At the Multicultural Spring Program 2005 in the Schine Student Center, about 170 prospective students of assorted national and ethnic backgrounds were introduced to Syracuse University for the first time on Sunday.

The program allows admitted students the opportunity to spend two nights in university housing with a Multicultural Spring Program volunteer, said Charlotte Tefft, associate director of admissions. The prospective students will also participate in college receptions and take tours of the campus and the surrounding community in combination with spring reception.

‘Everyone is welcome to come,’ Tefft said.

Melissa Pantojan, a prospective student, said the program will give her a better measure of the university than a simple tour. Melissa Pantojan is student at Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison, N.J., and has been accepted to the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She said she is most likely going to attend SU.

‘I want to know how I feel about the place,’ she said. ‘ … It’s a great opportunity to check everything out.’

Melissa Pantojan said she enjoyed the campus so far.

‘I didn’t think it would be this nice out, I thought it would be cold,’ she said.

‘I don’t think we need to say anything the student hosts can handle that,’ Tefft said with regards to Syracuse’s winters.

Marina Stabler, a sophomore acting major, agreed to host Melissa Pantojan for her stay at SU.

‘I’m from Puerto Rico and I think it’s really cool meeting people from other places,’ Stabler said.

The admissions office paired prospective students with students of related majors or the same ethnicity, Stabler said.

According to Tefft, the program has a ‘high yield’ of students.

‘Students who attend this program usually come to Syracuse,’ Tefft said.

Melissa Pantojan’s father, Rolando Pantojan, said the program makes him nervous because it reminds him that his daughter will soon leave for college. Most of the students come from New York City.

‘(The program) helps set that tone that we’re going to take good care of them when they leave,’ Tefft said. ‘It makes the parents feel comfortable.’

Published on April 17, 2005 at 12:00 pm