A star discovered in Wesleyan's Van Vleck Observatory could be vital to understanding how stars and planets are formed. Bill Herbst, Chair of the Astronomy Department and Director of the Van Vleck Observatory, has been leading research and observations on the star since he helped detect it in 1997. The star, KH 15D, was first detected by Herbst and Kristin Kearns, who was then a graduate student at Wesleyan.
Ballots for the three alumni spots open on Wesleyan's Board of Trustees were recently distributed to seniors, tenured faculty and the alumni community. "The Alumni Association Nominating Committee selects a slate of candidates each year," said Director of Alumni Education Linda Secord. "They choose from people who have been recommended by other alumni or they may self-nominate."
Lisa Gates, a familiar face from the Dean's office, has recently been named Associate Dean and Dean of the Class of 2007. Gates has occupied this role under an interim title since July 2004, when the Dean's offices all transitioned to their new structure. Under the old arrangement, each dean only worked with each class year for one year, under the title of "Dean of the Freshman Class" and so on. As of July 2004 each Dean is assigned to one class year and will follow that class for all four years.
When famed historian William Manchester passed away 10 months ago, he left his entire literary collection to Wesleyan, including notes for his manuscripts and correspondence with his editors. The logistics of storing the collection, however, are still under discussion. Manchester's time at Wesleyan began in 1955 when he was hired as an editor for American Education Publications, which was then owned by the University.
The Student Budget Committee (SBC) announced a plan to endow a fellowship in honor of longtime WSA coordinator Cari McDermott, at the WSA’s first meeting since spring break. At the close of this year, McDermott will end her twenty-seven year career as WSA coordinator. Since 1978, McDermott has been an indispensable resource for student groups on campus. WSA coordinator is a staff position responsible for working with the SBC to manage a budget of approximately $600,000, used to fund the more than two hundred campus student organizations.
After intensive redevelopment, WesMatch is back online. The student-programmed site now boasts more features that include across-school networking, personalized compatibility questions and the ability to download information to a cell phone. These improvements are intended to provide students with additional tools to explore social relationships through the Internet.
Stephanie Carlisle '05 received a fellowship from the Thomas J. Watson Foundation this month that will fund a year-long study on architecture in Mongolia, India, and Ireland. Carlisle is one of 50 college seniors across the country to receive the grant this year. "I can't think of anything I would rather be doing next year," Carlisle said. "[The fellowship] is an absolute gift."
For those who want a break from Aramark or perhaps don't have the cash for off-campus eats, the eating clubs at Psi U and Alpha Delta Phi both accept points and provide an affordable alternative. The Chique Chaque of Psi U, advertised as "the oldest restaurant on campus," serves meals Monday through Friday Lunch is 11:45a.m. to 12:15p.m. and dinner is 5:30 to 6:15p.m. There is no dinner on Friday evenings.
Cowboys, paper dolls and improv artists graced the stage of the '92 Theater this past weekend under the direction and choreography of six senior dance majors. The dances were all part of "About Face," this semester's installment of the annual Senior Thesis Dance Concert. The first group of performers caught the audience in state of surprise and confusion, as they began doing improvised movements.
All-New England Wrestler, fiddle player extraordinaire, and lover of senior citizens and children alike, this week's Wesceleb is Dave Bartlett '06. Bartlett came by straight from band practice to chat with me (on one of his rather infrequent trips to campus), informing me on things like how Martha Stewart indirectly changed his major and why Western China has a few more cows thanks to him. What's more, a close friend described him as "the guy every mother wants their son to be more like."
When students bring up complaints about the way the University is run, a response they will often get is "It’s up to the trustees." Largely protected from the barrage of concerns and occasional lock-ins that befall the President and the Dean of the College, the trustees have a lot of sway with what seems to be very little accountability to students. In the minds of many students, a group of trustees convenes in a shadowy room, brooding around a table, making decision that influence people they will never meet.
On March 21, Jeff Weise, 16, killed his grandfather and his grandfather's longtime companion, before proceeding to the school, where five students, a schoolteacher and security officer were shot, before the teen killed himself. While the nation, and especially the media, openly questioned that day's unfolding, the reservation community has been reluctant to do so.
