STUDENT LIFE HOMECOMING Homecoming is a unique tradition at the University of Rhode Island celebrated by students and alumni of all ages. On a large field people, cars, trucks, and moving vans stretch for miles. Music blares in all directions. The smell of the barbecue and the sound of beer cans cracking open fills the air. There is laughter, singing, dancing, and fun. Both students and alumni anticipate this October day for months. At the same are time there shouts in the background as friends and family cheer on the Rhody Rams as they the rival challenge Maine Bears. The game begins with the recognition of past football players and marching band members. Half-time continues this support of URI students and alumni by honoring the Homecoming King and Queen, Jeremiah Stone and Melanie Mecca. These two individuals are crowned for their outstanding campus and community involvement and their upstanding personalities. Whether celebrating at the football stadium or in the field behind it. Homecoming is a memorable event for all. Sorority sisters and fraternity brothers reunite. Old friends rebuild bonds with those they have not seen in years. Recent graduates come back with their "real world" stories and relive their college experiences. Older alumni witness the remarkable changes that have occurred at the University. Homecoming reminds us all of the days long gone, but not forgotten. It keeps the memories and experiences of the University of Rhode Island alive, in triendb and family. What is being trashed, posessions stolen, and a wad "down-the-line? of money in your pocket which was Down the line has many different generated from the collection at the door. DOWN THE LINE connotations and as URI graduates we will For seniors "down-in-line" took on one remember it as being more than a place more definition. It became a place where URI student Every knows that when a down near the ocean where students rent final memories were made. Most houses URI stutient home and tells their goes houses. As freshman, it meant were chosen for their easy access to local friends about the that have parties they overcrowded, wild parties. You did not bars and to old time friends. Parties were been to or their to move plans know most of the people there and not as important as having the "gang" over receive confused "down-the-line", they probably didn't even know who was for happy hour. A house became a place for looks. Let's face it. People outside of URI throwing the party, but that did not matter. quiet talks about the future, private do not understand the of concept You were drinking, hanging out with your celebrations, movies on Saturday "down-the-line". So what do we tell our own friends, and meeting upper class afternoons and tears of disappointment. men/women. These parties usually ended During this time in life most seniors had because either the keg went dry or the cut down on both school activities and III police showed up. classes. The mind set changed to jobs, As sophomores and juniors it continued graduate school and what will happen to to be parties and memories, but it also close friends after graduation. It was a time became home. You would get together with when memories and private times are three or four past roommates, suite mates cherished the most. and friends to live in a house which was Many arguments, laughter and secrets cleaner, quieter and more private than the live in various houses scattered throughout dorms and fraternity/sorority houses. It "down-the-line". Whether you lived in was a treat to have your own bedroom, Mattunick, Bonnet Shores, Eastward Look, something every student craves. It was also Durkin Cottages, the Condos by great to have a television room where you Scarborough, or the houses by Charlie O's could have cable and didn't have to watch and Bonvue, you have filled it with The Streets of San Francisco and Chips experiences that cannot be appreciated by reruns everyday. The big thrill about living anyone outside of URI. "down-the-line" was having a house of -Melanie Mecka your own where you could host parties which usually ended up with your house Do You Remember? 1. Your first down the line party 2. Drinking a tidal wave at Bobby G's on your twenty first birthday 3. UPub 4. Eastward Look block parties 5. The Keg Olympics 6. Happy hour at Coastguard House 7. The first time you used your fake ID 8. The first time your ID got rejected 9; Toadhouse at the Bonvue l^|gilM,de Ma9iat^ey's during TOials 11. Bess Eaton coffee 12. Trying to find a parking spot close to your first class 13. Hanging out at Hazard Rock NEWPORT HOT SPOTS T T T T T T T UIDNECK - LOBSTER r THE LANDING_ RESTAURANT 8. TAVERN T^ I I ^ V-'iT j^i^^iii'^*^ IF^ ^?^^ 'i^^HHl jDormXife Ladies on the Couch is billed as an "uncensored two-woman comedy that explores the simple lives ol two gay women. The show, directed by Susan Messing and starring Kari Finn and Susan Howard, is one of few two women shows dealing with sexuality currently running anywhere. With their satirical strength, they explore issues such as discrimination, family confrontation, and romantic relationships between same sex couples. Homosexuality is a controversial subject and according to Maura Troester of The Reader Chicago, these two women do a great job making it a little easier to swallow. Different scenes are acted out by Finn and Messing. In between scenes Finn and Howard play the guitar and sing a couple of tunes. The show was an enjoyable one and the overall message one receives goes something like, "Sure, dealing with your sexuality can be painful at times, but there are also some tender, funny moments and they're worth putting onstage." -Maura Troester, The Reader Ladies on the Couch Chicago, IL. overnor Lincoln Almond faced a full house of students and staff eagerly awaiting to hear his plans for the URI's C^^"! m^^'i^ upcoming budget. ' ^ MS^^'Cim Almond stressed the importance of cooperation between higher education and business in Rhode Island during his speech in Edwards. "The linkage between higher education and business development cannot be underestimated." Almond said. He also said that the business environment of Rhode Island can be strengthened through capitalizing on the power of URI's educational institutions. "New ideas and new products will form new companies," Almond said. Adding that a collaboration should be made between the state and URI to utilize these new ideas and inventions being created at URI. He cited the new manufacturing technique created by URI's robotics department as an example. Almond said that he plans to set aside $1 million to create "centers of excellence" to bring the colleges and universities of URI GREETS LINCOLN ALMOND Rhode Island together. He also told get $4 in return," Anders said. students, "You all represent the state of After Almond's speech, he answered Rhode Island as well as representing the questions from the audience, many of University." which were concerning the budget. "My roots are here at URI. This is Almond said that we are "we are facing a where I consider myself an alumnus and tough budget for '96 and a tough budget always will. URI will continue to become a for '97, although no further cuts in the great university," Almond said. higher education budget are expected". Student senate president, Mike Anders, A professor from URI told Almond that introduced the governor and gave the when he was xeroxing articles there was audience a brief background on Almond's not enough paper left due to budget cuts. an alumnus of He past achievements. Almond, said, "I love the school, love my job, as a United URI, previously served States and I don't mind taking $50 out of my attorney. Anders said that although pocket this time, but we have to draw the Almond has achieved many successes, "he line somewhere." remembers fondly his days at URI." Almond said that URI was not Anders said that he has witnessed appreciated by many of the people in positive changes since he first began his Rhode Island. He said that URI and the college career, however he said a need for other state colleges need better publicity. better funding still exists. He said that He again stressed the importance of URI Almond recognizes URI as an alum and all and the business community working its achievements it has to offer to the state. together. "For every dollar you put into URI, you Lori Stabile, Good Five Cent Cigar i BELL HOOKS article by Heather Gordon, Good Five Cents Cigar "If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention." The URI Gospel Choir guest speaker bell hooks with these profound words. Before a crowd of close to 600 people, bell hooks, author, educator, and feminist, delivered a lecture on "Multiculturalism in Higher Education." Her speech addressed issues such as white supremacy, racism, multiculturalism and feminism. Focusing primarily on white supremacy and the attitudes that are inherent within ideology, hooks compelled students, teachers, faculty and guests to unite in collective solidarity. "The enemy is not white people, it is white supremacy," hooks said. She said that it is not only white people who take on the values of white supremacy, but minorities also internalize these beliefs. She urged the crowd to, "think about how people of color are dividing themselves .