WakeParents & Families
E-newsletter from the Office of Family Engagement
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The wrought iron WF on the railing outside the second floor of Reynolda Hall.
Happy July, Deac families! We are about a month away from move-in for the new students in the Class of 2029, and we can’t wait to have them — and all our students! — back on campus.
There are several important tasks to complete during the summer, and we want to bring those to your attention here:
- The Student Health Insurance waiver and enrollment process. The forms are now open, and all students enrolled in at least one on-campus credit are automatically charged and are required to enroll in or waive the Student Health Insurance by September 15, with the exception of international students who are automatically enrolled.*
If your student does not complete either form by September 15, they will be automatically enrolled in the plan and will be responsible for the premium amount ($1,421) charged to their student account, regardless of any other coverage they may have.
Important note for families of students studying abroad in the 2025-26 academic year: Domestic students participating in Study Abroad programs must maintain U.S. based health insurance while they are away. This ensures coverage in the event that a student must return to the United States for medical reasons. Students will still be required to enroll in or waive the Student Health Insurance Plan prior to their Study Abroad program. If you have questions, please contact University Health Plans at 1-833-207-7430 or info@univhealthplans.com.
Please note that the waiver and enrollment forms must be completed annually. Learn more about this requirement.
- Tuition is due August 1st. This jobaid on Workday has links that show you how to access your account (once your student has granted you access), and how to manage student financials (i.e., make a payment). You can also see information about payment methods on the Student Financial Services website.
Consider elective/optional tuition insurance. The GradGuard tuition insurance plan ensures up to a 100% tuition refund throughout the semester for tuition, fees, meal plan, and housing (up to $50,000.00) in case of withdrawal due to accident, illness, mental health, death of a payer, or loss of employment of a payer. There is no financial incentive to the University for students to enroll in the program. We just want to share the opportunity for peace of mind to those who could benefit. (Personal note: I enroll in tuition insurance at my ’27’s school because I need that peace of mind should anything unforeseen happen!). You must enroll in elective tuition insurance by August 24.
Wishing you and yours all the best for the rest of the summer. The fall semester will be here before we know it!
Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications
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Upcoming Dates & Deadlines*
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Aug. 1
Fall tuition due
Aug. 1-11
Parking registration for 2025-26. NOTE: dates for registration vary based on the student’s year; students will be sent an email at the WFU address with their registration date
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
Aug. 20-21
New Parent and Family Orientation for P’29s
Aug. 21-23
Continuing student (i.e., ’26, ’27, ’28) move-in
Aug. 24
Deadline to enroll in optional tuition insurance
Aug. 25*
First day of classes (FDOC)
Sept. 15
Deadline to enroll in or waive the Student Health Insurance program
* 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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Message from the Parents’ Council chairs Meredith and Brian Feurtado (P ’26, P ’28)
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Happy Summer and welcome, Wake Forest Parents, to the first issue of the monthly Parents’ and Family Newsletter for the 2025-2026 academic year. We are Meredith and Brian Feurtado (P ’26, P ’28), and we have the honor of serving as chairs of this year’s Parents’ Council. Our son, Gabe, will be graduating in May, and son Will is a rising sophomore. The Parents’ Council is an advisory group of about 200 families who meet on campus twice a year to get updates from University leadership and share input on campus life. We especially want to welcome the parents of our Class of 2029 students. We hope you’ve already seen how warm and welcoming the Wake Forest community is and that the University truly values and embraces its parent constituency. We believe you will find this monthly e-newsletter full of helpful information for both you and your student. Remember, there are many valuable resources at Wake Forest to support you and your students through these four years, and we encourage you to take advantage of them.
Go Deacs!
Meredith and Brian Feurtado (P’26, P’28)
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For New Families of students in the Class of 2029
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From CLASS — Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success:
- Mark your calendars! CLASS (Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success) will offer a Meet the Director virtual webinars for incoming students and families on Wednesday July 23rd at 6 p.m. and Wednesday July 30th at 6 p.m.; Register here. Dr. Michael Shuman will provide information on the accommodations process and be ready to answer any questions you may have. Note: since students may ask individual disability related questions, these sessions will not be recorded.
From Mail Services: First-year students can find their PO Box number after August 1; students will
- Log into Workday
- Click their profile picture in the top right corner
- Select ‘View Profile’
- Select ‘Contact’
- Under Institutional Contact Information, their on-campus address with their mailbox number will be listed.
