University of Michigan - The Michiganensian Yearbook

“s-toute/rvte Ba In the summer, fleets of students stormed the University to endure the initiation rites of the Office of New Student Programs ' 1997 version of Orientation. First-year students caught a glimpse of life at the University while participating in many activities aimed at helping new students become acclimated to their new multi-cultural environment. According to first-year ISA student Geetika Upadhyay, " Orientation was fun but they made us do a lot of stuff that seemed unnecessary. " One of the goals of the experience was to help students bond with others who were uneasy about starting school in the fall. Shamita Shah, first-year ISA student remarked, " It will be nice to get back in touch with friends I made at Orientation. Meeting new people was the best part. " While the Diag received a face lift during 1997 Orientation sessions, new students found navigating the campus even more difficult. Junior English major Jennifer McCready sympathized with the first year students. " I felt sorry for the incoming students at Orientation. They kept by jamie weitzel getting lost because the Diag was closed. " Luckily, the barricades came down by fall move-in and the new red-brick Diag made its debut as the sounds of loft construction rang out across campus. Move-in was particularly challenging for one first-year student who quickly learned the definition of self-reliance. Nathan Walker, LSAstudent and South Quad resident described move-in. " It was terrible. It took me ten loads to get everything into my dorm room. " First-year LSA student Stephen Nadel faced the predicament of a phantom room mate. " He brought his sheets and apair of jeans to the dorm room and then disappeared for a week. " For LSA junior Rebecca Ihrie, move-in was much easier this time around. " I felt like I knew what I was doing. " The wrinkles were ironed out, and after a few weeks the year was off to a great start. " When I first got here I was so alone. I was like ' Please God, let me see someone I know, ' " recalled Steven Nadel. " Now my roommate I are getting along and I know everything is going to work out. " Ihe sign in front of the Michigan League wel- comes back students pass- ing by this fall in front of the Thomas Cooley foun- tain in front of the Bell Tower. DuringOrientation, incoming students tradi- tionally waded through the fountian as a sort of initia- tion right to the University. 10* Michigan Life photo courtesy of Carl Vi ' olf Studio ”