'Wednesday, September 2; 1970, THE MICHIGAN DAILY Student Life-Page Three. P. Wednesday, September 2, 1970 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Student Life-Page Three, Djiag, Arb life: Part of the counter-culture? By DEBRA THTAL.fn The Arb and the Diag form an integral part of the University . community's culture. The Diag visitors are of a more temporary nature than the **4. N Ar pplain'a people sto on the Dla betweenclse or as f5vt "# G ; they pass through the center of the campus.«k The Diag has a slightly political cast being the location of «. i¢ Y! / noon rallies and benefits for various political and community v . .G° .v.ty3.caG} groups. But passing through, an observor can hear discussions on everything from microbiology to the University's treatment of *......S.. G..J. , women to the latest Saks sale. xAnd, depending on the weather, packs of dogscotnal x:S~4::_.. ' chase through the small, grassy area, often nearly colliding with_< ,t' :e '8}4fr m f4iJ /a -$ tefrisbee players. ~~ . different. Located down Geddes past Oxford, the Arb provides a "t: au' ? .' . ' o$ e plc hr epecnb ythemselves, as well as in groups. at*' . ..4 . . (Solitude is a bit more difficult on the Diag).'~C ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ..4........ The Arb's hills and woods seem to stretch on and on forever. .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 1with quiet paths along the polluted Huron River for bicycles and 4..as.<. ..'.. 4 .5... :i motorcycles as well as hikers+ +Y44.a4Cold weather doesn °t end the Diag-Arb culture. The Diag en- r. thuiassi ovestthe..................................................................................................... ?y"Hal-and congregate around the tables set up for distributing , political and other literature. The Arb faithful often continue to tre ut for the first snow and g D ao tboanning-almost completely ~.'*. out of sight of the University. The .Arb/Diag population is representative, to some degree, of 4most of the campus. Even hardworking graduate students can be.................'.*.*.l.... ... } ~~~~~~~sen lying on the grass as they pour over their books But many n gaa4 G} ; .A~'.~ ~of these who frequent the Diag ad the Arb are people of the it< = rs, 4t$ xa G «... "counter-cultur e" IN ii. Many non-student as well as student freaks, yippies and .. radicals spend most of their time in the Diag and the Arb. But anyone and everyone fits into the picture-the Arb and -al-Greg MacDonald Daily-Thomas R Cop Daily. Dag accommodate all types from the business school professor- inthe center obf campus .' to Jerry Rubin (when he's in Ann Arbor). . and out in ,the woos Free,4'U':,Out of th e classrpoomrs, i nto the s tree ts City, U' provide By STUART GANNES and CARLA RAPOPO4T Three men, palms up, lay perfectly still in the darkened room.Slowly, their legs rose high over their heads. Moment after excrutiating moment their sil- houettes . remained unmoved. Finally, after what seemed to be an interminable length of time, one perfectly controlled pair of legs arched back to the floor. Soon others followed suit in the same graceful manner. The Free University Yoga class met every afternoon and twice on weeknights last semes- ter. The banner of a. "free uni- versity," long an illusive goal for students seeking alternatives to formal University classes was 0 raised once again with moderate success on campus last semester. Last year's version included more than 70 courses, offering students the opportunity to gain "learning experiences" in areas as varied as Tantric Yoga and Macrobiotics to the study of sci- i ence fiction and the occult. But the Free University is more than a collection of inter- esting courses. Rather, it is based on concepts and philoso- phies which reject the tradition- al University structure as either meaningless or a waste of time, and which search for alternative subject matter and class struc- tures to make education a more enjoyable experience. Last year's Free 'U' catalog put it this way: "The Free Uni- versity is an attempt to give people a chance to learn for the sake of learning, not for filling some type of artificial require- ment. It is open to the whole community. "We put no requirement on. what or how something is taught. Our teachers are to be more resource persons than: what is usually meant as teachers. Hopefully, they will be learning and experiencing as much as the other members of the class, and not just sterilely dispensing facts. "Anyone who wishes to start a class may. If you don't have a special talent or area of knowl- edge, you are welcome to start a class in anything you would like. These classes can take any form you want.. Instead of relying on degrees and the threat of grades as the necessary motivation to force students to "learn" required subjects, the Free 'U' hopes to offer the opportunity for happi- ness- and personal satisfaction as sufficient rewards for a per- son to want to share in the ex- perience of learning about some- thing important to himself. This philosophy is not new. The concept of a free univer- sity dates back to 1966 on this campus. Growing out of the Free Speech Movement at Berk- eley in 1964-65 when faculty members were invited to lecture on civil liberties and disobedi- ence, a string of free universities appeared on a number of. college campuses across the nation. Four years ago, the first Free University in Ann Arbor at- tracted ,more than 300 students to sample an assortment of courses which included semi- nars on historical theory, jazz, education, film, poetry, political economy and just being an American. The organizers of the first Free University envisioned a utopian alternative to a research oriented University community which they despised. They outlined their philoso- phy' in a statement attached to the course catalog