Parents Support

The Advancement Committee is appointed in the Fall of each year. New members are brought on board and apprised of the Advancement Committee activities to date. Functions of the committee include: evaluate and recommend projects submitted by University departments for support from parent projects proposals; evaluate and monitor projects currently being funded by the Parent Projects Fund; review and evaluate fundraising activities for the year including student phone-a-thon activity and calling scripts.

The Concept

Participation of Bradley University parents in a number of important areas has become increasingly vital to the University's growth and progress in recent years. Involvement in admissions, placement, student activities, and the Parent Projects Fund is becoming traditional and indispensable. Your unrestricted gift to the Parent Projects Fund will ensure that all of the important projects chosen for that year will receive adequate funding. Parents may also direct their gift to any area of the University.

The Plan

The solicitation strategies for the year will be direct mail and telemarketing efforts. The Fall mailing to parents will include a letter describing the history of the Parent Projects Fund. That letter will be followed by a phone-a-thon to parents in the Spring. Parents may also go online to make their Parent Projects Fund gift at: Go>

A Brief History of Projects supported by generous Bradley Parents

2007-2008

The Parent Projects Fund supported the following 7 projects:

Student Tutoring Services, Walk In Tutoring, Women in Business, The Body Project, ELJ Graduate Learning in Counseling Center, eRecruiting web-based Career Management System, and the Garrett Hall Improvement Program.

Student Tutoring Services is a core program that the Parent Projects Fund has supported for over 15 years. Their support ensures that Bradley undergraduate students will be provided up to two hours per week of free tutoring in select courses. Bradley University is one of the few universities in the country that offers a program featuring one-on-one tutoring on an appointment basis. In addition to the appointment-based tutoring program, the Parent Projects Fund wants to ensure that there is sufficient support for walk-in tutoring.

The Women in Business organization will be inviting a professional speaker to an event at Bradley University. They believe that an individual with international experience can share important information and serve as a valuable role model for the participants. A prestigious speaker will provide an important educational opportunity for many groups on campus.

The Body Project is a multi-faceted collaborative research and service project involving academic faculty, wellness staff and students. The main aims for the project are to investigate the scope and nature of body image disturbances among Bradley students, to educate the campus community on issues related to body image and eating disorders, and to improve campus resources and programming in this area.

The ELH Graduate Learning in Counseling Center will be using the funds from the Parent Projects Fund to purchase technology and equipment to enhance the counseling practice of graduate students. This program provides Bradley graduate student interns with a unique experience in learning counseling with young adults and it provides an additional resource for Bradley students who request counseling from Health Services.

The Smith Career Center continues to provide comprehensive career services for Bradley University students, alumni and state-of-the-art recruitment assistance to employers through the use of Experience's eRecruiting online career services product. The programs and services offered by the Smith Career Center are innovative and responsive to current trends, which has made it a very useful resource over the last several years.

The Office of Multicultural Student Services will be purchasing new chairs and folding caddies for use in Garrett Hall. The Romeo B. Garrett Cultural Center was founded 30 years ago and provides a venue that is used for workshops, seminars, social events, weekly meetings of the student senate, and film viewings.

2006-2007

The Parent Projects Fund supported the following 9 projects:

Move-In Day Hospitality by FOCUS, Multicultural Student Services Computer Lab, Laptop Computer Lab for the Psychology department, National Student Advertising Competition, Multi-media Enhancement of the Writing Center, Interactive Volunteer/Leadership website, Society of Women Engineers Regional Conference, eRecruiting web-based Career Management System, and Student Tutoring Services.

The Fellowship of Faculty University Students (FOCUS)
provided Move-In day hospitality to the parents and students
that came to campus in the fall.

The Multicultural Student Services computer lab was able to replace old, outdated computers in order to provide another resource that is available for the entire campus community.

  The Department of Psychology was able to acquire laptop
  computers for their portable computer laboratory. This improves
  the student's ability to conduct their research individually and in
  collaboration with professors.

The Bradley chapter of the American Advertising Federation will be able to compete in the National Student Advertising Competition which provides real-world experience for communication and advertising students who will present a strategic advertising/marketing/media campaign for a corporate sponsor.

The Writing Center will be able to obtain two multi-media computers that will be used for one-on-one tutorial sessions. Typically the center offers over 700 individual sessions to Bradley students.

