2016 Family Weekend & Homecoming | Family Brochure

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OUR HOME IS YOUR HOME


Please join us for a weekend celebration of the Occidental College family! Share time with your student and their friends, attend open houses and tours, learn about key student services and resources, cheer on the Tigers, attend classes and explore the best of Oxy. A schedule is enclosed, with more activities sure to be added as the weekend grows closer. We look forward to seeing you on campus!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Check In

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Green Oxy Tour

Check in at the canopy in the Academic Quad to receive your materials for the weekend’s festivities.

Join a fun, informative tour led by sustainability champions to highlight Oxy’s green efforts. The tour route will include the FEAST and pollinator gardens, the 1-megawatt solar array, Bike Share, saplings, the Earth Week photo contest exhibit, the new Mullin Grove, the Green Bean and other exciting green efforts. This tour will take you to all parts of campus. Comfortable shoes and a refillable water bottle are recommended.

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Student for a Day! An academic tradition of Family Weekend, Student for a Day gives you a snapshot of academic life. A list of classes will be available at alumni.oxy.edu/FWH16 prior to the weekend. Maps and a class list will also be available when you arrive on campus.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Open House: Undergraduate Research Center Summer Research Poster Projects Drop by the Academic Commons for a glimpse into some of Oxy’s best student research work, straight from the 2016 Summer Research Conference. For nearly three decades, Occidental has supported undergraduate research in all disciplines: the arts, humanities, social sciences and the natural and physical sciences. The Summer Research Program has helped to place Oxy at the forefront of liberal arts colleges nationally.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Drop-In Office Hours Offices around campus will open their doors to welcome you and answer any questions about resources and programs available to your student. Participating departments include the Office of Student Life, Office for Religious and Spiritual Life, Hameetman Career Center, Emmons Wellness Center, Office of Pre-Health Advising, International Programs Office and Residential Education and Housing Services.


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Campus Tour

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Campus Tour

Discover why Occidental was named one of America’s 10 most beautiful college campuses, and enjoy information that highlights the communal and intellectual campus life of today’s students. Tour led by Office of Admission student tour guide.

Discover why Occidental was named one of America’s 10 most beautiful college campuses and enjoy information that highlights the communal and intellectual campus life of today’s students. Tour led by Office of Admission student tour guide.

11 a.m. – Noon Meet Rhonda Brown, Oxy’s ​Chief Diversity Officer ​

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Oxy Special Collections Tour: Inside the Moore Lab of Zoology Bird Collection

Meet Rhonda Brown, Oxy’s first vice president for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. A ​ s college and university campuses around the nation struggle to maintain a balance between freedom of speech and inclusion, Oxy conducted an extensive national search to find someone to help lead our community in these critical conversations. Rhonda joined Oxy this year, having spent the last decade as Temple University’s associate vice president for institutional diversity, equity advocacy and leadership. Hosted by Jim Tranquada, director of communications, this session will allow Rhonda to share insights from her first months on campus, as well as her vision for ensuring that diversity continues to be an essential element of life at Occidental.

The Moore Lab’s 65,000 bird and mammal specimens are a unique research and teaching resource for a liberal arts college. Including rare and extinct species, as well as toucans, parrots, and the resplendent quetzal, the Moore Lab holds the largest Mexican bird collection in the world and provides unparalleled opportunities for student-driven research on avian biodiversity, how it evolved and how to preserve it for the future. Attendees on the tour will join the Lab’s staff as they offer a rare insider view of this world-renowned collection. Advance registration is required, as space is limited.

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. First-Generation College Student Parent Reception

Oxy parents are invited for conversation and refreshments at Collins House. Join us to meet deans, faculty, staff, other families and members of the College community in a relaxed atmosphere.

This reception, hosted by the Division of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students Office, is for parents and families of first-generation college students at Oxy. Participants will be provided with resources that will help them support their students as they navigate Oxy and prepare for their intended careers. Lunch will be provided.

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. My Kid’s in College... Now What? The time has come. You have a child in college. You probably have asked yourself, “How did this happen? Are they getting enough sleep? Are they getting enough to eat? Do they have clean clothes? Do the rules still apply when they come home?” Receive answers to your questions as we discuss tips on how to best prepare yourself for the transition as your child enters adulthood and beyond. Led by Tamara Himmelstein, assistant dean of students and director of student life.

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Deans’ Reception

5:30 p.m. Family and Student Fiji Hill Sunset Hike Take a moment to connect with your student, or catch your breath from Family Weekend activities, by venturing to one of Oxy’s most popular outdoor spots. Enjoy an evening hike to Fiji Hill, where, on clear days, the 360-degree view affords vistas of Mt. Washington to the south, the San Gabriel Mountains to the north and east, and a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean to the west. Led by staff from the Office of Student Life. This is a moderate hike: short distance but steep incline. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner We recognize our rich tradition of student athletes with the induction of the fifth class into the Occidental College Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2016 inductees include pitching great Don Hagen ’64, Olympic synchronized swimmer Jo Ann (Brobst) Hirsch ’58 and the 1957 men’s track and field team. Dinner tickets are $85 per person.


