2014 PW Summary

2014 Parents’ Weekend Snapshot

Introduction Parents’ Weekend is a tradition of the Florida State University that gives parents the opportunity to visit their student(s) while also gaining exposure to the Florida State University community and its many traditions. The 2014 Parents’ Weekend was held on October 3rd and 4th.

Events included a picnic, educational sessions, three Flying High Circus performances, the Fun Run 5K Run/Walk, and a tailgate brunch.

Attendance Figures

Total # of families at PW # of Participants by Event Picnic at Union Green

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

1,221

1,230

938

1,268

863

3,219

3,290

3,238

3,558

Tailgate Brunch

1,755

1,899

1,502

1,378

5K Fun Run/Walk Total Survey Respondents

665

625

614

582

2,378 1,087 324

598

540

96

350

400

Online Assessment Highlights

Parents’ Weekend 2014 was the tenth year that PW has been formally assessed. Participants were directed to an online survey to provide feedback at the conclusion of the weekend’s festivities. They were informed via business cards, an ad in the program booklet, and notices in the Family Connection E-Newsletter. A drawing took place and a random survey participant was awarded $100 in Flex Bucks. A total of 400 survey responses were recorded.

Demographics of survey respondents

81% were in-state parent/guardians 18% were out-of-state parent/guardians 61% had students who were freshman 28% had students who were sophomores  8% had students who were juniors  6% had students who were seniors    

Majority of survey respondents (70%) were first time attendees and 87% plan to attend again.

Registration comments from survey 

86% of respondents pre-registered online  99% thought online/mailing registration was easy to understand  12% registered on-site  98% thought on-site registration was quick and organized  2% pre-registered via mail  97% of participants found PW staff to be friendly and helpful

Marketing Participants heard about PW through numerous sources. The three top responses included:  72% Family Connection  95% of survey respondents were members of the Family Connection  51% Orientation  37% Website

Program Attendance PW offered various programs attendees could choose to participate in. The most popular among survey respondents included:  Football Game—FSU vs. Wake Forest (91%)  Circus Performance (44%)  Picnic on Union Green (35%)  Brunch Buffet & Marching Chiefs Skull Session (21%)  Family Connection Silent Auction (14%) Recommendations for next year: Suggestions taken from qualitative feedback via online survey: Activities  College Open Houses and meetings with the faculty  More activities parents and children can do together, especially for those that do not attend the football game and more activities on Sunday since arriving early on Friday is a challenge  The Silent Auction ended too early and those that arrived late didn’t have an opportunity to bid  Photo Walk was not well organized, no direction or guidance Catering  The lines for the Brunch were extremely long, the food was cold and needed to be replenished more often 5k Fun Run/ Walk  Better tracking of the times of all the participants and post online Parking  Some parents had their cars towed even though they had the parking permit on the dashboard Website  Allow for “add-ons” under the same email and reservation  Interactive map with estimated walking times and clearer parking instructions Highlights:

   

Spending time with their student, seeing how they are connected and meeting the friends they have made Paint-A-Pot & Bowling Marching Chiefs Skull Session Circus performance

Suggestions from Committee:

 Since many parents do not attend the faculty presentations, it might be best to create a “Meet & Greet” type event instead of a lecture  Look for new technology to help with recording the accurate time of runners finishing the Fun Run  Consider working with Guidebook as a potential corporate sponsor