The Michigan Daily-Thursday, September 7, 1978-Page 69
ThA festival of
fri sb E9sW, rak uww
frisbees, freaks
By R. J. SMITH
Just as all roads led to Rome,
similarly well-travelled are the Univer-
sity paths which eventually cross at the
Diag.
The Diag, short for diagonal, is
physically and symbolically the center
of campus. Running diagonally from
Kresge's to Baskin-Robbins and on the
opposite diagonal from the Union to the
Chemistry Building, the campus lan-
dmark has long been the scene of many
a Hash Bash and sit-in.
IT IS BOUNDED on one edge. by the
Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library,
with the ever-present "M" shining up
from its bulls-eye center. The "M", as
you've heard orientation leaders ex-
pound, is the step away from flunking
your first exam. Yet the Diag is more
than a description of the central cam-
pus outdoor hang-out.
The Diag allows the passer-by a
glimpse into society and all its com-
ponents. It is the place where things
happen. On the Diag, just about
anything can, and probably will, occur.
The phenomenon is explained simply
by the fact that every Ann Arborite who
has lived here for awhile knows that if
they want their voice to be heard or if
there is a point to be made, the Diag is
the place to make it.
People, all varieties of them, gather
op the Diag. Traditionally presiding
over the threshhold of University
humanity for approximately the last
two and one-half years is Richard
Robinson, dubbed "Dr. Diag" because
of his never-ending lectures on the
latest controversial topic or whatever
happens to interest him that day.
BUT ON ANY given day, you might
see angry demonstrators, students
campaigning for student government
elections, shrieking banshees or
and fun
preachers spouting the word of the
Lord. Also, on days of good weather, the
Diagwill abound with frisbee throwers,
sun bathers and picnicers all with one
thing in common: using the Diag as a
breakaway from academia, yet not
totally removing themselves from the
University atmosphere.
While ax-grinders and complainer
have found the Diag an ideal spot t
harass and harangue, it also has beer
the place where local artists car
display their wares and talents. Hug
constructions and sculptures have in
trigued the University population ove
the years, with students hurriedly cat
ching a glance as they scurry by or
their way to class.
In short, all factions of the University
community are represented on th
location fondly referred to as the Diag
So this coming year, as you inevitabl3
walk through the Diag, consider th
tremendous chunk of culture you're
witnessing and learn to appreciate th
Diag's worth.
Who knows? Some sunny day yol
might find yourself flinging a frisbe
there as your history prof. drones on ii
nearby Angell Hall.
A sunny spring day brings friends to the Diag for good times. Daily Photo by JOHN KNOX
CLASSES ONLY PART OF 'U' EDUCATION:
Dorms: Living and learning
(Continued from Page 6)
formal get-togethers but there's always
some sort of dance being planned or
held.
Much has been spoken of dormitory
food-tales and rumors have spread at
an unreal rate. But you really can't
knock a good dorm meal for long. You
will curse it; you will laugh at it, certain
slobs will throw it around. . . but you
will also eat it. University food service
takes an unbelievable amount of
precautions, and although it is often in-
credibly starchy, it is plentiful.
Perhaps the most important process
one undergoes in a dormitory is that of
making friends. From hitting it off with
your roommate until the time you pack
it up, there will always be lots of people
to watch T.V. with, or play euchre with
in a nearby room. Many aquaintances
are struck up because they must
be-wars between the Hatfields and the
McCoys (your next-door neighbors)
always being so pleasant to witness or
participate in-but also many are made
that never would have been made
otherwise. Years later, you will still
know and love some of the people you
lived with as a freshmah.
Meanwhile, here is a list of all the
dorms featuring a brief description of
their major features and their reputa-
tions around campus:
BARBOUR ^AND NEWBERRY -
Just across the street from Angell Hall,
these two small women's dorms
provide a comfortable homey at-
mosphere where curling irons or nail
polish can always be borroswed.
Newberry does not have dining service
but residents troop next-door to Bar-
bour for meals shipped in daily from
West Quad.
BURSLEY - A monstrous structure
rising out of the North Campus hills,
Bursley, the University's newest dorm,
houses over 1,200 diverse students. Last
year, the dorm government allocated
$200 for pot at a dorm-wide party.
Meanwhile, Bursley is reputed to be
home base for a large per cent of the
University's conservative Christian
student groups. But despite their dif-
ferences Bursley residents have one
thing in common - the daily bus ride to
and from campus.
COUZENS - Densely populated with
nursing and a good number of
engineering students, Couzens main-
tains a low-key image among Univer-
sity dorms. Conveniently located next
to the medical center, Couzens sponsors
a film co-op which shows first-rate
films on the weekends.
EAST QUAD: Known for its free and
open atmosphere, East Quad is
decidedly not the place for the
unopinionated recluse. Housing
Residential College (RC) students,
East Quad sponsors a tremendous
amount of lectures, plays, concerts and
miscellaneous events each year.
FLETCHER - A small men's dorm
which provides about 80 men with a roof
over their head but they're on their own
to find food. The building has earned a
reputation as a "jock" dorm because of
its strategic location - only steps away
from most of the athletic campus
facilities.
HENDERSON HOUSE - Most
students have never heard of this place,
probably because only 30 women live
there. Undergraduate and graduate
students must apply to live in this
cooperative-type house.
ALICE LLOYD - Home of the pilot
progam, this less-than attractive dorm
seems to attract a high percent of out-
of-staters. Because of its close, relaxed
set-up, the dorm is conducive to quick-
forming friendships. Also features
vegetarian meals and an active student
government.
