8-The Michigan Daily - Summer Orientation 1995
Legends, superstitions run rampant on campu
By Deborah G. Weinstein
Daily Staff Reporter
Orientation means a variety of things.
For first-year students, it means get-
ting a grip on the Un iversity, finding
shortcuts across campus, adjusting to
dorms and surviving class registration.
Many students, however, rtnentber
Orientation as an introduction to the quirky
rituals and traditions of the University.
LSA senior Sejal Sanghvi said he
first heard one of the University's most
widespread superstitions at Orientation.
"At Orientation they told us that if
we step on the 'M' on the Diag we will
fail our first blue hook exam. I stepped
on it," he said. "I was nervous when I
took my first blue hook, but I did okay."
Junior Monica Sekharan said she
was told something similar, but said she
was also told about a way to remove the
blue-book curse.
"My leader said you had to kiss the
pumas in front of the Natural Science Mu-
seurt, run to the Diag, iun back and kiss
the pumas again, run to the Diag," she
said. "You have to do this 12 times while
the Bell Tower strikes midnight. The 12
times have to be completed before the 12
strikes are done."
Sekharan said University lore is not
limited to the curse of the 'M.'
"I also remember someone saying
something about a brick in C.C. Little,
and that Neil Armstrong put a University
of Michigan flag on the moon." she said.
Sangis hi also said that other traditions
at the University included the Diag.
"My group was also told that on the
last day of classes all senior women who
are still s irgins will appear on the Diag at
the same time and not know it," San-a hi
said. "The pumas are supposed to stand
up and roar if a senior woman, wsho is a
virgin. passes. It hasn't happened yet."
LSA senior Anuja Gossain said she
remembers many of the suspicious tales
related to her Orientation group.
"There was something about a revolv-
ing restaurant on top of the Chem building.
It's a secret. It's odd since there are no win-
dows, she said. "Also, the top of the Den-
tal building is shaped like a molar, and that
the glass structure at the Law Quad was
filled with fish on the last day of classes."
"At Orientation they also said that
(Presidetnt James J. Duderstadt)has a tun-
nel undcrtieath his house that leads to the
Flemiiig Administration Building for his
safety, and that the Gothic columns at
Lorch Hall w ere imported from Greece
brick by brick."
Some Orientation leaders choose to
spice up the longstanding traditions with
some of their own superstitions.
"Our Orientation leader made
group hold hands and walk across In
mall tow ards the Grad Library.
couldn't break the line," said Bar
Marshall, an LSA junior. "We were
told that on graduation we had to
barefoot through the fountain, fa
Rackham."
Another rumor is that Ann Arb
originally intended to be the cap
Michigan.One Orientation leader last
mer pointed to Angell Hall and its go
met-style architecture. In truth, A
Hall was a government building, but
Arbor wasnevertchosen as thecapital.
Tuition on the Rise
The University's tuition levels are among the highest in the country for state-supported schools. How it's
been rising for Michigan residents and non-residents the last fiv eyears.
$3 l2 ' $,4
$1S~t4~ $1 .{
Board of Regents get
final say on 'U' polic~
$4#,365
$79
$5,215
;,..
190.91;'
1991-2
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
JONATHAN BERNDT/nei
Tuto cotiue t sa
3y
By Marisa Ma
For the Daily
In every college student or parent's nightmare,
tuition costs are soaring. The reality is no different.
Compared to students who entered the Univer-
sity in the fall of 1989, Michigan students in this
year's incoming class will pay almost 60 percent
more in tuition. Out-of-state students will pay about
46 percent more in tuition.
The differences in tuition levels can be ex-
plained by state funding. As a state-supported insti-
tution, the University receives more than $280 mil-
lion -almost40 percent of its general fund revenue
- from the state government. Twenty years ago,
that share was more than 60 percent.
"The largest factor in tuition increase is state
appropriations and we have no idea what it could be
presently. It could be from 0 to 6 percent. That's a
$6 million spread," said Walter Harrison, vice presi-
dent for University relations.
At the July meeting, the University Board of
Regents will decide on the annual tuition increase.
If a 6-percent increase is granted, the tuition in-
crease may be held at the rate of inflation.
Many students say any tuition increase is not
welcomed.
"It just makes it harder for those who pay col-
lege on their own without any help from parents or
family," said Annette Meyer, an LSA sophomore. "I
have to work more during the year and I won't have
much time for class."
"I think they are high enough already, especially
for out-of-state," said LSA sophomore Karen Jaskie.
Because of the state support, the Legislature re-
quested in 1987 that Michigan residents make up 70
percent of the University's enrollment.
Last year, the University allowed non-resident
enrollment to reach 33.4 percent, drawing some fire
from legislators. Some threatened to withhold any
appropriation increase.
But as the bill has moved along, that possibility
has dwindled. A state Senate panel recently recom-
mended a 6 percent increase.
University Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor)
said the ramifications of a limit on non-resident enroll-
ment are difficult to balance. "If the University recruits
the best students, it will harm other universities," he
said. "There's not enough students to go around.
"We tried to maintain a high perfonnance level
and recruit out-of-state students," Baker said.
LSA junior Sangita Popat said she agrees. "You
want to get the best students, not who's in-state or
out-of-state," Popat said.
Tuition mainly pays for salaries and staff ben-
efits, financial aid, supplies, and services such as
health, recreation and computing. Fees separate
from tuition include payment toward registration
and schools and government.
By Ronnie Glassberg
Daily Editor in Chief
To some students, the University's administration
represents anmassive bureaucracy with little order. But
in all the apparent chaos, the University is in reality
organized into distinct units.
At the top of this organization rests the Board of
Regents, an eight-member board that oversees the
University's Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint cam-
puses. The regents are nominated by a political party
to serve eight-year tems.
They have final authority over teaching and ad-
ministrative appointments and
budget allocations. Regents
also make many decisions that
affect students. For instance,
they have final control over stu-
dents' tuition bills.,
"Ithink as far as the opera-
tions of the University goes, it
is a very vital function," said >
Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann
Arbor), who has served on the
board for 23 years. "Presently, Duderstadt
the regents, the administration
and others are making the University's case (for more
funding) with the state Legislature."
The regents also select the president, who over-
sees the day-to-day operations of the University.
President James J. Duderstadt, who took office in
1988, serves as the University's chief fund-raiser and
spokesman.
"As president, I work with
the regents, faculty and stu-
dents to set the overall course
for the University," Duderstadt,
said. "I believe the president
must be always looking ahead, '
anticipating the needs of soci-
ety and students, and working
to ensure that the University
continues to be a leader and has
the necessary resources to carry
out its mission of teaching, re- Womack
search and service."
Duderstadt attended Yale University on a football
scholarship and graduated with a degree in electrical
engineering. He has a doctorate from California Insti-
tute of Technology. Before taking the presidency,
Duderstadt served as the University's provost.
Since taking office, Duderstadt has worked to in-
crease diversity at the University through the Michi-
gan Mandate and the Michigan Agenda for Women.
The University's six vice presidents, who each
oversee a different area of the University, report to
Duderstadt and are considered executive officers.
Athletic Director Joe Roberson also reports directly to
Duderstadt.
The second-ranking executive officer is Pr
and Executive Vice President for Academic Af
Gilbert R. Whitaker Jr., the University's chief
demic officer.
Whitaker, who is leaving at the end of the.S
mer, was appointed to his position in 1990. A
is now underway for Whitaker's replacement.
The provost supervises all teaching faculty w
the University, and the deans of the 18 schools
colleges report to the provost. The deans oversee
school or college, such as the College of LSA ot
gineering.
In addition, the provost controls a variety of
demic offices, including the Office of Financial
the Registrar's Office and the Office of Orientati
The third-ranked officer at the University is
ecutive Vice President Farris W. Womac
University's chief financial officer.
Womack was appointed to his post in 1988. 1
in charge of budget and investment concerns foi
University. Under Womtack's tenure, endowmen
the University have increased and the Universi
credit ranking is at its highest level in history.
Womack also oversees the comprehensive p
for improving the facilities at the University.
"I think the reason (construction) is so impot
is that the result will be that facilities that have
around for a long time have been made more'
sible for students and have been updated," W
said. "The result is a much more useful facility
teaching and research."
Womack has a bachelor's degree from the
versity of Central Arkansas and a doctorate of ed
lion from the University of Arkansas. Womack se
on the faculty at the University of Arkansas
President Clinton.
Besides the two top vice presidents, other exe
tive officers include: Vice President for Resea
Homer A. Neal, who oversees the research at the I
versity; Vice President for University Reg
Walter Harrison, who works on media and govt
ment relations and Thomas Kinnear, interim,,
president for development, who oversees fund-rais
Vice President for Student Affairs Maureer
Hartford, who was appointed in 1992, oversees m
student-oriented services, including the Housing
vision, University Health Service and the Dean of
dents Office.
"I think (Student Affairs) impacts students in r
of their experiences outside of the classroom," H
ford said. "I think what my staff and I do aff*
quality of life from health care to food."
Hartford is an alum of the University of Arkan
with a degree in education. She has a doctorate fr
the University of North Carolina in student servi
and counseling.
You're Welcome to Worship with Us!
Looking for a church home or watchcare while in Ann Arbor?
Come praise the Lord with us in the African-American tradition at
New Beginnings Free Methodist Church
2780 Packard Rd. (at Hikone)
(Ann Arbor First Church of the Nazarene)
Sunday Service 1pm Sunday School 2pm
Church Fellowship Dinners Every 3rd Sunday
For transportation call 971-8317
Rev. Jeffrey D. Harrold, Pastor
"You don't have to lose your mind or your heritage to be a Christian."