Page Six

THE MICHIGAN DAILY

Thursday, September 4, 19 75

Page Six THE MICHIGAN DAILY Thursday, September4, 1915


Sororities: Catering to the plush
needs of traditional women

By ANN MARIE LIPINSKI
Sorority life.
Beyond sparkling images of
non-intelligible Greek syllables,
and the stereotyped all-Ameri-
k' can woman with the whistle-
clean look of a Seventeen mo-
del, those two words also spell
'home' for a minority of Uni-
versity females who have chos-
en one of the most traditional
styles of campus living.
While there has been an in-
creasing influx of women into
sororities in recent years, fol-
lowing what was a crippling
period for most chapters during
the activist late sixties, the Uni-
versity's fourteen sorority hous-
es still embrace only 700 under-
graduate women-a small frac-
tion of which are merely board-
ers and not house pledges.
"I didn't really want to join,"
says one woman who, all the,
while maintaining that sorority
life wasn't for her, pledged dur-
ing her freshman year, and will
begin living in one of the more
popular sororities this fall. "But
Photo by PAULINE E it seemed like the best living
Doily Pht yPUIELUBENS stainfrm ohmr
around campus, sip their Fri- situation f m sophomore
year. I hated the dorm I was
1. in, couldn't get into another one,
and didn't think I was ready for
an apartment yet. Besides, the
house is beautiful, they cook for
you, the food is very good, and
I guess I'm just rational-
izing," she concludes.
Unlike many dormitory, co-op,
and apartment quarters, all sor-
ority rooms are impressively
homey,

furnished, and provide free
parking, laundry facilities, loun-
ges, television, libraries, and re-
creation equipment. Profession-
al cooks, catering to the wo-]
men's schedules as well as their
palatal preferences, prepare
daily meals for the Greeks, and
often allow evening snackers
free run of the kitchen.
BEYOND these surface nice-
ties, many sororities are also
cradles of social activity. Perpe-
tuating what one former Greek
described as "an obvious at-
tempt to keep it all in the fam-
ily," most sororities team up
with their male counterparts
from weekend to weekend to
share a keg of Strohs, reel to a
few tunes, and, if all goes well,
plant the seeds for a few ro-
mantic flings with the campus
fraternity men.
"I think all girls this age are
very interested in dating and
marriage," said one house 'mo-
ther' when asked if there was
much stress placed upon these
age-old institutions in sororities.
"Yes, the girls are extremely
concerned with that, but aren't
all girls."
In contradiction, one former
Greek tells of the abnormally
heavy emphasis the women in
her house hung upon dating.
"There were always very tell-
ing jokes about being pinned by
the time you were a sophomore,
pearled by the time you were a

junior, and engaged by the time
you were a senior.
"IF YOU had three dateless.
weekends," she continues, "you!
were practically dubbed the
house pariah. But, if you had
just broken up with someone,
you were allowed a brief period,
of mourning before you were
shuffled off to keggers, or out
on dates with somebody's tooth-
less cousin.
One stigma often tacked onto.
Greeks is the picture of a'very;
cliquish group of women, proud
of a collective identity to the
point of being snobbish.
"TRUE," claims a former
Greek.
"Avoidable," maintains a re-

cent pledge. "Hopefully I cant
just avoid being cloistered into
a house clique, and can get+
around any house identity.
"Sure, some houses were builtj
to do just that (generate a col-
lective personality)," she says,
tapping memories she has of
her "rush" period "I remember'
one of the sororities I visited=
where all the girls were extre-1
mely quiet. I could just see them'
in the UGLI on Saturday nights.
"BUT ALL the sororities are-?
n't like that," she contends.
"You can dig up just about any;
kind of personality you'd ever;
hop to at my house."
In a booklet distributed to,
those seeking information about;
the University's sororities, Ca-

thy Gullickson, director of the
Panhellenic (an organization
comprising all campus sorori-
ties) describes the 'sorority per-
sonality' in potpouri terms:
"What is a sorority woman
like?" she asks. "She's a bright
young person who is seriously
involved in her academic and
career goals. When she's not
buried in books, she likes to
play golf or tennis, attend con-
certs, play bridge, watch "Jeo-
pardy" at noon, write, (and)
sing . .
ANOTHER sorority associated
issue-the practice of enforcing
off-limits rules, for men in the
women's bedrooms-is now dead
and buried says contemporary
Greeks.
ess a kind
the[,r own

