 2: 2:15–3:15 p.m.

    Making a Second-Year Housing Decision
    Learn about second-year housing options, including tenant rights, responsibilities and benefits of continuing to live in UW Residence Halls. This session will include a student panel discussion.
    Co-sponsored by University Housing and Campus Area Housing

    Food For Thought: Lessons Learned in the UW Common Book Project
    Monica Theis is an instructor in the department of Food Science and the
    Dietetics program at UW-Madison. Her work in the classroom this year
    included many discussions and lectures related to In Defense of Food by
    Michael Pollan – the UW's Go Big Read book selection for this year. She
    will discuss how a common book project has made a large campus feel
    smaller and opened up dialogs across disciplines as they related to the
    way students today think about food and culture.

Session 3: 3:30–4:30 p.m.

    Welcome and UW Q&A Session
    Tripp Commons , Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street
    Meet Paula Bonner, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, as she officially welcomes you to FPW. Then, get answers to your questions about academics, tuition, campus life and more with UW faculty and staff.

Parent Reception

    Main Lounge , Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, Time: 4:30–6:00 p.m.
    Join UW-Madison Deans, Directors and the Parent Program staff for an hors d'oeuvre reception.
    Entertainment will be provided by the Wisconsin Singers.
    Hosted by UW Parent Program


Saturday, November 14, 2009


Pre-Game BADGER HUDDLE® Tailgate
Field House, Camp Randall Stadium
Food, fun, fans and the Field House! Throw in live music and appearances by Bucky, the Spirit Squad and members of the Marching Band, and you’ll take part in some classic pre-game festivities before watching a classic Big Ten matchup.

Football Game: Wisconsin vs. Michigan
Game Time TBA, Camp Randall Stadium
Catch all the action as the Badgers battle the Michigan Wolverines. A limited number of tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats for the game are located in the south end zone of Camp Randall Stadium.

Sunday, November 15, 2009


Farewell Brunch
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union
800 Langdon Street
Treat yourself (and your student) to a delicious, buffet-style meal before heading home.