2012 NASPA Annual Conference  Phoenix, Arizona  March 10–14, 2012 The Always Changing, Ever Evolving Field of Parent Involvement Jeanine Ward-Roof, Ph.D.–The Florida State University Anna Carey – Western Washington University Mark Roof – The Florida State University

Selected Timeline 1913 – Gott v. Berea 1949 – Student Personnel Point of View 1959 – Melvin Hardee research 1961 – In Loco Parentis begins to unravel 1974 – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (Lowery, 2011) 1988 – 1 st edition of “Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide To Today’s College Experience”

Selected Timeline 1990 – Origin of term helicopter parent 1998 – Amendments to FERPA (Lowery, 2011) 1990s – substantial increase in parent involvement on college campuses (Howe and Strauss, 2007) – Large number of Baby Boomers began sending Gen X children to school – End of family detachment in the 1980s – College administrators embraced parent involvement

Selected Timeline 2000 – administrators not prepared for parental involvement – Parents seen as “intrusive, time-consuming and annoying” (Howe and Strauss, 2007) – Terms to describe parent behavior emerged stealth fighter, tandem bicycle, helicopter parent term became more mainstream ; term umbrella parent emerged Popular press began addressing parenting college students 2010 – CAS Standards for parent and family programs introduced

Current Literature Millennials desire more parental involvement than other students in past four decades – Students rely on advice from parents in almost every aspect of life – Students contact parents at unprecedented rate (Taylor, 2011) – Terms emerged for continued connection with families: The Accordion family & Boomerang Kids (Newman, 2012)

Why? Generational differences Parental cynicism of their college experience Power of middle class parent movement Fear Consumerism Accountability (Taylor, 2011 & Howe and Strauss, 2007 )

Different = Similar Goals for parent programs (Cohen, R. 1985) – Responsibility for institutional goals – Ambassadors and Supporters – Volunteers – Donors Current – Desired roles may be similar but interactions are more intense

Pilot Survey Methodology – Electronic survey created using Survey Monkey – Distributed to NASPA Parent and Family Relations Knowledge Community Listserv and to a select group of student affairs colleagues – 1375 sent – 35 responses (2.5%) – Demographics of institution size Small (under 10,000) 14 Med (10-20,000) 4 Large (20,000+) 18 Private 5 Public 20 – Limitation, number of responses

Best Practices How are people staying current? – NASPA KC & presentations – Association of Higher Education Parent/Family Program Professionals – AHEPPP – Journals, The Chronicle of Higher Education Type of Organization – Club with dues - 3 – Open, no dues - 24 – Invited Membership - 3 – Advisory Board - 15 – Facet of Alumni Programs - 9 – Fundraising oriented - 7 – Hybrid - 4 – Other - 4

Type of Organization National Survey of College and University Parent Programs (M. Savage, 2011) – Placement All institutions – 58.3% Student Affairs – 24.1% Advancement Public – 74.1% Student Affairs – 8.1% Advancement Private – 42.1% Student Affairs – 43.2% Advancement – Creation 52.2% of programs created since % since 2006

Best Practices & Services Provided Increased application of social networking & technology – E-newsletters – Online seminars/webinars – Hotlines and responses to questions Increased programming & outreach – Orientation 96.2% (61% 2003) – Family Weekend 91.4% (74.4% 2003) – Fundraising 82.5% (43.9% 2003) – Handbook 76% (12.2.% 2003) – PRINTED newsletter 35.6% (54.9% 2003) (M. Savage, 2011)

Future Trends – Survey Results Current Practitioners – Engaging high-capacity donors – Regional & hometown networks – Communication during campus crises – All institutions will establish a parents/family relations office – The next generation will involve their parents even more therefore, parents will increase their communication with institutes – Student wellness portals

Future Trends – Pilot Survey Results Current Practitioners – Greater access for parents to academic advisers – Greater understanding of FERPA among faculty members and a willingness to assist without divulging academic records – Working with international parents and graduate students – Needing to invite parental involvement for low-income and first- generation students – Gen X parents will be more involved than Baby Boomer parents. They will require more tech-heavy info with quicker response times

Future Trends, continued Next generation of articles, research, books… – For parents "The iConnected Parent: Staying Close to Your Kids in College (and Beyond) While Letting Them Grow Up,” B. Hofer & A. Sullivan Moore “The Accordion Family: Boomerang Kids, Anxious Parents, and the Private Toll of Global Competition,” K. Newman Recent NY Times, Washington Post, LA Times articles focusing on staying in touch but allowing room to grow

Future Trends, continued Next generation of articles, research, books… – For higher education professionals “Not Quite Adults: Why 20-Somethings Are Choosing a Slower Path to Adulthood, and Why It's Good for Everyone,” R. Settersten & B. Ray “Parents' Perspectives on Parental Notification of College Students' Alcohol Use,” Merith Cosden and Jennifer B. Hughes, Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice (2012) ‘In Community with Students’ Parents and Families,” J. Donovan, D. McKelfresh,, Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice (2006) Webinars & seminars – Parent Perspectives: A Panel Discussion of what Parents Need, Want and Value from a College – Parent & Family Issues 2012, Paper Clip Communications

Conclusions and Questions Keep focus on supporting student

Resources Association of Higher Education Parent/Family Program Professionals – AHEPPP - Cohen, R. (1985). Working with the Parents of College Students. New Directions for Student Services. Howe, N. & Strauss, W. (2007). Millennials go to college. Life Course Associates. Magolda, P & Baxter Magolda, M. (2011). Contested Issues in Student Affairs: Diverse Perspective and Respectful Dialogue (specifically, Lowery & Taylor chapters on parents) NASPA Parent and Family Relations KC – Newman, K. (2012). The Accordion Family: Boomerang Kids, Anxious Parents, and the Private Toll of Global Competition. Savage, M (2011). National Survey of College and University Parent Programs - reports/index.html

Can’t be in two places at once? 2012 NASPA Annual Conference DVD-ROM *The data DVD-ROM is meant to be used ONLY on computers with DVD-ROM drives. The product will ship approx. 6-8 weeks after the conference ends. Note – special pricing available for onsite purchases only, price will increase after conference ends. SPECIAL ONSITE PRICE of $89 (plus S&H) Order Now! Price increases to $139 after the conference! Includes 80 sessions * Audio recordings + synchronized slide presentations from a select number of presenters * Mac and PC compatible * Now you can! This exclusive offer is brought to you by