Charleston High School students carrying blue flashlights will be taken on an unorthodox nighttime tour of Eastern’s campus on Wednesday.

“CHS at EIU” is a tour offered by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions allowing CHS junior and senior students to wander Eastern led by Eastern students who used to be CHS students.

In order to prevent another academic year with a 450-student enrollment decrease, Karenlee Spencer, the open house/special events coordinator, said the Charleston community might not know everything Eastern has to offer.

“They may drive by Old Main many times a day and they kind of take it for granted,” Spencer said. “They maybe don’t realize the wonderful opportunities and even just spaces and places that exist on our campus.”

Groups will meet in front of the clock tower at 7 p.m. after a reception at 6:30.

Mark Hudson, the director of University Housing and Dining Services, said the tour started during an admission brainstorming session.

Hudson said the flashlight tour will take people to places they haven’t seen on campus.

“It helps them explore Eastern in a different way,” Hudson.

Hudson said tours of the residence halls will also be included.

“The idea of a flashlight tour just sounds intriguing,” Spencer said.

The Office of Admissions and the President’s Office are sponsoring the event. Spencer said other faculty and campus figures will be there as well.

“We have over 25 faculty and other support services and departments on campus that are going to come to the reception,” Spencer said.

President Bill Perry also participated by signing 445 letters sent to the juniors and seniors of CHS, Spencer said.

“It says a lot about President Perry taking the time to sit there and sign every letter to these kids,” she said.

Spencer said by Eastern opening its campus exclusively to the upperclassman of CHS it will allow bonds to be formed.

“It started as just a way to strengthen our relationship with Charleston High School, but it has really turned into a nice evening,” Spencer said.

Spencer said she thinks having former CHS students who have chosen to come to Eastern talk about why they chose to Eastern will enhance the event.

“We’ve asked them to tell us some of their favorite places and out-of-the-way spots during the flashlight tours,” Spencer said.

Spencer said she thinks the personal experience of the students will have more influence than the facts and statistics provided by Eastern.

“By connecting students who made the decision to stay in Charleston with students who are in process of deciding where they want to go-that will literally strengthen the ties,” Spencer said.

Nike Ogunbodede can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].