Morehead State University - Raconteur Yearbook (Morehead, KY)

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Light on . . . Doors open . . . Both feet on the floor . . . These rule of Morehead State Univer- sity's early open visitation days seem almost archaic in comparison to the pre- sent dormitory situation on campus as co- educational housing became a reality for the first time this year. Cartmell Hall, previously occupied only by male students, and Mignon Tower, previously occupied only by female students, are the two dorms that have been chosen to initiate the co-ed living situation. These two dormitories were cited for the transition for several reasons, one being that of anticipated need based on surveys. Students living in either of these two dorms have readily adjusted to the transition. ltls wonderful. I'm glad I have the chance to experience it, said Melissa Gardener, a Richmond sophomore living in Mignon Tower. The first couple of weeks it was funny and everyone just laughed about it but now were used to it. When asked if she feels security has been affected in her dorm, Garderner added, HI suppose if we look at the situa- tion realistically we have to say it has but I donit feel any less secure. The living structure in each dorm is set up so that males and females are staggered every other floor. Many students who chose to live in either Cartmell Hall or Mignon Tower this year did so because they had lived there the previous year. '1 really didnlt choose Cartmell just because it was going co-ed. I was here last year and I liked the atmosphere. I didn't think its going co-ed would change it That Much, Said Philip Honican, A Sophomore Marketing Major From Paris, Ky. Randy Blankenship, a senior Elementary Education major chose to live in Mignon Tower because it's something different . . . I like the nicer rooms. As Blakenship pointed out, this is the first year that male co-eds have had the chance to enjoy the suites in some of the female dormitories. Another not all too surprising point is that the GPA's of those students housed in unisex dorms generally are not affected. According to Madonna Huffman, Direc- tor of Residence Education at Morehead, GPA's actually tend to be higher in some cases which could be a resulting factor of other advantages present in co-ed dorms. Co-Ed dorms are more settled . . . noise exists but it is a happy noise not like the destructive-type noise found in a regular dormitory, Huffman said. Mignon Tower Hall Director Dennis Bothel continued with another favorable aspect of co-ed dorms by saying that he feels co-ed residence halls cut down on vandalism and destructive horse-play in general. These students seem more re- laxed and comfortable, added Kris Traugott, a junior Resident Assistant in Cartmell Hall. Traugott said that she also noticed a change in overall attitudes as far as personal interaction is concerned. According to Jim Morton, Director of Housing, the decision to make two of MSU's dormitories co-educational began about ten years ago with the introduction of open visitation. Open house hours increased and restric- tions decreased on an uincremental basis over this ten-year period; thus Morton describes the transition process as be- ing,Hmore evolutionary than revolutionary. In Fall, 1984, surveys were conducted to find out student opinion on co-ed dorms. The general response then may have been more positive but such restrictions as GPA and Classification specifications made the idea seem less appealing. The final thrust that revolutionized co- educational dorms on the MSLI campus came about when President Reinhard asked that the idea be reviewed and the restrictions reevaluated. Now no restrictions are imposed on anyone wishing to live in either Cartmell Hall or Mignon Tower. When asked if other dormitories might convert to co-ed in the future Morton responded: We will have to look at the student demand. The occupancy rate and requests will determine that. Nevertheless Morton put aside any ques- tions about the permanence of the metamorphoses that have already taken place in Cartmell Hall and Mignon Tower. It has proven itself. It's already a suc- cess. By BETH HENSEL

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OPEN HOUSE does not only provide a designate time for male and female students to socialize. Som students use this time to study together in the Iobb EXITING from the tower, Greg Tanner and a frie talk intently. Mignon Tower is one of the new established co-ed dorms 0n MSU's campus. The are male fioors and female floors. FRESHMAN Mark Prilchard gathers his mail ih t lobby of co-ed dorm, Cartmell Hall. Pritchard's am tion is to be a sports broadcaster. WASHING clothes is a task that everyone hates do. Janet Graham and Dwayne Crutcher take 0 che load together in the basement of Cartm. Hall. UBNNVL 9380 Co-Ed DormsiOpen House

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One of the new highlights of President Herb. F. Reinhard's administration was the formation of the President's Student Ad- visory Committee composed of eleven students representing various campus organizations and constituencies. According to President Reinhard, the purpose of the council is to get input opi- nions on any issue from student leaders and the cabinet members. Reinhard said, uThe council has been fruitful because it has allowed my ad- ministration to meet student leaders on a regular basis to discuss issues, problems, and questions which are important to both groups. Formed in the fall of 1984, the council is the first of its kind in the body politics of the university. The council meets twice a month and those selected to serve in the 1985-86 academic year were: Kelli Abner of Morehead; Panhellenic Council PresidentiLisa Adkins of Elliot Co. Student President's Advisory Council in Spring Connie Bentley of Vanceburg; Married Stu- dent RepresentativeiTimothy Hubbard in Spring Prince Dimkpa of Nigeria; International Student Representative Ben lden of Bloomingdale, OH; Student Association President Donald Krauth of Louisville; lnterfraternity Council President James Nathan Matthews of Olive Hill; Non-Traditional Student Representative Kimberly Diane Moore of Ashland; Graduate Student RepresentativeiTammi Adkins in Spring Deborah Powell Editor Donna Reynolds of Printer; Resident Hous- ing Association President Saundra Stivers of Jackson; Raconteur Editor Angela Tutt of Louisville; Black Coalition President of Irvine; Trail Blazer THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMITTE was a new addition to the campus as Her Reinhard became president. The purpose of t council is for student leaders to voice the opinions thepublic. According to Porter Daily, the vice pres dent for Administration and Fiscal Ser ices, I have been very pleased with th type of interaction between the stude leaders and the cabinet members. Th council is another line of communicatio that enables us to be more responsiv more caring about the problems and co cerns for students. Donna Reynolds, President of the Res dent Housing Association maintained th- the council has been beneficial for me t liaise with the administration in a very co genial and relaxed atmosphere. One problem with the council accordin to Deborah Powell is that the general st dent body does not recognize the stude leaders. Powell said, i'lf students can meet the' representatives on a regular basis, the pu pose of the council will have been full achieved, she said. By PRINCE DIMKPA