Jacksonville, AL – Per the Director of Strategic Communications for JSU, Buffy Lockette, in a bid to strengthen the support network for its students, Jacksonville State University (JSU) has introduced a groundbreaking Parent Communication Program aimed at providing parents, spouses, and other family members with essential tools to actively participate in their student’s college journey.
Teaming up with CampusESP, JSU has unveiled a comprehensive family communication initiative designed to keep parents and families well-informed about crucial campus deadlines, processes, and other vital information. The program was officially launched in December, featuring an e-newsletter titled “Gamecock Parent & Family Connection.” This newsletter consolidates major campus news, highlights from the university’s “Red & White” newsletter, and key dates from the academic calendar.
The content is not limited to institutional updates; it also encompasses insightful pieces produced by CampusESP, focusing on guiding parents and families on understanding and supporting their students. One recent article, titled “A Family’s Guide to Young Adult Identity Development,” is an example of the valuable resources included in the newsletter.
Jessica Wiggins, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at JSU, emphasized the program’s goal to create an integrated experience for families, allowing them to tailor their involvement based on their interests in university-related content. “Our goal is to create an integrated experience for families and supporters to follow along with their student’s college journey,” said Wiggins.
Parents are automatically enrolled in the distribution list for the newsletter and other university communications if their students provided contact information during the admissions process. For those not currently receiving these communications, an online sign-up option is available through the Gamecock Parent & Family Connection portal.
CampusESP is also streamlining the process of providing parents and family members access to students’ federally protected account information. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) waiver, accessible through the Gamecock Parent & Family Connection portal, allows parents to request access to their student’s information.
Importantly, students retain control over the information shared, deciding who can view specific areas of their student account. This includes details such as account balance, bill payment, financial aid, grades, and student records. The FERPA Waiver process provides a user-friendly alternative to the existing JSU Student Proxy system, with full implementation scheduled for June 1.
JSU Registrar Emily White emphasized, “The power remains in the student’s hands. Every student has different needs, and we want them to have the tools they need to handle the business side of being a college student, so they can concentrate on learning.”
For additional information, interested parties can visit the newly launched Parents and Family website. Jacksonville State University continues to innovate, fostering a supportive community for both students and their families throughout their academic journey.
