UTEP Welcomes Future Miners to First Virtual Orange and Blue Week
Last Updated on October 07, 2020 at 12:00 AM
Originally published October 07, 2020
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
EL PASO, Texas – The University of Texas at El Paso invites prospective students to learn about the Miner experience from the comfort of their homes during the University’s first virtual Orange and Blue Week.
The elements that future Miners usually experience in person during the Orange and Blue Day open house, such as information sessions, campus tours, college showcases, financial aid workshops, and more, have been reformatted for a virtual experience spanning several days, from Oct. 10-15, 2020.
“We believe this reimagined immersive experience gives our prospective students a sense of what it’s like being a UTEP student,” said Amanda Vasquez-Vicario, Ph.D., assistant vice president for enrollment services. “Although we’d prefer to interact with these students face-to-face, we believe this safe, virtual delivery will allow our students to get a high-quality, in-depth experience in which they can interact with our recruitment team, faculty and fellow students. We are working to create a memorable experience that will create excitement about this important step in a student’s life!”
This year’s extended format also allows students to enjoy the interactive virtual activities at their own pace.
“This year, we’re carrying on our tradition of creating an open house environment for prospective students,” said Michael Talamantes, director of admissions and recruitment. “By allowing students a week to explore colleges, learn about campus life, meet current and future Miners and more, we’re hoping that they can take in all the relevant information they need at their own pace and convenience.”
This new format creates a greater opportunity for out-of-town students and their families to experience this event.
“While we can’t wait to see these new Miners in person, we think that this virtual format can open up accessibility to those who may not have been able to physically attend this large-scale immersive experience due to great distance,” Talamantes said. “We want students and parents who have never seen our campus to learn about the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere we offer our students.”
The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, Oct. 10
9 a.m. - noon
Welcome to UTEP, College Showcases
Featured sessions:
- Welcome to UTEP
- Remarks from President Wilson
- Virtual pep rally
- College showcases
Sunday, Oct. 11
6-7 p.m.
Meet UTEP students
Featured sessions:
- Student Engagement and Leadership Center
- Student panel
Monday, Oct. 12
5:30-7 p.m.
UTEP Admissions Process
Featured sessions:
- Enrollment steps for future Miners
- Applying to UTEP
- Admissions tests
- International students
Tuesday, Oct. 13
5:30-7 p.m.
Paying for College
Featured sessions:
- UTEP affordability and value
- How to apply for financial aid
- UTEP scholarships
- Programa de Asistencia Estudiantil (PASE) for international students
- Military-affiliated students
- Terry Foundation scholarship
Wednesday, Oct. 14
5:30-7 p.m.
Campus Life
Featured sessions:
- Living on campus
- Study abroad/study away
- Student Recreation Center
- Getting involved on campus
Thursday, Oct. 15
5:30-7 p.m.
Student Success at UTEP
Featured sessions:
- Student resources and services
- Campus safety
- UTEP Parents and Alumni Association
Students who RSVP early and attend the opening session Oct. 10 will be entered in a drawing to win a Chromebook. Other raffle prizes include more Chromebooks, Apple Airpods, and UTEP swag bags.
Learn more at utep.edu/orangeandblue.
The University of Texas at El Paso is one of the largest and most successful Hispanic-serving institutions in the country, with a student body that is over 80% Hispanic. It enrolls nearly 25,000 students in 166 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in 10 colleges and schools. With more than $100 million in total annual research expenditures, UTEP is ranked in the top 5% of research institutions nationally and fifth in Texas for federal research expenditures at public universities.
