SOAR Checklist for Families

Review information about SOAR with your student

We recommend reviewing the following sources for information about SOAR:

• Your student's admission packet
• The SOAR website
• Information about our family orientation programs offered during SOAR

Remind your student to register for a SOAR session date

We recommend that students complete the SOAR registration process, with their family members offering assistance if necessary.

Students can include two family members on their SOAR session registration. Please refrain from making any time-dependent arrangements (e.g. hotel reservations, airline tickets, etc.) until your student has received a confirmation email for their SOAR session.

Remind your student to complete items on the SOAR Checklist for Students

Several of these tasks MUST be completed before attending SOAR to register for classes.

Prepare to arrive and check in at SOAR

Find directions to SOAR parking and instructions for checking in at the link above. Please ensure you park in the designated parking lot as vehicles parked in other areas will be ticketed.

Please print the SOAR parking pass sent to your student's MSU email account and place it on your vehicle's dashboard. There will be SOAR Leaders in with parking permits in case you forgot your parking permit.

Bring to SOAR

Prepare for you and your student’s session by bringing the following items.

• Comfortable walking shoes. You will walk to various campus locations during your session.
• A light jacket or sweater for air-conditioned meeting rooms.
• An umbrella or rain gear for potential wet weather.
• A list of your questions—don't leave with any questions unanswered!

Have conversations with your student about your expectations regarding:

• Academic performance
• Campus safety and awareness
• Time management
• Accidents and emergency situations
• Financial responsibility
• Healthy living
• Getting involved on campus
• Personal responsibility
• FERPA

Remind your student to frequently check their Missouri State email account

Email is Missouri State University’s official method of communication. University representatives and instructors will send information ONLY to this account, so students should make it a habit to check their account daily.

Ask your student to enroll you in the Partners in Education (PIE) program

The Partners in Education program helps families help their students succeed academically. It provides them with welcome emails, mid-semester progress reports, access to academic advisors, telephone assistance and final grades. 

Students can use the enrollment instructions to enroll potential partners through their My Missouri State portal. 

Review our residence hall packing list

This list provides suggestions for supplies students might need while living on campus. The list also contains items prohibited in our halls, so check it out before shopping.

Become a member of the Family Association

Members receive information about Missouri State programs, services and events through:

• The Family Connection, our blog
• Bear Notes, our monthly email newsletter
• Our Family Programs website
• Our Family Programs Facebook and Twitter accounts

The Family Association also serves as a touch-point for family members, helping answer your questions and referring you to departments and resources for further assistance.

Attend Family Weekend and Spring Family Day

Family Weekend, held each fall semester, allows families to participate in fun activities and let their student show them their “home away from home.”

Spring Family Day, held each spring, gives families an opportunity to spend quality time with their student and enjoy events on campus and in the Springfield community.

Follow and friend us

Stay engaged with Family Programs through social media—you’ll be in the know about campus news and upcoming events!

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