[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/May@Mac2003_4.jpg” caption=”Bonnie Crocker”]This Saturday, McMaster's doors will fling open for more than 4,000 prospective students and their families.

May @ Mac, one of McMaster's largest annual events, takes place tomorrow (Saturday, May 8). The open house will give visitors the opportunity to find out information about programs of study, ask questions about admissions or scholarships and tour campus facilities.

Every year, the number of visitors attending May @ Mac grows. “We've been seeing an increase in attendance over the last couple of years,” says Bonnie Crocker, liaison officer in McMaster's Office of the Registrar. “Part of the increase is due to the number of parents that attend and appear to be more involved than in previous years in the decision-making process. People want to shop more and investigate their options.”

While this year McMaster expects to see more than 4,000 visitors, that number could fluctuate depending on the weather. “If it's a nice day there will be significantly more people visiting campus,” Crocker says. “When the weather is nice people are more apt to walk around and really see the campus.”

Parking and transit is free on Saturday. Visitors can park in Zone 6 and 7 and will be shuttled by bus to campus. On the bus, staff will be on hand to distribute and explain the program for the day. Visitors will be dropped off at the Welcome Tent located on the patio between Mills Library and the McMaster University Student Centre. This tent is the central location for information.

The lobby of the McMaster University Student Centre will also be a place for information. Between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., 25 student services and student clubs & organizations displays will be set up in the marketplace.

Visitors can take part in self-guided campus tours that will cover the entire campus, including residences, buildings and greenspace. In total, there will be 19 checkpoints, where staff will be on hand to answer questions about each location. These self-guided tours will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also during May @ Mac, faculties and programs will showcase what they have to offer through special facility tours, lab demonstrations and visits, student performances, lectures and career information. The showcase will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various campus locations.

Athletics and Recreation also is involved. In the Ivor Wynne Centre mezzanine, beginning at 10 a.m., there will be a 30-minute presentation and question and answer period that will cover programs offered in all areas of sport, recreation and facilities. Visitors will learn more about competitive sports, intramurals, instructional and outdoor programs and the University's fitness facility “the Pulse”. It also is a chance to meet McMaster's coaches.

The Museum of Art will also showcase what is has to offer. Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the current exhibition “The A-Team (The A stands for Art)” will be on display. This exhibit features the works of graduating students from the class of 2004. Visitors can also visit the upper galleries, which include works from McMaster's nationally significant collection of more than 6,000 pieces (works by Courbet, Monet, Pissarro and VanGogh on permanent display).

Specific times and locations for the Athletics and Recreation and Museum of Art programs will be listed in the final program, which will be distributed on May 8.

Photo caption: Bonnie Crocker, liaison officer in McMaster's Office of the Registrar, stands by the 2003 May @ Mac banner