How Sweet: Wendy’s Birthday Treats

For those of you who don’t know, the woman pictured to the right is Wendy– a true Wesleyan treasure! She used to work at Summerfields but nowadays you can find her swiping cards at Usdan. What makes her deserving of her own Wesleying post is how she regularly goes beyond her job description to brighten students’ days.

I meant to write about this last semester (oops!) when I ate lunch at Usdan with my friend on her birthday. Right after swiping my friend’s card, Wendy wished her a happy birthday, which was sweet of her. Even sweeter, she reached behind her and pulled out a little bag of candy as a gift! Being that I ate almost everything in the bag, I can confirm that there was some good stuff in there: Blow Pops, Sweet Tarts, Pixy Styx, etc. Here’s a really crappy picture of the bag and its contents:

Wendy recently resumed contributing to happy birthdays after taking a break late last semester. She also told me (back in February) that she was paying for all of the candy out of her own pocket but that she was maybe going to be reimbursed. Either way, Wendy’s birthday goody bags are a great example of why she is such a beloved member of the Wesleyan family. Even without the candy treats, Wendy always makes me smile with her sincerity and friendliness. Hopefully, this post can bring Wendy some recognition for being such a great part of many people’s Wesleyan experience. If you appreciate her warmth and generosity, show her some love next time you see her!

Soulive tix on sale tomorrow

Tickets for Soulive go on sale tomorrow (Monday) at noon at Usdan. $8 to see Soulive play April 2nd at Beckham hall. Student band Mad Wow will be opening and things will be popping. Get your passes for funky goodness while they’re hot!

Ted Kennedy ‘83 Speaks on Disability Law

From Kevin Donohoe ‘12:

Please join us for a short lecture by Ted Kennedy ‘83, on disability law. Followed by a Q & A and refreshments!

Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Association of People with Disabilities and is the co-founder and President of the Marwood Group, a firm that advises corporations about healthcare and financial services. He has a B. A. from Wesleyan, a M.A. in Forestry and Environmental Studies from Yale and his J. D. from the University of Connecticut. After graduating from law school, he specialized in disability law at the New Haven firm Wiggin & Dana. Sponsored by Wesleyan Students for Disabilities Rights and ResLife.

Date: March 23
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Place: Usdan 108

Wesleyan Summer Ads

Want to give yourself credit? Facebook just presented me with an opportunity to do so.

As the advertisement on the right shows, I can get credit by registering for the Wesleyan Summer Session, running from June 7 to July 9.

At this point, I’m just trying to get through this spring “session.”  Time to crack those books for all that work that just didn’t happen over Spring Break.

Psst . . .

You didn’t see it here, but a little birdie says MGMT’s new album leaked in full this weekend . . .

There are some sweet moments on this record, much more in tune with Oracular Spectacular’s spacey latter half than “Kids” or “Time To Pretend” (and far more cohesive than “Flash Delirium” might have you believe). Dig the doo-wop and surf music flourishes, but don’t be expecting another “Kids.”

Edit: The band is streaming the entire album now on its site. Thanks to Braille for the tip.

Express Yourself in the New Wesleyan Passover Hagaddah

From Emily Hoffman ‘10:

This semester, the Contemporary Radical Jewish Thought student forum has taken on the project of re-imagining and re-configuring the annual Wesleyan Passover Seder into something we feel is more reflective of the things we have learned and experienced at Wesleyan.

Part of this project involves collecting students’ thoughts on the phrase “Next Year in Jerusalem,” which is traditionally said at the end of the Seder. We want to know what this phrase means to you, particularly in the context of the conflict in Israel/Palestine. Whether it’s a sentence or a page or even a picture, we would love to see your ideas and include them in our new Hagaddah.

Please send your thoughts to Ari Fishman ‘13 at arfishman(at)wesleyan(dot)edu any time before break ends.

Thanks!

Wesleying Gets an Upgrade!

