Page Four
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Thursday, September 5,1974
Page Four THE MICHIGAN DAILY Thursday, September ~, ~1974
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RC:A
By JO MARCOTTY
and CHERYL PILATE
For those who feel intimidated,
overwhelmed or unchallenged by the
anonymity and standardization of the
literary college (LSA), there is an
alternative - the Residential Col-
lege (RC).;
Established seven years ago, the
RC is a division of LSA designed and
implemented by a group of faculty
,members who envisioned it as an ans-
wer to the growing size and imper-
sonality of the University.
WITH ONLY ABOUT 1,000 students
enrolled in the "experimental col-
lege," classes are apt to be small and
unstructured. All grading is done on a
pass/fail basis, and instead of mere-
ly a letter grade, students receive a
long written evaluation.
Intended as a sounding board for
innovative experiments, the RC has
been labeled an "educational labora-
tory."
'Students live, attend classes, and
work all in the same building. The
(ternat ive
to
living/learning situation serves as the
basis for the strong sense of commun-
ity which has developed in the RC.
ALL THE ADVANTAGES of a
small college within the resources of
a large University," is the slogan used
to sum up the RC.
The RC, which is located in East
Quad, has acquired the reputation of
attracting the "lunatic fringe" on
campus. A quick look at the grafitti
adorning the dormitory walls would
appear to substantiate this impres-
sion. Obscene, but catchy phrases
are not restricted to the bathroom
walls. "Whip Fetish" and 'Eat My
Shorts" are scrawled in magic mark-
er everywhere except in the dean's
office.
However, a closer look at the Resi-
dential College reveals that the stu-
dents are interested in more than just
malacious expressions..
LONG REGARDED the most radi-
cal dorm at the University, East
Quad is the base for a wide variety
of creative and political activities.
Currently, two RC women are mem-
bers of Ann Arbor's City Council.
"Quaddies," as they are affectionate-
ly known, hove also been actively in-
volved in other political activities
such as the gay rights movement and
the boycott of non-union grapes and
lettuce.
RC students have also formed their
own theatre group, and once a se-
mester, they publish a literary maga-
zine.
THE COLLEGE curriculum is also
reflective of student interests. The
infamous 400-student lecture, where a
nationally renowned professor. paces
back and forth on a stage twenty feet
from the nearest student does not
exist in East Quad.
More often than not, desks, are total-
ly abandoned in favor of the floor and
students are on a first name basis
with their instructors.
Course offerings also brush on the
bizarre. Instead of the usual, bland
introductory sociology course, the RC
offers such options as "Alternative
big'U'
Realities," i "Adolescence," and "Po-
litical Economy."
BECAUSE ALL the counselling and
teaching takes place within the quad,
some RC students have been known to
go for days without taking a step out-
side the building.
"It's easy to forget the rest of the
University out there," comments one
quaddie. "It's sort of like a world
within a. world."
Of course, the true addicts are few
in number-most RC students usually
elect to take at least one course out-
side the college each term.
THE RC FACULTY is as much a
part of the community as the students
themselves. With their offices located
in the quad, professors and instructors
frequently spend time socializing with
the students.
"I really feel I'm learning a lot
from teaching here-Im working with
each student as much outside of class
as in," says one RC instructor.
"Friendships here extend beyond' the
classroom and are not structured
along class lines."
I
1
I
Inteflex students guaranteed
acceptance to 'U' med school
By JEFF SORENSEN
Although most Inteflex stu-
dents admit that they've signed
away six years of their lives,
most of them wouldn't have it
any other way.
Interflex( short for integrated,
flexible medical program) is a
six year course combining the
premedical and medical pro-
grams. Once accepted into the
undergraduate program, Inte-
flex students are guaranteed ad-
mission into the University med
school.
. ,*..~. ,.,*.of every three applicants to
Wompenlong neglectd
recei ve ne~hAww 'U'program
medical schools nationally can,
find openings, this aspect of the
program is the most popular
with students.
"The pressure of getting into
medical school is off, and this
leaves you freer to pursue other
things," says freshperson Kathy
Makielski.
Every fall, approximately 50
new students are accepted into
the program. Admission is high-
ly competitive-less than one
applicant in ten is accepted into
Inteflex.
THE PROGRAM, which was
started in fall 1972 to "offer
medical students a more flex-
ible program," allows students
to pursue both a liberal educa-
tion and a medical degree.
