The Library Project: The year began with the placing of over 500 call numbers on the buildings and grounds of the Wesleyan campus and the Middletown area as part of “The Library Project.” The project was organized by Jeffrey Schiff, Professor of Art and Chair of the Art and Art History department. It matched call numbers of books located in Olin Library to related objects and places.
Flash party: September brought controversy as a “flash” dance party at the corner of High Street and Lawn Avenue was broken up by officers from Public Safety and the Middletown Police Department (MPD) on Sept. 21 with backup from other area police. Officers used ten rounds of pepper balls to disperse the crowd of nearly 200, according to Sgt. Amy Pear of the MPD Records Division.
Points off-campus: Students voted to use student meal points off-campus Sept. 26 but after protest from dining services workers and students against off-campus points use, Giuseppe’s Pizza owner Rose Aresco announced Oct. 2 that she no longer planned to accept points at her restaurant. Plans to allow points at Thai Gardens were finalized in December, prompting concerned students and service workers to rally outside the Campus Center in protest. Thai Gardens began accepting points Feb. 5.
Staff changes: The fall brought the resignations of Director of Residential Life Jeff Ederer and Dean of the College Freddye Hill, who announced her resignation Oct. 15 and officially resigned on Oct. 22. Ederer cited desires to finish his doctoral studies as reasoning for his decision.
Anti-Bush protests: On Jan. 29, approximately 25 Wesleyan students joined almost 200 protesters from around the state at a demonstration against President Bush in Greenwich, Conn. Bush was attending an alleged $2,000 per plate campaign fundraising dinner at the time.
Program house changes: The Psi Upsilon fraternity received notification from the Administration late January that the Undergraduate Residential life Committee (URLC) rejected its request for program house status. The URLC found the organization in violation of the University’s non-discrimination policy because it did not accept female members. Later, on Feb. 20, the Office of Residential life informed Psi U that it would receive program house status for the rest of the spring semester and the 2004 – 2005 academic school year.
Middle East protests: An Activism 102 conference took place on campus Feb. 7 despite protest by many students and faculty members. The event drew between 70 and 80 people involved in Israel-Palestine issues. The conference was organized by Students for a Free Palestine (SFP), New Haven organization Middle East Crisis Committee (MECC) and the Connecticut based Palestine Right to Return Coalition (Al-Awda).
Hockey players ineligible: In February, ten of the twelve senior players on the men’s ice hockey team were deemed ineligible to compete in the final two regular season games after digital photographs of freshmen drinking alcohol provided by the seniors in a pre-season gathering surfaced.
Chalking: The WSA passed a resolution to resubmit the chalking proposal from the 2002 – 2003 school year to University President Doug Bennet on Mar. 28. In a statement to the WSA issued Apr. 2, Bennet upheld the campus-chalking ban.
Housing changes: The Office of Residential Life announced the creation of additional quiet houses on Lawn and Home Avenues in April, making both streets completely “quiet.” This change means a noise violation will be referred directly to the SJB, rather than being given a warning.
Spring Fling: Ghostface Killah headlined Spring Fling in early May. The act was preceded by Soulive, ESG and the Wesleyan band Monsters of Rock.
Commencement: After the end of spring finals, commencement wrapped up the college careers of the class of 2004 on May 23. Professor Njabulo Ndebele, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Capetown, was the principal speaker and received an honorary doctor of letters.
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