Family Weekend

Registration Information

Family Weekend is open to all family and friends of ISU students. All guests are encouraged to register at bit.ly/FamilyWeekend2021.

Arrival Information

We encourage families to arrive on Friday in order to take advantage of all the events being offered. Check-in will be held at the John W. Moore Welcome Center on Saturday from 9:00am - 12:00pm.

Travel, Accommodations, & Meals

COVID-19 Guidelines

Our Back on Track plans are in place for the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors to Indiana State. We care deeply about the Sycamore community and have thus put measures in place honoring our values as an institution and leading by example in our community. Additionally, every individual is expected to take responsibility for their own health and safety and act in a manner that demonstrates respect and consideration for others around them.  

All University employees, students, and campus visitors (regardless of vaccination status) will be required to wear face coverings while indoors on campus. 

Students are asked to complete their Health Assessment Survey and to show a screenshot of their green checkmark when entering at events throughout the weekend.

Guests participating in Family Weekend are responsible for coordinating their meals, accommodations, and travel. Book your hotel stay at either Hilton Garden Inn (call to make reservation) or Candlewood Suites (use code IL0SU when reserving online) and receive a special discount! Both hotels are located in downtown Terre Haute, just walking distance from campus! When making your reservation, you will need to indicate that you are participating in ISU's Family Weekend by calling in your reservation.

Please contact the Office of New Student Transition Programs with any questions that would assist you in navigating your visit. 

Schedule of Events:

Friday, September 24

• 5:00PM | Family Fridays with Project Success! Learn more about how to support your student through their college journey as we tackle subjects like homesickness, staying connected, and building resilience in uncertain times in Hulman Memorial Student Union, Dede III.
• 6:00PM | ISU Volleyball vs. Evansville (https://gosycamores.com/sports/womens-volleyball).
• 7:00PM | ISU Soccer vs. Valparaiso (https://gosycamores.com/sports/womens-soccer).
• 7:00PM – 9:00PM | Fun for the family! The Office of Campus Life will be hosting family-friendly activities like board games, cards, and other interactive activities in the Hulman Memorial Student Union, Dede I.

Saturday, September 25

• 8:00AM – 5:00PM | Family Hours at the Student Recreational Center! Enjoy the many activities–including swimming and basketball-our Rec Center has to offer, free of charge!
• 9:00AM – 12:00PM | All participants are encouraged to check-in with us at the John W. Moore Welcome Center. You can also stop by this location anytime you need assistance or just want to take a break. We’ll have a Family Photo Booth set up and you’ll also be able to purchase football tickets at this time.
• 9:00AM – 12:00PM | WZIS Radio at Fountain! Z90.7 FM is the student operated radio station at Indiana State University. Z90.7 FM plays a variety of music from alternative, hip hop, top 40, EDM, and everything in between.
• 9:00AM – 12:00PM | The Alumni Association is the gateway to your alma mater! Visit the Alumni Association Tent at the Fountain during Family Weekend to learn about membership opportunities and additional ways to stay connected to support Indiana State! We want you to celebrate being a Sycamore wherever you call home. Update your information and join the Alumni Association with our team during Family Weekend to receive a complimentary gift.
• 9:00AM – 5:00PM | Come visit the Barnes and Noble Campus Bookstore, located at 5th and Cherry Streets. They’ll be hosting yard games and a popcorn bar and you’ll also have the chance to do a Sycamore-themed craft!
• 9:30AM – 11:00AM | Visit with the staff, faculty, student leaders, and peer mentors of the Honors College and enjoy a light breakfast during their Open House in Pickerl Hall.
• 9:30AM – 11:30AM | Tree Trivia at Starbucks in the Hulman Memorial Student Union! Join us to test your knowledge on ISU and the Terre Haute area! Commuter Life will host a round of trivia on the half hour. It’ll also be Happy Hour at Starbucks (specialty drinks at a discounted price)!
• 10:00AM – 11:00AM | Family Yoga on the Quad
• 10:00AM – 12:00PM | Come join the Student Government Association out at the fountain to paint pumpkins - grown by yours truly – in hues of blue!
• 10:00AM – 12:00PM | The student-guided campus tour is a great way to see the campus your Sycamore is currently calling home. You will see the majority of our park-like campus including: the Recreation Center, academic buildings, the Student Union, and more! Tours will be leaving from the John W. Moore Welcome Center.
• 10:00AM – 12:00PM | Visit with the staff and faculty of your student's major! Meet those with the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Health & Human Services, Bayh College of Education, or the College of Technology in their respective areas.
• 10:00AM – 1:00PM | JC Penney in Haute City Center is partnering with ISU and offering ISU students and their families a 30% discount off (on top of any other discount being offered up to 60% off!) select men’s and women’s career dress apparel – including suits, dresses, sport coats, dress pants, dress shirts, shoes, ties, belts, scarves, and accessories. For more information, please contact the Career Center at 812.237.5000.
• 10:00AM – 2:00PM | Brunch in Sycamore Dining, featuring recipes submitted by Sycamore Families from our Tastes of Home program! Brunch is open to all families whether your student lives in the residence halls or commutes. Cost of the brunch: Adults 12 and over: $8.61 (including tax), children 3-11 $4.31 (including tax), under 3 are no charge. Your student may use their meal plan for themselves and family members or family members can pay with cash or credit card. indstate.sodexomyway.com
• 10:30AM – 12:00PM | Stop by Dede I in the Hulman Memorial Student Union and play a game of Sycamore Bingo. You’ll also get a chance to meet some of the students who work in the Residence Hall Association.
• 10:30AM – 12:30PM | At the annual Academic Achievement Awards Banquet, the African American Cultural Center will be recognizing students who have achieved a high grade point average for the previous year. By invitation only.
• 11:00AM – 1:00PM | Spend Family Day the UC Way! The University College warmly welcomes students and family members to join in our Family Weekend celebration! Please bring your family and stop by the second floor of Normal Hall from 11:00am – 1:00pm. This year’s celebration will feature poster presentations given by Project Success and STARS students, and the opportunity to chat with UC Advisors and the University College Dean.
• 1:00PM | Sycamore Football at Memorial Stadium. ISU Sycamores vs. South Dakota State. Students receive free admission at all games with their Sycamore ID card. Families can purchase tickets for $5 (ages 2 and under – no charge) when they check-in at the John W. Moore Welcome Center or at Memorial Stadium before the game.

