High school students interested in attending NIU are invited with their parents to attend a Columbus Day open house to become familiar with NIU’s campus and academic offerings.

Prospective students can check in at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom Monday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The day will include a campus bus tour, a visit to an NIU residence hall, an audio-visual introduction to the university and an opportunity to speak with NIU representatives.

Denise Rode, assistant director of orientation and student assistance, said about 1,200 people normally attend the October open house.

ode said faculty will be more accessible to speak with and added that the one-half hour bus tours will be “more comprehensive” than normal walking tours.

“The bus tours don’t show NIU in much detail, but they will give people a chance to see more of the campus,” Rode said.

ode said the bus tours will be led by student tour guides from campus assistance and information.

No reservations or fees are needed to attend the open house, which is sponsored by NIU’s admissions office and the office of orientation and student assistance.

Visitor parking will be available at the corner of Lucinda Avenue and Normal Road.

Two more open houses are planned for Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, and during spring break on Friday, April 1.

Daily tours of NIU’s campus, also escorted by student guides, are scheduled throughout the academic year when NIU classes are in session and begin from Williston Hall at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at noon on Saturdays.

For more information about the open house, call 753-0446.