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Show PACE 8 THF THUNDERBIRD TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 N87 Students return to activism to help on community level BY LISA JANE LAIRD Casually dressed in denims, two teenagers are having what looks like a girl talk On closer examination, one notices a certain hesitancy and nervousness in 'he speech and tones It's a serious talk between two high school girls, who are speaking about suicide The younger girl cut her wrists several months before, and she talks quietly in subdued tones about that failed attempt and her feelings The older girl listens intently, softly asks quest ons, and listens some more. "Promise me that if you ever think about suicide that you'll call me or call one of the counselors," the older girl says. "Promise me, OK?'' In the silence, she reaches over and takes the younger girl's hand. "And promise me you won't do it in the next two weeks, then we'll go on from there, OK?" A longer silence follows and the younger girl finally says "OK '' The older girl isnt an expert on teen suicide, but she is a qualified friend who will listen and help counsel Marm Madsen, a sophomore at SUSC, participated in a unique suicide prevention progiam when she attended high school in Colorado Madsen was one ot 18 careful ly trained high school seniors, who made up the core ot Columbine High School s peer co inselmg olo The program m t ittleton gioup vas available' to discuss teen problems on u o ie-t- o one basis with othei students in their higi school Currently a biolouy maior at SLSC, Madsen is just cine examptp o! the trend coward student activism taking place on the nation s high I i ! school and college campuses Just a few years ago Carry Trudeau of Doonesbury fame foretold the end of student activism and the sinister beginnings of the greedy "me" generation taking over college campuses. However, students returning to college campuses from Maine to California are seeing a revival of student involvement, says Michael Mulmx from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Mulmx admits current student activism lacks the same passion of '60s and '70s antiwar movement, but the '80s student is no less committed to his or her goals to help on a community level Even SUSC is noticing that the trend is turning from student apathy to student activism. Last year volunteers were turned away from one campuscommumty project which provided a shelter for the homeless in Cedar City, according to Keith Betsuie, director of clubs and organizations on campus The shelter, organized by Richard Ropers, an SUSC behavorial and social science instructor, was built to help the increasing number of poor and homeless people in Cedar City It was a new idea for southern Utah, and a lot of organizations wanted to be a part of the etfort, Betsu.e said. Just because organizations were turned away from helping with the she, ter, Betsuie said people houd no assume that them is a lack ot involvement on campus Betsuie said if students knov. wnat 'heir vo'unteer interests are there s trobably a campus rivieit t.on available to meet tacr nr ec s Mar 'I the organizations torus on volunteer aMivties and would g've Iff J V A f . ! Jl i 4j. : : , 'tj' 'IS. : X y ijIU 'I J J v y jL-- o Lynne Fmton, a counselor with the Multi Cultural Center, assists freshman Russell Scott with his class scheduling. Part of the center's job is to organize volunteers for its activities, special projects, and tutoring. the prospective member an organized channel for their volunteer efforts. Last year's student efforts included everything from can drives to fundraising for a local retirement home. Mulmx said thetrend is for students to help on a local level where federal and state money doesn't reach Georgia Beth Thompson, SUSC director ot special services says students are seeking their own opportunities for volunteer oiojects Thompson mys the trend toward ''ommumtv service either in a class Dractit un situation or on a olunmer basis gives the student - cuable work experience m a real wodd situation "The most valuable thing gained from the experience, is knowing that can reach out and really help someone deal with their problems,." Madsen says. Like Madsen many students choose to combine their volunteer interests with their studies Madsen would like to get involved in another program like the peer counseling she did in high school. In addition to her major studies, Madsen took a crisis intervention class to supplement her interests For the last decade, Hollywood has hosen to depict college students as individuals Instead Mulmx says many people find college students a.e haiaworking activists set to bring about much needed changes to their 'ocal situations I I beer-drinkin- g, Summer in southern Utah brings about many changes (continued fiom page 2) directed by Robert Cohen. People from all over flocked to Cedar City to experience the magic of the Shakespearean Festival. The Festival, under founder and producing director Fred C. Adams, had one of its most successful seasons. According to Adams, a sellout crowd at the matinee of Comedy of Errors, broke a Festival record and set the pace for seasons to come. Patrons were also treated to the Festival Greenshow, a hour of preshow entertainment by musicians, jugglers, puppets, and acrobats, all exhibiting the flavor of the Elizabethan Era Renaissance Feaste, art exhibits, recitals, and seminars added to the enjovment of Festival goers. Burch Mann s American Folk Ballet, Maturing many SUSC students, brought Centrum crowds to their feet in an day Silver Anniversary gala concert pioduction that saw the stunmne world premieres of two new shows, The Old South and The Texas Breed, as well as an old favorite. The Prairie Years. Cedar City in the summer is alive with Shakespearean actors and actresses, Summer Game athletes, bagpipers, as well as various athletic groups at summer camps, youth s, Elderhostel groups, groups, Mountain Fuel road crews, a few college students, and many tourists. Summer '87 also proved to be summer of change. Returning students will find a partially finished new Student Center girl's-stater- rr 4S. A 1 where the Old Fieldhouse once stood. The new' Student Center is expected to be completed in time for winter quarter. Other changes include a freshly painted Thunderbird Stadium, a long awaited parking lot directly across from the Centrum, a new lawn next to the P.E. Building, and much work on the new indoor Randall L. Jones Memorial Theatre. Several other changes occured on campus while stjdents were away for the summer. Several buildings underwent name changes. As if it wasn't confusing enough keeping Old mii-a- i- it lEr L$ii . Main straight from Old Administration and Old Administration straight from New Administration. According to Michael Richards, vice president of college relations, several name changes were proposed, but only three were approved by the Institutional Council. The old Art Building is now South Hall, the I.E. Building is now the Technical Education Building, and the current Student Center, which will be vacated when the new Student Center is finished, has been renamed the Academic Service Center, according to Richards. Old Administration was proposed to be named Humanities Hall, but the motion was not approved by the Council, he said. Summer is over now, the tourists have left and in their place are college students, back from an exciting summer and ready for the school year to begin. A lot of things have happened while they were gone, but the festivities in Cedar City and at SUSC will still go |