University of Oklahoma - Sooner Yearbook (Norman, OK)

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lightly, but can be handy in an introspective study of OU students. Thus, take a moment to meet one such character. Tom White. Tom White, a junior at the University majoring in art is not typical. An individual more than anything else Tom lives in an older, white frame house on Symmes Street. Finding his life in the dorms his freshman year a bit stifling, Tom was glad to move into the exciting atmosphere of residential Norman. Having lived at a couple of places since then, Tom has maintained his home on Symmes street for nearly a year. Living with one roommate, Tom finds his independent life quite enjoyable. I've got time to do the things I like, and am able to avoid the aspects of college living which don't hold much attraction for me. DIVISION- THE INDEPENDENT 12 STUDENL TOM WHITE One of the many things which White finds time to do, and is among his favorite pasttimes, is porch sitting. We use the porch a lot It s a great place to just relax and the things you can see, if you take the time, are incredible. Tom 5 porch, decorated with some of the by- products of his art major, has become something of a looking-glass into the outer world. The surrounding neighborhood is heavily populated by elderly'people, and their routines provide a unique touch with the rest of the world for Tom.

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In the world of contemporary college students, there inevitably seems to be the necessity of identifying some as independents and some as Greeks. Of course that faction which carries the appelation of Creek is well defined, and the name is generally well applied in relation to the housing system involved tGreeks live in fraternities and sororities; no ifs, ands or butsl Then there are the people known as Hindependents. If anyone has a pat definition of the collegiate independent, Websteris Dictionary would love to hear it, for those words surely cover a broader field of college-level students than any other label. Obviously the independent is one who is not a member of the Greek system, hence independent of the fraternal life. Yet such a category is so diverse tincluding students from the dorms to those who commute from Siberiay that it hardly narrows down any one group of OU students. Thus it is necessary to select one of the groups within that overall division of students known as independents for this study. To select one extreme of the independent group, one might look to the counter-culture side of things. There is an obvious faction of the OU student population characterized by long hair, old houses and windows draped with Eastern tapestries. Of course generalizations such as these are items which should be regarded only OPPOSITE ABOVE: Various examples of White's ceramic enioyments of living in a house of his own. BELOW: Tricks talents fill up an end table in the living room. OPPOSITE of the trade, the artist's trade, lay in orderly fashion in BELOW: A leisurely moment finds Tom chatting about the Tom's backyard.

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OPPOSITE: attention to something besides the conversation around him. The older people around here are always friendly and never hassle anybody. They take their time in life, and make for a pretty nice neighborhood. Another side of Whitets routine, which is among the most important, is his work in the OU art school. I really like my work in art, said Tom. I dont take very many hours, and don't seem real concerned with getting a degree right now. I just take my classes as they come. . Even though Tom doesn't take a tremendous number of classes, the work he does is fabulous. His house is filled with ceramic pieces of his own creation, which range from ash trays to pots for plants. But there is no variation in the quality of each item. They are all of a beautiful nature. Asked to typify the OU art student, and tell whether he felt he was one of the more typical, Tom said there simply wasn't an average description as such. However, White did feel there was a sort of dress code for art majors, a style of country and western tendencies. Yet, David Smith, Tomts roommate, directs his he added, I may be an art major, but I don't wear cowboy boots! If there was another facet of Tom White's independent life which was individually important it was music. It's something I couldn't do without. Therets always something playing on the stereo. White's musical tastes might be considered on the outer fringe of contemporary sounds. Asked to name some of his favorite artists, White listed people and groups unfamiliar to this writer. LEFT: The front door of White's house aiar, Tomis porch, one of his favorite places, is revealed. BELOW: Torn passes a small example of his ceramic work, a joint effort between he and a friend, to visitor Kevin Portz. Following an inquiry,of a more specific nature as to whether the Beatles was one of the groups, past or present, which he enjoyed listening to, Tom said, Well, I haven't listened to them much since I was in high school, but I generally like their sounds. Tom might be considered in the advanced stages of music appreciation. With no definite plans for the future, Tom hopes to maintain his comfortable life on Symmes Street. It's a nice place to visit, and I wouldn't mind living there. . . a little longer. 13