What do helicopters and some parents of college students have in common?

They hover.

A helicopter hovers above ground, and “helicopter parents” hover above their children’s college life, ready to step in and make decisions and wield their influence at the ringing of a cell phone.

“These kinds of situations have been going on in the family for some time. It just becomes more obvious once the kids leave for school,” said Frank DeSalvo, Kansas University’s interim dean of students.

Some universities and colleges are ready to have helicopter parents permanently grounded.

At Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., administrators say they are tired of overly involved parents calling them to complain about housing assignments, roommates, grades and food quality.

Colgate used to send students’ parents a list of administrators’ phone numbers. Not anymore. This year, parents received a statement about Colgate’s philosophy of self-reliance. Colgate is placing a larger emphasis on “teachable moments” outside the classroom.

Other colleges and universities are taking similar steps. Northeastern University in Boston urged parents not to call their children but to let them call home when they want to talk. The University of Vermont hires students as “parent bouncers” to delicately keep parents from interfering in, for instance, meetings with advisers.

Cell phone security

At KU, helicopter parents started hovering in earnest about five years ago, DeSalvo said. The growing use of cell phones among students has probably played a role in that, he said.

Instances of a student, upset about something during a discussion with a counselor, suddenly pulling out a cell phone and calling Mom or Dad is not that unusual at KU or other universities, DeSalvo said.

“There is some element of care and concern on the part of the parent,” DeSalvo said. “Students, I think in some cases, feel that sense of security knowing that there is some grown-up in their corner and taking their side.”

One area of concern for parents is their children’s financial aid packages. More parents are taking a more active role in that area and practically handling the process themselves, said Stephanie Covington, associate director of financial aid at KU. Many times students have to sign forms allowing their parents access to certain information.

“We’re happy parents are supportive of their students and are trying to help them be successful, but at the same time it is very important that students understand the type of financial aid they are accepting and that they know how much of a loan they are taking out and will be responsible for,” Covington said.

Heading off problems

Last month, KU announced the formation of the KU Parent Assn., a group with the goal of enhancing communication between the university and families of students. The association will provide information to parents and family members, promote university programs and services, and encourage members to be informed, DeSalvo said at the time.

In addition, KU also began seeking parents and family members who are interested in serving on the association’s advisory board. The 16-member board will be led by Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success. Meetings will be held once a semester.

“The board will allow students to bring up any concerns they have directly with KU administrators and students,” Roney said.

DeSalvo and Roney insisted the formation of the parents’ association and the advisory board was not specifically directed at helicopter parents. The advisory board is designed to help all parents be involved and not to shut them out, Roney said.

“The current involvement of the parent generation I don’t see as a problem one tiny bit,” Roney said.

The parents’ association, advisory board and discussions during summer student-parent orientation can help parents feel more comfortable allowing their children to act more independently and confidently, DeSalvo and Roney said.

“The message that parents need to get is that their job is to prepare their sons and daughters so that eventually they will be able to take care of themselves and act independently,” DeSalvo said. “That needs to start sooner than the summer before they head off to college.”

“They call me”

Danielle Lavely, a KU freshman from Naperville, Ill., has two cell phones at her disposal, each with a different area code of origination. She said she didn’t think she had called her parents that much during her first month away from home.

“I don’t call them – they call me,” she said. “I’d call my sister.”

A few other students interviewed on campus last week said they didn’t call home that much and they didn’t think their parents fit the helicopter parents stereotype.

“That would be the last call for me,” Andrew Erwin, a freshman from Naperville, said of calling his parents for help. “I’m more of an independent person.”

During his early years at KU, Ian Stuart sometimes called home for help, but he doesn’t think he made those phone calls that much.

“I would call my mom, and she always had some good advice,” the Dodge City senior said. “Calling home is healthy.”

As for calling home to complain or seek help about routine, everyday problems, Stuart said he doesn’t do that.

“It’s like, to heck with it,” he said.