Legends, myths popular around 'U' campus

Years after they leave orientation, University students still scurry abound the 'M' in the center of the Diag.

"I still haven't walked on it," said LSA junior Katrina Blank.

The scare of treading on the brass plaque is one derived from the mythical tales handed down by orientation leaders and University alumni said director of the Office of New Student Programs Ann Hower.

"If you walk on it before you take your first bluebook exam, you'll fail it, according to legend," Hower said. "Of course, there is also the anecdote - you can reverse the curse if you run from the Pumas in front of the Museum (of Natural History) to the back of the Bell Tower, beginning at the stroke of midnight and then run back before the clock finishes chiming."

MATT MADILL/Daily According to a University legend, the pumas which guard the entrance to the Museum of Natural History will roar when Michigan beats Ohio State.

Hower said this myth, only one of the many that give the University character, may be the most widely practiced.

"I kind of laughed at the myth originally ... I didn't think people took it seriously," Blank said. "But of course, you see people dodging the 'M' all the time."

Blank said the myth, along with the others told to incoming students "make campus seem more real."

"It's like little inside jokes," Blank said. "You need to be a part of the University community in order to understand them."

Blank said she still remembers taking off her shoes and running through the fountain - a first-year student tradition.

"It was such a memorable experience," Blank said, recalling the run that signified the beginning of her college career. "I thought my orientation leaders were joking, but then people started taking off their shoes."

Hower said there are several other myths that are extremely significant.

"The pumas will roar when Michigan beats Ohio state," Hower said. "And we always tell new students that if you kiss someone under the Arch (near the Diag) before you're 21, you'll marry them."

Hower said the myths are something "the student can share."

But some students say the myths are not significant to their college experience.

"It puts fun into college, and it's cute ... but it's not very important to me," said LSA fifth-year senior Tracey Lewis. "Personally, when I walked on the 'M' I got better grades on my bluebooks."

Janelle Starr, a fall orientation leader, thinks most students believe the myths once in a while.

"As a first-year student, you're bound to believe something like this," Starr said. "But I know people giggle, and don't really take it seriously all the time."

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