The University and Office of Admissions will host the annual Fall Fling tomorrow.
The event showcases an open house for African-American prospective students and their families. Fall Fling is being held to familiarize high school juniors and seniors with the University, give them a chance to meet current and prospective students and to receive scholarship and financial aid information.
Fall Fling is one of several publicity efforts by the University to attract students.
"It is very important for U.Va. to continue its outreach efforts," Dean of Students Penny Rue said.
Rue will speak at the event and described her role as giving students and parents a chance to have their questions answered.
Dean of African-American Affairs M. Rick Turner also will speak at the event and will describe the support services available for black students and parents.
The University has the "highest average graduation rate for African-American students at a public institution," Turner said.
Turner added that he plans to encourage students to attend this premiere institution and take the strongest courses available.
"The number of African-American residents and non-residents has dropped to its lowest level since 1985," Turner said, citing fall 2003 preliminary enrollment figures.
He said he believes Fall Fling is one of the best recruiting tools the University uses to recruit African-American students and their families.
Many current students have attended the event in the past and said they appreciated the insights it gave them.
Shealin Smoot, Black Student Alliance vice president, attended the event when she was in high school.
"I'm really glad that I participated," she said. "I could really see what the University was like, went to classes and was very impressed by the teachers and students."
A similar event, Spring Fling, is held in April, which typically is larger and offers more social activities. Black Fraternal Council Co-Chair Jason Bell has attended this event multiple times and agreed that events like these are a positive resource for prospective students.
"It's important to show prospective African-American students that this is a place they can thrive and enjoy their time," he said. "It's important to show a strong black population here."
Fall Fling officially starts at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow and lasts until 3:30 p.m.
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