Virginia Polytechnic Institute - Bugle Yearbook (Blacksburg, VA)

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E2 2- The duicimer is a popular attraction. Unique characters constructed from metal scraps. A craftswoman demonstrates her weaving skills. if E .rf A-.Q 3?c '!? ,f, QU -mana' ii , -E , ' ,' - 2' - ' 1-J .-ffflf -' af 1' ' e3g:Ei:4.tsffi 3,55 ft 'als-K , '57ii ifj'lfff?'fff'5iig.5fj- ,Q Q f M - 'Vg Tp, -IFJ'-ig A 7:-'L-,'. mf- -7 Ls.. .1 1 - -asia? - 'ff A , 1 ., Organizations - 29

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The one major revenue producing activity the YMCA holds each year is the regionally famous Arts and Crafts Fair. This years fair, held November 11-13, fulfilled the same purpose. Artisians came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to demonstrate their talents and sell their crafts to residents of Montgomery County and to parents who were in town for Parent's Weekend. Groups, such as the Society for the Blind, who were unable to send a representative to the fair, sold their goods to the YMCA, who in turn sold them at the fair. The commission the YMCA earned helped pay the expenses of other YMCA community projects. The YMCA had other activities that benefited the community. Their thrift shop, which sold used clothes and household goods at inexpen- sive prices, sold S500 worth of clothes to stu- dents for Halloween costumes. Free University courses, similar to the Tech union's short courses, were open to not only the Tech stu- dents, but to townspeople. Finally, Project Home Repair winterized many homes and ex- panded its services to include adding bathrooms to houses. Although the YMCA depended upon students for both manpower and ideas, more students were involved in supplying help with already ex- isting projects than in thinking of new projects. The professional staff advertised in the Collegiate Times in an attempt to attract new facesp however this approach did not come up with the desired results. As the momentum of gaining new members builds, in future years the social aspects of the YMCA may become what it once was. Much of the crafting was done during the fair. Some of the figurines were made with apples. 28 Organizations A Wide Variety of Crafts 4..Xis. N 1

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WORKING FOR THE STUDENTS The Student Government Association worked to bring about changes in many areas of student life on and off campus. Major projects included the meal ticket program, the revision of the SGA constitution, the proposal of an alternative to the door duty system and helping with voter registration and encouraging the vote for the bond referendum in the November election. Among the interest of the SGA was the on and off campus housing problem. The SGA, in cooperation with the Residence Hall Federation, proposed a system to replace the current door duty system in the female dorms. For the stu- dents living off campus, a 21 meals a week meal ticket program was started. A tenant's union was also formed to help deal with housing problems. The SGA also worked on increasing com- munication between the students, the ad- ministration, Blacksburg's town council and the SGA. The SGA worked on having a student representative on the Board of Visitors and a committee of students on BIacksburg's town council. Another goal was to increase student involvement in the SGA through elections and supply input on the problems faced by Tech students. One of the changes was within the SGA itself. A new constitution was suggested which included the change in the SGA structure by combining the executive branch and the senate into the executive committee. This change was suggested to bring about better communication between the two branches and to unify the SGA in problem solving. During the election of senators on November 8 this measure was passed by the students by an 897, majority. Before the November state election, the SGA worked to increase voter support for the bond referendum, which would provide funds to ex- pand the library and to build a new animal science building. 30 Organizations