WakeParents & Families
E-newsletter from the Office of Family Engagement
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The fall semester is nearly here!
We are so excited that the Fall semester will begin soon. We look forward to having all our students back on campus and meeting our P’29 families for move in and family Orientation!
Since this is the first e-newsletter of the 2025-26 academic year, we want to share a few important notes with all Wake parents and families:
Communications from Wake Forest:
- We encourage all families to review our How We Communicate website. This will tell you:
- How to opt in to Campus Safety Alerts via the WakeSafe app and enabling notifications
- How/when you will hear from Wake Forest: the types of circumstances that might prompt Wake Forest administrators to communicate directly with families
- Our philosophy on how we partner with families: best practices on how you can best be engaged with your student’s education and provide support
Important processes for families:
Family Weekend (Sept. 26-28) updates:
- Registration for Family Weekend is open until Sept. 21. After Sept. 21, families will only be able to register on site, so secure your spots now and get ready for an unforgettable weekend.
- We will not know football kickoff time until approximately 10 days before game day (Sept. 27).
- Amid ongoing construction and roadway improvements related to The Grounds — a transformational mixed-use development that began construction in late 2024 — Wake Forest Athletics has realigned gameday parking and traffic patterns to reflect changes along the new Deacon Boulevard. Please review updated 2025 parking maps and entry points.
- Great seats for the Family Weekend football game September 27 against GA Tech are still available! Buy your tickets today!
- We will have more information available in the September issue of this e-newsletter, as well as in the Daily Deac blog.
We can’t wait for your Deacs to arrive so we can watch them thrive!
Go Deacs!
Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications
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Upcoming Dates & Deadlines*
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New and transfer student move-in dates:
- Aug. 14 - Marching Band only
- Aug. 15 - Wilderness to Wake only
- Aug. 16 - All other Pre-Orientation programs (and Pre-Orientation parent/family reception)
- Aug 19 - All new international students not participating in a Pre-Orientation program
- Aug. 20 - All new students not doing Pre-Orientation
August 20-21 - New Parent and Family Orientation for P’29s
August 21-23 - continuing student (i.e., ‘26, ‘27, ‘28) move-in
August 24 - Deadline to enroll in optional tuition insurance
August 25* - First day of classes (FDOC)
September 1 - last day to pre-order Family Weekend t-shirts OR cancel your Family Weekend registration if your plans have changed
September 15 - Deadline to enroll in or waive the Student Health Insurance program
September 21 - last day to preregister for Family Weekend at the discount rate of $50 (you can register onsite on Sept. 26 -27 for $75)
* See the Academic Services calendar, which lists these and other key academic dates; Additionally, see Residence Life and Housing’s opening and closing dates for our residential communities
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For New Families of students in the Class of 2029
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- Get ready for move-in by reading the Move-In Guide.
- From Deacon Health:
- We still have more than 150 new students who have either incorrectly uploaded (or did not upload at all) their immunization documentation and health information forms. All new students must upload a PDF of their immunization documentation and input the dates of each immunization in the Immunization History form so that the immunizations can be added to their medical record and seen by healthcare providers during office visits. Even if your new student thinks they have done this correctly, we need ALL new students to log in to the Deacon Health Portal and check their Secure Messages for any errors. Students who have not uploaded all required immunization documentation run the risk of being told they cannot move into their residence hall or attend classes.
- From Mail Services - First-year students can use this guide to find their PO Box number in Workday.
- Welcome lunch for Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and families - August 21: Does your child find it challenging to answer the question “Where are you from?” Are they a U.S. citizen who grew up abroad, moved around the world due to a parent's career, or were raised within a multicultural or immigrant family? If yes, the Center for Global Programs & Studies (GPS) invites them (and you!) to a casual drop-in lunch with other first-year students on Thursday, August 21 from 12-1:00 p.m. GPS aims to connect TCKs with peers to foster camaraderie while adjusting to the academic, social, and cultural aspects of WFU. Have your student submit this form to get connected! Contact Sandra Lisle McMullen at mcmullsl@wfu.edu or +1.336.758.4889 with any questions.
