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Parents and Families

Engage, Discover Resources, Stay Connected

Whether your student’s first home is in Florida, another state, or another country, Florida Southern College is committed to keeping you informed and connected while your student transitions to collegiate life. Your student’s experience at ¹û¶³´«Ã½ will be transformational, and your partnership plays a key role as we prepare your student to make a positive and consequential impact on society.

We are dedicated to providing resources to help you and your family stay abreast of what’s happening on campus, sharing important dates and deadlines, and ultimately providing a gateway to the services that will support your student’s success at Florida Southern and beyond.

Get Involved. Stay Informed.

The Link, Parent Newsletter

The Link, Parent Newsletter

Parents and families are automatically added to our monthly newsletter which shares updates about the latest happenings at Florida Southern.

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Parent Newsletter Archive
Parent Facebook

Parent Facebook

Connect with ¹û¶³´«Ã½ staff and other members of our parent community via our Parent Facebook page.
Campus Safety Messaging

Campus Safety Messaging

Students are automatically enrolled in the emergency text message system but parents and families are welcome to join as well.
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Family Weekend

Family Weekend

Join us each fall to connect with your student and get a taste of their ¹û¶³´«Ã½ college experience.
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Reading List

Reading List

Suggested reads for parents and families to learn about supporting students' transition to college life.
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FAQ

FAQ

Questions? Check out our FAQ for parents and families.
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Gifts for Students

Gifts for Students

Send a care package, birthday cake, or other gear to let your student know they are on your mind.

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Calendar

Fall 2023 Academic Calendar

August 19 to 21
Orientation and Registration: New and Transfer Students – Day Undergraduate Program
August 22
Classes Begin at 8:00 AM
August 28
Last Day to Register and Adjust Class Schedule
September 20
Final Day to Withdraw from “A” Courses
October 10
A Term Ends
October 16 to 20
Fall Break (No Classes)
October 23
B Term Begins
October 25
Last Day to Add "B" Courses
November 3
Final Day to Withdraw from Courses Without an Academic Penalty
November 21
Final Day to Withdraw from "B" Courses
November 22 to 24
Thanksgiving Break (No Classes)
December 8
Classes End
December 11 to 13
Final Exams
December 16
Mid-Year Commencement
Christmas Holidays Begin

Spring 2024 Academic Calendar

January 8
Orientation and Registration: New and Transfer Students – Day Undergraduate Program
January 9
Classes Begin at 8:00 AM
January 15
Martin Luther King Day (No Classes)
January 16
Last Day to Register and Adjust Class Schedule
February 7
Final Day to Withdraw from “A” Courses
February 27
A Term Ends
March 4 to 8
Spring Break (No Classes)
March 11
B Term Begins
March 13
Last Day to Add "B" Courses
March 22
Final Day to Withdraw from Courses Without an Academic Penalty
March 29
Good Friday Holiday (No Classes)
April 9
Final Day to Withdraw from "B" Courses
April 11
Frank Lloyd Wright Day (No Classes)
April 19
Fiat Lux
April 26
Classes End
April 29 to May 1
Final Exams
May 4
Spring Graduation

Featured Events

In-Person

Prismatic: Of Light and Color

Music

Prismatic: Of Light and Color

Faculty Artist Series

Feb 27 7:30 PM

Join ¹û¶³´«Ã½ faculty member and low brass performer Andrew Sallee for “Prismatic,” a recital exploring themes of color and light in musical repertoire, including original works for the euphonium and tuba, as well as transcriptions by Sallee himself from other mediums. Works by Johannes Brahms, Hidenori Arai, and Kevin Day will be included, among others. We look forward to sharing an evening of colorful music with you!

Location: Anne MacGregor Jenkins Recital Hall

Cost: Free Admission, no ticket required.

