AUBURN - From finding out where the most comfortable couches are to learning about the different types of courses the school offers, visitors to Cayuga Community Colleges' open house Saturday morning discovered what it was like to attend the college from current students.

The open house, which lasted from 9 a.m. to noon, featured information tables from each of the college's programs, information about active clubs on campus, a student panel to answer questions and guided tours through the school's academic buildings.

The open house gave potential students a chance to look around without pressure, said Theresa Misiaanszek, an advisor and instructor in the college's criminal justice department.

It helps students to get their foot in the door or put faces to names, if they've already contacted someone. It gets everyone interacting, she said.

“We have an open house every fall,” Bruce Blodgett, director of admissions, said.

“It's a chance for prospective students to learn more about Cayuga. The goal is to give them all the information they need about financial aid, academic programs and student life that they make the decision to enroll here at Cayuga Community College,” he said.

“Seems like everyone loves it here, which makes us happy about our daughter coming here,” said Marie Shumer, whose daughter is looking at the school's studio art and design program.

Thera Thomas, a senior at Geneva High School, selected Cayuga as her first choice but had never been inside the academic buildings before Saturday morning, so she went with her parents to learn more about the business program, she said while waiting for a tour to start.

The best part of her day so far was the student panel, she said.

“I liked getting to hear their honest opinion instead of someone who works here,” she said of the panel.

“They told us how nice it is that the teachers here all know your name and you can ask them for help.” On the tour, guide Coleen Leontovich pointed out the new cafeteria, explained the easiest ways to fulfill the gym requirement and talked about the different student groups that the school offers to give visitors an idea of what life as a Cayuga student is like.

“We don't have a lot of crime here,” she said as the group passed the public safety office.

“But don't speed in our parking lot. They will get you because they don't have a lot else to do.”