College Spring Day showcases campus for prospects
By EMILY WELSH
News Writer
Saint Mary's hosted its annual Spring Day on Campus Sunday, giving prospective high school sophomores, juniors and college transfer students a chance to visit campus and learn about the school.
The highlight event for both the prospective students and their parents were the panel discussions.
"The panel discussions give the students and parents an opportunity to ask questions they would not be able to ask or get answered in a viewbook," said freshman Jaclyn Thompson, a panelist with her mother.
There were separate panels for prospective students and their parents to learn more about the school.
The panel for the prospective students included representatives from student government, diversity board and class officers.
Many concerns from the prospects revolved around campus involvement and the social life at Saint Mary's. Kristen Matha, student body vice president, explained the role of the existing student government bodies, such as the Board of Governance, Residence Hall Association and the Student Diversity Board.
One prospective student questioned the interaction between Notre Dame and Saint Mary's.
"We do have a lot of social activities with Notre Dame on the weekends, but you do not have to participate in them," said Colleen Collins. "BOG will bring movies to campus, and Flipside, a non-alcoholic social group that exists at SMC, ND and Holy Cross, holds events each weekend. There are plenty of social opportunities on this campus as well as with Holy Cross and ND."
Prospects were also questioned the Catholic character of Saint Mary's and how non-Catholics would be accepted.
"People did not impose on me their faith," said Akmaral Omarova, a non-Catholic student. "Campus Ministry will try to hook you up with a church of your faith in South Bend if you want to attend. I do believe that the campus helps you grow spiritually no matter what your faith is."
A student panelist gave similar response when a father asked the student/parent panel a question about how active the Campus Ministry is on campus.
"Spiritual life on this campus is as much and as fulfilling as you choose to make it," said senior Alyson Leatherman.
During the student/parent panel, much discussion arose about the benefits of an all women's college. Afterward, Jan Bordonaro, a mother of a prospective from Minneapolis, said, "The panel has opened my mind to the benefits of an all women's college. I was hesitant before this but now I am more open to the idea."
At the conclusion of the day, the families toured the campus and congregated at Angela Athletic Facility for an open house with administration and faculty.
"The day has been very informative, but a suggestion for next time would be to hold the panel discussions outside on such a beautiful as today," said Bordonaro.
All News Stories for Monday, April 30, 2001