which said in part: "A FREE UNIVERSITY. is not easily definable, nor is it subject to or concerned with self-definition. Instead it is the sum of a number of concrete in- dividual efforts to overcome the C boundaries, to transcend the limits and to destroy the irrele- vances of the "knowledge fac- tory" University that we all live in now, It emerges from a col- lective desire to humanize the relationship between teacher and student, to open up new subject matter, and to develop ways in which the learning situ- ation can concentrate on' the human importance of ideas. Free universities have been subject to the ups and downs of student enthusiasm as long as they have existed. Since 1966, the free university experiment has been attempted several times with varying successes. After a. number of abortive at- tempts the Ann Arbor Free School was established in the summer of 1968. The Free School offered classes on uto- p i a n communities, guerrilla theatre, and tactics for social change. Then, last fall, a num- ber of students established the Wayne State Free University in an attempt "to create a place for social inter-action and per- sonal intellectual development without the restrictions of an authoritarian, re w a r d-punish- ment education." However, free universities have traditionally been experiments on campus, never lasting more than a few months. Last year's Free 'U' is another such experiment, whose hopes for success must ultimately rest on the enthusiasm of its parti- cipants. It was conceived last November when the idea gath- ered support after leaflets and circulars were distributed on campus. Soon after, the Univer- sity Activities Calendar offered to assist the small group of stu- dents, teachers and community people by giving them office space and financial aid. By January, there was suf- ficient response from prospec- tive teachers for a catalog to be published outlining proposed course offerings and establish- ing a registration procedure. Eventually, over B50 people reg- istered by paying a $5 fee. Reg- istration a n d administrative procedures were handled by a steering committee made up of "anyone who shows up." Courses at the Free 'U' fell in- to essentially two categories. First, there were course'on sub- jects offered in the formal Uni- versity curriculum, but which were unsatisfactory in the eyes of students who opted for a Free 'U' alternative on the same sub- ject.I Secondly, a large number of courses dealt with material not normally conceived as part of a University curriculm. Examples included classes in aphrodisiacs, the blues harp, cigarette rolling, the poetry of food, occult thought 'and a host of others. Most classes within the Free 'U' experienced a 50 per cent drop-out rate, as students in the "University grind" considered their Free 'U' classes the most expendable - even when they were the most enjoyable. However, most teachers, lead- ers and coordinators are not discouraged by the drop-out rate. They reaffirm that the people came because they want- ed to, everyone participating with an honest commitment to learning. "We don't have the deadwood and uninterested stu- dents that so many University ' classes are clogged with," said one teacher. And, while many of the cour- ses consisted of only three to five regular members, leaders were still enthusiastic. As one student pointed out: in most regular University classes, only about three members actively participate in discussions any- way. Occasionally h o w e v e r, the freeness of the Free 'U' may be rather overpowering. As one freshman said, "I just didn't think complete nudity was ne- cessary for massage, so I drop- ped the course."' "However," he continued, "I found the candle-making class simply fascinating." He explains that the instructor taught the mechanics of the art during the first session and all the rest were devoted to sharing of everyone's experience and ex- periments w i t h candlemaking. "When I started, I knew noth- ing about fashioning candles and now I've already sold $40 worth of the candles I've made," he added. Where will the Free 'U' go from here? Can any free univer- sity establish itself on a perma- nent basis? Right now, these questions remain unanswered. One fact, however, seems clear. The current organizers of the Free 'U' are bent on expanding it beyond the University cam- pus. "The Free 'U' is not just for students, we want to reach everybody in the community," says Dave Conely, one of the Free 'U's founders. In the meantime, the Free 'U' will present University students with an alternative to the large lectures so characteristic of undergraduate education. Per- haps in the long run, the Free 'U' will also serve the role of a gadfly-stimulating the regular University to look inward and reevaluate itself. As one law student, who teaches a Free 'U' class on Carl Jung, says hopefully, "I really think we amateurs have a new- ness, a freshness, and an interest in all the world around us. This is the essential vitality which all classes should have." unique services During the time you spend at the University - howeverslong it is-some problem may get to be too much for you to handle by yourself. Maybe the draft, maybe money, maybe marriage, maybe some overwhelming emotional hangup. If you find yourself needing help for any kind of problem, many types of services are available- genarally at no cost - from both the University and the community. PERSONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING: Counseling Division, Bureau of Psychological Services, 1007 E. Huron. This is one of the most popular - and o er crowded agencies on campus. The staff psychologists conduct individual and group sessions to help students handle emotional and vocational problems. * Mental Health Clinic, University Health Service, 207 Fletcher. Psychiatrists and psychiatric counselors