Programs

The Parent Association sponsors a number of special programs designed to serve parents by keeping them informed about, and involved in the students’ educational experience.  These programs include the following:

Parent Committee
Purpose:  As a representative body, the committee facilitates communication and understanding between the University and all parents.

Responsibilities:  Committee members assist in planning, implementing, managing and evaluating Parent Association programs and services to meet the needs of parents and involve them in the life of the community.  Incorporating the focus group model, the committee engages in ongoing institutional reflection with University faculty and administrators.  Issues and topics include (but are not limited to) academic advising, financial aid, tuition, career counseling, curriculum requirements, cultural diversity, housing and student activities.

Membership:  The committee consists of parents, guardians and/or sponsor of current students.  Membership reflects the diversity of the student body.  Appointments are made by the Co-chairs of the Parent Committee after consultation with committee members and the University Admission office.

Structure:  The Vice President of Student Development serves as the committee moderator.  The co-chairs (2-year term) are responsible for running meetings and facilitating committee activities.

Terms:  Committee members typically serve for the duration of their student’s enrollment at SJU.

Meetings:  The full committee meets three times a year:  fall (Family Weekend), winter (January or February) and spring (April, same Saturday as Mother/Son Dance).  Meetings are held on campus.  Project teams meet in the interim as necessary. 

Family Weekend
A comprehensive two and a half day program consisting of academic, spiritual, social and recreational activities for all ages. 

Parent-to-Parent Calling Program
This program links current parents to new parents by way of a phone call.  This informal, confidential conversation provides freshmen parents an opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, make suggestions, and just simply visit with a current SJU parent.   Current parents are the members of the Parent Committee and parent volunteers who have experienced one or more years of their son being at SJU.  This program has been an effective communication tool for the staff and students.

E-Newsletter
A monthly newsletter delivered electronically to parents of CSB/SJU students, CSB alumnae and SJU alumni to provide updates on campus news and events.  To find out past news and events, visit http://www.csbsju.edu/news/enews/default.htm. 

Careers
The Career Counseling Program is continuously looking for internship opportunities for SJU students. Parents whose businesses may be able to provide internship, mentoring, or shadowing opportunities for students are invited to provide that information to the Personal and Professional Development Center, (320)363-3236 or visit their website http://www.csbsju.edu/ppdc. 

To volunteer for any of the programs, you may contact Tonya Miller, Office of Student Development, at (320)363-2737 or tmiller@csbsju.edu.