171 (31.8%) said very likely
	132 (24.6%) said somewhat likely
	183 (34.1%) said education is one of many concerns
	51 (9.5%) said not very likely

	299 (40.4%) said I understand FERPA restrictions
	385 (52%) said I understand FERPA restrictions, but I don't much like them
	57 (7.8%) said it doesn't make sense to me

For information on FERPA, see http://www.parent.umn.edu/downloads/FERPA_for_Parents.pdf

	62 said variety of academic opportunities
	76 said location in a major metropolitan area
	63 said location—distance from home
	28 said excellence of faculty
	142 said excellence of a particular academic program
	46 said variety of extracurricular activities
	18 said research facilities
	97 said scholarship award

May 2008

How do you prefer to read information about the Parent Program (check all that apply).

	145 said e-mail
	23 said Web site
	12 said print newsletter
	1 said RSS feed
When ranked in order of importance, 54 respondents indicated that e-mail was their top choice, and two said the Web site is their top choice; Print newsletter and Web site were tied for second choice (20 each), with one each for e-mail and RSS feed; 14 said their third choice was the print newsletter; nine said the Web site, and two RSS feed; RSS feed was the fourth choice for 7; print newsletter was fourth for 2, and Web site was fourth choice for 1 respondent. Seven indicated they did not know what RSS feed is.

	64 (10.5%) said the Internet
	24 (3.9%) said printed publications
	407 (67%) said campus visits
	7 (1.2%) said college fairs/admission office
	12 (2%) said high school counselors/teachers
	65 (10.7%) said friends/siblings
	21 (3.5%) said calls, emails, and other contact from admissions staff
	7 (1.2%) said other including family tradition, faculty member, departmental reputation

	850 (91.7%) said yes
	41 (4.4%) said no
	36 (3.9%) said I don't know

Do you have a Facebook page, MySpace page, or blog?

	100 (10.9%) said yes
	817 (89.1%) said no

	225 (58.6%) said I don't send text messages
	75 (19.5%) said once a week or less
	51 (13.3%) said one or two times a week
	33 (8.6%) said every two or three days
	33 (8.6%) said one or more times a day

	291 (64.8%) said in college
	89 (19.8%) said working full-time
	3 (0.7%) said in the military
	11 (2.4%) said full-time parent
	5 (1.1%) said senior in high school
	27 (6.0%) said married
	Other: 9 said married and working full time; 4 said married and in college; 10 said working full time and in college.

December 2007

This year, on what topic has your student most requested your assistance or advice?

	98 (22.5%) said academics
	12 (2.8%) said campus/community involvement opportunities
	93 (21.3%) said career planning
	96 (22.0%) said finances
	28 (6.4%) said health/safety
	51 (11.7%) said personal relationships
	47 (10.8%) said none
	5 (1.1%) said other including study abroad, on- and off-campus housing, computers

November 2007

Since starting college, has your student talked about dropping out?

October 2007

Recent reports suggest that college students are incurring increasingly greater levels of debt. Who do you think should be primarily responsible for teaching financial management?

452 (84.5%) said it's the family's responsibility
60 (11.2%) said junior high or high schools
18 (3.4%) said colleges or universities
4 (0.7%) said financial institutions

September 2007

As we see an increasing number of parents who would be considered late Baby Boomers or early GenXers, we are wondering how today's parents view behaviors that may have previously been considered rebellious. Do you, the parent, have

What would you consider an act of rebellion from your student? Parents said that an act of rebellion would be:

• Piercings/tattoos: 36, or 11.5% of respondents. Many qualified that as “more piercings or tattoos than he/she already has;” "unhealthy tattoos or piercings;" or "piercings or tattoos that would be visible/interfere with a job search;" "for males, piercings other than ears".
• Dramatic appearance change/unusual hair color: 4 (1.3%)
• Alcohol or drugs: 15 (4.8%)
• Cigarettes: 4 (1.3%)
• Lack of communication with family, backtalk, rudeness with family 15 (4.8%)
• Defiance of parental authority: 4 (1.3%)
• Dropping out of school/doing poorly in school: 19 (6.1%)
• Other behaviors noted as rebellious were premarital sex, radical politics, atheism, financial irresponsibility, illegal activities

August 2007

How much influence do you think you—as a parent—should have on your student's career choice?

