UCSD Opens Doors for Day of Fun, Talks

Why did the FBI spy on the Marxist playwright Bertolt Brecht? Can “supercomputers” be used for everything from planning highways to probing the structure of the galaxy? Why do so many Spaniards love bullfights?

UC San Diego scholars are scheduled to discuss these and other baffling questions Sunday at the campus’ annual open house, a daylong fiesta of learning, food and entertainment.

The day will be packed with lectures, live music, art exhibits, a “Renaissance Faire,” a “College Bowl,” health science exhibits, a 10-kilometer run, a book sale, food and bake sales, and other events.

“This is an opportunity to bring your family to meet some of the faculty, students and staff who make UCSD such a fascinating place,” Chancellor Richard C. Atkinson said.

The scheduled lectures include “Exploring the Universe From Space and From the Ground” by astronomer E. Margaret Burbidge, a former president of the American Assn. for the Advancement of Science; “The American Medical Research Expedition to Mount Everest” by respiration expert Dr. John West, who climbed the world’s highest mountain to study the effects of high altitude on breathing, and “The Shape of Things to Come,” a preview by physicist William Thompson of future scientific developments.

Other lectures include “Tough Questions on Global Conflict and Cooperation,” “The Guilty Splendor: Spanish Culture and the Spanish Bullfight,” “Urban Design in San Diego,” “The FBI as Literary Critic: The File of Bertolt Brecht” and “Student Life at UCSD.”

Information booths will advise visitors about subjects ranging from summer school to the UCSD Medical Center’s Burn Center.

Visitors also can take a shuttle bus to UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Live music will be offered starting at 11 a.m., when the band TKO will play soft rock on the gym steps. Subsequent performances will be by the UCSD Concert Choir, the Community Choir, Los Alecranes Mojados, the Wind Ensemble and the UCSD Jazz Ensemble, among others. Sam Hinton will sing folk music.

Visitors can take a tour of the Mandell Weiss Center for the Performing Arts at 2:15 p.m.

At 3 p.m., there will be a recital by pianist Cecil Lytle at Mandeville Auditorium.

For $3, runners can sign up for the 10K run, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Muir Field. The runners will receive a hot breakfast at 10 a.m. at the Muir North Dining Room.