Parent and Family Orientation

Parent and Family supporters are strongly encouraged to attend Parent and Family Orientation (PFO), which runs concurrently with NSO. In order to attend PFO, the student must register the parent/family supporter as a guest, which includes separate charges. Please refer to the NSO page for fees. This is a great opportunity for parents and family supporters to learn about SDSU and become a member of the Aztec Parents Association. The student will have the opportunity to register any parents and family supporters when they register for NSO.

 Please note: Once students register parents and family supporters for Parent and Family Orientation and members of our Aztec Parents Association, they’ll start receiving communications from SDSU (i.e., emails, monthly e-newsletter, News for Aztec Parents Magazine, etc.) To learn more about the benefits of registering for orientation and being a member of our Aztec Parents Association, please visit our website or please see our Advantages of Attending PFO below.

We highly encourage all parents and family supporters to join us at PFO.

General Dates

Please refer to the student page for general dates. Dates vary based on whether the student is a first-year or transfer student.

NSO Dates

Please note: The in-person component of NSO is a one-day program.  Dates for first-year students are offered in July. Dates for transfer students are offered in July and August. Not all colleges/majors are represented on each day of orientation. A list of NSO dates by major and college will be available later this spring. Please refer to the student page for NSO dates. Not all transfer orientation days have a concurrent PFO. Please remind your student to read carefully when signing up for an NSO date.

All dates are subject to change. Some of the listed dates may be full at the time of making the NSO reservation. Once in the reservation system, the student will be able to choose from ONLY the dates still available for their admitted major/college. If no dates are available to choose from, please contact us at [email protected]

Advantages of Attending PFO

• Become a member of the Aztec Parents Association, a seamless process to begin getting information from SDSU.
• Receive the pre-orientation modules full of valuable information to help you support your student at SDSU.
• Learn how to contribute to the personal development and academic success of your student.
• Be introduced to programs, resources and student support services.
• Learn about your student’s academic program and campus policies and procedures.
• Connect with faculty, staff and student leaders who will impact your student’s experience.

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As our partner in your student's success, please review this section regarding your student’s pre-orientation requirements prior to attending New Student Orientation (NSO).

Modules

Parents and family supporters are welcome to review the online modules as well by opening the email, clicking pre-orientation modules and selecting “GUEST LOGIN.” It is required for students to complete the modules, but it is not required for parents and family supporters to complete them. 

Tips

• Total time to complete the pre-orientation modules is approximately 45-60 minutes.
• You must complete each section to move on to the next section.

Plan to complete the pre-orientation modules in one sitting. Logging in and out of the system may cause issues.

Complete the Steps to Enroll

The new student must complete the steps to enroll before attending NSO. Parents or family supporters may review these steps.

• SDSU’s Steps to Enroll for first-year students
• SDSU’s Steps to Enroll for transfer students

SDSUCard

For your student to receive their SDSU ID card on their Orientation date, they will need to complete the steps below by Sunday, June 21. They will need their student REDID number (nine-digit number) and a government-issued form of identification.

Student steps

1. Create an account on the GET mobile app using your SDSUid email address.
2. If you have a preferred first name, please use that to create your account.
3. Upload a photo and a valid U.S. government-issued ID on the GET mobile app.

Check out the video on How to Get Your Card Step-by-Step.

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Hotels

If you need to make travel accommodations, special discounts can be found on the Bartell Hotels and SDSU page. Bartell Hotels offers eight unique hotels, and you are encouraged to make reservations early. Ask for the “SDSU Friends and Family Rate.”

Air

We are excited to share that we have partnered with Alaska Airlines to offer Aztec students and families 50% off the first month of Alaska Flight Pass. Flight Pass is an annual subscription for frequent flights within California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, all without breaking the bank. Visit the Alaska Flight Pass site to learn more (terms and conditions apply) and enter code AZTECS50OFF at checkout to save 50% on your first month's subscription.

We also offer Aztec Parents Association members a preferred discount of 10% on any Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air flight to San Diego, CA, through June 30, 2026. View details on the Aztec Parents Association page and refer to your confirmation email for the code

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Make sure you’ve read through the pre-orientation section before moving on to this section. New Student Orientation (NSO) and Parent and Family Orientation run concurrently for all first-year orientation programs and select transfer orientation programs.

Note: All parents/guests that want to attend with their student are required to register to attend Parent and Family Orientation. We encourage no more than two parents/family supporters per student to register for Parent and Family Orientation. Guests younger than 15 are not encouraged to attend.

Schedule

All sessions will be on campus. Plan to be on campus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

What to Bring

Remind your student to bring the items below:

• Bring valid picture identification, such as a U.S. driver’s license/REAL ID, U.S. ID card, passport or military ID.
• Wear casual clothing (i.e., a light jacket, hat/sunglasses and comfortable shoes for walking around campus).
• Bring an electronic device like an iPad, tablet, or laptop. Mobile devices are not recommended as they do not support the full experience.
• Optional: Bring snacks, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and money if you plan to shop at the SDSU Bookstore. Lunch is provided for confirmed students and paid guest(s).

