University of Tulsa - Kendallabrum (Tulsa, OK)

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PARKING I X ANY TIME 4. f I 1 , 4 x ,f 9,1 X W , 7 ' et A ffif W 'f t i A 'fax x Clockwise from top left: Rick Askew, TU commut- er, hitching a ride to school, playing his stereo, studying. Mew- fan.

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N l IHI I NSIIIDIE BY LISA PERKINSON lf you've ever marveled upon the majestic Mabee man- sions or have ever been captivated by the co-ed commu- nity of the Towers, you've probably been saturated with an inner curiosity as to what it's like on the inside - what's it really like to live in a modern day college dorm. Although the actual unique experience of dorm life can only truly be captured with a S50 room deposit and the signing of the University contract, a look into the life of one of these present day dorm independents could per- haps enlighten one to the finer Cand not so finerj aspects of the 24 hour University setting. And so, a look onthe inside Our target resident is sophomore Kim Richards. A 3.0 C.J. major, Kim currently resides at 2808 E. 6th - Lottie Jane Mabee Hall. A roommate and a pet parakeet named Benji share the same four walls with Kim. All three inhabi- tants prove to be exceptionally compatible, and all three are on the University Housing files. Yes, even little Benji the bird had to go through proper channels to gain admit- tance, but the little cherper passed with flying colors. Kim carries a fifteen hour semester load and thus aver- ages five to nine hours a day in the dorm quarters Cthis of course does not include a daily quota of eight hours beauty restj. These dorm hours are spent studying, watching t.v., studying, reading, studying, cooking, and often times, studying. An 8:00 riser, Kim finds an hour preperation time nec- essary to get ready for the day's encounters, but confess- es she has not found the secret to squeezing that one hour prep time into one hour. I have yet to be on time for my 9:00 class, she says. Like most other campus connoisseurs of higher education, Kim is usually in class from 9:00 to 12:00 soaking up wisdom and developing potential. After class, Kim sprints back to the dorm and immedi- ately examines the tiny box which is designated to hold her important messages, letters, and basic what-nots. Mail time is the peak point of the morning activity for most residents, and often times crowds will gather as the loyal mailworkers faithfully execute their duty to distrib- ute the long awaited love letters, money from dad letters, and pertinent junk mail. Depending on the evening itinerary, an afternoon schedule is prepared over lunch. Study sessions revolve around All in the Family Ca daily musty which airs at 2:30. Dorm functions, dances, parties, S.A. movies, and boyfriend Mitch occupy the majority of Kim's leisure evenings. lntermingled within all this are numerous raids and pranks from neighborhood dorms, phone calls, a never- ending stream of visitors, laundry day Cin which residents vie for washers and dryersj, and the basic unexplainable excitement of dorm life. Being on campus does give a 24 hour access to the University Cand it is necessary to get away for a little bitj but it's really like a little community or a big family. Either way you look at it, it's neat - and that's what it's like on the inside.

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ii-s M 0 t e W-7' Q1 .. Q- ,Q I CIKIIN I EU BY PAUL FORD Most students know what it means to pack to get ready to go to school. At least students who live on campus do. How many pairs of jeans should I take? Which socks? What'll I do with my toothbrush? Most students go through the process twice a year, once in the fall and again before the spring semester. But there's at least one student who does it every day. Rick Askew. And he lives at home. He backpacks. Backpacking has become a big thing in recent years on the TU campus. lts popularity is basically due to laziness. The idea is to make it easy on yourself. lf you're carrying books on your back, you don't tire as easily and your arms are left free. And if your arms are free, your thumbs are generally free. To Rick, it's the thumbs that make the difference. Because, besides having to backpack to school, for the first half of the semester, Rick hitch-hiked every day. lt's not easy. Ask Rick, he'll tell you. A typical day for him goes something like this: 15 Get up. CA major step5 25 Get cleaned up. Clt's hard to get a ride when you look like something the cat wouldn't even bother to drag in.5 35 Eat breakfast. Clt takes strength to hold your thumb out.5 45 Load the backpack. fTry to leave the heavy stuff at home.5 55 Head off to school. CStart early, give your self plenty of time.5 65 Start thumbing. fUse a lot of smile.5 75 Arrive at school. CHopefully not late.5 85 Go to class. CTry not to fall asleep.5 8a5 Between classes find some quiet corner to sleep in.5 95 Go to lunch. QPreferably find someone who can take you out. Why purposely subject yourself to campus food?5 105 Finish with school, head home. CApply rule 6. Whew!5 These rules, which Rick faithfully adheres to, with cer- tain exceptions, work well for commuters in general. But why hitch-hike? Well, buses are okay if there's a route close, if the bus runs at the time you need it, or if you have correct change. A car is okay if you have money to buy, run, and insure it. But if you don't Things are cooking for Rick. He's got a few friends who give him rides when he needs them. And he really appre- ciates the rides, especially in the cold winter mornings. But Rick still does his thumb exercises just in case. Photos by Theresa Myers