U of M Extension praised

County Extension offices are the major educational outreach of the University of Minnesota.

The network focuses on regional issues, but also received personal attention from U of M President Robert Bruininks Thursday.

Among the wide range of Extension services -- farm to family, household to environmental, financial to community living -- Beltrami County chose to showcase for Bruininks the Parents Forever program. Parents Forever is an Extension program supported by the county to help parents in the process of divorce protect their children from fallout from their conflicts.

Parents who file for divorce are court-ordered to attend the class, which gives them tools and strategies to minimize stress for themselves and their children.

The program reminds parents during a time when they may be feeling bitter and disappointed with each other that their role as co-parents continues throughout the lives of their children.

"They wanted to feature a program that brings the university to the community," said Minnell Tralle, program leader for U of M Family Relations.

She said the program was conceived in 1996 and the first training for Beltrami County Parents Forever class leaders was held Oct. 29, 1997 at Concordia Language Villages.

Bruininks said the program fulfills the U of M Extension mission to make a difference by connecting community needs and university resources to address critical issues around the state.

Citing his background in developmental psychology, he said he understands the importance of a program like Parents Forever.

He also described Extension as the "front door of the University of Minnesota," as a land grant university founded to make higher education available to everyone.

"It is peculiarly a U.S. invention," Bruininks said of Extension. "It's got a hundred years of history. I think it's a source of great pride for the university."

Robert Jones, senior vice president for System Academic Administration, said other countries have requested advice from the U of M in setting up Extension systems. He cited as an example Beijing Agricultural University in China. Officials there asked him to bring experts from the U of M to help them set up connections with urban colleges.

Following Bruininks' meeting Thursday with Extension partners and county officials, including Commissioner Joe Vene, who is an Extension Committee member, the president visited Iverson Corner Drug and North Country Regional Hospital to talk about health care issues.

Today, he will meet with students, faculty and staff at the University of Minnesota, Crookston and conduct a meeting with business, community and alumni leaders.