| 6 - The Highacres Collegian, October 8, 1976 I In the Beginning .. . THERE WAS ORIEHTAWM by Stephanie Guion This passage is dedicated to get stabbed with a TB needle all my fellow classmates who of the more exciting things that have diligently withheld the happened to us during orientation), agony and cumbersome agenda of or attended a "Survival Session."' [.orientation week here at the Now we as freshmen knew we were in iHazleton Campus of Penn State, dire need of help, but this sounded rand to those sophomores who like we were going through the have willingly suffered through African Jungle on a safari or the massive confusion caused by something. The purpose of this 5500 eager, naive freshmen. "Life-saving" experience was really * Arrival time on campus con- just to get acquainted with some listed of anywhere from 9*oo of the "Pros", (I'm afraid to ask morning, August 31» what that really stands for), and through mid-morning on Wednes- staff. day, September 1. It was in In the afternoon, we were re basic English, "Mass Confusion." united with our hometown folks. Upon entering the lounge you Up here you learn to accept the immediately received a room key, fact that your hometown folk may a few forms, and an outstretched live anywhere from 2-200 miles = hand requesting five dollars for away from you, but yet you feel a RHC dues. Luckily they hit you closeness towards them because with this while your parents were they’re from the same area, still available and most kids The final quest of the day, took advantage of the situation, assembling into the individual Bulging boxes, crates, and suit- colleges and meeting with our cases were unloaded and hauled to advisors, was another ideal, the individual rooms. An empty, chance to meet new people, learn • quiet concrete building was slowly more names, and finally meet the fbeing transformed into an anxious,competitors in your specific busy, crowded, overflowing, field face to face, people-filled "home." Most people The softball game between the will question the term "home" when faculty and students proved it is referred to a dormitory, but rather interesting. Although most knowing you're going to be living of the rules of the game seemed there for the next 30 weeks, you to be up for grabs, everyone had try to make it as liveable as a lot of fun, even the spectators possible. getting hit by the wild throws at One of our first impressions first base. The teams didn't of the campus was established exactly match up to the All-Star through our first meal at the caf-players we expected, but... eteria. I thought the meal (roast Registration is a book in beef) was rather unusual until a itself. If you were lucky sophomore told me to expect it enough to have a last name three times a week. that begins with A-C, you haul Our first day was wrapped up to lead the pack and be in the with a dorm meeting in the lobby, classroom to register at B:3C where we were introduced to the am. These were the times when I "Chiefs." It's funny the way hated my parents for giving me they always show you the ones to a name that appeared at the watch out for first. beginning of the alphabet. Reg- As hard as I always thought it istration ran through most of was to meet people, I kind of got the morning. used to exchanging glances with They really threw the "good" someone and then introducing my- news at us in the afternoon, self and asking their name. It First, we found out the gym is incredible how many names can nasium wouldn't be in use until be thrown at you in two days and October, our required English equally ,as incredible how many you course would involve a bit more forget in one. participation than we had anti- We finally met as an entire cipated, and the library was group Wednesday, September 1. going to be run more strictly They packed us like sardines into this yea r. And ,now for the bad the Commons building and put us news... through another torturous session The weather proved to be dis of "Welcomes," (the 15th one we'd appointing but our picnic and encountered up until then), pro- dance went on as scheduled any oedures, and lengthy explanations. wa y, (although the picnic was held Before we knew it, we were split downstairs in the Commons.) The up again, this time into three -students really had an opportunity groups, and we either proceded to literally "let loose", and believe me that's what they did. (For those with "the munchies,") the picnic supplied the eatins' (hot dogs, baked beans and good ol' potato salad.) They also had a keg tapping during the dance, but much to our dismay it wan only birch beer. We wound up the week with a good or bad experience, depending on whether you found out you were a carrier of TB or not. It really gave you something to look forward to the whole week. For 24 hours everyone had walked around with four little holes in his arm, praying the test would prove negative. We also had a chance to sign up for all the clubs and organizations. We all realized that this was our big chance to get "involved" and to help get rid of the "Big Bad Hazleton Campus Monster," better known to those of you who consi der yourselves sophisticates, as "Apathy." The troops started moving out Friday morning and by Friday night, Hazleton was less like a funny farm and more like a campus. It's really too bad the transition couldn't last for longer than a week-end. CAMPUS REMO VATIONS PLAMMED The area behind the water tower may soon take on a new facade. Plans have been made to transform the now barren area into a study court. The refur bished area will hopefully be come a peaceful place for stu dents to not only study and read, but also for relaxation and communing with nature. Plans for construction are set for this fall and next spring, with dedication planned for the spring of 1977. Other renovations on campus include the greenhouse located by the faculty parking lot. Com plete except for a few details, it will soon be abloom and aiding botanical studies in the Biology Department.
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