Assessing the Expectations, Concerns, & Needs of College Parents & Families Kacee Collard Jody Donovan Keith Lopez Colorado State University CSU Research & Assessment Symposium

Welcome! IntroductionsIntroductions A Few QuestionsA Few Questions Importance of Parents and FamiliesImportance of Parents and Families Parent/ Family Programs at Four-Year InstitutionsParent/ Family Programs at Four-Year Institutions Assessing Parents and FamiliesAssessing Parents and Families What We Found at Colorado StateWhat We Found at Colorado State Implementing ChangesImplementing Changes DiscussionDiscussion

A Few Questions… How often do you communicate with parents and/or family members?How often do you communicate with parents and/or family members? What are their concerns?What are their concerns?

Profile of Todays Parents & Families 2 nd Annual National Survey on the Current College Parent Experience – March 2007

How often do you typically communicate with your son or daughter while they are at college or university? How often do you typically communicate with your son or daughter while they are at college or university? More than once a day 7.9% 136More than once a day 7.9% 136 Daily 22.8% 393Daily 22.8% or 3 times a week 41.8% 7202 or 3 times a week 41.8% 720 About weekly 22.4% 386About weekly 22.4% or 3 times a month 4.2% 722 or 3 times a month 4.2% 72 About once a month 0.5% 8About once a month 0.5% 8 Less than once a month 0.4% 7Less than once a month 0.4%

Roughly how often do you or your spouse initiate the communication with your son or daughter in college? Roughly how often do you or your spouse initiate the communication with your son or daughter in college? 100% of the time 4.0% % of the time 4.0% 68 75% of the time 26.1% % of the time 26.1% % of the time 56.5% 97250% of the time 56.5% % of the time 12.7% 21825% of the time 12.7% 218 0% of the time 0.8% 130% of the time 0.8%

How would you compare the level of involvement/ communication you have with your student to the involvement/communications your parents had with you during college? How would you compare the level of involvement/ communication you have with your student to the involvement/communications your parents had with you during college? Much more involved 43.1% 741Much more involved 43.1% 741 More involved 28.5% 490More involved 28.5% 490 About the same 13.6% 234About the same 13.6% 234 Less involved 2.7% 46Less involved 2.7% 46 Much less involved 1.0% 17Much less involved 1.0% 17 Not applicable 11.1% 190Not applicable 11.1%

Powerful Images & Analogies Helicopter = Hovering Bulldozer = Pushing Umbrella = Caring Helicopter, Bulldozer or Umbrella?

Importance of Parents & Families The biggest influence on students seeking a college educationThe biggest influence on students seeking a college education The biggest influence on retaining students semester to semesterThe biggest influence on retaining students semester to semester The biggest influence on graduationThe biggest influence on graduation Therefore, it is incredibly important to partner with parents and families!Therefore, it is incredibly important to partner with parents and families!

Assessing Parents and Families Why Assess Parents & Families?Why Assess Parents & Families? Assessment MethodologiesAssessment Methodologies - Student Voice - Roundtables on campus - Roundtables on campus - RAMFAM Association - RAMFAM Association - Website Polls - Website Polls - s, Calls, Visits - Events/Programs

What We Found

What Type of Relationship would you, as a parent/family member like to have with Colorado State University?What Type of Relationship would you, as a parent/family member like to have with Colorado State University? –I would like the school to provide information that gives parents an idea of how life on campus is going. If we are aware of activities or issues on campus, we could discuss those with our student. –I would like to be kept informed of campus/student issues, contribute my opinions of the student climate, and be kept knowledgeable about career guidance support.

–You have the most precious person I have raised in the world. We are moving this young man from a young adult to a responsible and productive member of society. Lets not be having a 22 year old teenager at the end of four years. –Weve been very pleased with the level of planning and openness weve experienced at CSU in contrast to the University our other child attended. Although it hasnt been necessary, we always felt that we would be welcome to contact faculty or officials if necessary. We felt welcome both in person and via and other communications. As out of state parents, this has been most important.

Roundtables International Scholar Services & Study AbroadInternational Scholar Services & Study Abroad CSU PDCSU PD Conflict Resolution & Student Conduct ServicesConflict Resolution & Student Conduct Services Resources for Disabled StudentsResources for Disabled Students Advocacy OfficesAdvocacy Offices Lory Student CenterLory Student Center CSU BookstoreCSU Bookstore

Website Polls What is your student doing over Winter Break/Spring Break?What is your student doing over Winter Break/Spring Break? How will you show your student you love him/her?How will you show your student you love him/her? What is your students favorite care package item?What is your students favorite care package item? What is your biggest concern about your student at CSU?What is your biggest concern about your student at CSU?

RAMFAM Association RAMFAM Association Created structure & organizationCreated structure & organization Wrote their own mission statement & goalsWrote their own mission statement & goals Developed RAMFAM BrochureDeveloped RAMFAM Brochure Assist with Parents Fund Allocation & FundraisingAssist with Parents Fund Allocation & Fundraising Four Committees:Four Committees: - Fundraising & Development -Programs & Events -Recruitment & Retention -Student Issues

Implementing Changes Scheduling (RAM Welcome, Parent/Family Programs)Scheduling (RAM Welcome, Parent/Family Programs) Parent & Family Learning OutcomesParent & Family Learning Outcomes Content for Newsletters, Calendar, & Other PublicationsContent for Newsletters, Calendar, & Other Publications Website DevelopmentWebsite Development Homecoming/Family Weekend ProgrammingHomecoming/Family Weekend Programming Justification for Staffing & Funding LevelsJustification for Staffing & Funding Levels RAMFAM AssociationRAMFAM Association

CSU Parent & Family Learning Outcomes –Understand transition models as they relate to students and family members transition experiences when students enroll in higher education. –Become aware of the variety of concerns and behaviors related to students transitioning to college and employ developmentally appropriate strategies to effectively support students through this process. –Support students academic endeavors by celebrating exploring new interest areas, engaging in conversations about learning, and pursuing life long learning.

–Learn about Colorado State Universitys student support services, resources and programs, and empower students to access these services when seeking assistance.. –Develop new relationships with their students that acknowledge and support the developmental process of becoming mature, productive, and engaged citizens of a global society. –Recognize that many students will make mistakes and use poor decision-making while in college, and must be held accountable for their choices in order to learn how to be more successful in the future.

–Balance students need to be independent with the need to contact appropriate campus or community resources if students physical or mental health is at risk –Encourage their students to learn about others diverse cultures, values, beliefs, and practices while also exploring their own unique backgrounds and ideologies for improved awareness of self and others. –Develop a positive relationship with Colorado State University through participating in campus events, supporting student involvement, giving to the University through outreach, service or fundraising, and advocating on behalf of Colorado State at the local, state, and federal levels.

Assessing Your Programs What do parents & families think about your office, services, programs, and resources?What do parents & families think about your office, services, programs, and resources? How are you currently assessing parents & families?How are you currently assessing parents & families?

Questions? *Photo Credits: Bill Cotton, Colorado State University*Photo Credits: Bill Cotton, Colorado State University