A
2B-Thursday, September 9, 1982-The Michigan Daily
Campus dorm life
takes some patience
and a lead stomach
By ANN MARIE FAZIO
Thousands of people crammed into
tiny 10 foot by 12 foot cubicles, living
with complete strangers, eating in-
stitution-style chow.
It sounds more like San Quentin than
the dorm they described at orientation.
TRULY THE first and biggest ob-
stacle University students face lies not
in deciphering the maze of campus
buildings or in mastering difficult
classes, but in adjusting to dorm life.
The realities of mass coed living are
nothing at all- like the comforts of a
family.
You can't yell for mom when your
roommate throws dirty towels on the
floor. Biting your lip and cleaning
things up yourself can be the most
diplomatic strategy.
And that home-cooked turkey on
Thanksgiving will never taste as good
as it does after three months in the
dorm. Unfortunately, dorm food lives
up to its reputation. But its starchy,
bland character is filling and there
usually is plenty to keep one's stomach
filled. Then again, it's easy to see why
slim is in on campus.
BUT ALONG with the drawbacks
come the blessings that every un-
dergraduate is bound to discover-the
excitement and adventure associated
with living with hundreds of people of
about the same age but vastly different
character. Although things might not
resemble a luxury hotel in the dorms,
the first taste of freedom is more than
enough to compensate for the initially
discouraging drawbacks.
These characterizations are typical
of all dorm living, but each residence
hall does have its own distinctive
features. The following descriptions are
based mostly on facts and partially on
popular legend.
Barbour and Newberry- These two,
small, female dorms were built more
than 60 years ago and some antiquated
attitudes seem to persist. Not quite as
stuffy as Martha Cook (see below), but
almost. They do offer, however, a
relatively elegant atmosphere and the
best location on campus for students in
LSA-right across from Angell Hall.
Bursley- Although the rest of cam-
pus pities those stuck out on North
Campus, most Bursleyites grow to love
their scenic home. And it's really not
that hard to get used to the buses. The
common bond of isolation also leads to
many good friendships.
Baits- Another North Campus
residence, Baits is occupied mostly by
foreign exchange and graduate studen-
ts. Residents eat at Bursley since Baits
has no cafeteria. It's basically a quiet
place, conducive to studying.
Martha Cook- Since it's across the
street from the President's House and
side-by-side with the Law Quad, Mar-
tha Cook can hardly help being a bit
snobbish. Only upperclasswomen are
allowed to live in this most exclusive
dorm. It may be more socially secluded
than a coed dorm, but some residents
maintain living next to all those future
lawyers does have its advantages.
Couzens- The big dorm that nobody
hears about. Located across the street
from the Medical Campus, Couzens is
popular with nursing students.
Markley- Markley is the place for up
and coming freshpersons to see and be
seen. Whatever the reason for its social
standing, many residents rave about it.
The once famous pit parties have lost a
lot of popularity in recent years, but the
snack bar is still a hill area favorite.
And if you tire of the cell-like rooms,
who can complain about the Arb for a
backyard?
Mosher Jordan- The ultimate in co-
ed dorm luxury, this small hall has four
fireplaces, four pianos, and bay win-
dows galore in many rooms. Many
students want -to live here, but only a
handful get the privilege.
East Quad- A nonconformist's
haven, East Quad draws some of the
campus' more free-spirited students.
Known best for housing the Residential
College, the dorm has retained the last
vestiges of the University's long bygone
radical era. The architectural flair, the
in-dorm theater, and the Halfway Inn
are some of the lesser-known reasons
why it is a popular place to live.
Fletcher- Never heard of it.
Henderson- Never heard of that one
either.
Alice Lloyd- Runner-up behind East
Quad in the alternative lifestyle
category, this dorm houses a mini-
Residential College called the Pilot
Program. Lloyd also features a regular
selection of vegetarian meals and an
excellent library.
South Quad- If you want to meet
football players, live in South Quad. If
you want a 48-hour party on, the
weekends, live in South Quad. If you
want to get ahead in life, move. Th
residents of this large dorm seem to
thrive on the Animal House-like at-
mosphere. Others say the reputation is
undeserved and peace and quiet is
available.
Stockwell- Although several
nicknames allude to the sexual habits of
this female dorm's residents, Stockwell
retaliates (and pulls in men) with what
is reputed to be the best dorm food on
campus.
West Quad- South Quad's neighbor
and rival, West Quad boasts its share of
athletes and the famous quaddie burger
(although a redecorated cafeteria this
year might mean some improvemen-
ts). The shouting matches across
Madison Street, featuring a limited
selection of verbal insults, livens up
spring evenings. The dorm is also con-
veniently connected to the Michigan
Union.
(Fletcher and Henderson- So as not.
to worsen these two dorms' identity
crisis, here's a brief description. The
former is an all-male dorm close to the
athletic campus, a point which attracts
many athletes. But after a long work-
out on the track, it can be disappointing
to come home to a dorm without a
cafeteria. Henderson, an all-female
cross between a dorm and a co-op, is
located on Hill Street near
Washtenaw.)
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Daily Photo by DOUG McMAHON
WEST QUAD'S EXTERIOR changed in 1981 when the building received
new windows. This year, some internal redecoratiug resulted in a refur-
bished dining area.
40
_ -i
I Are you living
in an apartment next year?
WHAT ABOUT MEALS?
Study
optionis
o per if
the dorm
4
We at McDonalds
S
can help!
FREE MEALS
FLEXIBLE HOURS
TO FIT CLASS SCHEDULE
NEAR CAMPUS
RECEIVE REGULAR RAISES
too nolS Y
By GREG BRUSSTAR
Some students need seclusion in os
der to study, and some study in their
dorm rooms with the door open,
blasting Wild Planet by the B-52s.
There are places on campus to fit the
study habits of all types of students.
For students who enjoy studying in
the' company of others, the Un-
dergraduate Library (UGLi) is the
place to go. It gets crowded in the
evenings and is sometimes noisy but
there are spaces in the UGLi where one