Preview Day at CSULB

Preview Day debuts Saturday and is the first pre-registration program designed to recruit high-school students and prospective community college-transfer students to Cal State Long Beach.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity to show off Cal State Long Beach," said CSULB President Robert Maxson. "It gives us a chance to let academically talented high-school students know just how good we are - and that includes those college students that are looking for a university home."

Preview Day is open to the public, said Valerie Bordeaux, director of the University Outreach and School Relations.

"It's an opportunity for the university to showcase its academic programs, student-support services and campus life to prospective students who are considering applying to this university," Bordeaux said.

Preview Day begins at 9:30 a.m. in The Pyramid Saturday with a welcome from Maxson followed by a message from Carl Kemp, president of the Associate Students Inc.

To help create some college spirit, the CSULB dance team and cheerleaders will perform a pep rally in The Pyramid and music will be provided by the Beach Band.

Dallas Boychuk, head coach of women's basketball, and Brian Gimmillaro, head coach of women's volleyball, will talk about highlights of the CSULB athletic programs. There will be free refreshments.

"We want them to have an exciting feeling of campus life," Bordeaux said.

Following introductions in The Pyramid, students and their guests are scheduled to attend open houses in the university's seven colleges. At 10:30 a.m., the prospective students will get an overview of the academic programs offered by the colleges. There also is a session for undecided majors.

Finally, an information fair will be set up in front of the University Bookstore on Upper Campus. Representatives from Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, housing and many other CSULB services and clubs are scheduled to provide information to students.

The University Bookstore will be open and will offer a 20 percent discount on some of its items. In front of the Bookstore, The Beat 92.3 FM will be broadcasting live.

The purpose of Preview Day is to showcase CSULB, Bordeaux said. "We want them to discover the treasure of The Beach," she said.

This is the first time that the CSULB has hosted a Preview Day. Bordeaux said she expects thousands to attend.

"We know that this will be successful," she said, "It's very well planned and very well advertised."

President Maxson agreed. "We think there will be a very large crowd and we believe that they are going to like what they see," he said.

Preview Day is funded by the President's Office. It is coordinated by the University Outreach and Student Relations office and a committee that is made up of representatives throughout the campus, Bordeaux said.

49er Express Admissions Day is another upcoming program sponsored by the University Outreach and Student Relation office. The event will be held Nov. 4, and will help qualified prospective students gain on-the-spot admission to CSULB.