Family Experience
Welcome to the Ram Fam!
We're thrilled that your student has chosen to attend West Chester University. Now that they're part of WCU, you are a member of the Ram Fam, too!
The Office of Student Experience is here to support all parents, families, and supporters as you are supporting your Golden Ram throughout their college journey. Research indicates that family involvement contributes to student success, and students benefit when their family supports and shares in their university experience. Not only do we support your involvement in your student's life, we encourage it!
We hope you will take advantage of the opportunities to stay connected to the university, to your student's journey, and that you will continue to play an active role in your student's life.
Rams Up!
- Kelsey Frank, Family Experience Lead
stay informed with ram fam central
Ram Fam Central, our family engagement platform, is your gateway to University communication and support. By signing up for Ram Fam Central, you can join communities relevant to you, receive newsletters, and engage in discussion with other parents/families of WCU students. Ram Fam Central gives you the tools and resources you need to stay connected, informed, and involved in your student’s college experience.
Important Family-Specific Websites
Ram Fam Central
Being part of the Golden Ram Family, the Ram Fam, extends beyond our physical campus. The Office of Student and Family Experience is excited to provide Ram Fam Central, a personalized communications platform to enhance your experience, allowing you to customize the information you receive. The goal of Ram Fam Central is to ensure you receive the most relevant news items and special notices at just the right time in your student's journey.
Ram Fam Central is your one-stop-shop for:
- Access to important campus news, updates, and deadlines
- Newsletters with the ability to personalize in content and frequency
- Announcements via email
- Opportunities to connect to your student and view final grades, financial aid requirements, GPA changes, and more!
Additional Information:
Accessing Ram Fam Central
West Chester University parents and family members are automatically imported to Ram Fam Central as their undergraduate student enrolls at the university. Once imported, you will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to complete the registration process. Accounts imported into the platform still requires verification of account information and completion of the Welcome Survey. If your contact information changes, please update your Ram Fam Central profile.
If you did not receive an email notification sharing that you have been imported into Ram Fam Central, please follow the instructions below!
- Visit the Ram Fam Central login webpage.
- Select “Sign Up” and follow the prompts to create account login information.
- When prompted, customize the user experience by completing the Welcome Survey.
- Sent to the email address provided and upon completing the Welcome Survey, you will receive a confirmation email. Failure to complete the confirmation email will result in limited access to the portal, including but not limited to inability to make or view comments.
Selecting Communities
Ram Fam Central communities offer additional content personalization based on things you are interested in such as Student Life, Athletics, Safety, etc. Some communities may be pre-populated per Welcome Survey responses.
- Login to Ram Fam Central with your self-selected email address and password.
- On the left, under “I’d like to…,” select “Discover Communities.”
- Under “West Chester University Communities,” add your profile by selecting “join” and remove by selecting “leave.”
Personalizing Newsletters and Emails
- Login to Ram Fam Central with your self-selected email address and password.
- At the top of the portal homepage, select the silhouette icon and then select “Edit Notification Preferences.”
- Under “My Notification Settings,” adjust communication messaging and frequency.
Establishing a Student Connection
Ram Fam Central offers Student Connections - a way for students to connect to a parent or family member in Ram Fam Central and grant access to view final grades, financial aid information, GPA changes, and more! Access to your student’s educational record is protected by The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means that students have the option to authorize access to other individuals if they so choose, including parents or family members, and have full control over what information is shared. We encourage you to have a conversation with your student and determine if establishing a connection is right for you. Follow the steps below to begin establishing a connection!
- Login to Ram Fam Central with your self-selected email address and password.
- Click the graduation cap icon in the top-right corner of the page. Please note that your student must approve the request and access to their educational information is protected by The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) & WCU’s Privacy Policy.
- Enter your student's West Chester University email address. Note: A student's email will follow the format FLast###@wcupa.edu, where F is their first initial, Last is their last name, and ### are the last three digits of their RamNet ID.
- Parents and family can request access to:
- Class Schedule/Enrollment Information
- Grade(s) Information
- Financial Aid Information
- Holds on Account
- If your student approves the connection, you will be able to access their information the following day as the system updates nightly.
Save the Date: November 6-8, 2026
Join us for Family Weekend to celebrate your students, connect with our campus, and experience the WCU community for yourself! We encourage all members of our Ram Fam to join us for a fun-filled weekend. Contact the Office of Student and Family Experience with questions at ramfam@wcupa.edu.