You may have noticed that Wesleying looks a little different, and I’m here as a simple guide. First off, I should note that there aren’t really any new features on the site, more just a reshuffling of visual mumbo jumbo. You’ve no doubt immediately noticed the new header which does not have a silly looking cardinal on it nor childish handwriting. Furthermore, there is now information both above and below the header image. Above you will see the featured posts, with pictures and titles, both of which link to the articles. Underneath the new header you see a menu which has replaced what was formerly at the top of the right hand sidebar. This menu includes the filters (events only and non-events only), the submission pages, as well as the RSS feeds for Wesleying (for posts and comments). Finally, at the top of the righthand sidebar you now see the upcoming events, followed immediately by the weather.

Of course, not all of the changes made might be considered for the better, or they could be improved upon. There are also bound to be bugs, even though I spent a lot of time making sure there wouldn’t be any. If you have feelings on the matter, please feel free to give your opinions in the comments or send me an email at griffindy[at]gmail[dot]com.

UPDATE: The new menu bar does not appear to be working for most users, a problem that I had not come across in my testing. I have removed the menu bar and put its content. back into the sidebar. In looking at everyone’s advice from the comments I have also attempted to resize the featured posts at the top to a more reasonable size.

Orientation Leader Apps due March 24th

The New Student Orientation Program is now accepting applications for 30 Orientation Leaders for the Class of 2014.  Orientation Leaders (OLs) will work for both International Student Orientation (ISO) and New Student Orientation (NSO).

Orientation Leaders are expected to return to campus on Wednesday, August 25, 2010.  All Orientation staff must attend training sessions from August 26-27, participate fully during both ISO and NSO (August 28-September 5), and must assist with all assigned events.

Successful candidates must be reliable, enthusiastic, and compassionate with good verbal communication skills, a positive attitude about campus life, culturally sensitive and experience working with diverse student populations.

Click here for the complete Orientation Leader job description and a link to the online application.  Students receive a $200 stipend. Applications are due by March 24.

Mindfulness in Education Conference

There’s a Mindfulness in Education conference in Cambridge, MA this weekend.  Sweeto. I’ll be driving from Wes on Friday and back Sunday, let me know if you’d like a ride (nwotton[at]wes). Check the website for more info:

http://www.mindfuled.org/2010_spring_conference/

They have a half-price scholarship, which we probably qualify for as students, which brings the cost to $30 (Saturday) and $17 (Friday). Email rbrady44 [at] gmail.com for scholarship info.

Onion: “New College Graduates To Be Cryogenically Frozen Until Job Market Improves”

Sometimes The Onion gets it so right it hurts. Hard. And by “sometimes” I clearly mean “most of the time.” Here’s a bold solution to recession-related graduation woes that makes way more sense than it probably ever should:

In a bold new measure intended to address unemployment among young professionals, lawmakers from across the political spectrum agreed on legislation Tuesday to subsidize the cryogenic freezing of recent college graduates until the job market recovers. . . .

“Were we to freeze these graduates at the height of vigor and ambition, however, there’s a chance we could revive them during a more prosperous time,” Hutchinson continued. “When the economy finally bounces back—10, 20, even 30 years from now—we’ll have an entire generation thawed out and ready to contribute.”

Read More »

Bring Clothes From Your Home to “Our Home”

Please consider bringing back some clothes from home to donate to raise funds for a great cause:

Looking to do a little spring cleaning?  Bring any unwanted clothes back to campus to participate in a clothing swap whose proceeds will be donated to Amcha Ghar, an Indian non-profit dedicated to providing a safe home for young girls living in the red light districts of Mumbai. 

