The Top 10 things Bruin parents
and families should know
1. You, too, are members of the Bruin family.
UCLA welcomes parents and families to be involved on campus, hoping that the UCLA experience will be as positive for you as it is for your student. We encourage you to be supportive of your Bruin’s college experience while still allowing for independent personal and intellectual development.
For information on how to be more involved as a parent, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact the BRUIN Parents + Families program at (310) 794-6737 or mybruinis@ucla.edu. We are here to help you navigate UCLA.
2. UCLA’s strength is its size, and the opportunities and possibilities are limitless.
With more than 200 majors and minors, 900 student-run organizations, and unlimited research and internship opportunities, your Bruin will never be at a loss for paths to explore and find a personal niche.
3. Your Bruin receives a world-class education.
As UCLA flourishes, we are proud that the University has been named one of the few “Public Ivies.” In specialized seminars, or individual research projects, every student has opportunities to interact one-on-one with some of the world’s best scholars. The wide variety of course offerings facilitate a diverse academic experience.
All UCLA students were high achievers in high school, but many students need a few fast-paced, 10-week quarters to adjust to the academic rigor of their new University. This means straight-A high school students may not have a 4.0 in their first or second quarter -- and that’s OK.
It is important to note that three or four courses per quarter is the normal course load, but most students will only take three per quarter, especially in the first two years.
4. We celebrate diversity.
The UCLA community brings together students and faculty from across California, the country, and the world. We celebrate diversity through both our similarities and our differences—a diversity of backgrounds, interests and ideas. And more than one-third of UCLA students are the first in their family to attend college. We pride ourselves on bringing together diverse communities to create the best learning environment for all of our students, both inside and outside of the classroom.
5. Bruinlink is the primary information source for Bruin parents and families.
The Bruinlink newsletter is e-mailed to all Bruin families nine times per year, and can also be found on the site www.bruinlink.ucla.edu. The site also provides a comprehensive list of links to campus resources, upcoming events, and important dates. Additionally, for the most current news updates, the Daily Bruin student-produced daily newspaper can be found online at www.dailybruin.ucla.edu.
6. UCLA supports every aspect of your student’s health and wellness.
UCLA offers comprehensive services and facilities to aid in your Bruin’s well-being, including the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, and the John Wooden Recreation Center, all in the heart of campus.
All registered students have access to free or discounted medical benefits, a fully-stocked pharmacy, and counseling and psychological services. Additionally, students can participate in intramural athletics and enjoy access to recreational facilities including weight rooms, gyms, pools, athletic courts and fields, a rock climbing wall, and more!
7. As a parent, your access to your student’s records is conditional.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects a student’s right to access and control their educational records. According to FERPA, college students are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them.
While parents understandably have an interest in a student’s academic progress, they are not automatically granted access to their records. Parents are encouraged to consult with their student if academic information is needed. For more information, click here.
8. URSA (www.ursa.ucla.edu) is a one-stop shop for fee payments and financial account information.
Managing registration and housing fees is easy through URSA (the University Records System Access). By using the Billing and Receivables Account (BAR), which is accessed through URSA, students can streamline the accounting for registration fees that are assessed each quarter. And within the financial section of URSA, students can pay for housing, add funds to their BruinCard, and check their family’s financial aid status.
If you have questions about paying fees through URSA, call our parent hotline at (310) 794-6737 and we can walk you through the process.
9. Campus safety is a top priority.
With more than 9,000 students living on-campus in residence halls, and 40,000 to 50,000 people coming to campus each day, UCLA is literally a small city—but even safer. UCLA has its own police department working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed by police officers ready to respond in under two minutes anywhere on campus. During evening hours, UCLA provides a van service and a campus escort service. The residence halls place a strong emphasis on safety, with keycard-only access, self-locking doors, and residence hall security teams.
To connect the campus with information about major issues, all students are registered for BruinAlert and receive e-mails and text messages for major campus breaking news and emergencies. For more regarding campus safety information, visit www.ucpd.ucla.edu.
10. Although UCLA is a public University, only 13 percent of our funding comes from the State.
Our University is state-assisted, not state-funded. In addition to student fees, the rest of UCLA’s operating costs come from grants and other forms of private support from alumni, parents and friends. To learn more about supporting UCLA, visit www.parentsfund.ucla.edu.
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Bonus Top 5: What NEW Bruin parents and families should know
1. College is a transition for both you and your Bruin.
Both you and your student will grow and change during your student’s years at UCLA. Click here for a recommended reading list for parents and families.
2. UCLA orientation programs aren’t just for your student—it’s for you, too.
One-day family orientation sessions welcome you to the Bruin family. Family orientation features a great overview of campus life, the opportunity to ask questions from a student guide, and the chance to meet other new parents. Orientation enrollment begins for both students and families on June 1 via my.ucla.edu.
3. More than 95 percent of first-year students live on campus—and love it.
To experience University life fully, nothing compares to living on campus where your Bruin can enjoy the sense of community. Additionally, studies show that students who live on campus perform better academically, interact more with faculty, and are generally happier with their college experience compared to students who live off campus.
4. “Undeclared” is the most common major for incoming students.
If your Bruin hasn’t picked a major, that’s OK. Incoming freshmen often use their first year as a time to explore a wide range of fields to find an academic passion. Even then, the average student changes majors 2.5 times!
5. YOU are invited to enjoy UCLA through world-class arts and nationally-ranked athletics.
UCLA hosts world-class performance arts, concerts and art and cultural exhibitions right on campus—and they are open to the public. Visit your student while attending a performance or exhibit at the Geffen Playhouse, Royce Hall, or Hammer Museum. Visit www.happenings.ucla.edu/arts for more information. Additionally, UCLA Athletics holds more NCAA Championships than any other university in the country in sports including basketball, softball, water polo, and tennis. For event information, visit www.uclabruins.com.
