Millersville University - Touchstone Yearbook (Millersville, PA)

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Tired of the dorm life, many people realized that off-campus housing offered a means of escape. Phil Peck finds that the quiet of his study room makes a perfect place to cram for a Chemistry test. Peck and his roommates found It very beneficial to use the small bedroom of their Brookwood apartment os a place for studying. If any ol them had a test to study for they could retreat to the room instead of keeping their roommate up all night.—Photo by Darrin Mann 10 Apartment Life

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dormitories. As there are only 11 dormitories. approximately 130 students would have to live in rooms that were not designed for occupancy. After climbing seven flights of steps and tripping over various items in the hallway. I found my room, along with someone in it. This someone was my new roommate. Our room, as I found it. would win no award for originality, it contained two beds, two desks, one closet, and one dresser. All of this was topped off with off-white cinder block walls and one window overlooking the scenic parking lot. As I gazed out the window, trying to get a breath of fresh air. I saw my family impatiently waiting for the (J-haul. I ran down the steps, because the elevator was out of order, and began the long, hot chore of moving in. My Dad complained continuously about how much junk I had. He shut up. however, when on the stairway we passed a four foot refrigerator that seemed to be walking up the steps, a huge peacock wicker chair, and a stereo system that looked like the one the Rolling Stones might use. We saw boxes of record albums, plants, stuffed animals, sweatshirts. Jeans, mun-chies. and here and there a pencil and notebook. Poor Dad carried my bike all the way up seven flights of steps and then was told about the bike rack in the basement. I controlled my chuckle as he struggled to carry it down to the basement. Meanwhile my Mom had disappeared into the bathroom, seen goldfish in the sink, and passed out cold. She gradually revived but proceeded to fall asleep on my bed. While I was waiting for Dad to come back from the basement, I had a chance to ob serve other students moving in. I was amazed at the variety of people I saw. Some students had entire families to help them move in while other students had only themselves and ran endlessly up and down the steps unloading their possessions. I looked down and saw Dad wearily climbing the steps and together we went and loaded up for our last trip upstairs. Mom finally woke up only in time to say goodbye. Mom cried and Dad rolled his eyes. I sighed in a mixture of relief and exhaustion. I watched them leave through my window, feeling very much alone. The (J-haul disappeared in the distance and I turned from the window to find a new home for all my belongings. Moving in requires not only a relocation of one's belongings but also an adjustment to the new environment. As I unpacked my things. I discovered that I had forgotten to pack a toothbrush and deodorant. Sorry Mom—I'd write a letter home and tell her: she'd understand. Maybe I'd even tell her that my roommate was the one who had the goldfish in the sink. Becky Moyer Trying to find space in her already filled closet, junior Carol Stine finishes unpacking her clothes.—Photo by Ben Krothe Moving in was made a little easier when there was someone to help out. Here Ray Carnevalino gets help moving his things into Diehm Hall from Steve Ward.—Photo by Darrin Mann Moving In 9

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On or Off— some students make the choice to leave the dorms I can t understand why so many upper classmen are so fired up about living in apartments. I’m having a tough enough time getting into this dorm life and accepting the responsibilities required of me.” said one freshman to another. Some students chose to live in the dorms the whole time they attend college, but many prefer to move off campus as juniors and seniors. Complexes such as Brookwood. Cottage Place. Lynnebrook. Ferndale. and Connestoga West, not to mention the several apartments scattered throughout the town, became temporary homes for a number of students. What induced these people to move off campus? Some students claimed that they simply grew tired of the dorms and wanted changes in their school lives. Senior Scott Good stated. After three years on eleventh floor Burrowes. anyone could use a change. Other students desired more privacy with a homier atmosphere. An increase in independence, along with a decrease in petty dorm rules, were other major reasons for such moves. As a result of the decreased amount of on-campus room, a number of upperclassmen decided to go ahead and move off before they were unexpectedly told to. Still others were curious about what apartment life was all about, so they became bold and made the move. Yet another reason was well-put by a junior— Parties. Although this reason didn’t apply to everyone, it certainly was a definite encouragement for some. Apartment life involves many more responsibilities than dorm life. Cleaning becomes an awesome chore with the in- creased amount of space. Special ladies don’t show up when the sink and toilet bowl need a good scrubdown as in the dorms. Supplies such as Comet. Fantastic. Glass Plus, and Draino must be bought right along with other purchases, which leads to another major concern—food. What an experience it is when three hungry college students hurry to the table only to find their other roommate s cooking isn't like Mom’s. At this point, the road home becomes more inviting—not to Gordinier. but to home. But as students get into the swing of things, the situation improves. When the time for grocery shopping rolls around each week, the trick of buying according to everyone's tastes become easier. Apartment meals may even have the potential to outdo Gordinler's and to possibly come closer to having a motherly touch. Responsibilities for household chores, such as cooking and cleaning, arc worked out among the apartment mates Also among major concerns is the responsibility of paying the ever present bills. Unlike in the dorms, where one lump sum is handed over all at once for everything, apartment bills appear monthly like thieves in the night. The variety Inctjdes gas bills, elec trie bills, telephone bills, and rent. If roommates fight once a month and a fist destroys a portion of wall or door. then, of course, this must be taken into con sideration when planning the budget But of course, college students need not worry about such childish acts The dreaded fiscal affairs may not be so bad. depending upon the number of occupants sharing the cost and how well they economize. If managed correctly, the apartment experience may only be as expensive if not cheaper than the on-campus. Disadvantages are few and far between, but significant. Various planned and unplanned campus activities are sometimes merely talked-about news the following day in classes rather than I was there experiences. A Lynnebrook student stated. If anything important happens on campus. I try to be there What I do miss are the spontaneous activities such as snowball fights, the various Gordinier-field ac tivities. and the exciting happenings on dorm floors It's hard to hang a Happy Birthday. Bertha sign on my apartment window for the campus to see Transportation is also an obstacle for some students. However it is accomplished-biking. walking, skating, or driving—the distance and time is still slightly increased. Also, once on campus, there is no returning to a dorm room for a snooze before the next class. Another disadvantage may be the sudden aware ness of personality and characteristic con flicts among rent-sharers which must be put into proper perspectives or disastrous friendships and miserable lives will result. Usually, the various advantages out weigh the disadvantages. In an apartment, there are no twenty minute waiting lines for meals. Also, the food is cooked at one's own risk, to satisfy personal tastes, unlike in Gordinier where the food is eaten at one's own risk. There is more privacy in the apartment setting with an atmosphere more like that of home Everything is there at one's disposal, including a phone. Par ents can call without having to dial thirty times before getting through to their much-missed child. Living with other people teaches a person to attempt pa tience in understanding and accepting others. Another advantage is the allowance of animals. Pets are sometimes easier to get along with than humans. Snakes, hamsters. fish, and gerbils are found In many apartments. In one particulai apartment Wilbur the Hamster gave his view on apartment life; Frankly my dear. I like it here. Tammy Grove Sophomore Doug Evans enjoys a rate, unin torrupted conversation with his parents while visiting a friend at Brookwood —Photo by Darrin Mann Apartment Ufeyi 1