- If you can’t find an answer on our website or via campus offices, you can email parents@wfu.edu for help. You can also follow our official WFU social media accounts.
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Academics
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From the University Bookstore:
- As your students prepare for their Fall classes, it is recommended that they buy their fall course materials from our University Bookstore. See our Q&A with the Bookstore about purchasing course materials.
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Campus Life
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Campus Recreation
- Is your Deac a former high school athlete looking to stay involved in the sport they love? Our 40 Club Sports are a great way to scratch the competitive itch! (We’ve added women’s rugby, women’s ice hockey, and flag football!)
- If they’re looking for something a little more relaxed, Intramural Sports are a free way to build community and stay active (and pursue the hallowed championship shirt).
- Our Outdoor Pursuits Trips are soon to be live! These trips are an incredible opportunity to explore the surrounding region, learn new skills, and meet new people. Encourage your Deac to register quickly - these trips fill up!
- Our Instagram is a great way to stay connected to all we offer for your students!
Counseling
- The University Counseling Center (UCC) is comprised of generalist mental health professionals (licensed clinical mental health counselors, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers) who provide short-term clinical assessment, consultation, and counseling/ psychotherapy for Wake Forest University students on the Reynolda Campus.
- The UCC is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and during university closures, crisis assistance is available anytime and from anywhere, by calling us at 336.758.5273.
- All initial appointments for the academic year are on a scheduled on a same-day basis. Students are encouraged to call the UCC on the day they would like to be seen in order to schedule a same day appointment. Students are then able to schedule follow up visits with a clinician.
- Please follow our Instagram for more information and content!
Deacon Health
- Deacon Health wants to be your student’s first choice for student-centered, comprehensive, compassionate, and inclusive healthcare where all are treated with dignity, respect, and exceptional care. We promote well-being, education, and empowering students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
- Deacon Health’s certified providers and experienced staff strive to promote and advance the health, well-being, and education of all students.
- Deacon Health provides quality care in an array of services, including primary care visits, illnesses and minor injuries, sexual health, immunizations, X-rays, Pharmacy, and Laboratory services.
- Please follow us on Instagram
Housing and Dining
- Whether it’s your student’s first year in The Forest or they are returning to campus, we are looking forward to welcoming you and your Deac to campus this month! Read more about move-in in our August 2025 newsletter and follow us on Instagram.
- Have questions about meal plans, what to eat on campus, allergens? Contact us at dining@wfu.edu. You can also follow us on Instagram to get the latest dining updates.
Personal and Career Development
- The Fall recruiting season is about to begin, so all students thinking about securing internships and jobs in 2026 should get ready. See how to get started below.
- We’re excited to announce a new photo booth coming to the OPCD this fall for free professional headshots. This free resource will help your student get a great headshot for their professional profiles. Find more information on all our career resources on the OPCD website.
Transportation and Parking
- How can my student get around campus and the community? Wake Forest offers a compact, walkable, and bike-friendly campus, ensuring your student can easily get where they need to go without a vehicle. With our reliable Wake Line shuttle system and convenient car-sharing services, most first-year students find no need to bring a vehicle to campus. Explore all the transportation options on our Transportation: Guide to Getting Around website.
- Parking Permits and Vehicle Registration. All parking permits are now virtual, so your student will no longer need a physical permit. Any student enrolled in a WFU class or program must register their vehicle with Transportation and Parking Services if they plan to park on campus. You can find details about registration, permit types, costs, and our license plate recognition system on our Student Parking Information website.
Police and Safety
- If your student sees any suspicious activity - or contacts you to tell you they have seen suspicious activity - encourage your Deac to report it to University Police immediately using the WakeSafe app, a fast and direct way to alert University Police.
- Wake Forest University Police Launches New Citizen Feedback Program: WFUPD is introducing a new citizen feedback system designed to strengthen communication and service within our campus community. Students and campus community members may receive a brief text message survey following an interaction with University Police—typically within hours or days after a call for service. These surveys provide an opportunity to rate the experience and share feedback. However, anyone who would like to provide feedback—even if they did not receive a text—can do so by visiting our Customer Satisfaction Survey website.
