One of my closest friends is in charge of prospective students at a State University. When it comes to the orientations she says the most difficult thing is to separate the parents from the students. When my DS did Freshman orientation, the separation took place in the parking garage, as soon as one parked, the students went one way (to select classes, meet with advisers and attend student orientation) while the parents were ushered off in a different direction to attend parent orientation. Every year without fail, there is that one parent, we all know that one parent,
the one who insists they must accompany their snowflake to the student orientation because their college student can't possibly manage their college career.
One thing that surprised me was how many universities now require attendance to a 2-3 day summer orientation. This requires additional travel etc. I do not understand why it is not tacked onto the beginning of the school year, it seems to be an unreasonable burden to me considering students are supposed to be "starving" students.