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

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The speech and hearing clinic tests check the freshman ' s ability No matter what approach or planning she uses, she will inevitably to hear a lecturer from the back row. be caught unaware in her ID photograph. The traditional group coke dates, highlights of orientation week for new students, offer a chance to relax and meet new friends. Free cokes and music for dancing are available at the Union and League, and many welcome the opportunity to take a break from the hectic orientation schedules. 19

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Orientation in a New World, A Week of Adjustment Adjustment to a new way of life is necessarily a complicated endeavor, and the University does its best to lend a helping hand through an orientation program. It is intended to ex- tend a more personalized welcome to the new student, and to acquaint him, as much as possible, with the campus and with some of its regulations and processes. Michigan prides itself on maintaining a system of very small orientation groups, in spite of the large number of students entering each year. An upperclassman acting as a group leader is usually assigned to no more than a dozen individuals. Careful guidance and instruction are thus made readily available to everyone. Each group has a full schedule of orientation activities, ranging from aptitude tests to health examinations. There is barely time to sandwich in coke dates and attempts to unravel the mysteries of such anticipated haunts as the general library and Mason Hall between appointments. Par- ticipation in most of the activities scheduled during the day is compulsory for group members, but several of the dormi- tories, campus organizations, and churches offer special op- tional welcoming activities during the evenings, and special assemblies are also held by the various schools and colleges. Unfortunately, however, most students find themselves so thoroughly exhausted by the rigorous events of the day that evening attendance is out of the question, and, consequently, these welcoming activities are likely to lose some of their effectiveness. If orientation week were intended solely to get everyone attuned to the hectic pace that is so characteristic of Michigan, it couldn ' t better accomplish its purpose. The strain on shoeleather and nerves is incalculable, and one feels like an old hand at the game after a few days of cross- country trekking and trying to keep track of all the essential papers, cards, and instructions. The proportion of casualties is amazingly low, however, and the bewildered neophytes finally come out of it all an official part of this great Uni- versity, for better or for worse. Plans are presently being made to shorten the orientation program, to accompany modification in the academic schedule of the University. It is difficult to imagine any condensation of the already tight orientation schedule without subjecting the defenseless vic- tims to physical and mental exhaustion. A group of freshmen taking time out for a few minutes of relaxation and reorganization is dwarfed by the massive columns of Angell Hall. Schedules and instructions are carefully scanned.

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The tools of the trade are prerequisite. Ann Arbor bookstores are swamped with requests for everything from paint brushes to paper clips. Informa- tion on almost any subject is readily available on the crowded shelves. Classes Resume Seminars provide an opportunity for advanced students to attain a higher level of understanding by means of intensive individual effort and informal discussion. 20