In the midst of freshmen's first midterm exams, about 1000 parents from all over the world will descend upon Harvard today to see what their sons and daughters have been up to since leaving home last month.

The 15th annual freshman parents weekend, which is expected to draw the most mothers and fathers in its history, kicks off today, with campus tours, a discussion on how the Class of '89 was admitted, and a film on Harvard athletics.

Parents of about 500 freshmen will come from as far away as California, Puerto Rico, England, Belgium, and the Ivory Coast to visit their sons and daughters. About 70 parents more than last year's total are expected to arrive today, said Eleanor C. Marshall, assistant to the director of the Harvard-Radcliffe Parents Association (HRPA), which plans the weekend.

The HRPA has scheduled a total 16 of activities today and tomorrow, including a lecture by noted Harvard anthropologist Irven DeVore entitled "Do We Need Two Sexes" and a couple of $5.65 banquets at the Union.

Parents will also have the opportunity to hear speeches by various campus deans, meet proctors and advisers, visit Harvard's museums for free and attend Saturday's Harvard-Princeton football game.

Adriane Y. Stewart '89, of Stoughton Hall and Moorestown, N.J., said that while her parents are at Harvard, she "can't get wasted." She also said that freshman parents weekend comes at a bad time because many freshmen have papers and midterms to prepare for this weekend.