Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit

On Parents Weekend’s 50th, Parents Office turns 30

Monday, November 3, 2003, By News Staff
Share

On Parents Weekend’s 50th, Parents Office turns 30November 03, 2003

Fifty years ago, Syracuse University began its formal tradition of students’ parents visiting campus for a fall weekend to meet the people and places new in their student’s lives.

During Parents Weekend 2003, the Parents Office, part of the Division of Student Affairs, is celebrating its 30th anniversary of service to the students, parents and families of SU and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

“For half a century, Parents Weekend has grown and developed, both in the number attending and also the types of activities,” says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. “The feedback we have received about this particular event, as well as the Parents Office, is positive and appreciative, which tells us we are providing families with the support they need to, in turn, support their students.”

Colleen O’Connor Bench has served 10 years as director of the Parents Office. Here, she discusses working with students, parents and families and how SU has changed its services and programming to meet the needs of different generations.

Describe how Parents Weekend has changed over the past decade.“In addition to the ever?popular events, we have incorporated interactive and informative special interest sessions for parents based upon their feedback, such as information sessions from Center for Career Services, the Department of International Programs Abroad, the housing selection process, involvement on campus, and so on.”

How is the weekend geared toward the needs of families, not just parents?“Though we do serve families in general, our focus is on the primary support group for our students. In most cases, this is parents, but is sometimes grandparents, older siblings, etc. Our programming is not particularly geared toward other family members but we do find ways of making them feel welcome ??even with something as simple as an ‘SU Sister’ or ‘SU Granddad’ button!”

What has the trend been in the numbers of parents participating in Parents Weekend?“Our registration numbers have climbed steadily each of the past three years. We expect that around 2,200 families – more than 6,000 people – will attend Parents Weekend 2003.”

How can students and family maximize their time together for three days?“I would suggest that students and parents communicate their expectations ahead of time to alleviate stress. Parents must acknowledge that students may not be able to attend every scheduled event with them due to homework, class meetings, assignments – and that’s okay! While on campus, I would suggest that they establish times and locations to meet in advance. Most importantly is that they spend quality time getting reacquainted.”

What programs do parents seem to most enjoy while on campus?“The obvious favorite is the football game — the majority of those we speak with plan to attend with their student(s). Beyond that, parents tell us that they love simply spending time with their students, seeing their residence halls, meeting their new friends, and meeting their students’ academic deans, faculty and home college staff members. Parents also enjoy the fact that we showcase students’ talents – in a College of Visual and Performing Arts ensemble, a play, the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble or the Campus Cabaret. Mostly, parents want to make sure their student is ‘doing okay,’ making friends and connecting to the SU community in some meaningful way.”

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Confronting ‘Who We Are”
    Tuesday, January 19, 2021, By News Staff
  • Arts and Sciences Welcomes New Director of Forensics Kathleen Corrado
    Tuesday, January 19, 2021, By Dan Bernardi
  • University College Announces Online Degree in Computer Programming
    Tuesday, January 19, 2021, By Eileen Jevis
  • Stadium Testing Center Closed for Planned Enhancements Wednesday, Jan. 20
    Tuesday, January 19, 2021, By News Staff
  • Sound Beat: Access Audio Offering Children’s Audiobooks about Enslaved People by Cheryl Wills ’89
    Tuesday, January 19, 2021, By Cristina Hatem

More In Uncategorized

“People with disabilities desperately need the vaccine. But states disagree on when they’ll get it.”

Scott Landes, associate professor of sociology in the Maxwell School, was quoted in The Washington Post story “People with disabilities desperately need the vaccine. But states disagree on when they’ll get it.” Landes, an expert on the sociology of disability,…

“SU Professor says President’s Closed Social Media Accounts Fall Under Big Tech’s Terms of Service”

Roy Gutterman, associate professor of magazine, news and digital journalism in the Newhouse School and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech, was interviewed for the WAER story “SU Professor says President’s Closed Social Media Accounts Fall Under Big…

“First Amendment doesn’t guarantee you the rights you think it does.”

Roy Gutterman, associate professor of magazine, news and digital journalism in the Newhouse School and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech, was quoted in the CNN story “First Amendment doesn’t guarantee you the rights you think it does.”…

“Big Tech’s Crackdown on Donald Trump and Parler Won’t  Fix the Real Problem With Social Media”

Whitney Phillips, assistant professor of communication and rhetorical studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, was interviewed for the Time Magazine story “Big Tech’s Crackdown on Donald Trump and Parler Won’t  Fix the Real Problem With Social Media.”…

Danielle Smith writes “Images of the Capitol Riot Reflect a National Crisis.”

Danielle Smith, professor of African American studies in the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the Renée Crown University Honors Program, wrote an op-ed for History News Network titled “Images of the Capitol Riot Reflect a National Crisis.”…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.