Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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‘Ladies and gentlemen .. . “Summer orientation |s MUCHEMCreS Nahe Geiing your lovely |.D. portrait taken on a sweaty August afternoon...” Campus organizations often aid 20 Or ientation freshmen newcomers with the moving-in process. Several freshman coeds get to know each other at the an- nual Lambda Chi Freshman Tea. The Lambdas also held an Operation Suitcase project which helped the students actually move in the residence halls. Wait 10 minutes and the weather in Indiana will change. On a cold, wet, and windy Tuesday in March, summer seems to be the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. But summer and introducing Ball State to a whole new crop of incoming freshmen and transfer students, is to Lucy Hitzfield, Roger Spencer, and Randy Pickell, a very important consideration. Lucy and Roger serve as parent coor- dinators for the summer orientation pro- gram, while Randy serves as student coordinator under Rich Harris, director of orientation and handicap services. Summer orientation is much more than getting your lovely |.D. portrait taken ona sweaty August afternoon. A series of one and two day programs, for both parents and matriculates, runs from June 7 to September 2. Ball State’s summer orien- tation program has advantages over other colleges and universities believes Lucy. “Freshmen have the security of going home with a schedule in their hands,’’ she pointed out. And security is definitely needed by those who don’t know what a ““B-book’”’ is. “We usually ask parents to come along,’’ Roger said. ‘‘And this year’s new multi-media presentation will help them cope with the freshman who calls home on March 1 to say he is leaving for Fort Lauderdale in the morning.” So the program attempts to not only acquaint the parents with the policies and facilities of the university, but to help the new student cope with SAT, SCGB, CBX, PA, and the personal favorite of us all, UA. “We also try to get the commuter especially involved,’’ added Roger. ‘‘We want him to see what is available on this campus out of class.’’ Orientation not only benefits the stu- dent, but has its rewards for those coor- dinating it. ‘‘We’re learning so much about the university,’’ said Lucy, from behind a wooden desk. Roger continued, “For sure...before spring quarter is over, we should have had the opportunity to meet all the deans.” A refreshing aspect of Ball State’s pro- gram is the opportunity for all students to serve as Student Orientation Counselors (SOC leaders). These SOC leaders meet with about 15 freshmen during the sum- mer, introducing them to the academic and social aspects of the university. “Then in the fall, the new students won't feel alone,’’ said Lucy. “He will know one upperclassman and other new students.” The summer orientation program is concerned with those students who have already applied to the university, but the Admissions Coordinating Team (A.C.T.) helps high school students considering Ball State. Pam McClanahan, an A.C.T. member, spoke on the ‘woes of being a tour guide”’... “To begin with, a tour guide for the university is sometimes rather difficult,’’ Pam laughed. ‘’A difficulty arises when some of the parents ask such deep in- tellectural questions...” “Do the showers have shower cur- tains?” “Now you say the dorms are co- ed. . . does that include the bathrooms?” “You mean boys can be in my daughter's room?” “How much beer money should | give my son each week?”’ (My answer to this was, ‘how long do you want your son to be in school?’’) “Now babe, tell me what the pot scene on this groovy campus is like.”’ “Is it true that little Susie will only be a number here?”’ “Can we come to see our son whenever we want?” (That was a tough question.) Pam went on to tell about some of the questions the students themselves come up with. ‘These parents are so sincere in asking their questions that | try hard not to laugh,’ she explained. ‘’But actually, it isn’t all one-sided when it comes to the comedy. The high school students pop some really good questions, too, such aS. “| have to know, where are the men on this campus?”’ “Where's the coach?” “Do we really have to go to class?” “Where is the test file | have heard about?” “What is that health center really like?”’ “‘Now babe, tell me what the pot scene is really like on this groovy campus.” (I've heard that question before.) “‘Does someone come to inspect your room each week?” “Will my parents find out if I’m out after midnight?” “The thing that | always have to keep in mind is that | was once a high school stu- dent, too,’’ said Pam. “‘Honestly, hon, | must say being a tour guide has been a very rewarding job. It is unique and the rewards come in when you have the op- portunity to sell something that you really believe in.”

