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The Pack Family Post – Late Fall 2025 Edition

News you can use. Pride you can share.

A welcome message for families during PFW

Welcome Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Wolfpack Family,

Greetings from Parents and Families Services! We hope all of your students had a wonderful Fall Break. It’s hard to believe that the middle of the semester is upon us and plans for the spring are already in motion, but there are still many activities, updates and reminders for you and your family to support your student over the next few weeks.

The second half of fall is an essential time for students, and they should prioritize tasks from University HousingTransportation and Study Abroad, among others, that are critical during this period. Along with their to-do list, notable events such as Red and White WeekLight Up the Night for Mental Health and the many fall concerts featuring NC State student talent are all highlighted activities.

It would be remiss not to acknowledge that, with the excitement of such events, the second half of the semester can also be stressful. The Academic Calendar, course selection, projects, final exams, etc., can all weigh heavily on our students and it’s equally important to prioritize self-care. Whether that means getting a flu shot, downloading the free Headspace app or working out at Wellness and Recreation, take time to ask questions beyond the classroom. Take time to connect with your student about these topics or by using starters from our monthly Conversation Calendar. All are excellent ways to encourage and check in on your student’s well-being.   

Last but certainly not least, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended Parents and Families Weekend. From big laughs to big wins, we couldn’t have asked for a better event. Click here to see the weekend in photographs.

Did you know? Parents and Families Services hosts two annual family weekends, one in the fall and one in the spring. Be sure to save the date for our Spring Fling family weekend, March 6-8. Event planning is underway. Registration* will open on Wednesday, Jan. 14. 

As always, we are here for you. If there is anything we can do to support you and your student, please reach out to us via our Helpline phone 919.515.2441 or email [email protected].

GO PACK!

Sincerely,
Kerri Fowler
Executive Director, Parents and Families Services

*Please note that we do not share an exact time that registration will open in advance. This helps ensure a smooth registration experience for everyone. Thank you for understanding.

RWW Graphic 2025

Red and White Week 2025
Oct. 26 – Nov. 2

Red and White Week is the ultimate showcase of Wolfpack pride — and our students bring the energy! From the Homecoming Kickoff to Wear Red, Get Fed, these favorite traditions highlight the fun, community and Pack spirit that make NC State unforgettable. Whether you’re celebrating with friends, enjoying free food or joining the excitement across campus, these events capture the unity and passion that define the Wolfpack. Get ready to Light It Red and celebrate with unforgettable Pack spirit! 

Visit redwhiteweek.ncsu.edu for a full schedule of events, a printable Family Party Pack, Spotify Playlist, registration and more.

Campus Partner Updates

Keeping parents and families well-informed is a priority, and our campus partners are here to help. Please take a moment to review the information below to stay up-to-date on deadlines, events and opportunities available to your student.

Spring and Summer 2026 Enrollment

Spring and summer 2026 enrollment opens on Oct. 29. It’s important for students to meet with their advisors to discuss the courses they are interested in. All students must have an advising appointment before registering to lift the advising hold on their accounts.

Is your student graduating?

Congratulations! Whether your student is graduating in December or May, graduation marks the start of a student’s journey from being an NC State student to an NC State alum. There are many tasks to complete and we want to help them stay on track for the celebration ahead. Take time to share the following links with your student to ensure they complete all tasks prior to graduation.

From an NC State Student to an NC State Alumni

There are countless ways students can stay connected with the Pack. From alumni cords to exploring the world, be sure to share the alumni checklist with your student. Celebrate your achievement with your alumni cords and explore the world through WolfTreks travel. This is just the beginning. One Pack, endless opportunities.

Visit the Alumni website to learn more.

CAMPUS HEALTH

Campus Health is here to help support your student. For any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us through the Healthy Pack portal, our website or by calling us at 919.515.2563.  Follow us on social media Facebook and Instagram, for important date reminders, health tips and outreach events. This is the best way to receive up-to-date information from Campus Health. 

FLU CLINICS
Flu vaccinations are available for students on campus via appointments and walk-in clinics throughout the semester. Click here for more information.

Medical equipment at Student Health Services on Cates Avenue. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

University Housing

Room Selection applications for the 2026-27 academic year will open Monday, Oct. 27. Students living on or off campus can complete this application! The selection process will take place in February 2026. To participate in the selection process, students must complete their Room Selection application by Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

Space is limited due to the first-year live-on requirement.

