Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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ain’t that easy Zoning officials posted a at the site, stop-work order but Ball State officials, claim- ing the state institution is exempt from local zoning ordinances, continued the construction. Construction of an off-campus radio transmission tower for WBST-FM became another area of controversy when residents near the construction site complained the tower would lower After 13 years of requests, the FCC finally granted WBST-FM permission to build a larger transmitting tower. Residents near the site, in protest, were able to halt construction with a court order, but not before this maintenance shed was completed. (CSK) Theatre goers were drawn to the campus’ June pro- duction of Tobacco Road. Jim O’Rourke, lazily lounging on the set, easily adds to the mood of the play’s insight into the old South. (Public Information) 20 Living Summer Events area property values. Zoning officials issued a stop-work order at the site, but Ball State officials, claiming that as a state institution the university is exempt from local zoning or- dinances, continued with the construc- tion. A court case in December would settle the dispute in Ball State’s favor. Most students remained oblivious to the controversies occurring in and around Muncie, preferring instead to use their free time to relax and enjoy the sun. “It was a lot less hectic and easier going,” said Mackin of the summer on campus. “It was more relaxed.” When students weren't relaxing or studying, there were a number of diversions to keep them occupied. They listened to workshop cheerlea- ders scream into all hours of the night at the LaFollette soccer field or dropped into The Chug to hear J. Michael Henderson and Michael Mur- phy perform in a June concert. Later, students escaped the heat and listened to Bill Wilson in the Tally-Ho snack bar during a Public Relations Student Society benefit show. Other students turned to summer theatre for a book break. Anna Marie Miller, Munster senior, added hours to her days by taking on an acting role in A Thousand Clowns, presented July 7-9 in the Ball State Theatre. Alan Jones, a Newark, Delaware, graduate student, remained in Muncie for the summer and evoked laughter in Plaza Suite. The second five-week summer ses- sion ended with final exams August 11. A mere four weeks remained before fall bookstore lines, parking hassles, and actual studying would again dominate the campus lifestyle. The summer had passed—slowly for some, quickly for others. But for the majority, it had not been dull. For more, it had not been easy. It was hot and full of controversy; but it was also a summer that was in- teresting and unique. (RLA, JEG)

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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

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ee 1b? is LaFollette, and over there is the cow path. . . That huge building over there—the one that looks like a stack of books—is Bracken Library. “To our immediate left are the Architecture Building and the College of Business. Yes, that’s right. People actually study in there. But they ll be tearing it down soon. The new College of Business will be located right here, between Bracken and the Architecture Building.” The Student Orientation Corps (SOC) leader had to yell to be heard all the way to the back of the long procession of Orientation students that followed her. Like cattle, the group followed, hanging on her every word. For 12 weeks, the process continued. T-shirted SOC leaders, red folders in hand, threaded their way through the campus, pointing out to their followers objects of interest, or importance, or both. Touring the campus occupied only a fraction of the time the 400 to 500 incoming freshmen spent in their campus introduction. Visiting with curricular advisers and selecting new Overnight insight classes for fall dominated the importance of orientation, but organized activities went further than that. Rap sessions for both parents and students, led by SOC leaders, broadened the image of the university. Where the handbooks and campus pamphlets stopped, the rap sessions began. “No, girls do not have to be in by 9 o'clock,” said Lucy Hitzfield, Orientation parent coordinator, to an inquisitive, possibly over- protective mother. Disco dancing and Domino’s pizza chomping topped off the first day of Orientation before retiring to Noyer Complex dorm rooms for a quieter- than-usual night in a BSU residence hall. “For many of them (freshmen) it was the first time away from home and certainly for being in a dorm setting,” stated Orientation director Richard Harris. “We did what we could to relieve anxieties that were caused by this.” The majority of the freshmen thought the orientation was worthwhile, although a few felt it WBST Tower, Recreation, Summer Theatre, Orientation x was boring, especially if they lived near Muncie. Bob Holdforth, from Forest Heights, Maryland seemed to like the two-day stay. “Orientation helped me to meet a lot of people,” he said. “It also helped me to get used to the area and living in a dormitory.” Anxieties, questions, and answers fell into place for the green BSU students and parents. SOC groups aired vital information about the university and not-so-vital insights like where to eat on Friday nights or why to avoid the Health Center—things only upperclassmen could relate to the groups. With schedules in hand for fall quarter, the freshman left his campus stay looking forward to September. “It's not as bad as I thought it would be,” stated Jill Barrett, Selma. “A few of the administrative talks were a bit long, but overall it was pretty good after I got there.” (KJG) Orientation was just as much for new parents as for new students. Student Orientation Corps parent coordinator Lucy Hitzfield eases the apprehensions and curiosity of ap- preciative moms and dads. (DRT) Summer Events ZI