By By Abner Bruno
The University’s plans for a parents office is further evidence of the increasing parent involvement in students’ college careers that has taken place over the past five years.
With more so-called “helicopter parents” taking an over-active interest in their children’s grades, activities and decision making, many campuses are creating offices to field their calls and e-mails.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the University of Vermont employed “parent bouncers,” or students trained to divert parents who attempt to attend registration seminars.
Other colleges and universities now hold separate registration meetings for parents in order to give students the space to make more decisions independently.
The University’s upcoming parent’s office is set to open its doors in the near future and will serve as a resource center for parents with inquiries as well as a source of support for those with concerns.
“Hofstra University does have plans to start a parent’s office in order to regularly communicate with parents, tell them about events, give them information about our policies and provide a central location for their particular questions and concerns,” said Melissa Connolly, Vice President of University Relations. “In addition, during freshman orientation, which is held over the summer, there are parent seminars to help parents with the transition from high school to college.”
Heightening the need for such an office is the fact that college tuition is on the rise nationwide.
The average cost of a degree from a private university has now exceeded $20,000 per year and room and board fees push that figure up to $27,000.
Tuition at a four-year state or city college is averaging more than $5,100 and more than $11,000 including room and board.
“It is an excellent idea to open an office specifically for parents,” said Melissa Tortora, an English major, said. “It would be much eaiser and probably more efficient for parents to get information directly from a University official rather than from their son or daughter. It certainly would have helped make my freshman year a lot easier.”
As the transition from high school to college is significant for both parents and students, many in the latter group praise the new office.
“It would be a good idea for both parents and students, that way the child would not have to call the school to find out what is going on and then get back to their parents,” said Amanda Wolfe, freshman English major. “It would eliminate the middle man.”
To help parents and students deal with the transition from high school to college, The United States Automobile Association’s Educational Foundation offered three tips, called the ABCs for the parents of college students.
A is for Act: Parents should put together a realistic plan for how they will pay for college, especially if savings fall short, and put that plan in motion.
B is for Budget: Parents should create a monthly budget with their son or daughter and review it every month or two.
C is for Communicate: Parents and students should discuss their expectations for how money for school costs and recreation will be provided, earned and spent.