The 2010-2011 Parent/Family Phone-a-thon was a resounding success. Much appreciation to the 1114 families who pledged contributions, including matched gifts from their employers, of just over $70,000. Through April 4, 80% or a total of $56,985 has been collected. The PFA Board will meet the end of this month to determine how to allocate these funds. Your generosity will provide students in all the colleges with scholarships and special programming and support, as well as resources which directly impact you. If you haven't already, please fulfill your pledge when you can - the foundation will accept your gift anytime.

If your student is interested in applying for a PFA scholarship, or other awards, he/she should visit the dean's office in their college. Each college has different requirements, deadlines and process for applying. If you are interested in being involved with the PFA Board, contact Jodie DeLay or Chelsea Schmidt.

Over the last year, the PFA has been overhauling some of the communications provided to you. You are reading the new Bobcat Quarterly, designed with just you in mind. Many of you subscribe to the Bobcat Bulletin (www.montana.edu/bobcatbulletin), a Friday e-newsletter that keeps you well in the loop about all that is happening at MSU. Today we reveal the new Family web pages. We've taken your suggestions and comments and transformed the site into a new and improved means for finding the information and resources you need. We hope that you'll spend some time reviewing the pages and let us know what you like and how we can make them better.

In addition, our Office of Student Success is working hard to provide even better services for our students and families. Please take a few minutes of your time and click here to complete their survey. We thank you in advance for your participation.

This summer we will be once again hosting receptions for new families during orientations. If you are interested in participating, let Jodie know. It is always nice to have "real" parents in the mix to help answer questions and put new families at ease.

Finally, mark your calendar for Parent/Family Fall Weekend, October 14-16, 2011. This event gets better every year and we promise lots of fun for you and your student.

Happy Spring!

Commencement 2011
Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 7, at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. University processionals as well as individual college celebrations have been scheduled. No tickets are needed for the event, nor is there a limit to how many guests can attend! And for the first time ever, the ceremony will be streamed live over the Web for friends and family who are unable to attend. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, visit http://www.montana.edu/commencement/.

And if you are looking for local accommodations for the commencement weekend, a full list area lodging can be found at http://www.montana.edu/accommodations/.

Office of Summer Session
The MSU Summer Session program is committed to providing a variety of classroom, outdoor, and online opportunities for students to advance or complete their educational goals. The first 6-week summer session and the 12-week summer session begin Monday, May 16. Student registration for summer session began on March 28 and the financial deadline is Friday, May 13. To learn more, visit http://www.montana.edu/summer/.

Moving Out
Residence hall move out will take place during finals week. All students living in the residence hall must be moved out by noon on Saturday, May 7. Your son or daughter will need to sign up with their RA for a checkout time. Some halls offer summer storage to students planning on returning to the halls next fall. Information regarding storage can be found within your student's current hall. If your student plans on taking summer session classes and would like to continue to live on campus you can find more information on the Residence Life Web site at http://www.montana.edu/reslife/summer_housing.php.

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