University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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The Newsstand - People - Watchers Louise Nadeau and Jean Thibideau may not be recognizable by name, but their jobs at the University of Maine have probably given them the chance to meet practi- cally every person on campus. The ladies behind the L-shapcd newsstand in the Memorial Union may not know their customers by name cither, but they often know before hand exactly what the purchases are going to be. The regulars—we have a lot—they often come two. maybe three, limes a day. Thibideau said. They come so often we know what kind of cigarettes, candy, or newspaper they're going to buy. Sometimes we have to say.‘bye-bye. we're sick of waitin' on ya' and put out thcout- to-lunch sign. said Nadeau laughing. Nadeau has been on the university pay roll for 28 years and 22 of those have been spent behind the newsstand. I love it here. she said, but admits she's ready to retire after 42 years of being in the work force. Just three years and three months left to go. Nadeau had no trouble planning her re- tirement agenda. What am I going to do? she asked leaning forward. I plan to sit on my ass and do nothing. They both laughed. Thibideau said she started in 1970 and plans to stay on indefinitely. Because they've been at the newsstand so long, both say they've seen many changes and have gotten to know many of the students. We're surprised at the number of old students who come back to say hello. Thibideau said. They bring their children, who are sometimes 10 to 12 years old. and it seems so strange. 4» m. as by Doris Ryqqlski Louise Nadeau and Jean Thibideau, There's never been a dull moment, said Thibideau. Two Memorial Union women who have seen a lot of swingin and rowdiness over the past 20 years while pirched at their newsstand post.

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Campus ministries help students adjust by Debbie Dutton Staff Writer One of the most stressful ad- justments a young adult must make is the transition to college life. The cam- pus ministries at the University of Maine are there to help. The office of religious affairs is located in the Student Activities Office and comes under the jurisdiction of Associate Dean William Lucy. The purpose of the office is to help the campus ministries meet the needs of the campus by providing informa- tion and assistance to both students and clergy. “We are planning a dialogue session with campus ministries, administrators and students,” Lucy said. “We also give student listings to the clergy and help in directing students in who to see.” There are various types of ministries on campus, ranging from bible study and discussion groups represented by The Navigators and the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, to long-standing churches, such as the NcWman Center (Roman Catholic), Canterbury Club (Episcopal) and Maine Christian Association (Protestant). Rev. Thomas Chittick, the Protes- tant pastor at the Wilson Center, said he could speak on behalf of his church, the Newman Center and the Canter- bury Club, in relating the objectives of the campus ministries. “The three churches work together. Each of the church leaders were plac- ed here by our supporting chur- ches, Chittick said. We have two main objectives, we wear two hats — so to speak. The first purpose is a pastoral one, helping students to make a transiton in their faith when they come to college. The clergy are representatives of their faiths as teachers, pastors and supporters. The second objective is to be available to students, regardless of their faith, as a source of guidance. We try to support students in the enterprise of university life,” Chit- tick said. Chittick said he, for example, is the chaplain consultant at East Camprs. He attends resident director meetings, helps resident assistants and occasionally eats in the cafeteria to talk with students. “I try to be visible for the students, ” he said. “I'm someone to talk to who isn’t a member of Residen- tial Life — a friendly observer. ”

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The two say they've also received Christmas cards from all over the country from former students. The UMaine staff is not excluded from their list of acquired friendships. We laugh with the professors, too, Thibideau said. One of our favorites is Curly—that’s a nick- name we gave him. They also say that changes in student attitudes have been dramatic. Thibideau believes students are much more con- servative today. Back in the 60’s and 70’s, boy,” Nadeau said shaking her head, back then, even the professors came in with the candles and casket .burning flags and raising havoc. There’s never been a dull moment. Thibideau nodded in agreement. Nothing surprises us anymore.’’ Nadeau said, “but some of them still get pretty wild...we have to tum our heads twice and ask each other,' what boat did she come off?’’’ Laughter. Becauscof the time they've been he re. Thibideau claims they deserve a diploma. With all the historical recollections Thibideau and Nadeau have of UMaine. perhaps they should get a diploma. “We could write a book better ‘n Payton Place. Thibideau announced proudly. She recalled a time in the 1970's when the dorms had yet to tum co-ed. Students used to stay on campus on their time- off back then and we were real busy,” Nadeau said glancing at Thibideau. When Nadeau mentioned the “notorious stair- well five.” Thibideau rolled her eyes.’That was the place for making whoopy. Nadeau explained. Students used to have a swingin' time down at the Bear’s Den, too, Nadeau recalled. One particular evening in the 1970's stuck out in her mind. “All of a sudden they started to break dishes— breaking anything they could get their hands on,” Nadeau said. The crowd was so rowdy, she explained, that the effort to stop them was futile. So. Nadeau and the other workers decidedto just hand them the dishes. There was also a girl doing a striptease act in the comer. said Nadeau. By the end of the evening, the whole den floor was white with broken glass, she said. Nadeau, however, has pulled a few pranks herself. Thibideau said. She cited a time when a student asked Nadeau to break a $20 bill for him. She took the bill, tore it into four pieces, and handed it back tohim. Thibideau said. Hecouldn’t believed she'd done that. Asked if the story were true, Nadeau smiled and told of another instance when a student asked her to change a dollar bill for him. She opened the register and exchanged his bill for another dollar bill. At his exasperated look. Nadeau said she simply rcplied. Wcll, you asked me to change your dollar bill. Both laughed again. Actually, they laugh a lot. And. after 20 years the friendship has flour- ished. said Thibideau. They've gotten to know one another so well that a mere look between the two and a message has been passed from one to the other without a word having been uttered...a very handy talent for two self-proclaimed people watchers.