21 (2.8%) said a lot
278 (37.7%) said some
259 (35.1%) said a little
157 (21.3%) said very little
23 (3.1%) said none

July 2007

Who do you think has had the greatest influence on your student's career decisions so far?

146 (41.8%) said mother
87 (24.9%) said father
54 (15.5%) said teacher
3 (0.8%) said high school guidance counselor
38 (10.9%) said college adviser/counselor
9 (2.6%) said employer
12 (3.4%) said other, including family members, friends, the student him/herself, neighbors

June 2007

On what topic regarding your student would you be MOST likely to personally contact the University?

9 (3.7%) said academic course selection
118 (48.6%) said billing/financial aid
10 (4.1%) said roommate/housing issues
9 (3.7%) said career planning
36 (14.8%) said physical health problems
59 (24.3%) said mental health problems
2 (0.8%) said safety

May 2007

If you student expressed an interest in study abroad, how would you respond?

311 (76%) said I would support him/her
10 (2.4%) said I would try to dissuade him/her
31 (7.4%) said I can't afford it
60 (14.3%) said it depends on the location

April 2007

Does your student have an iPod/mp3 player?

741 (88.8%) said yes
87 (10.4%) said no
6 (0.7%) said I don't know

Do YOU have an iPod/mp3 player?

320 (39.5%) said yes
491 (60.5%) said no

A year ago we asked the same question. At that time, parents reported that 76 percent of their students had an iPod/mp3 player, and 20.6 percent of parents said they had an iPod/mp3 player.

March 2007

Last month we asked how old you were when you were able to drink legally. What do you think the legal drinking age should be now?

57 (of 17.9 percent of respondents) said 18
109 (or 34.2 percent of respondents) said 19
19 (or 5.9 percent of respondents) said 20
134 (or 42 percent of respondents) said 21

We asked this same question in June 2003. At that time, 19 percent said students should be able to drink legally at age 18; 23.9 percent said age 19; 5.2 percent said age 20; and 51.9 percent said age 21.

February 2007

The legal drinking age changed during the 1970s and '80s, and it varied by state. At what age were you able to drink legally in your home state?

458 (or 61.4 percent of respondents) said 18
102 (or 13.7 percent of respondents) said 19
4 (or 0.5 percent of respondents) said 20
182 (or 24.4 percent of respondents) said 21

Total number of respondents: 746

We asked this same question in May 2003. At that time, 72.4 percent of parents could first drink legally at 18; 10.9 percent at 19; 1 percent at 20; and 15.7 percent at 21.

January 2007

To help us better understand the demographics of our parent population, please tell us how old you are.

12 said 36-40 years
74 said 41-45 years
288 said 46-50 years
198 said 51-55 years
62 said 56-60 years
6 said 61-65 years

December 2006

How old were you when you got your first credit card?

11 said younger than 18
63 said 18 to 20
82 said 21 or 22
63 said 23 to 25
32 said 26 to 30
9 said over 30
1 has never had a credit card
Average age of parents when they received their first credit card: 22.59 years

How old was your student when she/he got a first credit/debit card?

11 said younger than 16
42 said 16
34 said 17
104 said 18
18 said 19
17 said 20
2 said 21
1 said 22
27 have never had a credit/debit card
Average age of student when received first credit/debit card: 17.59 (with 7.8 percent of students never having received a credit card)

November 2006

In what area do you think your student had the most challenges this semester?

121 said academics
26 said health and safety
39 said finances
50 said career planning
17 said campus involvement
72 said time management
56 said personal relationships
4 said off-campus housing
5 said other or none

October 2006

How many career changes have you made during your working life?

178 said none, I have stayed in one career
136 said two
107 said three
40 said four
44 said five or more

September 2006

When your student was choosing a major, what information about the major was most important?

118 said career possibilities
524 said interest in the subject
39 said how undergraduate major fits with graduate or professional school plans
4 said how easy or difficult the subject matter is
39 said potential salary in jobs related to the major
86 said student is still deciding
3 said other

July/August 2006

Do you expect your student to go to graduate school after completing an undergraduate degree?

