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

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Racism on campus: Codes and classes cause division Although a university is traditionally considered a place where open minds gather to learn, large college campuses are often the setting of narrow- mindedness, discrimination, and subsequent racial unrest. The current year ' s decline in University applicants has been attributed by some to bad publicity over racial relations. Also, recent studies show that the opportunity of higher education is more dependent on factors of race and economic status than expected. This past year at the U-M, there have been several ambitious at- tempts to improve racial tensions and create more opportunities for minority students on campus. In September of 1989, Ann Arbor hosted the state ' s an- nual NAACP conference. The conference focused primarily on campus racism. Vice Pro- vost for Minority Affairs Charles Moody, University President James Duderstadt, and Michigan Governor James Blanchard were key speakers at a seminar which raised such issues as financial aid for minority students, and recent Supreme Court restrictions on abortion and affirmative action rights. The seminar questioned the effect of these restrictions on the civil rights movement as a whole. A rash of racial incidents last year resulted in the adoption of a new antidiscriminatory policy by the University. It was the intention of this policy to forbid harrassment based on race, sex, or religion. However, not long after its adoption, the constitutionality of this policy was challenged Couples pose at an Engineers ' party, 1911. {BtNTLEY HISTORICAL LIBRARY) in court by the American Civil Liberties Union. A federal judge stated that a substantial portion of the policy was too vague, giving too much discretion to university administrators, and declared the policy to be a violation of First Amendment rights. Perhaps the most controversial race-oriented issue on campus this year has been the proposed mandatory class on racism. University Course 299 is the result of a two-year effort on the part of the United Coalition Against Racism to establish anti-racism education as a requirement for all undergraduates. The controversy surrounding this class is not based solely on its format; most of the debate centers on the pros and cons of making this type of class a requirement rather than an elective. Those in support of a required class believe that by making educa- tion and contemplation of racial issues compulsory, the course would ease racial tension and create a more beneficial environ- mentfor integration. Proponents of the class believe that the type of person who would get the greatest benefit from this class would never elect it if it were not mandatory. Those opposed to a required course on racism argue that mandating education in order to stimulate social reform is fundamentally wrong. In April of 1989, the proposal for a required course on racism was voted down by a margin of 20 votes. Although neither the mandatory class nor the Univer- sity ' s anti-harrassment policies were successfully im- plemented, these proposals have marked 1989 as a year of action for the rights of minorities at the University of Michigan. by Andrea Balding 24 MICHIGAN LIFE

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A physical side to life: Students sweat it out I can ' t study all the time or I ' ll lose my concentration; I need a physical side to life, says Kurt Dykema, a graduate engineering student. For many University of Michigan students just like Dykema, exercise is key in relieving stress. But for some students like Marci Jamrog, a senior in LSA and a member of the Women ' s Soccer Club, fitness is not a casual pastime. Jamrog practices at least two hours a day for weekly games and soccer tournaments. She says, The extra work is worth the personal satisfaction and the excitement of competition that goes with being a team player. While other students do not exercise quite so intensely, many still consider fitness an important component of their lives at U-M. Kimberley Miller, a junior in LSA, runs one hour each day. Miller, like many students, began exercising with the hope of losing weight. Even after she lost weight, Miller continued her workouts because she finds them so enjoyable. When I run, I feel good both physically and mentally, she says. Weight lifting is another popular form of exercise. If you have ever been in the Central Campus Re- creation Building, you have probably noticed the weight rooms lots of muscles, lots of sweat, and lots of tank tops. Orlando Torres, a first year student in LSA, lifts weights at the CCRB three times a week. Why? It ' s habit, he says. I started lifting in high school and decided to keep my program going. Another LSA first year student, Matt Walsh, and Todd Brandstadt, a sophomore in LSA, lift weights together to stay fit for the crew team. It makes you look good and you don ' t have a beer gut! says Walsh. Others do not lift more than a racquet but still get a good workout. Racquet sports offer challenging, competitive exercise and on a good day, the thrill of victory. Tennis and raquetball are the most popular racquet sports, but graduate engineering student Mike Batek plays squash. Squash requires more wrist action than racquetball. The 1905: Four U-M students lounge after a game Of tennis. (BENTLEY HISTORICAL LIBRARY) ball moves faster which makes the game more challenging, says Batek. The CCRB also offers several Adult Lifestyle Classes for nominal costs, including aerobics, swim conditioning, tae kwon do, jazz dancing, and tennis. According to Cari Anderson, an employee in the Physical Education Department, enrollment in these courses has increased over the past few years. This fall a new course was added, Awesome Aerobics, which Anderson says, went like hotcakes. Winter semester, the program will include more classes in dance aerobics and weight training. The Adult Lifestyle Program recently ac- quired their own weight training room with brand new equip- ment. Special sections of the weight training course are offered just for women. Scuba diving, another popular course, consists of one lecture and one session in the pool per week According to Anderson, the course runs longer and teaches more safety precautions than a commericial dive shop. After students complete the scuba course they can practice their diving at a water-filled quarry in Toledo. After completing three dives they receive certificates attesting to their abilities. Signing up for a class can be a great motivator to exercise. Michele Mazure, a third year student in LSA says, I have to be there, I ' m paying for it! She is enrolled in a swim aerobics class which keeps her commited to fitness and offers something a little different, The water provides a natural resistance for your muscles. It ' s more fun than regular aerobics because it is low- key, and it tones your whole body, she says. No matter why you exercise, or what kind of exercise you choose swim aerobics, or squash, your body ap- preciates the workout, and your brain thanks you for the rest. by Joy Das Gupta MICHIGAN LIFE 23

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World Problems Drugs Nuclear war Racism Overpopulation National debt Poverty AIDS Homeless people Personal Problems Geting a job Getting into grad school Money Food Graduation Lifetime mate Opposite: Students protest racism in a Diversity Day march. (ROBIN LOZMK) Top: Students scrawl anti-racist sen- timents on Diag shanties. (M (ARTWORK BY KEVIN WOODSON) MICHIGAN LIFE 25