Page Four THE MICHIGAN DAILY Thursday, September 5,1974 Page Four THE MICHIGAN DAILY Thursday, September ~, ~1974 ! .! \ --_ _ 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- 1F 4(VAVf11T4 nlQlI4 h,.. 4+i ,..,,,,