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

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1969 Cactus Yearbook As Americans faced a new wave of political mediocrity in the late 1970 ' s, emphasis shifted from issues to personalities. Theatrics played a major role in arousing the curiosity of otherwise apathetic voters. People seemed more concerned with Jimmy Carter ' s smile, Billy ' s antics and Jerry Brown and Linda Ronstadt ' s good friends relationship. Seemingly devoid of issues, the 1978 Texas gubernatorial race unfolded as a matter of campaign expenditures. Attorney General John D. Hill pos- sessed more political experience, but Bill Clements Jr. banked on the asset of political conservatism and emerged as Texas ' first Republican governor in 105 years. Earlier in the decade, Republicans appeared in less favorable light. Two Washington Post reporters ' 1972 investigation of a seemingly routine break-in at the Watergate Hotel led to House impeachment hearings, con- victions of high U.S. officials and the first resignation of a U.S. president. In 1968, presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon visited the UT Austin cam- pus. Six years later in August, 1974, the final curtain fell on his political career. ' To Choose 1979 Cactus Yearbook 11

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1969 Cactus Yearbook j ) eflecting aspects of the Looking out for Number One generation, an rX increasing number of students across the nation discovered the Uni- versity greek system. As leisure activities became the major social issue, more students went through rush during the late seventies. The success of National Lampoon ' s Animal House epitomized the inane frivolity of those good ol ' college days. Reasons for joining a sorority or fraternity varied. Some students enjoyed the security of finding a niche on a campus of 43,000 people. By becoming a member of a specific group, an individual could establish an identity for himself. To others, the greek joinsmanship represented a dead-end of strict conformity. Nightmares of rejection haunted the sleep of prospective rushees, making the chance of selection and ultimate acceptance all the more valuable. But security did not come without a price, measured in terms of time and money. For some the cost was prohibitive, but far more students stayed with the greek system as membership approached the 5,000 mark in 1979 compared to 2,000 participants in 1969. If not enjoyed by all, greek activities were certainly witnessed by many, as some students chose not to let school get in the way of their education. Chosen 1979 Cactus Yearbook 13