'U' seniors to revive march

Along with parents, relatives and friends of graduates trying to navigate their way around Ann Arbor for spring commencement May 2, there could be an entourage of graduating seniors marching down the streets to Michigan Stadium.

Senior Days '98 committee coordinator Adam Schlifke said the group is attempting to resurrect a tradition of graduating seniors meeting together on campus and marching to the commencement ceremony together.

"It was something that was done around 1910 to 1920," said Schlifke, an LSA senior. "Its kind of symbolic of a class walk together to the stadium.

"Graduation means more than sitting in the stadium and waiting to stand up," he said.

Schlifke said the procession participants would meet on Elbel Field for coffee and breakfast, listen to two graduating student speakers and then proceed down Hoover Avenue to Greene Street and into Michigan Stadium.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BENTLEY HISTORICAL LIBRARY Early in the century, graduating University seniors would walk in procession to commencement activities. This year's graduates plan to revive the tradition.

LSA senior Betsy Pearce said that although she does not plan to participate in any of the other Senior Days '98 activities, she will most likely join fellow graduates for the procession.

"What else are you going to do?" Pearce asked. "You have to get to the stadium anyway."

Pearce said the meeting at Elbel Field will be a chance for friends to socialize and say their good-byes to each other.

"It seems like it will be a better gathering place" than the stadium, Pearce said.

Senior Days '98 committee member Elana Cohen said the speakers, one male and one female, will be selected by the association to speak briefly before the procession.

"We were thinking of getting one of the captains of the football team or one of the players," Cohen said. "We haven't made the final decision on who we will ask to speak, yet."

Cohen said that because of the increase in traffic during graduation weekend, the committee is looking into the possibility of closing off the streets that will be used for the procession.

"We haven't decided yet if we're going to block off the street," Schlifke said, adding that the committee has scheduled meetings with local police officials to discuss the issue.

Schlifke said he does not expect a majority of the graduating class to attend the procession, but Senior Days '98 committee members plan to distribute fliers advertising the event during Diag Days on April 20 and 21.

"I don't think we can expect to get a majority of the class, but if we do the publicity right, we can get a couple thousand people," Schlifke said.

Elbel Field was chosen because of its proximity to the stadium, Cohen said. The Burton Memorial Tower and the Diag were considered as meeting places, but "we didn't think seniors would come if it was that far away," Cohen said.

The procession will take place regardless of inclimate weather, Schlifke said.

"If it rains, it obviously won't be a fun time," Schlifke said. "We'll have the procession. It might be a little muddy."

If there is enough student interest, the event may be repeated before next year's spring commencement, Cohen said.

04-13-98