Inaugural Safari Day to be held Wednesday

By Ryan Borba
The Collegian

To lure in students by showing them how numerous programs on campus can lead to success, the Division of Student Affairs’ inaugural Safari Day is offering such mega-prizes as an iPod, Xbox 360 and even free classes for a whole semester.

Student Affairs organizes 24 different programs, including admissions, records & evaluations, career services, financial aid, health & psychological services, University Courtyard and the Women’s Resource Center. Most programs will have their own booth during Safari Day, and students will need to visit 10 booths to be eligible for the prize drawing.

Paul Oliaro, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, said he understands the different departments can be hard to keep up with.

“We want to help students better understand how to use the university and take advantage of its services,” Oliaro said, adding the event will help students see their fees at work.

Students can check out Safari Day Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the University Student Union balcony. They can register and receive a “passport” that will be stamped at the various booths.

After visiting 10 booths, students are eligible to enter the drawings.

“The Safari name is good because one, it works as an acronym [Student Affairs Fair and Resource Information], and two, sorting out the different offices on campus can be like a jungle,” Oliaro said while combining usual office attire with a safari hat.

Early drawing prizes include various coupons for businesses such as In-N-Out Burger and the Kennel Bookstore, Oliaro said. At the end of the event, the final drawing will take place, featuring the iPod, Xbox and a chance to win a tuition waiver for a semester. Students don’t need to be present to win.

Also available will be refreshments and live music from a DJ.

Oliaro said he understands how busy students are, and that’s why the Division of Student Affairs wanted to make the event easily accessible. He said it would probably take about 20 minutes to visit the various booths and enter the drawing and stressed the importance of learning about the various departments.

“They all work together to provide services to help students succeed,” he said.

Oliaro said he’s hopeful the event will draw 1,000 or more students, and that it’s likely the Safari will become an annual event.

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