Record attendance expected for 50th anniversary of Parents Weekend

Record attendance expected for 50th anniversary of Parents WeekendNovember 03, 2003Sara Millersemortim@syr.edu

Parents Weekend Calendar

For the 50th straight year, Syracuse University welcomes parents and families for the events, entertainment, football and fun of Parents Weekend, Nov. 7-9.

Throughout the weekend, more than 40 activities are scheduled, including the hit student production of “Floyd Collins,” science shows at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology, a Syracuse Crunch hockey game, Saturday football festivities and open classes for students and parents. For a complete calendar and details, please visit the Parents Office website at:  http://students.syr.edu/depts/parents/PW2003.htm

Free shuttle bus service throughout the campus will be available all weekend. On Saturday, dedicated shuttle bus service will run to and from historic Armory Square in downtown Syracuse.

As of one week before the event, a record high of more than 2,000 families are pre-registered to attend, according to Colleen O’Connor Bench, director of the Parents Office. Those pre-registrations represent more than 6,000 anticipated visitors to the SU and SUNY-ESF campus.

From noon-7:30 p.m. on Friday, parents can visit the Parents’ Place Hospitality Suite in the Panasci Lounge, on the upper level of the Schine Student Center, for information and the chance to meet other parents and enjoy refreshments. Parents needing to register or pick up confirmation packets should check in there. Chancellor and President Kenneth A. Shaw and Associate to the Chancellor Mary Ann Shaw will be at the suite from 4-5 p.m., celebrating their last Parents Weekend before the Chancellor’s retirement in summer 2004.

Diving into academics, Friday and Saturday both offer opportunities to attend class with students in 12 specially designed Parents Weekend classroom experiences. Parents and students will hear from SU scholars on topics including the “Engineering History of the Erie Canal,” by Samuel Clemence, professor of civil engineering; and “Connecting Eyes and Ears: Hearing Printed Music and Seeing Performed Music,” by Joseph Downing, associate dean and associate professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

On Saturday, brunch will be served at SU’s Campus Dining Centers from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Throughout the weekend, many of the dining centers will be open for family meals.

Also scheduled for Saturday morning are the traditional Dean’s Breakfasts, during which students and families can dine with the deans, faculty and staff of SU’s schools and colleges free of charge.

Kick-off for Saturday’s football game against Temple is at 1:30 p.m., preceded by a musical pre-game performance and the Orange Friendzy Tent on the Quad, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life’s Inaugural Tailgate Party, held at the Center at 102 Walnut Pl., will start at noon. Reservations are suggested for the Hillel party.

Also on Saturday, stop by the SU Bookstore for pre-game shopping and to meet Bill Coplin, author and SU professor, for the 11 a.m. book signing of his “10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College.”

Saturday evening, choose from a full slate of activities, including Cabaret at Crouse, the Family Affair Reception, “Constant Star” presented by Syracuse Stage, and SU’s Black Celestial Choral Ensemble.

Wrapping up the weekend will be Sunday’s Farewell Brunch at the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center, for which reservations are required.

Parents can skate free all weekend at the Marilyn and Bill Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion on South Campus, with discount skate rentals. Parents and students can also work out together at the Archbold/Flanagan gymnasium complex.

There are several information sessions scheduled, including one presented by the Office of Financial Aid on scholarship opportunities and Library Expo, a free tour of the resources of SU’s libraries.