10 U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER Life And Art FEBRUARY 1989 10 U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER Life And Art * FEBRUARY 1989 From political groups to juggling troupes, there's more to college than just going to classes. Students across the country are turning L L B S their hobbies into _. more broad-based groups on campus. * By Judy Sicora The Minnesota Daily U. of Minnesota, Twin Cities U niversity clubs, activities and sports can be a good way for students to com- plement their leadership skills and improve their social life - all without guilt. "Involvement is the key to a suc- cessful, satisfied student," who feels that he or she belongs, said Harry Myers, assistant coordinator of Stu- dent Activities. "To wait to get involved is dis- astrous. Getting, your feet on the ground is a part of being involved," he said. Senior Jodi Du Lac, president of the Advertising Club, said becoming in- volved in university clubs is a great way to make friends and to make the campus seem like a smaller place. "I have learned a great deal- ... that I couldn't learn in the clas- sroom," she said. "I've had a lot of exposure to what people do in real-life jobs." Students who don't get involved may be making a serious mistake, Myers said. "Don't think of yourself as a victim of requirements. Add internships, travel, combine majors, combine work and extracurricular activities to complement your major," he said. "Don't associate guilt with fun," Myers added. "It's being well- rounded." Society relives Middle Ages The purpose of the Society for Crea- tive Anachronism (SCA) is to research and recreate as authentically as possi- ble the culture and customs of the Mid- dle Ages, said member Nancee Beattie. Their activities include medieval. combat in authentic dress, sewing, dra- ma and other medieval events. Any in- terests or hobbies of members can be incorporated as activities of the SCA as long as they existed in the Middle Ages. The SCA was founded in Berkeley, Calif. in 1966 by a group of friends who held a medieval feast and tournament in a backyard. Today, the nationwide nrraioain h Q ff';Q l m Tournament, a prince and princess are crowned as king and queen every six months. The society also recognizes other royal titles with their own criteria. The heart of the SCA is the weekend events held in the kingdom. These in- clude the fighting tournaments and an extravagant feast featuring authentic medieval foods. In order to enhance the authenticity of these events, members wear the costumes of their chosen period, and they are called by their soci- ety name. Chantelle Oligschlaeger, The Maneater, U. of Missouri, Columbia Just say "Ohmmmm" ogaizatio na~ls anUiaid Tmran"Transcendental meditation (TM) is bership of 11,000. In North America,'d the society is divided into 12 kingdoms, sadly misunderstood," said Robert. Eel- with each kingdom subdivided into oc- ly, vice president of the Virginia Tech al baronies, shires and cantons. chapter of the Student's International Through successful Meditation Society (SIMS). "The reason completion of the for our organization is to provide a Crown means for other students to learn TM.". The technique "is all about relieving stress and transcending oneself C into a complete state of rest," Relly said. - '~The Tech SIMS group also provides a forum for those who already practice TM to have group meditations. The ultimate goal of TM is "pure consciousness or complete awareness," Relly said, a state that is attained when bodily functions slow, allowing the mind to relax itself into a state of complete rest. Andrew Smith, Collegiate Times, Virginia Tech U. Rollerblade enthusiasts Welcoming skaters on rollerblades and rollerskaters as well as non- skaters, the U. of California, Santa Bar- bara Rollerblade Club plans to intro- \ (duce the campus to rollerblades and the S / -benefits of using them to stu- dents. For the uninitiated, rollerb- lades consist of a boot with four wheels positioned in a straight line, re- sembling the blade of an ice skate. The Transcendental meditation is helping some club hopes to rent out rollerblades to students learn how to relax. new skaters and also plans to make Society for Creative Anachronism members square off in traditional medieval costumes. skates, poles, safety equipment and les- Wittenbrook and meets regularly to sons available. For the more daring, the practice improvisational exercises. The club also plans to provide ramps and group is looking to evolve regular hockey sticks. sketches and performers to put on In addition to being fun, rollerblades shows in the area. Claire Osborn and provide good cardiovascular exercise Bobby Ruggiero, The Daily Texan, U. of with low impact aerobic activity, said Texas, Austin club organizer Susan Cox. Andrea Huebner, Daily Nexus, U. of California, San- What a ham (radio operator) ta Barbara Bob Tidd never leaves home without his backpack. In it he keeps everything Remember the Yo-yo? necessary to handle emergency com- munications for the campus in the event The Yo Social Club (YSC) is a new of a major disaster. campus organization dedicated to the Tidd is a member of U. of California, "enjoyment, preservation and apprecia- Berkeley's Amateur Radio Club, a club tion of the yo-yo," according to president organized both for emergency prepared- Tim Johnson. What the group is trying ness and for promoting radio com- to do, he said, is "provide an escape from munications as a hobby. The club works reality while having a little bit of fun with the campus police to ensure that doing it." emergencies can be handled effectively* Once a person gets their own yo-yo, without having to depend on tele- theybecome a full-fledged member. The phones. club is open to anyone who desires mem- All ham radio operators are part of an bership, short or tall, male or female. international network, Tidd said, and Michelle Weego, the YSC's first club members have contacted someone female member, joined the club because using ham radio in 100 countries and she thought that 'the whole concept is every state. Susan M. Schulten, The Dai- an excellent idea. Showing all the tricks ly Californian, U. of California, Berkeley you can do is a great way of expressing your individuality." Brian McPhearson, Lizards bor to lounge Current Sauce, Northwest Louisiana State Snce 1983, a varied group of students have gathered in the University Centel Go ahead, make me laugh to talk, play cards, throw frisbees ar just plain relax. To students and faculty Rusl Flowers, the founder of Campus members alike, these lovers of the easy Comedians, says he started his club be- life have become known as the Lounge cause Austin, Tex., has no place for Lizards. aspiring comics to perform and discuss To ensure themselves a voice on cam- their work. pus, four of the top Lizards decided to "I wanted to get a group together of turn their group into an official Greek students interested in doing stand-up organization. They adopted the Greek comedy and improvisation together. letters Lambda Zeta Delta (LZD for Eventually I'd like to put on a show- Lizard) and work towards helping th case," he said. United Way, their chosen charity. Another comedy group, Campus Im- Lucia Loeb, The Daily Helmsman, Mem- prov, was formed last year by Brian phis State U., TN