Parents & Families
We warmly welcome you and your student to the Stanford Family!
New Student Move-In Day: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
We invite parents and family members to join us on campus for the first day of NSO: Tuesday September 15, 2026.
Spend the morning helping your student move in to their new residence and meet their residential community. Lunch in your student's dining hall is complimentary for families on this special day. In the late afternoon, make your way to Frost Amphitheater for the 136th Opening Convocation Ceremony (tickets required), our formal inauguration of the academic year. The conclusion of Convocation is the traditional time for families and students to say your goodbyes, so that students can join their dormmates for their first dinner and required House Meeting together. We invite you to end your day with us at the NSO Dinner with the Provost for Parents and Families (tickets required), a featured event for our newest families.
Stanford Mobile App: Download the Stanford Mobile app for general campus information, including a searchable campus map, eateries, restrooms, walking tours, and more. Use this app whever you visit Stanford.
2026 NSO App: Download the Stanford “Alumni and Community Events” App from the App Store (Apple App Store link; Google Play Store link) and open “New Student Orientation 2026” to view the NSO schedule. Please join us for these signature NSO events:
- 8:00AM: New Student Move-In begins. Students are encouraged to arrive by 12PM. All new students must be checked in by 5PM.
- Lunch: Open Dining Halls, complimentary for families eating with their students
- 1:00-3:00PM: Move-In Mingle
- 3:00-3:30PM: Residence Welcome
- 5:00-6:00PM: Opening Convocation Ceremony (Ticketed event, free)
- 6:30-8:00PM: Dinner with the Provost for Parents & Families (Ticketed event, advance purchase required)
136th Opening Convocation Ceremony
Frost Amphitheater & Livestream
On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, President Jonathan Levin will welcome new students and their families at the 136th Opening Convocation Ceremony, the formal inauguration of the academic year. Together with their new classmates, your student will participate in celebrating the beginning of Stanford's New Student Orientation at this time-honored tradition, held in Frost Amphitheater. We invite all parents & families to share this experience with your student by joining us in person or by watching the Convocation Ceremony with us via Livestream.
For those attending in-person, tickets are free and required for entry, with a maximum of 4 guests per new student. Tickets must be ordered in advance by September 1. Ticket ordering details were sent by email to the parental and family contacts of new students. Look for the "Parent & Family Invitation to 2026 New Student Orientation" from Approaching Stanford (sent July 31). Guests will be sent a digital ticket with QR code to scan for entry to the event. Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be given to other students for additional family members.
Please note: Convocation has a Clear Bag Policy that will be enforced. Bags will be limited to clear bags no larger than 12”x12”x6”, gallon sized ziploc bags, or small clutches (4.5”x6.5”). Do not bring backpacks, large purses/bags, suitcases, umbrellas, or strollers as they will not be permitted. There will not be a bag check/storage on site. Please plan accordingly. Consider storing these items in your car (out of site) or dropping them off at your hotel before the event.
NSO Dinner with the Provost for Parents & Families
We invite you to end your day with us at the NSO Dinner with the Provost for Parents and Families, immediately following the Opening Convocation Ceremony. While your students will be engaged with their First Dinner and House Meeting with their new dormmates, Provost Jenny Martinez and the Stanford Parents' Club are eager to greet parents and families at this casual dinner. We hope you will join us for this annual tradition!
Tickets are required for entry and must be ordered in advance by September 1. Tickets are $20 per person, with a maxium of 4 guests per new student. Ticket ordering details were sent by email to the parental and family contacts of new students. Look for the "Parent & Family Invitation to 2026 New Student Orientation" from Approaching Stanford (sent July 31). Guests will be sent a digital ticket with QR code to scan for entry to the event. Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be given to other students for additional family members. Tickets are subject to availability; we encourage you to order your tickets before the deadline, as the event may sell out.
Please note: All sales are final; no refunds or waitlist. The charge for the Provost Dinner will show up on your credit card statement as “STANFORD NSO DINNER.” Because we cannot process any refunds, please be sure to coordinate the tickets order with your party to avoid duplicate purchases.
Campus Parking for Move-In Day
Print and display the NSO Arrival Day Parking Pass in your car on September 15.
Housing Check-In Parking: Temporary parking (30 minutes) in residential parking lots is allowed while students check in and pick up their SUID card and room key.
Moving In/Unloading: After locating your students room, return to your car and drive to the nearest curb for active unloading to the curb. Move-In Day Volunteers will be waiting to help you unload to the curb and bring your students' belongings from the curb to their room.
All-Day Parking: After unloading your car, move your car to the Galvez Parking Lot located at 294 Galvez St - the corner of Galvez St and Campus Dr, west of the Stanford Stadium. Ample free all-day parking is available with the parking pass in the Galvez Lot, which is close to the venues for the Convocation Ceremony and the Dinner with the Provost, where many families will end their day. Free NSO shuttle buses will run approximately every 15-30 minutes from the Galvez Lot back to the residences from 8AM-7PM.
If you wish to re-park in a residential garage, you may choose to purchase an all-day parking permit for $8.25, valid in resident spaces in the residential garages only. See instructions on the NSO Parking Pass. While this option is available to you, we encourage you to move your car to the Galvez Lot if you will be attending the Convocation Ceremony.
Consider storing empty suitcases and large bags (out of sight in your trunk) in your car, as they will not be allowed inside Frost Amphitheater where Convocation will be held. Please be sure to lock your vehicle. Do not leave any valuables or visible bags/suitcases in your car.
Weather & Walking
Stanford is a beautiful large campus and many of our NSO events will be held outdoors. We expect the weather to be warm and sunny in September. Please wear comfortable shoes, dress casually, and plan to walk a good amount on this day. There will be limited golf cart assistance for the Convocation Ceremony. We encourage guests to use the free shuttles circulating campus.
Diversity and Access Office
For disability-related accommodation requests or wheelchair access information for family members, please contact the Diversity and Access Office by September 1 at (650) 725-0326 or disability.access@stanford.edu.
After September 15
After September 15, families are welcome to visit campus and take self-guided walking tours. Please note that your student will be occupied in required NSO programs for the remainder of NSO week, so please do not make any off-campus plans with them during this time.
Save the Date: Family Weekend
February 26-27, 2027: We look forward to seeing you at Family Weekend, familyweekend.stanford.edu.
Contact
Approaching Stanford/NSO Team
For questions before your student's arrival to campus
(650) 723-7674
approaching@stanford.edu
Stanford Parent & Family Help Line
For questions during the academic year
(650) 725-0649
mykidis@stanford.edu