Family Communication

At UMass Lowell, we believe that family members are valuable partners in supporting student success. One of the most important aspects of that partnership is communication—though we recognize it can sometimes be challenging to strike the right balance between university outreach, student independence, and parental involvement.

Our goal is to engage families in ways that support students’ growth while respecting their journey into adulthood. College is a time for students to take initiative, make decisions, face challenges, and learn from setbacks. These experiences help build resilience and critical problem-solving skills that serve them well beyond graduation.

At the same time, we understand there are moments when communication with a student’s family is both appropriate and important. As part of your student’s support system, you play a key role in helping them thrive.

This page provides helpful guidance on how and when the university communicates with families, and how you can set healthy, supportive expectations for communication with your student.