80 said no
300 said yes, right after earning a bachelors degree
158 said yes, but not until he/she works for a year or two
141 said maybe, but not in the immediate future
6 said I don't know Other: Depends on the job market; seems like most jobs require a masters or higher

June 2006

We're planning parents weekend for September 29-30, 2006. What is the single most important element you think must be included in the parent program schedule?

141 said opportunity to spend time with my student
35 said athletic event
12 said art/cultural event
31 said opportunity to meet staff/faculty
8 said lecture/speaker
14 said campus tour
45 said information on how to support my student
10 opportunity to talk with other parents
4 said other

May 2006

What are your student's plans for the summer?

168 said work full time
55 said work part time
8 said attend summer classes
37 said work and attend summer classes
2 said relax
4 said travel
10 said study abroad
30 internship
2 said other (getting married)

April 2006

Parents of incoming students are asking how much spending money their student will need in college. On average, how much spending money do you give your student per month?

96 said $40 or less
52 said $41 to $80
68 said $81 to $120
43 said $121 to $160
192 said I don't provide spending money to my student

March 2006

Does your student have an iPod/mp3 player?

627 said yes
197 said no
2 said I don't know

Do YOU have an iPod/mp3 player?

169 said yes
653 said no

February 2006

How often do you think your student drinks alcohol? My student drinks:

94 said never
86 said once or twice a month
153 said two or three times a month
125 said once or twice a week
34 said more than two times a week

January 2006

This year, what has been your greatest concern regarding your student's University experience?

114 said academics
115 said health/safety
82 said finances
96 said career planning
27 said campus involvement
70 said time management
66 said personal relationships
14 said other

November 2005

What time of day do you most frequently communicate with your student?

17 said weekday morning
12 said weekday noon hour
37 said weekday afternoon
141 said evenings
69 said weekends
71 said whenever my student chooses
114 said no predictable time

October 2005

This year my student is living

23 said at home
336 said in a residence hall
29 said in a fraternity/sorority
314 said in an apartment/house off campus
11 said abroad, in an international study program

September 2005

How much influence do you think you—as a parent—should have on your student's career choice?

11 said a lot
294 said some
187 said a little
135 said very little
23 said none

The Question of the Month was offline for August 2005.

July 2005

Who do you think has had the greatest influence on your student's career decisions so far?

88 said mother
60 said father
32 said teacher
10 said high school guidance counselor
10 said college adviser/counselor
3 said employer
29 said other, including individual decision, both parents, friends/family friends, grandparents/other relatives.

June 2005

When your student was selecting a college, what led him/her to select the U of M over any other college? (Respondents chould select more than one choice.)

219 said variety of academic opportunities
216 said location in a major metropolitan area
152 said location—distance from home
113 said excellence of faculty
49 said variety of extracurricular activities
55 said research facilities
64 said scholarship award
73 said other
(32 specified academic programs/quality of specific program or college and 9 specified personal contact during admissions process)

May 2005

How often do you check your e-mail?

168 said three or more times a day
121 said once or twice a day
32 said about every other day
15 said three or four times a week
18 said one or two times a week
1 said less than once a week
7 said other—several people indicated they check e-mail frequently during the week at work but rarely or never on weekends.

April 2005

How many credit cards do you think your student has?

120 said none
227 said one
75 said two
18 said three
12 said four or more
This survey of parents indicates that 73 percent believe their student has at least one credit card. According to a 2004 survey conducted by Boynton Health Services, 78.2 percent of students confirms they had at least one credit card.

March 2005

Recent reports suggest that college students are incurring increasingly greater levels of credit card debt. Who do you think should be primarily responsible for teaching financial management?

305 said it's the family's responsibility
33 said junior high or high schools
3 said colleges or universities
7 said financial institutions
10 said other

February 2005

How many hours per week is your student working this semester?

255 said 0-8 hours
89 said 9-12 hours
58 said 13-19 hours
36 said 20-30 hours
1 said 31-40 hours

November 2004

Parents have asked how much spending money their student should have each month. On average, how much spending money do you give your student per month?

86 said $40 or less
68 said $41 to $80
52 said $81 to $120
28 said $121 to $160
17 said $161 to $200
12 said more than $200
262 said we don't provide spending money to our student

October 2004

August 2004

What has your student been doing this summer?

12 said taking classes.
147 said working full time.
123 said working part time.
52 said working part time and taking classes.
12 said doing an internship.
30 said resting.

