Life on Campus


ASTU 3900Makes History
In Year of Action at OSC
By Tec 4th Edward Schiller

Approximately one year ago, the first contingent of 300 soldiers arrived on the OSC campus. The picture of olive drab was not entirely unfamiliar, but the atmosphere was now tinged by certain grimness with the realization that these men were part our army fighting in many theaters of the world. They were sent here to do a job - to be prepared by various courses of study to fill the great technical needs of the Army.

ASTU 3900, first in the 9th Service Command, rode through its problems of infancy with little difficulty and the way was paved for the arrival of another 700 soldiers in June and July, including 125 language and area students.

Co-ed Invasion Excites ASTU

The summer term was a sleepy one, Schneiders bearing the brunt of after-study food and drink demands. Avery Park was the total extent of recreational facilities for the men in their leisure time. Came October 15 and the excitement of returning co-eds was distinctly discernable as they realized the social potentialities of 1000 rugged or ragged soldier-students. A jam-packed MU mixor opened the social season and served to create preliminary warmth between ASTUdents and civilians. Not much further encouragement was needed. During this term the AST Unit presented the "Sad Sack Shuffle", its own version of what a school dance should be like. Mutual network carried the entertainment part of the evening.

The ASTUdents in response to invitations to participate in college activities, organized a student council composed of two members from each Company, to represent them for college affairs. Barometer turned over a weekly page to Army editors and the Beaver is carrying a large Army section, depicting life of soldiers on the campus. Soldiers participate in the Debating Society, radio group, Round Table, War Council and numerous other college activities.

Trainees Have Athletes

The OSC Athletic Staff was roused out of it of its lethargy at the instance of Army demands for a stiff physical education program for its trainees. A full program of intramurals replenished the Oregon State meager athletic calendar--so we were partisan to anyone of the four Army football teams or the Civilian one. Bell Field rang once again with outburst of support from enthusiastic fans. A mixed Army-student band aided in enlivening the proceedings Fall term graduation, pretentious with an audience of 1200 men, was supplemented by the granting of certificates and degrees to all of the soldiers completing their courses. The purely military aspects of soldier life were supplemented by cadence-counting sections, and occasional retreat and Wednesday drill periods.

Council Sets Army Day

As a fitting conclusion to the year, ASTU Council has organized Army Day, March 18th-which will be devoted to many outstanding events and concluded with a gala Military Ball that may arouse memories of Scabbard and Blade.

There have been rough spots, inadequacies, difficulties and the usual griping. There is very little doubt, however, that the soldiers who filled Waldo, Snell, Forestry and the Men's Dorm will retain remembrances of their days at Oregon State…and Oregon State will remember them.

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