Amcha Ghar, which means Our Home, is a local Non Governmental Organization located in the farthest most suburb of Mumbai, India.  Its overall mission is to provide a safe home for orphaned or semi-orphaned girls from the streets of Mumbai and to get them off the streets, where many of them are or have been sexually exploited.  Women often bring their daughters to the organization when they feel they cannot adequately protect their daughters from street life.  Not only is Amcha Ghar a welcoming home for girls, but the organization’s founders Susheela Singh and Anthony Dias have also started a school for the girls as well as one for the community at large.  They strive to get the girls off the streets at an early age as well as educate them and in still in them a sense of self worth and confidence.  Many of the older girls have gone on to get jobs and assume positions of responsibility, providing them with the financial independence they need to succeed and decide their own fate.  Amcha Ghar is a strong example of the innovative nature of local initiatives on the ground.  It responded to a need – a home for semi-orphaned girls – and has grown to become a central institution in the community they serve.  They can take up to around 30 girls and unlike an orphanage; the organization is run as one big family.  The girls have responsibilities in the home, but receive the love, dedicate and care that they need to believe in themselves and their capabilities.    They also have an extension house for the older girls pursuing higher studies, enabling them to focus on their work and their goals.  This organization greatly depends on outside funding to sustain their invaluable work to the community. 

Any clothing you are willing to donate are appreciated.  The drop off boxes will be placed at strategic locations around campus to be disclosed at a later date. 

Thanks and we appreciate all of your help!

The Students of Soc. Forum 420

Film Your Room for Reslife

Rebecca Martin ‘10 sends this request:

I’m working on a video for ResLife, that will feature the various different living options Wes has, and need places to film!

So, if you live in one of the following situations, don’t have any fire safety or other violations in your room, and would be willing to let me film in your room/apartment between 3/19 and 3/24, please let me know (rmartin at wes):

DORMS:
–A Foss Hill and/or Butts single
–A Foss Hill two-room double
–A Foss Hill and/or Butts one-room double
–A Butts triple
–A Clark room

OTHER:
–A low-rise (just the common space)
–A senior Fauver

Thanks!

Tuition to Rise 5%; Financial Aid 11%

Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees voted last weekend to increase tuition and residential comprehensive fees by 5% percent for the 2010-11 academic year. Tuition will be $41,814 for all students in 2010-2011. For freshman and sophomores, the residential comprehensive fee will be $11,592. For juniors and seniors, the fee will be $13,176.

“Although we are mindful of the difficulties inherent in annual tuition increases,” says President Michael S. Roth, “in order to maintain our high quality liberal arts programs and our scholar-teacher model we must increase tuition in the coming year.”

Roth went on to say that “Wesleyan is financially stable and has a balanced budget because we have significantly reduced expenditures over the past two years. We are raising student charges by the smallest amount needed to maintain our fiscal stability.” After consulting with the Board of Trustees, Roth emphasized the importance of minimizing expenditures that do not directly affect the experience of students so as to reduce the need for significant tuition hikes in the future.

MGMT Goes Retro: “Flash Delirium”

“Kids” fans: good luck humming this one incessantly. Go ahead and try.

“Flash Delirium,” our first taste of MGMT’s upcoming Congratulations, is available now on the band’s website. I’m not sure how I feel about this one. It’s retro, clever, and slightly schizophrenic in a distinctly White Album sort of way (see: “Happiness is a Warm Gun”), but maybe too . . .  ironic? Smugly detached? Something about those nifty ’50s doo-wop flourishes seem to preclude any real sincerity. But maybe it’s just the dry-as-fuck production (and from Spacemen 3’s Peter Kember, of all people) that irks me.

Thoughts?

Wesleyan bands take it to the road

Oh, spring break. Weather’s getting warm, trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and birds are chirping. And taking a hint from those baby birds who are taking wing and flying from the nest, Wes bands Duchampion, The Last Minutes, Apache Kid, Metacomet, and Ishmael are using this break as an opportunity to sing their songs in new and exciting locations. For those of you in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia who are feeling a little homesick for Wesleyan already, check out the tour dates after the jump to see when you’ll have the opportunity for a little Wes love.  I’m not listing college shows, as they might not be accessible… Oh, and Aural Wes put up a similar post with some more info on some of the bands, so if you’re curious about any of the individual bands you should check that out here. Read More »

Mike Whalen ’83 Introduced as Head Football Coach

Mike Whalen ’83, who had been the head football coach at Williams since 2004, was officially introduced as Wesleyan’s new head coach at a news conference yesterday afternoon in Freeman:

Read More »

Female model sought for painting thesis

Anna Mendes ‘10 is looking for a female model to pose for several hours a week during the first week of Spring Break for her Painting Thesis:

The poses will be seated and nude. While you are being painted, you can listen to music or books on tape to pass the time.