July 2004

Do you expect your student to go to graduate school after completing an undergraduate degree?

25 said no.
123 said yes, right after earning a bachelors degree.
60 said yes, but not until he/she works for a year or two.
57 said maybe someday, but not in the immediate future
3 said their students are in pharmacy or education programs that combine undergraduate and graduate studies.

June 2004

When your student was choosing a major, what information about the major was most important?

35 said career possibilities.
109 said interest in the subject.
6 said how the undergraduate major would work with graduate or professional studies.
3 said how easy or difficult the coursework might be.
11 said potential salaries of a profession related to the major.
2 said student is still deciding.



May 2004

When your student first enrolled at the University of Minnesota, was he/she

140 said adequately prepared for the academic expectations of the University.
78 said adequately prepared for some courses but not all.
8 said not prepared for the rigor of University of Minnesota courses.

April 2004

When my student was deciding where to go to college, the most helpful information she/he received was from:

34 said the Internet
38 said printed publications
267 said campus visits
11 said college fairs/admission office
16 said high school counselors/teachers
48 said friends/siblings

March 2004

Students currently have the option of making tuition installment payments over a 3 month period during the semester. When they choose that option, they pay a fee of $35 for the semester. If the U of M implemented a 10 month pre-payment installment plan to help you budget your student's tuition, housing, and fees, would you consider using this service for a $55 annual fee (as opposed to $35 per semester)?

191 said yes, I would consider that option
244 said no, I would not consider that option

February 2004

What changes have you noticed in your student since classes began this year?

147 said more independent
91 said more outgoing/confident
32 said more depressed/anxious
94 said more serious about education
14 said more attached to family
63 said no particular change

January 2004

What percentage of your student's college expenses do you expect her or him to contribute?

147 said 0 to 25%
100 said 26 to 50%
33 said 51 to 75%
41 said 76 to 100%

December 2003

How many career changes have you made during your working life?

111 said none—I have stayed in one career
86 said two
64 said three
19 said four
26 said five or more

November 2003

How often do you and your student communicate?

45 said daily
160 said several times a week
101 said weekly
18 said two or three times a month
1 said monthly

October 2003

This year, my student is living...

28 said at home
371 said in a residence hall
36 said in a fraternity/sorority
246 said in an apartment/house off campus
11 said abroad, in an international study program
1 wrote in: New York, doing an internship

September 2003

What do you think is the University of Minnesota's strongest asset?

136 said variety of academic opportunities
26 said location in a major metropolitan area
13 said excellence of faculty
7 said affordability
1 said variety of extracurricular activities
20 said status as a Big Ten university
14 said research facilities
4 said other


August 2003

As you think about the upcoming academic year, what concerns you most regarding your student's University experience?

45 said health and safety
67 said finances
47 said career planning
50 said academics
21 said friends/socializing
12 said involvement opportunities
3 said time management


July 2003

Which college is your student enrolled in?

214 said College of Liberal Arts
122 said Institute of Technology
62 said Carlson School of Management
29 said General College
28 said College of Biological Sciences
19 said College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies
18 said College of Human Ecology
9 said College of Education and Human Development
8 said College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
7 said College of Natural Resources
5 said Nursing
2 said Post-Secondary Enrollment Option
1 said College of Continuing Education
1 said Veterinary Medicine
2 said I don't know


June 2003

Last month we asked how old you were when you were able to drink legally. What do you think the legal drinking age should be now?

40 said 18
50 said 19
11 said 20
109 said 21
15 said over 21
2 said less than 18
2 said when student receives a high school diploma



May 2003

The legal drinking age changed during the 1970s and '80s, and it varied by state. At what age were you able to drink legally in your home state?

300 said 18
45 said 19
4 said 20
65 said 21



April 2003

How many credit cards do you think your student has?

78 said none
90 said one
29 said two
3 said three
4 said four or more

In 2001, a survey by Boynton Health Service indicated that 48.9 percent of first-year students had no credit cards. Among 4th year students, only 20.7 percent had no credit cards. 34 percent of freshmen who had credit cards paid their bills in full each month; 41.8 percent of 4th year students paid in full each month.



March 2003

Which of the following best describes your student?

