Information for Parents/Guardians

What is FERPA and how does it apply to students’ families?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) deals specifically with the education records of students (including campus housing records), affording them certain rights with respect to those records. FERPA gives students who attend a postsecondary institution the right to review their own records and have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information included in those records. FERPA generally prevents our staff from discussing housing records (applications, assignments, etc) with anyone other than the student unless that student has completed a UAA Authorization to Release Education Record Information form. For more information about FERPA, please see the University of Alaska System FERPA page.

If my student is a minor, will I need to sign any additional forms for their housing?

A parent or guardian must sign most applications and forms for students who are under the age of 18. If a student under the age of 18 completes a housing application or form online they will provide a name and email address of their legal parent/guardian on the application. An email will then be sent to the parent or guardian with a link to review the agreement or form online and add an electronic signature. We can then move forward in processing the student's application.

Addressing mail for your student

All student mail comes to a centralized location in the Gorsuch Commons and is then distributed to mailboxes. If you send your student a package, they’ll get an email notification once the package is ready for pick-up and can collect their package at the Housing Desk in the Gorsuch Commons. Please use the format below to address packages to your student.

Your student’s first and last name
℅ UAA Residence Life
3700 Sharon Gagnon Lane
Anchorage, AK 99508

A few things to know about sending mail:

  • You do not need to include a room number or mailbox number on your package. Since students sometimes change rooms and/or mailboxes, our mail staff checks the current PO Box for each piece of mail.
  • Be sure to use the student’s first or preferred name as it appears in their UAOnline account. If you use a nickname or any other name that our computer system doesn't recognize, your student probably won’t receive their mail.

Helping your student pay for their housing or meal plan

With the exception of the application fee and deposit, all other housing and dining charges are applied to student accounts, along with tuition and other UAA fees. Students can access their accounts through UAOnline, and also have the option to invite others (parents or guardians) to view or make payments on their account. For more information on sharing account access, please visit the Student Account Center.

Sending your student a care package

Share your love and support all year long with the University of Alaska-Anchorage care package program. A care package is the best way to remind your student that family members are thinking of them on a birthday, a holiday, and during final exams. A care package says it all.

Each of our care packages are loaded with all of your student's favorite snacks, including fresh baked cakes or cookies, fresh fruit, candy bars, and more! The best part is that you can include your own personal note to your student in every package. Don't just show them how much you care, tell them!

For years, University of Alaska-Anchorage has been offering the care package program to every student. We know the perfect time to send each package throughout the semester, just when your student really needs a boost.

Select a Care Package 

Testimonials

"I wanted to let you know that my son was surprised and very pleased with his Halloween package. He really liked the variety of goodies you sent! Thank you for your great service." - Sheryl C, parent of student

"My son did receive his care package and said it is great! Full of awesome things...this is a wonderful service you provide. He said it will definitely help him get through his final exams in the most positive light." - Barb F, parent of student

"My daughter called to tell me how surprised she was to receive such a nicely done up gift basket, it was beautifully done. The excitement in her voice was certainly worth it, and a nice way to take the stress off during her finals and enjoy the goodies. Thank you again." - Maria G, parent of student

"Just wanted to let you know that you do an amazing job! My daughter and her friends (I sent them gift baskets also) said that they are wonderful! Great job and thank you for having this service! I love it and love sending them to my daughter!" - Yolanda S, parent of student

 

Minor Guest Visitation Policy: Guests 16 & 17 Years of Age 

  • Any individual 16 or 17 years of age may visit and also stay overnight in a residence hall or apartment if their parent or guardian provides written permission to Residence Life a minimum of 2 business days in advance of the guest’s arrival.
  • Written permission from the parent or guardian must include: 
    • a parent or guardian’s phone number
    • the full name of the minor, parent/guardian, and host
    • specified dates of the proposed stay (permission can be granted for up to one semester)
    • the DOB of the minor
  • Online permission form: for ease, parents or guardians may complete this online permission form.
  • A staff member with Residence Life will contact parents or guardians who submit permission forms to verify the information in the form. The minor guest is not permitted to visit campus until the permission has been submitted by the parent or guardian and verified by a Residence Life staff member. 
  • This provision does not apply to approved camps and programs using our residential buildings for approved activities.
  • Please note: this provision applies only to 16 & 17 year old guests of UAA students. UAA students residing on campus who are under 18 years of age are not subject to this parent/guardian permission policy.

Minor Guest Visitation Policy: Guests 15 Years of Age & Younger 

  • Any individual younger than 16 years of age is not permitted to be a guest  or stay overnight on residential campus.
  • Visitors younger than 16 years of age may only enter the residence halls accompanied by a parent or guardian, who must accompany them during their entire visit and only between the hours of 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
  • Please note: This provision does not apply to approved camps and programs using the residence halls for approved activities.