College bound, with iPod

Sunday, August 27, 2006 Many students stocked their rooms with armloads of electronic gear. By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Classes at Youngstown State University begin Monday, and freshmen walking around campus this weekend said they have two common goals: getting a good education and having fun. Students began moving in as much as a week ago, but most arrived Friday and Saturday, hauling computers, televisions, cameras, MP3 players, iPods and refrigerators into their dorm rooms. Kelly McNamara of Avon Lake said she brought a fridge, computer, DVD and CD players and a small heating pot to make coffee or tea. "I like coffee or tea in the morning," she said, explaining that she has a number of 8 a.m. classes this fall. She's rooming in Kilcawley House with Erika Cline of Windham, who brought a computer, television and iPod. Both women are enrolled in YSU's two-year dental hygiene program. Reaction to survey Neither was aware of a recently published college student poll showing that undergraduate students say listening to music on their iPods is the most "in" thing to do — ranking higher than drinking beer. The poll was by a New Jersey research outfit known as Student Monitor. Alcohol-related activities were No. 1 in a survey a year ago but slipped to No. 2 this year. "Really?" NcNamara asked. "I just wouldn't have thought that." Most freshmen told about the survey expressed surprise at the results, but Jameson Benfield of Wooster, a sophomore living in Lyden House, said the survey is probably true. "Not everyone drinks beer, but probably most people listen to music," the history major said. His roommate, Ryan Gallagher of Pittsburgh, a business major, agreed. "Music is a way to express yourself," he offered. Gallagher said he picked YSU after looking at the University of Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock University and elsewhere. "I checked it out, liked it, looked like a nice campus," he said. He hauled a computer, television, telephone and MP3 player into his dorm. Benfield, who attended South Dakota State for his freshman year, said he brought a computer, Game Cube, telephone, iPod and digital camera. Corey Vicker of St. Clairsville, Ohio, another Lyden House resident, was traveling much lighter. He is enrolled at YSU but hadn't planned on moving in just yet. Vicker said he drove some friends to campus and threw only some clothing into a duffel bag at the last minute, deciding to move into his dorm room early. All three men said they expect to get a good education and have some fun during their time at YSU. When asked what kind of fun, Vicker replied, "Typical college fun." Why YSU? Tiara Hurt of Youngstown said she chose YSU because it is close to home and offers the education she wants in social work. The Chaney High School graduate said she brought a laptop computer that has both a CD and DVD player and a "bunch of clothes" to her Kilcawley House dorm room. She opted to live on campus "to experience campus life. I just wanted to get a feel of being out on my own." Her immediate goals are to earn her bachelor's degree, get a job and move out of Youngstown. It's not that she has anything against the city — it's just that she has an urge to see more of the world, Hurt said. Robert Leiffer of Bellaire, Ohio, moved into the Courtyard Apartments complex and said he brought a television, PlayStation, laptop computer and clothing. He was also surprised by the results of the iPod survey but decided it was probably correct. "I have an MP3 player. I listen to it all the time," the electrical utility engineering major said. His goals: Get a degree, have a fun time, enjoy college and succeed. Dylan Fowler of McDonald, a freshman education major, will be living at home and commuting to YSU this fall, but he was on campus Saturday learning where things are located. He lives only 15 minutes away, he said, explaining that he will still be able to get involved in various aspects of college life. As for the iPod survey? "I agree. Definitely iPod," Fowler said. gwin@vindy.com