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Communication is goal of Parent Association
By KEVIN FRYLING
Reporter Contributor
Well-informed parents are better able to contribute positively to their son or daughter's experience at UB.
That philosophy is the foundation of the UB Parent Association, an organization designed to strengthen the connection between parents and the university.
The Division of Student Affairs developed the Parent Association based on the recommendation of the Parent Advisory Council, a group of 10 to 20 UB parent-volunteers who meet throughout the year to brainstorm ways to enhance communication between the university and parents.
Since early 2004, a major goal of the Parent Advisory Council has been to work with Student Affairs to broaden the scope of the Parent Association to appeal to all interested parents of UB students, says Dennis Black, vice president for student affairs whose office manages both the Parent Association and the Parent Advisory Council.
Parents are recruited for the Parent Association during summer orientation sessions, Opening Weekend in August and Family Weekend in the fall, Black said, noting that there currently are at least 1,200 parents signed up for membership in the free program.
When parents register with the Parent Association, they receive notices via monthly emails about programs and services designed to promote student success—information they can pass on to their son or daughter.
Recent emails have provided information about upcoming career and internship fairs, as well as new campus services, such as the Substance Use Intra-Interpersonal Group created by Counseling Services for students concerned about their drug or alcohol consumption.
"We provide contact information for parents to make it easy for them to resolve questions, challenges," added Black. "Members receive frequent communication.
"We also arrange at least one social program per year for Parent Association members," he said. "Last year, about 125 parents attended a reception and UB men's basketball game in Alumni Arena."
Families also are encouraged to take part in other activities as well, such as the annual Family Weekend.
On the recommendation of the Parent Advisory Council, Student Affairs also developed a Web site that acts as a "one-stop shop for information relevant to parents," according to Black.
The Resources for Parents Web site (http://www.parent.buffalo.edu) is a powerful tool for parents seeking answers to common questions about dealing with issues college-age children encounter away from home, especially first-year students, Black said. The site features links to other important information, such as closing schedules for residence halls and class-registration dates. Topics such as meal plans, on- and off-campus housing, parking, books and medical insurance are covered as well.
Student Affairs continues to operate Parent Programs, a long-time service within the Office of New Student Programs that maintains day-to-day contact with parents in need of specialized assistance. Parent Programs also manages the Parent/Family Orientation and publishes The Anchor, a semiannual newsletter for parents. Black noted that Toby Shapiro, coordinator of parent relations, works corroboratively with Student Affairs regarding Parents Advisory Council and Parent Association activities.
He pointed out that his office recently created a Parent Relations Team to "assist Student Affairs in developing a comprehensive, efficient and effective approach for delivering parent services, programs and communication to UB parents through a team-based effort involving professional staff from both the Student Affairs and academic services," he said.