Parents & Families
*This page will be updated for 2026 NSO by July 1.
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.
- Morning: New Student Move-In begins. Students are encouraged to arrive by 12PM. All new students must be checked in by 5PM.
- Afternoon: Residence Welcome
- Late afternoon: Opening Convocation Ceremony (Ticketed event, free)
- Evening: 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. Tickets must be ordered in advance by September 1. Ticket ordering details and instructions will be sent in the summer. Each new student will be able to invite up to 4 guests.
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!
There will be a dinner ticket cost per person. Tickets are required for entry and must be ordered in advance by September 1. Ticket ordering details and instructions will be sent in the summer.
Campus Parking for Move-In Day
Temporary parking (30 minutes) in residential parking lots while checking in will be allowed for move-in. After unloading your car, please move it immediately to the Galvez Parking Lot.
Free all-day parking will available in the Galvez Parking Lot on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The Galvez Lot is located across the street from Frost Amphitheater, where Convocation will be held, and where many of you will end your day. If you park in the Galvez Lot, free shuttles will return you throughout the day to the residences and central campus.
Diversity and Access Office
For disability-related accommodation requests or wheelchair access information for family members, please contact the Diversity and Access Office 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.
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