University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

Page 26 text:

or students who attended summer school in 1975, Austin and the University seemed strangely quiet and deserted. Because summer enrollment was less than one-fourth that of the long semes- ter, classes were smaller and more intimate. Students cov- ered the same amount of material at a faster pace during the shorter summer semesters, but their spare time was spent in more leisurely ways. Amid lazy afternoons at the lake, students watched as Austin changed. As they do every year, new students joined the four-year carousel ride of the University. Suitcase in one hand, a map clutched in the other, the new student began his orientation to a system. A trained staff of 80 student orientation advisors intro- duced approximately 5,000 freshmen and transfer students to university life.The orientation program emphasized every- thing from academic to extracurricular activities. For assistance in specific academic areas, students met with faculty members. Armed with advice and a course catalogue, the orientee prepared for preregistration. For the student who preferred to bypass the classroom entirely, the Measurement and Evalua- tion Center offered a credit-by- examination program. Fireside Chats with var- ious professors were held to stress that a course is more than textbooks and memoriza- tion. The Career Choice Infor- mation Center and the Reading and Study Skills Laboratory (RASSL) were introduced as sources of counseling and aid to the harried freshman. Social activities provided en- tertainment and much needed relaxation. A multi-media show, folk singers, a dance, a water- melon party and an afternoon at Eastwoods Park allowed the opportunity to meet new people. If the orientee learned nothing else, he quickly discovered the magical power of his social security number. After mas- tering a few simple rules, (use only number two pencil, do not erase, consent of instructor must be obtained), the new student officially registered for school. Turning his back on the long lines of the Rifle Range, he had completed his basic training for fall. Centralized adds and drops offered hope to those whose schedule had been changed beyond recogni- tion. As a brief introduction to the University, Orientation calmed some of the student ' s worst fears. Signs of change were observed by students in the Austin area. One controversial action centered around the renam- ing of 19th Street. The Austin City Council motion renamed the street in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The cost in- volved for the city and private businesses caused protests among citizens. As new street signs went up, the District Court began examination of the case. The court ' s ruling reversed the City Council ' s motion, saying the Council did not follow the correct procedure in making the name change. This decision would invalidate a total of 87 other street name changes enacted by resolution. The Council decided to leave the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard signs up until the final appeal could be heard. Other signs went up around Austin as a no-smoking law went into effect on September 1. The state law prohibits smoking in public schools, elevators, enclosed theaters, li- braries, museums, hospitals and intrastate and local transit buses if a warning sign of the prohibition and penalties is posted. On campus the ordinance was generally ignored. Many students felt the no-smoking signs were most useful for decorating dorm rooms or adding to their collection of other warning signs to be ignored. On campus, flags flew at half-mast for two days com- memorating the death of Miss Ima Hogg (1882-1975). Miss Ima Hogg will be remembered as an incomparable Texan possessed with a passionate concern for the betterment of humanity, the preservation of history and the promotion and appreciation of the arts. That she was a Texan was fortunate, for she manifested all of these concerns in Texas and for Texans. Her life ended quietly in Au- gust, 1975, during a trip to Lon- don. Fortunately, she had an unusually long and prosperous life and proved to be one of Texas ' finest natives. The death of Miss Ima Hogg did not put an end to her good works. Her entire life was dedi- cated to the enrichment of life and the preservation of history around her. Texas abounds with the gifts of her generosity. Her interest in education was among her many accomplish- ments and generosities. Her primary loyalty was to The Uni- versity of Texas, which she at- tended from 1899-1901. She served as a Trustee of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Hygiene which she established for the improvement of mental health in Texas. This pro- gram was extended by the implementation of another foun- dation the Ima Hogg Foundation which is now under the administration of the Board of Regents. Miss Hogg ' s interest in the arts led her to purchase the 113-year old Stagecoach Inn at Winedale, Texas, in Fayette County. After extensive restoration, she donated the newly renovated buildings and 130 acres to The University of Tex- as. The center is used for the study of the history and culture of the German immigrants who settled in Texas before the Civil War. Texas ' heritage was one of Miss Hogg ' s main concerns. In 1958, she restored and donated James S. Hogg ' s plantation home and 53 acres to the State of Texas as a state park and museum. Miss Hogg ' s interest in music grew from her ch ildhood days and became particularly apparent in her later years. She studied piano as a student at the University and later developed an impressive talent. Often called one of the 18 Summer

Page 25 text:

V ' ' gl FEATURES Lynne Baggett Mona Ezell section editors

Page 27 text:

-: 3bounds -. ' . of the . ; ;.-:--5etne . ;:;; -Fayette -;;; { newly - - Sf- . s ' ' Vv ' v