Orientation Issue
Meredith Herald
Vol. 2. No. 1 Meredith College, Raleigh, NC 27611 August 28,1986
Freshman Orientation 1986: An Expression
by Vanessa Goodman. Editor
Meredith College opened its gates to
over 340 new students on August 19,
1986 at 9:00 a.m.
Overloaded cars inched up the front
drive facing Johnson hall, while “poles of
color” created by various balloons led the
way.
This year families parked in the grassy
lawn areas near the Mclver Ampitheater.
There, trams were waiting to escort
freshmen and their families to their
dorms.
After unpacking the cars and doing as
much decorating as possible, family
orientation began in Jones Auditorium.
“A Welcome to Meredith” was pro
vided by the administration and staff.
The Class of 1990 was then intro
duced to their academic and student
advisors.
Before saying goodbye to parents, a
reception was held fpr all of the families,
on the west lawn in between Vann resi
dence hall and Joyner hall.
Farewells can be ‘‘tear jerkers,” but the
Meredith Associations: Student Govern
ment Association, Meredith Christian
Association, Meredith Recreation Asso
ciation, and Meredith Entertainment As
sociation, were prepared to create fun
and excitement out of somber spirits.
During one picnic held in Belk Dining
hall due to ^e adverse weather condi
tions, the associations put on a skit based
on the Wizard of Oz
Other highlights of freshman orienta
tion were the Gene Cotton Concert,
“Unwindings,” evening with the faculty,
and the freshman talent show.
Orientation was made possible by a
culmination of efforts by all student lead
ers on campus.
While most students were making
final preparations to return to school, the
leaders of all the major organizations on
campus met for a leadership conference.
The theme of the conference held
from August 16-18,1986 was “Expres
sion.” The Office of Student Activities
challenged the student leaders to express
themselves in several ways and exfH^ss
themselves they did.
Ronald C. Butler, Associate Vice Chan
cellor for Student Affairs at North Carol
ina State University gave the conference
some “spizzerinctum,” the will to suc
ceed, wi^ his speech entitled, “The Stuff
of Leadership.”
After all the goals were set^d all of_
the officer training was completed, eve
ryone busily prepared for the freshman
class arrival.
They made buttons. They made ban
ners. They put up balloons. They did
everything possible to make each new
student feel welcomed into the Meredith
family.
It was just an “expression” of their
leadership abilities that made them go
above and beyond their duties.
Drinking age to be raised to 21
by Vanessa Goodman, Editor
According to law, after September 1,
1986 those persons in North Carolina
who purchase, (>ossess, or consume alco
holic beverages must be 21 years of age.
“Overnight the right to purchase alco
holic beverages legally by those 19-to-
20 will be stripped away and that will
lead to much discomfort to those in that
age group,” said Tom Parker, deputy
director for operations for the Alcohol
Law Enforcement Division.
The ALE isin charge of enforcing all
alcholic beveraje control laws. Their
role with the new measure will not be
increased, but the courts will play a larger
roie in prosecuting violators.
An infiraction be imposed on those
persons under 21 who possess alcohol.
While the infraction is an unlawful act, it
is not a crime. If charged with an infrac
tion, you need only pay a penalty which
cannot exceed $21
“The infraction will not deter all of
fenders, but it will get a message to
come,” Parker said.
The sale of alcoholic beverages to
someone under 21 is a misdemeanor. A
convicticm can lead to two years in jail
and a fine of up to two thousand dollars.
So,a 19or 20-year-old purchasermay
be given an infraction, but the distributor
may be charged with a misdemeanor.
2
Alcoliol and iVlereditli
by Sara Beth Fulford, Carlissa
Oakley. Caroline Powell
September 1,1986 marks the raise of
the legal drinking age in North Carolina
for beer and wine to 21. This change
reflects our state and nation’s increasing
concern about alcohol abuse. However,
Meredith College’s stand on alcohol use
on campus has remained frrm since the
founding of the college.
Moving in Is a little easier with a iittle help from Dad. Photo by Steve Wilson
Founded by North Carolina Baptists,
Meredith has always had a close rela
tionship with the Baptist State Conven
tion. Being one of our m^or supporters,
the Convention gave $837,225 this fiscal
year.
To keep receiving this funding, Mere
dith's policies must be in conjunction
with the policies of the Baptist State
Convention. If our funding were cut,
Meredith would have to find other means
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