Most books for college parents dwell on the emotional and psychological challenges when their son or daughter "cuts loose" into the quasi-dependent, quasi-adult limbo of college. Here at last is an expert nuts-and-bolts guide showing parents how to work collaboratively with their children to navigate the college bureaucracy--a labyrinth that at times seems perversely designed to frustrate parents at every turn, even on such basic matters as tuition and fees, grades, and disciplinary, legal, and medical problems.

Drawing on her 20 years of experience as a student affairs dean...