Millersville University - Touchstone Yearbook (Millersville, PA)

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Housing deposit problems convince administrators to make SOME CHANGES One of the first things you think about when considering college life is whether or not to live in a dorm. Life in a dorm con provide many beneficial experiences. Some examples include meeting new people, learning to live with someone, learning to share a bathroom or a telephone, and learning to be more self-reliant. With this new found self-reliance also comes the responsibility of financial affairs . . . such as making room deposits. Room deposits and housing policies have always been a student concern. In the I980's. due to the rising costs of living, they became a major worry for students wishing to live on campus Prior to Spring of 1980. all students returned their deposits at the same time Freshmen and sophomores were given rooms first since they were required to live on campus. The remaining rooms were then given to the upperclassmen on a first come, first serve basis. Later it became evident that this was not one of the best procedures to follow regarding room deposits. So a committee was formed to give some suggestions for a new policy. Those who played a key role in the design of a new policy were Ellen Barber. Dean of Resident Life; Barbara Whitehead. Director of Student Accounts; Gray Sellers. Vice-President for finance and administration: Dr. Gary Reighard. Vice-President for student affairs; and Dr. Edward Thompson. Assistant Vice-President for student affairs. Before coming to any decision about a new policy, these school officials talked to many students and contacted other colleges to learn about their procedures. The policy initiated for making room deposits was first used for the spring semester of 1981. and was the result of the committee's recommendations. The procedure for advanced deposit for underclassmen (fewer than 60 credits) basically remained the same. Each student would be guaranteed a room if the fifty-dollar housing deposit was paid in-person at the Accounts Receivable office by the posted deadline. If a student was not able to hand in his deposit, a friend could have handed it in for him. but no one was per- mitted to hand in more than two deposits. No deposits which were mailed were accepted. The upperclassmen procedure was quite different. The same rules applied about no mail deposits and only two deposits per person. The difference was that rooms were assigned on a first come, first served basis, and that deposits had to be made at Kline Dining Room. For the fall semester 1981. deposits were accepted at 7:00 a.m. Because students were unaware of the number of rooms available to them, they decided to take advantage of the first come, first served policy and began to line up the night before between the hours of 10:00 and 10:30 p.m. Rob Harkins, the first student to line up said. I wanted to beat the rush, have electricity, shelter, and of course, a good party spot.” They brought with them on that cold night blankets, sleeping bags, hats, mittens, gloves—anything that would help keep them warm, including a few alcoholic beverages. Not only students who were making deposits were there, but Staying awake could have been more of a problem if coffee wasn't provided for the students. Melania Christopher and Marjane Kenvin take advantage of the newly introduced idea.—Photo by Darrin Mann While some held all-night rap sessions. Eric McAlliser took advantage of his excess time. Tuning out the others with his music, he peacefully studys his organic chemistry.—Photo by Mike Mtngcy 24 Houslng Deposits

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 Dressed in tee-shirts and shorts to (it the warm May weather, joggers Sandra Sierra and Dwight Johnson pass the Student Memorial while on their circuit.—Phoro 6y Wrac Wcnc Taking the scenic route. Sara (Jhrich takes the shady path running past Lyle Dining Hall. Like Uhrich. many students chose the early evening to do their running —Photo by Wrae Went On one of the first warm days of spring, tenth-floor Burrowes resident Dan Munyan sets off from his dorm for an afternoon run.—Photo by Mike Mingey Running 23

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many of their friends came for moral support and to help pass the time away. Students also brought backgammon, cards, and books to keep them busy till morning. One student. Cleveland Bonner, brought his bed with him in hopes of getting a good night's sleep. The night continued with a few very minor problems such as butting in line. There was only one shoving incident, which happened once the doors had been opened. Dean Barber was pleased with the overall procedure of the evening, considering the number of people that were Involved. After the deposits had been accepted, students were told that there were rooms left over. This upset many who had spent the night out In the cold: they fell they should have been told how many rooms Some people had the energy to stay owake for 12 hours, but others found a comfortable spot on the floor and dreamt of future dorm living. Doug Evans is preparing himself for the morning battle for a room.—Photo by Darrin Mann A few students didn't care for what the school provided to drink and brought their own thirst quenchers. Bill Vitulli turns to his wine skin to momentarily wet his whistle.—Phofo by Mike Mingcy, As comfortable as possible on a pile of blankets. Teirric Jones passes the time by playing backgammon and listening to music.—Photo by Mike Minyey