Page 10 - ThePhoenix1986-87

Ironies of affinity The concept of affinity housing is applaudable. It takes students who have simiiiar interests, offers them prime living space, and asks (hat each group make a significant contribution to the campus, in the form of a program, once a month. It also allows those who live within a suite to share their experiences, so that the situation becomes one where peers learn from peers. Unfortunately, though, there are several logistical kinks in the system which promote anything but affinity. First. we have this problem of doors in Daniel Macl.ea. The entrance to each affinity suite has a solid fire door that always locks when closed. To the left of it is a doorbell. So far so good. The problem arises, however, when the doors to the building itself are locked. When this happens, and it does often. a visitor may not even get inside MacLea to reach a suite's doorbell. This tends to isolate the members of an affinity group from the rest of the campus. If the front doors to the building were left unlocked and a person of malicious intent were 10 wander in, he would still never make it past the always- locked suite doors unless an affinity resident let him in. We vote that the outside doors of MacLea be left unlocked at all times. Remember, the whole project stresses "close ties" between people-not just within a suite, but throughout the entire campus. Another problem involves telephones. There are none in the suites. In order for the WMC community to benefit completely from non-MacLea resident would not have to obtain an outside line to call Army provides benefits the reservoirs of creativity locked within MacLea, perhaps the college should install an extension phone in each living room. That way a someone who is merely across the quad. Such a call would cost most students a quarter. Once again we find ourselves self-esteem, and a positive applying for scholarships. All And one final problem lies in the basement of this special-interest on "The Hill" for another attitude that compliments study cadets are commissioned as dorm. Only two washers and two dryers exist for an entire building. academic year, some of us for the in other academic disciplines and second-lieutenants into the active Fighting over such limited appliances certainly does little to create a first time. We see many of the provide long-term benefits to army or Army Reserve and sense of affinity. same activities which confront us make every student a better National Guard. If things remain as they are, WMC's valiant attempt to cater to the every year: course registration, citizen and a more well-rounded ROTC is for anyone. In the desires of special-interest students by offering them affinity housing, career and post-graduate planning, individual." program, WMC has members may indeed backfire. Instead of nuturing individual pools of talent on and the inevitable stress of from almost every fraternity and which other students may draw, we may find ourselves with a building straightening out our bill with The courses offered through sorority, sports team, club, and full of isolated cliques that only interact with anyone outside the group the Finance Office. As you the military science department campus organization This once a month. After three weeks of school, few affinity groups can search for campus employment, are designed to teach precise, summer alone the ROTC has had probably name the special-interest suites next to them. In fact, they which can become very effective leadership and 10 ingrain three people attend airborne would probably meet more people by living in a regular dormitory frustrating, imagine yourself next those qualiutes into the school. One attended air assault where one constantly encounters his neighbors in the hall. Perhaps a year with a full-tuition individual. The first year course, school and one traveled to Alaska Daniel MacLea party is in order, where residents from other dorms scholarship, $100 a month for MSl, focuses on basic for Northern Warfare Training may meet the "affinity people," and the "affinity people" may meet personal expenses, $187.50 per orientation to the US Army and School. All trips were paid in each other. semester for books whether you ROTC and career opportunities full by the ROTC. There is also The logistics of this new program can and should be worked out need it or not, and a great career offered in these fields. The MSII a branch for almost every career Certainly, it would be a shame to see affinity housing, with all its opportunity. course focuses on American interest including medicine, law, good heart and a year of planning, fail because of the few, easily- military history through the engineering, business, rectifiable problems mentioned above. However, many students Vietnam War and leadership mathematics, and physics, to might think that the Army qualities reflected through name a few. Simply being an Reserve Officers Training Corps strategies and tactics. This is a officer for a few years makes any The Phoenix of a few previously encountered light course, yet compared to indivudual a highly marketable program is not for them because many history-related courses on asset to any civilian organization I join myths, 10 have namely, "Once the ROTC, I have enlisted, ~ "I am campus, it seems The junior year for this shows that you are a true leader. most impact. already a sophomore and not advanced course prepares thecadet The courses themselves are Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Slade eligible," "ROTC is for a certain for a short summer training, not hard at all, so you can still Copy Editor Stacie Hemphill kind of person," or "It probably while the senior year emphasizes join now and easily catch up. We Copy Assistant Beth Spangler cannot provide me with preparation for commissioning. have one of the largest Sports Editor Cynthia Schafer opportunities pertaining to my enrollments per student Features Editor Chris Rowley academic interests." There are a number of population of most liberal arts Photography Editor Bill Mann Now for the good news - it's scholarships available through the colleges (over ten per cent of the Production Technician Royal Westwater all available right here on campus ROTC program. As a high student bod and consequently one Assistant Technician Andy Raith through the ROTC. If you are a school senior, one can compete Business Manager C. lloyd Hart of the best programs. good student with the desire to for four-year, full-tuition Sophomores are especially ~~~~i~~ ~~~~·.·:.·::::.·:.·:·:.·.·:.·::::::::::::.::Li~d~·AShb~~~~~:i~Co~~it acquire invaluable leadership scholarships at many colleges, encouraged to join, as there are Marlene Clements, Bill Desciak. Carol Gauntlett, Roshini skills, the ROTC is the right including WMC. As a freshman, many opportunities for two-year George, John Lambeth, Robin Myers, Robert Paul,. Lee place to start. one can join the program and scholarships. If you are Spector, Beth Tascff The purpose of the ROTC is compete for a three-year interested, stop by the Military Photography Staff Stacey Pucci, Nancy Freeman to enable the individual to scholarship. Even as a Science Department in Gill Gym Advisor ~ Pam Regis develop basic qualities to sophomore one can enroll and or the Rouzer apartment by The ~iK is a bimonthly student publication Of Westem Maryland College. contribute to a successful Army apply for a two-year scholarship. Friday, Oct 3. WMC currently The opinions expressed in coIurMs and IeUers to the editor do not necessarily reuecr those of lhe staff or administration. Editorials are the responsibility 01 the or civilian career. Lieutenant These scholarships do not require receives over $330,000 in tuition editor-in-chief, and are approved by the editorial board. The Ptloenbc reserves Colonel John W. Haker, WMC active duty, although it is an payments for scholarship cadets. the right t~ headline, ~ edit tor lenglh. clarity, and libelous content. AJlletters -Oass on969 says that "Ihe attraction in today's military. Drop by for more information to the editor must be SIgned. Authorship will be verified objective is to develop innate Furthermore, many students today and do yourself a favor: J~~~~ ~ qualities such as s7lf-confi~ence:. complete the program without ."Be all you can be." _ ~~~;~sall mail to; The ~ Western Maryland College, Westminster, MO I