Family Weekend Schedule: Nov. 6-8
Registration for Family Weekend will open on Monday, September 28th. For some free events, an RSVP is requested to help us plan for attendance, but you will not be turned away if you haven't registered. Other events require registration to attend. Ticketed events require a separate ticket purchase. We encourage you to review the schedule and begin make plans for you and your family based on the events you wish to attend.
Friday, Nov. 6th
| Event Name | Time | Location | Description | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown West Chester First Friday | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Borough of West Chester |
Stroll through downtown West Chester and visit some of our lovely retail stores, experience our amazing restaurants with award-winning food and drink, and grab some dessert to cap the night! Many retail stores will be having special sales, events, and extended evening hours. No need to worry about parking because on-street parking is free after 5pm! |
Free - No Registration Required |
| Haunted Walking Tour of West Chester | 6:00-7:30 PM | Tour Begins at 21 W Market St. |
Every house in West Chester is said to be haunted. Come along with our guide, provided by Chesco Tours, for a chilling tour through West Chester’s spooky history! On this lantern-guided walk, you’ll hear ghostly and strange stories from our town’s past at the spots where they happened. You’ll never look at the borough the same way again! The walking tour includes approximately one mile of walking. |
Tickets Required. Purchase your tickets when registration for Family Weekend opens on September 28th! |
| Criterions and Statesman Welcome Concert | 7:30-9:00 PM | Asplundh Concert Hall |
West Chester University Wells School of Music proudly presents, 100 Years of Jazz Welcome Concert featuring the Criterions and Statesmen. Join the Dean of Wells School of Music, Dr. Chris Hanning, Director and Jazz Studies Professor, Jonathan Ragonese, and the entire Criterions community as we dance to the sounds of the Big Band Era of the Criterions Jazz Ensemble. |
Free - No Registration Required |
Saturday, Nov. 7th
| Event Name | Time | Location | Description | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Weekend Check-In | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Ehinger Gym Lawn (Located Along Church St.) | Welcome to Family Weekend! Stop by check-in to grab your family weekend schedule and grab some free coffee and bites, sponsored by Wawa. The first 200 to check in also receive a special Family Weekend photo frame - perfect for putting your photos from Family Weekend in! | Free - No Registration Required |
| Family Photos | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Ram Statue (Corner of Church St. and Rosedale Ave.) |
After checking in, swing by the Ram Statue to take a family photo (or two)! Photos are printed on the spot so you can take your memories home immediately. |
Free - No Registration Required |
| Family Pickleball Tournament | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Student Recreation Center |
Grab a paddle and join us for a friendly Family Weekend competition! Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking to have some fun, come compete and enjoy some time on the court with your family. Equipment will be provided by Campus Recreation. |
Free - Registration Required Secure your spot when registration for Family Weekend opens on September 28th! |
| West Chester Grower's Market | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 201 N Church St. (Corner of N Church St. and W Chestnut St.) |
Enjoy your Family Weekend at the West Chester Growers Market, featuring local produce, baked goods, eggs, dairy products, beverages, flowers, honey, pasta, meats, prepared foods, and more! Shop local. Taste local. Experience West Chester. |
Free - No Registration Required |
| Planetarium Show | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Mather Planetarium (750 S Church St.) |
Enjoy a look at our night sky hosted by the Department of Earth & Space Science, who operates the Dr. Sandra F. Pritchard Mather Planetarium. *Tickets are required as capacity is limited. Purchase your tickets when registration for Family Weekend opens on September 28th! |
Tickets Required. Purchase your tickets when registration for Family Weekend opens on September 28th! |
| Ram Fam Tailgate | 12:00-2:00 PM | South Campus, S2 Lot (Next to Softball Field) |
Before heading to the football game, stop by to get ready to cheer on the Golden Rams and enjoy an afternoon of family fun! The Ram Fam Tailgate will include live music, food trucks, etc. Due to limited parking on south campus, we suggest taking the Rally Route campus shuttle from Wayne Hall which runs from 10:30am-7:00pm and will drop you off across the street at S lot. |
Free - No Registration Required |
| Planetarium Show | 12:30 - 1:30 PM | Mather Planetarium (750 S Church St.) |
Enjoy a look at our night sky hosted by the Department of Earth & Space Science, who operates the Dr. Sandra F. Pritchard Mather Planetarium. |
Tickets Required. Purchase your tickets when registration for Family Weekend opens on September 28th! |
