By BRITTANY WALL

Staff Writer

For those high school or transfer students who are not sure about which college they want to attend, the admissions office invited them to take a little "Time Out for Tech."

Time Out for Tech, which is in its 10th year, gives students a chance to view the campus and actually get a feel for the atmosphere, Vince Miller, the director of orientation and special programs, said.

"We try to make it as convenient as possible for students," Miller said. "We hoped by scheduling it for a Saturday afternoon, that it would not interfere with student's or parent's schedules."

The students get a chance to view two departments of their choice and hear a presentation from residential life, financial aid and the Student Government Association, Miller said.

"A lot of times, students are leaning toward more than one area for their major," Miller said. "By giving them the opportunity to look at more than one department, we hope to help them narrow their choices down a little bit."

Miller also said Time Out for Tech takes place once each quarter, and the Student Recruiters are a very big part of the whole process.

"Our job is just to be there for the students," Emery Carlisle, a student recruiter and a sophomore accounting major, said. "We want to answer any questions they might have and make sure they see what they need to see and know what they need to know."

Miller said the Bookstore was also open so students could see which books would be needed for their classes and the prices.

Prospective students also attended the basketball game between the University of Texas-El Paso and the Bulldawgs.

"I think the students really enjoy getting to go to the games," Jill Davis, the president of the student recruiters and a senior biology major, said. "We give them shirts and when they put on the shirts and come to the games, it's almost like they are Tech students for a day. They really get to be a part."

Carlisle also said she thinks the process is very helpful for students who are trying to make such a big decision.

"We have a very impressive campus and we just need to make sure we show them that," Carlisle said. "I attended the Time Out for Tech when I was in high school, and it was the reason I came here. It helped me so much that I decided to become [a Student Recruiter] myself."

Miller said he really believes Time Out for Tech is very beneficial to prospective students and their families.

"These days students seem to really want to get to know a school before they commit to it," Miller said. "Time Out for Tech gives students and their families the opportunities to see all the things the school has to offer and to actually be a part of a school event."

Miller also said the Office of Admissions has seen a lot of success with the number of parents and potential students who attend the event.

"We have definitely seen an increase in attendance," Miller said. "Families seem to enjoy it. It's just a casual day where families can check out the school, watch a game and just have an enjoyable Saturday with Tech."