NORTHRIDGE : CSUN Officials Plan a Lunch for Students
Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch?
Administrators at Cal State Northridge will squash that theory Sept. 1 when they hold their first annual free hot dog barbecue for about 3,000 new and returning students.
The lunch, which is part of a two-week orientation program for new students, was designed to foster a sense of community and improve overall student-faculty relations at the university.
“The idea was to let students know we are glad they are here and to give them an opportunity to ask questions,” university spokeswoman Kaine Thompson said.
Administrators hope a revitalized sense of community will improve the graduation rate, as students become more comfortable asking for guidance, she added. Only 29% of the university’s freshmen from 1983 through 1986 graduated within six years, according to information released by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. earlier this year.
At least 130 members of the faculty, staff and administration will be on hand at the event, wearing buttons emblazoned with ASK ME and serving advice along with the coleslaw and beans.
The $5,000 event was funded by the university foundation, which supports food services at the school.
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