SCU CAMPUSES TO OPEN UP FOR VISITORS

Southern Cross University's campuses at Lismore, Tweed and Port Macquarie will host Open Days for prospective students, their families and the general public over the next three weekends, with staff on hand to provide expert information on course options for 2002.

The Open Days will be at Lismore this Saturday, 18 August from 10.00am-3.00pm; Tweed on Saturday, 25 August, from 9.00am-midday; and Port Macquarie on Saturday, 1 September from 10.00am-1.00pm.

Open Day at the Lismore campus will feature a variety of informative and fun-filled events, with academic staff from all disciplines offering professional study and career advice. There will be a range of free entertainment for people of all ages, with live music, sports and children's activities. Food and drinks will be available in the Plaza and the Union Clubhouse.

Visitors can enjoy conducted access to the environmental science, information technology, visual arts and music production facilities. Of special interest will be the regional high schools' Moot trial contest in the on-campus Law court. Information will also be available on the range of SCU Scholarships for 2002. Along with staffed displays there will be regular guided tours of all campus areas, including the Residential Colleges.

The Open Days will also feature screenings of SCU's new 28-minute video, 'Thinking about University?', for people considering a return to study. The economically-priced video and accompanying workbook will be available for sale. They looks at what pressures and satisfaction of balancing university study with personal, family and working lives.

SCU's Port Macquarie Students Association will be providing a free lunch and a good lineup of entertainment, while information stalls and slide shows will acquaint visitors with study options.

For full Open Day details, visit http://www.scu.edu.au/events/openday/

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Rickard, has invited all North Coast residents to visit one of their University's campuses during the Open Day season, saying there would be "A range of surprises in store for those who might not have visited us for a while. People could well find their interest sparked by a particular course and consider doing an undergraduate degree or postgraduate studies."

Professor Rickard added, "It is never too late to take up university studies, and it's worth remembering that there is no better way to improve one's employment or promotional prospects, and earning capability, than having tertiary qualifications."

For further details on SCU Open Days, please contact:

Lismore - (02) 6620 3975 Tweed - (07) 5599 5011 Port Macquarie - (02) 6588 3000

For media information, please contact Mr Robin Osborne, Office of the Vice-Chancellor,

Phone: (02) 6620 3039 Mobile: 0418 431 484

Email: rosborne@scu.edu.au