Oxy Parent FAQ
Most Oxy offices share the (323) 259 prefix. This directory matches common parent questions to the office that can actually answer them.
About this group
Is this the official Occidental College parent group?
No. Far From Home is an independent parent community supported by College Cubbies. For official information, visit the Occidental College parent and family page.
Dates and breaks
When is Occidental College Family Weekend in 2026?
Oxy combines it with Homecoming. The college events calendar lists Homecoming & Family Weekend for Oct. 2 to 3, 2026, with registration through the alumni site.
When is move in at Oxy for fall 2026?
New students move in Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, and returning students move in Friday, Aug. 21. Fall classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 25.
When is Thanksgiving break at Occidental in 2026?
Thanksgiving break runs Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Friday, Nov. 27, 2026. Monday, Nov. 30 is the last day of fall classes, so students need to be back by then.
When do the dorms close for winter break?
Residence halls close at 10 am on Friday, Dec. 11, 2026, the day after fall finals end. Returning students can move back in starting 10 am on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027, and spring classes start Tuesday, Jan. 19.
When is Oxy spring break 2027?
Spring break is Monday, March 8 to Friday, March 12, 2027, per the academic calendar.
When is Occidental Commencement 2027?
Commencement is Sunday, May 16, 2027, per the academic calendar. Oxy's commencement page for families says the ceremony is in the Remsen Bird Hillside Theater and guests need wristbands, which graduates receive when they pick up their cap and gown.
Travel and where to stay
What is the closest airport to Occidental College?
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is about 15 miles from campus, typically 25 to 40 minutes by car. LAX is approximately 25 miles away, and the trip can take 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic.
Where do parents park when visiting Oxy?
Visitors park in green Visitor/Vendor spaces with a free temporary permit from Campus Safety, displayed on the rear view mirror. Those zones are enforced Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Which hotels near Occidental offer an Oxy discount?
The college's hotel page lists Oxy rates at hotels in Glendale and Pasadena, including Holiday Inn Express Glendale Downtown (2.8 miles, discount applied through the college's link) and both Hyatt Place Glendale and Hyatt Place Pasadena (code 120517).
Can parents stay on campus at Oxy?
Sometimes. The Samuelson Alumni Center has five hotel style suites, and parents of Oxy students may stay there upon approval. Contact samuelsoncenter@oxy.edu or (323) 259-2629. During move in, the new student guide says parents and guests may not stay overnight on campus and asks families to book off campus lodging.
Move in and move out
What comes in an Oxy dorm room?
Each room has a twin extra long bed frame and mattress, desk, desk chair, dresser, and a micro fridge with microwave. Bring twin extra long sheets.
Can my student stay on campus over winter break?
Yes, but students who stay are moved to Newcomb Hall for the break. Students in other halls must leave campus, though they can keep their belongings in their rooms.
Does Occidental offer summer storage?
No. REHS does not provide on campus storage, and students are responsible for their own belongings, so families usually ship boxes home or rent self storage near campus before the halls close.
Health, safety and local life
What is my student's mailing address at Oxy?
Use your student's full first and last name, then 1600 Campus Rd. # followed by their mailbox number, then Los Angeles CA 90041-3314. Students find their mailbox number in my.oxy.edu.
Where should my student go if they get sick?
The Emmons Wellness Center, (323) 259-2657, sees students weekdays. After hours, Oxy's resource list names Exer Urgent Care on Eagle Rock Blvd., about 0.9 miles away and open daily 8am to 8pm. In an emergency call 911.
How can I get Oxy emergency alerts as a parent?
Students are enrolled in OxyAlert automatically, and they can register parents and guardians through their own OxyAlert sign up portal.
More questions
Who do I contact at Occidental as a parent?
Start with the Office of Parent Engagement at (323) 259-2601 or parents@oxy.edu. For housing, call REHS at (323) 259-2531.
Start with the parent office
The Office of Parent Engagement, (323) 259-2601 or parents@oxy.edu, is the place to begin when you are not sure who to ask. Its pages for families cover orientation, Homecoming & Family Weekend, campus life and commencement, so it is a good first stop when you need to find the right office.
Who handles what
- Housing, roommates, closing dates, winter break stays: Residential Education & Housing Services (REHS), (323) 259-2531, resed@oxy.edu. The office is in Berkus Hall and keeps 9am to 5pm hours.
- Grants, loans, work study: Office of Financial Aid, (323) 259-2548, finaid@oxy.edu.
- Tuition bills and payments: Student Business Services, (323) 259-2610, stuaccts@oxy.edu. Student loan questions go to (323) 259-2509, stuloans@oxy.edu.
- Transcripts, enrollment, the academic calendar: Registrar's Office, (323) 259-2686, registrar@oxy.edu.
- Choosing classes and academic support: Advising Center, (323) 259-1341, advisingcenter@oxy.edu.
- Medical visits and counseling: Emmons Wellness Center, (323) 259-2657, emmons@oxy.edu. The 24/7 crisis line is (323) 341-4141.
- Accommodations: Disability Services, (323) 259-2969, accessibility@oxy.edu.
- Safety concerns, escorts, visitor parking permits: Campus Safety, (323) 259-2599, available 24 hours, campussafety@oxy.edu.
- A student who is struggling personally or academically: Dean of Students Office, (323) 259-2661, deanofstudents@oxy.edu.
- Mail and packages: Postal Operations Center, (323) 259-2894, postalcenter@oxy.edu.
- ID cards, Bengal Bucks, meal money: Campus Card Office, (323) 341-4885, cardoffice@oxy.edu.
- Dining questions and dietary needs: Campus Dining, (323) 259-2629, dining@oxy.edu.
- Orientation and student activities: Student Life, (323) 259-2918, slice@oxy.edu.
- Planning a semester abroad: International Programs Office, (323) 259-2533, ipo@oxy.edu.
The main switchboard is (323) 259-2500 if you need to be transferred.
About privacy
Oxy follows FERPA. According to the college's campus life and student support page for parents, many offices can only discuss your student's records with you after your student grants access through the FERPA waiver in their online gateway. It helps to have that conversation before the first tuition bill or the first time your student is sick, not in the middle of it.
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