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SMU parents are building a communication system with a critical purpose – to serve as a primary information source for their fellow parents if a major emergency occurs at the University.
Regional representatives are parent volunteers nationwide who serve as contact points for SMU parents and families in their areas. They have represented SMU at college fairs, welcomed accepted students by phone or e-mail, and hosted send-off parties.
But in this new role as emergency contacts, regional representatives become even more valuable, says Dean of Student Life Dee Siscoe. “In the event of a major emergency on campus, we would e-mail regional reps and they would share information with other parents by phone, e-mail, or in person.”
This personal contact pool is part of a larger emergency communication plan for parents, which includes Web updates, a parent phone bank, and personal calls from the dean if there are student casualties.
“Regional representatives have become an important aspect of the SMU emergency plan,” says coordinator Becky McKinney, a Mothers’ Club volunteer. “Providing parent contacts in every region who have access to the latest information could be extremely valuable.”
As much as SMU officials appreciate this parent partnership, they hope they never have to use it for an emergency, Siscoe says. “But it’s comforting to know that we have an infrastructure of parent support outside of Dallas.”
Parents can volunteer as regional representatives by contacting Becky McKinney at SMUMom.REM@comcast.net.
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