The Volunteer Network will be supporting the design, implementation and maintenance of an all-school volunteer and leadership website and search engine that will serve as the hub of community service, philanthropic giving and leadership development for the Bradley community.

The Society of Women Engineers is proud to be hosting their regional conference here in Peoria. The expected attendance of more than 600 participants spans across eight states, includes over 40 universities and 13 professional sections.

Student Tutoring Services continue to be an important program for the Parent Projects Fund. Bradley University is one of the
few universities in the country that offers a program featuring one-on-one tutoring on an appointment basis. This program
also provides Bradley undergraduate students with up to two hours per week of free tutoring in select courses.

2005-2006

The Parent Projects Fund funded the following 6 projects:

Campus Wireless Network Expansion, Smith Career Center E Recruiting Program, Intramural Sports Equipment, Library Furniture Replacement, Student Tutoring Services, Substance Abuse Screening and the Special Projects Fund

The Campus Wireless Network Expansion will add twelve wireless access points (WAPs) to common and residential spaces to greatly increase the wireless network connectivity available to students.

The Smith Career Center provides career services to Bradley University students, alumni, and employers easily and conveniently by utilizing Experience's eRecruiting online career services product. More than 3,300 Bradley students and alumni utilized eRecruiting during fiscal year 2005.

The Intramural and Recreational Sports Department is
committed to providing recreational opportunities to Bradley Students. Additional equipment for the Cardiovascular Room will enhance those opportunities. Gifts from parents will be used to purchase 2 new treadmills for the cardiovascular room in Haussler Hall.

  The Cullom-Davis Library is committed to meeting the information
  needs of Bradley University's students, faculty and staff. Most of
  the furniture in the Library is at least 15 years old. Gifts from
  parents will be used to acquire round tables to replace the four   person study carrels that currently exist. All students who use the
  library will benefit from this new furniture.

Free Tutoring Services enables Undergraduate students to
receive up to two hours per week of free tutoring in selected courses. Gifts from Bradley parents will enable the Bradley Health Services and Counseling Center to purchase the GAIN screening tool as well as follow up training for staff. Any student referred to counseling for a substance abuse assessment will benefit from this new tool. The G.A.I.N. tool will standardize the interview and screening for substance abuse and provide information to make recommendations for treatment planning.

The special projects fund provides the parent calendar distributed to parents each year, as well as other projects throughout the year as determined by the special projects committee.

2004-2005

The Parent Projects Fund will fund the following 5 projects:
Fresh Start Program, Tutorial Program, Special Projects Fund, Career Search, Program Surround Sound Audio Upgrade for Marty Theatre

The Fresh Start Program is a one-on one, non confrontational, non-judgemental, and flexible alcohol education program that seeks to increase the student’s interest and readiness for change regarding their use of alcohol and consequences resulting from their alcohol use. The tutorial program offers students one on one free tutoring for up to two hours per week. The special projects fund provides the parent calendar distributed to parents each year, as well as other projects throughout the year as determined by the special projects committee. The Career Search program is a web-based, nation-wide database of employers that is available to students throughout the year, 24 hours per day. The Surround Sound Audio Upgrade for the Marty theatre will provide much needed technology to enhance the quality of audio playback for movies and lectures inside the theatre.

2003-2004

The Parent Projects Fund will fund the following 4 projects for a third year:
Tutorial Program, Special Projects Fund, Career Search Program, Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service

The Parent Projects Fund will fund the same four projects this year, which will include ongoing support to the Tutorial Program, Special Projects Fund, Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, and the Career Search Program which is offered through the Smith Career Center.

2002-2003

The Parent Projects Fund will fund the following 5 projects for a second year:
Tutorial Program, Special Projects Fund, Career Search Program, Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, Multicultural Resource Library

The Parent Projects Fund will fund the same five projects this year, which will include ongoing support to the Multicultural Resource Library, Tutorial Program, Special Projects Fund, Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, and the Career Search Program which is offered through the Smith Career Center.

