Valparaiso University - Beacon / Record Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Clockwise Cfrom belowL A dissatisfied student prepares to battle her bunk. A conference call? Chaos reigns during the first week of school. A typical load in the family wagon. Even mom is expected to carry something. The herding instinct of freshman is revealed at registration. THE PIECES 19

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F RESHM EN: New Pieces for the Mosaic As a freshman R.A.-to-be, I remember reading through the room- mate questionnaire and wondering how the housing office ever paired them up: one liked hard rock music and the other classical; one was from a large city and the other from a rural town. Would they survive without kill- ing each other? Could the diverse group live compatibly on one floor? I wasnlt the only apprehensive one, either. Most of the R.A.s wondered how to be supportive, but strict at the same time. Saturday arrived too soon and at 8 am. the freshman began to arrive. Some were nervous about starting over, some excited to be leaving their parents. However, the overwhelming feeling in the halls was excitement. As soon as the parents left the real trial began. Could everybody handle their independence? Orientation week was interesting. I was bombarded with questions about classes, professors, student life, ac- tivities, sports, etc. Soon, however, everyone settled into a routine and began to form new friends. To keep in touch I started hanging open-ended statements in the bathroom. live learned that they wish for the same things I do: sleep, money, more time, easier classes, a visit from their sweetheart . . . They say college ha taught them how to: order pizza, tali quick showers, sleep in class, and prc crastinate. And they like Valp because of the independence weather, and friendships. As I get to know them I realize the are no different from my upperclas friends. The diverse group of his school graduates I met on that firs day have grown into a tightly meshe family. Of course theylre still i dividuals with traumas and conflict but like most freshmen they hav each adjusted in their own way to lit at VU. -Tammy Smit

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203????8 Black Cultural Center: More Than Meets The Eye . . . The Black Cultural Center is located on old campus in a small house on Freeman Street. The pur- pose of the BCC is twofold: the center is designed to meet the sociocultural and academic needs of the minority student and to promote cross-cultural understanding among all students. The Center has traditionally served only black students, but the arrival of a new leader last year, Victor N. Glover-Director of Minority Programs and part-time instructor of Jour- nalism, brought a broader perspective to the facility. The BCC is now geared specifically toward blacks, but also toward minorities in general. Just over two percent of VUls student population is classified as minorities: blacks, Hispanics, native Americans, and Asian Americans. The BCC serves as a home away from home for minority students. The facilities include a fully equipped kit- chen, a reference library lthe focal point for black literature on campusl, a new computer complete with word processor and printer, a TV and a VCR, a pool table, and games. The BCC is a comfortable place used for social purposes, quiet study, and meetings for various groups llike the Black Student Organizationl. The Center also houses the Office of Minority Programs, which Glover directs with the help of eight students who staff the BCC Monday through Saturday evenings. The BCC had a full calendar of events during the school year. The 86-87 year brought several parties, in- cluding the annual fall facultylstudent mixer, and festivitites to honor parentsi day and major holidays. The Office of Minority Programs sponsored a lecture in October given by Dr. Manning Marable of Purdue E A C O N l? University, author of six books and the foremost black political scientist. In honor of Black History Month in February, the BCC also sponsored lectures by two freedom writers that worked behind the scenes for Dr. Mar- tin Luther King Jr., Dr. James Mock and Ms. Diane Nash. And in conjuc- tion with the BSD and Union Board, the Office of Minority Programs also invited Dick Gregory to speak in February. Gregory has participated in the Civil Rights Movement for over twenty years. The BCC proudly offers extensive programming and facilities to the VU community with a broad perspective of cross-cultural activities and a sup portive, homelike environment to all minority students on campus. -Maria Czamanske