Parent/Family Member

Parent & Family Orientation will be offered as live tracks during Blazer Beginnings.

• For freshmen attending a summer/fall orientation date, one family member is included with payment of the Freshman Enrollment Deposit and any additional family members may join for a $35 fee to cover the cost of meals and staffing.
• For freshmen attending a Spring orientation date, you should click on the “Transfer/Non-Traditional Freshman” tab on this page for details.

All family members have access to pre-recorded videos free of charge in a specially designed course in Canvas, UAB’s learning management system. Click the link below to get started!

Dates

Honors College— Summer/Fall Honors Freshmen Only

NOTE: Students must formally accept their Honors College offer in order to make a reservation for an Honors College orientation date. Please note that each of these dates includes a mandatory honors session the evening of the first day of orientation. This will include honors advising and information as well as an honors family dinner with faculty, staff, and current students.

• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 1-2, 2027
• Thursday and Friday, June 3-4, 2027
• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 8-9, 2027

Summer/Fall Freshmen

• Wednesday and Thursday, May 26-27, 2027

Fall Freshmen

• Thursday and Friday, June 10-11, 2027
• Monday and Tuesday, June 14-15, 2027
• Wednesday and Thursday, June 16-17, 2027
• Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22-23, 2027
• Thursday and Friday, June 24-25, 2027 (Blazing Start)
• Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13-14, 2027 (Blazing Start)
• Thursday and Friday, July 15-16, 2027
• Wednesday and Thursday, July 21-22, 2027 (Blazing Start)
• Friday and Saturday, July 23-24 2027 (Birmingham Promise, Blazing Start)

NOTE: If you are in Birmingham Promise or Blazing Start, you should select one of the designated dates noted above. Fall freshmen not in those programs are also welcome to select those dates.

International and Out-of-State Fall Freshmen

• Thursday and Friday, August 19-20, 2027

NOTE: International/Out-of-State Fall Freshmen are also welcome to attend any of the above dates for Fall Freshmen.

Please make note of the Blazer Beginnings schedule before making travel arrangements – all portions of Blazer Beginnings are required for students unless specifically marked as optional. Parents and family members are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

Schedules for students entering in Summer and Fall 2027 will be announced at a later date. Programming is expected to last from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on both days.

When your student is selecting the date they will attend Blazer Beginnings, please note that some orientation sessions will be offered virtually and some will be offered on campus. Family members may attend an on-campus session by making a reservation and paying a $10 fee to cover the cost of meals and staffing. Parent and family tracks is not offered for virtual sessions.

A separate Parent & Family Orientation is also available for family members of incoming students as pre-recorded videos housed within a specially designed course in Canvas, UAB’s learning management system. There is no cost for family members to participate in the Canvas course.

Transfer/Non-Traditional Dates and Schedules

The Blazer Beginnings schedule is below. There are a variety of schedule options available depending on the type of session: on-campus or virtual, daytime or evening. Click on the dates below to determine which option works best for you.

NOTE: Please note that attendance at ALL portions of orientation is required for students. Parents and family members are encouraged, but not required, to attend.