The school hallways were as jammed as a stadium tunnel on game day. In the classrooms, every desk was occupied. With grown-ups.
It was back-to-school night at my daughter’s high school, and the campus was teeming with parents eager to connect with their kids’ academic life.
Parents don’t always get that sort of welcome at the college level. But that appears to be changing at UC Davis, and that’s a good thing.
Oh, I know: Students don’t necessarily want Mom and Dad stalking them on campus, and the professors couldn’t be thrilled at the prospect of having to deal with parents on top of students and administrators. One can only imagine the sort of campus protests that might ensue if a college back-to-school night were mandated.
Nurturing relationships
But there are good reasons why colleges should nurture some sort of relationship with parents. For starters, many students depend on the financial backing of their parents. Throwing out the welcome mat now and then can help parents see the value of the institution they are helping support.
More broadly, parents can also be key allies of higher education, which is especially important for public institutions such as UC Davis. At a time when state budget-cutting never seems to end, it always helps to have as many friends as possible, especially those who vote.
Traditionally, parents also have been a reliable source of direct contributions to colleges and universities -- support that is more important than ever.
The best reason for cultivating parents, however, is also the simplest: We care. That was brought home to me at the back-to-school night last month. Parents -- many of them with teenagers just a year or two away from college -- walked from classroom to classroom, met the teachers, and studied the student papers and other paraphernalia posted on the walls, just like they did when their kids were in first grade.
After 19 years, sadly, this fall tradition won’t be repeated for us. But it’s good to know that UC Davis is moving forward on several fronts to forge a better relationship with its parental constituency.
New for parents
This year, the university has launched the Aggie Parents Association, which will provide a foundation for better ties between parents and the university. Aggie Pride Parents, now in its second year, is a support group for the parents of NCAA student-athletes.
What’s more, there will be two opportunities this fall to visit the campus and get a glimpse of the UC Davis environment -- starting with a Back to School Weekend for alumni and parents Oct. 16-17, followed by a Parent and Family Weekend aimed more specifically at parents Nov. 7-8.
Both events look terrific. My wife and I will be at the Parent and Family Weekend, and we hope to see you there as well.
Top of page
Return to previous page