SUBJECT:

Early Academic Outreach Campus Tours

I am writing to ask you to join me in support of UCSD's Early
Academic Outreach Program (EAOP). Since 1976, this program has
been motivating low-income and underrepresented students in grades
8 through 11, in our local secondary schools in San Diego and
Imperial Counties to consider college and to take college
preparatory courses. The program serves approximately 10,000
students and their parents. As part of the Statewide University of
California Student Affirmative Action efforts, the EAOP has been
successful in producing graduates who are fully eligible for the
University of California.

The EAOP conducts tours of UCSD during the winter and spring
breaks. The tours are conducted by UCSD student counselor-aides
and consist of groups of 15 students with common areas of interest:
medicine, computer science, history, literature, science, etc. The
highlights of these tours are the presentations faculty and staff
members make about UCSD's academic departments and student
services.

This year, spring break tours will take place from March 22nd
through 25th, between 9:30 A.M. and 12:00 noon. If you are
interested in making a short presentation to these ninth grade
students who may aspire to attend the University of California, or
if you have any questions about the tours, please call Chato
Benitez, Director, or Kathy Glasgow, Administrative Assistant, at
the EAOP office, extension 44251, and specify the dates and times
you will be available. We will then send you a form confirming the
date or dates you designated.

As you know the State of California is undergoing a tremendous
demographic change. The population of non-traditional students who
previously achieved UC eligibility at rates of only about 5% is
increasing. The population of traditional students who achieve
eligibility at a rate of approximately 12%, on the other hand, is
decreasing. In fact, in some large school districts in the State
of California, the minority students are now the majority. When
examined from this demographic perspective, I think that you will
agree that it is imperative that the University of California
encourage all segments of the population to become fully eligible
to attend the University.

Thank you for your help.

Joseph W. Watson Vice Chancellor