UAC offers array of programs

Mass meeting: Wed., Sept. 10, 7-9 p.m. at the Michigan Union

By Lyell E. Haynes
UAC President

FILE PHOTO The Comedy Company is one of many campus groups that falls under the umbrella of The University Activities Center.

In the spring of 1965, student activities at the Michigan Union and the Michigan League merged to form the University Activities Center, the single largest student-run organization at the University. UAC provides students with a variety of educational, cultural, social and entertaining events. From lecturers to comedians, from a cappella to jazz, from poetry to musical theater, from small social gatherings to campus-wide parties, you can find it all at UAC. What other Universities may need a full-time staff to accomplish, UAC does with the hard work and determination of its many student volunteers, who in the process learn many valuable leadership and management skills. Add to that the fact that the students have a whole lot of fun as well, and you've got the makings for a dynamite organization.

UAC has 15 committees, which encompass a variety of activities and interests. If you like the arts and performing on stage, UAC has a number of groups that might be appealing to you. Amazin' Blue is the oldest co-ed a cappella singing ensemble at the University. Comedy Company is UAC's own sketch comedy troupe whose alumni have been seen in places like Second City. If you're interested in dance but aren't a dance major, then you might want to check out Impact Dance. The Michigan Pops Orchestra, one of the University's youngest student groups and one of UAC's newest committees, performs a concert each term filled with music ranging from Star Wars to Wagner. MUSKET (which stands for the Michigan Union Show Ko-Eds Too) puts on two musicals a year and receives rave reviews every time. If your tastes are more for straight theater, then check out The Rude Mechanicals, formerly Soph Show, which puts on a Shakespearean play in the fall and another work for the stage in the spring.

If you're not into performing but love the arts, you might want to check out some of UAC's entertainment committees. Eclipse Jazz/Soundstage brings local and national bands and performing artists to the University, ranging from Sadao Wannabe to Blues Traveler. Laughtrack features student comedians and professional headliners at the U-Club. M-Flicks is a film group that presents a number of movies during the school year, including film festivals, old favorites and sneak previews of upcoming blockbusters.

UAC's Homecoming/Michigras Committee helps in the planning of two of Michigan's greatest traditions. In the fall, the committee schedules a number of Homecoming-related activities and helps out in the planning of the parade and the pep rally. In the winter term, they switch gears and plan a Mardi Gras-type party in the Union for the University community.

UAC also realizes that it has an obligation and responsibility to enrich students as well as to entertain. Michigan Academic Competitions, a competitive and award-winning quiz-bowl group, hosts both intramural and high school tournaments and travels around the country competing with other schools, usually finishing in the top 10 nationwide. Mini-courses is a UAC program that offers more than 30 non-credit courses including things like ballroom dancing, bartending and massage. Viewpoint Lectures sponsors a variety of speakers, debates and forums.

09-03-97