Austin Peay State University - Yearbook (Clarksville, TN)

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True Confession: I am a commuter by Marissa Hendley Less than a century ago, when a woman reached a certain age, she ei- ther married or became an old maid. In more recent times, a woman could either get married, find a job or go to college. However, today women have many alternatives from which to choose, as they can combine alternatives. When I reached the age of decision making, I came to Austin Peay to fur- ther my education. But after one year, I wanted more than one alternative. In the fall of 1975, I came back to APSU as a married commuter, rather than a single dorm dweller. Since the man I married was a farm- er, we had no choice but to live on his farm which is located 40 miles east of Clarksville, in rural Robertson County. Being the wife of a farmer, and a student, has been both challenging and difficult. Besides the normal work in- volved in taking a full class load of 18 hours, there is the additional hour drive each way and the full time job of being a housewife. Because farming is hard work and requires long hours, the life of the housewife is also difficult at times. My husband, Mike, gets up each morning at five o'clock, eats three big meals during the course of the day and gets his clothes extremely dirty. There- fore, I also get up at five o'clock, cook the three meals twhen I'm homei and wash tons of dirty clothes. This doesn't leave much time for personal academic enrichment, so I of- ten get up at 4 am. to do extra study- mg. While here at Austin Peay, there are also a few problems. For instance, the parking situation for commuters holds a strange encounter every day. During the winter months, like this year when there was ice and snow, it is not always possible to come to classes.

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Most instructors continue to hold classes even when the whole class is composed of commuters, and less than half the class is in attendance. There is also the problem of finding something to do during free time. There are really only two choices: go to the student center, which is always crowded; or to the library, where the temperature is usually unbearably hot. Although there are a number of problems, I have enjoyed attending Austin Peay as a commuter. While most people would consider my 40- mile drive a terrible fate, for me it is the most peaceful time of the day. l have a beautiful drive, and although it is time consuming, I can use this time to re- flect on the day's happenings, or think about things that are bothering me. I have also been fortunate to have a husband who understands the impor- tance of education in my life. My par- ents have supported and encouraged my decisions, and my parents-in-law have been helpful and understanding. Opposite Top - After a long hours drive, Mare issa Hendley arrives at school and surprisingly enough finds a parking place. Opposite Bottom - Since commuters don't have dorm rooms to flop down in and study. they frequent the library to catch a few hours study between the drives to and from school. Left - According to Marissa, a married commuter has to get as much studying as possible done at school. for when at home there's a whole new line of things to be done. Bottom - A crowded parking lot is an everyday scene for commuters at Austin Peay, especially in the parking lot beside the Trahern building.