Tuesday, October 5, 1982
Daily Nebraskan
Page 3
Non-traditional students focus on individuality
By Brad Gifford
In a typical interest group, personal interests are
usually smothered by the "majority rules" theory. The
Non-Traditional Student Association, however, is no
typical group; it is founded on individualism.
This assemblage, which consists entirely of UNL
students who are at least 25 years old, is always changing
to meet the needs of any one of its members, Margie
Thomssen, a member of the board of managers, said.
"We're not an exclusive group," she said. "We're
whatever anyone wants us to be."
The 3-year-old group is providing most of what it
has been asked, Thomssen said, and social interaction
is the most sought after service.
The association meets in the Nebraska Union for a
carry-in lunch every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
These gatherings are far from a basic parliamentary
proceeding, Thomssen said, stressing that just being to
gether and sharing experiences dominate the two hours.
Once a month, a speaker addresses the meeting on issues
pertinent to non-traditional students.
Information also is provided to the members through
the group's newsletter, which is now being mailed to
1 1 5 members, a number which is growing.
"On the first two days of classes this semester, 60
people joined at a booth at the Nebraska Union," Thoms
sen said, which makes her believe that there will be many
more joining as the group gains exposure.
The membership probably has the broadest base of
any group in existence. Parents, divorcees, widows, sin
gles and grandparents all can be found on the group's
roster, which has members from each decade since the
1920s.
"We're a cross section of the general public, and the
common bond that we have is that we're all going to
UNL," Thomssen said.
In Thomssen's estimation, about 20 percent to 22
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percent of UNL's students are non-traditional, and she
believes that it is essential that the association reach as
many of these people as possible to advise them that they
are basically just like any other student.
"We constantly have to remind ourselves that we can
participate in any activity that the university offers,"
Thomssen said. "It sounds funny, but sometimes we
think that just because we're older we shouldn't do
certain things, but that's just not the case."
Thomssen, a senior majoring in consumer affairs,
said that there is one prominent problem for all non
traditional students: time.
"We're probably as busy as any other student off
campus," she said, noting that although some traditional
students have jobs, not very many have jobs and families.
She also said that she wanted to clear up the misconcep
tion that most non-traditional students take only a few
hours of classes and attend only night school.
"There are some in the group that take about six or
nine hours, but the majority of us carry full-time status,"
she said.
"We're very protective of our time, but we make time
to be together and share our experiences with each
other," Thomssen said, and added that she would like
any student who is over 25 years old to join the group at
McGuffey's Friday for their first FAC of the year.
Residents opposed to street closing
A proposal to close Sumner Street from 33rd Street to
Memorial Drive drew opposition from neighborhood
residents in a hearing before the Lincoln City Council
Monday afternoon.
The proposal was part of a request by the Joe R.
Seacrest family to have their home at 33rd and Sumner
subdivided into a duplex.
Kent Seacrest, representing the Seacrest family,
said that closing the road was preferable to paving it.
"We feel that paving the road would create more
traffic," Seacrest said. "We also don't like the additional
expense of paying for it. We don't want to pay for it and
we don't feel the city can afford it."
Residents of the neighborhood said closing the street
would force them to take another, longer route to get
to downtown.
O.M. Anderson, who lives at 33rd and Kajan Drive,
expressed the opposition of the neighborhood to the
closing of the street.
"We are definitely opposed to having this street
closed," Anderson said. "If they close that street we have
only one exit and one entrance."
Seacrest said he understood the opposition of the
neighborhood residents.
"I understand their objections," he said. "They are
perfectly understandable. But most of the people on
33rd Street, which would get most of the overflow in
traffic, support our position."
Seacrest said he also was concerned with preserving
the area around Antelope Park, which would receive
heavier traffic if Sumner Street were closed.
"It's ironic that we're trying to preserve the park,"
Seacrest said. "Usually it is the neighborhood that is
preservation minded."
The council will vote on the proposal at their meeting
next week.
There are some "racey things" happening
at the State Fairgrounds Track...
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This year there's a second season of racing from October 6 through
November 7, and that means you have time for a little more
horseplay. With our special student passes, it's even easier to spend a
day at the races!
The Sunday Double: Double Draws
Every Sunday, the State Fairgrounds Track will have double draws
(two beers for the price of one) for college students. Just clip these
coupons so you can enjoy a few cold ones as you watch the races.
The Wednesday Feature: 50$ Off Admission
You can get 50$ off the price of a $2 admission ticket on Wednesday.
This is a special feature that is only available to college students with
I.D.'s and only on Wednesdays.
Take advantage of the Sunday Double and the Wednesday Feature at
the State Fairgrounds Track.
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Add a little horseplay to your campus life.
1982 Ncfarasfca State
Fairgrounds RacesLincoln
October 6 - November 7
Post limes
1 30 p m Saturday and Sunday 3pm. Wednesday-Friday Beginning October 31.
1 30 p m daily (No racing Monday or Tuesday )
For reservations phone (402) 473-4205
