Parent and Family weekend adapts to COVID-19

The Student Alumni Relations Board has been planning ways to hold Parent and Family Weekend while adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Board President Elizabeth Marshall explained how the event changed to welcome both students and families. 

“The difference this year is that we moved Parent and Family Weekend to a virtual format,” Marshall said. “Just as we did in the fall, it didn’t have that many events.” 

With the event being held virtually, the goal is to unite University of Idaho students and their families.  

“Something the Vandal family is missing is connection,” Marshall said. “There are a lot of students who haven’t been able to go home or visit their families as usual.” 

Marshall said their team has provided opportunities for students to connect with their parents. Even though it can’t be in person, Marshall wanted to fulfill the connection that’s been missing.  

However, attendance at these events may vary. Marshall doesn’t expect a high number of people to turn up at the weekend’s events. 

“It’s hard to say,” Marshall said. “It’s hard to tell the overall amount of people as there may be folks signed up for multiple events.” 

With no requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine in Idaho, Marshall did discuss how Parents and Family Weekend might look like in the fall. 

“One thing I’ve learned going virtual is to have both an in person and virtual element,” Marshall said. “Even if COVID-19 is a thing of the past, it would be great to add a virtual element because some families may not be able to travel up here.” 

A list of events taking place during Parent and Family Weekend can be found on the university’s website. 

Daniel V. Ramirez can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @DVR_Tweets