Purpose: The purpose of the Parent Advisory Board (PAB) is to provide advice and counsel to the College through the vice president for external relations (VPER) 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 Parents’ 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 14 members who serve two year renewable, staggered terms. There shall be 4 members each from the sophomore, junior, and senior parents, and 2 members who are freshman 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 VPER upon recommendation by the Assistant Director of Parent and Alumni Relations. The two freshman parent appointments shall be made by November 1, and the upper-class parent appointments shall be made by May 1. The VPER 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.  There is an expectation that PAB members will attend the on-campus meeting.  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 in consultation with the VPER.  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 Parents’ 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.

Richard K. Miller, 12.03, rev. 6.05, 3.06, 8.07