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 Office of the Provost:
- Provost Michele Gillespie announced that she will step away from her Provost role and return to her role as the Presidential Endowed Professor in Southern History. Read her message to the campus community, and read President Susan Wente’s message of gratitude.
- We are excited to welcome Dr. Ken Kishida as the inaugural Boswell Presidential Chair of Neuroscience and Society. Internationally recognized for his work on the neurocomputational mechanisms underlying learning, decision-making and conscious experience, Kishida’s appointment advances the University’s interdisciplinary initiative to connect brain science with pressing societal issues.
From the University Bookstore:
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Campus Life
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Campus Recreation
- Intramural and Club Sports can get even better!? We’re excited to announce that the new turf project on Water Tower Field is nearly complete! Follow us on Instagram for more updates!
Dining
- Have questions about meal plans, dining, or allergens? You can find helpful info on our website or email us anytime at dining@wfu.edu — we’re here to help!
- We’d also like to introduce Andrea, our on-campus Registered Dietitian! She supports students with special dietary needs or food allergies and is always happy to help navigate our dining options. Health and Wellbeing
University Counseling Center (UCC)
- The University Counseling Center continues to be a support to students who desire to talk to a professional about a multitude of things throughout the summer months.
- Due to licensure restrictions, we are only able to offer therapy services to students who are in the state of North Carolina. For students located outside of North Carolina, we offer case management and referral support to assist with finding providers in other areas.
- We offer same-day scheduling for virtual or in-person appointments during office hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. We also offer an after-hours counselor-on-call after 5 p.m. on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends and university holidays/closures.
- Please follow our Instagram for more information and content!
Housing
- The summer is flying, and we’re just a little over a month away from the start of the Fall semester! This month, we’re highlighting important reminders as our continuing students (’26-’28) solidify their plans to return to campus next month and essential information for our incoming first-year students (’29) around housing assignments. Read more about it in our July 2025 P&F Newsletter.
Personal and Career Development
- Even though it’s the middle of summer, it’s a great time for your student to start thinking about their career, whether they’re exploring interests, seeking internships, or preparing for life after graduation. We encourage you to explore the resources and tips available on our OPCD Parents page to help guide them.
Transportation and Parking
- How can my student get around campus and the community? Wake Forest is a compact, walkable, and bikeable campus with a robust shuttle system and car-sharing service. The vast majority of first-year students do not bring a car with them to campus. Check out the many transportation options available to students on the Transportation: Guide to Getting Around website.
- Parking registration for 2025-26 will be held August 1-11, depending on the student’s class year. NOTE: dates for registration vary based on the student’s year; students will be sent an email at the WFU address with their registration date. Anyone enrolled in any class or program at Wake Forest, including study-abroad programs who wish to park a vehicle in a university parking lot at any time of day or night, including after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, on weekends, and during academic breaks, must register that vehicle with WFU Transportation and Parking Services.
- All parking permits will now be virtual. Students will no longer be required to have a physical permit. For more information, please visit our License Plate Recognition website.
Police
- On Wednesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 16, the Wake Forest University Police Department, in coordination with the Winston-Salem Police Department, Winston-Salem Fire Department, Forsyth County EMS, and other local agencies, conducted a First Responder Active Shooter Drill near Piccolo Hall. This planned training exercise was designed to strengthen coordination and emergency response among university, city, and county agencies. The drill was part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety and preparedness.
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Events and Athletics
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Wake Forest Executive Education:
Athletics
- 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 Packag – Limited Availability
- Pollard Club Package – Limited Availability
- 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.
- Single Game tickets for Wake Forest Football are available for all seven home football games; purchase single game tickets.
Did you know the Winston-Salem Open tennis tournament is hosted at Wake Forest?
- Experience professional tennis like never before! Winston-Salem is privileged to host one of only three ATP 250 men's professional tennis events in the USA, a testament to our deep roots in the sport. This August, from the 16th to the 23rd, you can watch top-tier tennis talent up close and personal. Enjoy an unparalleled, intimate viewing experience right here at WFU. Discover all the details and get your tickets here!
See the Events Calendar.
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Financial Matters
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Student Financial Services
- Fall 2025 tuition statements have been issued and payment is due on August 1st. Please ensure your student adds you as an authorized payer on Workday so that you have access to view and pay the fall semester tuition and fees. Your student can find instructions for setting up a third party user here.
- 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. You must enroll in elective tuition insurance 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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