By MELISSA WALKER

Staff Writer

CinemaTECH is back on the campus organization roster.

Ben Stroud, the president of CinemaTECH, an organization formed for the appreciation of movies, and a senior computer science major, said he has high hopes for the club that has existed in the past.

"I have always loved movies," Stroud said. "This is a club to get to know people who love movies as much as I do."

This quarter's movies will coincide with the theme "Controversial and Influential Films of the Late 60s and Early 70s."

Stroud said the theme is not meant to alienate potential members.

"This isn't a snobbish, artsy club," Stroud said.

"It is an informal, not intimidating atmosphere."

Stroud said effort was necessary in order for CinemaTECH, which will meet every two weeks beginning April 11, to view and discuss films in Nethken Hall, Room 140, to make a comeback.

"I saw posters for CinemaTECH several years ago and never went," Stroud said. "I remember thinking 'I wish I had joined that.' I asked a professor of one of my classes to sponsor the club and found that he was the original sponsor."

Brian Etheridge, the faculty adviser for CinemaTECH, an assistant professor of history and director of graduate studies, said the idea of the original club began in an honors class he taught in the winter quarter of 2002-03.

The class, Etheridge said, revolved around the relationship between Hollywood and the Cold War. Because several people in the class were interested in film, they decided to form a club that was dedicated to film.

"Things started off well," Etheridge said. "For a variety of reasons, the club lost steam."

But because of Stroud, Etheridge said, the club is back with intentional improvements, such as an updated Blackboard site and refreshments.

"Popcorn and soda appeals to people's stomachs as well as intellect," Etheridge said.

Stroud said pizza may be in store for the club's second meeting, provided that students participate in the dollar donation.

Stroud said the only thing CinemaTECH will ask of its attendees is that they become members.

"Because of copyright laws, we can't publicize the name of the movie we are showing," Stroud said.

Membership is obtained by a sign-in sheet that will be at the door, Stroud said.

Jacob Grosskopf, a junior biology major, is a member of Tech's film club and a potential member of CinemaTECH.

"It's just fun to watch different peoples' stories and what they go through in their life," Grosskopf said.

Grosskopf said the time period in which the featured films were made are particularly interesting.

"I like how some movies from then try new things," Grosskopf said. "They went out on a limb and did stuff that was different.