Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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Helping Minds Grow Program provides educational assistance The Educational Opportunities Program was designed to help students who have traditionally been denied access to higher education. Many freshmen were encouraged to enroll in the program which provided study classes, tutors and individual advisors. This is the most culturally diverse area on campus, said Janet Nishihara E.O.P. counselor, referring to the many racial groups involved. It is always nice to see a different face or hear a different language, she said. Counselors and advisors of E.O.P. became very close to their students. Upon entrance, each person is given a personal advisor with whom to discuss academic problems or class schedules. They're really concerned, Linda Vielma, a fourth-year student of the program, insisted. They give you their time. If I ever have a question, someone AndrrJ SlNdnun is always there. E.O.P. provided assistance for students who might not otherwise have been able to get into OSU. Steve Ortega was one who tried to enroll straight through the university. I didn't fulfill the requirements, but by enrolling in the program I was able to take classes that would prepare me for university classes, Ortega admitted. It's also interesting when you learn from the people around you rather than only in the classroom. Lilia Montemayor prided herself on being the longest-lasting hispanic student to remain in the program. I worked here in clerical training before I became a student, she commented. Now I work part time and go to classes. I'm planning on getting my masters or Ph.D. after I graduate from the school of Education. My husband, another E.O.P. student, will graduate this year in philosophy and plans to attend law school. The program flourished following its humble beginnings in 1969. In 1985-6 the total reached 400 students, 90 of those listed on the honor roll. YVe help the people who might not normally have been here to flourish, Nishihara stated. Besides providing them with help in their classes, we also go on group trips to see speakers or watch plays in Ashland. 'The official office hours are eight to five, she said, smiling broadly, But we spend a lot of time out of the office. Leticia Monjaras, a fifth-year senior in psychology, praised the program. It would have been difficult for me to afford a tutor for some of the math and science classes I was having trouble in, she commented. Here, I was assigned one free. I couldn't have gotten this far without them. It is a job that takes a lot of care and work. Employees are usually required to do a little counseling and teaching as well as just being around if students need help. It's very rewarding, Nishihara summed up. It's exciting for us to watch them do so well and it's exciting for them to live it. □ by Lindy Humphreys EOP Counselor Janet Nishihara assists Derek Nakashima. freshman in pre-engineering during an academic advising session fall team for winter term class schedule selections. a This is the most culturally diverse area on campus. It is always nice to see a different face or hear a different language. )) Janet Nishihara, EOP Counselor Educational Opportunities Program 23

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Steve Ortega, freshman in education, greets the pubfic and students of EOP at the main office in Snell Hall. EOP Director John Lenssen chats with Lilia Montemayor. the longest-lasting hispanic student in the EOP program. 22 Educational Opportunities Program

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Search for Sisters Sororities throw parties for rushees (6 I had a blast. Everyone seemed so thrilled to be there — it made the difference for me. 99 Erin McDonnell, Alpha Omicron Pi Member The MU Quad, ordinarily quiet on Sunday afternoon, was instead filled with people. Girls decked out in bright colors were singing and cheering, carrying banners bearing various combinations of the Greek alphabet. An aura of celebration and excitement prevailed as photographers rushed around trying to capture the moment on film. It was bid day, the end of sorority rush at OSU. As the doors of the MU opened, a rush of girls descended the stairs running and searching, then finally finding and hugging others amid tears and laughter. Rush had ended. A week of meeting, searching and finding had reached its climax. I had a blast, said Erin McDonnell from Alpha Omicron Balloons, smiles and hugs in the MU Quad were all a part of Bid Day for Pi Beta Phi Sorority sisters Beth Botts and Patty Botts. Doni DrSMfrno Pi. Everyone seemed to thrilled to be there — it made the difference for me, she added. Since the first sorority was established here in 1915, the system grew to include 14 sororities. With the growth of sororities came the birth of formal rush. Sorority Rush began a week before fall term started. Rush began on Sunday when rushees met with Rush counselors who are there to help them throughout the week by giving rush rules which include mandatory attendance at all rush parties, no speaking to fraternity men (for fear of influence), and attendance at all Rush counselor and rushee meetings. The first 2 days of Rush are 14 party days with rushees attending 7 parties each day lasting thirty minutes long. The next 2 days are nine party days lasting thirty-five minutes long. Rushees, on these 4 days will see skits, hear songs and get tours of the houses. The real vital and most memorable days are 6-party days and preference night. After each round of parties the rushees receive invitations back from the sororities. Depending on the day, the rushee can only accept as many invitations as the day specifies. Before all this takes place the sororities are eagerly planning each of the party days, outfits for each day and the many skits that go with each day, not to mention all the songs that must be memorized. Sororities begin planning for Rush at the beginning of each new year. Every year the days are reviewed as to their effec- tiveness. Another way to prepare is to have an all house retreat before or during Pre-Rush week. This provides a time for the girls to get reacquainted with each other and share their summer activities. Once Rush week has arrived the sororities were prepared for the week's long events. Dancing, singing, talking and sharing of each sororities qualities goes on for six full days. Saturday was the big event called preference night. These were one hour parties when each house tried to show their individual and special qualities to the rushees. The parties were planned so that they followed the courses of a dinner. The rushees started with salad at one house, followed with dinner at another house and ended with dessert at the third house. By the end of the evening the rushees submitted their three choices in preferential order to the Panhel-lenic Council. These were then submitted to the central computer system and were matched with the choices submitted by each house. On Sunday the rushees gathered at the MU where they received their bids. When the doors were opened, the girls rushed down the stairs, eagerly searching for the familiar faces. There were hugs, tears and laughter as rush week came to an end. I have really good feelings about it, said Becky Lloyd from Alpha Gamma Delta. It was quite an experience — lots of fun! □ by Lila Asnani 24 Sororitv Rush