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September 12, 2002

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858 534-7404 or pjacoby@ucsd.edu


UCSD TO WELCOME RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS SEPT. 23; START NEW COLLEGE, ON-LINE FOOD SERVICE, CITY SHUTTLE

Innovations in housing, transportation and construction will greet a record 22,100 students who will begin the 2002 fall quarter Sept. 23 at the University of California, San Diego.

Enrollment figures for the fall term, which will be finalized in October, show an expected growth of slightly more than nine percent (or 1,850 students) over last year's enrollment of 20,250, according to Judith O'Boyle, director of Analytical Studies and Space Planning.

The estimated total enrollment figure includes 19,150 undergraduates and 2,950 graduate students. The undergraduate figures include:

• 4,350 new freshmen, with an average high school GPA of 3.93 and a SAT average of 1238, culled from a record pool of 41,354 applications;
• more than 1,500 new California community college transfer students drawn from a transfer applicant pool of 7,885.

Tighter immigration procedures did not affect the number of foreign students enrolling at UCSD for Fall 2002, as 659 were accepted, including 379 undergraduate and 280 graduate students. This compares to 569 new foreign students last year, including 283 undergraduate and 286 graduate.

Nor has the international situation impacted UCSD's study abroad programs, as this year's numbers are 503 in the Education Abroad program and 550 students participating in the Opportunities Abroad program, compared to 407 and 500 respectively last fall. (EAP's programs in Israel and India have been temporarily suspended.)

UCSD begins the fall quarter with the opening of its sixth undergraduate college, launched with an entering class of approximately 300. Focusing on the theme, Culture, Art and Technology, the new college includes a number of innovations ranging from technological to cultural.

Also launched this fall with an inaugural class of 25 is the new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, whose students are among the UCSD School of Medicine's 2002 enrollment total of 1,340.

Among new classes is a Chicano(a) and Latino(a) arts and humanities minor that focuses on the political, cultural and linguistic importance of Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. The undergraduate minor will include courses in theatre, visual arts, history, literature, ethnic studies, music, Latin American studies and Spanish.

Construction projects
Students will find a number of continuing construction projects underway throughout the campus, including the largest construction project in UCSD history, the Eleanor Roosevelt College campus. Due for completion in the fall of 2003, the $110.3 million project will provide 375,000 square feet of housing, dining and academic facilities and an International House.

Bioengineering students will make their way into the new $36.2 million Powell-Focht Bioengineering Building on Warren Campus after the New Year, while chemistry, biology and physics students will utilize labs and classrooms in the new $57 million Natural Sciences Building on Revelle campus beginning this winter. The $62 million School of Medicine Research Facility, underway on a former parking lot on Gilman Drive, is scheduled for completion in late fall, 2003. Meanwhile, planning has begun for a third campus parking structure for some 1,100 spaces, to be located on the North Campus east of the Social Sciences Building.

Off campus shuttle
In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in the University City area and parking demand on campus, two new free shuttle systems are set to go into operation Sept. 23. One, the Cityshuttle, will connect the UCSD campus with a portion of local off-campus housing and shopping malls. Shuttles are free but restricted to UCSD affiliates with a photo I.D. Buses will provide service every 15 minutes to stops located along Via Mallorca, Via Alicante, Villa La Jolla, Nobel, Lebon, Palmilla, Arriba and Regents roads. A second new shuttle will connect the main campus to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Coast Apartments, the Medical Center La Jolla and Mesa Housing. These buses will provide stops at each location every 30 minutes.

Dorm amenities
A number of innovations and upgrades designed to enhance student life are being offered by UCSD's Housing and Dining Services. Although, as housing director Mark Cunningham puts it, "there never will be enough band width for students," the entire student data system has been upgraded at the end of a two year program, allowing high speed data service. In the light of concerns following 9/11, email availability is the item of most interest to parents, Cunningham said.

Going the fast food outlets one better, UCSD is among the first, if not the first campus nationally, to offer "online" food service. Students can order from a 178-food item catalog, debit their dining plan, and have their order boxed and ready for pick-up on Warren campus. Delivery service is being considered.

Also new this year is an on-line registration validation tool developed by the Student Business Services Office. The service will alleviate the need for students to stand in long lines each quarter to obtain verification of their registration.