The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - Fall 2003 - 9F

Keeping the faith: how to
avoid losing your religion

Oh, the places you'll
go: weekend getaways

By Maria Sprow
Daily News Reporter
For many incoming students, reli-
gion has never before been an option.
It is handed down from grandparents
to parents to children, and it is either
followed or not followed in a per-
son's family. And many smaller com-
munities have members who all share
the same religion, making that reli-
gion even more a basic part of a per-
son's life.
But once a student enters the Uni-
versity, they discover a different world.
No longer does everyone around them
practice the same religion, no longer
are their parents standing in the door-
way, waiting on them to get in the car
to go to the church or the temple or the
mosque.
With over 70 campus student
groups devoted to various religions
and spiritualities, religion can either
be a small or large part of a student's
college experience. But whether the
question is to continue actively
observing a religion, join a new one or
not follow any religion at all, the
answer is up to the student.
"I think that it's easy for students to
fall away from religion in college,"
said LSA senior Allie Miller, who
became a member of Campus Crusade
for Christ during her freshman year.
"There are so many other things going
on that religion tends to take a back
seat to other activities. I was worried
that there would be so much studying
going on that I wouldn't be able to
devote as much time to my spiritual
growth as I would like."
She added that joining the group,
which is just one of many Christian
student groups on campus, gave her an
opportunity to interact and befriend
students who shared the same concerns
and beliefs as she did.
"When I got here, I began to ask
myself a lot of questions about why I
was a Christian," Miller said. "Was it
just because I made that decision in
high school and should therefore stick
with it, or was it because Christianity
: is really true? I did a lot of research
and thinking."
For some students, the wide diversi-
ty of religions found in Ann Arbor also
contributes to their decision. Some stu-
dents find themselves confused or
overwhelmed by the number of choices
available to them, while others may not
spend enough time looking for what
they want to find.
While incoming students are intro-
duced to many religious organiza-
tions during the first week of classes
at Festifall, when groups set up
introductory booths on the Diag. Not

all groups are present.
"I think that many new students
don't know that there are others who
share their beliefs, because their only
exposure to what groups are out there
likely comes at Festifall, which can be
a bit overwhelming, not to mention
the fact that not every group has a
table there," said LSA senior Greg
Malivak, president of the small-but-
growing Campus Religion Network.
"Some groups that students could be
involved with aren't necessarily offi-
cial student groups."
The CRN works to connect students
observing various religions - from
Judaism and Islam to Hinduism and
Buddhism - in touch with each other
and religious organizations that meet
their needs and beliefs.
"I consider myself Unitarian Uni-
versalist, I am not a particularly reli-
gious person," Malivuk said. "I was
originally fine with not continuing my
religious involvement after leaving
home, though that was partially due to
the fact that there was no Unitarian
Universalist student group when I
started here."
While many students choose not to
continue observing their religion, oth-
ers make the opposite decision and
choose to learn more about their faith.
All different types of backgrounds
come into the Chabad House.
"The majority of kids actually who
come here come from backgrounds
who are not that observant," said
Rabbi Alter Goldstein, who leads the
Chabad House's student services.
"They just have a good time. They get
to meet other new kids. It's a great
hub to make new friends who will
last forever."
Serving more than 1,500 students,
the Chabad House is one of several
Jewish organizations on campus.
Among the other services it provides,
the Chabad House hosts weekly Shab-
bat dinners every Friday, offers classes
on Judaism and organizes social events
for students.
Goldstein said he believes many stu-
dents become more religious during
college because they begin to become
more serious about their futures.
"The University is a turning point in
a person's life," Golsteing said. "Being
at the University is the first time they
are away from home, they are alone.
They are the ones who are making the
decision. There is no one else who is
telling them what to do. Many kids
who felt it was a drag at one time, now
they are doing it on their own. I think
kids become more serious, and they
say, 'Wait a second, I am going to be
starting my life soon, and how do I
want my family to be?"'

