Matt McFarlin: Hi I’m Matt McFarlin

Sarai Yanes: Hi, I’m Sarai Yanes, we are your hosts! 

Welcome to the first episode of the revamped Eastern Echo Podcast. 

During the podcast, we will discuss a recap of news and upcoming events. There will also be interviews with special guests, trivia questions and more. 

Look out for us on campus and on social media to give us ideas on topics! 

Here’s Matt with the news!

Matt McFarlin: In news this week, Eastern Michigan University is hosting Explore Eastern Open House for prospective students, EMU begins an upgraded tuition-free program called Eastern Tuition Advantage and the International Student Association on campus hosts events to teach EMU students about diversity and culture around the world.

EMU’s new Explore Eastern Open House offers high school, transfer, and graduate students a chance to explore what EMU has to offer.

The Explore Eastern Open House is a tour to introduce prospective students to the university, with presentations from the deans of each college at EMU. This event will be held at the EMU student center, giving students an opportunity to explore what the student center includes as well. 

Potential students will have the opportunity to interact with other students and also get to meet some of the professors here at EMU before they register. Students will get to ask questions to the professors too. 

When applying to universities we all know that housing and tuition is one of the biggest leading factors on what school to go to. EMU will be going over information on how to apply for financial aid, the application process, and scholarships that are available along with requirements. 

A free application is available on the second floor of the student center, room 204. All students have access to this application, with a waived fee.

College is a big turning point in people's life and it is important for people to try and pick the best college they feel is for them. This is an event where students can explore and find out all the information they need to know about EMU. Registration is open for both Oct 8 and Nov 5; the event will take place at EMU’S Student Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In other news, Eastern Michigan University upgraded its tuition-free program and some new eligibility requirements have been introduced. 

EMU now has a newly upgraded tuition-free program called Eastern Tuition Advantage. The program is for incoming first year students, awarding free tuition to those with a cumulative high school grade-point average of 3.0 or higher and an annual household income of $60,00 or less. This award covers financial costs up to 16 credit hours per semester. However, students cannot use this award during summer semesters.

In order to keep receiving this award, you must meet the requirements each year. Eligible students must enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours every semester and maintain a minimum of 2.7 EMU cumulative GPA. Students must also complete FAFSA by the declared deadline in order to keep receiving the award. 

The university understands that tuition can be difficult for some students and EMU is passionate about helping as many students as they can. Over the past 10 years, EMU has awarded approximately 4,000 Education First Opportunity Scholarship awards, the old tuition-free award. 

There is no limit on how many incoming students can receive the new award and recipients do not have to live on campus to receive it. 

In other on-campus news, the International Student Association was featured in the Echo this week in our series on cultural organization’s. 

ISA has goals to teach EMU students about different cultures and nations around the world. 

The group consists of an executive board who works together to plans events that all EMU students are welcome to attend. Their next big event will be Bollywood Night, expected to happen on October 22nd. The party will include music, dance, food, games, and light ceremonies in honor of Hindu holiday Diwali. 

ISA also plans to bring back Colors in Harmony this year, a large event that was canceled the past few years due to COVID. The org wants to bring everyone on campus together to showcase and celebrate every country present at the university and get people talking and interested. 

EMU’s 15,000 students arrive in Ypsilanti from 50 states, and 83 countries, bringing with them diverse cultures and backgrounds. Cultural organizations on campus have been created to help students explore that diversity and highlight and share the beauty of cultures from around the world. 

This segment was reported by Zaina Alrashed, Victoria Smith, and Layla McMurtrie, scripted by Mariah Taylor, and produced by Jordan Boyd. 

To read the full length news articles this week, visit www.easternecho.com or pick up a copy of our print newspaper on campus.

Sarai Yanes: Are you an EMU student looking for events to attend? Tune in each week to hear about the best events going on on and off campus in the coming week. 

In events this week, National Coming Out Day is happening on October 11th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lake House. Hosted by the LGBT resource center, the event will include fair-style food and games, face painting, drag artists and more. 

Next, starting on October 12th, home cooked cooking classes will be offered to EMU students free of charge. The event includes a free meal and LBC credit and will be located in 105 Rackham Hall from 5-6 p.m. Advance registration is required and can be found  at Eagle Nutrition Services. 

On October 13th, Swooptacular Spooktacular will occur in honor of the month of Halloween. The event will be on the student center first floor from 7-9 p.m., including fire artists, stilt walkers, reptile showings and more. 

Next up, here is Eastern Echo Podcast Editor Jordan Boyd speaking with EMU alumni and former Echo Editor-in-Chief Andrew Lenzo. 

(Interview)

Sarai Yanes: The Eastern Echo Podcast trivia question this week is:

How many dining locations are on EMU’s campus? 

DM us on our Instagram @easternecho_podcast for a chance to win a prize. 

Matt McFarlin: The quote of the day today is: “Great things come from humble beginnings,” pitched by Nolan Leak. 

Thank you for tuning in! 

I’m Matt!

Sarai Yanes: And I’m Sarai! 

We are your hosts and this was the Eastern Echo Podcast. 

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