S mbols of e V ast a 4lfetime ollowing a long family legacy of Michigan alumni, I entered the University with a less than enthu- siastic outlook. My parents would probably say this is an understatement. I vowed never to own and much less wear any Michigan paraphernalia. I cringed each time my mother boasted that she "bleeds maize and blue." I pretended not to know the words to "The Victors!" And I laughed as my Dither, a recent University graduate, adorned his car with a Michigan license plate and his apartment with an 'M' flag. But now, two years into my college career, I've come to accept the error of my ways and learned being Blue isn't all that bad. In fact, it's great. It's what makes the 'U' unique. The songs, the spirit, j Wolverine rituals that are such an nsic part of this college experience separate us from our peer institutions. The winged u football helmet, the rise of fists trumpeting the fight song, the nostalgia con- nected with the movie "The Big HEATHER Chill" and the AMINS thundering roar Wandid of 100,000 fans Kamins together on Saturdays are just a few of the emblems alumni proudly lay claim to, asserting "that's just so Michigan." I predict that soon you too, along vith the largest living alumni of any university in the nation, will share an urge to spread Wolverine fever. t's inescapable. An 'M' flag hangs in almost every sports bar in the nation - well, maybe not in East Lansing, South Bend or Columbus. All students know not to step on the block 'M' in the Diag before taking their first college exam. Years after leaving the University, many visiting alumni still refuse to step near the sacred seal, as if it were a pit of fire. It's unavoidable. *he first thing I saw when I stepped off the plane in Istanbul last year dur- ing a family trip was a teenager wear- ing a Michigan shirt. Now, I doubt he knew what the shirt even said, but nonetheless it's there. This quality, the hue of the 'U', is represented most clearly in one place - graduation. The conduct at the University's commencement ceremony y seem shocking to the outsider. W t me explain. The school is unde- niably one of the most academically prestigious institutions in the nation, heralded for its technical and medical innovations, honored for its commit- ment to liberal arts. It is not considered a school that is easy to get into or a four-year cake- walk to a degree. And any rites honoring the students who made it in, passed exams, pulled all-nighters, survived the academic Aintlet of standardized tests, applica- tions, registration, lectures, lab tests and blue books should naturally do that - honor them. And the University does that, just not in the manner expected. . I've attended two University gradua- tions and at first was turned off by the lack of pomp and circumstance. In movies, college graduations are often icted with a distinct mix of solemni- and piety, seeping of stoic tradition. Here graduates are herded down the mammoth Michigan Stadium steps. Families are lucky if they happen to spot their collegiate kin, as nearly 10,000 caps and gowns parade to the bottom rows. No individual names are announced, no hands are shaken and no paper diplomas are awarded. Graduates are congratulated on their accomplishment 'arge packs. It's by no means inti- te, but it is personal. As soon as the graduates are recog- nized, beach balls fly into the air, champagne douses the crowd and the pack begins its battle cry. Storming into the song feared by athletic rivals, enviously mocked by other Big Ten schools and held as spir- itual; by alums, it certainly is more sjrited than the hymns the Harvard ds are simultaneously divulging. This is the Michigan identity, full of its own quirks, from cheers to legends to sneaking out in the middle of the night to paint the Rock. We work hard, we study hard, but we also know how to play hard. In the next four years, while learn- able Sirbiotun Ia* li NEW STUDENT EDITION K) I I sweet. c ome :lass? WARREN ZINN/Daily Students In the Lloyd Scholars program, a living-teaming program based In Alice Lloyd residence hall, attend classes In the same building where they sleep. While living-leaming programs attempt to make the University a 'smaller' environment for participants, students are allowed to take courses outside of their living-leaming program as well. Living-learning programs diversify forms of education By Susan T. Port Daily Staff Reporter Learning does not only occur in the lecture halls of Angell Hall or the auditoriums of the Modern Language Building. Outside the classroom, some stu- dents from different racial and cul- tural backgrounds are given the opportunity to debate issues, eat, live together and learn from each other. "Students spend only a part of hall their lives in class; living-learning communities also attempt to intro- duce students to a large University," said associate provost for academic and multi-cultural affairs Lester Monts. Vice President of Student Affairs Maureen Hartford said the commu- nities' objective is to foster students in the transition from high school to the University. "It tries to keep intellectual vigor and interest of learning going out- side the classroom," Hartford said. Director of Housing Public Affairs Alan Levy said the student programs allow for easy exchange between faculty and students. "These programs are an effort to create a smaller more intimate opportunity for particularly new stu- dents to realize the benefits of a large mega University and a smaller college setting," Levy said. tion and, if approved, would almost dents app double the number of living-learning commun communities. The report consists of dence in expanding the living-learning com- housing munities to the majority of residence "strength halls. included "This proposal is more strategic," "There Hartford said. "The programs here the progr are all-encompassing." residence The proposal was complied over a signingi period of 18 months by a committee Levy sai of 100 students, faculty and staff and are filled is divided into two parts. Monts The first describes the current liv- as chairo ing-learning programs, including proposals 21st Century Program, "We a Undergraduate Research can," hes Opportunities Program and Women ommend in Science and Engineering. fall. The second part consists of pro- If appi posals for the addition of new living- potential learning programs including benefit a Invention and Creativity, Society and Hartfo Health, Science and Mathematics, "looked Issues of Gender and Leadership and came up Democracy and Diversity. should be Hartford described the proposal as munities "sweeping." Hartford added that stu- Thea dents would not be obligated to par- commun ticipate in them although the report op acad encourages students to consider liv- groups th ing-learning programs as an option. of thet Levy said the proposal would Hartford; allow all entering first-year students Three to be given the opportunity to partic- similar ipate in a living-learning program. Centuryl plying for a living-learning ity in order to gain resi- to a specific residence hall, administration has hened the expectations in the application." is a concern that because ams are attached to specific e halls there are students in for the wrong reasons," d. "Some of these programs d to capacity." said he has been appointed of a committee to review the s. re working as fast as we said, adding that a set of rec- ations will be ready by the roved, the proposal "has the to provide opportunity to ll students," Monts said. rd said the committee at what worked well and with common things that e in all living-learning com- additional living-learning ities are intended "to devel- emic and cognitive interest hat would cut down the size University of Michigan," said. programs that began from proposals include 21st Program in 1991, WISE in so , 1-1.11, Oir- - -1