The staff of the Mountaineer Parents Club at West Virginia University is busy planning over 60summer send-offsacross the nation. From Rhode Island to California and all points in between, the eventshosted by local chapters of the clubprovide members an opportunity to meet and network with other WVU students, families and alumni.
Summer send-offs are an important part of our clubsefforts and provide another opportunity for members to improve their students experience at WVU ,said Sabrina Cave, executive director of the Mountaineer Parents Club.Summer send-offs provide a chance for students and parents to meet, share ideas and learn more about WVU and all it has to offer.
University representatives typically attend each event to provide information, answer questions and share tips for new students about getting established on campus.
New students and freshmen have the benefit of learning from experienced University students and employees,Cave said.They can provide pointers about how to be actively involved in campus life, student organizations, where to study and how to find classes. The new students can ask questions about how to get around and what to expect that will help them adjust faster as they enter campus life.
But the advice is not just for students. Parents are encouraged to get involved in the college experience and the Mountaineer Parents Club provides a wealth of information.
This organization was started to help get parents involved in their childrens college experience. A great deal of our effort is to provide information, news and advice to parents knowing that it will get to students,Cave explained.Our experience has shown that when parents are more involved the students have a more successful and satisfying college experience.
Recently the Mountaineer Parents Club made some internal changes to its structure. As National Chair Susan Hardesty reduces her involvement with the club and prepares to step down in Septemberto coincide with her husbands retirementCave was appointed executive director and Lisa Hanselman, associate director. Cave has been involved in the organization for 12 years since working for the club as a graduate assistant.
Its been incredible to watch the club grow and expand under Susans leadership. Her vision and direction have been instrumental in the success of the Mountaineer Parents Club and its been an honor to be a part of this organization since the beginning,Cave said.I am confident that the service we provide to parents and students will continue and we will successfully expand our presence and support in the years to come.
Formed in 1995 as one of five student life initiatives of WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr., the Mountaineer Parents Club boasts over 16,000 members and 70 clubs in 25 states and three countries.
Club benefits include e-news bulletins with timely information about campus events; a newsletter published three times a year; a discount program in conjunction with Morgantown area merchants; and a toll-free helpline, 1-800-WVU-0096.
In addition, the Mountaineer Parents Club coordinates many services for parents and students, including parking passes for families moving their students in and out of Morgantown; coordination of low-cost bus service to students going home for holiday breaks; scholarships for West Virginia high school student body presidents and the collection of reading materials for the Leisure Reading Collection available at campus libraries.
To learn more about the Mountaineer Parents Club and a Summer Send-off near you, call 304-293-2506 or visitwww.wvu.edu/~parents.