Parents and Families

Involvement Opportunities

The Division of Student Affairs encourages all Clemson parents to get involved with the Clemson University Parents’ Council. This group of dedicated parents significantly assists the University as we strive to meet the educational and developmental needs of our students and address parents’ needs for involvement, information and support.

Parents’ Council makes every effort to be a well-informed resource for the University, assist in academic recruiting, promote fund-raising efforts for student-related activities and facilities, and offer the parents’ perspective to the University.

Parents' Council Advisory Board

The Parents' Council Advisory Board is the governing board for Parents' Council; the board members chair the volunteer committees. Meet the PCAB members for 2012-2013. An individual parent or a couple who is interested in serving on the PCAB may apply for Board membership in November of each year, as parents of graduating students rotate off. Once selected, an Advisory Board member would be eligible to serve so long as their child is a full-time student at Clemson University. If you have any questions about the Board or the application process, please contact Rusty Guill, CU Parents' Council Advisor at 864-656-0935 or by e-mail.

As a member of the Clemson University Parents' Council Advisory Board, you will be asked to participate in various programs and activities of the Parents' Council as described below.

  • Attend Parents' Council Advisory Board meetings (held three times per year) and actively participate in committee assignments. It is recommended you have a schedule that is flexible enough to allow you to come to campus for a least two of the three meetings.
  • Represent the Parents' Council at various University functions such as: summer orientation, campus receptions and regional receptions. You might be asked to be a speaker, a panel member or engage in a one-on-one conversation with parents and students.
  • Work with Student Affairs staff to develop the program for Family Weekend and participate in as many Family Weekend activities as possible.
  • Participate as a volunteer in at least one of the Parents' Council programs offered each year such as the "Letter Writing Campaign" or "Summer Orientation".
  • Promote Parents' Council to other parents.
  • Attend as many Clemson sponsored functions in your area as possible and invite other Clemson parents to join you.
  • Support the Development Board projects by making an annual gift to the Parents' Council Fund and promoting their projects.
  • Assist in the University's academic recruiting efforts.
  • Interact with parents and prospective students in your local community to acquaint them with Clemson University and highlight the benefits of attending Clemson.
  • Assist the Student Affairs staff with the identification of any issues of concern that you hear from other parents.
  • Be willing to serve on the Parents' Council Advisory Board for at least one year with a maximum membership equal to the length of time your child is a full time student at Clemson.

Volunteer Today!

There are numerous other ways to get involved as a Clemson parent. Review the volunteer opportunities listed below and let us know your interests by completing the Volunteer Form. Your information will be forwarded to the committee chair.

  • Back to School Socials
    This group hosts socials during the later part of July and early August. The intent of the socials is to assist new students and families with their transition to Clemson and meet new students from their area.

  • Co-op program
    If a company would like to host a co-op student, this group will help develop a position that fits the needs of the company and the Clemson student.

  • Development Board
    Members work to enhance the Clemson student experience by soliciting support from other parents. Each year the Development Board supports multiple projects that directly benefit our students’ overall Clemson experience.

  • Family Weekend
    Volunteers assist with the planning and implementation of the annual Family Weekend activities.

  • High school contact
    Volunteers serve as local Clemson University “ambassadors” to students and their families who live outside South Carolina. Members’ primary role is to positively represent Clemson at high school college fairs in their home states. These volunteers are educated on how to answer typical questions, explain admissions requirements, follow protocol guidelines and share their own Clemson experiences.

  • Letter-Writing Campaign
    Volunteers write letters to accepted students encouraging them to enroll at Clemson. This is a personal touch where you can share your own child's experience at Clemson. Paper and envelopes, a sample letter, mailing labels for the assigned students and instructions are all provided.

  • Parent/Alumni Career Network
    This program provides parents and alumni with the opportunity to help students or alumni in one or more of the following ways: provide career guidance to Clemson students and alumni by sharing information about your career, sponsor internships, encourage your organization to recruit on the Clemson campus, and list position vacancies with the Michelin® Career Center.

  • Regional Receptions
    Parents’ Council hosts receptions for accepted students who are considering Clemson. The receptions are held in a Parents’ Council member’s home and are typically hosted in out-of-state areas where there are numerous students who have been accepted to Clemson. In previous years, we have held eight receptions throughout Florida, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

  • Summer Orientation
    Volunteers help with the orientation sessions by distributing Parents’ Council literature to parents, answering questions and welcoming parents to Clemson.