Transportation and Parking

We encourage using the MTS trolley or bus to reach SDSU. SDSU is conveniently located on the MTS Green Line trolley, and many MTS stations offer free parking. Google Maps and the Transit App provide transit directions to the SDSU Station. The Green Line Guide is designed to help you navigate public transportation to and from SDSU with ease. Carpooling is strongly encouraged for those who drive, as campus parking is limited. 

If you plan to park at SDSU, a valid parking permit is required at all times. A 1-day valid parking permit for the P3 Parking Structure will be available for purchase through the “Know before you go” email. The digital permit will be valid only during the NSO date and cannot be switched. 

Regulations are enforced at all times. Please do not park outside of the P3 Parking Structure or in any reserved, faculty-staff, or other specially marked space. Failure to obtain a valid parking permit may result in a citation. 

To pay for additional parking, visitors are encouraged to use the PayByPhone app or a pay station. For more information about parking and transportation options, visit the Transportation Services website.

Tips

• Get a good night’s rest and eat breakfast before arriving.
• Remind your student to attend the full program.
• Remind your student to know their RedID number (9 digit number that starts with “1” or “8”).
• Remind your student to know their SDSUid (@sdsu.edu student email) and password.

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Asegúrese de haber leído la sección de pre-orientación antes de pasar a esta sección. La Orientación para Nuevos Estudiantes (NSO) Y la Orientación para Padres y Familias (PFO) ocurren simultáneamente. La sección de pre-orientación está en inglés. 

Nota: Todos los padres o invitados que deseen asistir con su estudiante deben registrarse para asistir a la Orientación para Padres y Familias. Se recomienda que no más de dos padres o apoyos familiares por estudiante se registren para la Orientación para Padres y Familias. No se recomienda la asistencia de invitados menores de 15 años.

Horario

Todas las sesiones serán en el campus. Planeé estar en el campus desde las 8 a.m. hasta las 4 p.m. 

Qué deben traer

• Recuerde a su estudiante que traiga:
  • Identificación con foto válida, como una licencia de conducir/Real ID de los Estados Unidos, tarjeta de identificación de los Estados Unidos, pasaporte o identificación militar.
• Ropa casual, como una chaqueta ligera, sombrero/gafas de sol y zapatos cómodos para caminar por el campus.
• Un dispositivo electrónico como un iPad, tableta o computadora portátil. No se recomienda el uso de dispositivos móviles, ya que no ofrecen la experiencia completa.
• Opcional: Traiga bocadillos, una botella de agua reutilizable, protector solar y, si gustan, dinero para comprar en la librería de SDSU. El almuerzo está incluido para estudiantes confirmados y sus invitados que hayan pagado

Transporte y Estacionamiento

Se recomienda el uso del tranvía MTS o el autobús para llegar a SDSU. SDSU está convenientemente ubicado en la línea verde del tranvía de MTS y muchas estaciones de MTS ofrecen estacionamiento gratuito. Google Maps y la aplicación Transit proporcionan direcciones a la estación SDSU a través del transporte público. La Guía de la Línea Verde está diseñada para ayudarle a navegar el transporte público hacia y desde SDSU con facilidad. Se recomienda el uso de vehículos compartidos para aquellos que conduzcan, ya que el estacionamiento en el campus es limitado.

Si elige conducir, se requiere un permiso de estacionamiento válido en todo momento. Un permiso de estacionamiento validado por un día para el P3 estará disponible para su compra a través del correo electrónico "Know before you go”. El permiso digital será válido solo durante la fecha de la NSO y no podrá ser cambiado.

Se requiere un permiso de estacionamiento válido en el campus en todo momento. Las regulaciones se aplican en todo momento. No estacione fuera del P3 ni en ningún espacio reservado, para personal docente, o en otro espacio especialmente marcado. No obtener un permiso de estacionamiento válido puede resultar en una multa.

Para pagar por estacionamiento adicional, se recomienda a los visitantes utilizar la aplicación PayByPhone o una estación de pago. Para obtener más información sobre opciones de estacionamiento y transporte, visite el sitio web de Estacionamiento y Transporte.

Consejos

• Duerma bien la noche anterior y desayune antes de llegar.
• Recuérdele a su estudiante que debe de asistir el programa completo.
• Recuérdele a su estudiante que conozca su número de RedID (un número de 9 dígitos que comienza con “1” o “8”).
• Recuérdele a su estudiante que conozca su SDSUid (su correo electrónico estudiantil @sdsu.edu) y su contraseña.

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After the student’s NSO date, they will be expected to complete the post-orientation modules located in Canvas. The Canvas modules that they must complete include, but are not limited to, Canvas 101, Aztec Culture Education, and Opioid Training and Education. More information on the modules and how to access them will be in the post-NSO email.

Please remind your students to complete the post-orientation Canvas modules.

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