Thirty years ago, university administrators created the Ball State Parents Association comprised of the parents of all Ball State University students.  A smaller organization of parents, the Parents Advisory Council, assists in meeting the objectives of the Parents Association.  Council members are selected to serve as a liaison between all parents and the university, providing an avenue for parents to ask questions and express concerns.  The university solicits the council's input and ideas on issues concerning students and the institution. 

Mission

• The Parents Advisory Council has the following objectives:
• To provide a means of two-way communication between parents and the university.
• To serve in an advisory capacity to university staff.
• To assist the University's Admissions Office in attracting qualified students.
• To identify and cultivate support for the University.
• To assist in raising funds for the Parents Fund.

Membership

• Membership consists of approximately 18 representative families, with no more than 15 from Indiana and at least one family each from Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan.
• A family comprised of either married or single parents of currently enrolled Ball State students.
• Each representative serves a 3 year term.  Approximately 6 family representatives rotate off the council each year. 
• Parents are members as long as their students are enrolled at the university, but to offer greater participation, no one is permitted to serve on the council past the 3 year limit.
• Each year a new chair or co-chairs are appointed.  The council meets twice a year - once during the Fall and Spring semesters.

How to Become a Member

Information is sent each summer to parents of sophomore students in good academic standing inviting their participation on the council.  In selecting members, we consider geographic location of hometown, academic majors of students, diversity of interests of students and parents, and willingness to participate in regular meetings and other Ball State activities.

Subcommittees

• Admissions
• Communications-Campus Life
• The Parents Fund

Once a parent is selected for a council position, he/she can participate on one of three subcommittees.  These committees are advisory to the university and meet with the Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Services, the Associate Vice President for Student Life, the Director of Annual Giving, and the Associate Dean of Students.