140 said their student has a definite career plan
105 said their student is narrowing career options
11 said their student keeps changing majors and career plans
49 said their student is still undecided



February 2003

When you were the age that your student is now, what were you doing? I was...

233 said in college
88 said working full-time
11 said in the military
5 said a full-time parent
2 said a senior in high school
2 said married

January 2003

What changes have you noticed in your student since classes began this year?

92 said more independent
58 said outgoing/confident
16 said more depressed/anxious
63 said more serious about education
12 said more attached to family
32 said no particular change
6 said other

December 2002

Recent reports suggest that college students are incurring increasingly greater levels of credit card debt. Who do you think should be primarily responsible for teaching financial management?

316 said it's the family's responsibility
20 said junior high or high schools
4 said colleges or universities
7 said financial institutions
16 said a combination of all



November 2002

As we look at new ways to present topics of interest to parents, which of the following would you find most helpful?

67 said career development
7 said community service
58 said study abroad
27 said student involvement
60 said renting a first apartment
52 said part-time jobs
Other—drinking on campus

October 2002

If asked, I would consider volunteering for the following parent involvement opportunities:

10 said mentoring a student
16 said being job-shadowed by a student
38 said talking with students about my career
51 said talking to parents/students in my community about the U
13 said talking to my legislator about the U
31 said helping with a campus event
13 said I live too far from campus to volunteer
13 said I'm not interested in volunteering

Total number of respondents—168
Many respondents selected multiple answers.

September 2002

This fall, my student will be living...

18 said at home
243 said in a residence hall
20 said in a fraternity/sorority
120 said in an apartment/house off campus
4 wrote in abroad, in an international study program

August 2002

What do you think is the most valuable aspect of a study abroad experience for your student?

23 said internship
18 said explore heritage
6 said rigorous major coursework
49 said travel excursions
20 said experience as member of minority/majority group
9 said exposure to another culture, 1 said fluency in a foreign language, and 1 said general life experience.



July 2002

This year's tuition will be 14.5 percent more than last year's. How will your student finance the additional expense?

27 said work more hours
1 said take fewer classes
9 said reduce other expenses
95 said parents will pay the extra cost
88 said loans will be higher
9 said Other: A combination of parents paying more and student working more hours; athletic scholarship covers student's tuition; Guarantee Tuition Program means no increase for my student

June 2002

When my student was deciding where to go to college, the most helpful information she/he received was from:

14 said the Internet
9 said printed publications
85 said campus visits
3 said college fairs/admissions office
3 said high school counselors/teachers
11 said friends/siblings/other

May 2002

What will your student be doing this summer?

1 said taking classes
112 said working full-time
21 said working part-time
47 said taking classes and working
11 said internship
No one said traveling or resting



April 2002

This year, what has been your greatest concern regarding your student?

60 said health and safety
86 said finances
102 said academics
32 said involvement opportunities
20 said other. Answers ranged from meals, tuition increases, and proposed athletic program cuts to drinking and drugs, academic advising, and career planning.



March 2002

How do you most often communicate with your student?

33 said in person
301 said by phone
214 said by e-mail
1 said by regular mail
8 said by instant messenger

February 2002

What percentage of your student's college expenses do you expect her or him to contribute?

275 said 0 to 25%
130 said 26 to 50%
42 said 51 to 75%
48 said 75% or more

January 2002

How many course credits did your student earn during fall semester?

No one said 8 credits or fewer
14 said 9 to 11 credits
68 said 12 to 13 credits
229 said 14 to 16 credits
73 said more than 16 credits
9 said I don't know/I'm not sure

December 2001

Following the terrorist attacks this past September, what changes have you noticed in your student?

23 said more serious about school
1 said less interested in school
14 said more depressed/anxious
70 said more attached to family
185 said no particular change
Other responses included more interested in world affairs, more patriotic, and more committed to working for social change.



November 2001

What do you think is the University of Minnesota's strongest asset?

132 said variety of academic opportunities

October 2001

Where do you live?

