Cal State LA’s Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) will be hosting their Fun-O-Rama event at the university’s Reeder Field on July 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the first time EOP has produced an event of this caliber.
The carnival style event will feature many activities such as a 25-foot rock climbing wall, dunk tank, carnival games, children’s village for arts & crafts and live entertainment.
The event was inspired by the conclusion of EOP’s six-week Summer Bridge Program for incoming freshmen and transfer students. For many summer bridge students, they take classes at Cal State LA almost immediately after their commencement from high school or community college.
According to EOP director Lui Amador, there are about 500-700 EOP incoming freshmen and approximately 150 of them take part in Summer Bridge.
The directors for the EOP program felt that having an end of summer celebration would be a great way for students to relax and engage with each other before the fall semester starts.
“Academic support is the main draw for many of the EOP students. However, this is one of the programs that is allowing them to have fun because there has to be a balance”, stated associate director Danielle Chambers.
According to event planners, the idea for the event sprouted around February. With the help of a few other entities on campus, EOP was able to bring this event to life.
Amador hopes that this event will help encourage students to find their niche at Cal State LA. Many students at the university feel that it is almost impossible to make friends on campus for its strong commuter reputation.
Fun-O-Rama is created to invite the students into their new home by, “making sure they feel part of something from the very beginning. We have an opportunity even if it’s just for a few hours where we can establish that type of inviting environment for them,” Amador stated.
Each student will receive meal tickets and a t-shirt commemorating EOP’s 50th anniversary. EOP is scheduled to celebrate their anniversary later this fall.
