Olin College

Purpose

The purpose of the Parent Advisory Board (PAB) is to provide advice and counsel to the College through the vice president for Development, Family and Alumni Relations (VPDFAR) on issues of importance to the College. The PAB serves at the pleasure of the vice president and is advisory in nature. In addition, it serves as the organizing body for a Parent Organization, which is open to all Olin parents. In this capacity, it oversees special initiatives in the best interests of the Olin students on behalf of all the parents.

Membership

The PAB shall consist of no more than 16 members who serve two year renewable, staggered terms. There shall be four members each from the sophomore, junior, and senior parents, two members who are freshman parents and two members who are alumni parents. Terms are renewable once, and active involvement by the board member during his/her first term will be considered during the renewal process. New members shall be appointed by the VPDFAR upon recommendation by the highest level staff member of Family and Alumni Relations office. The two freshman parent appointments shall be made by November 1, and the upper-class parent and alumni parent appointments shall be made by May 1. The VPDFAR shall serve as an ex-officio member of the PAB.

Meetings

The PAB will meet on campus once each fall in conjunction with Family Weekend, and will conduct one meeting via teleconference in the spring. With the exception of the alumni parent representatives, there is an expectation that PAB members will attend the on-campus meeting. There is an expectation that alumni parents will participate via teleconference. Between meetings, telephone calls or e-mail communications will be used to conduct business. Travel expenses will be the responsibility of the members.

Leadership

Leadership will be provided by a chair, chair-elect and treasurer. The PAB will select these officers from among returning members who are current parents in consultation with the VPDFAR. Alumni parents are not eligible to be officers. The chair will serve a term of two years, consisting of one year as chair-elect (termed vice-chair) followed by one year as chair. The chair is invited and encouraged to take part in the President’s Council on-campus meetings. If present for President’s Council, travel and lodging will be reimbursed by the College. The treasurer will serve a term of one year. The responsibilities of the treasurer will include oversight of funds contributed to the Parent Organization and intended for projects or initiatives not commonly considered philanthropic to Olin College.

Responsibilities of Members

Members of the PAB will be expected to provide advice and counsel to help advance the College on issues of importance, and to advocate for the College with prospective students, employers, donors, media and other constituencies as appropriate. Topics of central importance will include student recruitment, student life and professional development, curriculum and learning, fostering a College environment of innovation and continual improvement, external and corporate relations, and strategies and approaches for developing philanthropic support for the College and its programs. 

Report to the President

At least once each year the chair, chair-elect and treasurer of the PAB shall meet with the president to provide a report on prospective initiatives proposed by the PAB and the conclusions or ongoing progress of current initiatives. The purpose of this report is to foster formal communication between the president and the PAB, and to enhance the process of innovation and continuous improvement throughout the College.