136 said Twin Cities Metro Area
94 said Greater Minnesota
213 said Wisconsin
31 said Iowa/South Dakota/North Dakota
1 said Alaska
2 said California
1 said Connecticut
1 said Florida
8 said Illinois
8 said Kansas
1 said Kentucky
1 said Louisiana
1 said Massachusetts
1 said Michigan
8 said Missouri
1 said Montana
5 said Nebraska
1 said New Jersey
1 said New Mexico
1 said New Hampshire
1 said New York
2 said Oregon
2 said Texas
3 said Virginia
1 said Washington
1 said Canada
1 said Puerto Rico

September 2001

This year, for the first time, we initiated "paperless financial aid" to allow students to accept their financial aid package online. How did this work for your family?

75 said fine, no problem
58 said some glitches, but OK
38 said it took time, but we worked through it
18 said instruction insufficient; needed more help to understand the process
32 said it didn't work for us
19 said the question is not applicable to them




August 2001

If you had the option of paying your student's tuition and fees by credit card, would you?

194 said yes, I would pay by credit card
>97 said no, I would not pay by credit card

July 2001

This fall my student will be living...

148 said in a campus residence hall
57 said at home
66 said in an apartment or house in the Twin Cities
18 said in a fratenity/sorority




June 2001

How many credit cards do you think your student has?

43 said none
57 said one
19 said two
9 said three
3 said four or more



May 2001

My highest level of education...

1 said less than high school
9 said high school diploma
16 said some college
13 said vocational or community college diploma
49 said bachelor's degree
40 said master's degree
4 said doctorate degree



April 2001

I use a computer mainly...

62 said for work
21 said for fun
15 said for research
53 said for e-mail
15 said all of the above



March 2001

When you were the age that your student is now, what were you doing? I was...

133 said in college
28 said working full time
3 said in the military
3 said a full-time parent
3 said vocational school



February 2001

How often do you check the University Parents Web site?

21 said this is the first time
11 said once or twice a year
84 said once a month
44 said once a week
26 said frequently



January 2001

How has your student changed the most since starting college?

87 said more independent
10 said more intelligent
6 said quieter
22 said more outgoing
11 said more body piercings/tattoos
Other responses included more confident, noisier, more appreciative of family, and more goal-oriented.

December 2000

How much time will it take/is it taking your student to graduate?

2 said less than four years
57 said four years
61 said five years
2 said six years
1 said seven or more
1 said it's too soon to say



November 2000

How do you most often receive news about the University of Minnesota?

12 said phone calls from my student
12 said e-mail messages from my student
4 said news media
73 said U Parent Web site
6 said regular mail
7 said talking in person to my student

October 2000

How likely is it that a candidate's position on education will influence your vote?

63 said very likely
11 said somewhat likely
45 said education is one of many concerns
4 said not very likely

September 2000

As we look at new ways to present topics of interest to parents on this Web site, which of the following would you find most helpful?

18 said career development
6 said mentoring
5 said community service
15 said study abroad
25 said student involvement
28 said renting a first apartment
1 said part-time jobs; 2 said current events; 1 said scholarships

August 2000

When my student and I were researching colleges and universities, we got most of our information from:

15 said the Internet
23 said printed publications
43 said campus visits
7 said college fairs/admissions
8 said high school advisers
3 said other/friends/siblings

July 2000

Where do you live?

28 said the Twin Cities Metro area
22 said Minnesota (non-metro)
60 said Wisconsin
11 said Iowa/SouthDakota/ North Dakota

June 2000

What percentage of your student's college expenses do you expect her or him to contribute?

53 said 0 to 25%
30 said 26 to 50%
8 said 51 to 75%
4 said more than 75%

May 2000

The Parent Newsletter and Web site should provide more information on. . .

9 said student activites
24 said career development for students
18 said academics
2 said events for parents



April 2000

If your student expressed an interest in study abroad, how would you respond?

53 said they would support him/her
1 said they would try to dissuade him/her
17 said they can't afford it
For more information about study abroad, see the Learning Abroad Center.



March 2000

In your opinion, which area of your student's life is his or her highest priority?

36 responded academics
18 responded social
5 responded financial or work
2 responded athletics or sports



February 2000

Does your student work at an on-campus job or off-campus job during the school year?

29 said they work on campus
13 said they work off-campus
17 said they don't work



January 2000

What did your student do during winter break (end of December through mid-January)?

39 said they worked
10 said they traveled
36 said they hung around the house
6 said they slept

December 1999

Should all students be required to participate in a community service project during their college career?

32 responded Yes
8 responded No