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

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Body image concerns resonated throughout the campus as women sought the idea! petite and hourglass figure. Recognizing a considerably alarming presence of eating disorders on campus, an organization called S.P.E.A.K. provided awareness and assistance. . Neff photo for life health issues on campus by julia boyies With fitness and diet crazes sweeping the nation pilates, Atkins, spinning, and South Beach just to name a few students monitored food intake and hit the gyms to get fit. Many University students placed high priority on staying in shape for the school year. Freshmen fighting the infamous freshman 15 questioned the quality of dorm food. While the dining halls strove to find food options for everyone and even displayed the nutritional value of menu items, many students felt that their efforts were less than impressive and instead went to area restaurants for meals. Freshman Omar Salazar, LSA, commented, Personally, I think the best one [dorm] to eat in is South Quad. But the food served in any dorm is generally always the same. I would go anywhere else besides the dorms to eat, but money is an issue so I stick to my meal plan. In addition to creating a healthy dining regiment, students also worked on developing workout schedules. The CCRB, NCRB, and IM buildings all offered students a free outlet for obtaining a workout. Certain students, unsatisfied with the quality of the University workout facilities, chose to join other gyms close to campus including One on One, Bally ' s Total Fitness, and Curves. Leaat Dulberg, senior Business major, was one student who chose to pay for a gym over using the University ' s offerings; Since the CCRB and the IM building tend to be very crowded, sometimes you end up waiting longer for a machine than you were planning on working out for. When One on One opened up, I decided it was worth it to pay the fee. I ' ve been able to take lots of fun classes and work out on my own schedule without having to wait in any lines! And, for students wishing to participate in group activities, intramurals and club teams offered sports ranging from broomball to soccer to wallyball for a fee. New additions to campus eateries also challenged students to remain healthy with tempting menus and delivery services. Potbelly, a new sandwich shop at State and Liberty, opened in September and quickly became a popular location for a quick bite. Traditional favorites Jimmy Johns, Pizza House, and Pizza Bob ' s continued to offer quick sandwiches, delicious chipatis, late-night pizza delivery, and sweet shakes, making study munchies and post-party snacks available even until 4 a.m. While many students pursued a healthy lifestyle, media and societal pressures had unfortunate influences, as well, creating environments for eating disorders. S.P.E.A.K. (Student Prevention, Education, Advocacy, and Knowledge) was a campus group dedicated to promoting eating disorder education, awareness and knowledge. Danielle Bauer, spokesperson for S.P.E.A.K., estimated that nearly 18-20% of University students suffer from reported and diagnosed disordered eating, also implying that many women struggle below the radar. To provide support for students, the University ' s Counseling and Psychology Services, CAPS, offered eating-pattern assessments, individual and group counseling, as well as consultations to students at no charge. Bauer also commented that women involved in sororities or athletics tend to have higher occurrences of disordered eating due to competition among peers. Health and Fitness 109

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Taking a study break from finals, this student works out in the weight room at the Central Campus Recreational Building (CCRB) late one evening. Student demand expanded the daily hours of the CCRB until one o ' clock in the morning during three days of the week and also stirred discussion of renovations of various rooms. . Neff photo 108 Voices

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A Borders ' employee joins the strike line on November 8th shouting slogans to demand higher wages from Borders, Inc. The employees at Borders made less than Ann Arbor living wage, and wanted Borders to guarantee higher pay.J. Neff photo d raw Wft, the line borders employees strike I n the face of two security guards, striking Borders employees held signs and chanted in front of the East Liberty Street Borders Books Music store beginning November 8th. The striking workers were joined in their crusade for better wages by local union supporters, sympathetic Ann Arbor residents, and many University students. Senior English major Yoni Goldstein said, I, along with many of my peers, supported the Borders strike because it emphasized the broader context of labor rights and struggles that touch our community. In the end, the Borders Workers Union earned an unprecedented success against the largest international corporation in its field, and it did this as a community. We [students] are happy to be in that community. While football coach Lloyd Carr crossed the picket lines on one of the inaugural days of the strike, many people avoided entering the Michigan-based bookstore. The striking workers saw their signs and voices as effective deterrents for customers, turning them away from the store and lowering Borders profits. In fact, during the strike, Borders corporate earnings dropped during the especially critical pre- holiday shopping season. Strikers requested that supporters avoid shopping at Borders, Waldenbooks, and Amazon.com, all affiliates of Borders, Inc. Employees were attempting to negotiate for better wages and by julia boyles benefit packages, and they formed a union in December 2002 to make their point even more apparent. To pressure union members to quit, Borders began implementing bag searches and requiring employees to show receipts for food purchases. Cutbacks in hours and positions also made Borders employees nervous about their job security. After a series of ten attempted negotiation meetings, the employees decided to take the next step and begin picketing in front of the store. The living wage in Ann Arbor was set at just over $10 without employee benefits, and at $9.45 with benefits. While the average Detroit-area Borders worker earns $8.58 per hour, new Borders employees were earning $6.50 as a starting cashier and $7.00 as a floor clerk. Employees admitted that they could not even afford to participate in the strike because of the low pa ' they were receiving. Yet, Border saw $125 million in profits in 2003 University students forme Borders Readers United in suppor of the striking workers, and raise campus awareness of Border employee strike by passing out flyer and picketing in front of the store. After many weeks c negotiation, the Borders Workers Union eventually won the strike, creating the first union contract at i a Borders nationwide. Other branch stores were inspired by this victory and inquired about the successful | movement to unionize for better |; benefits and wages. 110 Voices