When pursuing college and starting a family coincide for MU students, the Student Parent Center is a go-to resource. A part of MU since 1974, it is now looking to expand and increase collaboration based on results of an online survey which ended Oct. 1.
“Historically, we’ve always tried to be a learning laboratory for different departments on campus,” said Michelle Froese, spokeswoman for the Student Auxiliary Services, which includes the SPC.
SPC has collaborated with occupational therapy students in the School of Health Professions to provide services such as yoga for preschool-aged children. Pre-nursing and public health students can work with the center, earning credit hours while working hands-on with children of MU students.
“The students will gain career skills for creating activity plans and exercises and by working with children,” said Kari Eckelkamp, a career adviser for the School of Health Professions in a Mizzou Weekly article.
Through the College of Education, an online survey is determining what students are looking for in terms of services and support.
“(The survey) is to see what it is that parenting students think is important to have as a resource on this campus,” Froese said in an email. “Do we have those already or are we not communicating it if we do have it, and what are some places that we might be missing?”
Although the survey originally scheduled to conclude Sept. 1, Froese said low turnout was the primary reason for extending the deadline and ParentLink — the organization conducting the survey — thought it could achieve a better student sample.
“I have spoken with a number of departments and personnel of the the issues facing parenting students,” SPC Director Julie Shea said. “While everyone has been very supportive, there is little concrete data. I am hopeful that the survey information will bring together campus collaborations that can lead to real solutions for parenting students.”
SPC has opened its doors to other academic departments at MU. Engineering students can study layout or space management by observing the center’s classrooms. Students in landscape services or parks, recreation and tourism programs can observe the outdoor layout of the center.
“What we’re saying to academic departments is that (they shouldn’t) be limited by the fact that we’re a childcare facility, but that we would really like to be able to support student learning outside the classroom,” Froese said.
SPC also collaborates with non-academic departments on campus. They receive reduced rent through the Department of Residential Life, and Campus Dining Services helps by providing food for children enrolled in the program.
Froese mentioned improving SPC’s website, which she described as “informational and static.” The center is working with the Division of Information Technology to provide software solutions to improve the site’s overall function.
Ultimately, Shea said the goal of the survey and collaborations is to expand services to MU students who are in need of childcare.
“We have been collaborating with various departments for years,” she said. “However, due to our lack of advertisement and presence on campus, we are not always on the radar. This is more of renewing our commitment.”
