Wednesday, September 15, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 7
Ellen Ballow, Highlands Branch, Colo., resident, looks at memorabilia at the KU Visitor Center. The Visitor Center officially opened Dec. 24, 1998, at its new location behind Templin Hall. Offices in Strong Hall were used in the past. Photo by Tara Kraus/KANSAN
Prospects get service, smile
Visitor Center provides tours, first impression
By Amanda Kaschube
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
For prospective college students, the decision to attend is sometimes based on a student's first impression. For potential University of Kansas students, the first thing they see isn't Allen Fieldhouse or the Campanile it's the KU Visitor Center.
The center was completed last January and is now home to the Office of Admissions and Scholarships.
Margge Frederick, KU Visitor Center coordinator, said the center had added a new dimension to the University.
"It's improved the public relations of the University," she said. "We treat the prospective students like customers here."
Frederick said the center had greeted 12,000 visitors in its eight months of operation.
"The biggest bulk of students has been in the fall because that's when they start applying to college," she said. "It's had a snowball effect. I'm so proud of all the
hard work and effort of the directors."
At the center, prospective students receive presentations from admission directors before being shuttled to the Kansas Union to meet with KU Student Ambassadors who lead them on a campus tour.
Kelly Burnely, St. Louis, Mo. graduate student who coordinates the Ambassadors, said the tour was the most crucial part of the student's entire visit.
"The prospective students see the campus from the KU student's perspective," she said. "We've heard nothing but compliments."
Frederick said that the new setup of the KU Visitor Center allowed visitors to have free parking in the center's lot. The rest of their day is spent on campus, being shuttled around by buses and meeting with professors from various schools.
Burnely said the setup showed the visitors the ease of coming to campus.
Positive feedback has come from more than just touring families. Frederick said she had heard a positive response about the center from alumni as well.
"Everyone is glad to see a happy face and get information from a reliable source," she said. "All of the city signs direct people to here
if they need info about KU."
Frederick said her goal was to have every niche of the University represented at the center by using student artwork and more sports memorabilia.
The center, which cost a little more than $2 million, was built during winter break last year.
Warren Corman, University architect, said the bulk of the money came from state funds appropriated by the Board of Regents.
"The state gave $1 million, the University gave $615,000, $218,000 came from housing funds and $170,000 came from parking fees," he said. "Tuition wasn't increased to pay for it."
Of the money appropriated by the University, the bulk came from tuition and other campus fees.
The student housing fees paid for the lecture room in the center, which seats more than 100 people. Corman said the seminar could be used for housing meetings and for admissions purposes.
Overall, Frederick said the admission office thought the KU Visitor Center would help enrollment because it was a strong first impression for many.
"If parents and students feel better about the University and the community, then they'll be more anxious to come here," she said. "It really sets a tone."
Edited by Chris Hopkins
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