Academic Fair gives frosh info on classes

A coordinated effort between the University's four undergraduate schools led to a successful second annual Academic Fair Tuesday. Members of the Class of 2000 spent the afternoon meeting with representatives of various departments to discuss academic options. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Rescorla said the fair was a good opportunity for freshmen to learn about courses and opportunities at the University. "We really want every student doing some kind of research," Rescorla said. "The fair highlights some of the things students may not otherwise think about." Assistant Director of Academic Support Programs Laurie Reed said academics at the University can often be overwhelming. "There is so much information and resources at Penn to learn about that it can fall through the cracks," Reed said. "The fair is good exposure." Students milled around the 11 tents, which each focused on a different area of academics. Main attractions included unusual courses in areas like Swahili, Jewish folklore and cults. College freshman Teneille Brown said that the unusual courses tent "showed all the little things you can't pick out from a course register." The fair featured a new tent this year that enabled students to get hands-on help with e-mail and the World Wide Web. "We're showing freshmen how to use e-mail, Netscape and newsgroups and answering any questions they might have," said Engineering and Wharton sophomore Brian Kravitz. "Most people come in not knowing much at all and they leave knowing how to use e-mail," he added. Other freshmen enjoyed learning about study abroad opportunities at another tent, which included information on the University's programs in countries ranging from Japan to France. "It's particularly important to get students thinking early so they can be prepared academically and emotionally," said Overseas Program Manager Amy Grat, who added that the fair also provided a good opportunity for upperclassmen to get information. The library resources tent gave Van Pelt Library staff a chance to show students how to use the computerized card catalog and other library computer programs. College freshman Angelina Paul said she received "excellent" help from a library advisor and now wants to sign up for some of the library training sessions. The fair also provided students with various ways to get involved in the University community. A tent for student-initiated academic programs included the Nursing Students' Forum, the Wharton School and College Undergraduate Advisory Boards and the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education. Administrators who organized the fair said they were pleased with its outcome. "I think it went extremely well," said College Associate Director Lawrence Friedman. "I thought one of the highlights was that of older students interacting with incoming students."