St. Cloud State University is providing students considering pursuing their higher education at SCSU with a unique on-campus opportunity to experience all that campus has to offer.
SCSU’s Advising and Student Transitions team is offering prospective students with an Overnight Visit Experience, which welcomes students to an evening on campus while staying overnight in one of SCSU’s residence halls.
The first Overnight Visit Experience took place June 8 and led up to the first Huskies On Campus event June 9, an event that provides students an opportunity to tour campus, attend a resource fair, meet with Student Success Advisors, check out the Husky Bookstore, attend campus programming and more.
“The purpose of this event is to give students an added preview of what it is like to be a Husky. Students will experience life in a Residence Hall, Huskies Dining, social events, and will create connections with faculty, staff and students they will see on campus,” said Katie Jackson, Associate Director of Orientation. “Leaving home can be stressful for some students and getting to preview their life here will create boundaries related to anxiety during this transition. I am excited to welcome them to campus this week!”
During the first Overnight Visit Experience on June 8, student experiences include checking in at Shoemaker Hall before enjoying dinner hosted by Huskies Dining. After dinner, students will explore the SCSU Planetarium, where they will view a movie showing and receive a tour of the night sky while getting a look at some of the equipment and resources available at SCSU.
“This is a resource where students and others should feel comfortable reaching out to reserve. And it doesn’t cost anything, it’s free,” said Rachel Humphrey, who is an Assistant Professor of Atmospheric and Hydrologic Sciences and the Director of Planetarium Operations. “The more we can expose students and people of all ages to science in a fun and engaging way, the better off I think we’ll all be. The Planetarium gives students the opportunity to see things they might not ordinarily see.”
The movie being shown in the Planetarium is called “From Earth to the Universe” which gives background on the history of astronomy and astronomical observation as well as our solar system and what lies beyond our solar system. The tour of the night sky will be conducted using some of the technology currently in the Planetarium.
“One of the things we would like students to be aware of is that this is a resource that they can utilize when they are here, but even after they graduate,” Humphrey said. “We do a tremendous amount of outreach using the Planetarium. This should be a place they feel comfortable coming to learn about the night sky or anything else.”
To conclude the night, students will be able take part in a bonfire and have s’mores outside Shoemaker Hall before taking part in games and movies and enjoying snacks.
Learn more about the Overnight Visit Experience, Huskies On Campus and register for one of the multiple dates available. SCSU also offers daily campus visits to all students interested.
Those interested in booking a free Planetarium show at any point in the year can do so by emailing [email protected] or by contacting Rachel Humphrey at [email protected].
