Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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LIVING “OFF csninu: with their landlord and outlining respon- sibilities in a written agreement eliminated many legal hassels and personal conflicts. “Getting along with the neighbors” was another adjustment for students moving into the community. Ken Cooper felt that it should apply in reverse. He complained that the three children across from his apartment were ‘‘terrible nuisances’ knocking on his door punctually when they got home from school and then ru n- ning away before he had a chance to answer. Ken confessed that the three had been “verbally threatened but, as of yet, not physically assaulted.”’ Neignbors and landlords played an ac- tive part in town living, but the individual Even with added facilities bills, laundry bills, shop- Ping sprees, and a lack of furniture, off-campus residents felt that “living off’’ had many more ad- vantages than disadvantages. Bare and gloomy at the start of the year, apartments often changed to a homier atmosphere as crates, plants, and rummage- sale furniture were gathered. was credited with making off-campus liv- ing either dull or interesting. And where but in the kitchen was there a better place to judge creativity and compatibility? Mike Gilpin said there were no personal conflicts among he and his three room- mates except when dish duty or food were mentioned. “We buy our food separately but there are no qualms in ‘borrowing’ from each other,”” Mike laughed. “If Dan’s not there, Joe and | vote to take his food.”’ Mike said he liked cooking and the main reason he moved out of the residence hall was because he hated sack lunches. With his busy schedule and gymnastic prac- tices, Mike complained he always missed Settled in a cozy apartment, Mark Miller, junior from Goshen, has become extremely (and comfortably) adjusted to off-campus living. Advantages of privacy, space allotment, freedom in giving parties, and added independence attracted many hall residents to move off. dinner—peanut butter and jelly sand- wiches just did not suffice. The best part of the apartment according to Mike was the dishwasher, ‘Every apartment should have one!”’ More essential than a dishwasher though, was a car. Most off-campus students agreed that transportation without one was definitely a hassle. ‘| wasted a lot of time waiting around for a ride because no one’s schedule at the apartment was the same,”’ Mike said. “Now we've arranged them so everyone has classes in the same time block.”’ Mick Croy also complained, ‘The cost of driving back and forth when com- muting is unreal! Besides that, | had to schedule my classes around the weather and road conditions. In the winter | try to take classes in the afternoon when the roads are passable.”’ Parking was also a disadvantage for town dwellers. Even with the new parking structure behind the Student Center, the strict campus parking hours posed re- sounding problems—there were never any available parking spaces! Social interactions and study habits often changed as students left the residence halls. Many students who mov- ed off campus found their grades improv- ing and social contacts declining. “When | was living in the dorm, | almost flunked out,’’ commented Mary Jo Mauger. ‘When | moved off campus my grades immediately improved.” Mike Gilpin, who lived in a fraternity house agreed. ‘’My grades suffered the quarter | lived in the house; there were a lot of people stopping in all the time and | just got caught up with it.”’ Mike felt that it was a good experience to live with his brothers; ‘it was a medium of unity,’” but he also thought the fraterni- ty expected more of the people living in the house. ‘‘We were almost required to get along with everyone,” he said. Nant Chowdhurt, 23, Pakistan, com- pared living off campus to life in the residence hall. ‘‘Meeting people is a big disadvantage when living off campus; | feel | keep myself kind of aloof.’’ He said that hall housing and dining arrangements offered more of an opportunity to meet people and mix with friends. Jeff Younce, a native of Muncie, decid- ed to commute because of the financial savings. ‘‘The guys | hang around with are mostly friends from high school. Hot, homecooked meals were an incentive to commute too!”’ Whether students commuted or fended for themselves in apartments and houses, most agreed that town living had distinct advantages and disadvantages. But above all, it was a lifestyle in which responsibility, independence, and freedom flourished. Off-campus 29

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Architecture student Jim Jelliffe, senior from In- dianapolis, doesn’t have to share a bathroom with other floor residents because of his town-living lifestyle. Seniors frequently moved off to be around other older students. Sy A nie

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@rosang the threshold doesn’t necessarily hamper the studies and social life of college students according to seniors Loriand Tom Sanborn. “Our lives really haven't changed much since we've been married,’’ Tom, a former fraternity house resident, said. Although he no longer lives in the fraterni- ty house, Tom is still an active member and pledge trainer of Sigma Chi. He usually spends two nights a week with the guys and attends chapter meetings Sun- day nights. “We haven't had to adjust to too much,” Lori, a former resident of 400 Apartments and presently a member of Chi Omega, said. When her husband at- tends his meetings on Sundays, Lori goes to hers as well. Their first adjustment, living together, began on August 8, 1976 in Scheidler Apartments. “Living with 50 guys at one time—and then | live with her (Lori),’’ Tom remark- ed, emphasizing the change of lifestyle. He went on to discuss the importance of consideration, explaining that household chores were shared. “It's more like 75-25 per cent,’ Lori said, referring to the household chore ratio. The Married Students Housing Office recently changed to Student Family Housing striving to serve students who have children but are not married. The 131 apartments included in Anthony Apartments, located extremely close to campus, now houses families as well as just couples. Being a married student and living in student hous- ing gives the residents more opportunities to prac- tice their culinary arts. Joellen Dennis is in the midst of cutting some delicious pastries as her husband Barry looks on. A typical day for Tom begins at 8 a.m., two days a week, for volleyball. In the ear- ly afternoon, he usually goes to the gym and jogs, or spends time in the library studying. Lori’s day starts prior to Tom’s first class; she and Tom eat a big breakfast each morning. Following morning classes, Lori spends her afternoons as an assistant in an elementary education biology lab for methods class. Around 5 p.m., the Sanborns eat a big dinner. “Lori's a good cook,”’ Tom, the son of a gourmet cook, said. Wit h the privacy of their Scheidler apartment, several of their friends have had dinner with Tom and Lori. ‘‘It’s a nice place to get together,” he noted. “We have lots of dinners,’’ Lori explain- ed. However, she added, ‘’We haven't adjusted to cooking for just two.” This difficulty is partly due to Tom's and Lori’s family backgrounds. Tom has three sisters and four brothers; Lori has seven sisters, six of whom are former Ball State students. Steak is not on the Sandborn’s weekly menu. Tom and Lori spend about 20 to 25 dollars a week on groceries and household necessities. “| budget my money,”’ Tom said, ‘‘and Lori shops really well with coupons.” Although they have to watch their money, Lori and Tom feel financially stable with their summer earnings, Lori’s lab job income, and a grant Tom receives. “We don’t go out as much as we used to,” Tom, an active member of intramural basketball and bowling, said. The San- borns enjoy sporting events and plays. Lori mentioned they watch television, play cards, and occasionally study. “Wednesday nights are spent watching the Bionic Woman and Charlie’s Angels,’ she explained, claiming it wasn’t always her idea to watch the two shows. “We are different than most couples, ’’ Tom explained. ‘Since we are both elementary education majors, we can study together.” “We think alike,” Lori added and Tom said that in one class, they both had the same quiz scores, same test score totals, and received the same grade on their two differently related term papers. Although the two study together, Tom feels they have different study habits. “She memorizes; | just study the basic concepts.”’ His wife feels that their grades have been better since they have been married, but, ‘if we would have married earlier, we would have flunked out.”