Austin Peay State University - Yearbook (Clarksville, TN)

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area that made it possible to continue to upgrade Austin Peay academically. The social atmosphere on campus has also improved under Riggs' admin- istration, with the majority of improve- ments being made in the area of intra- mural recreation. Riggs felt that the hiring of a full-time intramural director, Bob Neilson, was the major plus in the up-grading of intramural recreation. This attributed to the fact that Neilson now has more time to plan and impro- vise new areas of recreation. Plans for the construction of new tennis courts and soccer goals and nets for the program were also imple- mented during the 1976-77 year. Riggs indicated that he is pleased with the fraternity and sorority system at APSU, which he feels adds a needed dimension to the social atmopshere of Austin Peay. The Greek system on campus has proved to be such an asset to Austin Peay that the administration has gone as far as helping to improve the appearances of fraternity houses. The reasoning behind the help given the Greek system is obvious; the more active students tend to find their stay at Austin Peay happier. The Wednesday night movies are an- other example of the administration's effort to try to keep students socially involved on campus. The movie nights, sponsored by the University Social Activities Board on campus, have been termed a success, probably due to the good quality of films presented, plus the fact the mov- ies tend to break the monotony of the school week. Yet, as far as Austin Peay has pro- gressed socially, Riggs still feels that one major area of campus life has been overlooked . . . dorm life. The 34-year- oid president commented Dormitory life should be the focal point of social activities on campus, sponsoring such activities as dances, intramural teams, dinners, etc. Right - While some people don't take basketball games seriously, George Fisher, President Riggs and Doug Vance can't be included in that group. Top Right - The re- roofing of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity House was just one of the summer projects that Riggs had planned for campus betterment.

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32 wraps uphis first 19 months at The Peay By Lynn Keeton After an interview with President Robert Riggs, you get the undeniable feeling that Austin Peay is in very capa- ble and willing hands. Riggs, although having been here for little over a year-and-a-half, seems to view his changes in a positive manner, especially in the area of academic af- fairs. When questioned about his aca- demic improvements, President Riggs cited cheoutstanding faculty as one of the reasons why academic improve- ments came so easily to Austin Peay. While the Houtstanding faculty is definitely a plus here at The Peay, it also seems evident that Riggs himself is doing something right. This is easy to admit when one real- izes that of all the schools of higher education in Tennessee, only two ex- perienced enrollment increases in the fall of 1976; Austin Peay was one of the two. Actually, Austin Peay's headcount went up 11 per cent, five-and-a-half per cent of this is attributed to fulltime stu- dents and the other five-and-a- half per cent is due to an increase in the num- ber of students taking classes at Eagle University, which is partially sponsored by Austin Peay. Although the number of students has risen significantly over that of last year, Austin Peay has still been able to main- tain its present ratio of 20 students to one teacher. And this, according to Riggs, is a very fine studenUteacher ratio. Yet, amid all the talk of cutbacks and tightening the budget, there have been several new faculty members added this year. When the President was questioned on this matter, he stated that it was due to the cutbacks and reorganization of the administrative

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When asked why dorm life has been such a dead beat area of social life, Riggs commented that it was simply a problem of a lack of funds. Although plans for dorm betterment are on the drawing board, it will prob- ably be next year, when hopefully, money will be a little easier to come by, before any of these plans will be put in motion. The physical changes of the campus under the Riggsl administration have been extensive in the past 19-or-so months, The planting of various trees and shrubbery and the grooming of the grounds have given APSUls campus a more distinguished look, which Riggs hopes, will aid in the attraction of more students. But, according to the President, this is just the beginning of campus better- ment at Austin Peay. Included in changes are plans for re- moving the wooden light poles and re- placing them with a more attractive aluminum-type pole. There are also plans for additional sidewalks through- out the campus. One important change to Austin Peay will be the construction of new parking lots. These parking lots will in- clude a new one beside the McCord Building on College Street, plus the paving of the parking lots behind the Armory and in front of Burt Elementary SchooL ltActualIy , stated Riggs, t'we have plenty of parking space, its just that some people are going to have to walk a little to get to class. Another area of campus improve- ment has been the new look given to the University Center snack bar. Al- though there has been some contro- versy over the snack bar, improve- ments have been made to upgrade ser- 1 ? s Top - Dr. George Mabry and his clown of a friend take time out to entertain President and Mrs. Riggs at the Madrigal Feast. Above - With the help of Austin Peay's maintenance staff the buildings on campus have new attractive signs. Left - President Robert Riggs and Maj. Gen. John A. Wickham. post commander of Ft. Campbell, seem to be in happy agreement over the contracts signed between Austin Peay and Eagle University.