PARENTS & FAMILIES: THEY HAVE YOUR NUMBER! Jody Donovan Associate Dean of Students/Executive Director of Parent & Family Programs Kacee Collard Jarnot Assistant Director of Parent & Family Programs PDI –

Welcome Introductions Family Relationships Generational Issues & Current Research CSUs Philosophy on Working with P&F Tips & Strategies Discussion/Questions

Your Family Relationships How was your family involved in your college experience (i.e. academics, finances, personal issues)? Did your family support you through your first crisis in college? If so, how?

Know Thyself & Thy Family Salvador Minuchins Family Systems Theory Detached Enmeshed Healthy Boundaries Examples Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and Family Therapy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Generational Issues Connection & Family Relationships Problem Solving Involvement Assertive Communication Skills Emerging Adulthood

Power of Reframing Analogies Helicopter = Hovering Bulldozer = Pushing Tandem Bicycle = Guiding Umbrella = Caring

Current Research Higher Education Research Institute Survey Results on The American Freshmen: National Norms for Fall 2007 Home of the CIRP - The nations oldest and largest study of higher education

Current Research Higher Education Research Institute Survey Results: Percentage of first year students, by race & ethnicity, who see too little parental involvement in key areas FactorWhiteBlackNative AmericanAsianLatino Decision to go to college 4.2%8.2%8.1%8.4%11.5% Applications to college 11.9%20.0% 22.8%27.3% Decision to go to college at which student enrolled 7.6%14.6%13.8%14.6%18.4% Dealings with officials at college at which student enrolled 12.1%20.5%20.7%33.3%32.2% Choosing college courses 18.6%33.4%28.8%37.4%43.5% Choosing college activities 16.1%33.7%27.8%39.6%43.3%

Current CSU Research How often do you communicate with your student?

Current CSU Research How often do you initiate communication with your student?

Current CSU Research Top 5 Topics of Conversation between Students & Their Parents or Family Members 1. Classes/Academic Issues 2. Family Issues 3. Motivation & Encouragement 4. Grades 5. Finances

CSU Philosophy & Mission Statement Colorado State University actively partners with students' parents and families to support students' academic success and personal development while also assisting families to become appropriately involved and connected with their students and the University.

Tips & Strategies Before you interact with parents & families: Know the campus resources available Understand FERPA and the institutions approach Know thyself and thy family Be aware of your own responses to challenging families Answer questions instead of forwarding them on- always provide a soft hand-off Return phone calls and s

Tips & Strategies As you interact with parents & families: Have patience (put yourself in their shoes…) Know what you say matters Honor the commitment families make by sending their loved ones to college Legitimize fears, concerns, and questions Talk about how their roles and lives have changed Provide options, problem solve together Listen to what is both said and not said, document the conversation Encourage families to have faith in themselves and their students

Tips & Strategies Keep in mind: Families expect to be involved, we need to define those boundaries Consistent messages about family collaboration Help families understand the college experience today Help families understand that students are working toward becoming adults Common focus: student success Honor the needs of families We are educating the whole family, not just the student anymore Be sensitive about college as an investment Inclusive in structures of families & family culture

CSU Parent & Family Programs Five Areas of Focus 1. Awareness Let parents & families know P&F Programs exists 2. Education Appropriate college parenting, family transitions & CSU resources 3. Development Increasing financial support for the Parents Fund 4. On-Campus Outreach Seamless P&F service delivery across campus 5. Off-Campus Outreach Work to be a model program for other campuses

& Discussion Questions, Comments