University Open House Attracts Potential Students

Joseph Gaspard (left), student coordinator with the University of Windsor’s Alumni Relations department, assists students and parents during the university’s Fall Open House, Nov 7. (The Converged Citizen by Mark Brown)

By Mark Brown, Citizen/Blitz Staff Reporter

Hundreds of potential University of Windsor students converged on the campus Friday, many with their parents, to get a taste of what the school offers academically and socially.

The university held its annual Fall Open House, and a majority of the school’s departments opened their doors and made their faculty available to those who attended. Students and parents had questions answered regarding programs, course requirements, housing, financial aid and the school’s social scene. Blue and gold banners flapped in the breeze across campus as students moved from place to place collecting information and taking tours.

“This is a chance for prospective students to come to the university and kick the wheels as it were,” said Lionel Walsh, the U of W’s Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “They’ll get a chance to speak to faculty about programs, they’ll get some information on financial aid and tuition.”

Walsh said that more than 2,300 students registered to attend the all-day event, which included information sessions, tours of the campus, orientation at the St. Denis Centre and one-on-one interaction with faculty and students. Most departments were represented in the CAW Student Centre with displays meant to draw people in.

“Every time anyone comes and sees the choir performing on our little computer here, they’re drawn in and want to know more,” said Hayley Duggan, third-year student volunteering at the Music Department’s display in the student centre’s Ambassador Auditorium. “It’s such a good energy in here and we’re seeing a lot of interest in the music program, which is nice.”

Since the open house typically attracts those who are still in high school, transfer students are certainly welcome to check out the campus in other ways.

“The recruitment for transfer students happens at the colleges themselves since they have recruitment fairs and we go to those,” said Walsh.

The lobby of the Student Centre was a lively place as students and their parents wandered among displays set up underneath giant photographs of campus landmarks.

“It’s been pretty busy,” said Joseph Gaspard, a U of W accounting student who was among those volunteers available in the student centre’s lobby.

High school students wishing to attend the University of Windsor can submit their admission applications through Jan 14, 2015. For more information, visit the U of W website at www.uwindsor.ca/registrar/admissions or call the Office of the Registrar at (519) 253-3000 ext. 3315.