THE MICHIGAN DAILY" MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17,1956 r THdIHGNDIYMNASPEBR1,15 issing, Brickd lust, Diag Seal n 'U' Tradi~tion Torches light the night sky, yelps and shouts pierce the air, and bodies are smeared with brick dust, paint, and crankcase oil as Uni- versity honoraries initiate their new members according to long- standing traditions. These "long-standing traditions" are also reflected as freshmen carefully bypass the 'M' seal on the Diag, and as seniors carve their initials in the tables in the Union cafeteria. Some traditions have their origins obscured, others may be com- pletely forgotten and still are threatened with extinction as old land- marks are torn down and replaced. Diag Seal One of the landmarks which still serves as a background for present tradition is the big blue and gold seal on the Diag, which, if tread upon by freshmen, promises to flunk them on their first exam- ited meetings or social events," ination. must enter and leave "only by the The tables in the Union base- North or South entrances," and ment hold not only the initials of must remove their hats at Union former seniors, but also the scores dances. of past football seasons such as Hazing has Disappeared 1903, when the University collected Another tradition, that of fresh- a total of 565 points, man hazing, disappeared some Minnesota was the only oppon- years ago, as it has on most cam- ent to make a touchdown that puses. Signs, in the Union base- year, blemishing the University's ment, posted by the classes of '11 record with the six points scored and '13 referred to "Foolish freaks against it. of frightened freshmen," "Rotten Counterparts Across Nation rabble of rumpled runions," and Some traditions on the Univer- "Slippery, slimy spawn of sea ser- sity campus also have their coun- pents." terparts in similar customs across Customs and traditions still the nation. playing a strong role in University The Kissing Rock at West Point life are seen in the spring, when has its parallel in the arch in the junior and senior honorary socie- West Engineering Building where ties "tap" new initiates. women earn their status as coeds The Tappan Oak, just north of with a midnight kiss, the President's House, is the cen- According to legend, the lions in ter of ceremonies is Michigamua, front of the museum are supposed group of campus leaders. to roar whenever a true virgin One day, while painting them- walks by. selves copper and rollicking around This legend is re-told at Michi- campus, they came across the gan State, where the statue Sparty Tappan Oak. and adopted it as a is the divine prophet of virginity, symbol of strength. and at New York University, where Oaks Important to Druids a versatile sword-on-hip statue Oaks also play an important is supposed to decapitate the luck- role in the Druid ceremonies. This less virgin. senior honorary also gathers near The Union is a stronghold of the Diag among the oaks north of those traditions which have slowly the General Library. faded since the "good old days." . Sphinx, a junior honorary, dunk Separate Ladies' Entrance their initiates in the League foun- Like the saloons of the "Old tain, and Vulcans, an Engineering West" and the fashionable conti- honorary, carry flaming torches nental hostelries, the Union fea- across the University campus. tured a separate ladies' entrance; Like the ceremonies of the hon- established by the house rules oraries, another campus tradition which once hung in the lobby. - reserved for upperclassmen is the "The Michigan Union is a men's birthday ceremony at a local res- club. Privileges of women are to taurant. be the same as in other men's Upon reaching the age of 21, clubs," states the preamble to sec- students troop down to the restau- tion 15 of the House Rules, which rant, receive a stein of beer and a go on to say that women may enter chance to sign their names in the the Union only to attend "accred- birthday book. Story by JIM BOW Pictures by VERN SODEN WHO? HOW OFTEN? WHY? Research Institute Studies Answers Who, What, Where, When, Why are usually thought of as the trademark of the newspaperman. But who does what, how often and why is the job of the Univer- sity's Institute for Social Research. Established in 1946, the Institute has* two centers: the Research Center for Group Dynamics and Survey Research Center. Survey Research Center has be- come nationally known for its work with social science statistics. Both centers have their begin- nings in events which occured before their association with the University. Survey Research Cen- ter grew out of an organization with the United States Department of Agriculture. After the war key members of the research organization were de- termined to carry on the work but found it necessary to associate with an academic institution. The University provided the necessary freedom in, combination with an expanding social science program. The second of the centers was founded in 1945 by Prof. Kurt Lewin at Massachussets Institute of Technology. Prof. Lewin had been making progress in develop- ing experimental techniques. When Prof. Lewin died, in 1947, his successors wanted to move to a University with greater resources. The group was invited here in 1948. Prof. Angus Campbell has been director of Survey Research Cen- ter since 1948 with Prof. Dorwin Cartwright heading the Research Center for Group Dynamics. The oldest program of Survey Research is concerned with dy- namics of major economic decis- ions made by consumers and busi- nessmen. Under the direction of Prof. George Katona the program has studied the theory that people's motives, level of informa- tion and attitudes influence econ- omic behavior. Studies have been supported by various government agencies, pri- vate business firms and founda- tions. A grant from the Ford Foundation provided necessary economic impetus to the Detroit Area Study, established in 1951. Read Daily ClAassif ieds. l a x L I r i 9 1 1 J C F s i a -Daily-Harding Williams MAUREEN HINGERT - Miss Ceylon of 1955 and third in the Miss Universe contest of that year, Miss Hingert visited the University last summer. The University frequently hosts in- ternational visitors. A 214 S. Fourth Avenue ~~ (O ~Ext ra eg. 44.95 English Hercules "Tourist" Ain e vT-r I rg 26-i.ipr A HISTORY OF FOOTBALL MIGHT-Once an integral part of the Union, and now hung on the walls, old table tops tell the tale of football teanu feared by all. Table carving is still a tradition. 3-SPEED GEARSHIFT TAKES WORK OUT OF PEDALING-ADJUSTS FOR HILLS OR LEVEL RUNS S 388 Save 7.07 Boys' or Girls' models LIGHTWEIGHT FRAME Tubular steel sports-type frame and gearshift make it a joy to handle, almost effortless riding. HANDSOMELY STYLED Boys' model in sparkling green, and Girls' in blue are set off by richly chromed handlebars, rims. SAFE-PLEASURABLE Front and rear hand brakes as- sure fast, safe stop. Comfortable ride; flexible coil spring saddle. WOE BETIDE THE TRESPASSER -- Freshmen who walk upon the seal before exams, so tradition THE TAPPAN OA i Tappan would have it, are fated to fail. Seal is also a favorite target for green paint before the annual Oak was planted i honor of Michigan-Michigan Mate game. formerUnversity Pesident Henry Tappan by the class of ..________1868. SADDLE BASKETS Twin Saddle Baskets. The Ideal Basket for English Bikes. Complete with fittings. Installed FREE when purchasing one of WARD'S bicycles. $2.95 BICYCLE TIRES AND TUBES 26 x 1 3/8 English Tire ........$2.95 26 x 2.125 Balloon Tire .......$1.95 Tubes (All Sizes) ............ .$1.05 FRONT-TYPE BASKET 18"x13"x6" Electrically welded steel wire basket. $1.45 I - m:;:.:. VIEW 1\ VIA-M i