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

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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)

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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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With the chance to become acquainted with the campus and to watch their children perform, the sixth annual Parents ' Day pfive parents Somethin g to (Sin k About On February 12, 1983. the campus was swarming with proud poppas and mommas as they gathered for the sixth annual Parents ' Appreciation Day which was topped off with the bigger- than-ever Step Sing. To begin Parents ' Appreciation Day. which was sponsored by the Asso- ciation of University Students, a lun- cheon was served in the Great Hall. En- tertainment during and after the meal was provided by Pam Battles and the members of Freshman Forum. During the afternoon parents were able to tour the campus, to view dis- plays prepared by various campus or- ganizations, and to enjoy open house at several locations. SINGING ABOUT the wonders of water, Randy Nash. Craig Tankersley, and Terry Harris of Sig- ma Chi compete for their fraternity in Step Sing ' s Class A division. (Photo by Deb Thompson) The climax of the day was brought about by the ten organizations partici- pating in Step Sing. The events once again attracted a huge crowd of stu- dents, spectators and, of course, par- ents into Norton Auditorium. The warbling and dancing groups were divided into two categories: Class A, more than 45 participants, and Class B, fewer than 45 participants. For the Class A division, the Sigma Chi Fraternity took the honor of plac- ing first in both the popular and origi- nal categories. Sigma Chi ' s splashy tribute to HjO was carried off with cre- ativity and flourish. Coming in second in both popular and original was the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. We ' re So Excited was the theme of the fast-paced musical pro- duction. A version of Take the A Train earned the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity first place in the popular category and sec- ond place in the original. Trading out places with the Pi Kaps were the girls of Rice Hall who took first in original and second in popular. Their presentation was a rousing salute to men. Other groups competing in the Class B division were the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and LaCrange Hall. The Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, the Phi Mu Sorority, and Rivers Hall rounded out the rest of the Class A division. All of the groups helped to make a successful Parents ' Appreciation Day even more successful. — Steve Sparks