By Lauren Tuzzolino
For the Daily
So, you just finished working on a
paper or cramming for a test, and now
the weekend has finally arrived. Look-
ing forward to a long weekend of
drunken debauchery, just like every
weekend since Welcome Week? Or
you may just be so exhausted from
school that you pass out, perfectly
convinced that you will not be missing
anything new. If either of these cases
sound like you, perhaps these two
words may be useful ... road trip.
Rather than being overwhelmed
with herds of random, nameless faces
every weekend, pack a bag and drive
somewhere with a few of your closest
friends. Because snow will be arriving
shortly and escaping it is not possible,
g you might as well get a head start and
go north. You won't be as surprised or
appalled when Michigan's unpre-
dictable winter finally does arrive.
Windsor's proximity to Ann Arbor
makes it convenient, and you're only
an hour away from spending (or los-
ing) money, whether it's at a casino or
a bar. No Friday classes? Start the
weekend early, and after a Thursday
night in Windsor, venture off to Toron-
to by train.
"Just about anything you want to
do, you can find in Toronto," said a
representative of Ontario's Key Tours.
"Everything is there."
Also, as an added incentive for
those interested in a weekend of shop-
I ping, the currency exchange rate is
excellent. One US dollar currently
converts to $1.57 Canadian.
Train tickets run $80 round-trip for
students with a valid International Stu-
dent Identity Card, which can be pur-
chased for $22 at either STA Travel or
Council Travel here on campus. With-
out the card, the train ticket will cost
$135 round-trip for an adult. (A 40 per-
cent discount is applicable if the ticket
is purchased five days in advance). The
train ride is about four hours, affording
a great opportunity for University stu-
dents to catch up on class readings.

Perhaps a more low maintenance
weekend may be found up at Boyne
Mountain. Once the snow falls, skiing,
snowboarding and snowmobiling are
adventurous weekend getaway
options. George Gustafson, a repre-
sentative of Boyne USA Resorts, sug-
gests going with a group of 8-10
people and staying in a Mountain Villa
Condo located on Boyne Mountain
property. Renting a two-bedroom
condo for the weekend with 10 people
may run close to $200 (including a
weekend lift ticket). A Boyne Moun-
tain excursion is recommended for
larger groups of students because it
will cut down on the cost of accom-
modations.
While Chicago makes a great week-
end getaway (only about four and a
half hours by car) it tends to be expen-
sive. If funds are somewhat scarce,
then a trip to Chicago may be feasible
only by staying at a friend's place.
After strolling down Michigan
Avenue, cruising around Lincoln Park
and embracing the eclectic nightlife,
the amount of money left to your
name may be in the single digits.
Since everything in Chicago is not
within walking distance, plan on
spending extra money for cabs. Even
though it is an expensive city, some
students say Chicago is a great place
to go to escape the small town feel of
Ann Arbor.
"A college campus is more
enclosed, where Chicago is more of a
big city atmosphere," said LSA sopho-
more Lindsay Hart.
While in Chicago, traveling to the
Lincoln Park Zoo, the top of the Sears
Tower and Navy Pier may be some
entertaining activities. Also, if you're
looking to find the more cultural
aspects of the city, there are various
museums from which to choose. The
Art Institute of Chicago is located at
the intersection of Michigan Avenue
and Adams Street and displays more
than 300,000 works of art. Afterwards,
indulge in a bite to eat down the street
at the gourmet food court of Water
Tower Place.

TONY DING/Dail
LSA junior Bobby Nooromid takes part in a Rosh Hashanah ceremony organized by
the University on the banks of the Huron River.

