Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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By Ricky Davis | I I am often asked why I decided to | j I attend a university that is so far L mJ away from my Chattanooga home. I usually respond by saying that I want to see how well I can live on my own — assert my independence. Leaving home and going off to college is a great challenge for any young person just graduating high school. Since I am physically handicapped, the challenge is even greater for me. Before coming to Memphis State, I had heard that the university provides an office of competent and concerned people who help insure that physically handicapped students have as much chance for a rewarding life and education as students who don ' t have obvious physical handicaps. I have a very difficult time trying to express in a few words how much help Donna Sparger, Sue Atkins, and other devoted people in Handicapped Student Service have been to me. Don Moy, Photo Services ► With the help of her friends and sorority sisters, Candy Love has no problem getting around Memphis. I l , xr ;

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two times a year students are forced to face ... Registration By Valli Blalock It might be called MSU ' s version of the law of the jungle: only the strong — or lucky — survive. Newcomers who have heard vague stories face it half-heartedly, as a neces- sary evil like having a tooth pulled. Veterans seem outwardly blase, while inwardly a nervous wreck. It is REGISTRATION. Registration is the process by which innocent people become recognized as students at MSU. It ' s like the supreme test: Can you stand in countless lines an average of two hours each and still remain coherent? How well can you keep track of those necessary alternate schedules? Can you cope with being told that you ' re in the Mike Farmer, Photo Services wrong line, there are no cards left for that class and that section (the last one you need) was canceled? That ' s the question — can you cope? How do inductees into the happy world of MSU cope with the frustration at the end of the lines and the cashiers at the end of the tunnel? Pam Hiss, a freshman majoring in Computer Science, said registration was the worst time of my life! Even though she managed getting through the card room without problems, she says she spent hours standing in lines to pay. She has hopes that regis- tration won ' t be as bad next time. A sophomore biology major, David Bowles, also faces registration optimistic- ally. Calling it a challenge, he is ready to tackle it again. farmer p hi k Too many times the registration process becomes too much to handle on your feet. Class cards, schedules and advisor ' s slips litter the floor as students try to regroup. Sophomore Merry Clements, a music major, agrees that it is a challenge, but she also adds, It ' s a madhouse! But like most survivors she seems ready to try again. And if the terrors on the third floor of the UC aren ' t enough to do you in, the University Store on the first floor awaits to finish you off. Well, maybe it isn ' t that bad. It doesn ' t happen too often, and though traumatic, it is rarely fatal. jL A Sometimes two heads are better than one when trying to work out your classes Mike Farmer, Photo Services Registration ■■ 17

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A Little Differently Since I cannot walk and have problems with hand coordination, I do need help doing some everyday things that most people have little trouble accomplishing by themselves. The people in Handicapped Student Services help me to select and interview personal attendants who help me with activities which enhance the quality of my life. Although I have trouble deciding what to ask of my attendants (because of my sometimes too submissive personality), I become good friends with them and respect them for their loyal and caring attitude. The people in Handicapped Student Services also play an important role in helping me interview academic aides. Since I cannot write very well with a pencil, my academic aide goes to my classes with me and takes notes for me. He also writes for me on tests and writes any homework that I dictate to him. My present academic aide not only helps me in my classes, but also has become a good friend. I still run into several problems that stem from my handicap. Although my academic aide writes most of my homework for me, I type all of my English papers in my dorm room. I have been typing for many years, but I am not very fast. I spend approximately six hours typing a paper that most of my classmates write in an hour. This additional time can be attributed to my slow typing as well as to the care that I put into the structure and content of my papers. I do become frustrated when I think of the extra work I must put forth, but I feel somewhat compensated when my efforts result in an A. Also, cold weather, an incon- venience for all students, is especially hard for me. I need assistance putting on and taking off coats, gloves and hats. Even with assistance this frequent dressing and undressing takes time - time which I can rarely spend between classes. Thus, if I do dress so I ' m comfortable outside, I ' m sure to get hot in class; if I dress so I ' m comfortable in class, I freeze when I venture outside. Left with such an undesirable choice, the best I can do is hope for warm weather. However, I enjoy most of my experiences at Memphis State. My friends give me moral support when I need it, and many people whom I don ' t even know, are happy to assist me when they think I can use their help. I make many mistakes in my college life, but I try to learn from the mistakes. With the help of my family and friends I hope to achieve independence. L A Ricky Davis ' Towers room has all the comforts of home. Ricky also has the help of his assistants Bruce Gittleman and Steve Crenshaw. Mike Farmer, Photo Services Mike Farmer, Photo Services M Handicapped Students Ml j.{J