Stetson Reporter

wr*ai *Kii&-irjjiif7Ef «ra! Sia>jjKSfi»-fiv*w;|-j yx y{''kl;}~ < --.yyy, $&r ,# .... Stetson iiiwersity Marol 38y 19S3 Yolime 185y iumler 28 INSIDE • Even non- Greeks are worried about the fact that the Greek life Is disappearing Pages • David Rigsby, member of Stetson Physical Plant is running for mayor Page 6 • Stetson Bas- ketball-Whafs going on in the Athletic Department Pages 12-13 • Spring Fashions. What1 s Hot and what's not! Page 14 • Steson soft- ball, on a roll or is that an error? Page 20 Commons to be renovated for next year By Kent Meckley Editor-in-Chief Recognizing the need to upgrade Stetson's dining facilities, an ambitious project is now in the works to completely renovate the commons in time for the start of next school year. Thanks to a $300,000 gift from the Morrison's corporation, students next year will have access to one of the most modern and efficient college diningfacilities in the country. The entire project is estimated to cost $650,000. The other $350,000 not provided by Morrison's was recently approved by the Board of Trustee's to come from Stetson's own funds. E. Dudley Howe, Associate Vice-President for Physical Plant E. Dudley Howe goes over the architectural plans with the - company hired to renovate the Commons in the Garden Room commented that the charges were ally sound, the infrastructure has necessary because the Commons eating area is based on a 1956 plan that has since become antiquated. While the building is stractur- worn out. Moreover, several student surveys have been taken that indicated students had a strong desire to see the commons renovated. Theproject will be completed in two phases. The Garden Room will be closed on or around May 8. Shortly after graduation the dining area will be closed; it is scheduled to reopen by June 19. The finishing touches on everything should be completed by the third week of August. The new design of the commons will be based on a "scramble" or "scatter" system that is popular at other schools. In the main dining area, new tables and chairs are planned. Booths will be added along all the walls. The current serving lines will be combined into a large room-like area where different See Commons—page 16 Grand Opening of Russian Center a "home-coming" By Derek Ashworth Campus Life Editor "The center has become a home to Russian Studies majors. It has become a regular meeting place. Most of all it gives the students and faculty a sense of unity." The meeting place to which Russian Studies major, Laura Hutson referred, was the recently dedicated Russian Studies Center. Stetson President, H. Douglas Lee presided over last Tuesday's ribbon-cutting and plaque unveiling ceremony for the center, located at 249 E. Mchigan Avenue. Among the Stetson administrators, faculty, students and friends ofthe university attendingthe dedication was one surprise guest, Vera Tolstaya, the granddaughter of Russian author Leo Tolstoy. Tolstaya, 89, a resident of New Smyrna Beach was 13 when she fled the country with her mother and brothers in fear that the Bolsheviks would arrest them as members ofthe Russian aristc In 19S9, Stetson was informed ofthe approval of its application for a grant for major development of the Russian Studies Program from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. After receiving a matching grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Russian Studies Program appointed Dr. Guy Houk in 1990 as a Russian language professor, increased its holdings of Russian Studies sources in the duPont-Ball library and installed an antenna system for receiving television signals from Moscow via satellite. Dr. Gary Maris, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who spoke at the dedication ceremony, said, "Students will not only have library resources, but also a link to the world through the electronic networks of satellite technology." Maris also praised the efforts of Dr. Paul Steeves, Chair of both the History department and the Russian Studies Program. Steeves, who joined Stetson in 1972 was credited with.his vision forthe fii- Dr. Paul Steeves at the opening of tore ofsuchaprogramandplaying a critical role in organizing and combining efforts of faculty with Russian specializations to give the program cohesion. The center contains a classroom, seminar and reading room, photo by Garret Granroth the Russian Studies Center. library and resource laboratory, television viewing lounge, and three faculty offices. Dr. ?Lee concluded, "The Russian Studies Program has found a permanent place at Stetson University."