Your monthly newsletter from the Gator Parent and Family Association.
The Gator Family Connection
January 2019
From the Gator Parent and Family Association
Wishing you the happiest of New Years, from our family to yours!
We hope this year brings you plenty of joy, luck, and Gator spirit.

Spring Family Weekend 
Celebrate your Gator Family with a fun weekend in Gainesville March 29-31, 2019!

We hope to have you join us for our Spring Family Weekend! This is your opportunity to explore campus and Gainesville with your favorite Gator!

Registration for Spring Family Weekend will open in February.

If you have any questions regarding Spring Family Weekend, please contact [email protected].
On Campus
 I s your student currently living on campus and loving their experience? Encourage them to consider renewing their contract with the Department of Housing and Residence Education for next year! The process runs through the beginning of February. All information regarding Fall 2019 and Spring 20120 housing contract and room selections can be found  here. 

Off Campus
Living off campus is another experience that many University of Florida students enjoy, but finding the right housing, prices, locations, and amenities can be overwhelming.
Off Campus Life is here to help! Their office is a great resource that offers search tools and staff to help your student find the right fit. They can visit their physical space on 13th Street or their website here. 
 Gator Family Facebook Groups
Want to connect with other Gator families through social media?  Check out our class-specific Facebook groups! 

UF Families of 2020



Please note, you must answer the membership questions in order to be approved by group administrators.



Spring 2019 has officially arrived! Keep up-to-date on school holidays, important deadlines, grade release dates, exam schedules, and other key dates with the University of Florida Undergraduate Catalog. Check out the Spring 2019 Academic Calendar here. 
Spring Commencement will be here before we know it!  Be sure to check out the Spring Commencement  schedule.
Be sure to note the clear bag policy for the university-wide ceremony in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. 
Campus Diplomats Recruitment



Campus Diplomats, the official ambassadors to the Dean of Students Office, are an organization with courageous members. They serve the community, university, and each other with the intent to connect students to resources needed to support their success academically and personally. 

Encourage your student to apply by Friday, January 18, 2019. To apply and learn more, visit the Campus Diplomats' website. 
Spring Career Showcase
February 5 & 6, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
Stephen C. O'Connell Center 
Career Showcase is a two-day event featuring employers hiring for full-time job and internships. This event offers students a great opportunity to network with employers who travel to UF just to see them - it doesn't get much better than that! For information and the full list of events, click here.

Is your student interested in attending Career Showcase but maybe just missing that statement outfit? The Gator Career Closet is a free lending service, through which students may borrow professional clothing and accessories for up to seven days. To learn more or donate, visit their office on the third floor of Peabody Hall or check out their website.



Join UF students and community members on January 21 for the National MLK Day of Service, hosted by the David & Wanda Brown Center for Leadership and Service. Students can participate in meaningful service projects in Gainesville or simply participate in MLK Day events. Either way, they will meet new people and experience your community firsthand. Find more information here.
Florida Alternative Breaks (FAB) is a UF student-led organization that sends out service-learning trips based on specific social issues during academic breaks.
Each trip places an emphasis on education, service, and reflection in order to best maximize the impact of the alternative break experience. Students interested in joining FAB for Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend or Spring Break can get more information here.