03/22/2016
The 34th annual Admissions Open House, a one-day program allowing accepted freshmen, transfer applicants and prospective students to acquaint themselves better with SUNY Cortland, is expected to attract 1,800 visitors to campus on Saturday, April 2.
This year, more than 10,700 prospective freshmen have applied for the fall semester at SUNY Cortland, said Betsy Cheetham, assistant director of admissions at the College and coordinator of Open House since its inception in 1983.
Additionally, the College anticipates more than 2,400 transfer applications for the Fall 2016 semester, she noted. In the past, more than 70 percent of prospective first-year students who attended Open House actually enrolled in the fall semester and 90 percent of the transfer applicants have enrolled.
Spring Open House is a critical part of the recruitment process of new students to the College, added Mark Yacavone ’94, SUNY Cortland assistant vice president for enrollment management.
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| Prospective freshman and transfer students will tour the campus during the 34th annual Admissions Open House on April 2. Above left, Admissions Office staff and faculty answer one visiting family's questions. |
“Many of the visitors to Spring Open House have been accepted as either freshman or transfer students,” he said. “This event allows them a final opportunity to interact with our faculty, staff and students before they make their final decision on a college to attend in the fall.”
Events will take place in Park Center, on the lower campus, and Corey Union, located halfway up the hill.
Visitors are encouraged to participate in a variety of information sessions and tours. The dining halls will welcome 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 Patrick Viscome and Yacavone.
An academic, student services and student organization fair will be offered between 10:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Park Center Corey Gymnasium and Poolside lobby. The facility is located in the lower campus near the sports complex and tennis courts. Prospective 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, residence halls and the year-old Student Life Center. A shuttle bus will transport students wanting to tour the West Campus Apartments.
New this year will be planetarium shows at 1 and 2 p.m. with planetarium director and physicist Sean Nolan. He describes this as an hour-long “journey through our solar system into deep space” that includes a 30-minute I-MAX movie titled “From Earth to the Universe.” Afterward, visitors can learn about what constellations and celestial objects they can see right from their own backyards. The programs also showcase the fairly recent Planetarium replacement that is located off the Bowers Hall lobby. The facility can accommodate 41 people per show.
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 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.
Additional sessions include campus activities and involvement, Greek life, study abroad, student disability services, recreational and outdoor pursuit opportunities, intramural sports, fitness and sport clubs, childhood and early childhood education, special education, pre-med and pre-law advisement, transfer credits, and learning opportunities for students who haven’t declared a major. DanceWorks, Kickline and the Cortland Dance Company will perform, as well.
Special presentations in an array of disciplines are planned from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
In Park Center Jason Harcum, assistant director for recreational sports for Outdoor Pursuits, will discuss the College’s off-campus facilities in the Adirondacks and their role in the successful transition of youth to the campus experience. Both first-year and transfer students can be part of an Orientation experience called the Adirondack Trailblazers. Theresa Curtis, associate professor of biological sciences and the pre-medical and pre-dental advisor, will offer advice. New this year, Deborah Van Langen, assistant professor of kinesiology, will discuss pre-physical therapy advisement. Assistant Professor of Political Science Timothy DeLaune will advise visitors interested in pre-law.
Meanwhile in Corey Union, Mary Reagan, field placement coordinator, will present on “Student Teaching Opportunities at Home and Abroad.”
Guests will be given meal vouchers and encouraged to sample lunch alongside current students at their choice of dining facilities in Brockway Hall, Neubig Hall, the Student Life Center and Corey Union.
Visitors also are invited to attend the free campus athletic event, a softball doubleheader versus Brockport with first pitch slated for noon.
For more information, visit online at cortland.edu/admissions or contact Cheetham at 607-753-4712.