Millersville University - Touchstone Yearbook (Millersville, PA)

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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

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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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The Marauder Marching Unit was busy during Homecoming, displaying the talents of its members in the parade and during the football game. Here, flutists Betsy Wilt. Karen Good, and Diane Yatcman stop to play a number on George Street —Photo by Mtrih Studio . Inc Part of Lyle dorm's lobby decorations gives a glimpse Into the future The dorm councils decorated their lobbies using the Homecoming theme. Horirons-Yestcrdny and Today. — Photo by Marin Studios. Inc I 12 Homecoming