Ohio University - Athena Yearbook (Athens, OH)

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or New ? College t. i ' r ' i : • m By Susan Wolbert It is ironic that many of the non- traditional things happening at Ohio University are in reality tradition bas- ed. However, the differen ce is that they are untraditional for this cam- pus in light of the past 5-10 years. The rise of Greeks and increased greek life activities is one such thing. During what might be called the radical years or years of unrest at OU to be a Greek was considered passe and unimportant. Greeks were often mocked and taunted. Now, however, changes in attitude have occurred (untraditional views for this campus) which have brought expanded in- terest in and Greek activities. Another occurence that is non- traditional is the very trend toward traditionalism. School pride, in- creased interest and participation in athletics, and a new view about education are some of the examples of this changing attitude. No longer is education just considered a four- year playtime, academics are on the rise and students have become much more professionally, career oriented. There are other things which are non-traditional in themselves regardless of past history. These in- clude a dwindling amount of con- certs for what used to be a concert- goers haven, the forced shutdown of The Post once a week as a result of financial problems, the use of and emphasis on women ' s sports as valid athletic endeavors, the crowd- ed, hard-to-get-into classes un- reminiscent of the 1 10 teacher- student ratio of previous years, and the complete change in on-campus housing arrangements and regulations. Also the new student is a change. Promising a marijuana referendum on the spring ballot, it is a sign that tradition has not yet taken a firm hold. These occurences, com- bined with the traditional influence now pervading the campus, are all products of untraditional thinking — a change, not a renewal. Tradition: Renewed or New? 19

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Tradition: Eenewed of, %m By Belinda Scrimenti Ohio University. Tradition. These two words are nearly synonymous. Ohio University tradition dates back to 1804. Things did break from tradi- tion in the recent past. However, it was not a break from tradition in so much as it was simply a sign of the times. Tradition is not new, but only be- ing renewed at Ohio University. To- day is reminiscent of 173 years of rich heritage. The university was founded on the basis that schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. The means of education has always been and still continues to be encouraged at O.U. We ' ve grown from one bui lding, one professor and three students to over 100 buildings, 800 professors and nearly 14,000 students. Nothing has really changed. Life in the 1960 ' s was simply a deviation from the norm. In fact, student rebellion itself is not so uncommon in the past. Ohio University first ex- perienced disorderly students in 1834 when the president, Robert Wilson, termed a rowdy student dis- turbance as boisterous, disorderly and reprehensible. Tradition was renewed this year in yet another area. Plans for a medical college at Ohio University date back to 1823. The plans became reality with the addition of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The continued tradition is evident in many areas. Academics have always been stressed. The University is now returning to a traditional grading system by eliminating the ABC and pass-fail options. Discus- sion has also centered around possi- ble freshmen requirements. Athletics have also been revitaliz- ed. Ohio has quite a record of ex- cellence in athletics, even as recent as the early 1970 ' s. Interest in Greek Life is increasing also. This is only a return to the past when nearly all Greek units had 75- 100 members. Tradition is really not a change for Ohio University. It is not new, only renewed. The University has con- tinued the pursuit for academic ex- cellence through a century of expan- sion and today finds itself returning to the tradition of its heritage. 18 Tradition: Renewed or New?

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20 Risk, Life,