Sunday, September 26^th

• 9:00AM | The Christian Student Fellowship invites you to join them for their Sunday Worship Gathering at 10:00AM, with donuts and coffee beforehand, starting at 9:00AM! The CSF is located on 5^th Street, across the railroad tracks north of campus.

Additional Experiences

Thoughout the weekend there are additional opportunities offered for families and students to take advantage of. Some of these include:

9/25 - Bat Festival: The Center for Bat Research, Outreach, and Conservation is hosting the Annual Indiana Bat Festival on September 25th! This annual festival is FREE and draws a crowd of bat enthusiasts from Indiana and surrounding states. There will be live bats and raptors, guest speakers discussing how bats socialize, kids’ activities (“cave” exploration, origami, arts and crafts, and more), information on building your own bat box, silent auction, and conservation exhibits. Day time activities are from 10:00am–4:00pm in the Science Building on the campus of Indiana State University. Evening events are at Dobbs Park (5170 E Poplar Drive, Terre Haute, IN) from 6:00–9:00pm. Evening activities include a live raptor demonstration, a kids’ adventure course related to bats and bat research, a survey of bats’ favorite foods (moths and beetles!), and other fun activities!

9/26 - ISU Sycamore Outdoor Center: Get some fresh air and stretch your legs at the Sycamore Outdoor Center! The Sycamore Outdoor Center offers 80 scenic acres of hiking, fishing, canoeing, shelters, picnic tables, game areas and more! All for free during Sycamores Outdoors Open Sunday Recreation! Students must bring their Sycamore ID card for entrance. 9:00am-6:00pm, 1373 W County Road 700 N, Brazil IN, 47834 

9/25 & 9/26 - Pride Center of Terre Haute: Come visit us to learn about LGBTQ+ affirming services and play games with your family! The Pride Center is located at 630 Wabash Avenue and will be opened 12:00pm – 8:00pm.

9/24 - Blackout Addiction 5K Glow Run: This run will be held on September 24^th at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute. For more information or to register to participate, please go to blackoutaddiction5k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=12457.

9/25 - Downtown Terre Haute Farmers Market: Located at Meadows Shopping Center (2800 Poplar Street) from 9:00am – 1:00pm. With nearly 30 vendors to choose from, find produce and goods you can't find anywhere else; freshly picked, seasonal produce, farm fresh meat and eggs, and baked goods all at their peak freshness and nutritional value.

9/25 - The Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra: The 96th season kicks off on September 25th at 7:30pm in Indiana State University’s Tilson Auditorium with Scheherazade Tells Storieswhich includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s brilliantly colorful Scheherazade, Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, Wagner’s famous Flight of the Valkyries, and the Raiders March from the movie Indiana Jones by John Williams. Rimsky-Korsakov brilliantly represents Scheherazade and the tales she told in his piece filled with orchestral color and virtuosity, forging it as one of the most compelling and exciting works ever written! For more information, or to purchase tickets, please go to thso.org.

You May Also Want to Check Out

Parks

Local Parks in Terre Haute: terrehaute.in.gov/departments/parks

Turkey Run State Park: stateparks.in.gov

Museums

Candles Holocaust Museum and Education Center - CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center contributes to the empowerment of the world through hope, healing, respect, and responsibility by shining a light on the story of the Holocaust, Eva Kor, the Mengele twins, and other survivors.

1532 South 3^rd Street | candlesholocaustmuseum.org

Swope Art Museum - The Sheldon Swope Art Museum collects, preserves and celebrates the best in American art with programs and exhibitions designed to engage, stimulate and educate those whose lives it touches; it enhances the culture and contributes to the economic development of the Greater Wabash Valley.

25 South 7^th Street | swope.org

Terre Haute Children’s Museum - Three stories of fun, laughter, and exploration located in the heart of Terre Haute! The Terre Haute Children’s Museum will be offering guests of Family Weekend buy one pass (cost - $8 for 3 years and older) get one pass free!

Closed for the weekend

727 Wabash Avenue | thechildrensmuseum.com

Veteran’s Memorial Museum - The Veterans Memorial Museum of Terre Haute honors Veterans from all branches of military service for all wars and in peacetime.

1129 Wabash Avenue | veteransmuseumofterrehaute.com

Vigo County History Center - The Vigo County Historical Museum is located on the National Road in downtown Terre Haute...the Crossroads of America. The 34,000 square foot facility offers you a 21st century experience while you learn the stories of Vigo County from the last 200 years. The Museum is operated by the Vigo County Historical Society, which was formed in 1922. A group of dedicated staff and volunteers want to make your visit a fun and informative experience!

929 Wabash Avenue | vchsmuseum.org