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

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Upda te: Michigan Union . - ,- , k i i A new student on Michigan ' s campus may notice a long line of people waiting to order their mini-refridgerators during the first week of school. The line leads to a large, light brown brick building on State Street. The building is easily recog- nized by the numerous students out in front, lugging suitcases while waiting for the bus to come, the full bicycle racks along the sides of the building, and the distinctive architectural design that makes it one of the more well known buildings on campus. What is the build- ing used for? The Michigan Union was founded in 1904 by ISA graduate Edward F. Bob Parker. The student union was set up in an old house on State Street and in 1917 was moved to its present location. Park- er ' s intentions for the Union were for it to be a place where students, faculty and alumni could gather and be bound by a common spirit. Apparently, Parker ' s in- tentions have decayed. Instead, it became more of an alumni service and hotel service . . . less of a student center claims Henry Johnson, Student Services Vice President. Many Michigan students do feel that the Michigan Union is not officially a student union because it isn ' t the main place for students to hang out between classes or on Sunday afternoons. It doesn ' t keep up with the image created by many colleges of what a student union should be. However, brainstorms were underway throughout 1979 for ways to make the Union more identifi- able for Michigan students. The year 1979-80 was the Michigan 1979 brings renovation and change to one of the nation ' s oldest college Unions By Kathy Wandersee Photos by Julie Nelson 20 Union

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One of the most popular traditions in Ann Arbor centers around that most- famous little school, the one with the funny name Slippery Rock. When the scores are announced on Saturdays in Michigan Stadium, the fans cheer as though it were their own school. On September 29, 1979, 60,000 fans in Michigan Stadium, both from Slippery Rock and U-M, cheered despite the ; Rockets ' loss to Shippensburg 45-14. The game was the idea of Michigan Ath- I letic Director Don Canham who merged the fame of Slippery Rock ' s football team with the popularity of Band Day, and produced a unique spectacle in col- lege football. The Slippery Rock team is accustomed to playing in front of 8,000 fans at home, and in the words of Coach Don DiSpir- ito, Small college football can be just as exciting as major college football in the proper setting. We ' re trying hard to ... ' prove that fact. Hopefully, major col- leges will expand on Canham ' s idea and give small colleges an opportunity to be exposed to media coverage. In addition to the game itself, Canham arranged for two pep rallies, one in Hart Plaza in Detroit, and another at Ferry Field. Each featured an appearance by the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses. Half-time festivities centered on the collective performance of 12,000 band members, 130 Michigan high schools, Slippery Rock, Shippensburg State, and the Michigan Marching Band performed for the fans. George Cavender, recently retired director of Michigan bands and a great favorite of Michigan fans made a guest appearance as director of the bands. The best description of the event was given by Slippery Rock officials who said it was the biggest thing that ever happened to their school. M - Karen Ren fro Slippery Rock souvenirs were available in Ann Arbor for weeks before the game Slippery Rock 19

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Union ' s 75th year in existence, and ef- forts were made to dress it up for its diamond anniversary. In January of 1979, students lobbied successfully to persuade the Board of Regents into mak- ing some drastic alterations to make it more of a student center. First, the Union ' s Board of Governors stepped aside and management was tak- en over by the OSS, Office of Student Services. A committee of 24, half of whom were students, was also organized to put forth efforts to rejuvenate the building. The major rejuvenation was the conversion of 91 hotel rooms into dorm rooms, which took place in 1979. This fall, more than 127 students, 21 years of age and older, call the Union home. Other changes include an expansion of the University Cellar, a popular book- store in the Union ' s basement, with the addition of a student snack bar. A new office has been added to the many others located on the premises: the Office of Student Development, which handles the necessary business of student groups on campus. The new office is in charge of Michigan Advertising Works, student organization mail, scheduling of the rooms in the Michigan Union and audi- torium scheduling. The office also offers program consultants for student organi- zations. Invaluable to all students are the coun- seling services offered in the Michigan Union. 76-Guide is a student run service that offers general information and crisis counseling 7 days a week. Academic counseling and even red-tape cutting so necessary at a large university are avail- able within the Union. Some standard attractions at the Michigan Union are the bookst ore, bil- liards hall, bowling alley, and ticke ' booth, but the building does have more to offer for those who don ' t take advan- tage of these benefits. The Union ' s rooms can be reserved for just about any student or community activity. Its facili- ties include several conference rooms, classrooms, Kuentzel all-purpose room, an assembly hall and even a ballroom. UAC, (University Activities Center), has its home base at the Michigan Union. Along with throwing the Union ' s 75th anniversary celebration, UAC held such activities as the Homecoming Pa- geant; Soph Show, many popular View point Lectures, UAC Soundstage Coffee- house, a series of various mini-courses and Children ' s Youth Theater in rooms of the Union this past year. UAC is certainly not the only organi- zation that keeps the Union active. Its rooms are utilized by a huge variety of groups for anything from parties to pro- tests. Musical activities such as Eclipse Jazz Festival, Ann Arbor Square Dance Club, Glee Club and Midshipmen Jazz Band brighten up Michigan ' s campus and of- ten take advantage of the Union ' s facili- ties. Fraternities and Sororities liven things up by holding rush meetings, Panhellen- ic Society meetings, dances and even happy hours in the Michigan Union. Educational and academic groups book conference rooms for meetings and classes. These groups range from An- thropology and Political Science to many Women ' s Studies organizations. Work Study Program had a Job Fair; Ar- my ROTC an athletic banquet; Michigan gamers hold many activities; the list goes on and on. Even if the ordinary student does not stop in at the Michigan Union, it seems that almost every organization has had its toe in the door more than once. The rooms will continue to be filled with stu- dents as well as administration and alumni as the Michigan Union moves on towards the celebration of its 100th birthday. H The Union has housed gatherings of an enormous variety of racial and ethnic groups such as Chinese Fellowships, Black Greek Organization, Taiwanese Association, Minority Student Services and Center for Japanese Students. Religious meetings involving Word of God, Navigator ' s Bible Studies and Mor- mon Awareness Week have been held in this popular building. Politics has found its way into the Michigan Union with Republicans Club gatherings and meetings of the Revolu- tionary Communist Youth Brigade. Countless miscellaneous organiza- tions continue to hold their activities there. WCBN radio held a disco; College Union 21