The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - September 8, 1998 -9F


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Numerous shopping venues
on campus provide varying
styles of clothing to choose

By Erln Holmes
Daily Staff Reporter
For those who haven't gone broke
from paying tuition, Ann Arbor shop-
ping offers another way to empty the
pocketbook.
From the ordinary to the unusual,
Ann Arbor caters to University students
with two distinct shopping areas on
campus -- South University Avenue
and State Street, each catering to differ-
ent tastes.
A walk down South University, with
its music, clothing and gift stores,
demonstrates the store owners' atten-
tion to students.
Disc-Go-Round, a used music store,
offers used CDs and tapes at bargain
prices.
For those who prefer first-hand prod-
ucts, Tower Records provides a large
selection of music including opera, pop
and country for those with varying
tastes.
Tower Records employee Adam
Sherman said the store offers more than
just music, boasting a large selection of
magazines and a few more unique
items.
"We have fake wine with pictures of
(the band) KISS on it," Sherman said.
"But it doesn't sell well."
During the fall, many students opt to
surf the racks of the M Den, which
offers traditional University of
Michigan apparel.
"We offer Rose Bowl memorabilia
and a great line of quality University
merchandise," employee Mike Rubi
said.
Nearby, the Safe Sex Store offers
slightly ditTerent Michigan memorabil-

ia. Its racks include Rose Bowl com-
memorative condoms and other maize-
and-blue sex toys.
Among the more popular of the
South University stores is Middle
Earth. Jennifer Fall, a Middle Earth
salesperson, said her store's variety and
fun atmosphere draws students in at all
times of the year.
"We offer a great eclectic mix of
things," Fall said.
She added that in addition to funny
cards that "can't be found in hallmark"
stores and fun T-shirts, the store otTers
carved figurines from Mexico and
African baskets.
Out-of-state students who come from
large cities said shopping in Ann Arbor
is an enjoyable activity.
"There is a great variety of stores that
people our age would like," said
Engineering junior Mannah Kallon, a
New York native. "Everything is conve-
nient; everything I want or need is with-
in walking distance."
In the State Street shopping district,
there are also plenty of options to draw
in shoppers, with Borders Books &
Music and trendy clothing suppliers.
Bivouac, near the Diag, offers both
outdoor wear and fashion clothing and
attracts many students when the first
cold snap hits Ann Arbor each winter.
Owner Ed Davidson said Bivouac's
clothes are ditferent than those sold in
most department stores - alternative
brands and unique styles.
"You may find a coat there for cheap-
er, but ours will last longer, so you're
getting a better product," Davidson
said.
State Street's clothing suppliers don't

stop with the essentials. With signs
boasting, "Buy one, get three free!"
Steve and Barry's Michigan clothing
store gives students an enormous selec-
tion of University licensed apparel.
But if sportswear isn't the desired
attire, Urban Outfitters offers an alter-
native, with an inventory of hip hop
clothing, Adidas athletic wear and
resale clothing items.
"The clothing is great, but basically
our novelty section is the most popular,"
said Urban Outfitters employee Jodi
Strang.
For the more reserved student, Main
Street shopping, still within walking
distance from campus, offers fine jew-
elry, shoes and student supplies.
"We have students coming in year
after year for our supplies," said Rider's
Hobby Shop department head Fred
Lindsay, whose shop offers model kits
and architecture project parts.
"Students tell us what they want to see
us carry, and we try to have it for them."
Shoppers say that throughout Ann
Arbor the variety is extensive but the
prices are steep for the college budget.
"Things are very expensive, but high
quality," said Sarah Williams, an
employee of Occasionally Gift Shop.
"If you have the money, go for it."
With stores that could rival those in
Chicago or New York City, Ann Arbor
has great options for those with extra
cash.
But, shoppers say, get it while you
can.
"Even the best stores pop up and dis-
appear quickly in Ann Arbor," said
Chris Collins, an employee at another
Main Street shop.

STEVE GERTZ /Daily
Nickels Arcade, a covered shopping walkway at the corner of State Street and North University brings an old-time feel to Ann
Arbor shopping. Among its stores are a barber shop, a florist, and an antique/collectibles store.


&M", it up
Com v fall masses of students
will begin the search for off-cam-
pus housing;. Pelow is a ist; of
m }'or realty companies in Ann
a Campus Rentals
Offices at 1335 S. University
Phone Number: 663-7444
Start of leasing: Late Sept.
S.'rsity Management
Offices at 625 Church
t Phone Number: 668 1100
Start of leasing: Nov. 1
,9Wilson-White
Offices at 608 Packard
Phone Number: 995-9200
Start of leasing: Dec. 1
rKeystone Properties
Offices at 608 Packard
,Phone Number: 663-2284
Start of leasing: Nov. 1
, Campus Management, Inc.
Offices at 337 E. Huron
Phone Number: 663-4101
Start of leasing: Nov. 1
r ost Realty
SOftifes at 400 Maynard
-Phor c Number: 761-82210
Start of leasing: Nov.
U Ann Arbor Realty
Offices at 616 Church
-- Phone Number: 663-1444
Start of leasing:
HOUSES: Mid-Oclt.
APTS: Mid- Nov.
Me: There are other realty com-
panies in the Ann Arbor area, as
v if as private lessors. The list is
noan endorsement of any of the
4onpanies by The Michigan
Daily.

