University of Massachusetts Lowell - Sojourn / Knoll Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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tr up Rapid Transit for U. Lowell: A Proposal What exactly is Group Rapid Transit? Are we going to get it? Where will it be located? How much will it cost? ls funding available? Group Flapid Transit lGFlTj con- sists of electrically propelled cabin- like vehicles that can transport up to 20-25 people per vehicle at 30 mph. These vehicles cruise on elevated guideways which can span a variety of configurations. The first of these systems was supported by the Urban Mass Transit Administration lUlVlTAj as a dem- ...-1- onstration project at the college campus of the University of West Virginia in Morgantown. Though this project experienced many problems at first and far exceeded initial esti- mated costs, its present operation has proven successful. The Federal Department of Trans- portation will be allocating millions of dollars towards the implementa- tions of these systems in major cities in the U.S. as part of the people mover project . Can the city of Lowell qualify for -qnnnin--'Q' V E l l l j 5, --Y-1 suc federal spending? And if so, ca the local and state government me up with 2070 of the cost to i upport the project? lf the money is available, the U. Lowell site would be the optimum location for Phase l of the system, considering the patron- age it would receive. An earlier proposal, lFaIl, 1975j was not effec- tive in finding enough reasons to warrant the cost of such a system. However, present and future statis- tics indicate substantial increases of student overflow in the next decade that will exceed its capacities. There- fore, with increasing numbers travel- ling between dorm and campus areas, more attention should cer- tainly be given to assessing future transportation needs for the area. The principle advantages of this type of transport is not only found within the ease and quickness of travel itself, but in addition, the 1 duction of noise and air pollution will undoubtedly be of great signifi- cance. But probably more significant is the conservation of energy. The electric propulsion that the system will run on uses negligible amounts of energy in comparison to present gasoline consumption of today's au- tomobiles. Considering the sky-rocketing costs of car ownership, GRT is an at- tractive form of public transportation that can approach and exceed present automobile use, which is so highly valued by the American pub- lic. It would undoubtedly make transportation through Lowell safer and easier for all University of Lowell students and personnel. Randall P. Hecht '77 'l .iq YY -, vw' R66 V 'vi l 5' ' a '96 J., tj '4..i,i??f- 'H ' Q 7 :34 l' l f' j Wx 0-u1'inut h

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Freshman View So this is college. Straight from Lawrence High School, the University of Lowell is Times Square, the Colos- seum and the White House rolled into one. It is an architectural wonderland. It is a hubbub of activity. It is a place to learn and grow. College? Inspect the arboreal aspect of the campus, the well trimed lawns and stately trees, the buildings - glassy and sprawling and almost brand new. This seems pleasant enough. The men. Hmm! Some of these guys actually have hair on their faces. Back in Lawrence High, most of the senior class looked like a combination of Howdy Doody and John Davidson. Most of the men at Lowell apparently shave. I find this incredibly macho. and decide I may like it here. Check out the Student Union Build- ing. Rather dead here today: groups quietly studying, boys and girls staring at air and at each other. There's the Coke machine. I'Il try not to make a spectacle of myself. Being a freshman is embarrassing enough, so the least I can do is be a competent one. I drop the coin inthe slot and press Coke , No response. I laugh to myself and press it again, harder. No response, bang, Bang, BANG! Damn. No re- sponse. I bang for several minutes be- fore turning around to notice that all eyes inthe Student Union are focused on me. This is what is known as sheer embarrassment. Had I paid closer at- tention, I would have noticed the sold out light on the machine. So much for trying to act competent. I lean to the floorto pick up what remains of my self-respect and hurry off to the Ladies Room. The Ladies Floom is also quite a switch from high school days. They have a wonderful thing here. lt's called toilet paper. I am very impressed. I think of how I never used to go to the bathroom in high school. I held it until I got home, which could be quite pain- ful but saves one the hassle of trying to drip-dry. Locks on the doors! Now I re- ally like this place. I find a new issue of The Connec- tor and am shocked and appalled at an advertisement on page 8 reading Crabs on crotch, lice on head . . and so on. Hardly an appetizing sub- ject at lunch time. College journalism seems much more liberal. Hmm. Well, at least they don't beat around the bush. My classes are everything you've al- ways wanted to know about college but were afraid to sign up for. Neo- platonism in Literature and Philosophy. A very interesting course, if one has an IO of 1200. I suppose if one can master the art of beating around the bush. one can be a success in philosophy. I find the course interesting, somewhat over my head and a little difficult, but word has it that it makes you very intel- ligent, and this is something I would love to acquire. Life Science has its drawbacks. My professor Ipardon me, the doctor! has an insatiable wit, althought this wit never seems to satisfy the students. His big saying is Now that you've opened your mouth, allow me to put your foot in it. I have decided not to open my mouth so he won't be able to say it to me. His big mistake was to let me know he was interested in life in outer space. I have already begun work on my term paper. . . College writing promises to be in- teresting. As an English major, I have already become familiar with the re- quirements necessary for success in college English. I purchased a thesaurus yesterday and find myself using all kinds of new words. Unfortu- nately, I cannot carry this marvelous piece of equipment with me at all times so my vocabulary is quite normal off campus. I like the professor, he has a marvelous sense of humor, and we all know how disgustingly boring En- glish can be without a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue, if you get my drift. Western Civ. I never really got into French History, least of all the intimate details of Louis XVl's sex life with Marie Antoinette, but I suppose it will become more interesting once we get to Napoleon. I have a great deal of re- spect for bossy people. The cafeteria is great. I shall be much better off when I learn how to put plastic caps over my coffee. I lost half of it on my shoe by improperly placing the cover. I really like the sil- verware they use here. so stylish. And l'd love to meet the person who wrote I'm against forced busing on the lit- tle card that stands on the console Ita- ken from Rogets Thesaurus meaning table l which reads E3usyourtable . I find the University of Lowell to be a most satisfactory place to spend ones time, and I know l'd like it much better if I didn't have to pay for it. My next literary endeavor is tenta- tively titled. Fifty Things To Do Be- hind Coburn Hall.

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