When you think of Cal Poly’s 15th annual Open House weekend, what probably comes to mind includes contests for best tri-tip sandwich, a variety of clubs showing their pride and a parade with elaborate floats. But not much thought is probably given to the group of 18 committee members who dedicate nearly an entire year to plan the weekend to entertain the near-40,000 people who come to Cal Poly over the weekend.
Rachel Budge, a journalism senior and Open House public relations director, said planning began a week after last year’s Open House ended.
“It’s literally a full year of planning that we put in,” she said. “There are thousands of hours that the entire committee works to put on the weekend.”
The committee members are up at 5 every morning of Open House weekend and work until midnight. “We get no breaks and are here all day, every day,” she said.
The committee consists of five subcommittees: transportation and safety, public relations, clubs, campus and community, and events and entertainment. To be committee members these students must first go through a “huge application and interview process for each position,” Budge said. There are also two co-chairs and an adviser for the organization.
Co-chair Liz Sullivan, an English senior, said the committee selection for next year’s members happens immediately after Open House weekend.
Open House also has very close ties with fellow orientation program Week of Welcome, sharing both an office and an adviser.
“Basically the point of Open House is to bring in future WOWies; we bring in the conditionally admitted students to go to Cal Poly,” Budge said. “It’s pretty much a huge preview of what Cal Poly has to offer the students.”
Though there is a formula to planning when the activities occur, the committee spends an immense amount of time figuring out the new theme for each year.
“We try to pick the theme that’s geared toward students. This year it is ‘Destination Cal Poly,’ so it’s kind of like a road trip,” Budge said. “From the theme stems everything, all of our publications, our promotion items and how we entice the students to come out.”
Some new and interesting aspects to Open House include promotional items that are 100 percent recyclable and the entire event is certified as a zero waste weekend.
Each day, starting Thursday night at Farmers’ Market, there will be fun activities for everyone to participate in. At the market there will be a booth that’s informational and gives the whole San Luis Obispo community a preview of the club activities that will be taking place on Saturday.
Friday is jam-packed with student and parent speakers, a welcoming introduction from President Warren Baker, a resource fair to alert potential students of resources geared toward their health and safety, and an invite to the University Union at night with live bands, bowling and free pizza.
“This gives the conditionally admitted students a chance to mingle and socialize, and to get a taste of campus life,” Budge said.
The Poly Royal parade starts at 9 a.m. Saturday with floats made by all types of organizations and clubs. The San Luis Obispo trolley will also be in the parade.
“There are different awards that are given out for the parade like best use of theme, best overall and most spirited,” Budge said.
Not only is there a huge showcase of more than 200 clubs and organizations on campus on Saturday, but there is also a main stage which has different performances going on all day long. The rodeo and tractor pull, music concert, and Pilipino Culture Night are also sights to see.
Hawley, Budge and Sullivan all promise that attendees will not be disappointed.
“I’m looking forward to all the events since this is my last Open House before I graduate.”
Open House weekend is April 18 to 20. For more information about the event, call 756-7576.