Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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Bursting at the seams Freshmen elbow into crowded campus by Debby Kerr and Jennifer Siy Overcrowding was never a good thing. But what it led to was change. We paid the price early for some- thing that, in the long run, would be better. It was Aug. 13, and forecasters predicted temperatures in the 100s. On campus, the morning hours were silent, but everyone sensed it was only temporary. Summer ended quickly, and chaos soon began. As 1,405 freshmen crowded onto campus to officially begin the year Lines quickly formed everywhere. The temperature con- tinued to rise as people kept pouring onto campus. Turquoise shirts could be spotted everywhere as student lead- ers attempted to smooth the chaos by volunteering help and guidance. The upperclassmen were very helpful, Kermy Miller said. My mom is handicapped, and they made her feel comfortable. Although student leaders tried to help freshmen have a reward- ing first day, insecurity crept into the new students ' minds as Dale MOntaOUe fiends, famines and familiar surroundings were left behind. The Advantage program, which was in its second year, was founded to combat some of those insecurities. As its title suggest- ed, the orientation gave freshmen who participated advantages over those who didn ' t. Wendy Suchland said she felt the strong- est asset of the program was that it allowed freshmen to meet one another and become a closer group. Advantage ' 88 provided a welcoming ceremony, academic meas- urement testing, an organizational fair, academic counseling, a pic- nic, a dance and Playfair, a nationally-known program that provid- ed an hour and a half of icebreakers. The program familiarized freshmen with Northwest. At times, however, it seemed to be too structured as it asked freshmen to attend testing, orientation and social sessions for four consecu- tive days. Advantage ' 88 shouldn ' t have been so long, Miller said. It felt like camp because we were always scheduled to be doing something. ' ' Although structure was sometimes mentally and physically ex- hausting, the overall program seemed to bring about positive results. Freshmen had more confidence in themselves, Erin Cotter, student leader, said. ' ' The program helped bonding with the fresh- men. Everyone formed some good friendships. It was Aug. 17, and Advantage ' 88 ended. The sultry weather, crowds of people and anticipation that characterized the program kept going, though. Nobody knew how the Class of ' 92 would han- dle its first year, but after seeing the largest freshmen class inter- act at Advantage ' 88, predictions were hopeful. -continued l4 Overcrowding i

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Illustration by Jeff Martin Moving In 1 23

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student Ambassadors Michael Dunekacke and Julie DeLong take a break from Freshman Orientation. The Advantage program familiarized freshmen with campus. Photo by Debby Kerr As enrollment increases, some fresh- men are surprised to find themselves with multiple roommates. On the first day of Freshman Orientation, Kimberly Massey, Cheli Davis and Kristi Rodeman were in the same room for two hours until other arrange- ments were made. Photo by Mark Strecker Witll undivided attention, freshmen and their parents listen to President Dean Hubbard at Advantage 88 ceremonies. Freshman Orientation was unusual in that it combined both orientation and seminar programs. Photo by Debby Kerr Moving in seems overwhelming to Peggy Brown as she rests her injured ankle. Tfemperatures over 100 degrees made un- loading an unpleasant chore for students who lived in residence halls. Photo by Deb- by Kerr Overcrowding l5