| Football Game vs. Shippensburg University | 2:00 PM | Tomlinson-Fillippo Field at Farrell Stadium |
Grab your purple and gold and head down to the stadium to cheer on the Golden Rams as they face the Shippensburg University Raiders! |
Tickets Required for Non-WCU Students. Purchase your football tickets here (separate from Family Weekend registration) |
| Mentalist Show: Matt the Knife | 7:00 PM | Sykes Student Union Theatre | Get ready for an evening of comedy, mind-reading, and impossible feats with award-winning entertainer Matt the Knife. This interactive show combines humor, magic, and audience participation for a fun and unforgettable Family Weekend experience. | Free - No Registration Required |
Sunday, Nov. 8th
| Event Name | Time | Location | Description | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Rugby vs. Long Island University | 12:00 pm | WCU Rugby Pitch (855 S New St.) | Cheer on the Golden Rams as they take on the LIU sharks in their final home game of the regular season! | Free - No Registration Required |
| 100th Anniversary Celebration featuring Stefon Harris | 3:00 pm | Asplundh Concert Hall | Continue celebrating 100 Years of Jazz with Stefon Harris, who has been named DownBeat Critics Poll Vibraphonist of the Year multiple times and has been heralded as “one of the most important young artists in jazz” (Los Angeles Times). He joins the Criterions to celebrate their rich legacy and usher them into the future. An all-star Alumni band will perform alongside Stefon, and the current Criterions Jazz Ensemble. | Free - No Registration Required |
Frequently Asked Questions
Click through our FAQ below for the answer to some of our common Family Weekend questions!
Do I need to register for Family Weekend and is there a fee?
We do ask that your family registers for Family Weekend to help give us an idea of how many guests to expect on campus. Registration will open on Monday, September 28th on Ram Fam Central. Only one member of your family needs to complete the registration to avoid duplicates!
Registration for Family Weekend is free, although there are a select few events that, due to capacity, require a ticket with a small fee associated. Those events are noted in the schedule above so you can make plans for your group.
Where can I park on campus?
We expect Family Weekend to be a busy weekend full of lots of visitors in West Chester. We suggest reviewing the following information about parking and shuttles to make the most of your time on campus.
- Guests are able to park in student lots if they are visiting outside of enforcement hours (Monday through Friday, 7am to 4pm).
- Guests should not park in employee lots at any time and are subject to ticketing if they do.
- Guests are also able to park in one of our three daily parking garages at any time
(Sharpless St., New St., or The Commons)
- Cost: $1.50/hour with a max rate of $9/daily
Please review the football section below for information about parking on south campus for the football game on Saturday, November 7th.
What do I need to know for the football game?
Cheer on the Golden Rams as they face the Shippensburg University Raiders on Saturday, November 7th! Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm at Tomlinson-Fillipo Field at Farrell Stadium and a performance from the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band will take place at halftime.
Game Day Information:
- Gates at Farrell Stadium will open two hours prior to kickoff for Family Weekend (12:00 pm). Seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- WCU students can access home football games for free with their Ram Card ID. Ticket
pricing for non-WCU students can be found on our ticketing website. Please note that tickets are required to attend WCU football games. We strongly
encourage purchasing tickets in advance, as tickets are only available at the door
if the game is not sold out.
- WCUPATIX.com is the official ticket website of Golden Ram Athletics. Tickets sold by third-party vendors will not be accepted.
- Purchase your WCU football tickets here.
- West Chester University Football Games are cashless, including parking. Tap-to-pay options are available, including debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
- While parking is available on South Campus, it is limited! We expect Family Weekend
to be busy and encourage students and fans to take the Rally Route campus shuttle
from the Wayne Hall stop down to Farrell Stadium to avoid traffic delays.
- Parking is$10/car, $40/RV or trailer (RVs/trailers must register at least two business days in advance by calling (610) 436-3555)
- The Rally Route shuttles will be available from 10:30 am - 7:00 pm. More information on the route can be found on our shuttle website.
- No backpacks or large bags will be allowed into the stadium. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, purses larger than a clutch bag, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer bags, camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after they have been inspected.
- Tailgating is permitted in Q Lot and S Lot on south campus. These lots will open four hours before kickoff and is only permitted in these lots. View the full tailgating policy here.
Where can I stay while I'm in town?
