University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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FIFTH VAN DU Front Row: Laura Marten Jennifer Murby, Ashley Megan Smith, Nicole Gi Judy Huang. Aubrey Bal beth Kanouse. Toni Oi Enroth. Dayna Volpe, K photo by Heather Caddell Rebecca Fairweathcr. Margo photo by Heather Caddell Box, Schuyler Ciralsky Payne. Gretchen Courtney Casper Row ?2: Iker, Lara Coppler. Tammy i, Alissa Schottenstein, Jessica hew, Joyjarvis, Cara Shapiro, Janet Reid. Natalie Pickup, THIRD SANDFO Front Row; Dcalio Ix; Wagner, Russell Kuhn, Patterson, Rishi Naray; WoodsonRow3:loshu, Pedcrsen. Marcus Herro photo by Heather Caddi ftcheff. Kelly Trahan Row [y Thompson, Leslie Stur- rah Howard. Aurora Bence. George, Marisa Niemczyk , I ). Tim Hudson, Kirsten Meii photo by Heather Caddell dssmin 1: : ..... ditin II

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dealing with it ftfc The expression, You get what you pay for was very well known, however there was always an exception. One major exception was off-campus housing at the Uni- versity. Many students who leased houses and apartments this past year were forced to pay extremely high prices. The factor that drastically affected the price of the house was its location. Students who desired to live near Central Campus were forced to pay much more. Often these houses were of poorer quality compared to those farther away from campus. As Engineering sophomore Kelly Baird said, When I begin looking for a house to live in next year, quality will definitely be the most important thing. If my house is far away, I can always use the transportation system; it is very convenient. I just do not want to live in a house where there are couches rotting on the front porch. In the past, many students had been very disappointed when they arrived at the house that they planned on calling home. Some houses around campus definitely looked a little shabby and neglected. Junior Kinesiology student Kenny Kemer stated, I feel like I am paying way too much by Brandon Parker for my house. The location is great, but when we moved in, we had lots of problems with the plumbing and the roof leaking. Residents were forced to think of ideas to turn their house into a home. This period of sharing improve- ment techniques often proved to be an enjoyable way for all members of the house to bond together. One of the ways in which the quality of the houses was improved upon was by doing some major redecorating. For many students, this simply consisted of painting a few rooms and arranging a few photos. Others spent plenty of money adding unique and personal touches to their new homes. According to LSA sophomore Emily Gordon, I feel I really lucked out with my house. It is great; the only thing we had to do was add furniture, pictures, and plants. The goal after all the decorating was done was to have somewhere to go that felt like home to the all the students that lived there. The most comfortable houses were not necessarily the most expensive ones. Garage sales and raiding the attic often provided extra furniture. Making the most of the house was achieved in many ways; it just depended on the preferences and the motivation of its residents. SIXTH LEWIS Front POW Lyndsay Dusck, Lisa Williams, Amy Laupp, Morlie Hatlen. Shilpa Guthikonda, Donald Thomas, Julie Williams Williams, Miguel Verdejo, Matthew Gonzalez, Chanel Jack Edje, Erin Wenger, Eric Murphy, Michelle Roberrs, April Ha. .. Roth, Stephen Day, Jill Elzerman Row 3: Paul Maandig. Anth Michael Decker, Michael Davidson, Matthew Monnetle, Mary F Hcndricks, Michael Kiplinger, Anthony Fugolo, Laura Hall, Sc Will.am Harrison, Sheku Riddle, Eric Leigh photo by Heather Caddell THIRD VAN DUREN FOURTH VAN DUREN Kelly Zahncr, Catherine Jang, Sarah Taylor, Rebecca Taylor, ihsh Firzadeh, Megan Veresh Row 2: Christina Chopra, Jiwon Park, Icn, Sana Hong, Laura Blubaugh, Emily Schraubcn Row 3: Frank, Hollie Wheeler, Kristin Potchynok, Carolyn Grunst.Caitlin Km Dcvisser by Heather Caddell Ware photo by Heather Caddell Housing 229

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the next step iving with a significant other here at the University was a big decision some students chose to make. They were forced to ask mselves numerous questions: what will my parents think? Will get along? Is this a good choice? These questions were pressing, t such situations often turned out positively. Business school uor Adam Paris has lived with his girlfriend and now fiance, LSA iior Emily Konzen, on a limited basis. They planned to live ;ether permanently in the future, but Paris stated that the current angement has not been a problem at all. One of the most significant problems that tended to arise was how :h person ' s parents felt about the decision. Breaching the subject :h one ' s parents was often frightening. I was so afraid of what my ents would say I did not even tell them for months that we were itemplating the idea, stated junior biopsychology major Kim- -ly Ostrowski. Even after the subject was brought up, parents cted differently. Although Paris ' and Konzen ' s parents actually sported their decision to live together, not all parents felt the same y. My parents have been firm believers in ' you ' re too young for it, ' and they feel the same way about Erik and I living together, by Brandon Parker Ostrowski said. Although Ostrowski explained that her parents eventually supported her decision, parents were not always keen about this type of situation. Another problem that tended to surface was whether or not the two people got along while living together. As with all couples, problems and arguments arose, and living together often amplified tensions. We no longer have the comfort of telling each other we need space, because our space is the same, Ostrowski asserted. Living with a boyfriend or girlfriend definitely was rough when exams came around, and especially if the relationship was strained with a fight at the same time. Students often found it difficult to distance themselves from their significant other to focus on their studies. Overall, however, it seemed as though living with a boy- friend or girlfriend was for the best. Both Paris and Ostrowski stated that they wouldn ' t have traded the experience for any- thing else in the world. In addition to cutting living expenses and always having someone to talk to, there was nothing better than waking up every day and seeing the person they loved. Relaxing together on the couch, one engaged couple watches television in the apartment they share. It became commonplace for students who were engaged their senior year to live to- gether. photo by Audra Rowley Housing +231