More than 50 percent of first-year and senior college students said they had experienced “helicopter parents,” according to a national survey published Monday.

Seven of 10 students at 610 four-year colleges and universities in the United States and Canada said they “communicate very often with at least one parent or guardian during the academic year,” according to the 2007 National Survey of Student Engagement.

University Registrar Louis Hunt said these types of very involved parents are not new to campus, though.

“Many times, we have the parent come to us,” he said. “It runs a gamut. I don’t really see a trend in different behaviors.”

But Hunt said certain factors probably contribute to hovering parents, citing the increase in the cost of education and admissions in particular.

“You certainly see it in the admissions process,” he said.

Kat Davis, a sophomore in elementary education and Parent Orientation Ambassador this summer, said she understood the rationale of parents getting involved in their students’ early college years.

“I mean, I understand that their babies are going off to college,” she said. “They’re going to be embarking on their own journeys.”

According to Davis, college is an adjustment for both parents or guardians and students.

According to the NSSE, students with helicopter parents reported greater engagement and satisfaction with the college experience but also had “significantly lower grades.”

Hunt said he often sees a correlation between helicopter parents and poor grades from students.

“Our strong preference is to have parents get that information from the student,” he said. “If a student is dependent of that parent, then the parent has the right to that information. It’s a difficult situation.”

And the survey said such parental intervention happens to over half of all college students.

“Students reported their parent or guardian frequently intervened on their behalf to help them solve problems they were having at the college,” the survey stated.

Davis said she had heard tales of extreme intervention.

“I’ve heard the story that parents will call the parents’ helpline and ask why the student hasn’t eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner that day,” she said. “They’ve gone on to [their children’s] All Campus account and seen they didn’t get breakfast that morning.”

Hunt said he could sympathize with hovering parents, though.

“As a parent, I kind of understand it,” he said. “From my point of view, it does exist. If it clearly benefits the student, then I don’t mind it.”

But according to Hunt, parents can only intervene so much if the student does not consent.

“There are clear guidelines set out by the state government,” he said. “Students are adults. They are managing their affairs, and we want to deal with the students first.”