8B - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - September 8, 1998


Ann Arbor's atmasphere
makes the 'U' unique
T he question really is funny when you think about it. 'Why did you
come to the University?' It's a question you'll be asked about a million
times before you leave school, and I think I've heard every answer
there is.
They range from "I've always loved the football team" to "Well, I didn't
get into Cornell."
What makes these answers humorous to me is the one that no one ever
gives, but is the main reason for people staying here if not coming in the
first place - Ann Arbor.
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Ann Arbor is nothing more than a
city built around the glutinous needs of a college students. A small mid-
western city, stuck in the middle of nowhere and saved from obscurity by
the decision of lawmakers to move the University from Detroit so many
years ago.
Well, you're right to a certain extent, and wrong to a greater extent.
Ann Arbor, to most of you, will be a far stretch from where you grew up
and lived. It isn't The City. (For those not familiar with the term, The City
stands for New York City, not Traverse City. It goes along with that whole
NYC is the be all and end all of life' mentality so many New Yorkers seem
to have.)
It also isn't Grand Rapids. And it's nowhere in between. It is, in the fall,
one of the most beautiful places on Earth with the collage of colors spread-
ing out over every inch of the city from the leaves on the trees.
It is also when you open your door to eight feet of snow you have to
trudge through to get to your 8:00 a.m. class - otherwise known as one of
the most depressing places on Earth.
There are great places to eat (i.e. Gratzi) and many more places that
seem like not so great places to eat but really are (i.e.
s:Fleetwood Diner).
There are great places to hear live music in, like the
f; Blind Pig and Birds of Paradise.
Even the grocery store here is great. Meijer may be
the only place in the world where you can go at 2:00
a.m. and buy a six pak and a hamster and it would be
completely legal.
CHRIS And if you like coffee, this is heaven with cafes
METINKO around every corner.
Chris Ann Arbor could also be the only city in this country
Cross with a police force that is willing to sit idly by and
watch 1,000 drunk students run through its streets naked
on an April night.
However, as with any city, there are problems. If you're thinking of
bringing a car --- don't. There is no place to put it. A parking pass is equiv-
alent to gold in this city
There is also that annoying weather problem. There are times when you
look across the city's landscape and believe this is the place where snow
drifts go to die.
At least however, it isn't like New Ilaven or Ithaca, where it's so overcast
and dark, students have an overwhelming desire to take their own lives.
The biggest problem I see with Ann Arbor is that a majority of students
don't take advantage of what it has to offer. Their world is that huge block
of land between North and South U. and State Street.
And, if the truth be known, technically everything you need is on that
square block of buildings. You have all the necessities, shelter, food and
yes, the most important thing, academics.
But if you want any of these things on a real level, you have to leave the
comforts of the good old University. Actually, if you want to do anything in
your life that's worth doing, you're going to have to leave eventually any-
way.
Maybe I like Ann Arbor because it offered me a refuge. It was the first
place where I was entirely responsible for myself.
Or maybe I just truly like it. Whatever the reason, I'm not soon to forget
it. Hopefully, you're not soon to leave it, either.
Last year, before the Naked Mile, a television reporter was on the air,
describing the ritual to probably a million open-mouthed mothers across the
greater Detroit area.
He ended the broadcast saying, "Only in Ann Arbor, only in Ann Arbor."
Normally, I don't like to agree with television journalists, but in this case,
he stole the words right from my pen.
Chris Meinko is a Daily news editor :He can be reached via email a
.c~~nretikz~uriched.
NOTE ABOUT STUDENT GROUPS:
The student-group entries comprise only a partial list
of the numerous student groups on campus. It is based
solely on submissions received by the Daily.
- Mark Snyder and Jennifer Yachnin

STUDENT GROUPS

U-M Bowling Club
Meetings: Friday afternoons
The U-M Bowling Club meets week-
ly at a local bowling center for practice
and camaraderie. Bowling Club mem-
bers' skill levels range from beginner to
highly competitive.
The more experienced bowlers help
beginners develop their games. A for-
mer U-M bowler and local pro holds a
clinic for the club once a semester and
is also available for private instruction.
The Bowling Club travels through-
out the state for bi-weekly play and
throughout the Midwest for regional
competition.
The tournament season is highlight-
ed by the ACUI Intercollegiate
Championship in February.
Contact: Scott Weber, President
E-mail: sniweber@umich.edu
Habitat For
Humanity
Mass meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 22 at
8:00pm. Kuenzel room, Michigan
Union.
Habitat for Humanity at the
University of Michigan is a service-
oriented group coordinating student
volunteers for the purpose of eliminat-
ing substandard housing worldwide.
Habitat for Humanity International,
our parent organization, was founded
in 1976 in Americus, Ga.
Since that time, I IFH has built over
60.000 houses around the world.
Our campus' chapter, founded in
1996, now has over 800 members on
its mailing list and holds informal bi-
weekly meetings.
We organize weekly opportunities
for building in the immediate area,
weekend trips to Detroit and the sur-
rounding area and numerous social
activities for meeting fellow HFH
members.
Each year we sponsor an exciting
spring-break trip where about 30
Michigan students participate in a
"Collegiate Challenge" build with
other campuses around the country.
Our first trip was to Denver, Colo. and
our second trip was to Sumter, S.C.
Recently, our campus chapter start-
ed a new project called "habitat
Coalition" Its goal is to raise S50,000
to sponsor a house here in Ann Arbor,
built solely by Michigan students.
In less than a year, the project has
already raised about St1,000 toward
its goal.
We have no dues and no volunteer-
ing requirements.
You may attend all of the work ses-
sions, assume a position as'an officer,
simply come to the meetings or any-
thing in between.
Interested? Come to our mass meet-
ing to meet the officers and other vol-
unteers who will be working beside
you.
For pictures, meeting times, and
additional information, see our web
page.
Web Page: wwwmwnich.edu/ ~hub-
tat
Michael Carr, co-founder
E-mail: mcarr@,wnnich.edu