If you are interested please call 917 373 5274 or email annabellemendes(at)gmail.com.

Anna would like to begin as soon as possible, so let her know ASAP!

New On-Campus Middletown Area Transit Bus Stop

The WSA has worked with Middletown Area Transit to bring the M-LINK bus to campus. Each Saturday, the bus will head to the Westfield Mall, Wal-Mart, and Meriden. A one-way trip costs only $1.25 (you need exact change!).

For those students staying on campus over break, the bus will begin leaving from the corner of Williams and High starting tomorrow, March 6.

Details after the jump. Read More »

They’re baaack…

I found this lil’ guy on my desk this morning. Time for another Olin swarm soon?

We Have to Protect the Children: Beta Edition

So I just read the campus-wide email (dang, crash beat me to it) sent by Deans Rick Culliton and Mike Whaley about Beta’s independent status on campus. I would like you all to join me in a resounding “WTF?”

Not that I keep up with frat news or anything, but I haven’t heard of anything really out of the ordinary happening at Beta in the 3.75 years that I’ve been here. I think a lot of us already knew that the house was privately-owned. And I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that 100% of us knew that people drink a lot at the frat. So what’s the point of this email?

Apparently, the Deans are simply worried about our safety and have taken Beta’s reluctance (failure?) to regain official recognition from the university as a sign that Beta bros don’t care about underage drinking in their house. [They mention "safety concerns and behavioral issues" and "illegal and unsafe behavior" but I think that's just referring to the drinking, right? Is there something else we should know about, Deans?] And the worst part of it all is this: “Beta has chosen not to enter into an affiliation agreement with the University and to continue to prohibit Public Safety from addressing behavioral and/or safety concerns on its property.” That’s right, Psafe can’t bust Beta parties!

Read More »

Administration vs. Beta Theta Pi

Dean Mike Whaley sent an all campus e-mail this afternoon reminding students that the University is not affiliated with Beta. They list a variety of complaints against the chapter:

“… Throughout the fall semester, we engaged the undergraduate and alumni leadership of Beta as well as a representative from Beta’s national office in an attempt to resolve the behavioral issues and improve the relationship between the organization and Wesleyan.  Unfortunately, Beta has chosen not to enter into an affiliation agreement with the University and to continue to prohibit Public Safety from addressing behavioral and/or safety concerns on its property … we advise all Wesleyan students that they should avoid the residence because we cannot establish the safety of the premises”

Reports of underage drinking, ‘illegal activities,’ hospitalizations, and so on.

“… Consequently, we will be working with City officials to address the safety issues and problematic behavior at the house.”

I wonder what that means?

TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) The administration’s attempt to stop all the shenanigans at Beta is not working. At all.

So… Administration 0: Beta 1?

What excites Wes students?

Ice Cream at UsdanCream…Ice Cream.  Beach Night at Usdan and Wesleyan students go nuts.  I know we’re almost on Spring Break guys, but really we’re in college.  There’s no need to go crazy every time you see ice cream.  Or is there?

A bunch of Wesleyan students hovering over a tower of ice cream? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.  Thank god I got out before it turned ugly.

Join Second Stage

From Brian Lee ‘13:

Are you interested in getting more involved in the theatre community at Wesleyan? Would you like to learn what it’s like to run a small theatre? Come expand your love of theatre and have fun at the same time! Join us! To apply, fill out the staff interest note (visit 2ndstage.org) and submit to the Second Stage mailbox in the theatre office, to the envelope on the callboard in the theatre studios, or to any current staff member (check out their email addresses on the Staff page). You have until after Spring Break!

Questions? Again, e-mail one of us!

Staying at Wes Over Break?

