Unique mini-courses still open to students

Ever wanted to learn Turkish belly dancing, know how to make a dry martini or how to give a full-body massage like the pros?

Now you can. The University Activities Center is sponsoring 13 mini-courses for University students this fall, covering subjects from ballroom dancing to sign language to yoga. And unlike previous years - this time last year, every spot was full - there is room for more students in almost every class.

UAC Executive Chair Abby Adair said the weekly mini-courses are a great way for students to explore subjects they wouldn't find in regular University courses. And because the classes are not for credit, there's no stress about grades.

"You're not under an obligation," Adair said. "You pay for it and you go and you get out of it whatever you want."

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily LSA sophomore Ken Pang shoots pool in the Union yesterday. If he wants to brush up on his skills he can take a mini-course in pool.

The registration deadline is Monday, but the mini-courses will accept new students until all spots are filled. But Adair advised students to sign up as soon as possible, although UAC will subtract a portion of the class fee for every class latecomers miss.

In recent years, bartending has become one of the most popular mini-courses, and this semester the instructor is offering four sections for the class. Most mini-courses have one section.

Adair said besides being fun, the bartending class serves a practical purpose.

"You get a certificate at the end that makes you marketable to get bartending jobs," she said. "And I think a lot of college students want to know how to make different mixed drinks."

Swing dancing also has drawn a crowd in recent years, Adair said. The course is unique because students must sign up as couples and learn dance steps with their partners.

Engineering junior Ryan Majkrzak signed up for swing dancing yesterday evening because he had fun learning some of the basic steps during the summer. "It's going to be a good break," Majkrzak said. "It's better than spending the night at the library."

Ann Arbor resident Herman Humes has been teaching UAC's ballroom dancing mini-course since 1996, and said he's enjoyed the students he has met during the years. "It has been great. Turnout has been awesome and the students are really enthusiastic," Humes said. "UAC is very helpful too."

LSA sophomore Linnaea Ebert said she didn't mind forking over the money for the swing dancing class she took last year. "The cost was pretty reasonable for a half-semester of dance classes," Ebert said.

Registration for UAC classes includes a small fee to cover the cost of course instructors and the use of classrooms on campus. Each semester, $2 of each University student's tuition goes to UAC to fund various programs. The cost of mini-courses is supplemented by a portion of this fee.

Although the cost of UAC courses ranges from $5 to $90, students are getting a deal compared to similar courses offered elsewhere, Adair said. "People are surprised it costs as little as it does," she said. "Compared to taking private dance lessons, you're paying a lot less."

UAC offers a slightly different selection of classes during fall and winter terms, adding and subtracting courses based on their popularity. This semester's schedule includes bartending, CPR, nutrition, ballroom dancing, bridge, origami, pool, yoga, belly dancing, massage, swing dancing and sign language. Meditation is the 14th class being offered, but already has filled up for the semester.

Students can register before Monday at the Michigan Union Ticket Office. Late registration is available in the UAC Office.

10-15-99