About
The Parent and Family Program
The University of Wisconsin–Madison values parents and families as key partners in student success. The Parent and Family Program keeps you connected and provides resources throughout your student’s college journey.
Launched in 2007 to centralize communication, the program began with a hotline and email support. Today, we offer Badger Family Hub, our handbook, campus events, virtual Q&As, and more. We are here to help you stay informed and engaged every step of the way.
Mission Statement
We connect parents and families of UW–Madison students to the university so that they may support their studentʼs’ success.
Goals for Parents and Families
Parents and families are important mentors and coaches to their students. They can support students to thrive and succeed at UW–Madison in the following ways.
- Guide and encourage their student to take more responsibility for academics, activities, and daily life.
- Talk openly about health and balance. Discuss topics such as stress, sleep, nutrition, exercise, relationships, safety, alcohol/drugs, and more.
- Empower students to problem-solve independently.
- Understand student privacy as outlined in the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Stay connected by joining campus events and exploring UW–Madison and the community.
- Share the resources and discoveries at UW–Madison, support higher education, and spread the word about the university’s impact.
- Advocate for personal, state, and federal investments in higher education.
Defining Parents and Families
“Parent and family” includes, but is not limited to, parents, stepparents, extended family members, chosen family members, foster parents, and legal guardians.