Earlier signing dates create a
quandry with off-campus living

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By Melanie Sampson
Daily Staff Reporter
Many students experience the
biggest change of their life when they
move out of their home and into a res-
idence hall. But nearly 2/3 oflstudents
live off-campus during their years at
the University.
Living off-campus does not neces-
sarily mean housing is five miles
from the Diag, only that the housing
is not owned and operated by the
University. This includes agency-run
housing and apartments, Greek hous-
ing and co-operatives.
Amy Starr, an off-campus housing
adviser at the University Office of
housing, said there are numerous ser-
vices available to students from
Housing when they make the decision
to look outside the University for
housing options.
"They should definitely find their
resources at the Housing Office
before venturing out," Starr said.
Housing services include listings of
landlords registered with the
University, housing available and
mediation services.
Starr said students should look for
landlords that use University leases.
"They use mediation-- - we provide
that service, more tenant-friendly
terms," Starr said.
Starr said housing is available to
aid students with any help they need.
"We really work hard to help stu-
dents work out their problems," Starr
said. "We'll review leases" for stu-
dents.
Expenses are an issue most stu-
dents take into consideration regard-

less of where they live.
"Housing is just a necessary cost to
come to the University," Starr said.
Students "get access to a really great
community. There's a lot to offer."
There are a variety of issues stu-
dents should consider as important
factors, including relations with the
landlord and lease length, since most
leases last 12 months. Students
should also find out about sub-letting
if that is a concern, said Rob Spears,
a leasing agent with Amvest
Corporation.
"Price and location are the two
biggest things I get questions about,"
Spears said, whose company caters to
student off-campus housing.
This past winter, housing selection
for the fall term was initially limited
to first-year and sophomore students.
L SA sophomore Molly Frounfelter
said she took the University housing
situation as well as cost into consider-
ation.
She said she found an apartment
that meets her economical needs.
"It's actually cheaper than what the
University is offering," Frounfelter
said. "If I hadn't found this apart-
ment, though, I probably would have
stayed in the dorms."
Spears said privacy and indepen-
dence appear to be the most promi-
nent advantages of living off-campus.
"You are out and about," she said.
"You get a little more freedom, more
privacy living off campus."
Spears said that residence halls
have many advantages and students
have to decide for themselves which
situation they prefer.

"Dorms art a great place to meet
people," Spears said. "Some people
get tired of the dorms, though."
Frounfelter said there were some
advantages to the residence halls she
misses.
"They are a lot cleaner than where I
am now and more sanitary," she said.
Spears said that students have to
take into consideration the type of
place they are interested in order to
know when to go hunting.
Smaller apartments may be found
within a few months of leasing start
dates but people have been looking
for large-scale housing earlier and
earlier in the fall.
"If you are looking for a large
house, you pretty much have to look
in October," Spears said.
Education senior Ranjana Roy has
chosen to live off campus every year
she has been a University student and
said selection is important.
Unfortunately, students have to
start looking far in advance to find
what they are looking for in terms of
economic factors and location, Roy
said.
"Just start looking early because
the choices narrow down pretty
early," Roy said.
Frounfelter said her first year in the
residence halls was a satisfactory
experience but off-campus housing
provides more choices and indepen-
dence.
"You don't havt to abide by any-
one's rules and regulations,"
Frounfelter said. "You can choose
your living conditions rather than
have them assigned."

STEVE GERTZ/Daily
Away from the pressures of dorm life where fellow students abound, off-campus
living affords the opportunity of greater independence and more relaxation.


'U' aids transportation efforts

By Rachel Edehuan
llyi1 JReporter
OVhen first setting foot onto the massive I niversity campus,
the qestion often arises: how do students navigate around the
buildings, trees and cotree shops that comprise Ann Arbor?
For getting around Central Campus, many students rely on
the old-fashioned method of transportation -- walking.
"the campus is perfect for pedestrians," LSA junior Ted
Mitchell said. "There's maybe a 10-minute walk between the
farthest buildings."
ZAiell said that it is can be easier to walk than drive
ardis the campus.
"tdon't see the point of driving," Mitchell said. "The city is
gested. There are so many pedestrians here so it's extreme-
ly hard to drive."
Another common sight around campus is the bike riders,
who prefer a slightly quicker mode of transportation. Mitchell
said that although "it's obviously a quicker way to get around,"
hestilJ prefers to walk.
"I've got a pretty nice bike, and I'm really scared about

For students without cars who want to take a break from
campus, there is always the option of taxicabs, offering trans-
portation to locations around Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Detroit.
"Most of the time they're reliable," said LSA junior Kellee
Terrell. "Sometimes they try to rip you off, though, by taking a
longer route"
Bob Gordon, the owner of Ann Arbor Taxi Service, said that
although students don't use taxis very frequently, cab compa-
nies provide an important service to students without other
forms of transportation.
"If they don't have transportation, they'll take cabs to
Briarwood, Meijer or to the airport. On weekends - especial-
ly if they've been drinking -they'll be picked up at the bars,"
Gordon said.
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority provides a cheaper
method of transportation for getting around the city, with 25
bus lines serving the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas.
"For a lot of students, the service is primarily between the
Union and Briarwood. Other students use this to commute
everyday," said Chris White, manager of development for

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