and vas airhief red es, ical the ut- eld ind ety US 1 3 1979 hief kol ims its nal lid- : Page COMMENT June 1979 Re-entry ‘‘umbrella’’ Mary Poppins flew into adventures hanging onto an umbrella. — The Re-entry Program for Women at Weber State is serving as that “umbrella’”’ into college experience _ for many women. Currently, 1800 women over the age of 25 have “returned” to the classrooms on campus. Some have come back fearfully, afraid of competition from younger students and unfamiliar with procedures and their new surroundings. Antoinette Weight, assistant dean of student affairs, and Mary Jo LaTulippe, counselor, conduct orientation meetings at the beginning of each quarter to help women with registration and acquaint them with their new environment. She had comtemplated returning to college, but as is the case with many women, felt hesitant. Toni Weight and Mary Jo LaTulippe encouraged her. “College provides for success outside the home, a personal success and achievement in addition to home and family. I’m not a women’s libber. For those women who are completely satisfied in the home, that’s wonderful, but I am enjoying so much this opportunity and challenge.”’ Kay has made many friends among the younger students. To her surprise, even her college son and his friends come to sit by her in a class they are taking together. Mary Jo pointed out that miany women are fearful of “‘competing”’ with smart young students just out of high school. “They would be astonished to know how many young students “The re-entry program serves as a support system for women who are hesitant or insecure. In ad- say, ‘How can I compete with these scholastic arrangements and the ‘mechanics’ of coming to school, been that traditional and re-entry dition to helping with their the program serves a social need for women who are sometimes in a situation of complete change—ripped from a former life through divorce or the loss of a husband,”’ said Mary Jo LaTulippe. “Our program becomes a basis for emotional support, new friends and an enrichment of life,” said Mary Jo. ““Women often return not for financial reasons but for per- older people who know so much?’”’ Actually Kay’s experience has students have much become close friends. to share and Kay has assisted with re-entry orientation meetings. Her recent return to college gives encouragement and support to other women considering the same cour- se. Women can relate to Kay and she has great empathy for them, said Mary Jo. to adventure In her fourth year, with just 66 hours left before graduation, La Rae Black feels “a great deal more self-confident and is no longer intimidated by people in power positions.”’ Divorced and the mother of seven, LaRae thinks “all women should go back to college. Sitting home watching soap operas when you could be in college is a waste of human potential.” LaRae’s children have been very supportative. The older children were not college-orientated, but since her return to college younger four all talk about “when they go to college.’’ They are excelling in school. ‘“My children are proud of me as they see me striving to reach my potential, and I am a better mother. I have been much more prepared and able to help each child cope with his problems. ‘‘Women should be aware of their potential. I now regard age as an asset. Every year I feel better about who and what I am. I don’t see aging as_ intimidating anymore.”’ LaRae believes women are only limited by the limitations they put upon themselves. ‘‘Men are as supportative of me as women. They have been. my greatest encouragement. Nothing is more obnoxious than a ‘woman demanding her rights’ or an ‘imitation man.’ Men and women compliment and expand each other.’’ sonal development.”’ Individual counseling is also of- She started out to become a para- professional alcohol and drug abuse counselor in California, a two year program. “TI really got turned on to the academics and discovered I liked language arts. ”’ When LaRae moved to Utah she decided to become a family coun- selor, which is possible in California with a bachelor’s degree. She started out with a double major, Child -and Family with Family Relations emphasis and Oral Communications. She now finds she needs a social work certificate. Though it has ‘‘taken longer’ LaRae feels it will be wel! worth it in the long run and now plans to continue on for an M.S. in social work anda Ph.D. “T have learned if you really want to do something you can!” Karryn student’”’ Chipman, a ‘foreign from Canada. is separated and the mother of five. Interested in real estate, Karryn initially came back to take the required hours for her real estate license, but as often happens, “got caught up in the excitement of lear- ning,’”’ locked at the requirements for getting a B.S. and decided to “*go for it.”’ She admitted her greatest worry about. coming back to college: “I thought I’d be the only older feredas well as group Sessions on subjects such as ‘‘eliminating selfdefeating behavior, human poten- tial, step-parenting and divorce.” Kay Ellsworth Hunter, North Ogden, was working as a teacher’s aide and secretary at an elementary school. Married, she has three children and one grandchild. the A typical college student, LaRae has changed the course of her education a number of times, still retaining her original interests. woman on campus. I felt as though I’d have a letter on my forehead or something.”’ The women’s re-entry program helped her to overcome the feeling of a “stigma” attached to being Kay Hunter LaRae Black (continued on page 5) Karryn Chipman Mary Jo LaTulippe