While Syracuse University's Parents Weekend takes place for three days (Nov. 8-10) beginning Friday, the preparations for it have been ongoing for nearly 10 months.
"It is important to carefully design a series of events that families want to travel to and attend," says Colleen O'Connor Bench, director of the Parents Office. "The discussions that take place and the bonds that form during Parents Weekend help us better serve our students because we learn more and more about how we can partner with families to make things happen for students."
The Parents Office was added to the list of student-focused services at Syracuse University in 1972. Educational in nature, the Parents Office, a principal unit in the Division of Student Affairs, serves the parents and families of SU and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students and strives to promote awareness and involvement in students' educational experiences.
"The role that parents and families play in our students' developmental process is valued at Syracuse University. When Chancellor Shaw welcomes parents and encourages them to partner with the University to promote student success, Parents Weekend and communication with our Parents Office is an important aspect of that ongoing partnership," says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. "The Parents Office takes that partnership very seriously and works to foster relationships that enhance the college experience at Syracuse University."
More than 20 events will take place during Parents Weekend, including student performances, open houses, academic samplers, socials and receptions. Registering for the weekend also offers parents a guaranteed, pre-assigned parking space during one of SU's busiest weekends, free shuttle bus service throughout the campus all weekend and a dedicated shuttle bus service to/from historic Armory Square in downtown Syracuse.
"The Parents Office is devoted solely to meeting the needs and special issues of the parents of our students. Parents Weekend offers us an opportunity to meet parents and for parents to share in their students' 'home away from home.' We strive to maximize parents' and families' involvement and participation in the Syracuse University experience for students because that fosters their growth, success, and satisfaction," says Bench.
As of Oct. 27, 5,225 people (1,835 families) had registered to attend, which already exceeds the registration numbers for 2001.
"We've done our best to develop a Parents Weekend schedule that reaches out to everyone integral to our students' growth, including parents, grandparents, spouses and friends. We are excited with the response to date and look forward to hearing what parents and families think, both about programs and services beneficial for our students as well as suggestions for Parents Weekend 2003, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the event at Syracuse University," says Bench.
