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| A friend sent me these photos of the "Senior Day" event at Irvine Valley College yesterday. Evidently, the event was a big success. (He took these photos with his phone, so they're pretty lo-res.) |
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| The event was festive. I should mention, however, that some faculty question the established practice of luring high school students to our college with hamburgers, fries, and soda (five In-and-Out greasemobiles were stationed on the grass)--plus loud, thumping music and those big, dumb, noisy "bouncy" air thingees. It is as though we were targeting the most benighted among high school studentry and discouraging any who are capable of critical reflection or good taste. Golly. |
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| Some of the fine people who work at the college. No doubt college-like artifacts and conversations could be found at this and other tables. |
21 comments:
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hmmm............I thought it was excellent - and I believe we are a community college with open access policy...? Live a little, people. Burgers, soda, and music? evil? really?? Do you remember being 17??
How do athletic recruiters "lure" high school athleetes to big universities?? Not food, soda, and music, of that I am sure.
I don't mind the food and the music - that's youth culture after all - but the jumbo bounce house was a bit juvenile.
How much does all this cost?
Curious about how the success of such events can be measured. Does someone track the numbers of incoming IVC freshman who attended these events? Surely there has been some work done to see what effect these big events have on actual recruitment.
Again, just curious. I admit a certain level of skepticism though. I wonder whether or not a big circus-like day effectively presents what we do - as opposed to say, several smaller events where students are given more individualized attention.
No one suggested that burgers and fries are "evil." Nor did anyone suggest that such events should not be festive. The point is that there is little or nothing at these events that represents what actually occurs in the classroom or that expresses or displays the value of higher education. I did go to an orientation for my college at age seventeen. It was all very sober and serious. It probably could have used a shot of fun. But it wasn't ridiculous, as is this kind of event.
I believe the bounce gizmo was part of the military recruiter's materials.
Great.
There was no french fries served, just chips.
Here’s a good one.
Check out the arrogance of these highly educated, self-righteous know-it-alls!
http://www.impeachobamacampaign.com/npr-head-ousted-after-hateful-video-is-released/?utm_source=Floyd+Reports&utm_campaign=14eeb88415-FR_03_09_20113_9_2011&utm_medium=email
Okay, no French fries and the army brought the bounce house, not us. I feel better already.
Wow - wouldnt it be great if this was our biggest problem???
I do wonder whether bigger is better. These kids from from BIG schools and so many other colleges are BIG - one of IVC's selling points (I think) is our size (or our perceived size). At least that is what my students tell me.
So the big loud circus seems a bit counterproductive. I think some seniors see it as a way of getting out of a day at school - and a chance to party with their friends.
It would be nice to see some numbers about the effect of this event on actual student recruitment. I am sure someone has those.
Thanks for posting the picture of us fine people. I had a fantastic day and look forward to this event every year.
Beth
Are we offering an education or party central? I was 17 once, but I gave up the bounce house when I turned seven. If we want students to enroll here, why are the recuriters here also? Are they buying the burgers too?
Everyone enjoys getting out of class, the office, meetings, etc and gulping down free fried food - here, there, everywhere.
Most people I saw that day readily admitted that it was a mad house (you know who you are) and suggested that perhaps while this might be "fun," it might not be the best way to conduct serious recruitment.
Bigger is not always better.
Loud after awhile is just loud.
And for a sleepy campus like ours, this kind of spectacle is misleading. The very students we want might actually be turned off by it. Think about it. A bounce house?
Don't forget IVC's blue and white balloons. They are inevitable. I think they represent mindlessness. When they fly, idiots swarm and music thumps.
I was there that day to show my two high school friends around (I am a high school student taking dual enrollment classes) and yes, it was quite the mad house. We actually stayed away from the bounce house, but we did talk a lot to the professors who were out to help the clubs. Yes, it was crazy, but my friends did learn about IVC at the same time.
Tudor3x8, I am glad that your friends (and you?) found the event valuable.
I am pleased that you avoided the "bounce house." Good instinct that.
Feel free to communicate with the event organizers, give them some advice. What would actually attract the likes of you?
B, I really can't say what exactly *would* attract me because I know I am not attracted to the things that seem to attract other people my age. I really did enjoy the fact that they had the free food (it's free) and the clubs who were all outside, but I think perhaps if they focused more on the transfer rates then it would help a lot. I don't know if they did though... maybe they did but my friends and I didn't notice?
After all, I'm pretty sure most of the people at IVC don't try to graduate there- they try to transfer out. I guess I would've preferred more educational activities or information rather than the bounce house.
Then again, I'm already *in* IVC and I really don't need any luring. Other high school seniors may not really care all that much about the transfer rates and only want a social life at college.
At my own U, we have "admitted student day," though it could be just an "interested person day": profs offer 3 half-hour mock-classes, or else they simply talk to 3 different groups of people (students, parents) about what it is like to major in a given program. I've never brought myself to go in on a Saturday to do this, but I'm grateful to a colleague in our Phil. department who does. Seems like a pretty cool way to go, and is also compatible with a festive atmosphere and optional silliness!
MAH
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