Utah State University - Buzzer Yearbook (Logan, UT)

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much, but if I get homesick. I guess I con look ot it sideways ond pretend it's o skyscraper. Often, it seems thot U5U is two schools. Among the more conservative elements of Utah. U5U hos the reputation of being o por-ty school, ftnd yet. students from the Cast or the UUest Coast ore omozed thot there isn't o tovern adjacent to compus. ond thot beer, the traditional university beverage, is forbidden in the dorms. And when these outsiders write home to complain about the illegality of kegs in the valley, their friends sometimes laugh off the complaints as jokes. Occasionally, some situation arises that underscores the cultural conflict. For example, the Logan City Council caused a major flap among o number of students when it decreed dancing in bars would end at midnight on Saturday. The assumption wos quickly mode by outraged students that the council didn't wont anyone dancing on Sunday, and that the city fathers were foisting their morals upon the city. After a flurry of letters to the Logan Herald-Journal and The Utah Statesman as well os articles and editorials on the Cinderella dance ban, the council resided its action. After a while, however, outsiders grow used to the lifestyle in the volley, often insulating themselves in small, familiar groups. 8ut the religious aura of the university is like the temple in Logan; everything happens in its shadow, and for better or worse, is affected by its presence. The dominant culture is a tough one to adjust to. but it's worth the effort. If you can survive the first year's shock, you'll find that it's not as bad os you thought. In fact, you might begin to like it. Some of those who come before you hove become so severely afflicted with Valley fever that they hove decided to moke their homes here. And for good reason. For nature freaks, ski bums etc., there is Jackson Hole. UJyoming, o mere four hours drive away. Or head south to Canyonlands or Arches for some spectacular desert scenery. Of course, some of the finest skiing in the

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the town to notice the cultural undertow. One new student (who hod no idea thot the mojor religion in Utoh wos Mormonism) sow the Temple ond thought it on eccentric millionaire's castle. Rnother heard frequent reference to gentile this ond gentile that' I hod no idea, he told a friend, there wos such a Jewish population in Utah. Just how Logan first appears to the newcomer is defined, in great measure, by the parollex view. The appearance of the city depends not os much on its physical as on the student's frame of reference, his background—what he's used to seeing. Logan is. at the some time, a provincial homlet and a big city. USU's Business Building emphasizes this condition. R freshman girl from Panguitch, Utah stores at the top of the building, its roof hoisted atop nine stories of brick, concrete and steel. It’s comforting to know. she jokes to a friend, that if school gets too tough, there's o skyscraper right on campus to jump off of. R new arrival from New Vork City looked ot the some building and remarked. It's not 9

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world is at Logan's doorstep, as well as Pishing, hiking and hunting. But despite the wide recreational oppor-• mtics. the students always have to come back to class, bock to roommates, bock to •hose ‘'all-nighters'' before exams, find yes. back to thot omnipresent cultural dimorphism. Strangely enough, there is little actuol friction between these two divergent groups at Utah State. In Pact, for the most part, each seems to be genuinely amused by the actions of the other. There comes a time each year, however, that the differences in attitude, endeavor ond philosophy become less distinct. Graduation changes things. The two foe-ions shore a commonality: they both experience the exultation of the climax of their education, tempered with the pain of leaving beloved friends behind. The faded jeans of happy hour are gone, the three-piece suits of the line-up dance are gone, or at least hidden under the graduation gowns. Families converge on the campus. Ccmeros are everywhere. The graduates clustered in the various ceremonies across campus share the solemnity of the moment, fee: the same discomfort of the pomp and circumstance and know the true joy of accomplishment. for this one day they are all truly brothers. Coch believes his education can oe a force for good in their lives, a force than can perhaps even better the human condition. ' he ceremonies ore brief, the gowns come off quickly and paths lead off in many directions. But each student walks his own path a little differently going down the hill than he did walking up. those long years ago. ' his overview of life at Utah State is necessarily sketchy. It doesn't mention the social subgroups: the cowboys, the UJest Coast elite, the Cast Coast punkers. the foreign students, the earth children and all those who don't fit into any category. Cach is present on campus, and each is as interesting and noteworthy as the others. It is this diversity that makes Utah State University such a mulligon stew of ideas, attitudes ond philosophies. •■ter oil, mulligon stew is more interesting than beef broth.III