Northeastern State University - Tsa La Gi Yearbook (Tahlequah, OK)

Page 29 text:

,WN-f ., ,,-. ,..,.- J-5.. 5-5.17621 M l ' 1M 'rt 0, ' l fl tl '- 4. Frdfllilf' fuapaanfl? Dvftw ill The age range of students on campus seems to be balanced. Even so, older students who returned to school sometimes telt they were on the outside look- ing in. iPhoto - Norman Torrezl Travel Time Surprisingly populated, one of the state's largest areas of tourism surrounds our university. Enrollment was up and a factor that re- mained stable was that two- thirds of the campus popula- tion consisted of commuters. University classes drew many students from the six county area that surrounded Tahlequah. For commuters the biggest problem seemed to come upon arrival, especially if they had afternoon classes. Finding a place to park, Without walking a half mile to class, became a burden- some, if not impossible, task. The Office of Parking and Traffic took measures to pre- vent those problems by ex- panding and remodeling some ot the parking lots. Tidmore Apartments, form- erly mazried student housing, was vacated and provided a 49-space lot located on Goingsnake Street. Lots at the Fitness Center and Ross Hall were remodeled. Parking was only one problem commuters dealt with While on campus. The opportunity to get involved in university events seemed as big a problem. Efforts were made to plan activities around the entire student population and not just campus and town resi- dents. A student organization for commuters was formed as an outlet tor travelers to voice their ideas on how to keep the majority happy. Older Than Average 25

Page 28 text:

Determination and patience are also virtues of the mature studt - Lori Griffin relys on the combined experience of Tim Dorsey, spring 4 tor of The Northeastern, and Norman Torrez, staff member, to help g solve a problem. iPhoto - Darryl Thomasl Starting a college education after years of Working Was hard for many students. F or the non-traditional student tthose over age 25j getting a college education called for big adjustments in finances, family life and learning how to be a good student. Going back to school became more and more and still had study habits, but as time went on I real- popular, according to Dr. Charles Galbraith, professor of education. Compared to when I started teaching here in 1966, it seems to me as though we are getting a much more mature student, he explained. Statistics from Admissions and Fiecords supported Galbraith's observation. Figures showed the number of students over 25 totaled 4,161, while the number un- der 25 was slightly less at 4,119. The reasons students came back to school were as varied as the people. Many teachers returned to recertify in other fields because of the problems with the state's economy and lack of funding for state schools. In order to get and keep a job teachers were seeking certification in more than one area. Other students, especially women, returned to fulfill their occupational dreams after their children were grown. Some were forced to seek an education in order to support their families. Whatever the reason, older students had one thing in common, the struggle of adjusting to student life. lt was hard learning to take notes again - to think again, said Barbara Brinkley, Tahlequah, who returned to recer- tify her elementary teaching credentials after working as a hairdresser for 25 years. Patti Maize, Keys, agreed. Learning to study for a test again was really new to me because I hadn't done it in so many years, she explained. I also felt a little out of place, added Maize. A lot of the students seemed so young. For PauIa'Hood, who returned to school after work- ing in the printing industry for 10 years, coming here was a good step. I like it here because the students are so diverse. At first I felt I had a disadvantage be- ized I had the advantage because I had intentions of learning, she said. Terry Glenn Brackett, Porter, agreed that older stu- dents were actually one up on younger students be- cause of attitude. I have yet to meet anyone over 24 that doesn't have a positive attitude about their educa- tion. lt's often not the same with younger students, he said. Leon Brashear, Stilwell, summed the subject up say- ing, l was there because I wanted to be there. It was a lot different 15 years ago when I was in school. Edu- cation means a great deal more to me now. Besides the stress of adjusting to student life and the advantages maturation has, another dimension for the older student was fitting school into a life already full of responsibilities. The hardest strain seemed to be on family life. lt was extremely difficult for my family, said Brashear. lt took a lot of time away from them and they had to sacrifice in many ways. My wife took on extra respon- sibilities allowing me to come back, he added. After sifting through all the pros and cons of return- ing to school, most older students felt the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. Many faculty members agreed. There was no question, the older students were much more focused on learning, said Dr. David Fitzgerald of the math and science division. Dr. Fitzgerald continued, They were often here be- cause they had an established goal while the younger students were still searching for their path in life. Older students understood what was neccessary to meet their goals. They definitely had an advantage. It wasn't that they were smarter, they were just more experienced. cause so many students were fresh out of high school 'I Paula Linville as j es- ., ,,. W 5 C K gt ---my in News -A Older students are just like anyone else. Many are involved in stu- Maturity not only means experience but provides a willingness to he dent organizations and share their wisdom with others. Floy Hamilton, Kevin Rentie sometimes found himself relying on the knowledge and editor, Muse magazine, lends a hand to Society of Colleigate Journalist perience ol classmate Pat Smith, who occasionally passed on additit member Stephanie Berryhill. iPhoto - Nicole Hauserl al information. tPhoto - Todd Johnsonj

Page 30 text:

Balancing Act Student-parents tried to balance their time between school and home. When the weather was too hot or too cold or the sun was too bright, making it all the way across campus to one of those 8 a.m. classes was like a mission impossible. What if you lived 70 miles away and had two chil- dren to get dressed and fed before you could get start- ed? Tulsa senior Carol Collins, mother of two said, The hard part of being a mother and a student was finding the time to devote to both of them. When asked if she had any suggestions for those contemplating a family while still in school, Collins replied, My advice would be to go to school first, then start a family. School is harder when you have that responsibility. Fort Gibson sophomore, Debbie Hawkins agreed that the hard part of being a mother and a student was find- ing the time she needed to get everything done. Mother of two, Hawkins said, One benefit was that it helped me to be more organized. What would Debbie tell someone considering parenthood while still in school? Go see a psychiatrist. Quickl , she said laughingly. Looking back I think I have a fair overview of that situation, said Sandy Wagner, university publications director. lt's certainly not the easiest way to get your education, but it can be done. I returned to school when my older son was only one. l had very little income, two years of education ahead of me and a child to support. lt was tough. There were advantages, said Wagner. I was more serious in my studies and had a definite sense of pur- wr v pose - survival! I sometimes envied my friends who could go out in the evenings. I didn't have that option. If you had a choice, I would not recommend getting an education on the 'parent pIan', though I would en- courage parents considering a return to school to do so. It is more difficult, but the results are worth the effort, Father of three, freshman David Garner agreed that finding the time to be a parent and student was the hard part. The quality time with my kids suffered, and I knew they missed it. Senior Shellie Davis, single parent of one said if she had one complaint it was the absence policy of some professors. lf my son was sick, he had to come first, and that 'alter-four-absences-you-can't-make-an-A' rule sometimes made things difficult. Although the frustrations that came with parenting and being a student seemed endless, increasing num- bers of student-parents continued to enroll. Juggling schedules, meals and studies created a never-ending tension in their lives, but most were still convinced that down the road, the results made the sacrifices worthwhile. 'n em Kilpatrick Learning usually tops the priority list of most students. Student-parel however, have other responsibilities that rate just as important. Sper ing valuable time with their children was enhanced by attending fami oriented activities sponsored by the university. This parent and her daug ter observe a squirrel they spotted while at a pep rally in the town squa lPhoto - Mike Brownj ill wait Taking time away from studies is essential to raising a family. La Duff made the best of a beautiful fall afternoon by gathering her c dren for a picnic. Outings such as these proved as beneficial for p Campus Life ents as for their offspring. tPhoto - Mike Brownj ,wgggss