Butler University - Carillon / Drift Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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Active social life vs. independence The conflict faced when deciding on campus housing Social life versus independence seemed to be the central conflit when Butler students decided whether to spend their college years in a Greek house with 40 other people or a dormitory with 300 other people. Despite what the numbers seem to imply, indepen- dence was to be found in the dorms and an active social life in the houses. Steven Bunjan, a junior, explained why he chose to join Phi Delta Theta. For me, it was the comraderie — the instant gaining of 40 new friends that you ' ll have for the rest of your life. This same comraderie was the reason why others chose to live in the dorm. I could see where some people might need the strong sisterhood and 40 new friends. I didn ' t. I want- ed more freedom to come and go as I pleased, Ann Niebrugge Schwitzer, said. Every student had a different perspective of what living on campus should be like. Some wanted to break free of family life, while others wanted a traditional, more structured, lifestyle. I figured I was moving out of home and didn ' t want to move into another home. I didn ' t want my business to be 60 other people ' s business, Senior Sarah Ral- ston, Ross Hall, said. Sophomore Andrea Rea was looking for something different. I liked the family-style atmosphere you get in a sorority. Jeff Easley, of Lambda Chi Alpha, agreed. There ' s a lot more interaction on a personal level. In a dorm, you can hide behind the door, but in a fraternity, there must be a sense of team play, Easley said. Niebrugge said that dorm life was not that isolated and that there ' s always someone around when needed. You can go in your room and hide, but there are 350 girls still waiting for you when you come out, she said. Whatever the reason for choosing Greek or dorm life, 831 students lived in the 14 Greek houses and 651 students in the two residence halls. By Kelly D. Dobbs Dorm Greek Life 13

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Ross Hall residents Greg Johnson, Keith Moseley, Tom Klusman and Jay Barnhorst show what dorm comaraderie is all about. Three Tri-Delts demonstrate the compatibility found in Greek housing units. Women ' s dorm rooms at Butler ' s Irvington campus had wooden floors and wallpaper 12

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The best of times, with the best of friends Friendships — they ' re a valuable and neces- sary part of our lives. And, of course, our college experience wouldn ' t be the same without them. When we first came to Butler as freshmen, few of us knew anyone here, and most of us were probably a little frightened with the new chal- lenge we were suddenly faced with — that of starting over again, building new friendships from the ground up. But, as we met more and more other freshmen who shared the same feel- ings, we began to realize that making friends really wasn ' t so hard. Opportunities for new friendships began al- most immediately upon arrival during freshman orientation week. The first new friend made was usually a roommate, or maybe somebody just down the hall in the dorm. During the week, we met many other people through various social activities such as dances, picnics, or the Presi- dent ' s Reception. One way to meet other freshmen, as well as upperclassmen, was to go through Rush, even if one wasn ' t planning on pledging. Many of the friendships originating from rush week last throughout our years at B.U., regardless of Greek affiliations. I think these friendships are socially healthy, said Shelli Mance of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Having friends outside your own hous- ing unit creates a less intimidating atmosphere in the classroom. Besides the classroom, there were many cam- pus organizations which produced countless friendships between Butler students. A few of these included the Inter-Fraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association, the Commuter ' s As- sociation, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Butler Marching Band and Student Assem- bly. Other opportunities for meeting new people were brought about by membership in a profes- sional society or fraternity, such as the Public Relations Student Society of America, Kappa Psi (Pharmacy Fraternity), or Lambda Sigma (Soph- omore Honorary Fraternity). The most meaningful friendships, though, were usually formed between those who live to- gether, whether it be in Ross or Schwitzer Hall, or in one of the 14 Greek houses. Despite the large size of the dorms, there ex- isted an active social program that allowed the residents to meet and befriend others. Most Greeks felt that the people in their houses were their best friends. If I have a prob- lem, I know there ' s always someone in the house who will listen and who genuinely cares, said one Greek. Students never stop initiating and building friendships while at Butler. The close contact between the students made it easy to make friends — and friends are what makes college such a rewarding experience. The friends we studied with, did laundry with, partied with, laughed with, and cried with here at B.U. are the friendships we will hold most dear throughout the rest of our lives. In this sense, Butler Univer- sity will always be a very special part of each of us. By G.W. Howell »a:; 14 Friends