MARGARET MYERS/Daily
At FestifalI,,when many of the student groups gather in the Diag to recruit new members and distribute information about
their causes, a student registers to vote.

Playing Card Club
111S is a brand-new organization for
students who enjoy playing cards. the
club is sponsored by the Michigan
Union Billiards Room and the
Michigan Union Arts and Programs.
Our goal is to hold weekly tournaments
for all ditferent kinds of card games,
primarily euchre and spades. Weekly
prizes awarded. Tournaments will take
place in the 1-Club on the first floor of
the Union.
Contact: Betsy Sunidholm, Advisor
I-mail: sundholm(aunich c/u
WOLV-TV 70
Mass meeting: Sunday, September
13th at 8pm. Pendleton Room, Union.
Your career in television or advertis-
ing begins at WOLWIV 70. Former
members, who now work at ABC and
Mi, call their experience at WOIY-
IV tiro, challenging, and fast-paced.
Write your own scripts, produce your
own shows, meet people with your
interests.
contact:
Mike Salmonowicz, vice president
763-8130 (office)
Web Page: wwwumich.edu/-ivolt
E-mail: nsalnono(anumich.edu

Michigensian
yearbook
Mass Meeting: Sunday, September
13 at 8 p.m. in the Michiganensian
office, first floor of the Student
Publications Building
he Michiganensian is one of the
highest-quality yearbooks in the nation,
thanks to its all-student stat. Winner of
the 1997 Gold Crown award, the
Michiganensian melds business and
communications skills, professionalism
and laughter into one memorable expe-
rience for its dynamic staff. The organi-
zation is divided into a business and an
editorial staff with opportunities ranging
from marketing and publicity to report-
ing, photography, graphic design.
Staff members earn money and
develop valuable skills while recording
the year in vibrant photographs and sto-
ries. Included in the book are graduat-
ing seniors, student organizations,
Greek life, and exciting coverage of
University sports. First-year students
are encouraged to apply at Student
Publications Building at 420 Maynard
or call 764-9425 for more information.
Order you Michiganensian yearbook
today!

New Student Edition editorsl


Circle K
International
Mass meeting: Thursday, Sept. 17 at
7 p.m. in the Anderson Room of the
Union.
Circle K is a student volunteer oi-ga-
nization that sponsors activities on
campus and throughout Michigan pro-
moting community service, leadership,
and friendship.
Our motto, "'The greatest service to
yourself is service to others," is upheld
by members who volunteer at places
such as Mott Children's Hospital,
Riverview Nursing Home, Ronald
McDonald louse, Leslie Science
Center, and many others.
Circle K also sponsors fundraisers
and events for charity, and participates
in events with other groups on cam
pus.
New students have numerous oppor-
tunities to develop as leaders by being a
chairperson or committee member.
Beyond the service and leadership,
Circle K also focuses on friendship.
While the club boasts a membership of
over 100, it maintains a closeness that
allows for strong friendships to devel-
Members can participate in many
socials, conventions, and projects
where they meet people and have funt
Circle K is the perfect place to meet.
people, develop as an individual, and
make a real diterence in the world.
Katie Foley
VP- Circle K
Phi Sigma Pi
(COED) National
Honor Fraternity
(PSP)
Mass Meeting: The Anderson Room
in the Union Monday Sept 21, 1998
7:00pm
Don't let the word "Fraternity" foo
you, we are indeed a co-ed organiza-
tion, devoted towards our three ideals
of scholarship, leadership and fellow-
ship.
We are dedicated to serving the com-
munity and regularly volunteer at such
places as Mott Children's Hospital,
Glacier Hills Retirement Home, and
the Food Gatherers.
We are also a social fraternity, hold
ing such events as barn dances, ho*
parties, happy hours, fielding IM sports
teams and our annual formal.
We are a nationally-recognized orga-
nization, roughly 60 members strong,
and have won numerous awards, from
both the University and the National

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