FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU Fall 2004 Classes Start August 30

Approximately 4,300 First-Time Freshmen Among New Students

CONTACT: Aaron Hoskins, ahoskins@mail.sdsu.edu
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-1119

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, August 18, 2004 – San Diego State University will welcome approximately 7,900 new undergraduates when its 108th academic year begins on Monday, August 30.

The pool of new students includes an estimated 4,300 first-time freshmen who continue to be among the best-prepared SDSU has admitted in its history. University officials expect this year’s class to have an average GPA of about 3.5 and SAT score of about 1080.

“These are some of brightest young minds from San Diego and around the state, and they’re coming to SDSU at an exciting time,” said President Stephen L. Weber. “San Diego State is developing new academic programs that meet important regional needs; we’re working on several new and important facilities that will serve the students and the community; and we’re continuing to attract strong levels of support from private donations and externally funded research and program contracts. Their cumulative effects stand to significantly enhance the educational experience for many of our students.”

While SDSU is entering another lean budget year, the university continues to attract significant additional resources to enhance its programs. During the 2003-04 academic year, SDSU’s faculty and staff attracted more than $122 million in external research grants and program administration contracts, raising the total received since 2000 to more than a half-billion dollars. Last week, SDSU and QUALCOMM announced a record corporate gift to the university of $14.5 million to establish the QUALCOMM Institute for Innovation and Educational Success, whose mission to improve regional math and technical education includes strengthening information technology-related skills among SDSU undergraduates.

Noteworthy topics as SDSU begins its fall 2004 semester include:

· First students enroll in homeland security program – Starting this fall, the first 20 students in the interdisciplinary master’s degree program focused on homeland security will begin taking classes toward their degree. SDSU is one of the first universities in the country to offer such a degree. The program features several core classes in areas such as remote sensors and bioterrorism, and has flexibility in the curriculum for students to develop specialties applicable to public health, law enforcement and many other fields. Note: Students and faculty from the program will participate in an orientation session on Monday, August 23 from approximately 10 a.m. to noon on the SDSU campus.

· New degree programs in bioengineering and dance – This fall SDSU’s College of Engineering will launch a new master of science degree in Bioengineering, and SDSU’s College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts will start a bachelor of fine arts degree in Dance. The Bioengineering degree is designed to prepare students to enter the biotechnology or medical device industries, or for further study in bioengineering or medicine. The BFA in Dance is designed to prepare professional choreographers and performers, as well as prepare dance educators and candidates for graduate scholarship in dance.

· SDSU launches Summer Reading Program – For the first time this fall, all incoming first-time freshmen at SDSU are required to have read the same book over the summer. This year the book is “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman. After the semester starts, the students will have informal gatherings with faculty and staff that have also read the book. The discussions are designed to help faculty and staff welcome freshmen to the academic community and set an academic context to the beginning of their university experience. Initial discussions are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 9, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

· New facilities under construction – The start of the semester features groundbreakings for two important facilities for San Diego State University.

o The first is for the Coastal Waters Laboratory on Tuesday, August 24. The $8 million facility, located adjacent to San Diego Bay on part of the former Naval Training Center, is designed to become the premier water quality laboratory in Southern California, featuring 40,000 square feet of lab and related space for SDSU faculty, as well as a 11,500-square-foot outdoor marine biology lab and seawater system, plus bay access for research vessels. It will focus on environmental and ecological problems caused by urbanization in the coastal environment. The SDSU Foundation, City of San Diego, San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Department and United States Geological Survey also are playing key roles in the project’s development.

o The second groundbreaking will be for a new building for the College of Arts & Letters on Friday, Sept. 10. The $33 million, 109,000-square-foot Arts & Letters building will provide more modern classrooms and office spaces for the college’s faculty. It will also help bring the college’s departments together in adjacent buildings near the northwest corner of the campus. The building will house several new classrooms, including a large "super-smart" classroom. The project also includes a 220-space parking structure.

· Remodeled SDSU Bookstore. This summer the SDSU Bookstore received its first complete remodel in 20 years. The new bookstore, which just opened this month, is brighter, features a larger general book section, and has a more open layout to make it easier for customers to shop.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 areas and doctorates in 14 areas. SDSU’s more than 33,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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