UC San Diego Embraces Students and Families with Fun-filled Weekend of Events

Parents and families connect with campus Oct. 22 – 24 as the university celebrates its 50th anniversary

September 7, 2010

By Christine Clark

Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and Vice Chancellor- Student Affairs Penny Rue welcomed family members after they enjoyed a continental breakfast and student performance at last year’s Family Weekend.

Parents, families and students will be welcomed to the University of California, San Diego for the third annual All-Campus Family Weekend Oct. 22 – 24 where they are invited to enjoy a snapshot of the UC San Diego student experience and celebrate the university’s 50th anniversary. Visits to the Birch Aquarium, faculty lectures, a homecoming celebration, student-led service projects and a green eggs and ham brunch are among the dynamic, thought-provoking and fun events available to families.

Last year some 500 parents and families visited the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, one of the weekend's highlights for Thurgood Marshall sophomore Blake Cole and his parents.

More than 1,000 parents, family members and students turned out last year to explore and connect with UC San Diego“This is a growing tradition for the campus and we hope it becomes a tradition for students and their families as well,” says Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. “This year’s Family Weekend has special meaning as it coincides with our 50th anniversary. We look forward to having all of the parents and families on campus to celebrate this milestone with us.”

Family Weekend was established by a campus-wide initiative three years ago to help strengthen parent and family engagement and build connections that will help students have a successful college experience.

The weekend of events is a warm and exciting welcome for all students and their families. Diverse and new events, such as Conrad Presby Music Center tours, the Sustainability Resource Center open house and tours of the new student wellness space, The Zone, are a sampling of the weekend’s offerings. Other events include:

• National Comedy Theatre Improv Workshop, 4 p.m., Oct. 22 in the Price Center East Ballroom. One of the weekend’s kick-off events is the National Comedy Theatre (NCT) improv classes, which promises to be an exciting fun-filled event for families. NCT teachers have been featured in commercials, film and on television and have performed in theaters across the country and around the world. Cost: Free.

• 50th Anniversary Family Breakfast and Welcome with Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, 8 - 10 a.m., Oct. 23 at the Price Center ballrooms. This event will feature a warm welcome from the Chancellor and other UC San Diego administrators. There also will be a continental breakfast and student performances. Fox will encourage families to participate in the various events celebrating the university’s 50th anniversary throughout the academic year. Cost: free.

Sixth College freshmen John Vivio and his family attended 2009’s weekend of activities and said they enjoyed a presentation on dark matter by physics professor Kim Griest.

• Alternative Breaks @ UCSD: Service-Learning Project, Oct. 23, 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Library Walk. This student-led service event encourages families to give back to local communities. Members of the Alternative Breaks student group will lead families in decorating reusable bags for nonprofit organizations such as Mama’s Kitchen and Meals on Wheels. Cost: Free.

• More Cups of Tea: Connecting with Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 6 to 9 p.m. at the International Center. The Friends of the International Center are highlighting the efforts of San Diegans who helped to build a school for girls in Afghanistan. The event will feature a light buffet, tea and wine. All proceeds benefit UC San Diego international scholarships. Cost: general/non-Students: $30/current UC San Diego student: $20.  Registration Required

• Alumni, Athletes and Friends Picnic and Men’s Water Polo Game, Oct. 23, noon to 2 p.m. at Warren Field/Canyonview Pool. Students and family members can celebrate not only Family Weekend but also Homecoming, with UC San Diego Alumni and athletes at a picnic style lunch before the Men’s Water Polo game at 2 p.m. Ticket price includes both lunch and a ticket to the Men’s Water Polo game. Cost: $15.

• “Green Eggs and Ham” Brunch, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Faculty Club. Hosted by the university’s Parent and Family Giving department, attendees will eat a classic Seuss-style meal and celebrate Theodor and Audrey Geisel, great benefactors of the university. Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss is the author of several beloved children’s books including, Green Eggs and Ham. Cost: $28 per person (adults, students, children 10 years and older), $14 for children10 years and younger.

Sponsorship opportunities for the UC San Diego Family Weekend can be accessed by calling (858) 534-7273. Current sponsors include AT&T, USE Credit Union, UCSD University Centers, The Loft, the University Bookstore, Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines and Hotel La Jolla.

For registration and further information about Family Weekend visit http://parents.ucsd.edu

Media Contact:Christine Clark, 858-534-7618, ceclark@ucsd.edu