Parents voice suggestions
Council meets to discuss university improvements

By Jonathan Sampson
Staff Reporter

Jim and Suzanne Bobo, parents of TCU students David and Jonathan Bobo, arrived in Fort Worth Thursday with one intention: to interact with the administration.

As part of the TCU Parent’s Council, the Bobos and 47 other TCU parents meet once a semester to discuss issues and learn more about the university.

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Don Mills said the council, which begins its spring semester meeting at 10 a.m. today, serves two primary purposes: to give the university a chance to share what they are doing and to gain input from the parents.

“TCU wants input from members to react to future plans of the university, to advise TCU and to share a parent perspective of the TCU experience,” he said.

Susan Adams, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, said the idea behind the council is to make sure the parents have current, accurate information about TCU and know how they can help as parents.

Some parents said they are pleased with the council and like contributing information to the university.

Jim Bobo said that when the administration asked the council what they thought would improve student life on campus, many parents said the Rickel Building and the Student Center needed improvements. TCU is now planning to renovate both buildings. He said he doesn’t believe it was only their suggestions that caused the administration to take action, but he does believe they had an impact.

But Ashley Nevin, a senior biology and chemistry major, said she is not sure what impact her parents, who have served on the council for three years, have had on the way the university is run.

“I know (the administration) is really good about listening, but I don’t know if they implement what my parents suggest,” she said.

Ron Nevin, Ashley Nevin’s father, said he thinks the council’s advice can be useful to the administration.

“A lot of times the students will voice complaints to their parents without necessarily going to the administration,” Ron Nevin said.

Pamela Hughes, assistant to Mills, said 30 out of 49 parents are expected to attend the meeting this semester.

Kay Higgins, director of new student programs, said the council has better attendance in the fall when it is centered around Family Weekend.

Mills said the weekend’s basic agenda will include a discussion of programs at the M.J. Neeley School of Business, a report from Chancellor Michael Ferrari, information on admissions, a tour of Waits and Foster residence halls and a discussion of the new recreation center. The program will conclude at noon Saturday.

Jonathan Sampson
j.m.sampson@student.tcu.edu