Bulletin News

03/23/2012 

The 30th Annual Admissions Open House, a one-day program allowing accepted freshmen, transfer applicants and prospective students to better acquaint themselves with SUNY Cortland, is expected to attract 1,800 visitors to campus on Saturday, March 31.

This year, more than 11,300 prospective freshmen have applied for admission to the fall semester at SUNY Cortland, said Betsy Cheetham, assistant director of admissions at the College and coordinator of the Open House since its inception in 1983.

Additionally, the College anticipates more than 2,500 transfer applications for the Fall 2012 semester, she noted. In the past, more than 70 percent of the prospective first-year students who attend Open House actually enroll in the fall semester and 90 percent of the transfer applicants enroll.

“This program serves as a defining moment for our accepted students in determining whether SUNY Cortland will be in their future,” added Mark Yacavone, SUNY Cortland director of admissions. “It is an informative and exciting day.”

Events will take place in Park Center and Corey Union.

Visitors are encouraged to take part in a variety of information sessions and tours, Cheetham explained. The dining halls will welcome the visitors to eat alongside current students at no charge for the prospective students and at the regular rate for their family members.

Open House begins at 9:45 a.m. in the Park Center Alumni Arena with welcoming remarks by College President Erik J. Bitterbaum, Student Government Association President Jamie Piperato and Yacavone.

An academic fair and a variety of student organization programs and student services will be offered in Park Center Corey Gymnasium between 10:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Prospective Cortland students and their families can meet current faculty and students to discuss the College’s major and minor programs, as well as its clubs and activities. Walking tours of campus led by current students will include academic buildings and residence halls. A shuttle bus will transport students wanting to tour the West Campus Apartments.

Information on an array of programs relating to the academic, cultural and social life of the Cortland campus will be presented between 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., in Park Center and Corey Union. Sessions will cover housing and residence life for both freshman and transfer students, financial aid, Honors Program, career services, academic support services and dining, college store and other essential services. Other sessions include campus activities and involvement, Greek life, study abroad, student disability services, recreational opportunities, intramural sports, fitness and sport clubs, childhood and early childhood education, sport management, pre-med advisement, transfer credits, and learning opportunities for students who haven’t declared a major. In addition, Kickline and the Cortland Dance Company will perform.

Lunch will be available in the Brockway Hall, Neubig Hall and Corey Union dining facilities.

Guests also are invited to attend campus athletic and cultural events. Home games will include a softball doubleheader at noon versus SUNY Geneseo, a baseball doubleheader at noon versus SUNY Plattsburgh and men’s lacrosse versus SUNY Plattsburgh at 1 p.m. There will be no admission charge for athletic events on Open House day.

At 8 p.m., “Violet,” the hit off-Broadway musical of the 1990s, will take place in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Theatre. This powerful story by composer Jeanine Tesori and playwright and screenwriter Brian Crawley is set in the Deep South during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. The musical stirs the senses of beauty, love, courage, faith and what it means to see beyond appearances. Tickets will be sold at the door for $7 for Open House guests and all students, $14 for senior citizens and SUNY staff and $16 for the general public.

For more information, visit online at www.cortland.edu/admissions or contact Cheetham at (607) 753-4712.