UCSB STUDENTS TO RECEIVE A WELCOME VISIT FROM HOME DURING 11TH ANNUAL PARENTS AND FAMILY WEEKEND 2000

About 400 families are expected to come to the University of California, Santa Barbara campus this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3 and 4 to visit their UCSB students and participate in a variety of activities to help them understand the opportunities the campus offers.

During the 11th annual UCSB Parents' and Family Weekend 2000, students and their loved ones will have opportunities to explore the campus and its programs, meet with faculty and administrators, attend classes together and generally find out what life as a UCSB student is all about.

On Friday, students and their families can attend selected classes between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Tours of the campus, the campus greenhouse, Dramatic Art facilities, Geography Lab, Library Special Collections and Marine Science Institute will be offered from noon to 4 p.m.

And from 1 to 4 p.m., a variety of information programs will be presented covering the Education Abroad Program, the College of Letters and Science honors program, the College of Creative Studies, counseling and career services, how to graduate in four years and the College of Engineering.

University faculty and administrators will mingle with students and their families at an afternoon social from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday in the Corwin Pavilion Courtyard.

Later that evening, all can attend an exhibition men's basketball game (7 p.m., Campus Events Center) and watch a performance of the improvisational comedy troupe, ComedySportz (8 p.m., Isla Vista Theater).

On Saturday, it's more of the same with tours, information and entertainment, beginning at 9 a.m. with the Chancellor's Breakfast, hosted by Chancellor Henry T. Yang and his wife Dilling.

Four faculty members will make special academic presentations between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Making presentations in Room 1006 of North Hall will be Gene Lucas, associate dean for advancement and planning, "UCSB College of Engineering: Leading the Way;"

and Michael Furlong, a professor in the Graduate School of Education, "Profiling School Shooters: A Bad Idea; Early Identification of Student Distress:

A Good Idea."

Speaking in Room 1179 of the Chemistry Building will be Petra van Koppen, a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, "Fun With Chemistry in Real-World Applications;" and Arturo Hernandez, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, "Bilingualism and the Brain."

Saturday's tours include visits to the Marine Science Institute, a look at campus architecture, the Institute for Crustal Studies and the Geography Lab.

Information sessions include discussions of " Helping Your Student Choose a Career," "Living in Isla Vista," "Education Abroad" and "Things You ShouldKnow As You Maintain Your Relationship With Your Student."

A barbecue lunch ($15 per person) will be available from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Physical Sciences lawn. Dinner ($12 per person) will be available from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Faculty Club.

Evening entertainment includes an women's basketball exhibition game (7 p.m., Campus Events Center) and a Swing Dance (7:30-10 p.m., Faculty Club).