Parents as Partners: The What, Why, and How of

Designing an Effective Parent Orientation Program

Presented by:

Katie Granholm, M.S.

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

granh013@umn.edu

Today’s Students

Today’s students are• Respectful of social conventions &

institutions; authority oriented• Financially dependent on their parents• Close to their parents• Initiating communication with parents;

parents are their “best advisers”• Savvy in technology—and use it all the

time

Today’s Parents

Today’s parents are• Accustomed to guiding their students’

activities• In close contact with their students• Frequently college grads themselves• Experienced in changing institutions• Technologically savvy

College Costs

• Rising college costs

• Families finance the cost of a college education.

• GenX parents are a consumer-drive generation- have options, used to shopping around for best “value”.

• Parents expect a high return on investment.

Parent and Student Relationship• 70% of students say they communicate with their parents

“very often”. (National Survey of Student Engagement, 2007)

• Most students perceive their parents’ involvement to be “just right”. (Higher Education Research Institute, 2008)

• Students who frequently communicate with their parents and follow their advice are more likely to participate in college activities and are more satisfied with the college experience. (National Survey of Student Engagement, 2007)

• “A healthy student-parent relationship is positively linked to overall college adjustment, including academic achievement and affective health, and these issues are all clearly demonstrated factors in student retention.” (Austin, 2003, p. 138)

Views on Parental Involvement

• Effectiveness of “letting go” messages

• “Helicopter” Parents– Stereotypes and realities

• Parents as partners

Parents’ Role in the Transition Process

• Changes over time

• Parents’ role during the “senior summer”

• Parents’ role in first-year student success

• Parents’ role long-term

Who Works with Parents

• Admissions

• Orientation

• New Student Programs

• Financial aid

• Housing….

What is the Role of Parent Orientation?

• In the absence of meaningful connections on campus, students will turn to parents for advice and guidance.

• Familiarize parents with the resources available to new students and parents

• Educate parents on issues related to student development and the adjustment process

• Acknowledge the adjustment process that exists for parents/family members

• Build an affinity with the University: need for parents to feel connected to the institution

Best Practices in Parent Orientation“Benchmark programs successfully achieve balance

with the following goals:• Educating parents on first year academic and social

transition issues; • Identifying that consistent, trustful, and respectful

communication helps with separation issues and supports attitudes and motivations helping students meet expectations;

• Parental encouragement and interest with student experiences helps them optimize college opportunities;

• Providing information on programs and services helpful to learning.” (Hatch, 2004. p.44 )

What makes Parent Orientation Effective? • Clear Goals and Objectives

• Collaboration

• Institutional Commitment

• Based on assessment of parent, student, and institutional needs

• Assessment and feedback are shared

Questions to Consider• When developing a parent orientation schedule, ask:

– What do parents need to know about the college experience?

– What support do your students need from their parents during their transition?

– What information do parents need to know in order for their students to be successful here?

– What are parents most concerned about at the time of orientation?

– How do we want parents to be involved in the college transition process?

Needs of Parents at the Time of Transition

Safety and Wellbeing

Finances

Academics

Changing Relationships

Needs Assessment• Institutional Feedback

– What are your partner departments telling you? • Survey of Parents

– Predict their student’s adjustment to college life issues– Main anxieties and concerns at this time

• Survey of Students– What role does your parent play in your transition into college

life? – How can your parent better support you?

• Parent and Student surveys can be conducted before on-campus orientation, at admissions visits, by mail or email, at or following on-campus orientation.

Additional Considerations

• Key Players

• Program Design & Logistics

• Program Content

• Implementation

• Determining Success

Key Players

• Who has a stake in Parent Orientation? • What key departments provide services related to

parent’s concerns, anxieties, questions, and also provide timely and relevant information?

• Who can be most helpful in getting your program off the ground?

• Your office, parents, college/academic constituents, departmental partners, sponsors, others?

Program Design & Logistics

• What are your desired outcomes?

• What is the ideal format for your program?

• Time-frame: program concurrent to student orientation or separate

• Weekday vs Weekend program

• Budget

• Space

Program Content• Health, Safety and Wellbeing • Residence Life or Commuting Information • Campus Tour • Academic and Social Support Resources • Financial Resources• Academic Expectations, Requirements & Policies • Faculty/Staff Interaction• Campus Involvement• Freshmen Seminars or Extended Orientation Programs• Student Development & Transitional Issues • Interaction with other Parents

Implementation • Staffing and oversight• Presenters/Facilitators

– Consistency & Reliability– Dynamic presentation style – Relevancy

• Program Format – May depend on space & time considerations– Passive vs. active programs– Interaction with other parents, students, staff

• Promotion & Marketing

Program Evaluation & Assessment• How will you determine success?

