Slippery Rock University - Saxigena Yearbook (Slippery Rock, PA)

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COULD

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FORWARD After many years the Saxigena is again a student publication. Previously the yearbook was produced by students under the direction of the Public Relations Department. Public Relations hired students and paid them through the state work study program. Co-op subsidized the publishing; all other money and supplies flowed from Public Relations. Many students felt that this situation led to a degree of control bordering on censorship. Many were unwilling to devote their time and energy into creating the book under such conditions. We suggested that the Saxigena become separate, totally funded by Coop and independent from the administration. This divorce was not easily accomplished. Locating ourselves in the already overcrowded Student Union was a problem solved only when we settled for a storage room. Over the summer our room was cleaned, and painted and a small, neat office emerged. The most momentous decision we faced was choosing a publisher. We outlined our specifications and sent them to prospective publishers, inviting bids. We studied their proposed contracts. One company offered a real bargain—with a hidden clause. Ambassadors from the publishing houses arrived bearing gifts. Each laid before us a profusion of pens, tablets, calendars. We were digni- taries. I was called variously, Honey, or Dear on occasion. I just look like a college student, so after paying homage to me they would always ask for an audience with my advisor. Were they in for a shock! Mike, our advisor is an artist—with paint on his pants, smelling like developing fluid, he typically would stroll in with a can of Cherokee Red soda. Now he looks more respectable, but in those days he also had a beard and long hair. As I said, an artist. He would confront the salesmen in their three-piece suits, nod at everything they said, and conclude saying, with a shrug, I don't make any decisions around here. I'm just the advisor. You'll have to talk to the editor. Back to me again. They would try at this point to win my favor by suggesting. Where can I take you for a quiet dinner? Can you imagine, in Slippery Rock. The capital of elegant dining. This process was repeated when we chose a studio for senior portraits. Co-op was also faced with some changes. They now had to underwrite all costs, including office supplies, publishing fees and photography supplies. To help offset this big jump the Saxigena decided to incorporate advertizing into the book. With a very limited budget we had to sort out our priorities. We purchased 3500 yearbooks, with 240 pages each. We were also able to have 32 pages of 4-color by eliminating all spot color. The 1979 Saxigena looks quite different from its predcssors. We've broken tradition and used a big picture format. This is the kind of format used in Life Magazine. The object is to capture the highlight of an event in one very good photograph, which is then enlarged to dominate a page. In order to create this kind of picture you must have excellent photographers on the staff. We did. In fact we had more photographers than general staff. But the photographers would have had a hard time coming through if it hadn't been for our advisor Michael Changnon, Associate Professor of Art. He devoted hundreds of days, late hours and weekends. We couldn't have made it without Mike. I began working on the Saxigena as a freshmen in 1977, when I was hired through work study to be the Sports Editor. In 1978 the Public Relations Department hired me to edit the book, but I feel as if this year for the first time I've really been the Editor. There's a lot of responsibility involved when you're on your own. It's been worth it. REBECCA COHEN Editor-in-Chief

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COULD A BEGINNING Autumn, while considered to be a beautiful time of the year, is traditionally viewed as a time of sadness due to the changes nature imposes upon itself. When leaves color and fall from their branches and birds fly south for a winter's rest, the Slippery Rock area is invaded by an army of students who are set on improving their minds, both socially and academically. The beat of fall accompanies the moods, attitudes, thoughts, and activities of all Rock residents. From the ice-cream socials and Mike Sardinsky's get acquainted lectures at freshman orientation to the rip roaring cheers of the football fans and pompom girls at the football games, the mysterious fall fever marches on. While the area's farmer's tractors are busy breaking the sod and turning corn stalks underground, students are anticipating their first classes, meeting their new instructors, visiting with their roommates, and reorganizing dorm rooms that have been long neglected through the summer. Recanting tales of summer jobs and experiences, friends gather down at the Hitching Post drinking and munching peanuts. Many afternoons and evenings are spent during the first several weeks of college making new friends and renewing old acquaintances. Many a couple has walked up behind Hi-Rise I enjoying the foliage and scents of Autumn. There is a certain indescribable delight in holding your companion's hand and walking through the crisp, dry leaves that cover and hide the foot paths beneath them. While in the woods, couples may share in the wild grapes ripened by the first fall frost and play hide and go seek among the cornstalks. The turning of Maple, Oak, Poplar, and the many other leaves on campus to brilliant hues of rUst, crimson, and gold introduces Homecoming Weekend and jubilantly welcomes parents and visiting Alumni to the festivities. The traditional hoedown and dinner complete with corn-on-the-cob and blueberry muf- fins adds fuel to the pep rally and fireworks display. The sparkling of the band uniforms in the midday sun reflects the fortnight's festivities of fireworks and skyrockets, while the bright banners and colorful floats of the parade send happiness and goodwill into all who line the parade's route. Falls mystique continues to lend itself to Homecoming, especially during the big game in the afternoon. The frosty nip in the air is all but forgotten by the excited spectators who eagerly watch their winning team. With the coming of Monday, Homecoming Weekend has ended, and all that is left are memories that will be remembered from time to time over the passing years. While Autumn days continue to shorten and torrents of rain inflict their rath on the entire college population, students become extremely busy beginning new assignments and finishing old ones in preparation for midterms. While fall fever looks on, students begin to make plans for Halloween evening. Costumes are designed and put together somewhere 7