EDITORS: Weekend Media Alert — in addition to Preview Day other Fresno State-sponsored activities on campus include the Science Center open house, the Mariachi Workshops and the Fresno State Equestrian event. See details at www.FresnoStateNews.com. See Preview Day schedule below.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY SATURDAY — Bernie Vinovrski will be available at the Preview Day on Saturday for interviews. Call 908-9816.

California State University, Fresno has received 13,000 first-time freshman applications for 2,800 spaces in the fall 2005 semester and 5,000 transfer applicants for 2,000 spaces — the most ever in the university’s history, the Division of Student Affairs announced today in preparation for Preview Day 2005 tomorrow (March 12).

About 1,200 students and their parents have registered for Saturday’s day-long event —from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning in the North Gym.

Preview Day is designed to provide admitted students first hand personal interaction with faculty and an up-close look at facilities to help them finalize their decision to attend Fresno State in the fall.

Because of the record number of applicants, students will have until May 1 to make that decision, said Bernard Vinovrski, associate vice president of enrollment services in Student Affairs.

He said the record number surpasses last year’s record for first-time freshman applicants by 20 percent, while the transfer numbers represent a slight increase over last year’s record transfer applicants. Transfer students are those coming from a community college or other CSU.

As a result, Fresno State’s admission application process has been closed since Feb. 1. In the past, applications were often accepted through the summer.

“Fresno State’s growing popularity — borne out by this record increase in applications — is due not only to successful outreach and recruitment efforts but mostly to the university’s proven academic quality, excellent faculty and staff, new facilities and affordable fees,” Vinovrski said.

He noted that other activities on campus this weekend are testimony to why more students are choosing Fresno State for their higher education.

Among those activities is a community open house for the new Science II Building from 10 am. to 2 p.m. The $22 million building is part of the university’s Science Center which includes the existing Science Building, the Downing Planetarium and its new museum, and the state crime lab.

“Students and their families are recognizing what a great value Fresno State is,” Vinovrski said, adding he will stress to them two key things at Preview Day: alumni success and Fresno State’s recent accomplishment of holding the second highest graduation rate for first-time freshmen in the California State University system.

That finding is based on an annual survey of the campuses, the CSU Chancellor’s Office announced recently.

Also at tomorrow’s Preview Day, students will learn that they will have until May 1 to accept or decline admission. If they don’t meet that deadline, their admitted status will be canceled, Vinovrski said.

He also noted that another 350 qualified students who applied after the Nov. 30 priority deadline have been notified they cannot be admitted for fall, but can be admitted for spring 2006. Those students are encouraged to enroll in a community college for the fall or are being advised about sister CSU campuses that still have openings.

Preview Day 2005 is sponsored by University Outreach Services.

Academic workshops will be held at 10 and 11 a.m. Participants can get information on such topics as financial aid, career services and housing. Campus and housing tours also will be available.

A Student Information Faire in the Free Speech Area from noon to 1 p.m. will provide prospective students an opportunity to meet with staff from various offices and programs.

Registration will be held at the North Gym (5305 N. Campus Drive).

For more information, call (559) 278-2048.