All male dorms still posse
ofunty cmaadri o

SEVERAL Martha Cookies, as they are effectionately known
day afternoon tea amid the plus surroundings of the Gold Room
Women. 3d
Plush anda

By TIM SCHICK
It was just a few years ago
that a parent was overheard
commenting, "Co-ed dorms is a
polite term for instant pregnan-
cy.
However there is now only one
all male dorm left at the Uni-
versity. Gone are the curfews,
bedchecks and visiting hours*

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By DAVID WHITING in attempting to lure willing fe-;
A few seemingly out-dated; males through its doors.
institutions have managed to Apparently, protective parents
survive the storms of change at greatly encourage their daugh-
the University, and admist dope ters to live in a women's dorm
dealers, freaks, and the Pill during their first year away
prescribing Health Service live from home. But by the time the
some 1,000 students steeped in sophomore year rolls around,
conservative traditions from the parental hopes of saving their
past-those housed in the all- "little girl's honor," has dissi-
female residence halls. pated with the daughter's ab-
Only five women's dorms still, sence and the former "coed"I
exist on campus, a far cry from finds her liberation in mixed
when the current crop of stu- housing.
dents' parents attended college. BT.w.l.i
Twenty years ago, co-educa-f BUT MANY women ivg in
tional quarters were unheard of female dorms have decided for
and it was not until the past themselves where they would
decade when freshpersons be- stay. These women tend to be
gan to discover the initial tingle more academically oriented,
that comes with living next to a quiet, and more conservative
person of the opposite sex, than their parents who prefer,
the cthticn art' atmnsnhereif' of

Chernow defended the inter-'
view saying, "We do this so
that before a girl comes here!
she knows that she is seekingj
' something like Martha Cook."
MARTHA COOK, along with
Henderson house, is able to
conduct their selective inter-
I views because they are not

g ood apartments are

few an,
Continued from Page 3)

HOWEVER, the few remain-
ing relics: Betsy Barbour Hall,
Henderson House, Helen New-
berry Residence, Stockwell Hall,
and Martha Cook Residence,
while boasting a higher per-
centage of freshwomen than al-
most any other dorm, are also
plagtfed with the fewest numberI
of reapplicants.
Barbour,ranking number onel
in the highest percentage of}
freshwomen, finishes dead last,

Alice Lloyd or East Quad.
One of the dorms not faring
too dismally on the popularity
poll is Martha Cook, touted for
inspiring gracious living" by
Director Olive Chernow.
Traditional women flock there
in hopes of establishing them-
selves as a "Cookie." But be-
fore a night can be spent in-
sile its richlycdecorated walls,
a 50 name-long waiting list and
interview m u s t be hurdled.

vlcA SIZABLE ten er cent of
University dorms and are un- A SIZABLE ten per cent of
related to the state institution. thet16,000 plus University stu-
Chernow requires her "girls" dents who reside in off-campus
to appear in dresses, skirts, dwellings, Schoch reports, have
slacks-anything but the ever- been forced to grab units in in-
popular blue jeans - while at- convenient, fringeareas in the
tending every dinner but Fri- city because they either can't
day's and Saturday's. However, afford, or can't locate suitable
she was quick to emphasize housing near campus.'
that the women are allowed to According to a survey con-
wear casual dress during the ducted last year by the PublicI
Friday afternoon tea sessions. Interest Research Group in
But before choosing a female Michigan, the median rent for
dorm, one other unique restric- one-bedroom dwellings in Ann:i
tion should be considered. These Arbor was $185, while $290 was '
quarters are not open to male the price tag placed on a two-
visitors much of the time and bedroom unit. Although the
most have specific hours dur- IHousing Office hadn't received
ing which men may occupy the a complete statistical report on
building-a rule long ago dis- rental costs for this year at the
carded by the freerer and more time of this writing, Schoch es-
relaxed co-ed dorms. timated that Ann Arbor renters '
WHILE WOMEN are gener- were faced with an average ten,
ally allowed to stay out all per cent hike.
night, their male friends had Schoch's assessment of the '
better clear out of the building rising trend In Ann Arbor rental
by the deadline hour or some- costs was recently parroted byx
one, usually the woman, will the MSHDA which concluded ini
ssuffer, a housing report that nearlyi
Martha Cook only allows men one-fifth of Washtenaw County:
above the first floor on week- renters - a sizeable chunk of1
ends. Even this permissiveness these being Ann Arbor tenants 1
vanishes around 1:00 a.m., at -were occupants of "high rent:
which time any male-female re- burden" units - dwellings1
lationships must either move where rent exceeded a whop-
out or become a clandestine ping 25 per cent of houshold in-
operation. - come for resident families or 35
It is all a matter of what you per cent of income for single
want, and the University still individuals.

