University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 14 text:

behind the facade They say it's very big—this University of Minnesota. And it is big. Perhaps biggest when seen for the first time, with the sidewalks crowded with the mass of students and the buildings lowering over everything. The little things like contrasting types of architecture and vines on brick walls are not noticed then, for the apparent size is the most dominant impression. But as each day-passes, as students become more casual about their apprehension of massive proportions, they notice the arched doorway of Pillsbury hall, the turrets of the armory, the vines winding around an outside light fixture, individual students, particular professors. The students they sit next to in history three times a week become nodding acquaintances. The girl who asked an intelligent question in Knglish class may be the one another student will stop after class or will discuss Hemingway over a cup of coffee. A number of the students make a concerted effort to identify themselves with someone or something . . . they join a publications staff or Greek group, an organization of some type with which they can ally themselves. Others remain proudly independent, finding sufficient identification within their small social groups or academic studies. For most the buildings eventually gain a type of individuality. The balls become familiar and rooms easier to find, certain seats deemed as favorites. There are still classes where students A through G sit in seats I through 43- But sometimes student A is Mr. Amdahl, maybe even Stan. The

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216........................organizations 218..........................arts music, publications, theatre 238 ......................activities government, honorary, military, religious, special interest 304 ............................residences academic fraternities and sororities, professional fraternities and sororities, dormitories .‘398 . . . .advertising 400 .........................senior index 414.............................advertising index 415 . . . . organizations index

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professors frequently seem less like robots in front of the room who lecture, close their briefcases and leave. It takes a while but the inertia is often overcome and some students go up to the professor to ask a meek question, only to find that the famous man is eager to answer any questions. Many students, although all are parts of the same whole, remain enigmas to each other . . . like the campus leader who is concerned about playing to the hilt his role within the community through participation in several campus organizations, yet cannot be understood by the student who came here to study intensively one subject, who is not concerned with any role-playing other than learning and doing his academic work to the best of his ability. For some the bigness never wears oil. It bothers a few but they give up trying to conquer the vastness. Others who do look behind the mask, however, find a sort of moreness. But still there are no typicals here, only variables. Campus leaders, psuedo-intel-lectuals, world-famous professors, struggling instructors, modern buildings, old structures ... all are of varying degree. Because of the bigness, rather than in spite of it, this composition of individualities is delightful, hateful, challenging, defeating, amusing or perplexing... each is free to make his own interpretation and evaluation. But for a great number, the bigness is only a facade and behind it all is an undcfinahle moreness, worthy of being discovered.