Along with the warming weather and blooming flowers that — with the possible exception of this year — signal spring, come the departmental open houses, meant to aid those sophomores sweating out the decision of which major to choose and for which certificates to apply.
Though nearly all of the University's academic departments host open houses for sophomores, each has its own goal for what it seeks to accomplish though the event.
Some departments see spring open houses as an opportunity to pull in new concentrators who might not have previously considered the department seriously.
"It definitely is recruiting," said Michael Andal, the department manager of the Princeton Materials Institute, which oversees the Program in Materials Science and Engineering.
"We've had walk-ins who've had little exposure and just wanted to check it out," in addition to students with more experience in the department, Andal said.
Other departments want to introduce sophomores to its requirements and curriculum.
"We are a small program," said Gabriella Eggers, a manager in the linguistics department. "Most of the students who come to our open house are already interested in the subject. I don't think they'd be likely to come if they hadn't thought of linguistics before."
Open houses in the fall target incoming freshmen who have interest in the department but who lack experience, Eggers said.
"Pretty much we give out the same information," Eggers added.
As far as strategies for attracting students, Andal offered a simple formula.
"No food, no students, as far as we're concerned," he said, adding that his department's policy of offering and advertising pizza and soda "unquestionably" increased attendance.
Some departments take a more bare-bones appoach.
"I guess I just think of it more as an information session," said Jeff Nunokawa, the English department's departmental representative. He added that his department, like others, has held a spring open house for many years.
Beyond the open houses, many residential colleges also offer 'majors fairs,' where students can talk with upperclassmen about their majors.
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