Jessica Pellegrino – General Assignment Reporter
Still abuzz with school spirit from Homecoming Weekend, Southern opened its doors to prospective students and their families on Oct. 19, for an Admissions Open House. Entering the Adanti Student Center was like entering a concentrated dose of everything Southern Connecticut State University has to offer.
Clubs and organizations lined the plaza level handing out informational packets to future Owls and their parents. The SCSU cheerleaders led prospective students in learning some of Southern’s favorite chants. Blue Crew members clad in blue morphsuits weaved through the crowds. Upstairs in the Ballroom, Southern’s majors set up informational tables to guide prospective students depending on their interests. Sports professionals held info sessions about life in Division II. All of Southern came together to create a welcoming environment for the future members of the University.
Anna Larochelle, 17, went the distance to come to the Admissions Open House, commuting from Suffield, Connecticut. Excited to be at Southern, Larochelle shared her experience at the Open House.
“It’s my first time here and I absolutely love it” says Larochelle. “Everyone at SCSU is so outgoing and helpful. I was expecting to get the run around, but everyone answered my questions honestly. And the campus is beautiful. The school is huge but it still feels so warm and inviting. Coming from such a small town, I am looking for a big school and I think I found it in Southern.”
The Admissions Open House offered students the opportunity to speak to professionals in their desired major. Matthew Carrano, 17, of Milford Connecticut came to the Open House with his mother, Jackie and father, Chris. Carrano says, “We went to see the different majors first. The people we spoke with were incredibly informative.”
Matthew Carrano’s father, Chris shared some of the concerns he brought with him about Southern.
“We were worried that Matt might not want to stay here on the weekends, since we live so close. But we learned about all of the stuff Southern does for its students on the weekends and we feel much better about it now. The facilities here look great and from the looks of all of the construction, they are only getting better every day.”
The main topic of discussion throughout the Admissions Open House was the campus construction. Every informational session seemed to speak of the new Buley Library and Science building and what they meant to the future Owls. The new resources the buildings will bring served as a real draw for students and parents alike.
During the Admissions Open House, Southern provides families with informative, campus tours. The tours are guided by SCSU students for the most comprehensive tour. Admissions offered prospective students and their families three different tour options; a guided walking tour, a shuttle bus tour, and a residence hall tour. Megan Mancinelli, member Zeta Delta Epsilon Service Society and tour guide for the open house, believes that the guided tour is the most important part of the day.
Mancinelli says, “I’m going to be cliche but, how do you know if you like or don’t like something if you don’t try it? You try on clothes before you buy them, you look at houses before you commit to them, and you try new foods. You might find you don’t like it when you get here or you might find that you absolutely love it, either way, it’s better to know before you pay that seriously expensive tuition, than to assume.”
The Admissions Open House gave prospective students and their families a glimpse of what could be in store for them if they make the decision to join the ranks of the Southern Connecticut State University Owls.
