Regarded as the guiding doctrine describing the relationship between students, parents and colleges, in loco parentis in higher education refers to institutions’ legal right to act in place of parents in some instances. Although this doctrine guided the relationship between colleges, students and parents for many decades, it is often referred to in the past tense, having reached its decline in the 1960s.
However, many higher ed professionals question whether Millennial matriculation and infamous “helicopter” parents are beckoning a re-emergence of this erstwhile doctrine. Some even question whether the concept of in loco parentis was ever abandoned. Gavin Henning, in the article, “Is In Consortio Cum Parentibus the New In Loco Parentis?” suggests that higher education is experiencing the generation of a new model to guide the colleges’ relationships with students and parents.
In consortio cum parentibus, or “in partnership with parents” is designed for traditional-aged students and their parents. It defines and guides the relationship between the institution, students and parents, and directs the work of student affairs professionals.
The model assumes that students learn from an autonomous decision-making process and being held accountable for those decisions. The model also accepts that students have certain rights that must be protected and acknowledged by higher education institutions. Finally, this model acknowledges that students today are more connected with their parents than previous generations and that parents have significant influence on their child’s behavior. Thus, higher education professionals need to partner with parents and use them as a resource in educating students.
Below are some resources to help higher ed professionals partner with parents.
Is In Consortio Cum Parentibus the New In Loco Parentis?
By Gavin Henning
journals.naspa.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1835&context=jsarp
How to Safely Land Helicopter Parents
By Chris Chavez (University of Southern California)
Reframing the Way We Think About Parental Involvement
By Robert Reason and Jennifer Mallen (Penn State)
www.parentprogram.psu.edu/presentations.shtml
Managing Millennial Parents
By Kayla Hersperger (Slippery Rock University)
fyrst.sru.edu/FYE_Assessment/mMP.ppt
Happy reading!Cynthia Sullivan
Assistant Academic Advisor
The University of Texas at Austin