– Accomplishment of learning objectives, active participation, attendance?

• Program Evaluation– Go beyond demographic and satisfaction based

questions. – Eg: “After attending Parent Orientation, I have a better

understanding of the student experience and resources available at the University.”

• Post-Orientation Follow-up – Web polls, online survey, focus groups

Overview of U of M Parent Orientation Program • Program for the parents/guests of incoming

freshmen and transfer students • Concurrent with student program • Saturday program option • Costs:

– Freshmen: $25 (advance registration); $35 (on-site); $25 evening program

– Transfer: No charge • Promotion and Communication

Learning Objectives

By participating in Parent Orientation, parents will: • Have a better understanding of the U of M student

experience and the resources available to students and parents.

• Feel more connected to the University. • Feel better able to support their student and

empower him/her to take responsibility while enrolled at the University.

• Understand the academic expectations of their student.

Parent Orientation Schedule8:30-10:30 Optional Morning Activities (with student)

10:30-10:50 University Welcome (with student)

10:50-11:05 Overview of Parent Orientation

11:10-11:45 One Stop Student Services (financial aid, billing, registrar)

11:50-12:20 Health & Safety

12:20-1:15 Lunch

1:30-2:20 College Meeting

2:35-2:55 Break

2:55-3:40 Housing/The Commuting Life

3:50-4:05 Pieces of the Puzzle: Campus Life Issues Preview

4:05-4:30 Coaching Your Student

4:50-5:15 U Card/ Reconnect with Student Safety and Wellbeing

Finances

Academics

Changing Relationships

Lessons Learned

After participating in Parent Orientation, • 98% report feeling better prepared to assist their

student in his/her transition into the University. • 98% report having a better understanding of the

student experience and the resources available. • 96% report feeling more connected to the

University. • 78% of parents understand what is expected of

their academically.

Lessons Learned

Parents who did not attend Parent Orientation:• Are less satisfied with university’s communications,

services, and programs• Feel less connected to the university community• Visit student in person more often

– 53.8% of non-PO parents visit one or more times a month– 31% or PO parents visit one or more times a month

Filling in the Gaps

• Underserved Populations:– Parents of commuters– Parents of transfer students– Parents of first generation college students – Parents of students with disabilities– Non-Traditional parents: single, guardians, foster– Parents of students of color

– Parents of high-need students

Orientation: Groundwork for the College Years• Consistency in message and policy

• Clarified expectations

• What comes next?

Tips for Success

• Consistency in tone and messaging

• Address “first-fears first”

• Listen to your audience

• Draw on your resources

Next Steps

• Find out what parents need• Find out what the institution needs • Pull together your campus partners to begin

the discussion• Decide what is realistic and take action!

Additional Resources • University of Minnesota- Orientation & First-Year Programs: www.ofyp.umn.edu• U of M Parent Program: www.parent.umn.edu• Colorado State University Parent Orientation Schedule:

http://www.orientation.colostate.edu/preview/familyschedule.cfm • University of Michigan- Ann Arbor Parent Orientation:

http://www.onsp.umich.edu/parents_family/orientation.html• NODA & FYE Parent Guide: “Empowering Parents of First-Year College

Students: A Guide for Success” http://www.nodaweb.org/about/publications/parenthandbook.html

• Administrations Promoting Parent Involvement- Annual March Conference in Boston- contact: S.Brown@neu.edu.

• NODA Parent & Family Network: http://www.nodaweb.org/networks/parentfamily.html

References • Austin, D. (2003). The role of family influence on student success. In Ward-Roof, J. & Hatch, C.,

Designing successful transitions: A guide for orienting students to college. Columbia, SC: The National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

• Hatch, C. (2004) Parent and Family Orientation. In Fabich, M.J., Orientation Planning Manual: 2004 Edition. National Orientation Directors Association.

• Higher Education Research Institute. (2008). The American freshman: National norms for fall 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2009, from http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/heri/PDFs/pubs/briefs/brief-012408-07FreshmanNorms.pdf

• National Survey of Student Engagement. (2007). Experiences that matter: Enhancing student learning and success. Retrieved February 9, 2009, from http://nsse.iub.edu/NSSE_2007_Annual_Report/