MARKLEY - Despite the puny, cin-
derblock rooms, this huge, modern
dorm is divided into many houses which
creates a more intimate atmosphere.
The different houses are active,
especially when it comes to partying
and the comfortable lounges make the
somewhat indadequate rooms
bearable.
MARTHA COOK - Complete with all
the comforts of Grosse Pointe, this
women's dorm, inhabited only by up-
perclass students, no freshperson, in-
cludes a private tennis court and a 135-
foot sun deck overlooking the private,
one-half acre, landscaped garden. Oh,
by the way, linen is provided.
MOSHER-JORDAN - The cream of
the dorm crop, Mo-Jo is currently the
first choice among incoming dorm
residents. Rich wooden doors and com-
fortable lounges make this older dorm
one of the most attractive on campus. A
small number of residents also con-
tributes to its friendly atmosphere.
SOUTH QUAD - Land of a thousand
false alarms that echo throughout the
night, South Quad can be a wild and
crazy place to live. But believe it or not,
the less-than appealing dorm used to be
the place to go. Now, however, it is
famous, or rather infamous, for its
cuisine. At least it's close to campus.
STOCK WELL-Stained glass win-
dows and a sun deck add to the beauty
and grace of this women's dorm. The
food at Stockwell is surprisingly good,
and men flock to the building from
other dorms seeking meal transfers.
Theyseem to like the dishes too.
WEST QUAD-The birthplace of the
well-known 'quaddie burger,' the West
Quad cafeteria takes "no frills" food
service to the ultimate. A nice-looking
building, but its impractical layout
makes walking from one end of the
quad to the other a major undertaking.
Greek traditions
thrive on campus
(Continued on Page 6)
The old songs and the spirited pranks
are basically the same, while the
feelings of comradery among greeks
will probably never change. Sororities
still hold "candlelights" when a sister
is pinned, and frats cling to the
somewhat barbaric custom of "hazing"
pledges, although to a lesser degree
these days.
And as the cost of renting in Ann Ar-.
bor continues to skyrocket, fraternity
and sorority life is becoming an even
more viable housing option. Room and
board in the houses is comparable to
dorm prices and the food is reputed
to be much better. However, hidden
costs await new pledges in the form of
initiation fees, social dues and other
funds which members are required to
pay.
THERE ARE approximately 40
fraternities and 16 sororities on campus
with a total student membership ex-
ceeding 2,500-approximately 10 per-
cent of the entire undergraduate
student body-and the numbers are
growing. Most of the houses are filled to
capacity for this fall and several new
chapters are slated to open.
Although fraternity and sorority
members escape some of the time-
consuming chores that accompany
other forms of off-campus living
belonging to a house createsine
demands on time. Members must at
tend chapter meetings, help coordinat
rush (signing up new members) an
participate in various charity projects.
But beyond providing a comfortabl
living situation, fraternity and sororit
membership constitutes a form o
"social security." The houses thro
parties, go to parties, watch footbal
games and drink beer together. Cer
tainly not the life for one who value
their privacy, the real advantage o
greek life undoubtedly lies in the clos
friendships which form when student
live, work and play together in a frater
nity or sorority.
Gamma Phi Beta
, - -,
.
;
/
Sorority
1520 S. University
Why BB?
Stop by
and visit us
sometime !
The hunting and hassle,
of off-campus housing
(Continued from Page 6)
Fall term. But don't get roped into
signing a lease early for an undesirable
place. There are quite a few decent
apartments to be found in the spring
and even summer.
ALSO, DON'T limit yourself to the
larger realty companies or modern
apartment complexes, as many first-
time housing seekers do. The former of-
ten charge the highest prices in town,
while the latter are usually quite costly
and may not be as good as they look.
Many of the modern apartment
buildings in town are poorly construc-
ted, and harbor problems like
inadequate heating, ventilation and
water pressure.
Before you sign a lease on any house
or apartment, talk to the people who
already live there about any problems
they may be having with the place and
also try to find out what kind of service
their landlord provides. Some places
may look great at first glance, but the
tenants who are already there may
have some very good reasons for not
renewing their lease.
Another important phase of the
housing hunt is to check with the Ann
Arbor Tenants Union (TU)-located in
the Union-about the reputation of a
particular landlord or building. The
people at TU can be of help if, after you
sign a lease, your landlord does not live
up to his end of the deal.
OTHER THINGS you should
definitely inquire about are which
utilities you will have to pay for such as
water, electricity and especially gas.
Gas bills alone can often increase your
monthly expenses anywhere from $15 to
$40 depending on the time of year, size of
dwelling and adequacy of insulation.
Most students moving out of the dorm
are looking for a situation in which they
can have their own bedroom, but this is
seldom possible unless they are willing
to pay at least $100-110 a month. Prices
usually run quite a bit higher than this,
but you may get lucky. For people who
want their own room, sharing a house
usually works out cheaper than sharing
an apartment. Prices vary quite a bit,.
though, depending on the size o the
dwelling and its proximity to campus.
There are other alternatives to apar-
tments and houses in off-campus
housing, the most notable being
cooperative houses, fraternities,
sororities and the Washtenaw County
Jail.
Aword to
Michigan freshen...
We welcome you to campus and we think
you've made the best possible choice of univer-
sities!
Although you are some time away from
alumni status, your parents might want to receive
The Michigan Alumnus while you're in school.
Have them drop us a line at the Michigan Union,
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48109.
Meanwhile, good luck to you from your
Universitly of Michigan Alumni Association!
O/ C'/ %K.
the
Dope...
Daily Photo by JOHN KNOX
Dormitory food has earned quite a reputation on campus but this student has U-'
apparently resigned herself to the cuisine.
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