DR. WATSON REMARKS
FOR IMPERIAL VALLEY EDUCATORS' CONFERENCE
MAY 9, 2002
BARBARA WORTH RESORT, HOLTVILLE, CA

DR. WATSON SPEAKING TIME: 10:05 A.M. -10:15 A.M.

 Good morning.

UCSD is proud to host this Educators' Conference.

And we're extremely delighted to see so many Imperial County educators gathered today.

Imperial Valley remains a vital part of the UCSD community.

Although there are more than 100 miles of physical distance between Imperial County and the UCSD campus --

I am happy to say that this distance does not separate us, but binds us in a common mission as educators: to motivate and prepare students, including those from low-income and traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, for college and career success.

We at UCSD are proud of our partnership with Imperial Valley teachers, counselors, school and college administrators, parents, and others to provide services and support that make the college dream a reality for many students.

As in the past, UCSD remains interested in working with you to increase the number of Imperial County students who attend UCSD.

And, we have UCSD programs and staff dedicated to that purpose.

For instance, the Imperial Valley Office of UCSD's Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP), the host of today's conference, has been an integral link to college preparatory services in the Valley since the office opened in 1980.

Since that time, the office - through partnerships with area schools, colleges and other entities - has literally helped thousands of Imperial County students realize their dream of a college education.

Many of these students have returned to Imperial Valley, serving as teachers, counselors, school administrators, attorney, and other professionals.

And our Upward Bound Math & Science Program, introduced less than 3 years ago, has begun yielding encouraging college-prep results in Imperial County -

While a sophisticated UCSD Online Distance Tutoring Program soon to be launched at Calexico High School will allow students there to receive online tutoring in math during class from UCSD undergraduates stationed miles away on the university's campus.

The EAOP Imperial Valley Office currently provides an array of informational, motivational and academic services to more than 5,000 students of diverse backgrounds at 22 elementary, middle school and high schools.

And of the approximately 500 high school seniors the EAOP Imperial Valley Office serves each year, about 50 percent are eligible to attend UCSD or other UC institutions upon graduation.

The remaining students in the program are eligible to attend other four-year or two-year institutions of their choice.

Our Upward Bound Math & Science Program, in place since 1999 at three Imperial County high schools where 30 students participate, is designed to motivate and prepare high school students to pursue college degrees in math, science, computer science and engineering.

Currently, of the 14 high school seniors in the program, nine are applying to University of California campuses, and all 14 seniors are expected to attend college in the fall of 2002.

And, three of these students in the Upward Bound Math & Science Program are among the top 4 percent of their class and are guaranteed admission to at least one UC campus.

In the weeks ahead, you'll be hearing more about the new UCSD Online Distance Tutoring Program at Calexico High as this project nears fruition.

The project will make use of a specially-equipped "web cam" computer lab at the school that will allow students to see, hear and communicate in writing with their undergraduate tutors located at UCSD as the undergraduates assist them with math during class and after school.

Complementing these ambitious initiatives is our partnership with other student outreach entities, such as the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) of San Diego and Imperial counties, and the Native American Tribal Council.

In addition to college-preparatory outreach programs, we also have an admissions officer from our Office of Admissions and Relations With Schools who works directly with Imperial County high schools and Imperial Valley College to encourage local students to apply to UCSD.

Jaime Velasco, our Admissions officer, has already told you about his role in this capacity and how you remain a vital link between UCSD and our prospective students from Imperial County.

Dr. Watson: -Mention Counselor Conference….

Not only is this conference a golden opportunity for us to pass along the latest information about UCSD -

We are also very interested in hearing your views, challenges, advice and questions about how we can work together to ensure that Imperial County students receive the highest quality college education.

Thank you for your interest in UCSD.



  



 
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