Families of Panthers will have the opportunity to check out their student’s second home on Friday, Oct. 15 through Sunday, Oct. 17.

Students’ families can meet other Panther families and are welcome on campus to explore and get engaged through activities and events. 

“Family Weekend is an important time for students to show the families around campus and what they have been doing here at UNI,” Orientation Coordinator Joellen Hatchett said. 

Although many freshmen experience homesickness, all students can struggle with missing their home, especially after overcoming a pandemic. Hatchett said this has been a concern for UNI students and families. They want to focus on helping students overcome homesickness and are wanting to offer an opportunity for students and families to come together and have a shared UNI experience. 

“I really hope families have some fun weather that is at Glow Bingo, at the UNI Observatory, over lunch, cheering on the Panthers or exploring the Cedar Valley,” Hatchett said.

There will be an abundance of activities offered to families over the weekend. Starting Friday all academic buildings will be open for students to showcase their classes. Later that night the volleyball team will be taking on Evansville at 6 p.m. for their pink game and encourage all families to show out and support.  There will also be an art gallery, bingo, observatory opening and a guest artist recital in GBPAC. 

“Family Weekend is all about families coming to campus and getting a firsthand look at what students are experiencing and having some time to catch up,” Hatchett said. 

“We want students’ families to feel as much a part of the Panther Family as their students do.”

Academic buildings will be open for families to walk through Saturday and Sunday.  Both days will include a series of activities including lunch in the dining centers, lectures and shows and the UNI vs. Indiana State football game in the UNI-Dome. 

More information and a detailed schedule of events can be found on familyweekend.uni.edu.