Ohio University - Athena Yearbook (Athens, OH)

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earning goals of R E Walk through the hallways, past the potter ' s wheel, library and darkroom. Watch out for the square dance on the patio, the poetrv reading on the first floor and the general bedlam throughout. You have entered South Green =12, the Residen- tial Experimental College at Ohio University. Now entering its second year of existence, R E has evolved through many stages of development, aiming for the ultimate combination of living and learning into one program of education through experience. On paper, it works something like this: a student takes ten hours in the program and another five in tra- ditional classes. Those ten hours are arranged into in- dependent study or group projects dealing with any subject the student wishes to pursue. Things like astrology, or ichthyology (the study of Story by Art Silverman Photographs fay David frishberg

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fish), poetry, meditation, dance, music, massage, liter- ature, crafts, jogging, renovating log cabins, publishing a daily dorm newspaper (the Rag) or even outdoor survival and gourmet cooking. For the 144 students in the program last year, R E was a learning experience in ways unrelated to the ac- tual academic course work. All decisions, whether for allocating dorm money or throwing a party, were de- cided at town meetings where every member had one vote. But somehow, meetings and classes don ' t convey the spirit of the program and those who compose it. No grades were given for collecting food, clothing and money for victims of the tragic flood at Man, West Virginia. The disturbed and retarded children who visited from Beacon School were no part of an organized class. Neither were the all-night stairwell concerts, the multi-media presentations, the art show or any of the other dozens of things which happen in a community of friends instead of roommates. In many respects, it was a difficult year, with many growing pains. A totally new environment, where one is responsible for him herself, with no one over your shoulder yelling grades or study. Ideas and energies produced conflicts and problems, yet always with the realization that this is to be expected when searching for something new and different. Sometimes, when it was going well, you could al- most forget you were a student in a dormitory and be- gin to feel free and alive in the company of good neighbors. And get involved. Painting the basement walls, making a movie, going camping or dancing or just sharing a cafeteria meal at the semi-communal tables in Nelson Commons.