The university’s biannual campus visit program, Open House, attracted 1,500 participants March 5. The numbers are very similar to the Spring Open House numbers of a year ago. Two thirds of the 424 students filling out response cards were interested in bachelor’s programs (289), and about one-third wanted master’s and doctoral degree information (128). Professional programs brought in 23 people, and 10 were interested in certificate options. Some students were interested in multiple options.

“What really sets this event apart from typical visitation events is the participation of faculty and that makes a huge difference to our prospective students and their families”, said Barbara Edwards, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management.  “In a campus like ours, it’s especially significant to have faculty, advisors, financial aid, housing and all of the other important support offices all in one location, at one time.  To get information and to talk to faculty in one day throughout the year is almost impossible for prospective students to accomplish.”

The spring event brings in many who are already admitted to the university(194 had already applied). This makes the spring Open House an important “yield” event—an effort to move the admitted student into enrolled status.

On the other hand, 119 students had not applied, and many were looking at both undergraduate and graduate options. Of these, 97 intend to apply—providing the university an opportunity to communicate regularly with prospects until they do commit.

Three-fourths of the students were interested in fall semester entry. And more than 60 were looking ahead to 2007-2008 for educational options.

Attendees reflect the growing interest in residential housing. While the majority of students come from the Denver metropolitan area, students visited campus from Durango, Pueblo, Fort Collins, Greeley and other rural towns such as Frisco, Glenwood Springs, Steamboat Springs, Las Animas, and Platteville.  Two students arrived from out of state, one an accepted student from Pennsylvania, and a prospective student from Albuquerque.

Last fall’s Open House added almost 100 names they didn’t have before the event to the admission database. Staff are busy now evaluating survey responses and identifying new contacts from the spring event.

This year’s event was moved up by half an hour, and participants still arrived early, eager to meet faculty and staff. “We greatly appreciate the time and commitment of CU faculty and staff in giving up a Sunday—on a very busy weekend—to help recruit students to the university,” said Charlotte Million, director of marketing communications, whose staff coordinates the program with significant assistance from the admissions office. “And we hope departments, schools and colleges see this as a key tool to attract students at both undergraduate and graduate levels.”