University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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Non-tmditional students often must contend with jobs and housework in addition to classes and h omewo rk when they come to school e Second Time eA ound. 1 was told by a good friend that if 1 didn ' t know anything about computers I would be considered illiterate within four years. I once knew someone who was illiterate and I am not going to be illiterate, said Vivian Clark, student, mother of three college students and wife of graduate student Denzel Clark. I came back to school for myself and my job. I want to learn more than mv job description calls for. There is a lot more to learn about photography than 1 thought, said Gary Muns, a Flor- ence police officer. Another student said he was laid off two years ago, and since there aren ' t many jobs in his field he has come back to college to learn a new trade. Fall enrollment statistics indicated that approximately 20% of the student body is 25 years old or older. These non-traditional students are coming back to school for almost as many rea- sons as there are students. Last fall the administration real- ized that the impact of these re-enter- ing students was offsetting the declin- ing population of high school students and students without financial means due to the recession. An organization called the Re-En- tering Students Association (RESA) has been formed to help deal with their special needs. ). Hollie Allen, director of admissions, records and recruiting for 1983, said, We are instituting an WITH A MINOR in photography, Gary Muns is able to improve his work as a Florence Police photographer. (Photo by Jeff Zills) attempt to help these students who are here with a purpose and a mature atti- tude which helps them to excel. RESA has been formed to help communicate needs and information between re-entering students, the ad- ministration, faculty and the SGA. RESA is also a way of letting older but new students find others, like them- selves, who need reassuring that the anxiety they feel will go away. It ' s scary, said Sylvia Russell. Some of us are in our 40 ' s and 50 ' s. We are afraid of the competition. Every- thing is new but we have an edge with experience outside the school situa- tion. These re-entering students have many problems traditional students haven ' t had to face yet. Study time is always competing with jobs or housework or even their own chil- dren ' s homework. It ' s also hard to re- sume study habits. Families can be very supportive, but for children it ' s not easy to learn to be extra quiet. It ' s also difficult to be on campus and not see anyone you know most of the day RESA is trying to help alleviate that problem. They have a lounge area in O ' Neal Hall with coffee available and usually someone to talk, study, or just relax with. RESA will build self- confidence, said Vicki Darby, nursing major and a native of England. The young people have SOAR and we have RESA. These re-entering students want the traditional students to accept them. They compete to get the best education possible, but are willing to share their wisdom of being in the real world. Who knows who will benefit the most! — Wendy Woodfin

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M rif m ENIOYING LUNCH accompanied by live jazz music at Handy ' s on the Plaza are Andi Flip- pen, Nancy Flynn, and Jo Anne Thomas. Red- clothed tables were set up on the sidewalks of Mobile Plaza, but the street was left clear for dancing. (Photo by Grant Lovett) ENTERTAINING PASSENGERS aboard the riv- erboat cruise with a jubilee of jazz and blues tunes are Emil Orth and the River City Six. Musi- cal cruises on the Tennessee River were offered throughout Handy Festival week. (Photo by Lee Puckett) c3dli

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I PLAN TO RETURN if possible, said Jan Si- mone Darby. The state of the economy, home fi- nances, family, and work responsibilities have combined to prevent many married students from returning to school this semester (Photo by Deborah Thompson) SENIOR NURSING STUDENTS Jean Paden and Anne Shelton find that studying between classes allows more free time to spend at home. (Photo by Jeff Zills)