by Elizabeth Herrera '10

Parent Knights do a lot more than help their students choose classes and move into their dorms—they also help UCF provide valuable programs through the Parent Fund. It’s not mom’s cooking, but students get more opportunities to develop the skills they need to succeed. 

“In 2009, parents contributed $82,000 to support academic and student development programs at UCF,” said Jeff Snow, Assistant Vice President of Annual Giving.

“For us the Parent Fund was our way of accepting their gift and directing it to areas that need additional support,” said Snow. Parents can direct their gift to one of hundreds of accounts at the UCF Foundation. Many parents donate to a specific college or account, while others make a gift to the Parent Fund,” said Snow.

The Parent Fund supports numerous programs from which students benefit directly, including the “Study Union” during finals week. The program keeps the Student Union open 24 hours a day during finals week and offers tutoring, food and activities such as exercise classes. Parents can encourage their students to study—and also help provide the right environment for studying.

Last year, the Parent Fund also supported three $10,000 grants, the new Career Resource Center, and a civility campaign that included a Civitas Week in November.

Maribeth Ehasz, vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Services, said that Civitas Week was an opportunity for students to listen to different speakers and participate in activities encouraging people to treat each other well, to follow the UCF Creed and to increase acts of kindness. The week also provided students the opportunity to develop professionalism, preparing them for success in their chosen fields.

Student Disability Services (SOS) also benefits from the Parent Fund, which allowed the department to co-host events during Diversity Week in October 2009, said Pam Rea, director of Student Disability Services.

The Parent Fund also helps support mentorships for students with disabilities.

“Trained SDS peer mentors work with incoming freshmen and transfer students with disabilities to become acclimated to the university, as well as share their experiences, knowledge and expertise as students with a disability at UCF,” said Rea.

Other possible initiatives include special programs to support returning veteran students and their families and a parent council, said Ehasz.

Ehasz sees the Parent Fund as a way for parents to be involved in their students’ education while stepping back and allowing them to be independent. She said the fund allows UCF to respond to changing student needs, and that it’s a way for parents to support UCF by helping provide their children with the resources they need.

“Parents cannot live their students’ lives, but they can help support the path their sons and daughters are on,” she said.