Eileen Taing
Staff Writer
Campus was jam-packed with admitted and prospective students and their families for this year’s Spring Insight. This event is a way for UCSB to open its doors and allow visitors to learn more about academics, clubs, and organizations that it offers.
According to the Office of Admissions, about 14,000 people attended Spring Insight this year. There were also 205 volunteers. Volunteers were found throughout campus, giving directions or answering questions about UCSB. Over 85 clubs, organizations, major departments, sports, and student resources set up tables starting from Pardall Tunnel all the way through the Arbor.
“We are here to showcase everything that campus has to offer,” said Jayne Reimel, assistant director of the Visitor Center. “So it’s a huge collaboration with other departments and offices across campus. We really are here just to show students everything that’s available to them.”
Many of the other prospective students took tours or wandered around with their families. Suzana, an admitted student who only gave her first name, talked about what drew her to UCSB. Suzana is a political science major from Los Angeles. She mentioned that she was drawn to UCSB because it seemed like a place that is both “community oriented” and a place to have fun.
“[UCSB] could benefit my education a lot, so I could grow as a person,” she told The Bottom Line.
Another admitted student, Annika Austra from Santa Rosa, came to Spring Insight because she never saw the campus before. She loved the beautiful campus and weather. Austra has not yet accepted her admittance to UCSB.
Among the admitted students who attended Spring Insight were prospective students. Prospective students are students that are considering attending UCSB but have not been officially accepted. One prospective student, Michael from Los Angeles, came to Spring Insight because he is interested in the “zoology and environmental studies programs.” Michael did not give his last name.
It was not just a busy day for prospective students. Spring Insight is a big deal to many of the clubs and organizations that table. Some of the clubs and organizations that set up shop included the Russian Club, Seoul’d Out, and the MultiCultural Center. Academic departments such as physics, mathematics, and the College of Letters and Science were also there. It’s a big deal for these clubs, organizations, and major departments because this event enables them to spread the word to prospective students and possibly gain new members. These different aspects of UCSB provide students with many ways to be involved and ways to gain more knowledge about different majors.
Joe, a second year UCSB student who did not give his name or major, is a part of the Gaucho Pep Band. He and the other members tabled to support the organization. They want to “let people know about their organization” and gain some new members. He mentioned that Spring Insight was going well because the band performed their music and saw incoming freshmen.
The Music Connection club was also at Spring Insight. Katey Rein, a fourth year chemistry major, told The Bottom Line that this event is a good way to get the word out about their club to students and community members.