14C - Wednesday, September 5, 2001- New Student Edition - The Michigan Daily 'U' part of Ann Arbor, adds to quality of life By James Restivo Daily Staff Reporter While most University students spend four or more years living in Ann Arbor, Susana Jara, an LSA junior originally from Ecuador, said there's another side to the city that students rarely get to see. "When the students are here, there are lots of activities, but when students are gone you see little things - the nature, the buildings," Jara said. Jara said Ann Arbor is a city which accommodates Uni- versity life well. "It's a nice little city," Jara said. "It's starting to get warmer so you can walk around and absorb things." The city, with a population of more than 100,000, is also the temporary home of 35,000 students who live and study in Ann Arbor throughout the year. Jim Kosteva, the University's director of community relations, said the city and the University have a mutually beneficial relationship when it comes to the student body. "There is no question that there is a relationship between the quality of life of the community (and the Uni- versity) - it brings quality faculty and students to the University," Kosteva said. "And the atmosphere of the University makes a contribution to the quality of life in Ann Arbor." Ann Arbor ranked 52th on Morgan Qunito's 2000 list of the safest cities which is compiled from FBI reports. This is up from 74th in 1999, yet lower than the 1Ith place ranking it received in 1996. Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Michael Logghe said the city of Ann Arbor ranks low in violent crimes, a little higher in property crimes, and overall is "a very safe city to live in." Logghe said a contributing factor is the community policing efforts. "People assist us in the reporting of crimes and there is a perception of safety that comes from the officers in the neighborhoods," Logghe said. Logghe added that though the University "adds to the vitality" of the city, it lures a high number of larcenies. "Any time you have a University, you are going to have Recreation buildings to extend hours starting this semester MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily As one of the safest cities in America, people feel can feel comfortable on Main Street any time of day. a lot of undesirables that prey on students," Logghe said. "Students usually have things such as TVs, stereos ... and are not as safety conscious." Elwood J. Holman, president of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, said the University students con- tribute to the success of the city. "When you have a major university with the stature of Michigan, it helps to create a citizenry that is active and very involved in the conununity," Holman said. He added that between the University and the city there are more than 450 groups that deal with social issues or the arts, and another 400 nonprofit groups. "We've got close to 900 groups that aren't for profit," Holman said. "There are a staggering number of people in Ann Arbor that are extremely concerned in expressing their views - it attracts the type of people who want to be active and involved." Holman added that the city offers a number of jobs for students. Ingrid Sheldon, who was mayor of Ann Arbor from 1993 until last November, said when the University came to Ann Arbor in 1837 it was the economic engine for the city but has since "taken on its own personality." "If the University didn't have a community that valued such things as the environment and natural spaces, it wouldn't be as attractive," Sheldon said. "We have a won- derful population that is continually challenging itself." By KaaW-e.. 1Daily Staff Reporter Students, faculty and staff who like to work up a sweat early in the morn- ing or late at night will welcome a change in Intramural Building, Central Campus Recreation Building and North Campus Recreation Building hours. In response to years of requests, the three recreation buildings will open at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday starting this fall. Each building will close at 11 p.m. The facilities currently open at 7 a.m. during the week and close at 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. "Over the years we have had requests from two groups. Students want us to keep buildings open later in the evenings. Staff and faculty pre- fer that we open the facilities earlier in the morning so they can exercise before going to work," said Jan Wells, associate director of Recre- ational Sports. After a long day of classes and evening homework, students often pre- fer to exercise later at night, Wells said. "I know people keep weird hours in college, so the change in building hours will be especially convenient for students," said Emily Barnett, a Public Health graduate student. "In response to users' suggestions, we have been phasing in longer hours by keeping the buildings open until 11 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings," said Dick Pitcher, NCRB Building Director. Michigan Student Assembly Presi- dent Matt Nolan, a member of the Advisory Committee for Recreational Sports said the request for extended BRENDAN 'DONNEI SA senior Dave Byun spots Prof. Ian Mackenzie while lifting weights at the Central Campus Recreation Building yesterday. IDaiyO .hours was approved last week. "After speaking with students, we noticed that they just don't work on a nine-to-five schedule. Attendance stud- ies taken at the buildings show that it will be beneficial to keep them open longer," said Jessica Cash, a committee member and MSA vice president. New equipment was added to the IM Building after spring break this year and a building-to-building equipment overhaul is gradually occurring, Cash added. Mandeep Grewal, an LSA sopho- more, said regardless of the longer hours, she still prefers to work out dur- ing the day. "Last year I would go to the CCRB in the evening, but it was just too crowded. During the day, it's less crowded and I prefer working out dur- ing the day anyway. You can use more equipment," Grewal said. Despite the free facilities on cam- pus, some students choose to pay fore their gym services elsewhere. "Students 'come to us because they want to use our state-of-the-art equip- ment and they don't have to worry about campus parking," said Janelle Coolich, manager of the Bally Total Fitness near"Briarwood Mall. Fitness near Briarwood Mall. N i I