An Estimated
28,500 Students Will Begin
Fall Quarter Classes Sept. 25
at University of California, San Diego
September 2, 2008
By Pat JaCoby
A record estimated 28,561 students will begin arriving on the University of California, San Diego campus Sept. 22 prior to the start of fall quarter classes Sept. 25. Among the 2008 total students are an estimated 4,300 incoming freshmen members of the Class of 2012, 1,800 new transfer and 1,050 graduate students.
The freshmen bring with them an average high school grade point average of 3.94 and SAT test scores of 600, reading; 652, math; and 612, writing . The transfer students are entering UCSD with an average college GPA of 3.34.
The campus also will welcome 850 international students representing 60 countries this year, while 1,000 UC San Diego students will study abroad in 08-09.
Kicking off more than 200 Welcome Week activities will be the third annual New Student Convocation at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21 on RIMAC field, followed by a 5:30 p.m.Welcome Dinner on the field. The theme, “Uncommon Scholars, Global Citizens,” will be expanded upon by Steven Schick, professor of music and renowned percussionist, who has performed at national and international venues. Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, Associated Student President Donna Bean and alumni representative Christopher Yanov, ’99 also will welcome the incoming students.
Other Welcome Week events include such varied activities as the traditional “UnOlympics,” a toga party, an all-campus dance, a jog-and-see-UCSD, a Greek Feast, a S’mores at the Shores and several “green” orientations.
A total 10,836 students, faculty, staff and dependents will live on campus the coming year, including 7,501 undergraduates, 2,372 graduate and medical students, 212 faculty, 111 staff and 640 dependents.
They’ll find a number of “green” additions and changes to their quarters. Sixth College residence halls, for instance, have new carpet and furniture made from recycled material, solar thermal heating, low-flow shower heads and energy-efficient lighting. All residents will receive individual recycling baskets, and each on-campus apartment will get a bucket of eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
Several construction projects adding to the student/campus culture were completed this spring and will be in full use the fall quarter. They include the $63 million Price Center Expansion, a $5.8 million renovation of the original Student Center, the $44 million San Diego Supercomputer Center addition, and the $9 million Shiley Eye Center and Ratner Children’s Eye Center expansion.
Cranes and flagmen throughout the campus signify more than eight projects currently underway, headed by the major $45 million state-of-the-art Conrad Prebys Music Center. Due for its first move-ins the spring of 2009, the building contains a 400-seat recital hall, professional recording facilities, computer music labs, acoustically-designed practice rooms and other facilities.
Other current projects include the $8.6 million annex to the Recreation and Intramural Athletic Complex, due for August 2009 completion; the $4 million Radiation Linear Accelerator Facility addition to the existing clinic in the Cancer Center, due for completion in early 2009; and the $10 million Robert Paine Scripps Center, scheduled for completion in December, 2008. Phase 1 of the $92 million North Campus Housing project for transfer students is slated for their arrivals in September, 2009.
Additional projects underway, but scheduled for completion in 2010, are the $120 million Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center expansion to the existing Thornton Hospital; the $48 million Health Science Graduate Housing; and the $25 million Housing and Dining Services Administration Building.
Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858 534-7404