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dfar between i
give the city landlords a run for a free phone for you to use in
their money. ; contacting the landlords. Fur-:
The first rule is to start your thermore, if you're in the mar-
house hunting early. According ket for a roommate as well as
to Schoch, February is the ideal a room, you might want to
month for choosing next fall's check into the housing office's.
dwelling because by that time roommate matching service. 1
landlords have benerally estab-
lished their new rates, and they ONCE YOU'VE researched
are also up to date on which all the rental possibilities, and+
of their units will or won't be you think you've decided on a
available come fall. As the particular place, it's a wise;
months wear on, your chances idea to take your lease back
of snagging a unit, any unit, over to the office and have
shrink conciderably, and by the them translate the fine print
time August rolls around you jibberish. Not only will they
can kiss your dream- room ex- tell you what the clauses mean,
pectancies good-bye. what you're legally responsible
for, and whether or not the pro-
AFTER you've decided to be- perty you're about to rent is up
gin your search, your next stop to code, but they will also feed
should be the off-campus hous- von the inside dope on the repu-
ing office in the Student Activi- tation of the landlord in ques-
ties Building on Maynard. tion.
There you will find a Univer- if you think you've found THE
sity printed pamphlet entitled place, grab it! You're not like-.
"Off Campus Housing for Stu- lv to run across another. How-,
dents in Ann Arbor." This ever, if your palace in the sky
pamphlet is stocked with some turns out to be constructed'
invaluable information includ- with Legos, and you've already,
ing tips on the do's and don'ts signed the lease, don't worry ...r
of house hunting, a briefing on yet. Landlord problems are a!
the student's lawful rights as a common thing in Ann Arbor, so.
tenant, and a rundown on some there are a couple places where
of the basic problems you're you can go to get a little ex-!
likely to confront as an Ann! ertise.
Arbor renter. The Student Legal Aid Office,
While visiting the office you located in the Michigan Union,
should also take advantage of can be one source of assistance.
a host of additional services Johnathon Rose, resident attor-
offered by the housing depart- ney, can offer you solid legal1
ment. For example, time out to advice on how to beat the rentalI
chat with one of the office's system. Depending on your in-
three housing advisors may come, it may cost you a few:
save you innumberable head- bucks, but the investment could;
aches and a lot of sweat. Any save you a fortune.t
one of the advisors will per- Another source of help is the'
sonally analyze your individual University-run Mediation Serv-
situation, try to assess your ices. Also located in the Union,t
needs, and make a few sugges- the service handles negotiationst
tions to get you moving in the between landlord and tenant,1
right direction. and according to the Board of
The office also offers a com- mediators, a session with them
plete listing of apartments cur- stands a 95 percent chance oft
rently available on campus, and settling the dispute.

w h i c h remained in various While many men seek to live
forms as late as 1969. in co-ed dorms, some houses vi-
tem wasuent reident 20'sy olently oppose sexual integra-
30's, placing as much distance tion. West Quad's AllenRumsey,
between the sexes as possible. for example, takes pride in its
Dorms for women were, with all male environment. Longtime
the exception of Barbour, New- residents point to the change in
bury and Cook, located on the character which occurs when
Hill while, those for men were
on Central Campus. nal 'female corridors are es-
Starting in 1962 things began tahlished.
to change, and the first co-ed They relish the rowdy atmos-
dorms were initiated in Mark- nhere, which is inevitably high-
ley and later South Quad. lighted by loud music and an
Today, only Fletcher Hall, and tcah e alotlimentin atche
a few houses withnm otherwise water fights and verbal fights
mixed dorms, remain all male, between South and West Quads.
Fletcher, with its capacity of Despite the sexual elitism
81 men is not chosen for sexual which abounds in Allen-Rumsey,
isolation according to Peter Os- Adams House (West Quad) has
tifin, assistant director of plan- been tryina to obtain a female
ning in the Housing Office. It is corridor. They have met with
instead chosen for economic little success so far.
reasons, he said. It is less ex- However, according to Ostifin,
pensive than other dorms since "Our enrollment is such that
residents must provide their there are not enough women to
own meals. :-o around." He refers to the
"Most men prefer co-ed ar- fact that women, apparently due
rangements because they con- to parental pressures, like to
sider it a more natrual situa- mnend their first year in all-fe;
tion," Ostifin explained. He add- male houses.
ed that co-ed corridors, avail- Thomh co-ed housing has
able in some dorms, "are most been the trend, there are no
desired by men, less by women -lens at present to eliminate the
and misunderstood by parents. all male situation in Fletcher
They (the parents) think this Hall. In fact, it is number five
means coed johns-which are among dorms for the percent-
forbidden by law." age of returning upperclassmen.
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offers variety
of dormitory housing

