Monash Memo - 22 August 2001

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Open Day figures reveal huge success

Visitor numbers at Open Day were up on last year – and prospective students seemed particularly keen to study at Monash, according to event organisers.

The crowd numbers show Open Day is going from strength to strength, with 25,000 people coming through Clayton alone, 8500 at Caulfield, 2220 at Gippsland, 1200 at Parkville, 2300 at Peninsula and 1500 at the Berwick campus.

Events assistant Ms Kirsty Baxter said that while all exit surveys were not in yet, staff and students found visitors to this year’s Open Day were enthusiastic about what Monash had to offer.

“The figures of prospective students coming through were slightly up on last year but what was most noticeable was the level of interest. Those fielding course inquiries said visitors were asking detailed questions about the courses, with a high proportion indicating they were keen to study at Monash,” Ms Baxter said.

University Marketing manager Ms Cathy Kirkham said she was delighted with the feedback from across the six Victorian campuses, all of which highlighted the enormous level of energy invested by Monash general staff, academics and students.

“I am so pleased with the level of constructive comments from general staff on how we can make Monash Open Day even better next year,” Ms Kirkham said.

“They have been proactive in their approach, and their comments have proven invaluable because they were at the coalface answering questions from visitors.”

Elements that worked well included the signage at Gippsland campus, which was so effective that it could be used as a model for next year’s external signage for all campuses, Ms Baxter said.

“The ‘footsteps’ around Berwick also worked well, thanks to all those staff and students who spent hours placing them,” Ms Baxter said.

“And the sausage sizzle at Peninsula campus just can’t be be overlooked – the popularity of it could be seen by the queues.”

Feedback also revealed the popularity of the student guides and the showbags, Ms Baxter said.

“The guides were well received with their friendly smiles and helpful knowledge, and the show bags with programs were also in demand,” she said.