Wartburg College - Fortress Yearbook (Waverly, IA)

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Cafe Outbreak An uncontrollable food fight that broke out in the cafeteria during the fall term Outfly was just one of several events that led to a critical look at this student declared holiday during the school year. Under the Campus Life Committee ' s (CLIC) guidance, a careful examination of the purpose and intent of Outfly was conducted. An all-campus forum spon- sored by Student Senate gave students a chance to voice their concerns about the holiday. According to research done by the CLIC committee, Outfly has experienced many changes since itsinitiation in 1916. That first year, Outfly, or Ausflug in German, was established as a spontane- ous, student-initiated one-day holiday held once in the fall term and once in the spring term. This aspect of Outfly seems to have remained in tact through the years of change, although there are now many more rules governing the days which are eligible for the calling. One other aspect of Outfly which has weathered the changes of the years is the purpose of Outfly. When it was conceived, purpose was to provide students with enjoyable activities in which th e faculty could participate. This was intended to enhance student faculty relationships. Sophomore Jerome Irish and Senior Ellen Hansen enjoy a dance together. Spurs Revisions This practice has been kept, in theory, but those in attendance at the Residential Life Forum, voiced concerns that per- haps students were leaning away from their feelings of wanting to interact with the faculty on Outfly. One other concern that was raised about the student-declared holiday was the amount of alcohol related activities thattake place. CARE, a newly organized committee, showed special concern about this area, and few students denied that drinking is a popular activity, especially the night Outfly is called. When it was originally established, Out- fly was called by the students gathered on the president ' s lawn not at 10 p.m., but at 7 a.m. That way the students had already prepared fortheir classes on that day, and the one-day vacation really was a break from classes and homework. In the 1930 ' s students gathered on the Outfly Grounds located on the banks of the Cedar River. Three-legged races, banana eating contests, and a variety of relay races used to take place there until 3:30 p.m. Today few students know where Outfly Grounds are, and even fewer go there to spend any time on Outfly. Most activities offered for present Out- flies are held on campus and are more varied than those of past years. Since Outfly is now called at night, an all-campus party is usually held, spon- sored by some group on campus. Another regular event is the Campus Ministry bonfire. The Student Activities Committee also provides a variety of events for the day. It is responsible for planning a dance, a breakfast or brunch for students and faculty, and an assortment of athletic activities which provide fun competition between residential units, departments, or other organizations. So, although Outfly has undergone many changes since its initiation, the name remains. And, after its investiga- tion by the CLIC committee, there may be changes in store for Outfly that as yet are unknown.

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A Tradition Meets its Death The sound of splintering wood and crash- ing plaster echoed across the snow-laden campus as watchful eyes stared intently at the death of a Wartburg tradition. It was a snowy day in February when the 3000 pound ball and chain finally challenged the landmark of Wartburg Hall. And, the fight was an easy one. The 71-year-old building crumbled—without even putting up a fight. The thoughts of those watching the des- truction were mixed. Some glanced excitedly at the revelation of the back of the new busi- ness building. Others watched teary-eyed as a building full of memories was slowly reduced to a pile of worthless wood and bricks. Membersof the Wartburg community gath- ered forachapel service to give a last memor- ial to Wartburg Hall, almost as though mourn- ing the loss of a dear friend. And indeed, Wartburg Hall was a friend, and a place to make friends. Built in 1913, the building first housed female students who came to Wartburg for teacher certification. According to Gerhard Ottersberg, a change in state regulations raised the requirements for teachers to two years of college. Wartburg Hall was builtto housethesudden increaseof female students. Prior to that time, female students had been farmed out into the Wav- erly community. During the Depression, the previously all- female halls were infiltrated by a family. Ottersberg said his family moved into Wart- burg Hall much like many of the other profes- sors during that time moved into other build- ings on campus. We didn ' t pay anything to live there, and my job was to keep an eye on the building, Ottersberg said. Wartburg Hall remained a women ' s dormi- tory until 1972 when it became the home- base for Wartburg ' s Chrysalis Education program. The Chrysalis program was designed to make students more responsible for their own learning, according to Herman Diers, professor of religion and former instructor for Chrysalis. Diers said Wartburg Hall was an especially good place for the program to be based because it encouraged interaction between both students and faculty. Our offices were in the dormitory, which provided for a lot of interaction. We would always pass students on the staircase leading up to our offices, Diers said. The principal structure of Wartburg Hall made it easier for people to be in touch with each other. It was while the Chrysalis program was housed in Wartburg Hall that student com- plaints to improve the condition of the build- ing backfired. An ironic thing happened, Diers said. The students were pressing for the building to be made more suitable, so in response, the college called in the state fire marshal. It wasn ' t long until Wartburg Hall was con- demned. Students werethen moved out of Wartburg Hall, while faculty members still kept their offices in that location. Diers said this resulted in a joke among the faculty that the profes- sors were more expendable than the students. Afterthecondemning of Wartburg Hall, the college attempted to keep the Chrysalis pro- gram alive by relocating it in Hebron. But, according to Diers, the surroundings of Wart- burg Hall were definitely missed. Lacking the ingredients which Wartburg Hall had added, the college was forced to cancel the Chrysalis program following the 1979-80 school year. Despite being deserted by the Chrysalis program, Wartburg Hall found itself utilized by many other groups. The college bookstore was located on the bottom floor for many years, as well as the Student Health Center on the first floor. Many classes, of a large variety, also met in the lounge of Wartburg Hall. So, even afterthe building had been handed a death sentence, it continued to thrive, at least until the new business building began to climb in front of it. Having the new and old so close together made it difficult to ignore the obvious differences. It was a step toward progress. Soon after the last scraps of Wartburg Hall were swept away, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially open the walkway through the Whitehouse Business Center. And, stu- dents gathered once again. This time, to celebratethe birth of a new Wartburg tradition.