Summer Bridge Program
closes the college gap for high schoolers

A three-week adventure began July 5 for Summer Bridge students. Running July 5-25, the program helps students build confidence and self-esteem as they navigate the uncharted territory of college life.

Started in 1985, Fresno State's Bridge Program was the model for Bridge programs throughout the CSU system. It keeps between 200 and 230 entering freshmen on a tight schedule from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. while they learn what it means to succeed at Fresno State.

Bridge students earn six units of academic credit under the umbrella of Speech 10T and University 1 while they meet new people, improve skills, and gain an understanding of culture and ethnicity.

"One of the primary objectives is to integrate them into the university curriculum," said Maxine McDonald, director of the Educational Opportunity Program and Summer Bridge.

Besides studying, students enjoy activities like a trip to Wild Water Adventures, night-strike bowling, and the dating game show simulation "Singled-Out."

Funded through moneys authorized by the state legislature, the program admits qualifying students from low-income backgrounds. Students are required to pay a $6 insurance fee and purchase the university's General Catalog and Schedule of Courses.

As part of Bridge, computer workshops introduce students to the virtual classrooms and the World Wide Web. This year each student will have an e-mail account and complete assignments on-line.

In addition to assistance from talented faculty members, the program requires dedication and commitment from university staff, said McDonald. But the results are worth it: she noted that students who participate in Bridge usually go on to complete more units, achieve higher grade point averages, have lower dropout rates and higher graduation rates than students of a similar background who do not attend the program.

"The success is phenomenal," McDonald said.

Campus active with summer programs

The campus may seem quieter, but during the summer the action never stops. The Bulldog Summer Activity Program holds three sessions for children 3 to 14 with a program in aquatics, gymnastics, tennis, and dance. Kids Invent Toys, offered by the Institute for Developing Entrepreneurial Action (IDEA), holds six five-day nonresident camps. More than 150 kids create, invent and market new toys. Upward Bound Summer Residential Program, June 14-July 17, gives 50 high school students a taste of college life, including a visit to UC Berkeley. The students also make a trip to Fisherman's Wharf. The Mendota Math Scholars Program and the Monterey County Math Scholars Program are held June 14-July 9 for 60 migrant high school students who take courses in algebra, career development, research and computer skills. The CAMP Student Orientation, held June 17-20, introduces 60 incoming college students to campus life. In the Migrant Scholars Program (July 6-17), 80 elementary school students take classes in physics, biology, agricultural science, video production, computer skills and music. Students in the Elementary Partnership (June 15-July 10) launched rockets they built as part of aerodynamics lessons learned in core and elective courses. The overall program involves 130 students entering middle school from three local school districts. The National Youth Sports Program (June 15-July 23) offers basketball, volleyball, soccer, TaeKwonDo and more for 250 economically disadvantaged elementary school students. The children take career, nutrition and drug and alcohol awareness classes.

Back to University Journal, 7/20/98 Issue