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

Page 21 text:

I dfl . v . Virginia Hiltz Vjulldozers unearthed the ground of the Diag in the spring and summer. Stu- dents dodged all of the sur- roundingwalkways around the Diag and endured the noise to welcome the newly finished Diag in the fall. Virginia Hiltz r lans for the new Diag were displayed for students and passers-by on the walkway along the back of Angell Hall. The Restoration plans ga ve a detailed idea of how the new Diag ould look upon its completion. Greg Kessler Obstruction continued into fall midterms on the University Health Services building on Fletcher Street. During the construction many offices were moved, including the UHS Urgent Care Center. However, upon completion, the new building will be larger and more useful to students desiring medical attention. Seder Bums j he brick ' M ' held the place of the trational ' M ' at the center of the Diag. Aftermuch protest bystudents.itwaspromised that the traditional ' M ' would return to it ' s rightful place at the heart of campus. Construction 17

Page 20 text:

own e fe ne s... Construction V l 1 V CAl 1 Ik The Diag underwent a formal renovation during the summer, closing the popular shortcut for three months. Students groaned as minutes were added to their travel time to class. Even when the final touches were in place, over the Diag ' s construction continued. Where ' s the ' M ' ? asked one first-year student, staring at the middle of the Diag where the traditional bronze ' M ' once lay. The legend of the ' M ' had been an integral part of University folklore for many years; students knew not to step on the ' M ' before their first blue book exam if they wanted to pass it. The as the ' M ' was replaced by a brick sketch of the letter ' M. ' Steve Spiegel, first-year LSA student remarked, When I first visited the campus I knew that there were a lot of things the University was known for from football to the Business School-but I ' ll never forget that ' ' ' by jamie weitzel the first thing I was told was to not step on the ' M ' . First-year LSA student Susan Rosenberg commented, I think that j tradition has been lost, especially for freshmen. People who have never hearc the superstition of the old ' M ' may never know a piece of the University. The University rennovated due to an immediate need for more appropri ate drainage, to add room for additional trees and to replace all the crackec sidewalks running throughout the Diag. According to Julianne Chard, Projec Engineer for Facilities Planning and Design, When the renovation began thi soil under the plaza was unacceptable. We had to with granulate. The face lift also made the Diag safer for students at nigh by improving the lighting with additional lamps. Students were assured tha the original bronze ' M ' would return in the fall. Yet still, without the origina ' M ' some of the tradition of the Diag was gone. Vasu Divi jjtudents were warned to Keep Out of the pathways leading into and out of the Diag. Throughout spring and summer the main thoroughfares of campus were closed due to the Diag ' s construction. [he Burton Memorial Bell Tower overlooks the central campus at the University. In summer and fall construction crews went to work cleaning the tower which entailed removing the actual clock face from the tower. 16 Michigan Life Viusu Diviil

Page 22 text:

50U.1, Y Blu (Xnn Oirbor ' s... I he Blues and Jazz Festi- val enjoyed its highest at- tendance ever this summer due to the many big name bands thatplayed. Students, adults and children alike joined together to enjoy the sunshine all day Saturday at Gallup Park where the Festival was held. Beautiful weather and a crowd of music lovers created the ambiance for the 25th Anniversary of the Ann Arbor Blues Jazz Festival. University students crowded Gallup Park on Saturday, September 6th and watched as Medeski, Martin Wood jammed. Tickets were $12 for the day and student discounts made it even more affordable for University students. The Festival brought both mainstream and local bands together to perform with acommon purpose. I came today to enjoy some good tunes and to relax. The improvisation and spontaneity of the festival is exciting and powerful, said junior art student, Jeff Bell. Junior economics major Daniel Brecher summed up the atmosphere well, This is just another day of artistic expression in Ann Arbor. It ' s a beautiful day and I wanted to hear jazz, especially Medeski, Martin Jazz by Jessica hermenitt Shari Brown, a member of the Michigan Guild for Art and Artisans volunteered to help organize the festival. Gallup Park is a specta setting for blues and j azz music. It ' s interesting to see the array of people here, from families to college students, everyone came to relax and enjoy the music, she commented. Although Saturday and Sunday attracted the largest crowds, longtime blues musician, Buddy Guy, performed on Friday night at the Michigan Theater. Bob Barden, President of the Board of Directors for the Blues Jazz Festival described Guy, He continues to push the envelope of music. He writes traditional songs and gives them a modem twist. The festival was originally organized in the 1970 ' s and after 25 years of celebrating the uniqueness of blues and jazz music the message was still present: it ' s an art form worth preserving. 18 Michigan Life Virginia Hiltz |