Clemson University - Taps Yearbook (Clemson, SC)

Page 26 text:

AND Lack of Money Hampers Future Plans Clemson University ' s Marching Tiger Band managed to pull thirough anothier successful year due to some hard work on the part of a handful of students. Prob- lems have been rising for the organiza- tion in past years, ranging from mem- bership to money. Although no major solutions were reached during the course of the year, several of them were amplified to the proportions that some- thing might be done in the very near future. Probably the major problem that has always plagued band members is the lack of a bona fide school of music at the Clemson campus. The lack of a major or minor has certainly not helped in recruiting more music minded stu- dents who could possibly join the or- ganization. Dr. John Butler, the head of 22 student Lite the music department, does not seem very optimistic that one will appear in the future, due to a general concentra- tion in more scientific and technical fields. Students who spend many hours each week in the fall practicing, only receive one hour for their efforts, which they may repeat several times. Another problem which stems from the lack of a department is that of de- cent facilities. The band practice room which is located across from the bookstore, is barely large enough to hold the members. Conditions in the room have also received some criticism since there has been no reparations to the facilities since its construction. The rugby field, which is used by the Tiger Band for their fall practice, is also a topic for some criticism. Several have claimed that some better accommodations could be provided. Money, which has proven to be a problem for most student organizations, is no less of a stumbling block for the Tiger Band. The group receives no money from university fees which sup- port most student activities on campus. All costs are taken directly by the music department that is by no means over- ridden with money. The department could only pay to send the band to two away games during football season. Most schools throughout the nation have their bands at every game. Contribu- tions helped to send a representative group to a third game during the sea- son, but the familiar sound of Tiger Rag was missing from three others.

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A group of singers from Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority entertained rushees on Thursday night. Chi Omega gave an exhibition of song and dance, which appeared to be just as much fun doing as watching. And they sing again . . . this time all joined in to welcome rushees as they entered the evening ' s party. Fall Rush 1976 for girls was the largest ever with over three hundred and fifty girls registering in the endeavorto select a sorority to join. All parties were held in the evenings of the week of registration for fall semester. Six sororities selected new nnembers during rush this year. Sisters returned three days in advance to build props and practice skits, learn songs and organize decorations. For them rush was a grueling week of work with little sleep. Immediately after each party the active members of each group met to discuss each rushee and determine who should be invited to the next party. These selection sessions were known to last until 5:00 a.m. Sisters strug- gled with three hours of sleep a night, Rushees on the other hand spent a less exhausting week but a more difficult one mentally. The sororities were each vying for attention by wooing rushees with food and entertainment, each day more elaborate than the previous. Par- ties which lasted almost four hours each day seemed interminably long to rushees who remembered the difficulty in smiling at each party when their feet L hurt, The biggest problem most rushees recalled was always trying to remember which sorority was which during the five days of parties, confusing faces and names. Rushees signed preference cards at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, the final day of rush, and bids were issued at 9:30 p.m. that same day. The five hours in between were long ones for sisters and rushees. Almost one hundred seventy-five girls pledged sororities that rush week. student Life 21

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The band pulled a new trick from their hats, as the half-time show included this formation of tigers