Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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A hectic time of movin' in by Becky Holland Excitement and apprehension prevail when students move into university dorms, opening day in early August. First impressions are always important to these students who are experiencing college dorm life for the first time. Housing personnel, maintenance men, housekeepers, dorm directors, and staff assistants all combine their efforts to ensure that each student's first im- pression is a good one. Housekeepers and maintenance men begin their work three weeks before school starts to make sure that the dorm is clean and in top shape. Each dorm has cleaning ladies who are responsible for cleaning every room, said Jo Wheeler and Wanda Rhumes who are based in Dellinger Hall. “We clean a total of 103 rooms in Dellinger, trying to average two days to each 29-room floor, said Rhumes. Every wall, floor, window, bathroom and piece of furniture has to be cleaned, Wheeler said. Five gallons of wax are used in each dorm by the maintenance men who are responsible for waxing floors, Rhumes said. We are responsible for vacuuming the carpets before they are shampooed by the maintenance men, she said. Cleaning is just the first step in a long process of behind the scenes preparation. Dormatory staff; directors and staff assistants arrive a week early for intensive training sessions designed to teach them how to deal with people and agencies on campus, and basic paperwork fundamentals, said Cheryl Fisher, Nation Dorm Director. “During that time, we must make sure that we have enough supplies such as paper, pencils, and notepads , Fisher said. “One of my duties is to check the keyboard for any missing keys which are to be replaced and see that each key works, she explained. The week is a busy time for the directors and staff assistants who are also responsible for filling out contracts and room charts, getting meal tickets ready, making welcome signs, and designing name tags for each door. “Name tags are put on the doors early in the week so that students feel welcome AS BRIAN KOETKEMEYER AND KEVIN WESTOVER UNLOAD their car. thoughts of what may lie ahead take up more than just a few minutes of their time, (photo by Kyle Cleveland) 10

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THE OVAL CAN BE SEEN from any of the main buildings on campus, its sidewalks taking students wherever they need to go.(photo by Alan Ford) for experience in outdoor firing. Guitar classes also occasionally meet on the Oval, and the composition classes can sometimes be seen gathered around a tree discussing the day’s lesson. Even in the winter, the Oval is the scene of a lot of action. This year’s record snow brought snowball fights, snowmen, and smiling faces. Some people had never seen snow before, and it lifted the spirits of everyone, except maybe the few that wanted to get their cars unstuck. The snow saw lots more people walking to school, or even riding their bikes, which is no easy feat on ice. Try it sometime! The funny thing is that once the weather got nice again, people returned to their cars in droves. Once again, parking places were hard to find. Plans are being made for a few changes on our familiar Oval. A new sidewalk was already added this year, with a large concrete circle. Benches and lights are planned to be installed on the circie, but Director of Facilities Planning Gary Carlat said it may be awhile. We don’t have any money identified for that right now,” he said. The sidewalk, and others still in the planning stages, are part of a long range plan of sidewalk improvement. The current sidewalk is the culmination of approximately five years, and it is only the first phase. Facilities Planning is asking for money this year, but Carlat said if approved, it still would not be available for one and a half years. The long range planning will probable be worked on for the next 10 to 15 years, he said. It all depends on how soon the money becomes available,” he added. Carlat said he didn’t think the new sidewalk system would make much difference in the amount of use the Oval gets. I think it will be appreciated a lot more by the people who have to walk through the mud to get where they’re going, he said. The new benches should also see a lot of use when students want to sit outside, but the ground is too damp and all the rocks are taken. Whatever the plans are, the Oval will most likely remain the center of campus life. It may look a little different, but expansion will do that to you, and everybody’s got to grow. “I THINK HE SOMETIMES THINKS HE’S IN COLLEGE,” said David Lash of his three year old son. Ryan. Lash, a junior, and his wife Sandy, a freshman, carry the triple burden of going to school, working, and raising a family.(photo by Kyi© Cleveland)

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on the first day, said Susan Daniel, Independence senior and residence hall staff assistant. Fisher and Daniel share sentiments regarding opening day. “It’s very hectic, even if you know what you’re doing,” Fisher said. “It’s the busiest day of the year, Daniel said. “There is always a lot of confusion,” said Fisher. “One time housing put four people in the same room, so we had to find a place to put them. Insuring that everyone is in the right room only creates some of the con- fusion. “Many times students show up without contracts and we can’t give them a room until it has been cleared through housing,” Fisher stated. “Another problem occurs when a few students who are contracted never show up,” explained Fisher. “We need to know so that we can assign the room to someone else,” she said. When opening day finally arrived, the real bustle of activity began. Students of all shapes and sizes began showing up by the dozens, filling the dorm's, once quiet hallways, with the sounds of new voices and busy activity. Carts filled with an array of unloaded valuables are everywhere. A steady stream of students and parents, carrrying clothes and boxes kept directors and staff assistants on their toes throughout the day, giving aid where they couid and helping students get acquainted, Fisher said. “We know that it’s hard on fresh- men and new students coming here for the first time, she added. “It’s interesting to watch the people, ” Daniel said. “They are excited but ap- prehensive for the new experience.” “Parents are often reluctant to leave their kids in the new surroundings, but GETTING RESETTLED AFTER SEMESTER BREAK provides a chance for Dee Czapansky, Jane McNay, and Cindy Brenner to renew friendships from last semester, (photo by Alan Ford) HANDS FULL WITH THE LAST LOAD of belongings. Carol Simpson and Lisa Knopp are glad to call it a day. just as the sun sets on their first day on the oval, (photo by Alan Ford) 11