College of William and Mary - Colonial Echo Yearbook (Williamsburg, VA)

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Project Plus: R.I.P After Nine Years, the End of a Unique Program The epitaph on their T-shirts bore the tribute: Project Plus, 72-81 , RIP with the outline of a tombstone etched around it. Sadly to some, W M ' s first special in- terest housing program was about to be the first to go. Back in 1965, Dr. Carlyle Beyer insti- tuted a general honors program in which freshmen and sophomores took two hon- ors coloquia each semester. Seven years later it flourished into a classroom-living environment when 80 students moved into the newly-built Botetourt Residences as participants in the Project Plus pro- gram, which also marked the debut of the pass fail course at W M. Students had a fixed curriculum with eight different classes and a Forum Advisory Commit- tee, which booked weekly guest speak- ers to address subjects pertaining to the year ' s study. And the program was rated a success. Devoted to the theme of Food and Energy this year. Plus students recycled aluminum, glass bottles, and newspap- ers. In addition to regular classes, four students worked with Professor Hans von Tying one on. As part of the Food and Energy colloquium this year, Robert Earie bundles news- papers for recycling. The group also collected glass bottles and aluminum — Photo by Mark Beavers Baeyer of the Physics department to formulate an energy plan for Williams- burg, But after nine years, the simul- taneous decline in both student and faculty interest led to the program ' s de- mise. Although they received no mone- tary compensation, professors assumed an overload to teach the Plus seminars, and it became increasingly difficult for them to get away from their departments. Appealing to his Millington auditorium audience, Plus speaker Allan Geyer makes a point about world hunger Geyer served as executive Director of Churches ' Center for Theology and Public Policy in Washington — Photo by Warren Koontz, Furthermore, many were reluctant to teach a new course they knew would not be continued. As for students, many were more career-oriented and considered un- graded courses a liability. And as Dr. Beyer pointed out, some students just wanted to go home after classes. The novelty of Plus had worn off; it was no longer the only coed housing nor was it the only pass fail program. A new program was being planned for next year that resembled Project Plus, but with no residence: eight colloquia grouped according to theme with lec- tures. These courses, however, would be letter-graded and would fulfill area re- quirements. Though student interest waned more than ever this year (35 non-program stu- dents lived in the Plus building), some thought it was a big mistake to end the program. The new program is similar in many ways, pointed out Kevin Hand- erson, RA for Plus, but changes that we asked for Plus were put into the new program instead. I ' m sad to see Project Plus go. — L.C., J.B.B Quicl(, Where ' s the answer . . . During WCWM ' s Sunday night Quiz Kid show, Walter Placzek and Christy Notel scramble for information by the hall phone, — Photo by Warren Koontz ik i 5 H B i 1 Project Plus 29

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Opening the door of the Project Plus house, resi- dent Ann Thurston returns fronn a jog Though mov- ing a Creative Arts house into the vacated building was discussed, no final plans had been made for the Botetourt unit — Photo by Warren Koontz. Founder and initiator of the Project Plus program, Dr Beyer saw the project end after several years of declining interest, — Photo by Mark Beavers Swamped with books, Bobby Johnson writes the rough draft of a geology paper in the Plus study lounge The wide tables in the Botetourt lounges were a big help when he had to spread out to work, — Photo by Warren Koontz 28 , ' Project Plus

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Chef extraordinaire Bill Pincus prepares liver and onions while his housemates m the next room de- vour a pizza Pincus shares his house on Duer Dr with Steve Owen, Rob Goetz, and Rich Stuart — Photo by Lauren Trepanier Special delivery. Rushing to the post office be- tween classes. Bob Penola uses his bike to get from campus to his Jamestown Rd house The location across from PBK, was perfect for the student direc- tor of THE MIKADO — Photo by Ivlark Beavers Waiting on the steps tor a tnena day student Susan IVIartin leans against the porch of her house on Chandler Ct The house was closer to New Cam- pus than were some dorms — Photo by Bob Scott 30 Day Students