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."