2001-2002

The Parent Projects Fund will fund the following 5 projects: Tutorial Program, Special Projects Fund, Career Search Program, Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, Multicultural Resource Library

The Parent Projects Fund will fund five projects this year, adding the new Multicultural Resource Library. Support to the Multicultural Resource Library will go towards the purchase of videotapes, audiotapes, CD-ROM materials, educational books workbooks, activity books, directories, cultural educational games, and diversity promotional materials. These items will be available for use by the entire Bradley University Community.
In addition, the parents will continue to fund four projects from last fiscal year. First, is ongoing support to the Tutorial Program, second; Special Projects Fund, third; the Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, and fourth; The Career Search Program which is offered through the Smith Career Center.

2000-2001

Tutorial Program, Parents’ Board Fund, Career Search Program, Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership, and Public Service

The parents’ board will continue to fund four projects from last fiscal year. First, is ongoing support to the Tutorial Program, second; The Parents’ Board Fund, third; the Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, and fourth; The Career Search Program which is offered through the Smith Career Center.

1999-2000

Tutorial Program, Parents’ Board Fund, Career Search Program, Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership, and Public Service ASAP (Alcohol and Security Awareness Program)

The parents’ board will fund five projects this fiscal year. First, is ongoing support to the Tutorial Program, established in 1991; Parents’ Board Fund, established in 1995 the Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, established in 1996. Support for the Career Search Program established in 1998, which is offered through the Smith Career Center, and parent support of the Center for Wellness and Counseling. This project has been renamed ASAP or the Alcohol and Security Awareness Program.

1998-1999

Tutorial Program, Parents’ Board Fund, Career Search Program, Center for Student Leadership, and Public Service Center for Wellness and Counseling

Ongoing support to the Tutorial Program, established in 1991; Parents’ Board Fund, established in 1995 and Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, established in 1996. Two projects are new this year; support for the Career Search Program, which is offered through the Smith Career Center, and parent support of the Center for Wellness and Counseling will allow them to purchase FATAL VISION goggles and develop a computerized system for record keeping.

1996-97 & 1997-98

Tutorial Program Special Projects, Fitness Equipment for the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports, Center for Student Leadership and Public Service

The parents’ board continued to fund several projects. The first was continued support to the Tutorial Program which they began in 1991. Second, was continued support of the Parents’ Board Fund which was established in 1995. Third, was continued support for Fitness Equipment for the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports. Parent gifts will help replace and purchase additional equipment such as treadmills, a ski machine, climber, aerobic steps, floor mats and hand weights. Finally, there was the addition of the Center for Student Leadership and Public Service, which helps student leaders learn to be effective and prepares them to be society’s future leaders.

1995-96

Tutorial Program Establishment of Special Projects, Fitness Equipment for the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports

For the first time, the parents’ board decided to fund several projects. They first chose to continue support to the Tutorial Program which they began in 1991. Second, was the establishment of the Parents’ Board Fund which is used by the Parents’ Board of Directors for special projects and to keep parents informed. Third, was support for Fitness Equipment for the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports. Parent gifts will help replace and purchase additional equipment such as treadmills, a ski machine, climber, aerobic steps, floor mats and hand weights.

1994-96

Smith Career Center

This parent project provided the resources necessary to help the Smith Career Center offer additional career services for students and reach a higher level of computer automation. Parent gifts purchased office equipment, career library materials, and ongoing computing needs.

1993-94

Computer and Printer Equipment for the Library

The Packard Room at the library is now a place where students learn how to use computerized Library resources, with 18 new computer workstations with Windows software, thanks to the Parents’ Fund. In addition, the fund helped purchase two new Minolta reader/printers for microfilm and microfiche so students can print out paper copies from periodicals stored on film.

1991-93

Free Tutoring Services

Individual students may receive up to two hours a week of free tutoring in selected courses, thanks to the Parents’ Fund. The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) in the Library administers the program, screening and training more than 60 student tutors who provide individual help and group review sessions. Parent donations funded the program for 3 years.

1990-91

Landscaping the Campus Entranceway

The Parents’ Fund supported construction and landscaping of the new campus entranceway. Bradley parents contributed significantly to the project.

1989-90

After Hours Study Room in the Library

Funded by the parents, this special study room on the first floor of the Library is kept open two to three hours after the rest of the Library closes, and 24 hours a day for the last three weeks of each semester.

1988-89

Meeting Room in the Student Center

In recognition of donations by parents, a meeting room on the lower level of the Student Center is named the Parents’ Association Board Room. This room, which seats 20 and adjoins the Marty Theater, has reservations almost every day for meetings of student groups and University departments.