Juniors: Your parents have been paying for your schooling long enough without knowing where their money goes, and by junior year, it's time to show them how their money is spent. This weekend, a flood of parents will descend upon campus to spend time with their son or daughter for Junior Parents Weekend and experience life at Notre Dame, a tradition that goes back 50 years.

Junior Parents Weekend will give your parents a better insight into the happenings at Notre Dame during the winter while class is in session. The next few days will be packed with special events to enlighten your folks and it's your job as a junior to make sure your parents have an enjoyable experience or else they might stop paying the bills.

There are several events scheduled for the next few days to highlight the many aspects of campus life. The weekend will commence with a gala in the Joyce Center. The evening will include music, dancing and desserts and this event is heralded as one of the best experiences you can have with your parents while in college.

On Saturday, workshops will be held to give your parents a glimpse as to what your academic life is like. Each college will gear their presentations to show the rigors and advantages of their respective programs.

Also in the afternoon, the residence halls will each host a luncheon. This will be a great opportunity for parents to meet your dorm friends and the hall staff. Later in the evening mass will be held in the Joyce Center, with University President Father Edward Malloy conducting the services.

After mass, dinner will be provided in the Joyce Center, so its important you go to church to be near the food. The event will include speeches by Malloy and Junior Class President Meghan O'Donnell. Also, live entertainment will be provided for the occasion.

Unfortunately, your parents will have to leave eventually, so Sunday will have to be spent in a state of continual hugging. To conclude the embracing, head over to the Joyce Center and enjoy "Home Sweet Dome" brunch that will be served. Irish basketball coach Mike Brey will be a special speaker at the event, and after beating Syracuse on Saturday, he'll have an interesting anecdote or two to share with your parents.

Once the brunch ends at 11:30 or so, JPW is officially over, but that doesn't mean your parents have to leave. Head into town and see the College Football Hall of Fame. After you've shown your parents that you can be attentive to them, they will want to leave soon enough and you'll be all alone as it should be, and if your parents have a good time, hopefully they will continue to pay your tuition.

• Welcome parents