Indiana State University - Sycamore Yearbook (Terre Haute, IN)

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You amble, with family in tow, to the elevator, a 3 x 5 boxed in area that holds the beginnings of the greatest ga- rage sale in history. Two elevators for 450 people to move themselves, all their belongings, including immediate family, between lobby and iihome. Of course, thatis not what you will be call- ing it by November but for now, lets leave well enough alone. You get to your floor and find your room; a 12 x 12 Mother Hubbardis cupboard-two beds, two desks, two dressers and the god-awfullest rainbow painted across two walls youive ever seen. Dad suggests breaking for lunch be- fore tackling the big move. Youire in luck in the food department. There are three of practically every fast food chain in the world in Terre Haute. Once youire all moved in, and said your goodbyes iand promised to write at least six times a weeki you get set- tled, plotting out all the important in- dorm sites: bathroom, pay phones, coke machines, and laundry room. Knowledge of these four staples can get you thru anything-you hope. Registration is a treat no one can avoid-except athletes who get their registering done for them. The class schedule bulletin says he at Hulman at 9:45. So youire up, dressed and out at 8:30, trying to find Hulman Center. Too embarassed to ask anyone you wander around campus til 9:15. It's not until youire sure that youive passed that flag pole at least twice that you stop and ask directions. Headed due east you march right into that paragon of confusion; Regis- tration Central, Hulman Civic Univer- sity Center. You are immediately bom- barded with enough people, signs and numbers to make a World War 11 movie. Having learned your lesson, you ask what looks like an upperclassman nwhere do I start? I'm new here and not real sure . . . But heis no help. It seems theyive changed registration around this year and no one but no one knows whats going on, or where. So you follow the general How of the crowd to find your social security num- ber, which youive forgotten in all the confusion. You dig it out of your wallet and proceed along, filling out forms and following the arrows. Name, ad- dress, age iyou feel 50 but admit to lSl housing code, and the real stumpa- iido your parents claim you on their in-. come taxes? You arenit sure, but the YI don't lmow response doesn't seem right either so you close your eyes and hope you hit a box. Next, you walk through clearance and are hit smack in the face with an arrow indicating you go downstairs next. Lucky you, no encumberances. Oh well, you have four years to get one. That's when the fun really begins. You have to run all over campus and stand in even more lines to find out who you owe, how much, and why. Now you have something to look for- ward to. Before you go downstairs you are handed more propaganda about the iiwe careii university. Most peculiar of these is the Student Conduct Hand- boolr. The book itself isnit strange. But, that it has been given to you now is baffling. his almost as if someone on high knows that about now, after all the wrong directions, long lines, and multitude of forms, youid just love to strangle someone. And the book tells you, in bold print, that strangling is a no-no on campus property. Moving on! Downstairs there are more signs and even more people. You immediately head for the table marked iiHELP, where youire told how the system works, in six words or less. You fumble around til you catch on. With schedule gripped firmly in hand, you meander from table to table, pick- ing up computer coded class cards. Then, you find a seat to fill out the ma- nilla card that says uprint please, press hard you are making four copies? Lucky you. Youive chosen a seat at a table of fraternity men. Seems Gonzo canit get his class so heis carefully, but deliberately eating the table. What do you think of college life so far? Once again, you are marched through cleamace. On to the financial aid table. Seems everyone else is in the same line. Close to exhaustion, com- pounded by frustration, you get up to the smiling face that asks to see forms A, C, Z, and X. You lay everything youive compiled so far in front of her hoping she knows what she,s looking for, because you sure donit. After they find your check, its on to the pay tables and final check. They only find one mistake in your forms so this line only takes 45 minutes. All reg- istered and paid you're ready to go ' back to your room and collapse. But not so quick, itis I.D. picture time. Af- ter all this the last thing you want is to have your picture taken. The photograe pher assures you you are gorgeous. You know better-no one could look any- where near gorgeous after three hours of THIS. But uwho caresii tan attitudi- nal remark that proves your adjusting to college life just fineJ All you want to do is get back to lunch and a hot shower. Snap, flash and you are officially a student if ISU. Great! Now for that lunch. The quickest way to get through this line is with a loaded checkbook or by screaming Firef, You find your way back to your dorm, squeeze into the elevator be- tween assorted boxes, clothes, a sewing machine, fan and 36 other people. Once back on the floor you turn the comer to your room to find three other people in your room, all unpacking in what they thought was their room. You excuse yourself to go to look for the friendly RA who promised to be your friend-in-need. The sign on her door says ttout to lunch. You think to yourself uAinit that the truthii on the way to the stairs. 00 flights down isnit had when you think of the elevator as a alternate method of decentJ In the lobby you find lunch was over ten minutes ago, a sign that says the hot water has temporarily been shut off for some pipe repairs, and your mailbox is loaded-with everyone elseis mail. Welcome to college, sweetie. -Bob Montgomery Registration is a hassle, but it gives students a chance to visit with friends after the vacation. Registration 13

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