Transportation

Get ready to renew your parking permit for the spring semester! Renewal opens on October 27 starting with Carpool permits, followed by commuter permits on November 4 and residential permits on November 5. Any remaining permits will be available during open sales which begin on November 19.

TICKET to TABLE

Did you know? Between Oct. 10 and Oct. 31, Transportation will forgive eligible parking citations in exchange for Amazon Wishlist donations.

This program is a partnership between the Student Government, Pack Essentials and Transportation. Amazon purchases support the Feed the Pack Pantry. Transportation retains final authority on citation dismissal following verification.

Wolfpack One Card

Meal Plan Change Period Opens Tuesday, Oct. 29. Students at North Carolina State University can begin making changes to their spring 2026 meal plan on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The deadline to change or cancel the spring meal plan is Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
 
Be sure to encourage your student to monitor their meal plan balance and dining activity using the GET app — a convenient tool for tracking Dining Dollars, watching meal swipes, and staying on top of their dining usage.

Study Abroad Applications Now Open!

Group program applications for Summer 2026 study abroad are now open! The scholarship application deadline is Saturday, Nov. 15. The final program application deadline is Thursday, Feb. 5.

Learn about the basics of study abroad in our upcoming Study Abroad 101 Live Session on Thursday, Nov. 20, led by one of our study abroad advisors. Sessions typically last about 30 minutes and include time for Q&A. You can also access our Video Series on our website

NC State Libraries

The Libraries is proud to offer Family Backpack Kits for Libraries users! If you bring children to the Libraries, you can check out a kit containing age-appropriate books, activities, and toys. Developed through consultation with the Student Parent Association (SPA), backpacks are now available for checkout at the Hill and Hunt Libraries, as well as the branch libraries.
There are four tiers of family backpack kits: Age ranges 0-2, 2-4, 4-8, and 8-12. Checkout is for 8 hours.

WELLNESS

Headspace App

NC State University is excited to partner with Headspace to provide FREE premium memberships to students on a first-come, first-served basis.
Being in tune with our minds and bodies helps us think clearer, strive for better health, sleep soundly and manage stress effectively. 

Light Up the Night for Mental Health

Get ready to Glow Up for Mental Health! We’re inviting all students to Stafford Commons on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 5-8 p.m. for an evening of fun, community and support.

This isn’t just a party—it’s a chance to build community and shine a light on mental health! Students can enjoy a live DJ and play some great games. Most importantly, this event is designed to create a positive, non-judgmental space to help reduce the stigma often surrounding mental health. It’s a fun, low-pressure opportunity to learn about resources and show support for one another. For more information, visit the University Calendar.

Upcoming Wellness Events

In light of World Mental Health Day in October, NC State’s team of Wellness Coaches and Specialists has compiled a comprehensive list of self-care resources to help students find support for their mental health throughout the semester. 

  • Campus Health Flu Clinics: Every Monday through Dec. 8
  • Wellness Fest: Oct. 28
  • Local Apple Week in the Dining Halls: Oct. 22-24
  • Mobile Barber Shop: Oct. 22- Dec. 17 on Centennial Campus

Click here for a list of all upcoming events.

First in the Pack welcome event with Mr. Wuf

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOLFPACK FAMILIES

Parents and Families Weekend 2025 – THANK YOU!

We hope you had as much fun as we did! Many thanks to the many sponsors who made our event a success: PNC Bank and Balfour. Also, a very special thanks to the extensive list of Very Important Parent partners, family ambassadors, regional chairs, Kay Yow Cancer Fund, Shelton Vineyards, Tim Peeler and Dr. Thomas Stafford along with the many others who partner with our office to make this weekend memorable. It truly takes a village; we couldn’t have done it without you.

Pack Family Sponsors

Sponsors play a vital role in helping us achieve our goals, and in return, they receive prominent acknowledgment across our events, communications and digital platforms.

The following Sponsors have partnered with our offices, aligning their brand with the mission and efforts of NC State and the Office of Parents and Families Services.

Chancellor Howell engaging with employees at The Corner on Centennial Campus.

Stay Connected

To ensure you continue to receive communications from Parents and Families Services, including but not limited to essential university messages, e-newsletters, special events and the monthly conversation calendar, please set up your Brickyard account. Your student initiated this process in their MyPack Portal account. Students can replicate this process for multiple parents or family members. Each individual account must be completed with a preferred email address AND the “opt-in” button for communications checked.

Please note that we are unable to communicate with any family member(s) who do not have the opt-in button for communications checked OR who have not been granted FERPA (Federal Rights Privacy Act) access by their student.