Volume II, Number 2 Elon College, North'Carolina ^^e£tember25^9^ Parents Weekend—Homecoming draws flack: Many “bummed out” by Doug Durante Reverberations reaching the SGA show that the students at Elon are upset by the fact that two annual weekend events have been combined into one with the merging of Parents Weekend and Homecoming. For the first time in Elon's history the two weekends will be one and the same time will include a non-annual event, the Bicentennial, in its agenda. These three events, which last spring seemed strong enough to have their own time slots, are being reduced to one weekend. Parents Weekend is a time for Mom and Dad to come to see the campus, meet the faculty and get an overall view of where their sons and daughters spend 75% of the calendar year. For students who live any distance away, this is a welcome visit between parents and students. Even more welcome is Homecoming; it is a part of every college, the highlight of the football season and one of the most popular weekends of the year among students. Traditionally, this has been a time for sitting back and hearing a concert Friday night followed by an afternoon of WELN is Still waiting by Doug Durante Elon's chances for a radio station were dimmed last week when station manager Look familiar? ^VELN is still facing the same old hassles. (Ptioto by Dave Shuford) Auction bargains by Rick Sherlock Several students are finding themselves in a bind this year by moving off campus into apartments. Not only has the cost of utilities and food consumed their allowances and lowly incomes, but to furnish and decorate has become impossible. Many students are scratching through their parents' attics and cellars for long forgotten relics that are better left alone or they are fumbling through discount stores spending double an item's worth. A few students have found a way of picking up these necessities for what they believe bargains by attending auctions. Many auctions are run in the Burlington area, on the average of one or two a week on Saturday mornings. TTiey sell anything and everything, and the customer pays only what he feels the item is worth to him. Chairs, sofas, beds, tables, dressers, lamps, rugs—this list is endless, from dryers to kitchen appliances. The deal is usually a gotxl one. so when money is tight, as it is with most students right now. they should check into auctions with the local paper. Students may have some fun on an otherwise bleak Saturdjiy. Bob Hurst received news that there would be at least a three-month delay before WELN officially begins broadcasting. Hurst, however, along with the rest of the station's staff, feels confident that this snag will be the last. Congressmen Richardson tVeyer contacted members of the Communications Media Board last week to inform them that because of complications within the Federal Communications Commission, all forms being reviewed will be delayed for about 90 days. Because of staff and personnel problems, the construction permit which was scheduled for building to begin by October 1 has now been delayed until around December. Bob Hurst encourages all students to join the station. The first meeting of the year will be held in the large lounge of the Student Center, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. football and an evening of partying on Saturday. This has also proved to be a popular time for alumni to return, giving them a chance to see the college, the team, and the students. The Bicentennial celebration may or may not have been strong enough to survive on its own, but now playing second fife to the parents and homecoming, it is likely to get lost in the shuffle. The effect the merger will have on each student will differ, but the majority seem unhappy. SGA President Laurie Hafner was probably as surprised as any one about the decision. The truth of the matter is that Laurie was completely bypassed. To try to blame one person responsible is not only difficult to do but irrelevant at this point because there is nothing that can be done to change the situation. The students have usually been the ones to decide matters that involve their parents and their football team. Unfortunately for Miss Hafner, her campaign promise of making Elon a non-suitcase college by offering weekend activities will receive a setback because of this, but she may try to salvage the situation with a concert the weekend of the home Catawba same. Editorial Comment Thomas Bass, director of alumni and parent activities, agrees that the compression of Homecoming and Parents Weekend into one has become "an unfortunate situation." Time conflicts with an area furntiure manufacturer's convention thwarted original Some students couldn't avoid drop-add day. (1*11010 by Dave Shuford) (editor's comment continued)... plans to schedule Homecoming for Sept. 27 and Parents Weekend on Oct. 11. The convention on Sept. 27 has tied up motels for miles around. Because planning was done from the parent and alumni angle, it was ridiculous to invite them at a time when they could not be accommodated. Therefore both events were scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 11 "with the idea of making the weekend even better, not to stifle it at all." The Bicentennial Committee then agreed to hold their activities at this time and take advantage of the great number of people on campus. Here is where the trouble started. Students, who fill the Homecoming football bleachers and deserve as much concern as alumni, were not consulted. Only after the plans were made was the SGA, in the person of Phil Goble, jiotified. No student ideas or opinions were sought. We suggest that in the future a healthier administration-student relation must be pursued. How can the administration not expect dissent from students when they handle us as pawns? Student members, as delegates we suggest, must be present when matters of mutal student-administration interest are discussed and acted upon. —Lance Latane Freshmen welcomed by Paige Garriques The new academic year opened with an orientation program which surpasses all others in Elon's history. An all-out effort was made to welcome freshmen and make them feel more secure while they're being initiated into Radio course beats WELN to the finish by Paige Garriques Interest in radio broadcasting has officially taken rimt here this semester. Although not in the form of the long-awaited WELN Marjorie l.ong, radio instructor. station, this interest is being channeled into a new radio course. Marjorie Long, who is teaching the class, has had experience with a large communications department (radio and television) at Western Michigim University. Her course will explore the history and background of broadcasting. FCC regulations, programming^ and management, writing for sound media, and the use of audio controls. Mrs. Long said. "The students will at least know how to create and operate a full program themselves, even though we're working in a limited amount of time." While commenting on nidio. Mrs. Long noted a trend leading back to drama. Radio broadcasting contains all the elements of drama plus audience participation. "You fill in the background yourself—stretch the imagination." she said. In planning and programming during the course, the students will think in terms of drama and make use of these elements. Last fall the Communications Media Boiird tiH»k a survey of student interest and received a gtHxl respc)nse. A propt>sal went through and the Curriculum Committee approved the course barely in time for drop-add day. Open to 25 lo .W students, the class has about 15 people attending. college life. "This year each freshman student was involved in a very informal, small, co-ed group which met together at set times during the week." said program coordinator Bill Sharpe. The students got to know each other and got acquainted with campus life, academics. SGA. services, and all Elon has to offer them. Each group has a faculty advisor and student counselor who introduced them to the campus and will stay with them throughout their year at Elon. Jennings Berry was responsible for briefing the faculty in their advisory capacities. Dean Frank Rhodes is supervising the resident counselors—another new concept in making student life more rewarding. The program also includes counselors for six commuter groups. Dean William Long, who produced this brainchild, said smiling. "Freshmen orientation is one of the busiest times of the year for me. We hope this has made entry more pleasant and less confusing for incoming freshmen."