Dorm rooms and dining service are aspects of a student’s life most parents never get to witness first-hand.

During Family Weekend, however, family members of dorm students are given the opportunity to experience living and dining in the residence halls.

Dining services have planned a Sunday brunch for the event on Sept. 22.

Carol Petersen, coordinator for residential dining, said students may bring up to two guests free of charge. Guest meal tickets will also be sold at the door for $7.25.

“This menu is typical of what a Sunday meal would be,” Petersen said. “This is a menu we have been using for the past three years and it has proven to be a popular menu.”

Petersen said there has been a steady rise in the number of guests since the brunch was started in 1999.

“It’s more known now,” Petersen said. “And hey, it’s a free meal – you can’t beat that.”

Oak-Elm and Knapp-Storms dining centers will be open from 10:45 a.m. until 1 p.m., and Friley and Maple-Willow-Larch dining centers will serve between 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Frederiksen Court students also have the opportunity to treat their families to a meal.

Kate Bruns, communication specialist for the residence halls, said a Family Weekend special will be served at the Hawthorne Market and Caf‚ between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. The cost of the meal is $4.95.

“It should be an excellent opportunity for parents and families to spend time with their sons or daughters and to experience the Frederiksen Court Community Center and Hawthorn Market and Caf‚,” Bruns said.

She said the Family Weekend brunch has been successful in past years.

“We feel the event is a good opportunity for families of students to experience what their children’s lives are like at Iowa State and to spend some quality time in their homes,” Bruns said.

Family members can also opt to spend the night in the residence halls.

The rules for overnight guests will follow the general policy used in the resident halls throughout the year, said John Shertzer, coordinator of residence life.

“Relatives of students may stay with them in their residence hall room for up to three days, as long as the guest and the resident are the same gender,” Shertzer said.

Shertzer also noted the student should get the permission of his or her roommate before inviting guests to stay in the room.