Parents and Families

1. Membership shall be limited to parents of current full-time undergraduate enrolled students at Valparaiso University. It shall have no membership limit (ideally representing all four classes and the university colleges). Members shall be appointed after an application and selection process conducted jointly by the members of the Parents Council and the office of alumni relations. Former Parents Council members may continue on the council following their student’s graduation at the discretion of the office of alumni relations.
2. The organization shall be informal. There shall be no constitution or by-laws.
3. The Parents Council will conduct two official meetings – one in the fall around Family Weekend and one in the spring. Members are expected to attend all meetings and Family Weekend. Notification to the office of alumni relations is required for those who are unable to attend. Non-attendance at two consecutive meetings is cause for membership review by the council chairs and the office of alumni relations.
4. Parents Council chairs will be selected and appointed by the office of alumni relations.

The purpose of the Valparaiso University Parents Council shall be:

1. To guide the members of the parent community toward increased support, understanding and enthusiasm for Valparaiso University and its mission,
2. To develop the parent community as a resource for the University and its students,
3. To provide a vehicle for communication between the parent community and the University.

1. Be ambassadors for Valparaiso University by promoting parental involvement.
2. Plan and coordinate programs and events for Family Weekend.
3. Serve as a resource for the University.
4. Support Valparaiso University activities on and off campus.

The following is a list of transportation options offered in Northwest Indiana and Valparaiso. For directions to and from the Valparaiso University campus, click here. You can also view a list of area hotels.

• V-Line – Valparaiso’s brand new public bus service. Four routes take students throughout the community including shopping areas. Buses depart from the Valparaiso Union on campus. Weekend service drops students directly at the Dune Park South Shore Line station. Students ride free with a Valpo ID.
• Pipeline People Mover – Door to door airport transportation serving Lake and Porter counties and Midway and O’Hare airports. Call 219.769.4900.
• South Shore Line – Commuter rail line offering regular service between South Bend and Chicago. The nearest station is Dune Park, approximately 15 miles north of campus.
• Coach USA – Charter bus service that picks up in both Portage and Michigan City and drops off at Midway and O’Hare airports. Coach USA will be starting a service from Valpo soon.
• MidWest Air Link– Custom charter flights from Porter County Airport in Valparaiso to Midway and O’Hare airports.
• Greyhound – National bus service with a stop in Michigan City and U.S. 421 and U.S. 20.

Please visit the Office of Residential Life Web site – complete with a Frequently Asked Questions page.

The only way for you to know is to ask your student. First-year mid-term reports will only be sent to your student.

There are a number of student organizations available! There are currently over 75 organizations recognized by Student Senate. A list of student organizations can be found here or by calling 219.464.5411.

Care packages are sponsored by the University Guild. Click here to view the order form (PDF). Cakes can be ordered directly from Dining Services.  Other items also may be ordered through the dining services website.

The VU Police Department patrol’s campus and is available 24 hours a day. Emergency telephones are found in all major parking areas. The VU Police established a Student Escort Service (SES) on the Valparaiso University campus to enhance security and to increase crime prevention services already in operation. The SES provides daily transportation for students needing to travel between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. from one point to another point on campus or nearby off-campus areas. There is no charge for the service.

The best thing you can do is give them time to adjust. They are encouraged to speak with their RA. Professors, academic advisors, clergy, and the counseling center are also available.

The VU Health Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – Noon and 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.. In the case of emergencies, students are instructed to go to Porter Regional Hospital, located at the corner of Highway 6 and 49. More information can be found here.

Arrangements need to be made with the RA.

A weekend sponsored by the Parents Council and University Programming Council each fall which offers families time to visit their student(s) on campus. The weekend offers athletic, cultural and informational activities for the entire family. For many families this is the first opportunity to see their student since the semester began. Come learn what your student is up to. Details are posted on this site each summer.

Family Weekend! You also are invited to visit during Homecoming and Reunion Celebration or any other time!

You can find a list of hotels and other information here.

For specific questions related to technology, computers, and the telecommunication system at Valpo, visit the Information Technology (IT) Web site.