The Educational Opportunity Program staff welcomed more than 25 SF State students and faculty to their open house on Friday at the Student Services building.

Attendees were treated to refreshments, handouts with brief information about the services, and complimentary pins that read "EOP: San Francisco State University/Educational Opportunity Program."

September was declared EOP month in 2003 after Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 124 was passed by the California State Legislature. The resolution was introduced by one of its authors, Marco Firebaugh, the assembly majority floor leader of the 50th Assembly District.

"It was to honor all the work that EOP has done," said Ginger Yamamoto, director of EOP.

Yamamoto said when the resolution was passed in 2003, there was a discussion about state budget cutbacks that would eliminate outreach programs, including EOP, although it is not considered that type of program.

"As a result of that, all the EOP statewide put a lot of effort into staying open," Yamamoto said.

EOP, which was established at SF State in 1969 and instituted by the Harmer Bill, provides students with disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds an opportunity to receive assistance through the program's wide range of services.

Many students who have been with the program since their freshman year at SF State came to the open house to show their support.

Kevin Tan, 27, a senior psychology major who has been in the program since fall 1998, said he appreciates the resources that EOP has provided for him.

"It helped me raise my GPA, skills, and getting help with my homework and time management," Tan said.

Another student, Tafara Manning, 27, a senior Africana major who has been in the program since 1997, said she appreciates the advising EOP offers to its students.

"My adviser is really helpful with preparing me with trying to get into graduate school," Manning said.

According to statistics computed by the faculty of EOP, an estimated 2,300 students enroll in the program per semester and about 500 new students enter the program each fall, with a breakdown of 300 first-time freshmen and 200 transfers.

EOP provides two main units in tutorial and advising.

The Guardian Scholars, Student Support Services and the Summer Bridge Program are three programs under EOP.

"The program is essential to student survival on campus," said Sam Jones, an academic adviser who works with EOP.

The program is considered more than just a service to its students and faculty.

"The program acts as a second family," said Yvette MacPhee, senior program coordinator of EOP. "It's a really good feeling."