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

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The information tent, located in the center of the Diag, allows students to find an organization ' s table at Festifall. Festifall allowed freshmen the opportunity to be introduced to the hundreds of organizations on campus. L. Worcester photo I n O n On the first day of class, Patrick, a Shaman Drum employee dressed in drag, helps a student find his books. Shaman Drum had a tradition of dressing in drag for the first day of class to lighten the mood of students waiting in hour-long lines to buy books. S. Ludtke photo

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A student participates in a joust, an event offered at Pre-Class Bash. Pre-Class Bash, held on Palmer Field, was the night before the first day of classes, and gave students one more opportunity for fun before school began. S. Ludtke photo Wei come Weel r four months of summer jobs, vacations, or just sitting by the pool, over 24,000 undergraduate students took over campus for the few days before classes, also known as Welcome Week. The activities during the week varied greatly depending on whether it was a student ' s first or fourth year on campus. During New Student Convocation, held in Chrysler Arena, the first- year students were introduced to President Mary Sue Coleman as they listened to her speak about making the most of their time at the University. Afterwards, students participated in Artscapade at the Art Museum and Escapade at the Union, both organized by the Office of New Student Programs. The following day, a picnic was held on Palmer Field and Meijer Madness ended the ev ening. All of these events helped the students become acclimated to campus and meet their fellow students. It was crazy. I came here knowing no one and by the beginning of classes, I felt like I knew everyone, first-year pre-med student Dave Muczynski said. In addition to the planned events, older students organized some festivities of their own. Fraternities and students opened their houses to host many parties traditionally held during Welcome Week. It ' s actually very interesting to watch people you know change personalities right before your eyes at the frat parties, first-year pre-business student Andrew Daar said. As the first-year students got their initial taste of life at the University, the upperclassmen met with old friends and reminisced about their past years on campus. They sat on their porches, drank a beer or two, and watched as the underclassmen swarmed by, looking for a party or trying to find their way home. Looking back on my freshman year, I remember traveling in packs of 15 and trying to find something to do on campus, junior English and French major Stephanie Watson said. Although the parties were plentiful, students still tried to get organized for the upcoming school year. Stores overflowed with students buying books and last minute items for their residence hall rooms and apartments. However, the preparation did not deter from the parties and late nights that made Welcome Week a time that students remembered all year.

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A large crane and work site blocks pedestrians from using the sidewalk near the Medical Campus. Construction in this area of campus affected people on foot but left roads clear for drivers. L. Proux photo Just off of Observatory Street major construction takes place on the new cardiovascular building. Many new buildings near the Hill area were devoted to the sciences, such as the Life Science Institute. L. Proux photo