Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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OO NO a oy S urviving the Longest Haul by Sue Miller Throughout the summer months the streets and buildings of Ball State waited, strangely empty. Summer school students and faculty were present and carrying on the normal university routine, but some element seemed to be missing. At last the day came and the echoing quiet of the idle summer was shattered with the rush and fan- fare of the return of some 17,000 students. They came piling into campus in overloaded cars to squeeze themselves and their belongings into their various residences for the begining of a new school year. It was this hurrying, tightly packed atmosphere that the University was missing over the summer sessions, the essence of contemporary college life, and never is it more apparent than during those first few days of moving in. September 7 was the red letter day, when residence halls opened for the incoming freshmen. Starting with a trickle of hardy, early morning arrivals, the stream of freshmen and early returning upperclassmen became torrential as the day pro- gressed. Vehicles in every shape and size, loaded to capacity with the essentials of college life, formed lines of traffic which snaked down the streets and snarled around the residence halls. Those who were lucky, managed to find parking places near the hall entrances from which to unload. The less fortunate, however, were forced to find what they could on the furthest fringes of the parking lots and steel themselves for the longest mile between car and room. With the help of mom and dad and an occasional brother, sister, or and friend, the students tackled the job of hauling an impressive ‘assortment of stereos, albums, popcorn pop- pers, plants, crates, posters, and other college paraphernalia into one tiny, two-person dorm room. The most frequent comments heard were “Where did you get all this stuff?” and “Will it all fit?” Many a residence hall occupant, unless lucky enough to rate a first floor room, spent a few exhausting hours hefting suitcases up flights of stairs or zooming up and down packed elevators as they shifted their possessions from car to room. Many objects which before simply couldn’t be left at home came very close to being abandoned along the way as the movers became increasingly disenchanted with moving. In spite of the crowds and hustle, moving-in day ran smoothly for most, thanks to the thorough preparations of the hall directors staffs. Wilson Hall San- dy Cassleman said, “Everything ran really smoothly because the hall council came early and had everything already set up.” The council incorporated a popular western theme into the hall’s opening, and the hall sported decorations for a Wilson Western Hoedown for a welcoming touch. At last the final box and shopping bag were deposited in the room, and except for putting it all away, mov- ing in was complete. Almost. Moms and dads departed reluctantly, han- ding out last minute advice, em- phasizing warnings of the pitfalls of college, and giving the universal plea, “Please write!” For many of the freshmen this marked the first time that they were on their own and in that unique at- mosphere called college. Initially this was an intimidating thought. There were all sorts of people to meet and many, many things to learn - both in and out of class. Help was just around the corner though, around several corners to be exact, as many different groups some, moving in was a family and everyone that was able ea helping hand. Ruth Ann, ephen and Joe Acker joined in e task of relocating Mary Acker in- her residence hall. --photo by lliam E. Vance

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The Quad became a haven for both the young and old during those sticky muggy afternoons when it was just too hot to be indoors. A heatwave during July kept temperatures around 100° for over a week--photo by William E. Vance

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: conspired to make the incoming freshmen feel at home in the un- familiar surroundings of college. Beginning with the President's New Student and Parent Convoca- tion, the freshmen students were welcomed by President Jerry Ander- son. The talented Ball State Univer- sity Singers followed performing several numbers. Later that evening was the time for freshmen to meet with their SOC Leaders from sum- mer orientation. The SOC Leaders took down school addresses and gave out their own in case they needed to be contacted. They listen- Vance Balancing wood for his bed loft and carrying a refrigerator was a tricky As the moving begins to get tiring, Debbie Hughes and her sister Rhonda Tinker break the monotony with some comedy. --photo by William E. ed to problems, answered ques- tions, and provided a welcome, familiar face. In the residence halls ice-breaking activities were put into action to help familiarize the freshmen with their new “homes.” Hall meetings were held to explain regulations and hall policies, letting the new students know just what they could, or couldn’t get away with. For a more social note, the halls also presented skits and games to help break the first-night ice. While residence halls all over campus were filling up, flurries of challenge. --photo by William E. Vance moving activity were occurring in many houses surrounding the University as off-campus students began packing things in for another year. Into dwellings of all sizes and conditions, off-campus students brought in loads of the accumula- tions of previous school years as well as more practical necessities of life. Bringing extra loads of pots, pans, and furniture and other homey essentials was the price paid by those who wanted the in- dependence and responsibility of off-campus living. Many paid the price gladly for the opportunity to escape visiting hours, hall staffs, and dorm food. Julie Powanda, Birm- ingham, Michigan senior, was one who preferred to make some sacrifices in order to live off campus. “I like the privacy and the feeling of independence,” she said. “You have to depend on yourself to sur- vive.” Although many graduate from residence halls to off-campus living by their own choice, for approx- imately 1,500 freshman the choice was finding off-campus housing or not coming to Ball State at all. Even Although it was a long haul from the parking lot to Brayton Hall, Rhonda Tinker didn’t complain much. Over 1900 students moved into LaFollette using study lounges for housing and three to a room living arrangements, residence halls were simply filled to capacity. There was no room to squeeze any more in. Huntertown freshman Beth Berdelman was secretly looking for- ward to living in an off-campus apartment. “I thought I would enjoy living in my own apartment,” she said. “Actually it could get really lonely. | felt like I was missing out on something by not living in a dorm.” Fortunately it was well realized that living off-campus away from the main campus activity could be lone- ly. With that in mind special invita- tions were extended to off-campus freshman to attend hall discos and events. A disco was held for the off- campus students, and the Student Center Governing Board Activities Night was recommended for all new students who wanted to get involved so they could look over the various campus activities. Before the week was out, as students settled into new classes, new rooms, and new friendships, the element, missing from the sum- mer, was no longer absent. U Complex on September 7.--photo by William E. Vance EE Eee wail Moving In