Unlike other pre-medical stu-
dents, inteflex students are not
required to obtain a bachelor's
degree in LSA as undergrad-
uate$--thereby shortening their
pre-medical schooling from four
years to two.
The students attend classes
during the summer term as well
as fall and winter, allowing
them to finish the program a
year earlier than most medical
students.
IN ADDITION TO the rig-
orous academic program in the
II natural sciences, students are
allowed one LSA elective per
term as well as a few classes
unique to the Inteflex program
like "Techniques of Social In-
teraction" and "Ethics."
Students are introduced as
early as their first year to
classes like "Patient Care,"'
which feature actual work in
the field with doctors. General-
ly, medical students are not a12
lowed to take such classes until
their second year in medical
school.
"The Inteflex program has the
primary goal of educating phy-
sicians who are scientifically
competent, compassionate and
socially conscious," says Inte-
flex co-ordinator Dean Charles
Witke.
HOWEVER, the heavy work-
load and the rigidity of In-
teflex gives rise to occasional
student criticism of the pro-
gram
"Despite, the talk about it be-
ing flexible, there's not much~
flexibility," says Junior Bill'
Hubbel. "The program is so
structured, it's very difficult
to take time for other electives,
or to get a bachelor's degree, if
you want one."
"Because students are 'ad-
mitted as seniors in high school,
they are committed to a rigidly
prescribed program without
much room for LSA electives"
says Inteflex counselor Rosalie
Meiland. "They, come to a
richly endowed University, but
they're not allowed to take full
advantage of it."
DESPITE THE rigidity of
their schedules, many students
find the classes to be more in-
teresting than their counterparts
in pre-med and medical pro-
grams.
Sophomore Kathy Yaremchuk
says that the Patient. Care class
made her realize that "all the
work you're putting in as a
student is worth it if you keep
the goal in mind."
"Because it's a new program
they're not afraid to try out
new ways of learning, not just
ddactive lectures like you us-
ually get," contends Junior
Heather Clark.
.
By CHERYL PILATE
As late as 1946, women were not allow-
ed to enter through the front door of the
Michigan Union and could pass through
the side door only if escorted by a male.
The University - a longtime male bas-
tion--has finally begun to take a new look
at a long-neglected subject: women.
During the winter term 1973, petitions
were circulated, a committee for Wom-
en's Studies was formed, and last fall,
a full-fledged program in women's stu-
dies was implemented at the University.
OFFERING SUCH courses as "Fables,
Flappers and Feminists," "Theories of
Sexism," and "Psychology of Women,"
the Women's Studies department is seek-
ing to promote a serious, academic ap-
proach to the exploration of women and
their place in history.
The main thrust of the women's studies
program is academic rather than con-
sciousness -' raising. The emphasis on a
historical perspective, in particular, is to
lend credence to the intellectual aspect
of women's studies.
"If we emphasize academic issues, then
the University is much more inclined to
accept women's studies as a legitimate
concern," says a program coordinator.
English, history, journalism and psychol-
ogy departments.
The broad, interdisciplinary approach
to women's studies has caused many stu-
dents and faculty members to believe
that the University should offer a major
in the field.
This fall, ther Curriculum Committee
will be deciding whether or not to estab-
lish a concentration program in women's
studies. Currently, there are several stu-
dents who have garnered enough credits
in the area to declare an independent ma-
jor in women's studies.
"DOING RESEARCH into women pro-
vides me with an entirely different his-
torical perspective," says Junior Made-
lyn Elder. "The Women's Studies Pro-
gram sort of balances out the male-orient-
ed education most students receive and
also enables women to reclaim their lost
heritage.
Although men are encouraged to enroll
in the women's studies courses, up until
now, few have done so.
Under the guidance of program coor-
dinators, upper-level undergraduates with
background in women's studies have been
conducting small group discussions and
seminars.
not relevant to the "movement," this
course is aimed at sparking consciousness-
raising discussions.-
Another issue-oriented women's studies
course to be offered for the first time this
fall is "Women and the Community."
DIRECTED AT combining traditional
class discussion with weekly field work at
a community service agency such as the
Women's Crisis Center, the course focuses
on contemporary feminist concerns.
For the more academic-minded, there
are such courses as Women's Studies 440'
which focuses on research methodology
and specific research projects pertaining
to women. An outgrowth of this class has
been the ppblication of Papers in Wom-
en's Studies.