We are excited to have you in our beautiful and historic town of West Chester! Whether you are just coming for the day or staying multiple nights, we hope you enjoy your time and take a moment to explore downtown West Chester. While we do not currently offer discounted rates, out of town guests are encouraged to explore the hotel options in the area. Please note that lodging may be more limited due to the influx of guests visiting campus for Family Weekend.
When is the campus store open?
The campus store, located on the bottom floor of Sykes Student Union, will be open during Family Weekend with special Family Weekend deals available! Check out the hours for the campus store during Family Weekend:
- Friday, November 6th: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday, November 7th: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sunday, November 8th: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Who do I contact with questions?
For questions about Family Weekend, please email the Office of Student and Family Experience at ramfam@wcupa.edu and we would be happy to assist you. For questions about tickets for the football game, please contact the SSI Ram Card Office at ramecard@wcupa.edu or by phone at (610) 436-2266.
Visit West Chester, PA
West Chester, Pennsylvania is the perfect mix of scenic nature and a bustling town. Not too small, not too large. Which means there’s plenty to do here. A 10 minute walk from our 403-acre campus will bring you to Downtown West Chester – a historic town stocked with hundreds of shops, restaurants, cafes, festivals, farmers’ markets and events.
Family Benefits
As a member of the Ram Fam, you have access to additional benefits and special touches to support your student. Below is a list of currently available benefits/resources. Keep checking back to see what additional benefits are added!
Care Packages
WCU's Office of Student and Family Experience has partnered with CampusCube, the premier college care package company. The colorful boxes are loaded with healthy snacks, quality personal care items, useful gadgets, and each package includes a beautiful gift card printed with personal messages of love and support. Packages are available for special events such as birthdays, holidays, graduation, and for busier academic times such as midterms or final exams. The best part? The care package(s) are delivered right to your student's door in their residence hall!
Ram Fam Advisory Council
About the Advisory Council
The Ram Fam Advisory Council is a representative group of WCU family members and supporters who have committed to volunteering their time, sharing their knowledge and expertise, and serving as an advisory group for the University in collaboration with the Office of Student and Family Experience. It offers an opportunity for members to directly impact the student and family experience, offer valuable feedback to University administrators, and connect with other WCU families.
Ram Fam Advisory Council Members:
- George Guido | West Chester, PA
- Deb Dash | Syosset, NY
- Rob Dash ('91) | Syosset, NY
- Yvonne Tejada | Royal Palm Beach, FL
- Janis Michels | West Chester, PA
- Steve Hocker | York, PA
- Regina Higgins | Prospect Park, PA
- Dia Williams Adams | Morton, PA
- Ellen Nonnemacher | Reading, PA
- Jacki Sop | Norwood, PA
- Bridget Bonner | Drexil Hill, PA
- Jeffrey Stein ('91) | Downingtown, PA
- Gina Marandola-Tincu | Philadelphia, PA
- Kenya Minor | Horsham, PA
- Beth Garofola ('06) | Marlton, NJ
- Jennifer Diffley | Souderton, PA
- Jill Dougherty | Springfield, PA
- Dee Selgrath | Sanatoga, PA
- Amy Clevinger | Horsham, PA
- Colleen Cancila | Mullica Hill, NJ
Eligibility
- Must be a parent or family member of an undergraduate student at West Chester University.
- Must be able to commit to a one-year term (with the option to renew for a second year).
- Must share a belief that family support enhances student success.
Please note, WCU faculty, staff, and students are not eligible to apply or serve. Family members who are employed by the University interested in serving are encouraged to inquire about non-Council volunteer opportunities!
Commitment and Responsibilities
- Attend monthly Zoom meetings.
- Attend biannual Council meetings in West Chester, PA (lodging and travel at your own expense).
- Serve a one-year renewable term.
- Contribute to our family engagement platform, Ram Fam Central, by writing posts, answering discussion board questions, etc.
- Represent the Ram Fam Advisory Council at parent/family events such as orientation, commencement, first-year send-offs, etc.
- Provide strategic input to administrators regarding issues of importance to parents and families.
- Assist with recruitment of future Council members.
- Maintain communication and frequent contact with the Office of Student Experience staff.
Council Member Benefits
- Help shape the parent and family experience at WCU.
- Maintain involvement with your student's education institution.
- Increase your knowledge about University resources and programs that support student success.
- Opportunity to engage with University faculty and staff on a regular basis.
- Opportunity to meet and network with other WCU families.
- Invitations to special events.