Some of you may be thinking; “why does she keep going on about Mums and Dads???” Well because I know first-hand how useful having those contacts on your course in other years can be, and how important it is that this scheme is successful. Coming to university can be scary, and you will be surprised at how much having an older year there to welcome you can help make first year students feel less intimidated. Someone to ask what to expect from their first year, to give advice on how to get involved with clubs and societies, the best places to eat or go out, how much coursework to expect, or just someone to talk to if they are feeling lonely.

Currently this scheme works amazingly in some departments, but in others it doesn’t have the same positive impact that I know it can have. The only way we can make this successful across all departments is if YOU sign up to be a parent:  www.imperialcollegeunion.org/mumsanddads

The name is tongue in cheek. It’s not an excuse for the new first years to be treated as children, as we are all adults here at university and we do need to act like it. However, we chose this name rather than “Buddies” in the hope that Mums and Dads will help build a family tree, and each family will grow giving students the opportunity to interact with all year groups. Often students do not get this chance to interact with all years of their course, and we hope that over the years the family connections will strengthen. I arrived at Imperial and was given a dad. The next year, I adopted 2 daughters, who in turn each were assigned a son. These “grandsons” chose a spouse and had two Fresher’s as their children each… Leaving me with 4 Great-Grandchildren! I’ll stop now as I’m giving away my age, but everyone in my “family” will agree how rewarding this scheme can be, both for parents and children!

For the first time, the 2013 Fresher’s will receive a welcome email from College with Mums and Dads being the first thing they see. So when they arrive, they will know all about the scheme and its importance. Highlighting this will hopefully ensure that over the years Mums and Dads will move from strength to strength, and all returning students will be fighting it out to be parents!

For those of you who do sign up, we will be offering “parental advice” with ideas on what to do with your new family. Your DepSocs are currently working with your Departments to put on Mums and Dads events for Welcome Week, and we hope that these events will continue throughout the year, with you all continuing to get involved.

The live stats of parental sign-ups are here: https://www.imperialcollegeunion.org/mumsanddads/stats

As you can see, Maths are currently struggling to reach the number of parents needed, with Materials, Physics, Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering also having a long way to go. Please please sign up to be a parent, especially if you are from any of these departments!!

Finally, I’d like to say a massive thank you to Philip Kent and Thomas Lim, who have put in a lot of time and effort with this year’s Mums and Dads. Thank you!

DPE love,

Nat x