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

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KICKING ade easy A C K Don ' t step on the ' M ! ' This was one of the first superstitions introduced to fresh- men upon their arrival to the Univer- sity. The maize and blue ' M ' which sits in the center of the Diag was the tradi- tional focal point of Central Campus. Not only did the concrete walkway that stretched from the West Engineering Arch to State Street serve as the main drag for getting around campus, but the surrounding lawn provideed the perfect place to kick back and relax in order to listen to Preacher Mike, to people- watch, or to meet friends in between classes. Many organizations used the Diag ' s centrality to their advantage by holding political rallies or by organizing aware- ness events. Each year our organiza- tion (University Students Against Can- cer) sponsors the Great American Smoke-Out. We spend the day on the Diag, set up display tables and hand out Quit Kits for smokers that are filled with gum and candy. By using the Diag, we can get our message to quit smoking across to the greatest number of people, said Elaine Hirschfield, USAC Vice President. In addition to awareness events such as these, representatives of alternative political parties, as well as various religious and cultural groups, distributed leaflets in an attempt to con- vert individuals to their views. As well as having an important role in the education and political aware- ness of the student community, the Diag provided a major source of social con- tact for students. Many students who passed through the Diag more than once a day could see their friends. The Diag at noon is a major social scene, said LSA senior Ross Tanzer. Students made plans to meet their friends for lunch, to scope out a potential crush, or to see their past weekend ' s scam without beer goggles. During the spring and early fall, stu- dents used the Diag to procrastinate studying and to enjoy the gorgeous weather. As finals for the Winter se- mester drew closer, the amount of indi- viduals congregating on the Diag in- creased. Everyone is always complain- ing about the amount of work that they have, but on days like today, you don ' t see anyone rushing to the library to get it done, said School of Art senior Marcy Schwartzberg. The great weather also accounted for a marked increase in hackey sacs, frisbees, and dogs. The first day of sunny and higher than 50 degrees temperature brought out anxious sun- bathers trying to get rid of their winter white coloring.-Jenni er Morrison a+ noon s a wajo socia scerve. DIAG LIFE 19

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g a break in tne L ' a 9 ' s awite common, especially on a sunny day. Elliot Milholain, Ari Press, and Matt Couzens stop to sit, talk, and relax in the Diag. -Tamara Psumy } slop in a Stwcci ' s ana a walk through the Diag is one way students relax. Andy Korhs stops in the Diag to eat his ice-cream and to talk to his friend. -Tamara Psumy 7 common claitrx afnong students is that if one stays in the Diag long enough he will run into everyone he knows. Grace Nam and Gene Kim stop in the Diag to chat for a few minutes before heading for class. -Tamara Psumy 18 MICHIGAN LIFE

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This is not a it ' s FRESHMEN tours, tests, trials cmd tribulations ORIENTATION Awakened by a pounding on the door at 7:00 a.m., you crawl out of bed and shuffle down to breakfast. Then, you are given tests, lectures, and questionnaires, and are paraded all over strange grounds, seeing sites such as the Cube , the Diag , and the Fishbowl . You return to East Quad around 11:00 p.m. ex- hausted. Yet, the next day you are expected to do it again. This is not a terrible nightmare it ' s orientation. In three days, students encountered various aspects of the University. Ori- entation Programs Coordinator Barry MacDougall described the University ' s program as, one of the most compre- hensive, thorough, and advanced pro- grams in the country. Some universi- ties handle placement tests, registra- tion, and other activities separately, where here, we ' re able to combine all those steps together to provide students with as much information about the campus as one can realistically do in three days, said MacDougall. We also try to introduce students to issues and ideas, and this helps them prepare for some of the experiences and challenges they ' re going to meet . The process of registration involved placement testing, counseling appoint- ments, peer advising and CRISP. Even though CRISP is an old system, it ' s still one of the best in the country, said MacDougall. Most students found CRISP to be a confusing and difficult process, but LSA freshman Christy Harmes said, It wasn ' t a problem for me. I thought it was an easy process. The students also experienced lec- tures on ResComp, public safety, sexual assault, and multiculturalism. These events exposed the students to a wide range of important topics. The various lectures and open discussion sessions gave the students, a better feel of what was happening on campus, said LSA freshman Cherie Stewart. Other orien- tation activities included The Game of Life, a dance and a pizza party. Orientation leaders helped students throughout the three days. Cesar Valdez, an LSA junior, found that being an orientation leader, was the most amaz- ing experience in my life. Not only did he teach the students, but he learned from them also. Harmes said, the best part of orientation was getting to know everyone in my group. Orientation succeeded in preparing students for the years ahead of them. Engineering freshman Adam Corbin stated that, orientation was very thor- ough. Since it was over a period of three days, there was more time to absorb all the information. Orientation ac- quainted students with the University and with each other. -Stephanie Dickow X LIFE