June 11, 2009 - California State University, Bakersfield's Summer Bridge program, which helps incoming freshmen prepare for the rigors of university work, kicks off Saturday, June 27, and runs through Thursday, July 23.

Summer Bridge, operating at CSUB since 1985, consists of a four-week residential program that assists about 200 Educational Opportunity Program incoming freshmen in making the transition from high school to the university. Students take courses in math, English, research and study skills. Academic advising, tutorials, workshops, and other activities are also included in the four-week experience. Students will earn nine units of credit toward graduation. They will live in the residence halls and receive meals at no cost.

Keith Powell, CSUB EOP director, said participants benefit from personalized attention, individualized instruction, and accessibility to campus resources. "It's a very worthwhile program for first-time freshman," he said. "They get to know the university before the fall quarter starts. It's a lot of fun, but it's a lot of work. It's an entertaining, academic boot camp."

The students attending the program are coming from the local area and from as far north as the Bay Area and as far south as Los Angeles County. Data for the program shows that first-time freshman will persist and progress toward graduation over those students that don't attend Summer Bridge.

The Summer Bridge program is participating in the summer food service program. Meals will be provided to all eligible students free of charge. To be eligible to receive free meals at a residential camp, students must meet the income guidelines for reduced price meals in the National School Lunch Program.

Students who are part of households that receive food stamps, benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to receive free meals.

Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of meal service. Meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows:

June 27 - July 23
CSUB dining commons
9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield 93311

Breakfast: 7 to 7:50 a.m.
Lunch: noon to 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5 to 6 p.m.

For income eligibility guidelines for reduced price meals by family size please call Richard "Rocky" Maraccini at (661) 654-3219 or e-mail rmaraccini@csub.edu.

For additional information about Summer Bridge, please contact Powell, Maraccini or Steve Walsh at (661) 654-3218.

Any person who believes they have been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should write or call

USDA
Director, Office of Civil Rights
1400 Independence Ave. S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
(800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY)