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

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The Hill ' s MoJo by rachel lesser In May 2006, after students completed winter term, construction crews broke-ground at Mosher- Jordan Residence Hall. The hall was closed to the public until its expected completion date in the fall of 2008. As part of University Housing ' s Residential Life Initiatives, Mosher-Jordan was the first residence hall to be significantly upgraded and fixed-up. Exciting changes included air-conditioned quad and suite-style rooms, community learning spaces with wireless internet connections, and a new dining facility. All renovations were carried out with caution to preserve the 76 year-old building ' s historic spaces. The architec ...carefully studied the input we received through our extensive research and came up with a design that we are confident will meet students ' needs in a setting that is conducive to studying, working in small project teams and socializing, said E. Royster Harper, the University ' s vice president for student affairs. For safer accomodations, a single entrance point for residents and visitors was created. There were also projects to improve accessibilty to the rooms and bathrooms. Other improved safety features included new electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, fire detection and suppression systems. A new elevator was also installed. Spaces for music practice and study were also included in the plans, as well as classrooms to foster learning communities. Before the project began, Mosher-Jordan housed approximately 500 students. After, there would be slightly less room because of the new quad and suite style rooms. Bathrooms would be shared between only one or two rooms, which meant there would less space for the individual rooms. The Uni 1 s Architecture, Engineering and Construction website, featured a web camera which gave a view from across Palmer field as well as an overhead view looking from Alice Lloyd Residence Hall. The web camera updated pictures of the construction every few days. All the halls in Mosher-Jordan are completely empty. Renovations started immediately after the 2006 winter term ended. S. erome photo features 105

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The back of Mojo is shown mid- renovations from Palmer field. A grand staircase led from Mosher- Jordan ' s first floor to the new lower level dining center. S. Jerome photo One of the dormitory halls inside of Mosherjordan is barely recognizable after being gutted for improvements. The renovated building housed students in quads and suites. S. Jerome photo lo rennovations

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Reli by connie chan The First United Methodist Church stands on the corner of State Street and Huron Street. Many students found it easy to continue going to church while at school as there were so many churches located on or near campus. L. Worcester photo e. First Uni Methodist C Wesley Fo On Campus According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2006 there were between four thousand and 6.5 billion different religions in the world. At the University, many of those religions were represented by different groups and churches. I go to CCF, said junior history major Albert Yao. It ' s a Christian fellowship that has a 1 on Asian Americans, but is open to everyone of all races and creeds. I enjoy it since it ' s a nice group of people to hang out with, and to further explore Christian theology with. Religious student organizations like CCF were common on campus. In any given year, there were about fifty active religious student groups in existence. In addition, there were also many churches on campus, ranging in worship from Christianity to Sikh. However, between attending classes, keeping up on homework, and socializing, many students found it difficult to find the time or moi to attend services while at the University. For Jewish students, an organization called Hillel allowed them to connect with others who shared their views. According to its official mission statement, Hillel served as an umbrella organization for over thirty student groups expressing a diverse spectrum of approaches to Jewish life. Peer-led groups give students important leadership skills as they enrich the larger comi I like going to Hillel because it ' s a great place to go for Shabbat services on Friday nights, and I get to see friends there that I normally don ' t during the week. The other two places I like going to are the JRC (Jewish Resource Center) and Chabad House. said senior aerospace engineering major Michael Eisenberg. The University tried to be respectful of all its religions. According to the student handbook, it offered Personal Reflection Rooms, where members of the University community were able to meditate, pray and otherwise spend time in quiet reflect! m. This respect of others ' religions was often observed in the dining halls of dormitories. I ' m Hindu, and so I ' m a vegetarian, said junior math and political science major Smrithi Srinivasan. The dorms do have a vegetarian and vegan bar, which is but still makes it difficult to eat in the cafeterias. You basically had to eat a lot of the same things. Also present on campus were more controversial groups, like Jews for Jesus and the Atheist Club. I ' m Jewish, but not religiously, said president of the Atheist Club and junior geology major Jennifer Wurtzel. I don ' t believe in God, and I don ' t believe that this is a negative thing, contrary to what a lot of students on campus seem to believe. Our group gets together to discuss our thoughts about the world. It ' s very philosophical. religion on campus