Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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o more chants echoed from dorm to dorm. No more swarms of pedestrians lingered at the scramble light. Parking spaces for commuters became easy to find. Book-toting students wore shorts, sandles, halter tops, and tans, and occasional sprinters to the university pool were daily sights. Sweating out three hours of class a day, flipping a frisbee between the trees of the arts terrace, or punching in a time card seemed to fill up the excess amount of time under a warm, summer sun. The suitcase syndrome developed into a massive weekend exodus, leaving a mere four or five cars dotting the Johnson Complex parking lot and a few

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out LaFollette. Even during the week, the campus took on an almost ghost town-like ap- pearance, while a mere 6,069 students (many of those being commuters) sat through 90-minute classes. Occasion- ally, enthused Orientation groups, week-long workshop participants, or campus construction crews interrup- ted the near silence. “It was so quiet you wouldn't believe it,” said Jeff Thomasson of the summer at Ball State. The Zionsville sophomore explained that while study- ing, he often left his Hurst Hall room door open—seldom to hear an actual human voice. For some students, the summer quickly became a quiet, routine affair. While most students breaded Big Macs, passed parts on assembly lines, or spent the summer buried in books, 14 natural resources students invaded the forest as co unselors at the Lincoln Hill Youth Conservation Camp in Branchville. “This was my first opportunity to apply what I have learned in my college natural resources classes,” said Lance Myers, one of the students who worked at the Hoosier National Forest camp during the summer. Playing counselor wasn't as simple as one might think. Counselors were responsible for environmental education, recreational activities, and field trips for youths, 15-18. “The counselors did more than was required of them in camp, and their concern for the environment was transmitted to the campers,” Donald Van Meter, professor of natural resources who worked with . ‘the students as assistant camp director, said. Working with the youngsters was ‘a daily educational activity as well as a nightly duty. Dedication and cooperation made the camp click. “I have never seen.a group work 3 Living sx Summer Events bewildered students scattered through- A Big Mac alternative A shortening of library hours mel- lowed the usual studying center early, allowing ample time for late-hour ac- tivities. However, the campus seemed to die with the early closing of the library each day. Even the academic- year partying and hell-raising no longer seemed to exist. “People didn’t party like they do during the regular year,” said Mary Mackin, South Bend sophomore. For her, miniature golf and card-playing replaced the rowdy activities of earlier months on campus. Most association between students came via classes. Tired of rancid refrigerators and the old standards, peanut butter and jelly, students elected to eat in the LaFollette a la carte line. Jane Lauchick tries out the dining service food during Orientation. (DRT) so well together as did the students from Ball State and Purdue,” said Ball State participant Chris Endris, — Greensburg senior. “Both Ball State and Purdue students had diverse backgrounds and special interests which helped in .teaching the campers,” Indianapolis . senior Charles Peters said. It was the. Hoosier National Forest camp’s second year. Van Meter believes Ball State will be back While studying, Thomasson left his Hurst Hall door open—seldom to hear an actual human voice. again, which means that more natural resources students will be spending summers in the forest while their less fortunate counterparts are sweating out campus humidity or telling fast food customers to have it their way. (JEG, JBP) Practical experience added to classroom ex- perience when NR majors worked with . environmental-minded youth. Lance Myers and Brian Kanger (foreground) help with in- struction on forestry. (DEV)