From Becca Loomis ‘10:

Are you going to be on campus the first week of Spring Break? Want to make $7? Sign up to participate in a senior thesis examining eye movements and reading! The study is being run in the Eye Movement and Reading Laboratory in the Psychology Department. The experiment takes 20-40 minutes and involves reading sentences on a computer screen. You must be a Wesleyan student and a native English speaker to participate. Email rloomis@wes or eyelab@wes for information or to sign up!

MoCon Update: Roth to the Rescue?

Well, not quite. But he is delaying its demolition, in a hard-won victory for vocal alumni, including Matthew Weiner ‘87. From a blog post today after meeting with Trustees (Roth’s words, my bold):

A topic that came up in various venues throughout the weekend concerned the future of McConaughy Hall. I knew the building well as a student, living just across from its front doors as a frosh. I remember with real fondness its grand staircase and wonderful light, and I also think back to some great parties and concerts I attended there. The building has been empty since I began my presidency, and since that time I’ve been trying to find an alternative use for it. The structure turns out to be terribly inefficient, and in great disrepair. Still, I had hopes that we might transform it (as we have done with Davenport and Fayerweather, and will do with Squash) for some community use.

I haven’t found an alternative use for MoCon. But given all the strong feeling, which I share, about trying to find alternative uses, I’ve delayed signing contracts for its demolition. The building has been here for almost 50 years, and I don’t take this decision lightly. But I also will not spend significant university funds every year without having a real function for the building. So, I am reviewing options (with appropriate professional guidance) one more time. I appreciate the input I’ve gotten, and I will be writing again soon on this subject.

Wesleyan Folger’s Ad

Zach Valenti teamed up with Sam Long, Howe Pearson, Sam Friedman and Conn. College’s Liz de Lise (all 2012) to create this new Folgers Coffee commercial.

The group has entered Folgers’ jingle competition for a prize of $25,000! Check out the contest page on March 28th to find out if they made the semi-finals. Good luck, guys!

Wesleyan Relay for Life

Relay for Life is coming to Wesleyan for the first time THIS SPRING (April 24-25)! It’s time to join and start raising some money for the American Cancer Society!

Visit our website to join or start a team today!

Relay is also looking for those interested in honoring a survivor in their life. There will be a Survivor’s Lap at the start for both survivors and those representing survivors (virtual survivors). The lap will be followed by a dinner and raffle for the survivors and the top 2 teams. If you’re interested in walking with your fellow survivors or participating in the virtual survivorship program then please contact the Survivor Chair: awheeler(at)wesleyan(dot)edu

For more information on Relay for Life see here.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. Although every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back.

Celebrate – The Survivors Lap: Relay starts with a Survivors Lap an inspirational time when survivors and those representing survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we’ve achieved over cancer. The Survivors Lap is an emotional example of how Relay participants are creating a world with more birthdays like those of each individual on the track.

Remember – The Luminaria Ceremony: After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.

Fight Back – The Fight Back Ceremony: Last, there is a Fight Back Ceremony, where we make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer.

No matter where you are, there’s a place for you at Relay and you can make a difference today by signing up online to start your own team or by simply making a donation.

Take a Short Midterm Break to Feed These Fish Please

Don’t feed too much, they’re not terribly hungry.

Tickets still available for Washed Out, Small Black, and Apache Kid at Eclectic

Lineup:
9:00: Apache kid
10:00: Small Black
11:00: Washed Out

Date: Thursday, March 4th.
Time: 9 pm.
Price: Free

Info session: college in prison fellowship

This 12-month, paid Fellowship puts an individual in the position to coordinate and oversee all aspects of the Wesleyan college program at Cheshire Prison. The Center for Prison Education Fellow will work closely with incarcerated students, lead in assessment and fundraising initiatives, and take a primary role in advocating for the re-approval of the Center beyond 2011.

To learn more about this exciting and challenging position, be sure to attend the CPE Fellowship Information Session at Allbritton 103 on Wednesday, March 3rd at 6pm! The application is also available at http://www.wesleyan.edu/cpe and on MyCRC.

Date:   March 3
Time:   6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Place:  Allbritton 103