DISCOVERING L.A. PARENTS NIGHT OUT On Friday join other parents for an iconic L.A. evening and discover a little more about your student’s new home-awayfrom-home. Choose between outings that take you to two of L.A.’s most dynamic, renowned and exciting cultural institutions.

Disney Concert Hall - Dudamel Conducts Mahler’s Ninth Symphony From its striking outside to its intimate interior, Walt Disney Concert Hall is an architectural marvel that never loses sight of its main function—bringing music to the city of Los Angeles and beyond. Now entering his eighth season as music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel is one of the most decorated conductors of his generation. He was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2009, has been featured three times on CBS’s “60 Minutes” and was subject of the PBS special “Dudamel: Conducting a Life.” The Ninth is Mahler’s final completed symphony and is the mature, profound expression of someone who mastered his art over a lifetime. It’s hard to imagine a more suitable musical match than the dynamic and engaging Gustavo Dudamel and the music of Gustav Mahler.

The Broad Museum and Clifton’s Cafeteria Join us for priority entrance and a self-guided exploration of one of L.A.’s newest cultural treasures. Founded by philanthropist Eli and Edythe Broad, this museum is home to the 2,000 works of postwar and contemporary art in the Broad collection. The building itself is an artistic landmark, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler. Following the museum visit, we will re-board the bus and venture to a no-host dinner at Clifton’s Cafeteria, another historic Los Angeles landmark that has been under renovation for the last five years at a cost of $10 million. Advance reservations required. This event is expected to sell out. $20 per ticket includes chartered bus transportation from campus. Bus will depart from campus at 4:30 p.m. (returning at approximately 8:30 p.m.).

Advance reservations required. This event is expected to sell out. $85 per ticket, includes prime seating location and charter bus transportation from campus. Bus will depart from campus at 6 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert (returning at approximately 11 p.m.) No-host dining options, and a pre-concert discussion, are available in and around Disney Hall prior to the event.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Check In Check in at the canopy in the Academic Quad to receive your materials for the weekend’s festivities.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Open House: Undergraduate Research Center Summer Research Poster Projects Drop by the Academic Commons for a glimpse into some of Oxy’s best student research work, straight from the 2016 Summer Research Conference. For nearly three decades, Occidental has supported undergraduate research in all disciplines: the arts, humanities, social sciences and the natural and physical sciences. The Summer Research Program has helped to place Oxy at the forefront of liberal arts colleges nationally.

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Meet Ruth Jones, Oxy’s Title IX Coordinator Oxy’s full-time Title IX coordinator, Ruth Jones, will provide a brief overview of the steps the College has taken to address sexual misconduct on campus, the resolution of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights complaint, and plans for the future. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. This session will be hosted by Jim Tranquada, director of communications.

9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Campus Tour​ Discover why Occidental was named one of America’s 10 most beautiful college campuses, and enjoy information that highlights the communal and intellectual campus life of today’s students. Tour led by Office of Admission student tour guide.


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Occidental Children’s Theater Performance

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Women’s Club Boutique

Join this renowned troupe of Oxy students and alumni as they present their 21st-anniversary masterpiece for children of all ages, Little Red Frankenhood, conceived by Associate Professor of Theater Jamie Angell and directed by Tristan Waldron ’12.

From homegrown plants to handknit scarves, this boutique has something for everyone. Proceeds benefit the Occidental Women’s Club Endowed Scholarship.

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Hameetman Career Center Support Your Student for Career Success Career Center Director Valerie Savior ’85 will present the Center’s four-year plan for students to optimize each year at Oxy to best prepare for a meaningful career. Learn how to support your student along this path of career-readiness.

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Green Oxy Tour Join a fun, informative tour led by sustainability champions to highlight Oxy’s green efforts. The tour route will include the FEAST and pollinator gardens, the 1-megawatt solar array, Bike Share, saplings, the Earth Week photo contest exhibit, the new Mullin Grove, the Green Bean, and other exciting green efforts. This tour will take you to all parts of campus. Comfortable shoes and a refillable water bottle are recommended.

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Oxy Special Collections Tour: Inside the Moore Lab of Zoology Bird Collection The Moore Lab’s 65,000 bird and mammal specimens are a unique research and teaching resource for a liberal arts college. Including rare and extinct species, as well as toucans, parrots, and the resplendent quetzal, the Moore Lab holds the largest Mexican bird collection in the world and provides unparalleled opportunities for student-driven research on avian biodiversity, how it evolved and how to preserve it for the future. Attendees on the tour will join the Lab’s staff as they offer a rare insider view of this world-renowned collection. Advance registration is required, as space is limited.

11 a.m. – Noon How Oxy Works in 2016 Join members of the senior administration who will share their perspectives on the interesting and challenging work of the College, circa 2016. Marsha Schnirring, chief of administrative affairs, will facilitate the conversation.

11 a.m. Women’s Soccer vs. Whittier

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hameetman Career Center Learning Beyond the Campus Walls Life’s best lessons are often learned outside of the classroom. Oxy students enhance their education through study abroad, internships and special programs including the Kahane United Nations Program and Campaign Semester. Come hear about how the entire Oxy community is working to provide real-world experiences for today’s students.

