An Equal Opportunity University

1. An Equal Opportunity University

2. Overview • Background • New Structure • Help Us Help You • What’s Happening? • Feedback An Equal Opportunity University

3. Background • Dates back to the 1990’s • Until last year all parents/guardians of undergraduates were automatically members. • Family Weekend • Publications • Cat Chat e-mail newsletter • Expectations are on the rise! An Equal Opportunity University

4. How Are We Interacting with Parents and Families? We have responded to over700 e-mails, calls, Facebook posts, and tweets since August 1st. An Equal Opportunity University

5. What Do Parents Ask About? • Parent Association • Safety • Family Weekend • K Week • Housing/Residence Life • Academic Issues • Parking & Transportation • Financial Issues • Alcohol/Drug Issues • Physical Health Issues • Adjustment to UK • Calendar • Greek Life • Athletics • Mental Health Issues • Technology • Registrar’s Office An Equal Opportunity University

6. Our Philosophy • Parents want to be involved in their sons’ and daughters’ collegiate experience. • Many students welcome, encourage, and seek out that active involvement from their parents. • Involved parents can support the University’s efforts to promote student success. • Informed parents = informed students An Equal Opportunity University

7. New Structure • Launched for 2011 – 2012 school year • Grandfathered in families of current students • Annual Membership - $35 (based on avg. phonathon pledge) • Career Membership - $125 • Annual Membership amounts to $2.91 per month An Equal Opportunity University

8. Membership Benefits • Tote bag of goodies • Cat Chat e-mail newsletter • Family Weekend perks • Handbooks for parents of freshmen and sophomores • Family Focus newsletter • Eligible to apply for Parent Advisory Council • Member Discount Program • Access to the UK Parent Association website • Support from the Office of New Student & Parent Programs staff An Equal Opportunity University

9. Services Open to All • Access to the Parent Association website, Facebook fan page, and Twitter page • Support from the Office of New Student & Parent Programs staff • The fall edition of the Family Focus newsletter An Equal Opportunity University

10. Our First Year • Memberships sold at Merit Weekends, Summer Advising Conferences, K Week, Family Weekend, and by mail (online sales coming soon) • Creation of Parent & Family Ambassador leadership position • Creation of a new membership database • Membership numbers are on par with similar institution types and have exceeded goals. An Equal Opportunity University

11. Future Initiatives • Additional Staffing • Academic Programs • Parent Volunteer Network • Grant Funding • Student Scholarships • Print Calendar • Webinars • Spring Family Weekend • Targeted Population Outreach (First gen, etc.) • Family Focus Magazine • Membership Directory • Involvement in Senior Send-offs, Commencement, and Other University Events • Website Improvements • Awards • Increased Collaboration Across Campus An Equal Opportunity University

12. Help Us Help You • Getting your message to parents is a great way to reach students! • Send us your news and announcements. • Cat Chat e-mail newsletter • Family Focus • Insider’s Guide &Chapter Two • Family Weekend • Get parent feedback by meeting with the Parent Advisory Council. An Equal Opportunity University

13. How Are Parents Interacting with Your Area? How can the Parent Association help? An Equal Opportunity University

14. Feedback… • Thoughts • Questions • Concerns • Challenges • Suggestions An Equal Opportunity University