here offer therapy for mental and emotional difficulties and personality problems, including disturbances of the nervous sstem. Neu- ologists are also on hand. Office of Religious Affairs, 2282 Student Activities Bldg. Don't let the name fool you. The ORA counselors are ready to help students with any kind of problem, and their services come into greater demand every year. But they always seem to make time to help one more student, and they have a reputation for being there when you need them in any kindg of situation. " Private psychiatric counseling. This is often suggested by the free but crowded University agencies for students who need more intensive therapy and can afford to p.y private fees. How- ever, the University services will always make room fo the stu- dent who can't afford a private psychiatrist. MARITAL COUNSELING: B Both the Counseling Division and Office of Religious Af- fairs offer marital counseling. Also popular with students who are about to be married is a three-credit class on the marriage rela- tionship offered in the=literary college but open to all students. BIRTH CONTROL ADVICE: " Health Service. Staff gynecologists will advise and pre-. scribe for students. You pay only for the actual medication and for any tests necessary. B University Hospital, Gynecology Clinic. Students pay a $10 registration fee, but are then eligible for the same services available at Health Service as well as for any other type of medical assistance. n Planned Parenthood, 1121/, E. Liberty. The advantage here is evening hours. A $10 registration fee is charged to those who can afford it, but it goes for a good cause: Helping the clinic provide free asistance for those who can't pay. JOB PLACEMENT: n Bureau of Appointments, Placement Office. Prospective employers and employes are matched through this office all during the year. Aspecial offfice has also been set up to handle teacher placement. " Part-time Employment Office, 2200 Student Activities Bldg. Both University and non-University jobs are available here. Interviews match students with job openings, and refer them to other University agencies which may need more student employes. " Summer Placement Service, 212 Student Activities Bldg. Just what the name implies. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: " Office of Student Financial Aids, 2011 Student Activities Bldg. This is the place to go if an emergency situationdevelops. The loan office may be able to give you aloany or grant. In ad- dition, the office is full of information on scholarships and grants available. For smaller emergencies, you can also get a loan of up to $50 from the University through this office, with a year to pay back.. " Students Credit Union, located in the Union. The first (and only) credit union in the country organzed solely by and for college students, the Students Credit Union offers loans to its members for a 12 per cent true annual rate-one per cent per month on the unpaid balance. Students join by opening a savings account and becoming shareholders. The minimum ac- count is for one share at $5.00 and dividends are paid according to the earnings of the credit union. SPEECH OR HEARING PROBLEMS: * Speech Clinic, 1111 E. Catherine. The clinic will provide speech therapy to students free of charge for minor defects and larger problems, such as loss of hearing. RE~ADING DIFFICULTY: 0 Reading Improvement Service, Bureau of Psychological Services,-1610 Washtenaw. If there's one thing you have to do at the University, it's' read. This service teachs studentsto read faster with better comprehension and also to study more effec- tively. Courses, workshops and individual counseling are all available. DRAFT COUNSELING: Draft Counseling Center, 502 E. Huron (Baptist Center). Trained counselors are on hand to help students cope with the draft in the best of available ways. The service is free with sup- port coming from student and. community organizations, and the center has become a tremendously popular source of advice on the increasingly-pressing draft problem. 0 The Office of Religious Affairs. One of the specialties of the ORA is helping a student cope with both the practical and moral questions raised by the draft. LEGAL AID: 0 Student LegalServices. SGC sponsors a program by which students may obtain counseling from a lawyer at a minimal rate. Contact Mrs. Samuelson, 1546 Student Activities Bldg. for an appointment. 0 Washtenaw County Legal Aid Society, 201 N. Fourth Ave. For real trouble, lawyers are provided free of charge to students -and the community, of course - through this federally-funded service. Legal aid.has seen students through all the recent dem- onstrations. UNCLASSIFIABLE PROBLEMS: W Student Affairs Counseling Office, 1011 Student Activities Bldg. This counseling office serves as a clearinghouse for every kind of problem, and refers students to the proper agency or provides on-the-spot help. Live in an exoti esetting... 4 U TEXTBOOKS UP TO V3OFF The Student's Bookstore r Fr.__________________________________________________________ --___ ,-I _ . s LATER'I -U U. U WHEN YOU THINK OF BOOKS, THINK OF US FIRST! NOTICE TO FRESHMEN: -One counseling service the University of Michigan does not provide is helping you choose the place where your clothes will be properly dry-cleaned and laundered. To help you avoid the mettlesomeness by trial-and-error, we cordially invite you to stop in and become acquainted with us-the right place for you-for service as you like it-WHEN you like it! EVERYTHING you bring in is thoroughly cleaned and expertly pressed; cuffs are brushed and tacked, miss- ing buttons replaced, rips mended-All these extras are included in our regular, moderate prices. GOLD BOND CLEANERS YOUR CAMPUS CLEANER 332 Maynard HOURS: 7-6 Monday thru Saturday Across from Nickels Arcade w illlf l III I I 1 _ _ __