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MAKER & DEALER l K
ORDFAMOSGIARSUI
IN MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS "*ISORIC
MODERN
INStfRUMENtS FOREIGN
repairs DOMESTIC
E s xeusx~ SA
1?.ACCESSORIES US AL
LESSONS Fusic -
1NSTRUMENTSC ssc
Sr CUSTOM EECTRIC
B 65-HOURS
PHONE [665-80T
209 S. STATE, ANN ARBOR (UPSTAIRS)

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offers the choice and probably
always will: mixed or sexually
I segregated dorms.

HIKING PANTS& SHORTS
HIKING BOOTS, SLEEPING
BAGS, FRAME PACKS,
TENTS
and
Accessories
. Traliwisee Fabinao
" Galibier 0 Snowlion
* Gerry 9 Class V
* Optimus e Buck
0 Eureka
Large Selection of
BIKE & BOOK BAGS
IRIIInil1AC4

THE FACT that many stu-
dents while attending the Uni-
versity must cough up rent each
month sans the assistance of a
weekly paycheck, make those
percentile figures even harder
to swallow.
Despite these seemingly infor-
midable barriers which greet
the student in search of a
place to hang his or her hat,
there are ways to make the
best of the rental situation and

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(Continued from Page 3) c to classes than from West and
By virtue of some unidentified So'ith Quads, thjese residence
evolutionary process known only "glls are probably the most so-
to college campuses, each resi- dally active. Dances take lace
dence hall has developedrits every weekend in the Markley
own type of atmosphere. Snack Bar, the Mosher Jordan
For example, there are the (MoJo) lounge, or the Couzens
Central Campus Behemoths - cafeteria.
South Quad and West Quad - In addition, they are situated
which, between them, hold over near the Arb-120 acres of trees
2000 residents. These h u g e and meadows that are ideal for
structures are located in the plaving frisbee, traying, getting
vicinity of the Union and the sigh, or just casually strolling
Law Quad, making it slightly through.
less than impossible to be late Alice Lloyd and East Quad,
for classes, even the early which may be termed the "So-
morning ones. - cial Awareness" halls, are the
The Behemoths, accordg tO rrost politically active dormi-
those who know them, have tories. During the month-long
been known to break out in Graduate Emploves' Organiza-
rioutous commotion - often in-Et QuadEO sienlstsear,
cluding shouting matches and East Quad residents spear-
stereo fights that entertain the eaded ergradute support
bewildered passers-by. However, for the GEO workers.
this does not spell exile to ibe And members of Pilot Pro-
UGLI for those who wish to gram, which is housed in Lloyd,
study. Both dormitories have students mounted a petition
study areas and libraries of drive to get door-to-door voter
their own. registration on the ballot in last
West Quad, though lacking in April's local election.
some of the modern improve- The North Campus Colossus,
ments found in other dormitor- Buirsley Hall, is the University's
ies, has plenty of recreation , nwest dorm. A ten-minute bus
space, including a lounge in ride from Central Campus,
each of the dorm's eight houses. Bursley is a self-contained 1200-
South Quad contain sa snack person unit that has its own
bar, game room, and a recent ' supply store and film showings.
addition - the Afro-American- Security-tight, it's built along
African Cultural Lounge. the lines of a modern hotel, with
Mosher Jordan, Mary Mark- new carpeting in the halls and
ley, and Couzens-the Hill Area peepholes in the doors. For
Dorms-are the most popular on those who understand it, they
campus. Despite a longer walk love it.
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f eve'yo"ne
wants to
WE AVE
and KNIT
and NEEDLEPOINT
and CROCHET
and MACRAME
and SPIN

Come to the WILD WEFT
for y a r n s, twines, roving,
looms, spinning wheels, dyes,
canvas, etc.

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Inquire about demonstrations and classes!
1~~F7~~L The WILD W1

'EFT





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