Student Affairs initiates plans
for a new Parents Association

Plans to develop a Parents Association at Fresno State were launched two weeks ago by the Division of Student Affairs with hopes of reaching "a rich, largely untapped resource."

Judy Sakaki, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, hosted the first meeting of the Parents Association Advisory Committee on Oct. 29 and said its goal is to set up the organization by next July in time for "Discovery '99," new student orientation.

"We're very excited to take the first step toward initiating a Parents Association on our campus," Sakaki said.

"Based on the interest and enthusiasm at our initial meeting, I'm confident that we will be able to establish a strong organization that will enhance the university community and positively impact the future of our university. Parents are really a rich, largely untapped resource."

Sakaki appointed Paul DeRuosi, Student Affairs development officer, to serve as chair of the advisory committee, which will meet monthly. The committee includes representatives from several campus offices, as well as parents of currently enrolled students.

DeRuosi said more than half of the 23 campuses in the CSU have active parent associations whose goals vary by campus.

But he said parent associations generally exist to promote understanding and good will between the university and families of students, to provide a forum for the exchange of information between parents and the university, to sponsor programs that involve parents in the life of the university, to advise the campus about parent needs and concerns, and to promote the welfare and advancement of the university through "friend raising" and fund raising activities.

Campus offices represented on the committee are Student Life, the University Student Union, the Alumni Association, University Outreach Services, and the Associated Students Inc.

For more information, contact DeRuosi at ext. 8-2541.