The Diag
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
At the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the Diag is a large open space in the middle of the university's Central Campus. The Diag derives its name from the many sidewalks running near or through it in diagonal directions. It is arguably the busiest site on the university campus, hosting a variety of events including outdoor concerts, fundraisers, demonstrations, and sun bathing. The Diag is also a popular spot for local people to hang out. Some of these people, called "Diag Rats", spend a great deal of time loitering there and get in trouble with the Ann Arbor Police as a result.
A brass block "M", a symbol of the university, is embedded at the center of the Diag. Local legend has that if a UM student steps on the M during his or her first semester at the university, the student will fail his or her first blue book exam. The only way to reverse this "curse" was to run naked from the campus belltower during the strokes of midnight to two statues of pumas at the Natural Science Museum, then back to the tower before it stopped ringing. This has been made considerably more difficult in recent years as the belltower no longer rings at midnight.
| The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
