Contrary to its name, Daughter's On Campus Day will not only be for females this year, as sponsors welcome both sexes to campus.
Daughter's On Campus Day, the UA's version of national Take Your Daughter to Work Day, will return to the university April 23.
This year's theme, "Sharing Our Community," reflects organizers' aim to embrace diversity. Rather than just invite faculty, staff and students to bring their children to campus, event planners will also welcome underprivileged children from groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club and the Brewster Center.
"We want to impact the underserved, underrepresented, boy, girl, whatever," said Pat Fontes, special events chair for the Commission on the Status of Women. "This is more or less about outreach into the community."
The event, cosponsored by the CSW, the Diversity Resource Office and the Office of the President, is unlike the national version because it includes a resource fair and programs throughout the day.
Sofia Ramos, assistant to the vice president of executive affairs and university initiatives, said the event is valuable in terms of increasing diversity and creating a welcoming environment on campus.
"Children who have never been to the campus can see it as an academic place, as well as a place (where) they can expand their horizons," she said.
Zelda Harris, chair of the CSW, acknowledges that many people on campus mistakenly believe that the day is solely aimed at young women.
"We would like to stress that there has never been discrimination," she said. "Males are welcome as well."
Harris said the reason for retaining the "daughter" title is because the concept was started by the National Organization for Women.
Rachelle Bond, a molecular and cellular biology junior, is glad the event welcomes children from all over the community.
"It's a known fact that children worship people who are older than them," she said. "This exposure for the kids will be really helpful in the future."
In previous years, there have been around 600 participants, and Harris says this year is no exception. Despite a hiatus, the program should have a strong turnout due to the high interest level on campus, Harris said.
"We have always had positive feedback in the past since there is so much available for the children," Harris said.
Many children who have attended the event in previous years, Fontes said, will now be assisting as volunteers.
"It's rewarding to see the children coming back as volunteers," she said. "After all, they are the future."
Event coordinators are still considering a variety of programs for the day, but hope to have all activities scheduled by March 1. Any groups interested are welcome to contact Pat Fontes at fontesp@u.arizona.edu or fill out the online activity registration form at http://fp.arizona.edu/csw/Daughters_On_Campus/event_registration.html.