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New students and their parents tour St. Thomas.

Families of New Students

Parents and families, welcome to the University of St. Thomas

We are thrilled to have you join the Tommie community. You play an important role in helping your student navigate the transition into the life of a scholar and the beginning of adulthood.

We look to you as partners in this journey. At St. Thomas, we take pride in our conviction of personal attention—we strive to foster a caring culture that supports the well-being of each member. We are an inclusive community of learners and educators who believe in creating an environment where all students feel welcome. We are here to support your student, and we are here to support you.

We look forward to meeting you and your student at orientation.

Please reach out with questions as we move through the weeks leading up to your student's time as a Tommie.

Key Dates for New Fall 2024 Students Date / Date Span
Placement Assessments Open May 6
Submit Housing Preference Form May 31
Complete Registration Readiness module and submit Course Preference Form June 5
Attend Orientation & Registration (O&R) Session July 9-30
Welcome Days for new students Begins August 27

Helping Your Student Get Started

Since the St. Thomas email account is our official method of communication with students, it's critical they have this set up and are checking it regularly. Make sure to ask every once in a while if they have anything new from us.

We asked your student to update parent/family emails with us so we can communicate directly with you. If you have not received an initial welcome email from us, be sure to work with your student to update that email, or reach out to us at orientation@stthomas.edu.

Nuts and Bolts for Students To Do

Students should start by claiming their St. Thomas account and setting up their email, along with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

Next, log into our campus systems, including OneStThomas and Murphy Online, to confirm personal information (name, address). Then students are ready to start the New Student Orientation course in Canvas.

Students are the conduit to help ensure parent/family emails are updated in the St. Thomas system.

students talking about their schedule at  orientation.

Orientation Day Family Schedule

Fall 2024 Start Orientation 

8:45-9:10 a.m. Welcome

9:15-10 a.m. Academic Expectations & Registration

10:10-11:10 a.m. Dean of Students Panel

11:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Presentation Rotations

  • Campus Life
  • Career Resources
  • Center for the Common Good
  • Financial Aid, Business Office, & Bookstore
  • First Generation Students
  • Information Fair
  • Lunch
  • Study Abroad

2:35-3:10 p.m. Family Transitions

3:10-3:40 p.m. Center for Well-Being

3:45-4:15 p.m. Living On Campus or Living Off Campus

Mother and daughter viewing content on a computer

Family Orientations

After attending the Family Orientation sessions offered during your student's Orientation & Registration Session, you may still have questions. Recordings of the Family Orientation sessions are available for you to review below:

  • = Academic Affairs leaders present information on the academic environment at St. Thomas.
  • = The new students are not the only people experiencing a transition. Staff from our Counseling and Psychological Services walk families through the common experiences of having a student starting college.
  • = A panel of staff from the Dean of Students Office, Public Safety, Campus Ministry, and the Office for Diversity Equity and Inclusion present about how we support our students, with the university convictions as our guide.
  • = Staff from the Center for Well-Being present information about the health of college students and the resources provided to support student well-being.
  • = Campus Life staff present the many ways students can get involved on campus.
  • = Staff from the Career Development Center share information about the resources at St. Thomas to support a student's pursuit of internships and future careers.
  • = A panel of St. Thomas staff discuss the logistics of financing a student's education and answer questions about financial aid and payments.
  • = St. Thomas offers a variety of support and engagement opportunities for students who are the first in their family to attend college. Staff who work closely with students engage in a discussion of these opportunities.
  • = Many of our students study abroad during their time at St. Thomas. Learn about the opportunities available and how they can fit within your student's academic plan.
  • = Learn about Residence Life and the ways your student will be engaged and supported while living in our residence hall community.

Orientation

Student Responsibilities for Orientation

Engage with their fellow students in their New Student Orientation course in Canvas

Connect with future classmates through their Registration Readiness and FYEX 100 Cohorts

Follow TommieOrientation on Instagram

Complete online training

Submit a photo for Tommie Card (St. Thomas student ID) by June 18

How to Support Your Student Through Orientation

Help them make an action plan for this summer. The academic pieces noted earlier on this page are due in June, but we'll be connecting students with additional content, and fellow classmates, throughout the summer.