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Welcome to our world any beads of sweat dripped down the faces of exhausted fathers as they strug- gled up four flights of stairs. Little brothers and sisters jumped in and out of the way as doleful mothers handed out last minute “do’s and don’ts.”’ It was September 6 and the freshmen had arriv- ed, bringing with them a wealth of tearful parents, unnecessary dorm-fillers, and an eagerness unknown to any other group on campus. Movin’ In Day was hot, humid, and hilarious. The usual cries of ‘‘What’s goin’ on?” and ‘‘Where do | go?” resounded through crowded corridors. Reluctant hands settled on shiny doorknobs, gathering courage to take that initial step toward meeting a new roommate. Boxes, crates, stereos, and wall hang- ings provided a colorful picture on September 6, but it was the people that provided the humor. “Excuse me, but are you the mother of a freshman?” “Heavens, no! Can’t you tell? Over there—now, there’s a mother of-a frosh if | ever saw one. Her son brought the whole world.”’ Perched in front of a loaded white van, Mrs. Virginia Randles of South Bend was lost in a sea of cartons, bundles, and record albums. “Tom kind of took a lot of stuff,’’ she said shyly. ‘‘He took a corner of the base- ment, and for two months just kept piling up his stuff.”’ Interrupted by an impatient Thomas, Mrs. Randles returned to her unloading. Phil Fullhart played a special part of Movin’ In Day. As a campus officer, Fullhart was up at 6:45 a.m. directing traf- fic, answering the same questions over and over, and solving those first day traumas. “You can always tell a freshman from an upperclassman,”’ he laughed. ‘Uppers have decals.’’ Wiping the sweat off his brow he added, ‘’Boy, I’m sure it would be quite a mess if we weren't out here.”’ Monday evening arrived. After a full day of “Hello, my name is—,” the freshmen were ready for their first mass socializer, the hall mixer. “Hey,’’ Mark Scroggs of Swinford Hall grabbed the arm of an “experienced” sophomore, ‘‘are the girls around here all taken, or what—I mean, what’s the dating scene like for freshmen?” “Plenty of time to find out, Mark.” Later that week, the campus newcomers were treated to a special ac- tivities night and dance sponsored by the Student Center Governing Board. Ac- cording to Dayton freshman Mary Dale Walters, “It had the slight flavor of an open air bazaar.” Talkative representatives sat behind colorful display booths, pointing out the advantages resulting from group involve- ment throughout the school year. Some organizations, such as the Big Brothers of Delaware County and Community Chest promoted their activities through picture exhibits. Curious newcomers were greatly attracted to the Transcendental Medita- tion display. “We want to catch freshman now,”’ ex- plained Dave Wesson, public relations man for Transcendental Meditation, “‘to save them from unnecessary school pressures.” Despite the large variety of groups assembled in Cardinal Hall, some freshmen were unable to find anything of interest. “am very disappointed,”’ sighed Ohio resident Lisa Cannarozzi. ‘| came to find out about an Ecology Club, but it’s not here.”’ Ed Walker from Munster, Indiana, was let down by the absence of the Young Republicans booth. He soon amused himself by firing questions at Larry Thomas of the Young Democrats in an open debate of the major campaign issues. On the way out of the activities dance, featuring Nigel, Cort Overlay, freshman from Evansville, gave his friends his “freshman philosophy.”’ “The thing to being a freshman,’ Overlay pointed out confidently, “‘is that you just gotta be in the right place at the right time.” Then putting his hands in his pockets, the ‘freshman philosopher’’ grinned , wheeled around, and walked in the direction of a rowdy fraternity party. You're learning, Cort...you’re learn- ing... A It’s the freshman’s first night and for their welcom- ing entertainment, upperclassmen lead them in a series of get-acquainted activities. Botsford- Swinford residents hold the annual freshman mixer to initiate newcomers into the residence hall system. 19 Moving In

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eee, eS . ? ee ae oh an ree e o ee eee ee B44 ioe ‘ Administrative Director of Orientation Rich Harris meets with Parent Coordinators Roger Spencer and Lucy Hitzfield, and Orientation Director Randy Pickell concerning the selection of the Student Orientation Corps. The group coordinated the entire freshman summer orientation program. As part of the Admissions Coordinating Team, peppy Pam McClanahan serves as a tour guide to groups of high school students and their parents. Telling them about campus legends and supersti- tions as well as classes and buildings, Pam often eases the anxieties of those preparing for college.