The Office of Alumni and Volunteer Services has formed a new organization, the USI Parents and Families Association.

“We formed the association to improve communications between parents, families, and the University,” said Trisha Kennedy, former assistant director of Alumni and Volunteer Services. “Parents and students will know more about what is going on campus, and parents will feel there is someone at USI they can contact if they have a concern.

“We’re also hoping to build a parent mentoring network, so that this time next year, members can mentor new parents, and talk about how they coped with their children going away to college, and any other concerns they have.”

The Parents and Families Association is governed by a 21-member council made up of parents and family members of current and former students. Officers are Darrell Ragland, president; Ingrid Lindy ’90, manager of Human Resource Information Systems, president elect; Tina Kern-Raibley ’86, secretary, and Cindy Bippus, treasurer. Lindy acts as vice president and will become president in 2006-2007.

All parents and families can be members, but those who contribute $25 annually are considered active members.

“To be on the council you have to be an active member, but we want to be open to all family members, past and present. Parents are a resource for the University. There are many different ways they can support and work with the University,” Kennedy said.

Active members receive additional benefits, including:

• USI Magazine
• Access to services of Rice Library
• Discounts at participating Evansville restaurants and businesses
• Discounts on USI memorabilia and clothing at the USI Bookstore
• Eligibility to vote and hold an office in the USI Parents & Families Association

The association’s Web site, www.usi.edu/family, “went live” in July, and Kennedy said parents and families have been joining through the site. The association’s goal is to have 500 members by the end of its inaugural year. Alumni and Volunteer Services has prepared a brochure to boost membership.

Along with the Alumni Association, the Parents and Families Association sponsored the USI Eagle Roundup picnic for new freshmen and their families during Welcome Week. About 1,800 people attended.

For more information, contact Kennedy at 812/465-1215 or go to www.usi.edu/family.