THE McGREGOR EXPERIMENT
GRE6 HOWARD
For the first time in the history of
Montreat-Anderson College, there is a
dorm on campus that houses both male
and female students. McGregor dorm
has been selected to house Jr. and Sr.
men and women In a sort of working
experiment.
So far things have generally run
smoothly and most attitudes concerning
the project are positive. There are,
however, two sides to every coin and to
say It's been simply perfect would be a
very unfair remark.
The residents of McGregor (guys on
1st floor and girls on 2nd floor), are
for the most part, generally happy
about the situation. There Is a real
closeness within the dorm which Is
probably attributed to the fact that
over half of the residents are student
leaders, and because these students
have generally spent more than one or
two years, together, here at Montreat.
There really hasn't been a problem
with the girls feeling like they have
been Invaded by guys. In fact, most of
the McGregor women like having the
guys around. "Having the guys In
McGregor, * senior resident Monique
Dugas said, "gives the dorm more of a
family atmosphere." Senior resident
and RA Peggy Lels added, "I feel safe
having the guys here."
The new male residents have mixed
feelings about their new dorm, but
usually end up with a positive feeling.
After spending a couple of years In
either Howerton or Davis, It’s hard not
to miss those places where you spent
so much time. Junior resident Jimmy
Amith looks at It this way, “1 miss
Howerton and Davis and the brotherhood
there, but I really enjoy the privacy in
McGregor and the fact that It's co-ed."
Resident directors Doug and Janet
Belden are pleased with the way things
are working out In McGregor and are
thankful for having a responsible and
mature group of residents. Doug Belden
pointed out that there are little things
to be worked out, but that Is the case In
any new situation. There are things
that guys are used to and the girls
aren't, having lived In a guys' dorm and
vice versa. But, with time and
patience, the leadership In McGregor
feel these things can be worked out In a
way that will accomodate all.
It would seem hard to go directly from
a honeymoon Into a dorm directorhship
position as the Beldens did, but It has
proved otherwise In the case of
McGregor. "This Is the perfect place to
spend these first couple of years of our
marriage," said RD Janet Belden, "I was
concerned about our privacy before we
came, but It has turned out to be fine."
Janet goes on to explain how the
McGregor residents have respected her
and Doug’s privacy and they really
appreciate It "I am overwhelmed by
the sense of community that Is already
present within the dorm," she added.
Some of the residents of McGregor are
concerned that It Is not as sociable as
It should be. They are frustrated that
It Is not as easy to get to know the
freshmen becuase a great deal of the
freshmen don’t feel comfortable just
going Into McGregor to visit because It
Is the "Jr./Sr." dorm. "I wish they felt
more comfortable here, " one resident
said.
The leadership of McGregor
anticipated this problem and tried to
"nip It in the bud" from the beginning of
the year. They hosted the first Vespers
(which Is oredomlnantlv freshmen) and
they even went "all out" hosting a party
in honor of the freshmen. Both events
were highly successful and the
participation of the freshmen was
tremendous. But, even with events like
these, if'^ hard to overcome the
inevitable fear or apprehension a
freshman has about "the
upperclassmen" and "their domain."
The McGregor residents still long to
make the freshmen feel comfortable In
their dorm and encourage all to go and
feel welcome and at home In McGregor.
Since over half of the dorm Is
composed of student leaders, there are
mixed emotions about their role on
campus and how McGregor may help or
hinder that. Some feel a ministry to
the older students and upperclassmen
and they feel very useful In McGregor.
There are, however, some student
leaders In the dorm that feel their
ministry Is with the freshman and they
don't feel they are being used In that
way, because they are In the Jr./Sr.
dorm. McGregor RA Lori Reel explains,
"My heart Is with the freshmen and I
don’t really feel challenged In my job
here."
In an article like this. It’s easy to
show the positive, "rosey" side of the
Issue. It’s more challenging and
Informative to be objective and show
the opposite side of the "rosey." The
"McGregor experiment" has many
wonderful things to offer the campus
and those students wishing to remain
at M-AC for four years.
A lot of responsibility relys on the
present and first residents of the new
Jr./Sr. dorm. They are given more
privileges and with that comes more
responsibility. McGregor Is being
observed closely by the administration
and this first class of residents has to
show that this can work at M-AC. The
school will be watchino and the
underclassmen will be waiting to see if
the present McGregor residents blow it,,
or secure it for them.
So far, so good. Resident Director
Doug Belden Is very pleased. He
summed it all up by saying, "This group
has been given more privileges and they
have respected htem. I hope that will
continue."
COMING SOON TO A
•GAITHER- NEAR
YOU!
CYNTHIA BUR6ESS
The Greybeard Players will be
presenting an Interesting story
to students and their parents
during Parent's Weekend,
November 6-8. The story
entitled "Catacombs" was
written by Paul McCusker. As
the title suggests, this play Is
not meant to be a comeiJy. It Is
rather thought provoking and
serious for each person who will
watch it. The play takes place in
the future, and the story Is about
the persecution of the
modern-day believers. There Is
struggle between good and evil,
and In some ways the thoughts of
the Jewish persecution come to
mind. The believers' faith Is
tested, and ultimately brings
them through, one way or
another.
The play seems to be
progressing well with Ms.
MacDonald as the director. The
cast Is a good group of students
with a variety of talent.
Everyone is encouraged to come
out to see this production, not
only to enjoy a play, but to
broaden our thoughts and make
us think about our own beliefs.
nc6RE60R CO-EDS ENJOY FELLOWSHIP AND SONG AROUND AN OPEN FIRE.