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Oxy’s Best of the Best & Featured Author: Professor Dale Wright, Religious Studies What kind of person should I strive to be? What ideals should I pursue in my life? These basic human questions guide Professor Dale Wright’s just-published book, What is Buddhist Enlightenment? As Professor Wright argues, any serious practitioner of human life, religious or not, confronts the challenge of living an authentic life, of overcoming common human failings like greed, hatred and delusion that give rise to excessive suffering. Wright’s historical considerations yield to the question that our lives press upon us—what kind of life should we aspire to live here, now and into the future? Books will be available for purchase and Professor Wright will be available for book signing at the conclusion of this event.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. “Lab for the Liberal Arts” Special Presentation From the Cultural Studies Program Each year the Core Program offers special immersive CSP courses taught by cross-disciplinary faculty teams. Their purpose is to provide first-year students with an essential experience of the liberal arts and allow them to explore the vast resources available to them both on campus and throughout the greater Los Angeles area. These “Labs for the Liberal Arts” represent a full semester course load and provide both students and faculty with opportunities to experiment, discover and innovate within an exciting educational environment. Join Salvador Fernández (professor, spanish and french studies) and Richard Mora (associate professor, sociology) for an overview of this fall’s


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016 CSP course, California (Im)Migration Semester. This is a rare opportunity to learn more about Oxy’s innovative and unique colloquium format that offers students the opportunity to analyze the sociohistoric, legal and cultural tensions surrounding various (im)migrant communities in California.

4:30 p.m – 6 p.m. Celebration of Oxy Athletics

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Glee Club—Annual Homecoming Concert

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Tiger Tailgate & Oswald’s Carnival

Enjoy the Oxy Glee Club’s signature blend of classical and contemporary choral works during their traditional Family Weekend and Homecoming concert. Alumni are invited onstage to sing the traditional “Football Medley” and “Occidental Fair” at the end of the concert! Tickets are $15 and are sold the day of the concert at the Thorne Hall box office.

Before the Tigers take on the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer, join us for a pre-game tailgate BBQ and carnival, complete with ribs, beans and other tasty and dietary-friendly options, as well as festive fall activities for all ages. For those 21 and older, that includes the Tiger Pub Lounge beer and wine garden. $18 non-students adults (ages 10 and older); $10 children 9 and younger; $10.50 students with flex, rollover, or regular meal plan (bring your Oxy ID); $7 Tiger Pub Lounge beer and wine garden entry (for those 21+, government ID required).

Contact the Music Department at (323) 259-2785 for more information.

4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Students and Sibs Event Oxy students can share some one-on-one time with their visiting siblings before the Tiger Tailgate and Homecoming game at this casual arts, crafts and snacks party.

4 p.m. Women’s Volleyball vs. Cal Lutheran Rush Gym box office opens at 3 p.m. Tickets are cash only: adults, alumni and children, $5 per person; children 5 and under and Occidental staff and students (with ID) are free.

4 p.m Men’s Soccer Alumni Game

Join Athletics Director Jaime Hoffman and members of the Tiger Club for a presentation celebrating highlights of the 2015-16 season and the exciting capital plans and vision for Oxy athletics. Registration required.

All Tiger Pub Lounge patrons are required to also purchase Tiger Tailgate BBQ food.

7 p.m.–10 p.m. Football vs. Pomona-Pitzer Cash-only tickets available for purchase at the Jack Kemp Stadium box office starting at 6 p.m. $10 adults and Oxy alumni; $5 college and high school students (with ID); $5 children ages 6-12 (with parent); children 5-and-under, and Oxy staff and students (with ID) free.


ACCOMMODATIONS A limited number of Family Weekend special-rate rooms have been blocked at the following hotel.

Hilton Glendale Hotel & Executive Meeting Center

Special Family Weekend & Homecoming rates

100 W. Glenoaks Blvd. Glendale, CA 91202 (818) 956-5644

$150/night single/double occupancy $160/night triple occupancy $170/night quad

Taxes applied to all room rates. Rates include complimentary breakfast and in-room wi-fi access. Discounted overnight self-parking rate of $10 ($19 for valet) is available. Rates offered Oct. 20, 2016 to Oct. 23, 2016 (check-out Oct. 24, 2016).

GROUP CODE: OCFW The special room rate(s) will be available until September 29 or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first.

In addition to this property, many area hotels offer year-round discounts for Occidental College visitors. Information can be found at http://www.oxy.edu/maps-directions/hotel-information. Be sure to inquire about Occidental family discounts when making your reservation.

FAMILY WEEKEND RESERVATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCT. 7, 2016 We strongly encourage online registration at alumni.oxy.edu/FWH16. To submit your reservation by mail, complete and return the attached form with your payment to:

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY!

Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement Occidental College 1600 Campus Road M-11 Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314

QUESTIONS: For more information, please contact us at (323) 259-2601 or parents@oxy.edu.


! e r e h t u o y e e S

Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement Occidental College 1600 Campus Road M-11 Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mercury Mailing Systems, Inc.


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