We encourage your students to stay active while also being mindful of their surroundings—especially when off campus. Please encourage your Deacs to take note of these safety reminders when walking or jogging.
Follow Campus Life on Instagram and Facebook
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Events and Athletics
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The Program for Leadership and Character:
- Special event with Former Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal (P’24): Join the Program for Leadership and Character on Thursday, August 28 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Pugh Auditorium for a special event with Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal (P’24), former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands and the first person of color to serve in that position. Ambassador Duggal will share her insights on the essential role of character in politics, diplomacy, and public service in conversation with Dr. Michael Lamb, the Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character.
- The Program for Leadership and Character provides a space where students can ask the big questions and reflect on issues of leadership, character, and the good life. During the first half of the semester, we will be hosting a discussion group called “What is College For?” In it, we'll think about the nature of the good life and how we can live such lives in college and beyond. Students can sign up for a group by Wednesday, September 3.
Wake Forest Executive Education:
- September deadlines are fast approaching! Our Executive Education programs are designed to help you continue growing in today’s fast-moving business world. Whether you’re navigating risk, leading through change, or expanding your digital skillset, now is the time to invest in your development. Join us for one of these upcoming open enrollment programs:
Athletics
- Homecoming tickets are now on sale! For inquiries or to purchase Homecoming tickets or season tickets options, please call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336.758.3322 ext 1.
- Wake Forest Football will once again join forces with Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital for the Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game when the Demon Deacons host Western Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. inside Allegacy Stadium. Fans can purchase a special $35 Gold Rush package—including an East Side game ticket, gold Wake Forest t-shirt, and $20 Strickland Brothers Oil Change gift card—with $15 from each package benefiting Brenner Children’s. To get lock in your tickets now, contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 or email tix@wfu.edu.
- Everyone is excited about Family Weekend, which will be held September 26-28. Tickets for the Family Weekend football game (Sept. 27 against GA Tech) are now on sale!
- NOTE: Students can get a free ticket to sit in the students’ football section with the Screamin’ Demon Rewards App (ticket claims open at noon the Monday before the game: Sept. 22 at noon ET). If your student wants to sit with you, you will need to purchase a ticket for your student.
- For inquiries or to purchase Family Weekend premium or season tickets options, please call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336.758.3322 ext 1 or complete this form to be contacted. The below premium options sell out quickly:
- Suite Package – Limited Availability
- TD Club Package – Limited Availability
- Pollard Club Package – Limited Availability
Winston-Salem Open tennis tournament
See the Events Calendar.
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Financial Matters
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Student Financial Services
- Each student must choose to stay enrolled in or waive the Student Blue Insurance (health insurance premium) before September 15th. Please visit our Student Health Insurance website for additional information and instructions.
- Prepare for the unexpected and protect your investment in education by enrolling in the elective insurance program through GradGuard. This robust tuition insurance plan helps minimize the financial loss if a student must withdraw due to illness, accident, mental health, death of a payer, or the loss of employment of a payer. Please see the Tuition Insurance page of our website for more information on how the GradGuard Tuition Insurance assures up to a 100% tuition refund throughout the term. If you wish to enroll in this elective tuition insurance plan, you must do so by August 24.
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Parents & Families Page
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Parents and Families Page is your portal to news and information specifically for Wake Forest families.
The Daily Deac is our blog for parents and families. It’s a great way to get a snapshot of life at Wake Forest, plus news, tips, and advice on supporting your student. Subscribe to the Daily Deac here
Any emails that are sent to all students, faculty, and staff are archived on the Family News website.
See our Who to Contact for... page if you need to contact a particular department, or our After Hours Help page if you have an urgent need to reach someone at the University because you have an urgent concern that cannot wait until the next business day.
Contact the Office of Family Engagement at parents@wfu.edu or 336.758.4237.
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Wake Forest University
The Office of Family Engagement
1834 Wake Forest Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
1.800.752.8568
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