In-Person

Welcome Home

Music

Welcome Home

Anne Jenkins Memorial Symphony Series

Mar 8 7:00 PM

Join us for Welcome Home, a concert featuring timeless classics and captivating performances. Enjoy the exhilarating 'Overture to Zampa' and Mozart's 'Sinfonia Concertante,' with special guests as they return to their hometown of Lakeland—Carolyn Wann Bailey, Principal 2nd Violin, Nashville Symphony and Julius Wirth, Principal Viola, National Philharmonic. Then, immerse yourself in Tchaikovsky's emotional 'Symphony no. 4.' Plus, don't miss selections from our talented Beth Mason Young Artist Award recipients. Welcome home to an unforgettable evening of music!   

Location: Branscomb Memorial Auditorium

Cost: $29-$49 per person

In-Person

AJ Rafael in Concert

Music

AJ Rafael in Concert

Special Guest

Mar 14 7:30 PM

AJ Rafael is an accomplished singer/songwriter who has amassed over 1 million subscribers on YouTube and 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His debut album “Red Roses” reached the iTunes and Billboard charts, and he has collaborated with artists like Tori Kelly, Jeremy Passion, Kina Grannis, and Kolohe Kai. Rafael was named a Filipino American Game Changer by the City of Los Angeles in 2018 for his contribution to the music industry as a proud Asian American independent artist. 

Location: Branscomb Memorial Auditorium

Cost: Free for ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Faculty, Staff, and Students. General Admission tickets: $25 child/$50 adult.

In-Person

An Evening of Song

Music

An Evening of Song

Faculty Artist Series

Mar 20 6:00 PM

A concert of favorite art songs, arias, and American standards celebrating both art and music, sung by mezzo-soprano Jenny Heidtman.

Location: The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, Auditorium

Cost: Free Admission, no ticket required.

In-Person

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Dance: Kinetic Connections

Dance

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Dance: Kinetic Connections

Directed by Erin LaSala Phillips

Mar 28 7:30 PM - Mar 30

Experience an exhilarating showcase of classical, contemporary, and innovative dance presented by the talented students of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Dance Program during this year’s annual spring dance concert, ¹û¶³´«Ã½|Dance: Kinetic Connections. The first act of this program features a condensed rendition of the charming and humorous ballet "Coppelia," followed by a diverse array of original modern and contemporary choreography crafted by ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Dance faculty and esteemed guest artists in the second act. Come and be part of this extraordinary performance celebrating the beauty and creativity of dance.

Location: Branscomb Auditorium

Cost: Free for ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Faculty, Staff, and Students. General Admission tickets: $5 child/$10 adult.

In-Person

Operatunities: A Scenes Program

Music

Operatunities: A Scenes Program

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Opera Theatre, Directed by Mark Thomsen Opera Orchestra, Directed by Martha Placeres

Apr 4 7:30 PM - Apr 6

While traveling to an opera conference being held in Las Vegas, a group of opera characters discover that all the hotels have been booked due to a Comic Book Convention. They get together and decide to stay together in a VRBO. Characters such as Carmen, Hansel and Gretel, Fiordiligi, Despina, Dorabella, and Lauretta (and more) all under the same roof! We invite you to discover how well they get along. 

Location: Branscomb Memorial Auditorium

In-Person

The Little Dog Laughed

Theatre Arts

The Little Dog Laughed

By Douglas Carter Beane, Directed by Natasha Lee Martin

Apr 4 - Apr 13

A hard-driving Hollywood agent, her budding screen idol client, a sexy young drifter, and the drifter’s naive, needy girlfriend. The Little Dog Laughed follows the adventures of Mitchell Green, a movie star who could hit big if it weren’t for one teensy-weensy problem. His agent, Diane, can’t seem to keep him in the closet. Trying to help him navigate Hollywood’s choppy waters, the devilish Diane is doing all she can to keep Mitchell away from the cute rent boy who’s caught his eye and the rent boy’s girlfriend (wait, the rent boy has a girlfriend?). Will there be a happy ending as the final credits roll?

THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection (www.dramatists.com)

Location: Loca Lee Buckner Theatre

Cost: Free for ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Faculty, Staff, and Students. General Admission tickets: $10 child/$20 adult.

