Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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Out of the dorm and into the fling by Paul Rhodes It might well be labeled pan- demonium, but it is actually much more—a dunk tank, a teeter totter marathon, carnivals, bed races, dances, banquets, free movies and lots of water balloons. It ' s collectively called Spring Fling, a week In April when over 3,000 residence hall dwellers can do things they never before dared. The K-State University Associa- tion of Residence Halls (KSUARH) dubbed the 1976 rendition of Spring Fling The Hall American Thing in honor of the Bicentennial. The week-long celebration took a step back in history on April 25 with a ' 50s dance in Derby Food Center. Bubble gum blowing, root beer chugging and Fonzie and Betty Lou look-alike contests were staged at the hop. Meanwhile, the teeter totter marathon had begun in front of the Union to continue until Friday. In telephone booth-stuffing spirit, students kept the board moving day and night. As promotion for Spring Fling balloons were distributed to be used later in the week, when they ' d be filled with water and aimed at carefully chosen targets—members of opposing bed race teams. A pool party at the Natatorium highlighted the following day ' s ac- tivities. Afterward, students gathered on Goodnow Hall ' s lawn for free movies. Hook, Line and Sinker and Don ' t Raise the Bridge, Lower the River were featured. Tuesday was cold and wet for University officials and some students, but not because of the weather. A dunk tank in the Union courtyard offered a chance to soak 26 - - spring ging

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Quest for bronze yields scarlet by Melinda Melhus Mingled with students ' talk of Thanksgiving turkey, pumpkin pie and Christmas gifts are ex- clamations, in ski lingo, of course, over new parkas, boots, moguls, powder, Copper and Vail. But by the time those same students have settled into the routine of the following spring semester, the oohs and ahs have switched to bikinis and cut-out tank suits. Talk Is of Padre Island, Florida and anywhere else the sun shines. Sunlamps move from closet shelves to handy locations like desks and dresser tops: scales slide out from under beds, are dusted, and placed where they ' ll be tripped over—often. Magazine pictures of slender bodies sprawled on sandy beaches pop up on bathroom mirrors and refrigerator doors. No matter that the radio blares of the wind-chill index and near bliz- zard conditions. A disease has struck campus that is more con- tagious than the flu, mononucleosis or the common cold—spring fever. Those who migrate south for spring break are easily spotted on campus after vacation. Their tan faces stick out like a new breed of people, living proof of all that the travel brochures promised. Envied by their pale counterparts who had to work over break or just couldn ' t afford to go, they sport clear, tan complexions. Members of the opposite sex begin to wonder about the rest of the anatomy, still jeaned and jacketed. Grating complaints of the long drive or extreme temperatures are uttered by the south-for-break set. We had eight people in the car for 24 whole hours and It was so hot, they whine through smug toothpaste commercial smiles. Cut-off Jeans and overalls appear on campus even before the first 50- degree weather. The rugged in- dividuals who don them may receive surprised or disdainful glances from bundled students, but the Goosebump Gang gradually gathers strength and number. On the first sunny day, classes are cut and cars start heading for Tuttle. Stores displaying suntan gels, greases, foams, sprays and lotions haven ' t witnessed such deluge since Christmas rush. As the temperature increases to balmy heights, class attendence declines proportionally. Schedules are gradually planned around prime hours to bask in the sun. Before breakfast, towels cover lawns, balconies and patios to reserve spots for the day. In a few hours, bodies begin moving in full force to set up camp. Lotions, bottles, ice, sunglasses, pillows, timepieces and text books are wield- ed against the rays. A radio or stereo speakers in a nearby window help combat the impending monotony. Chameleon-like, the student body. sometimes golden, sometimes scarlet, blisters, burns, and is suddenly noticed by other class- cutting refugees from a lengthy winter. But the day of reckoning comes when the bronzed beauties go home for the summer. No pity is forthcom- ing for bad grades. The folks know the fluorescent lights of Farrell Library never put out those kind of rays. spring lover - - 25

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several campus figures, Including President Acker and several deans from the University ' s colleges. Twenty-five cents gave students three chances to dunk their helpless victims, while a one dollar donation guaranteed an automatic dunk. Proceeds went to the McCain Scholarship Fund. Residence hall officers met at a leadership banquet at Putnam Hall that night which also was scheduled as discount night in Aggieville. Wednesday ' s events began at 5:45 pm with a scavenger hunt. Starting at the Union, students picked their way across campus in search of treasures otherwise considered to be trash. Members of eight teams searched for over 140 valuable items like bird feathers and bottle tops. A carnival in Kramer Food Center followed with games and prizes. More students than usual donned their Big Macs on Thursday, overalls day. A square dance and spelling bee were scheduled that night and a scholarship banquet at Derby Food Center honored students with 3.7 or higher grade point averages. A TGIF party at Dark Horse Tavern Friday afternoon was followed by a Catskeller coffeehouse which gave residence hall students a chance to show off their talents, or lack of them. The final day of Spring Fling prov- ed to be the most exciting. Bed judg- ing began at 11 am at the Union, with each of the eight teams decorating their beds with a bicentennial theme. West and Marlatt Halls ' odd- numbered floors took first place, with decorations in a Mom and ap- ple pie motif. After drawing for starting positions each team lined up accor- dingly. A pistol blast broke the suspense, and the first leg of the race had begun. Beds collided early in the race as teams vied for the lead, and racers armed with water balloons increased the competition. Though teams were neck-and-neck until the last leg of the race, Putnam and Haymaker Halls ' even-numbered floors placed first. Following a picnic east of Danforth Chapel, spring flingers competed in contests such as jello-snarfing, skin- the-snake, wheel barrow races and tug-of-war. Again West and Marlatt Halls ' odd-numbered floors were victorious, winning all but two games. The week ' s events concluded that night with a dance on Derby ' s basketball courts featuring J. T. Cook. spring fling - - 27