,Plac esof
Local Churches
'Aran Arbor Chinese Cl
(313) 668-9128
2580 Packard St
:Ann Arbor Christian
:eformned Church
:: (134) 665-.0105
1 ~717 Brodwa St
,Ann~ Arbor Mlas jid (v
(734) 66.5-6772'
2301 Plvinouth Rd.
~Ann Arbor Seventh F,
~Adventitt
(734)971-5919~
f27 96 Pckard St
EvagelTemnpleAsei)
245,5 Washiten aw Ave
Fia BptstChurch'
(734) 663-9376'
512 E H~uron St;7,
First Church-Christ
(734) 662.1694
306 E Liberty St
First United M thodi
(7}34) 662.536
:.'leiovah's Wirvnesses'
(;7 34) 996.1244
Ill N Maple Rd

wors1 for 'U'
First Presbyterian Church
(734) 6624466
hrist an 1432 Washtenaw Ave
Lutheran Campus Ministry
(734) 668,7622
801 S Forest Ave
St Clare's Episcopal Church
(734) 662-2449
2309 Packard St
kque) St Mary's Student Parish
(734) 663-0557
331 Thornpson St
)ay
University of Michigan Hit-
lel Building
1429 H illtreet
(734)769-500
Zen Buddhist Temple
(734) 1616520
1214 Packard St
Campus Groups
Campus Crusade for Christ
Chi Alpha Christian
1enrtSt Fellowship
Chinese Christian
Fellowship
UofM Gospel Chorale
intervarsity Christian
Fellowship
Hindu Student Council
Korean Campus Crusade
or Christ
Muslim Student Association
nited Students for Christ

JESSICA YURASECK/Daily
First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor is a short walk from campus. It is located
at 1432 Washtenaw, sandwiched between the SAE and Chi Phi fraternities.

Chicago is a great getaway, but tends to be expensive. Only a four and a half hour
drive from Ann Arbor, the city has great shopping, nightlife, and museums.




CLASH
Continued from Page IF
LSA sophomore Meredith Mer-
cer said she thinks war is the only
option left. "I came out because I
want to show my support for get-
ting Saddam out," Mercer said.
"I don't think war is a pleasant
option but I think at this point
we're really not left any other
choice."
LSA sophomore Arnaub Chatter-
jee also supported disarmament by
force. He felt the war was about
the liberation of the Iraqi people.
"The humanitarian response is to
disarm Iraq," he said.
Students moved from the Diag to
the Ann Arbor Federal Building,
which was surrounded by police tape
left over from an incident involving
19 arrests earlier in the day.
Student protesters joined the
rally organized by the Ann Arbor
Area Committee for Peace.
AAACP member and rally organ-
izer Phillis Engelbert said the down-
town rally had the largest turnout of
any event yet in Ann Arbor.
She said the goals of the rally
were to express the desire to "end
(war) quickly, bring home our

Best of Ann Arbor:

p 'I

Best of
Entertainment
Dance Spot: The Necto
Live Music Club: The Blind
Pig
Local Band: Bypolar
Movie Theater: Michigan
Theater
Radio Station: 89x
Best of Dating
Inexpensive Date: The Arb
Pickup Bar: (Tie) Rick's and
Scorekeepers
Pickup Line: "How you
doin'?
Place for a First Date: The
Arb
Place to Break Up: The
Diag
Place to Meet a New
Mate: Class
Public Place for Sex: Grad-
uate Library
Restaurant for a Date:
Gratzi
Unusual Date Idea: Ann
Arbor Hands on Museum

Coffee: Starbucks
Cookies: Mrs. Field's
Deli: Zingerman's
Dessert: La Dolce Vita
Dinner: Pizza House
Fries: Pizza House
Greasy Spoon: Fleetwood
Diner
Greek Food: Parthenon
HappyHour: Good Time
Char ey's
Hot Dog: Red Hot Lovers
Ice cream/yog urt: Stucchi's
Indian Food: Raa Rani
Korean Food: University
Cafe
Late Night Munchies:
Pizza House
Lunch: Amer's
Mexican: Tio's
Microbrew: Leopold Broth-
ers of Ann Arbor
Mid-eastern Food:
Jerusalem Garden
New Restaurant: Cosi
Outdoor Eatery:
Dominick's
Overall Restaurant: Pizza
House
Overall Bar: Scorekeepers
Pizza: Pizza House
Place For Folks to Treat:
rkf I... ici A a

Student
Discounts HOME APPLIANCE
Available ! MART
2019 W. Stadium Blvd. " Ann Arbor
(734) 669-9500

Digital Photo
Finshing
Available