Beyond The Diag - March 2022

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With Spring in the air, more and more students are finding time to get outside after being stuck inside all Winter. This newsletter includes several articles about different places students can go to get out of their homes whether that be new places to eat, drink coffee, study, or spend time in nature. Our newsletter also includes important safety information about rental scams, St. Patricks Day, and more!

Have fun - and Stay Safe

With sporting festivities and celebrations that coincide with college life, here is important safety information from Wolverine Wellness and University Health Service, designed to help you have fun while staying safe. Spring, St Patrick’s Day, March Madness and end of classes are just a few of the reasons that you may choose to celebrate in the coming weeks. Take a look at the suggestions below for how to enjoy these events safely.

 

Safety and alcohol use:

Bouncing Back from Spring Break - tips to finish the semester

After coming back from spring break, the final push to the end of the semester in April can be tough. The last few weeks include projects, tests, assignments, and final exams. We know that this can lead to increased levels of stress and tiredness. Here are some tips to finish the semester strong:

 

Top 5 Zingerman’s Next Door Café Drinks - the definitive guide!

Zingerman’s Next Door Café is a favorite place to get coffee and study— you can see students there all through the week and the weekend. It has excellent study spaces upstairs, is located in the heart of Kerrytown, and plays amazing coffee shop music (Hozier, anyone?). About 6 months ago, I embarked on a journey to try every caffeinated beverage they offer, and I would now confidently say that I know the menu inside and out. To save you time (and money) when you go there in the future, I now present my (totally unbiased) list of the top 5 drinks on the menu:

 

BTD’s favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor:

With so many good options for places to eat it can be difficult to pick where to eat out! Not familiar with the area or looking to try something new? Here is a list of some of the Beyond the Diag team’s favorite places to eat in Ann Arbor:

Outside in Ann Arbor

Want to take a break from busy days outside in nature but don’t know where to go? No worries! Below we introduce some places in the Ann Arbor area that you could visit on a short trip!

Hiking is always a great choice for all seasons in Ann Arbor. Embracing nature is a perfect way to get yourself some energy boosts. There are several nature areas near Ann Arbor waiting for you to explore. 

  1. Nichols Arboretum:

Best Campus Study Spots

The University of Michigan is  a huge school, with lots of places to study. Sometimes it can be very overwhelming, so use this guide to find a study space that works for you.

 

Please note that these study spaces have been suggested based on their advertised hours, locations and accessibility. For full details, please visit their websites. Note that hours may differ during breaks and holidays.

 

Central Campus:

Shapiro Undergraduate Library

  • Open hours: 24/7 

Leasing Scams

There has recently been an increase in the number of leasing scams identified in and around Ann Arbor, as well as around the country. Scammers pretending to be property owners will offer to lease a unit that they do not own, a unit that has already been leased, or even a unit that does not exist. Please be careful before signing any lease, sublease, or sending any rent payments, deposits, or other fees in relation to a lease.

 

March Madness

The beginning of March signifies the end of the regular basketball season, but the beginning of the NCAA basketball tournament - where teams from different conferences go head to head for the national championship title. The tournament begins with 64 teams and narrows each round by half the number of teams until only two remain. Last year, the final two teams were Baylor (Baylor University in Waco, Texas) and Gonzaga (Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington). Despite Gonzaga’s undefeated 2021 season, Baylor won the championship game with 86 points to Gonzaga’s 70 points.

 

ICYMI: Maize Days

Recently, the Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Martino Harmon, sent out an email with information regarding University of Michigan’s philanthropic week-long event: Maize Days. Maize Days will be from March 14th through March 18th and is an exciting week where students can showcase what causes and organizations are meaningful to them across our campus community. Check out the following information for a recap of information from Dr. Harmon!

Schedule of Events:

CCI Events

During the month of March and beginning of April, the University Activities Center is sponsoring a few student organization events that are open to all students. Check out the Happening@Michigan page for more detailed information as events are published. The following are upcoming events for students to take part in:

 

March 18-20 - MUSKET presents Once on This Island

Henderson House

There are many types of housing available both on- and off-campus to fit students’ needs and preferences. Just one option is Henderson House.

Henderson House is a unique place - a cooperative home for both undergraduate and graduate women committed to sustaining a cohesive, respectful, and welcoming community. 

Empowerment Self-Defense

The Division of Public Safety & Security are hosting Empowerment Self-Defense classes for people in the community to explore the culture of violence and teach skills for personal safety and physical self defense in a multitude of different contexts. People who participate will gain situational awareness skills, evade conflict and set boundaries both verbal and physical, and interrupt unwanted behavior not only with strangers but in intimate and interpersonal relationships as well.