Ole Miss Family Leadership Council Makes Impact

The council was formed in 2014, and a decade later, the group has contributed $1.4 million to the Division of Student Affairs. Each year, departments within the division present funding requests for special projects, and council members vote on the projects to support with their membership dues.

"When we launched the Family Leadership Council, we had 19 families from a handful of states," said Brett Barefoot, the university's executive director for central development. That year, we were able to allocate $45,500 to the Division of Student Affairs. This year was the FLC's 10th anniversary, and our 66 families representing 23 different states provided $235,000 to student affairs.

"This is the most we've ever had to allocate, and it clearly highlights that Ole Miss parents want to be involved and use their resources to enhance the Ole Miss experience for our students."

Among the 10 projects selected for allocations this year:

• $70,000 for Protocall 24/7 crisis line in the University Counseling Center – This resource provides crisis support for students after hours, during holidays and in the event of unexpected campus closures. Students have used this resource to speak to licensed counselors or social workers 1,020 times in the past seven months.
• $50,225 for Student Health Services – The center is expanding its footprint to the South Oxford Campus with two nurse practitioners to see an additional 40-plus patients daily. This funding will cover essential medical equipment, eight new examination tables and other office equipment.
• $40,000 for renovations to Lester Hall – This home of the University Counseling Center will expand from two floors to the entire building.
• $15,000 for the rebrand of the Center for Student Organizations and Leadership – Ole Miss has more than 400 registered student organizations, but the majority lacks dedicated space to meet regularly. This funding will rebrand the center as The Student Involvement Place, or The SIP, and provide resources such as computer stations, office supplies and other items.

Colleen Friedman, a council member from Winston Salem, North Carolina, has a daughter at Ole Miss.

"It was quite an eye-opener and learning experience to go through the process of a brief description of about 25 very worthy funding requests," she said. "How wonderful to learn what the actual needs are and to know that we had a small part in making a helpful difference."

Likewise, Chas Maloy, a council member and father of two daughters at Ole Miss from of Littleton, Colorado, said he and his wife have been impressed that the funding goes directly to student affairs projects.

"In talking about the FLC with numerous people who have no affiliation or familiarity with Ole Miss, the theme I discuss most is the direct impact our support and the FLC have on projects and causes that matter to students," he said.

"Many times, contributions to a school are directed toward a general fund or endowment. Of course, these resources are utilized at some point for the good of the institution. However, with the FLC, we are shown tangible projects and services where these resources are allocated.

"You know you are making a difference in students' lives and experiences at Ole Miss. For me and my wife, this is the most satisfying aspect of our involvement."

The council meets twice a year, and members gather for tailgates before two Ole Miss football games each fall in the Grove.

"My husband, Morris, and I attended other universities," Friedman said. "Through the FLC, we felt immediately and warmly welcomed to Ole Miss and Oxford.

"We're looking forward to getting more involved and connecting with new and existing members of the FLC over Margaret's time at Ole Miss and beyond."

To become council members, parents donate at least $5,000 annually. To learn more about the Family Leadership Council, contact Brett Barefoot at bmbarefo@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2711.

Top: Retired Maj. Gen. Leon Collins, of Madison, addresses a recent Family Leadership Council meeting. The 1982 Ole Miss business graduate and active alumni leader discussed his love for Ole Miss and shared why he became involved in Now & Ever: The Campaign for Ole Miss. Photo by Amy Howell/University Development