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

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his chin. e may do it just for fun, but this man probably drew quite a crowd for balancing a lobster on onstruction begins early for Ann Ar- bor ' s major summer event, the Ann Ar- bor Art Fair. Each July thousands of tal- ented craftsmen and fascinated specta- tors flock throughout the city to partake in the festivities. xhibitors from all over the country display their handii rafts and provide demonstra- tions for interested onlookers. Photos by David A. Gal Art Fair 27

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ART FAIR hildren may not have a finely developed taste in art, but an unusual toy keeps this young- ster temporarily occupied. he Art Fair offers a visi- tor a moment for re- flective thought; even if somewhat warped by a shining balloon. 26 Art Fair

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CHEMISTRY VS By Katherine Wandersee The apartment looks like any other student ' s apartment, except that the calendar boasts a full-length center- fold of Big Bird, and the animal-shaped bookends hold Dr. Seuss adjacent to Dynamic and Acoustical Properties of Dielectrics. As you walk in, you cannot help but notice two small, drool ing objects on the floor they look like very little people without hair. You do not recog- nize them as babies at first. What do you expect? You are only a student who has resided for three years on Central Campus, where there is no one under age 18 or over 24. What would a baby be doing in the apartment of a University of Michigan student? The scene is Northwood Apart- ments, a sizeable complex of seemingly indentical wood-frame apartments the main location for married students at Michigan. To a person accustomed to the busy Central Campus, the place may seem rather isolated from everyth- ing, which leads one to wonder what it ' s like to live in the world of chemistry class vs Captain Kangaroo. Most of the students at Northwood Housing are upperclass or graduate stu- dents, so they do not feel as though they were missing out on all the ac- tion by living away from the typical college campus. Northwood apart- ments do anything but isolate married students from social interaction. The complex is like a small community where the residents share fellowship and responsibilities while still enjoying the privacy of one ' s own home. Though the turnover at the residence is high, with couples rarely staying more than a few years, they get to know one another through various projects and a gossipy Northwood newsletter. At the North Campus location, even spouses of busy staff or graduate stu- dents can find enough to keep them occupied. Groups get together to play raquetball or swim at the North Cam- pus Recreation Building. Non-students can apply for significant other passes for the University facilities. Usually, one lucky volunteer stays home watching five or more children while the neigh- bors take their turns at enjoying free- dom. For couples who have children to be cared for, a trade-off system has also evolved at the Northwood complex. Without the turnover of cash, parents can simply share child care responsibil- ities by exchanging special cards in di- cating the number of hours spent watching kids and giving under- ducks on the nearby swingsets. The complex is similar to a suburbian com- munity, children of the students always have playmates in the near vicinity. The roar of the Big Wheels cruising around Northwood ' s sidewalks is com- parable to the din of traffic around Central Campus on a busy afternoon. Being a kid without a Big Wheel at Northwood is like being in a dorm without a stereo. This year ' s Ann Arbor teacher ' s strike Ul ' OT I! created a large problem for many stu- dent mothers who rely on elementary schools as daytime babysitters. One mother said that she paid almost $70 a day in child care during the fall strike of 1980. Financial adjustments are a major problem for married students, with many extra expenses cropping up along with the monthly tuition bills. One rea- son that Northwood housing is so pop- ular is that it is practical. Rent at the housing unit averages $250 per month, including furnishings, utilities and oth- er benefits such as maintenance. A fur- nished house near Central Campus would probably cost the couple $500 excluding utilities. 28 Married Housing 4