In-Person

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Jazz Program Highlights Vol. 2

Music

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Jazz Program Highlights Vol. 2

Directed by Jeffrey Benatar

Apr 9 7:30 PM

Featuring all ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Jazz Ensembles, this concert highlights music from the Jazz canon, old and new, in a variety of ensemble combinations.

Location: Branscomb Memorial Auditorium

Cost: Free for ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Faculty, Staff, and Students. General Admission tickets: $5 child/$10 adult.

In-Person

La Musique: Featuring Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony and The Fauré Requiem

Music

La Musique: Featuring Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony and The Fauré Requiem

Anne Jenkins Memorial Symphony Series

Apr 12 7:00 PM

Indulge in the beauty of La Musique, a concert program filled with captivating melodies and exceptional performances. Enjoy the dynamic interplay of organ and orchestra in Eugene Gigout's 'Grand Choeur Dialogue.' Experience the harmonies of Gabriel Fauré's 'Requiem in D minor,' featuring the talented voices of the Florida Southern College concert choir. Then, immerse yourself in the rich orchestral textures of Camille Saint-Saëns' 'Symphony No. 3 in C minor,' with special guest Matthew Corl. Join us for an evening of musical delight that celebrates the power and beauty of music.

Location: Branscomb Memorial Auditorium

Cost: $29-$49 per person

In-Person

Spring Symphony Band Concert

Music

Spring Symphony Band Concert

Directed by J. Jossim

Apr 16 7:30 PM

When you think of “spring” a pallet of colors, tastes and sounds comes to mind. The season brings with it endless possibilities to be creative in many ways. We invite you to share our favorite musical meal carefully prepared and waiting just for you.

Location: Branscomb Auditorium

Cost: Free for ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Faculty, Staff, and Students. General Admission tickets: $5 child/$10 adult.

In-Person

Earth Day Concert

Music

Earth Day Concert

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Concert Choir and ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Chamber singers, Conducted by Beth Gibbs

Apr 22 7:30 PM

Honoring our dear planet, tonight’s concert will help us to remember how precious it is. Celebrating the turning of the seasons and the joy of our beloved flora and fauna, join us for a concert of music that is sure to invoke a feeling of home and pride for our place in the solar system. 

Location: Branscomb Memorial Auditorium

Cost: Free for ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Faculty, Staff, and Students. General Admission tickets: $5 child/$10 adult.

In-Person

Summer String Camp

Summer String Camp

At Florida Southern College

Jun 8 - Jun 13

Featured Services

Campus Directory

Dining Services

Dining Services

Our food service program is focused on the student and their needs and desires. We are here not only to offer good food and friendly service, but to meet special requirements for such things as vegetarian meals or special diets. Check out the many food venues, campus dining hours, daily menus, and much more!
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Campus Safety

Campus Safety

Our dedicated, responsive staff helps to ensure the well-being of the entire college community. In addition to an emergency text message system, our Campus Safety staff are available 24/7 to meet the needs of our students.

Campus Safety Office

Text Message System

Airport Shuttle Services

Airport Shuttle Services

Florida Southern College provides shuttle transportation for current students to and from the Tampa (TPA) and Orlando (MCO) airports for breaks throughout the school year.

FAQs

Get to Know Lakeland

There are so many places to explore in Lakeland! Hop on a bike and tour the city on a 26-mile lake-to-lake byway, catch a show at the historic Polk Theatre, or grab a coffee or a bite to eat at one of Lakeland's many craft coffee houses.

Where to Stay

Need help figuring out where to stay? Lakeland boasts a diverse range of accommodations, allowing you to experience our town at its best. Remember to mention Florida Southern College when making your reservations.

Questions? Contact

Ryan Walsh Ryan Walsh

Associate Dean of Student Engagement

Office of Financial Aid Office of Financial Aid

 863.680.4140

 863.680.4567

Office of Student Life Office of Student Life

 863.680.4209

 863.680.4112