Clayton College & State University is inviting a few (hundred) students to join the University System's most technologically oriented institution for the new century.

Just in time for a new millennium, Clayton State has launched a student recruitment campaign aimed at adding to the Morrow-based university's enrollment numbers in both January (spring semester) and August (fall semester) 2000.

The new campaign includes personal letters to former CCSU students and technical school graduates, a local newspaper advertising blitz, an increased focus on the CCSU web site, and a public relations campaign targeted toward Fayette and six other Southern Crescent counties that are the university's top feeder areas — Clayton, Henry, Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale and Coweta. Together, these seven Southern Crescent counties currently supply 84 percent of CCSU's 4,450 students.

Dec. 1 was the pplication deadline for the spring 2000 semester. Spring classes start Jan. 8, and recruiters now turn their attention to the spring semester. Additional admissions information is available at 770-961-3500 or www.clayton.edu.

Prominently featured in the new campaign is the university's reliance on the use of technology in education, including the Information Technology Project, which supplies all students and faculty with notebook computers, and the University's award-winning (from the United States Distance Learning Association) distance learning program that currently features more than 80 on-line courses.

In keeping with the technology theme, individuals interested in either learning more about CCSU, or attending CCSU, are being urged to visit the university's recently updated web site, which now features a more user-friendly set of navigation tools. The revised web site also is a product of ITP — the work was done by members of Clayton State's TEAM (Technology Enriched Academic Mentors) program, a group of CCSU students who also assist and support faculty in meeting their technology challenges.

On a more personal note, the deans of all five CCSU schools (Technology, Business, Health Sciences, Arts & Sciences, New College) have sent more than 1,500 “we miss you” letters to former students, encouraging them to return for spring semester and bringing them up to date on the latest happenings at Clayton State.

Highlighted are the distance learning program, degrees in Information Technology and Integrative Studies, and the University's focus on “seamless” education that allows certificate holders to transition to associate degrees, and the bachelor of applied science degree that allows technical school graduates to apply their credits towards a baccalaureate degree.

Availability of on-line courses also is being touted, since in areas like health care management, nursing and integrative studies all required and core courses are now on-line.

Clayton College & State University, a member institution of the University System of Georgia, is in Morrow in south metro Atlanta.