Radford University - Beehive Yearbook (Radford, VA)

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A Quest for . . . friendships and direction Quest Assistants grow close helping freshmen adapt to academic and social aspects of college life What if I don't fit in at Radford? How will I ever learn my way around campus? Quest, the summer orientation program, strives to make the transition to college life easier for incoming freshmen by answering these questons. Over 300 incoming freshmen attended each two-day session held for two weeks in June. Broken down into smaller qroups according to their intended majors, they were advised on schedules and registered for their fall classes. Approximately 88 percent of the freshmen class attended Quest. Students were given a chance to interact with others in their majors because they were housed and grouped accordingly. Placing students by major helps to build up support and gets students to know others in their field of interest, said Michael Dunn, associate dean of students and coordinator of Quest. In the evening the Quest Assistants performed skits for the freshmen to help them deal with some of the more serious aspects of college. They found a humorous way to deal with such topics as triples, budgeting money and the Judicial Board. The Quest Assistants made Quest a success. Criteria for becoming a Quest Assistant included class standing above the freshmen level, involvement in activities, and a minimum of a 2.3 GPA. Dunn said the assistants chosen They were all like my brothers and sisters. There isn't a thing I wouldn't do for any of them. — Scott Bishop were those who were well-rounded and student leaders. The selection process for Quest Assistants began in February with an application and ended in March after an interview. The Quest Assistants were Jeff Bartee. Pamela Barton. Lou Carson. Katrina Coceran, Liz Deemer. Angela Degrands. Meg Gorman. Sean Hagarty. Jeffrey Hicks. Marsha House, Christopher Huther. Karen Johnson. Heather Buyrn. Denise Murrell, Max Prillaman, Camille Rutzinski. Deborah Taylor. Mark Tolley. Jeff Vinson. Diann Williamson. Jill Chavkin. Gary Kinder, and Cyndi Price. The Quest Assistants arrived at RU a week before Quest began to become better acquainted with one another. They participated in trust activities and initiative games created by the recreation department for team building. By the end of Quest a definite feeling of unity existed among the 27 Quest Assistants. They were all like my brothers and sisters. There isn't a thing I wouldn't do for any of them, said Scott Bishop a second year Quest assistant. The closeness between the Quest Assistants was evident even at night. They often socialized at BT s or the Bus Stop, or watched movies. Late one night they even played hide-and-go-seek in a dorm. When asked about Quest, freshman Tracy Thomas said. Quest was a great opportunity to meet people that you'll be going to school with. I would recommend it to all freshmen. by Nancy Mulvihill Quost Assistants represent all aspects of college life from sports to publications to academic. Class standing, involvement m activities and a minimum GPA of 2.3 are some of the criteria for becoming a Quest Assistant. Campus Life 17

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16 Quest Assistants perform a series ol skits to familiarize freshmen with college life. Assisting a freshman in getting a class schedule Angela DeGrands and Jeff Vinson operate one of tho computers. Tho registration process moves smoothly and quickly with tho holp ot Ed Gibbon. registrar, anti tho Quest Assistants. Campus Life

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Ritual of pain Labor Day weekend lives up to name; students endure hassles of moving in Cramped fingers, stiff arms, and aching backs; sounds like a marathoo of torture. Yet. every one of the 7.500 students returning to campus participated in this ritual of pain. For the third straight year. Labor Day weekend was established as moving in weekend. Every year, students must endure the stress of setting up their living quarters for the next nine months. Students usually experience a variety of problems. With almost half the student body living off campus, day students encountered a new set of hassles. An apartment or house means more space, which also means more junk. Getting items to school is a major obstacle. My dad rented a conversion van. then we packed up three cars. We also stored stuff at a house in Radford. said junior Susan Stein. Off campus students found unique ways of carrying furniture into their new dwellings. We made a line from the truck and passed furniture up through the second floor window, said senior Lisa Crouch. The 3.400 students living on campus attempted to deal with their own problems. Most students moved in on Sunday; they wanted a day to play before classes began on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the weather was not as cooperative as it had been in previous years. Sunday was cold, and it rained on and off throughout the day. Many students were forced to unload their belongings in the rain. I came in at night, so I didn't get rained on. I know of people who did get things ruined through. said junior Tony Fernandez. “My dad rented a conversion van, then we packed up three cars. Susan Stein On campus students also dealt with the traffic around campus. It took almost half an hour to drive through campus when it normally takes a few seconds. Fernandez said. People were on hand to direct cars, and signs were posted for the parking lots to various dorms. Campus police, city police and firemen, and students worked together to keep the cars moving at the congestion points. After the torture of moving day. students could look forward to starting classes. by Nancy Mulvihill Gnmmacmg in pain, Chris Lyons finds moving in isn't easy. Moving in is tha beginning of living out of boxes and suitcases for many RU students Pfiotos try Vt 8 xc 18 Campus Life