When my cousins and I were little we used to put on plays for our parents. Some of the plays were cleverly adapted and well rehearsed, some were not. After summers of plays we made an interesting discovery: despite obvious discrepancies in the quality of our productions, the audience's enthusiasm remained unwavering. This led to an experiment: a one hour improvised, deliberately terrible play (basically a game of make-believe that the parents had to watch.)
Poverty, disease, despair: many people both near and far face these burdens every day of their lives. Yet those of us whose lives are usually free from these burdens do not always understand the forces behind them or how we can lighten the loads of those who suffer under their weight.
Hello Wesleyan. My name is Rob Cohen, and I'm an alcoholic. That was easy. Now every one of you cats that got shit-faced last weekend say it. Don't worry, this isn't going to be a moralist persuasion not to drink "from the other side" or some shit like that. In fact this will be quite the opposite, more of a rejoicing in our generation's love of getting obliterated. What follows will be a loosely structured rant about our fermented friends in the vegetable kingdom.
Guess what, everyone? There's a group on the Facebook called "The Wesleyan Raise Your Standards Crusade" and chances are, a couple of nice guys you know are in it. Without spending too much time describing the nauseatingly predictable manifesto of this group, I'll just say that it involves a lot of complaining about the apparently lackluster physical appearance of Wesleyan females.
Whoa, nelly! Bring your own boo-yah! Dipsy-doo-dunkaroo! Additional nonsensical generic sports-commentator exclamation! The unpredictable madness of March was amplified exponentially this past week with the inaugural NCAA (National Celebrities who "Almost" Aren’t Alive) Tournament.
Reagan: I can't believe we got out in the first round. I mean, I know winning the title is a long shot, but—
There's nothing funny to write about any more, and we'll tell you why: because the apocalypse is coming, and we are fucking fucked. The only things that are going to exist by the time you read this are unfathomably old white dudes and sea monsters that just ate your family. At least there's Super Smash Brothers in heaven!
Gerald Ford Alignment: Lawful Good Treasure: none Armor Class: 7 Movement: 12 Hit Points: 1d8 + 2 Damage per Attack: per weapon or 1d6 per fists XP value: 420
A great many people, famous and unknown, die every day. But some die worse deaths than others. Passing away in your sleep, surrounded by loved ones and golden statues of yourself that urinate wine? Good death. But that's not funny or interesting. What's funny and interesting are some horrible water creatures which the Ampersand has investigatively reported, and which will definitely kill you soon.
After steam rolling opponents in four straight games to open the season, the nationally ranked men's lacrosse team was unable to secure a league win in their first opportunity, falling to Bates 13-6 in competition over the weekend. Coming off of three strong performances in Florida and a victory over Western New England College in their first game back up north, the Cardinals were ranked sixth nationally among division III programs, dominating teams on the attack to the tune of a 16 goal per game average.
Returning to the water after a successful fall campaign, the men's and women's crew teams kicked off the spring season in a three-way meet against Holy Cross and Coast Guard this past weekend. The teams met in the neutral waters of the Textile River in Lowell, MA for this early season competition.
While many students flocked to warmer pastures over Spring Break, the women's tennis team could be found late at night smacking tennis balls inside Freeman. The team hopes to rebound from a disappointing fall campaign when they suffered through a brutal schedule. All seven of their opponents last semester were ranked in the top fifteen in the East.
Chicago Cubs: Not much went right for the Cubs last year, the team that Sports Illustrated favored to be 2004 champions. Two of their three young aces, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, spent significant time on the DL and Sammy Sosa had a bad year all around. Fortunately, Carlos Zambrano had a great season, posting an 18-8 record and a 2.75 ERA while striking out 188 in 209.2 innings. His ERA has gone down every season, and he finished fifth in the Cy Young balloting.
Power numbers will continue to be less outrageous with the ongoing steroid talks. League leaders will probably hit 40-something home runs. Everyone will wonder if Babe Ruth could have hit 1,000 career home runs had he stayed in shape and taken steroids.