Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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After being jailed for disobeying a lawful order, Smock managed to requisition the Arts Terrace and continue his anti-Way campaign from there. ordered off by Thomas Osborn, direc- tor of traffic, safety, and security. Smock was jailed and released on $500 bond. Soon afterwards, he managed to requisition the Arts Terrace, and he continued his campaign against The Way from there. If nothing else, The Way managed to inject some life into an otherwise dreary campus. “It was like we were invaded,” Mary Mackin said. Over- night, the campus population had nearly doubled, and, to Mackin, it seemed almost like the regular school year. When The Way packed up and left, the controversy left with it, and the Physical improvements scheduled for the off-season included a new vault for the Administration Building and the re-surfacing of campus roads. Finishing touches are added to the new parking structure, despite it having opened six months earlier. (DRT) Student protest to The Way was exhibited in many ways during the organization’s two-week stay. Graduate student Dan Kunt displays his opposition to the teachings of the group on his chest. Others carried signs and marched in front of Emens. (ELJ) 1 AAD BARELY LANCOME SEIIRA AA Heit THE WAY oo We To HELL = - I8 Living x: Summer Events

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I was something to talk about. Representing all 50 states and 17 foreign countries, members of The Way International, a biblical research and teaching ministry, congregated on campus to participate in a two-week session beginning Saturday, June 18, and ending Saturday, July 2. The Way’s class in “Power for Abundant Living” (PFAL) is normally presented on film or audio tapes, but in recognition of The Way’s 30th anniversary, the classes were taught live by the Rev. Victor Paul Wierwille, controversial founder and president of The Way International. Rev. Wierwille controls the teaching and the administration of The Way. All books and pamphlets of the organization are either written or authorized by him. The $6 million Way Bob Winegarner, The Way's coordinator for the conference, contacted Dave Stout, Ball State’s director of conferences and special events, in late June of 1976. Stout's office acts as the mediator between groups and the university. Even though The Way is a controversial group and one of many cults that have parents concerned over “programming” of their children, Stout’s office issued the group the usual rubber stamp. “Rarely is there ever any question as to whether a group should have a conference here,” Stout said. As early as December, 1976, administrators began questioning the wisdom of such an automatic approval of The Way's conference. Dr. George Jones, director of religious programming, sent a memo to Dr. James Marine, assistant dean of Student Programs, explaining the nature of The Way. Since the conference had already been cleared, Jones was instructed by Dr. Merrill Beyerl, dean of students, to prepare a formal report on the group. Jones read Way literature and talked to local Way adviser Carl Hoge in preparing his report. Jones admitted in the opening paragraph of his report his “dislike for the doctrines and methods of the group and his “sympathy for the young people who have found help from The Way.” Bias aside, the report showed, for one thing, that The Way International makes a lot of money. According to the report: “The income of The Way International has astronomic potential. If even 10,000 adherents tithe a $5,000 income and take two courses per year at $75 per course, the income to The Way International headquarters would be $6.5 million. Except for a central staff, most leadership seem to donate their time to the organization. The purchase of a college campus, the preparation of high class graphic and video material, and anti-slander legal action are made possible by a flow of income of this magnitude.” Jones goes on to say that The Way draws its membership from “the alienated youth of today,” citing an advertisement which propounds The Way's PFAL sessions. The advertisement states: “If you have power for abundant living, you can gain self-respect; enjoy satisfying work with more-than-adequate income. You can overcome depression, discouragement, and disappointment and have love, joy, and real peace. . . If you have the more-than-abundant life, you can have whatever you want!” Ball State got what it wanted. The Way was billed approximately $517,000 which included dining, housing, use of Emens Auditorium, special meals at the Student Center, a picnic for Way members, and long-distance telephone calls. (RLA) Much of The Way’s philosophy was taught through a Power for Abundant Living seminar (PFAL). Ed Sanes, an instructor for the religious organization, lectures to a class of Way followers. Several students attended the informal classes as well. (REM) The Way x Summer Events 17

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campus returned to its usual peaceful atmosphere. Off campus, the situa- tion was different as police and firemen fell into conflict with city of- ficials over wages. Firemen struck, and police staged a sick-in, while Mayor Robert Cun- ningham, several councilmen, rookie firemen, and a number of volunteers manned fire trucks. For 36 hours, the situation was tense. Then the council granted a 12 per cent increase, and the job action ended. Happily, there had been no outbreak of crime and no disasterous fires during the strikes. Students heard about the city con- flicts on national network news or by word of mouth, but they did not realize until later that the strikes would trigger similar job actions across the state. While Muncie faced job actions, the campus was undergoing a face-lift. Even knowledgeable BSU veterans showing the campus to Orientation groups were thrown a curve during the summer of 1977. Finding one’s way around the campus had never been an easy task, but summer construction made the situation unbearable. Summer saw the long-awaited shift of the Department of Journalism from its six decrepit houses scattered on Talley and College Avenues to the Journalism faculty and staff spent a disorganized summer moving into the department’s new quarters. Department Chairman Louis Inglehart and secretary Gerry Lee try to keep up with administrative duties, despite hectic moving in procedures. (CSK) Delaware County’s annual fair attracted bored sum- mer school students looking for a change in environ- ment. Local 4-H club members submitted entries for judging in all types of livestock events. (MJI) renovated West Quadrangle Building. West Quad, formerly the Service and Stores Building, also became the new home of the Department of Natural Resources which had been located in Lucina Hall. Renovation also began on North Quad, formerly the library. Construc- tion on the building that was to even- tually house the College of Science and Humanities would continue through the school year. The Administration Building also underwent what university officials called “a much-needed face-lift,” and the Student Center had a ramp for handicapped students installed. After much debate, work began on clearing the old mobile home court north of the Health Center. A parking lot now oc- cupies the space. Tennis courts, the first phase of a proposed recreation area north of Johnson Complex, were supposed to be ready for use at the beginning of fall quarter but were not. Basketball and volleyball courts, picnic grounds, and improvements for the duck pond were to make up the second phase of the controversial operation. Installing and improving rampways for the han- dicapped was a major project during the hot summer months, Contractors spent several weeks constructing a ramp in front of the student center. (MJI) The Way, Muncie Strikes, Construction xx Summer Events 19