Showing posts with label Stop Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stop Day. Show all posts

Monday, April 23, 2007

Editorial: Smooth run for Stop Day

Staff Editorial
April 29, 2004, Page 6

Congratulations, students. Stop Day this year was actually a day of fun, not disaster.
When things go right, everyone wins. Student Congress did a great job of overseeing the day. Despite a slight delay for lunch, everything ran smoothly. Enough food was provided to feed the students. Trash was picked up periodically throughout the day, leaving a much cleaner atomosphere for frolicking.
Students, you should also be praised. You’ve redeemed yourself from last year’s drunken debacle. This year, you still had fun, but kept it under control.
This year instead of Mr. and Mrs. Doane, a contest for “Doane Idol” was held. Usually during this event, students jeer and mock the participants they don’t like.
This year, most opinions were not vocally expressed. The crowd was respectful and supported each act.
The acts themselves were tasteful, too. The creative acts ranged from a choreographed lip synching performance from the Gammas to an impression of “American Idol” gone wrong by the AOs. All the sororities and fraternities showed their spirit without being lewd.
This Stop Day, students showed their maturity. The students’ efforts showed that Stop Day can remain a Doane tradition for years to come.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down 04/29/04

  • Thumbs up to Stop Day. It ran smoothly and people had fun.
  • Thumbs up to only two more weeks of school.
  • Thumbs up to Doane’s Relay for Life teams for raising money for a good cause.

  • Thumbs down to the sunburns people got during Stop Day.
  • Thumbs down to the wind on Stop Day.
  • Thumbs down to all the projects that will be due next week.

Softball picks up much needed wins

Andy Dygert
News Editor
April 29, 2004, Page 8

The Doane Tiger softball team (13-27 overall) took advantage of crowd support garnered from the Doane Day at the Ballpark as they topped Dordt twice with solid play.
Free t-shirts, pop, chips and Subway sandwiches brought out a cheerful crowd already anticipating the not quite official advent of Stop Day for the day after.
The women’s team played off the boisterous energy of their 50 plus supporters and won their first game 3-2.
Sophomore third baseman Tiffany Cunningham went three for three on the day with an RBI and a run scored to help sophomore pitcher Alli Sperry attain the victory.
“I had great defense behind me,” Sperry said. “The offense really came out too in the game.”
The crowds began to break up before the second game of the night as students went back to their dorms to warm up for the Stop Day festivities.
The Tigers didn’t let this faze them as they followed suit and simply picked up the pace, run-ruling Dordt in five innings, 10-2.
Eight different Tigers scored runs to give Sperry her second win of the night, improving her record to 9-14.
The Tiger’s next game is 5 p.m. today against Concordia University in Seward.
“We really needed the two wins,” Sperry said. “Hopefully we can put it together against Concordia to make the GPAC tournament.”

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Stop Day: New alternative provided, still free day for students

Kelsey Tegtmeier
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 1

Students across Doane campus look forward to that special day in spring when classes are cancelled, homework is put aside and they are granted a day of freedom.
Stop Day has been a Doane tradition for at least fifty years, but it has gone through many changes over they years.
“Stop Day has had many different purposes throughout the years. It’s been a day of community service, to a unstructured free-day, to what it is now,” said Kelly Garvey, former Student Congress president.
President Brown said he remembered his own Stop Days as off-campus events with friends.
Students would make plans months in advance to visit nearby lakes, watch a movie in Lincoln or even take a trip to Omaha, Brown said.
The Stop Day announcement was made early in the morning over the dorm loud speakers.
The day’s schedule was decided solely by the students’ plans; the only restriction was that women were required back at their dorms by 1 a.m.
Today, Stop Day is full of activities planned by Student Congress.
The number of students participating has grown since Brown’s days as a student and he says that StuCo is conscious that size matters.
“My expectation is that everyone has a good, safe time,” Brown said.
Student Congress is currently making plans to improve the day for students, said StuCo Vice President Natalie Nelsen.
“It (Stop Day) just got a little out of hand last year and now is the time to rein it in so that it doesn’t keep escalating,” Nelsen said.
According to an e-mail sent out by StuCo President Jimmy Feeney, changes will be made to the structure and schedule of Stop Day.
“I don’t feel that Stop Day in itself needs to be changed. I think there are aspects of Stop Day that could be improved,” Feeney said.
The e-mail introduced an alternative activity for those not wanting to participate in Stop Day. The Hansen Leadership Program will sponsor a day of service learning for those interested in giving back to the community.
Golf, volleyball, tug-of-war, softball, mini-bike races and horseshoes are some of the activities planned for students to participate in. The Doane Idol contest will be earlier in the day and StuCo must approve all skits, said Nelsen.
StuCo will place more trash cans throughout the grounds and they hope to hire a security guard for the day, Feeney said.
Student Congress is considering supplying breakfast for students and changing the menu for lunch and supper.
Hamburgers grilled by The Food Guys may be on the menu for lunch, with pizza and sub sandwiches served in the evening, Nelson said.
“I am looking forward to an amazing Stop Day ’04 and hope the students will act responsibly so it can be a positive experience for everyone,” Feeney said.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Editorial: Stop Day needs change

Staff Editorial
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 4

Stop Day provides a day of freedom from classes. Last year, however, students took this free day too far.
Property was vandalized, students were verbally abused and Tuxedo was left looking no better than a local dump.
The purpose of Stop Day has changed over the years, yet the essential goal remained the same. Students were given a day to take off from classes and have some fun.
The good times shouldn’t turn students into drunken idiots. Fun shouldn’t come at the expense of others.
Students who don’t want to take part in the drinking festivities are often left wondering what they can do with their free time. Those who don’t drink are left out.
This year, Student Congress wants to change some things. Students have the opportunity to volunteer for service projects for the Hansen Leadership Program.
While StuCo is taking the initiative, it needs to do more.
The problems of last year are not yet resolved. There has to be a way to monitor behavior. While this shouldn’t even be an issue for college students, it seems that we can’t keep out of trouble without someone looking over our shoulders.
Students know what acceptable behavior is. They just ignore the rules and do whatever they please.
This attitude needs to change. Stop Day is a privilege not a right. The administration can, and probably will, take Stop Day away if students can’t behave appropriately.
What can StuCo do to prevent problems?
Hire security. This was mentioned, but it should be carried out. This security shouldn’t come from fellow students.
An outside security team needs to be hired. It may cost a little more, but in the long run, it’s better than having to replace damaged property.
More alternative activities are needed. StuCo has suggested some. These are all good activities. Other activities that could be included are bingo, capture the flag, a card playing tournament, and a Twister competition. Students should contact StuCo if they have ideas.
Some bored students become drunken students who wreak havoc at Tuxedo Park. These students should be removed from Tuxedo and taken back to campus to sober up.
Disorderly conduct should result in removal and a fine. The penalties should be a preventative measure.
Stop Day will remain as long as the benefits outweigh the problems. When things go wrong, everyone suffers. It is up to current students to decide how Stop Day will be this year.
This year may also determine whether Stop Day will exist for future Doane students.
Stop Day could be a lot of fun….or it could be a disaster.
You decide.