By Maria Probasco, president

UNM Parent Association

At the April 2008 UNM Board of Regents meeting, the board voted unanimously on a set of bylaws and memorandum of understanding making the Parent Association an official partner of the University and giving it a role in university governance.  Part of the mission and goals of the association is to keep parents connected and engaged with their students and the university to improve student success. 

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the activities and initiatives of the past few months as we work to reach our goals:

Activities and Partnerships:

• Parents staffed tables promoting the Parent Association at spring Commencement.
• Parents developed UNM’s first “official” holiday ornament — a fundraising initiative.
• Parents spoke at Parent Orientations.
• Parents staffed tables and welcomed students and parents during Move in Week. 
• Parents and students staffed parent information tables during Freshman Family Day.
• Parents spoke at UNM’s first summer Parent Experience Program for parents of high school students
• Parents developed partnerships with the UNM Alumni Association, student groups, Engaging Latino Communities for Education (ENLACE), New Mexico GEAR‐UP and others.  
• Parents participated in Summer Send‐Offs for incoming freshmen and their families and recruited “club chairs” to begin Parent Clubs in Clovis, Gallup, Santa Fe, Farmington and Colorado Springs, CO.

Upcoming Events:

• You are cordially invited to an upcoming fundraising event at University House, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event is an opportunity to celebrate and support the new UNM Parent Association along with President and Mrs. David Schmidly, parents, university partners, community leaders and students. Enjoy good company and delicious food! $250 (per couple) supports the UNM Parent Fund for Excellence and is tax‐deductible to the extent allowed by law (benefit value is $25).  Please RSVP by calling Laurie Mellas at (505) 277‑5915 or email: parent@​unm.​edu.  I am looking forward to meeting you. 
• Family Weekend: Go Lobos! Go Green!  Nov. 1 – 2.  Families can register online at familyweekend.unm.edu or by calling (505) 277‑5915.  This is another great opportunity to connect with the university and your student(s).  The Family Weekend Committee has done a tremendous job in putting this event together for parents and students. 

Adopted Initiatives:

The UNM Parent Association Board unanimously passed the following initiatives at their July 10 meeting:

• Support Campus Safety
• Support Life Safety/Fire Protection in current and future residence halls 

Upcoming Initiatives: 

One of my goals as your president is “to assist in realizing the university’s one‐stop‐shop concept.”  My support for this concept was born from concerns expressed to me and the association from parents and students regarding student services.  The administration has a tentative plan and will be presenting it at a Town‐Hall Meeting at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Student Union Building, Ballroom C. I encourage students, employees, parents and others who would like to find out more about this initiative to attend. It is very important that we get first hand information about the plan, understand it, and also make recommendations/suggestions.  I honestly believe that with input and cooperation from all the stakeholders, the University will be able to move forward with a plan that everyone will be proud of and support.     

I am very proud and honored to serve as your President.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.