Students get chance to show parents around town
Programming Council will offer a shuttle downtown this year, allowing families to see where students spend free time in Fort Worth.
BY EMILY TURNER
Staff Reporter

Jahnae Stout knows she will enjoy spending time with her parents regardless of what they do this weekend. The freshman biology major said she is looking forward to Programming Council’s new event this year which will allow her to show her mom and dad not only around campus, but around her new city.

The PC tried to get away from its usual schedule this year by adding a new twist to Family Weekend, said Michelle Warren, a junior radio-TV-film major and Programming Council’s project director.

A ballroom at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel downtown will be rented out where students and their parents can gather, Warren said. The hotel will provide a place for families to congregate, rest and enjoy refreshments throughout their day of exploring Sundance Square and downtown Fort Worth. She also said the new event allows freshmen parents to explore their child’s new home.

“I haven’t seen my parents since they dropped me off four weeks ago and went back to Oklahoma City,” Stout said. “They are counting down the days.”

Warren said she decided to plan an activity where parents and students can spend time together in a relaxed environment after parents complained about the lack of free time during Family Weekend.

Warren said her mom and dad participated in Family Weekend last year, but that they are excited about this year’s new event.

“The weekend benefits everyone, but especially benefits freshmen parents,” Warren said. “A lot of people are ready to see their parents by now.”

Brad Thompson, vice president of Programming Council, said Family Weekend gives parents a chance to see their child’s campus involvement and allows freshmen to show their parents around campus.

“A lot of parents receive literature on TCU,” Thompson said. “However, they don’t see the school through the eyes of their child. Family Weekend gives them the opportunity.”

Thompson, a junior radio-TV-film major, said buses will leave from the Student Center at 11 a.m. on Saturday and will continue shuttling people to Sundance Square until 4:30 p.m. In addition, restaurants downtown have agreed to offer discounts, which are listed in the booklet to be given to parents when they check in this afternoon.