University of Maryland College Park - Terrapin / Reveille Yearbook (College Park, MD)

Page 30 text:

Spirit Semester Brings Rowdy Residents If vou missed the frenzy of the 1983-84 football season when the Terp fans tore down the goal post in the last fif- teen seconds of the Terps vs. Tarheels game, you definitely missed one high point of the year. If you couldn ' t make it to Los Angelas for the Summer Olympics, you missed a fierce competition. But if you happened to live on campus during the spring semester, you had a chance to taste the thrill of competition at Spirit Semester 984 Three years ago the Residence Halls Association designed a plan to bring about resident unity. Little did they know it would come to be one of the most popular competitions on campus. Spirit Semester has become so reknowned that it recently won a national organizational award. Most of the Spirit Semester representatives feel that some day every university will have a similar competition. . , ,.,1 •♦ It was probably the enormous prizes that sparked the rivalry among campus neighbors. During Olympic Week, it , was not unusual to hear fight songs until four or five in the morning in the quads, or to see huge banners hanging from dorm windows. Units were competing for up to $4,000 in dorm renovations or improvements. Second place was $3 000 and third place $2,000. Each community winner was also given $100 for a new unit barbecue. ■ Spirit ' Semester did serve its intended purpose of promoting resident unity. When participating residents were asked what they thought of the competition, the most popular remark was that it gave them a chance to meet people. Another frequent comment was that the events were an opporutnity to get away from studying a few hours The ' qTmes and events of Spirit Semester were very unusual but always hilarious. Who would have thought you could qet thirty-six people on a regulation dorm size mattress with only their feet touching the mattress? And who would believe a guy and a girl could switch clothes inside of a zipped up sleeping bag in less than three minutes? No one will forget being dragged into the mountain of foam at the tug of war contest. Spirit Semester even became slightly roniantic when each community took its evening harbor cruise. Of course no one minded earning spiri points by attending unit movie nights, picnics, or voting in Area Council Elections. However, some residents needed a little coaxing to donate blood at the community blood drive. The spirit of competition stayed with each unit throughout the semester until finals time. Everyone vvas very anxious to hear who would have a great unit lounge, color television, or freshly painted hall to come back to in the - fall The winners of $4 000 was Ellicott 4, second place was given to Easton 7 and Elkton 6, and third place was lawarded to Cumberland F. i I 26 Spirit Semester

Page 29 text:

;enters Intramurals and judo, as well as three multi- purpose rooms, campus students did not need to join a health spa to stay in shape. Water-lovers can take advan- tage of the Olympic-size pools in Cole Field House and Preinkert Field House. Whether it is to swim fifty laps a day, play Marco Polo , or perform high dives, swimmers can get wet virtually all year round. Byrd Stadium, as well as Cole Field House, are the places to go to enjoy watching top-rate sports events. College Park students were spectators to many of the highly acclaimed football and basketball games of the Terps. So, whether it is running track, playing indoor soccer, or putting on the driving range, athletes of all types could stay physically active during the academic semester. Intramurals 25

Page 31 text:

Annually, the University of Maryland sponsors blood drives on cannpus, Ni h the aid of other various organizations. This year two blood drives were held- one February 6th and the other October 11th, Both campaigns attracted a number of people willing to give their time and blood to the American Red Cross. An average of 250 pints of blood was collected at each blood drive. The blood drives were organized and coordinated by the Silver Spring based fvletropolitan Washington Blood Banks, Inc. and Metro area radio station WAVA. The sponsors of the drive were the Veterans Club, the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity, and Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Alpha Theta sororities. The Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity has sponsored the campus drives since 1951. Students donated blood for a number of different reasons. The feeling that I did something good for someone else makes me feel good, said Lisa Armstrong, a senior management and labor relations major. On the other hand, Bill Condell. a junior zoology major, said his reason for giving blood was I had an hour to kill before getting a ride home. Students, faculty, and other volunteers had to meet certain requirements before giving blood. They had to be between ages of 17 and 65. weigh at least 1 10 pounds, and have a pulse rate of between 50 and 100. As an added incentive (or consultation) for giving blood, donators were given orange juice and Oreo cookies after they gave their blood. Scot Frosch is helping the needy. Blood Drive 27