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

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Opportunity From Adversity Cont. spiraled upward, University enrollment rapidly shifted from the aesthetically satisfying liberal arts education of the sixties and early seventies to more pragmatic fields. For the first time, many students found their life giving grants and schol- arships in danger of financial annihila- tion. The Guaranteed Student Loan program came under the fire of the Reagan administration and it was subse- quently declared an unnecessary bur- den on the federal government. Low State financial reservoirs caused a re- duction in Basic Grants and Michigan Competitive Scholarships. The result left a determined student body dili- gently searching for some form of re- dress. For those that could shoulder college The majestic Burton Tower looms above campus. .diversity student finds a quiet study niche on steps of the Museum of Art. The Art Architecture Building rests in the se- cluded splendor of North Campus. costs, a heightened awareness of the advantages of a practical degree was clearly seen in the increasing demand for courses involving marketable skills in statist ics, accounting and computer science. Though there have been marked increases in applications re- ceived by the Business School and the Computer Science department over the past few years, perhaps the most striking increase in applications re- ceived was experienced by the College of Engineering. From 1979 to 1981, a 25% increase in applications sent to the University boosted acceptance standards to all time highs. A reduced faculty saw more crowded classrooms, especially in high demand areas, and increased competition among stu- dents. To escape the pressures of the Michigan environment, students began to involve themselves more in a wide range of non-academic activities. Od- dly enough, the one area of the Univer- -D. Gil sity which seemed totally unmarred by the economy was the Michigan Athle- tic Department. Ticket sales for athletic events actually increased as student spirit gained new energy. Organiza- tions found increased participation; so- rorities and fraternities swelled with new pledges, and extracurricular activi- ties were inundated with volunteers. Even Ann Arbor ' s favorite watering holes enjoyed a marked increase in di- versionary recreation. The financial conditions created ad- ditional serious, intellectual challenges for Michigan and its students: main- taining a top-quality university in blus- tery economic times; and paying for and surviving in a more expensive and more competitive environment. Rising to the task, the University community couragously weathered out the eco- nomic winter, optimistically awaiting the spring sure to come. M Opening 7