Published once a semester, the journal
features book reviews, historical perspec-
tives and articles on contemporary femi
nist issues.
"WE'RE TRYING to unearth informa-
tion about women that has been ignored
and unavailable to students due to ignor-
ance or prejudice," says teaching fellow.
Lydia Kleiner.
The Women's Studies Department is
also developing a library of media ma-
terials and a file of resource people.
"We are trying to maintain a resource
center for women," says Kleiner. "We
also want to provide a more conducive
atmosphere for people interested in
studying or teaching about women--some-
thing that hasn't happened at this Uni-
versity before. '
Pilot Program' promote
community, individ",uaity
OVER 250 graduate and undergraduate DUE TO THE success of this peer
students are presently enrolled in the teaching technique, there will be a course
seven courses sponsored by the Women's taught this fall in the residence halls
Studies Program. In addition to its own solely by students that focuses on con-
courses, the Program encourages and temporary women's issues.
publicizes courses relating to women Since the main criticism, directed at the
which are offered through the education, ' Women's Studies Program is that it is
By PAUL HASKINS
The Pilot Program is People
Power.
Amy Devine and Judy Gel-
man sit on the cramped but
comfortable strip of grass be-
side Alice Lloyd Hall, discuss-
ing the Pilot Program, where
they'd just completed their first
year at the Big 'U' and planned
to spend a second.
THEY SPEAK of its goals and
its accomplishments, its fail-
ures and its people - but most-
ly its people.
For people power, it seems,
is what Pilot is all about.
Founded twelve years ago as
ajoint venture of the Literary
College (LSA) and the Housing
Office, Pilot, over the years,
has geared itself toward fur-
thering, the moral, intellectual,
and interpersonal growth of its
members.
IT PROMOTES personal in-
itiative and group cooperation
in all areas through progressive
educational t e c h n i q u e s
and dynamic living situations.
The Program, housed in Alice
typically designed and admin-
istered by Pilot students -- in-I
cluded weekly ski trips, an auc-
tion, several film series, daily'
vegetarian entrees on the dorm
menu, ethnic festivals, a stu-
dent food co-op, and a canoe trip
to Pine River.
While most university dormi-
tories promote the open ex-
change of policy suggestions on
paper, the Pilot Program has
taken steps to ensure that a'
working reciprocity and inter-'
change of ideas is something
more than fodder for brochures.
"The dorm director (Dick
Munson) is like one of us," De-
vine explains. "The dorm activ-
ities spring from a combination
of the staff's ideas and ours."
THE STANDING Committee,
which judges Pilot's course pro-
posals each semester, draws its
members from all sectors .of
the Program community - fac-
ulty, staff, and students - with
no eligibility restrictions. '
Pilot students are encouraged
to elect at least one Pilot course
per semester. Classes, which
are all pass/fail, are usually
elected for one or three credit
The educational experience at what they saw 'as a disparity
Alice Lloyd tlakes on many lbetween the stated ideals of the
forms. One recently offered Pi- program and What they actually
lot course on civil law required found."
students to take eight-hour
shifts in Ann Arbor police squad GELMAN feels personal satis-
cars. faction with the Program is a
Eight members of another function o( input and enthusi-
class on Mexican culture took asm.
a trip to Mexico as part of "The Pilot Program is some-
their group project last year. thing you have to participate
in," she says. "It isn't some-I
THE HALLS, half of which thing that's just there and you
were co-ed last year, act as draw from it; its something you
nuclei for much of the pro- I'have to add to to make it
gram's activities. Each hall, Citing one disappointment she
coordinated by a Student Ad-~ encountered with the program,.
visor, seems to develop its own Devine says, "There was an ab-
personality, according to Gel- sence of the strong cohesiveness
man and Devine. that I'd expected. But then
Gelman says with a shudder, again there were 600 people liv-
"In one of the all male floors, ing here."
they used to ride motorcycles up,
and down the corridor. I think GELMAN' ADDS, "Not expect-
they threw a bicycle off the roof ing too much from it, I was re-
once, too." ally amazed. I thought this
Se Directoryear's theme, "identity," would
Tom Flagg, Resident Dbe hokey, but it wasn't at all."
at Lloyd and one of 17 blacks I1The "Identity" theme provided
.in last year's program, specu- the topical undercurrent for
lates on one possible drawback many Pilot functions last year,
of the Pilot Program: the pau- including films, seminars, and a
city of minority representation. lecture series.
Though educationally and ide-
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