Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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- Scalding temperatures do not delay construction at the univer- sity farm. Crosswalk stoplights are ignored by students who hurry to class. Cardens and greenery near the intersection flourished noticeably in the mild fall weather. izzling excitement filled the 4,000 acres of the university as tanned students returned from a summer heat wave unsurpassed in Kansas history. Gardens and lawns flourished, splashing the col’ ors of red canna lilies and firey marigolds bordering construction sites. Rarick and Stroup halls neared completion, despite the 12( degree heat wave that beat upon the backs of construction workers. Controversy over the proposed Media Center building turned the heads of administrators as the state legislature encouraged, then scolded, steps taken by those in charge to ensure its completion. The structure of PHSU altered to meet the de mands of a 5,800 student population that set enroll ' ment records, starting the year in an energetic at- mosphere. A sunny afternoon accompanied the Kickoff celebration which marked the opening of football season. The northeast section of campus bustles after the doors of Rarick Hall opened in January, Opening 3

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Proposals to raise the Kansas legal drinking age to 21 sparked concern from students and owners of popular night spots Construction of the media center, which originally was planned as remodeling of the Forsyth Library basement, began In the fall amid contradictions concerning sources of funding. I t was a year of heated issues as tuition rose $80 I per semester and the federal government cut I financial aid to lower-income students, Ronald Reagan ' s inauguration sparked national optimism on the day that 42 hostages were released from Iran, and dusters of people formed around televi- sion sets to watch the 40th president take oath and the American heroes return home. To remain detatched was impossible as “The Star Spangled Banner ' 1 rang From the throats of a sell-out crowd at the evenly-matched Denver Uni- versity-Fort Hays basketball game that evening. Patriotism, however, was tested as students and facu lty felt the oncoming crunch of slashed pro grams for education, and grew silent while listening to news reports concerning an attempt on the life of the chief executive, and of those who blocked the shots intended for him. It became unstylish to be uninformed when pro- posals dealing with the sale of bottled beer and drug paraphernalia were acted upon by the city commis- sion. Politically, the year crackled with hot issues. Opening S