Parents don't stop caring after high school

Although the business sophomore's mom and dad were checking up on him, Pasqual said their intentions were good.

"It showed that they care what I am doing and that they want to help in any way they can," he said.

University administrators say more parents are taking an active role in their children's college education, attending orientation functions and building rapport with advisers.

Sylvia Mioduski, director of the Freshman Year Center and University Learning Center, said more parents are attending freshman orientation and UA functions than ever before.

"I think parents, in general, care about their students' (success in college)," she said.

Celeste Pardee, director of the Arts and Sciences Academic Services Office, said parents sometimes call an academic adviser when they find out their child is having problems with school.

"Many times parents will ask questions their students have not asked," Pardee said.

She said parents can usually help a struggling student better if they are aware of the problem, though they sometimes get frustrated when they are denied access to their child's academic records. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, parents do not have the right to access college grades unless their child signs a waiver.

Some students still prefer the hands-off approach.

Pre-nursing junior Diane Wolff said her parents are not active in her college career.

"Parents need to let their children make their own mistakes," Wolff said. "They should trust the child because the child is the one making the investment."

Wolff, who is financing her own college education, said she expects her parents not to intrude in her decisions.

"As long as I am in school, they are happy," she said.

UA Residence Life Director Jim Van Arsdel said that for many parents, it is difficult to let go. Letting students make their own mistakes, he said, is an important part of their education.

"A student goes to college to learn how to grow up," Van Arsdel said.

Pasqual said his parents trust him to solve his own problems and would leave him "in the hands of the system" if he stepped out of line.

Parents may become more involved in their children's education, he said, because they want them to have a smoother ride through college than they had.