We know that after getting the class schedule, connecting with fellow students is the next thing students value most.

Engage with their fellow students in their New Student Orientation course in Canvas

Connect with future classmates through their Registration Readiness and FYEX 100 Cohorts

Follow TommieOrientation on Instagram

Complete online training

Submit a photo for Tommie Card (St. Thomas student ID) by June 18

Help them make an action plan for this summer. The academic pieces noted earlier on this page are due in June, but we'll be connecting students with additional content, and fellow classmates, throughout the summer.

We know that after getting the class schedule, connecting with fellow students is the next thing students value most.

The Money Stuff

  • Finances and Your Student
  • Student's Financial Tasks
  • Finances and Your Student

    We know many of our students are blessed to have you involved in managing the financial aspects of college.

    That being said, the law requires us to treat the student as an adult and work directly with them. Your student can grant you access to some items (via Proxy Access), but in the end much of this is their responsibility.

    You can be a tremendous support by coaching them on that responsibility, helping them know what to pay attention to and having clear conversations with them about how you want to work with them on all of these aspects.

    And, be sure to get good information for yourself. You can do this by:

    • Watching the videos that make up the Billing & Financial Aid training your student is required to complete. (In their New Student Orientation course in Canvas.)
    • Reviewing the Financial Aid Checklist and help them in completing these items.

    Student's Financial Tasks

    Students need to review the Financial Aid Checklist and complete all items. It includes items such as:

    • Accepting or declining Financial Aid
    • Reporting outside scholarships
    • Consider assigning Proxy and/or Authorized User access
    • Look into Tuition Insurance
    • Complete the Student Payment Agreement form.

    Complete the online Billing & Financial Aid training (found in the New Student Orientation course in Canvas).

    Regularly check their St. Thomas email for communications from the Business Office, including future tuition bills.

    Finances and Your Student

    Finances and Your Student

    We know many of our students are blessed to have you involved in managing the financial aspects of college.

    That being said, the law requires us to treat the student as an adult and work directly with them. Your student can grant you access to some items (via Proxy Access), but in the end much of this is their responsibility.

    You can be a tremendous support by coaching them on that responsibility, helping them know what to pay attention to and having clear conversations with them about how you want to work with them on all of these aspects.

    And, be sure to get good information for yourself. You can do this by:

    • Watching the videos that make up the Billing & Financial Aid training your student is required to complete. (In their New Student Orientation course in Canvas.)
    • Reviewing the Financial Aid Checklist and help them in completing these items.

    Student's Financial Tasks

    Student's Financial Tasks

    Students need to review the Financial Aid Checklist and complete all items. It includes items such as:

    • Accepting or declining Financial Aid
    • Reporting outside scholarships
    • Consider assigning Proxy and/or Authorized User access
    • Look into Tuition Insurance
    • Complete the Student Payment Agreement form.

    Complete the online Billing & Financial Aid training (found in the New Student Orientation course in Canvas).

    Regularly check their St. Thomas email for communications from the Business Office, including future tuition bills.

    Care and Support

    You are absolutely our partners in the care and support of your student, and we want to work with you. Your student isn't the only one experiencing change this summer and fall - you are as well!

    We have designed programming for you to attend during your student's Orientation & Registration (O&R) session. During the parent/ family sessions you will:

    • Learn more about how our values as an institution inform how we support your student by attending a panel discussion hosted by the Dean of Students office.
    • Engage in content around Family Transitions prepared by our Personal Counseling team.
    • Discover the resources in place through Academic Counseling to aid your student in registering for their courses and supporting them throughout their time at St. Thomas.

    You are encouraged to review the Family Handbook and start conversations with your student about the topics it raises. Follow up with your questions during your O&R session or orientation@stthomas.edu.

    Check back on this site for updated information, and make sure your student has submitted updated email addresses for you and others who will be supporting your student so we can be in touch.

    In the meantime, your student needs to prepare to take care of themselves more and manage their own physical and mental care, which includes:

    You can assist your student by asking if they have questions about their tasks and empowering them with information such as phone numbers for their doctors, details on the college budget, and documentation on past accommodations for disabilities.