Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

Page 25 text:

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.

Page 24 text:

‘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.”

Page 26 text:

HALLS: by Amy McVay What a pretty picture the media paints for incoming students of the “‘residence hall’’ (a fancy term for dorm): cubicles with wrought iron beds and enamel shav- ing sinks; Joe College in a ducktail asking the friendly Mrs. Olson type what detergent to use. Virginia Slims said it best: you’ve come a long way, baby! The cubicles are still around; but most have rugs and radios and hotpots and hassocks and posters and popcorn poppers. Night hostesses were replaced with silver keys. And you probably can’t see Joe College’s eyes because his bangs are longer; but his Chlorox still contains bleach, borax, and brighteners. ‘Thirty-four residence halls provide at- tractive and comfortable facilities for a total of approximately 7000 students,” said the voice of the university, the Ball State Undergraduate Catalog. Are these surroundings as wonderful as they seem? What do students think of dorm living? “Non co-ed living certainly has its merits; but if you want to intermingle with girls they are only an elevator ride away and privacy is still ensured.’’ Kent Arnold, sophomore from Bluffton, and resident of Shales Hall, enjoys the privacy of an all- male hall. He likes dorm living because the meals are prepared and there are all kinds of recreational facilities not so easily accessible to those living off campus. ‘Shales has a keen athletic program; in ping pong, pool, and volleyball, they are the finest competitors in Lafollette.”’ Being a female, | tend to think that most guys don’t care if their Stir and Frost pan remains dirty and corroded for days. But Kent assured me that his carpeted room is very well kept and always dusted. “| can't stand to wear hip boots to wade through a room, ‘he added. So much for my image of Goodwill In- dustries, girls; this mangoes Holiday Inn all the way. “Why me:” cries the urchin with a bowl. of spaghetti dripping all over his head. This poster, along with a past January calendar and large stuffed dog, Wagoner residents are surely not expecting their parents over for a visit in the near future. As the weather got warmer, rooms were often left “as is” while students spent every free moment outside.