Dartlog

Back in the Swing of Things

2009-01-03T15:27:00.002-05:00

Academia is a strange, surreal place:

Of course, not every sexual exchange at an academic conference ends with both parties happy. Israel Reyes, an associate professor of Spanish at Dartmouth College, noted that some of the sex (or attempts to get sex) at academic conferences is sexual harassment.

The whole article ('Tricks of the Trade') is pretty good for a chuckle.

Sad News

2008-12-14T20:56:00.003-05:00

I hate getting emails like this so close to the holidays. Prayers go out to his family.

Dear Members of the Dartmouth Community:

With great sadness I regret to inform you that we have learned of the death of Cody Lavender, a Dartmouth junior, who was studying in Edinburgh, Scotland on a Foreign Study Program (FSP).

We have expressed our deepest sympathies to his family.
The College is now reaching out to students in the FSP and other members of the community to offer counseling resources. Counseling resources are available on campus in person, or by phone for those not on campus, 24 hours a day. We will be looking after each other.

The authorities are investigating. The death is not being treated as suspicious. We have no other official information at this time.

Sincerely,

Tom Crady
Dean of the College

Reiko Ohnuma, Part 2

2008-12-03T10:09:00.003-05:00

Further examination of Reiko Ohnuma's Facebook profile has dug up a few more gems:

* On co-professor Clarence Hardy: "Reiko is co-teaching this term with a black colleague...whose mind is no longer on the stupid class."
* On grading papers: "Reiko has nothing interesting to say about these damn papers, but better think of something quick."
* On her course load: "Reiko shouldn't be teaching Religion 1 nine years in a row, because it's getting pretty old at this point."
* On the religion department: "some day, when i am chair, we're all going to JOG IN PLACE throughout the meeting. this should knock out at least half of the faculty within 10 minutes (especially the blowhards) & then the meeting can be ended in a timely manner." (emphasis ours)
* Lastly, with a bit of irony, she posts a Salon article about facebook: "Professionals over 30 have joined the networking site in droves, but with great convenience can come great embarrassment."

Again, pictures, in case she closes her profile:

Dartmouth Professor Uncensored...

2008-12-02T13:26:00.006-05:00

As just about any college student knows by now, posting embarrassing things on Facebook or MySpace can have serious repercussions: taunts and ridicule, lost job opportunities, and even legal action.

However, this lesson has sadly been lost on Religion Professor Reiko Ohnuma. Her Facebook profile is littered with quotes, revealing deep insight into her teaching style:

* "Reiko doesn't know how to explain what 'modernity' is & isn't entirely clear herself."
* "(to a facebook friend) 'I'm now going to shamelessly plagiarize your language.'"
* "Where is Wikipedia when you really need it? The Wikipedia article on modernity SUCKS."
* "Yeah, I saw that page already. Thank fucking God for the Internet."

The next day:
* "Reiko faked it with aplomb."
* "yeah, but i feel like such a fraud...do you think dartmouth parents would be upset about paying $40,000 a year for their children to go here if they knew that certain professors were looking up stuff on Wikipedia and asking for advice from their Facebook friends on the night before the lecture?"

That's a very good question, Reiko. What do you say, Dartmouth Parents, Students, Alumni, and others?

Presidential Generosity

2008-11-28T23:27:00.003-05:00

This little gem popped up in the final paragraph of an article about the upcoming Men's Soccer match against Boston College.

Admission for Dartmouth students has been paid for by President Wright but students will need to show a Dartmouth ID.

I can't decide whether this is a bit of hyperbolic fluff or a last-ditch effort to get on everybody's good side at once.

New Indian Store Online!

2008-11-24T20:22:00.002-05:00

The Dartmouth Review invites all of its readers to visit our new Indian Store, featuring re-designed T-shirts, mugs, mousepads and more!

Click here to visit the new store

Thanksgiving Wishes

2008-11-24T11:37:00.002-05:00

This type of thing never ceases to amuse me. Happy Thanksgiving, readers!

From: Sustainable Dartmouth
Subject: *Have a Happy, Sustainable Thanksgiving!*
To: (Recipient list suppressed)

Dear Dartmouth,

Now is the time to give thanks for our friends, family, and mother earth! This Thanksgiving, show your gratitude and appreciation for the environment by:

1. Buy local, organic ingredients for your Thanksgiving meal.

2. Try to include more vegetarian courses in the Thanksgiving meal.

3. Recycle all of your empty cans, glass jars, and plastic containers and if possible, compost all food scraps. Recycle your leftovers through your body.

4. Save energy by planning ahead so that you can bake multiple dishes at the same time if they require the same baking temperature. Eat by candlelight!

5. Get creative with leftovers and sustain that Thanksgiving feeling for the next few meals. = D

6. Give thanks for the resources and labor that went into creating your celebration.

7. Burn off some of those extra calories or justify another piece of pie by taking a walk outside and appreciating the beauty of the natural world.

8. In your spare time, consider applying for a new, interdisciplinary internship:

Ecological Identity Internship
The internship will examine socially constructed elements of ecological identity, drawing on theories of ecofeminism to explore how gender and other constructions of identity shape how humans interact with the environment. We are recruiting applications for both Winter and Spring terms - applications due Dec 5th! This pilot internship is part of an exciting collaboration between the Sustainable Living Center and the Center for Women and Gender. For more information and the application go to http://www.dartmouth.edu/~slc/intern.html. Blitz questions and applications to Margi Dashevsky.

Have a peaceful, happy, and sustainable Thanksgiving break!

~Sustainable Dartmouth

TIm Geithner '83 to Head Treasury

2008-11-23T22:34:00.002-05:00

Last Friday, Barack Obama announced that Timothy Geithner, Dartmouth '83, will be his nominee for Treasury Secretary. It is notable that, succeeding Henry Paulson '68, Geithner will be the second consecutive Dartmouth alum entrusted with rescuing our troubled economy — in what many are calling the most powerful job in the world right now. Perhaps Dartmouth's "corporate culture" isn't such a terrible thing?

New Issue Online

2008-11-18T13:47:00.004-05:00

The latest issue of The Dartmouth Review is now online, focusing on John Sloan Dickey

* Editorial: Dickey's Beloved Example

* A look at the Dickey Center

* The War and Peace Center: Part of Dickey's Legacy

* TDR's Presidential Symposium

* The Stem Cell Debate at Dartmouth
* Week In Review and Last Word

And Much More!!!

Rumor Has It

2008-11-18T13:42:00.002-05:00

That Allie Lowe '10 is going to be Editor of the D next year.

Best Wishes.

UPDATE: Rumor Confirmed, Allie Lowe '10 is the new Editor in Chief

Obamamania at Dartmouth

2008-11-05T16:09:00.002-05:00

Disturbing.

America Got the President it Deserves

2008-11-05T15:04:00.000-05:00

Or: Election Open-Thread

War and Peace Issue Online

2008-10-31T16:26:00.004-04:00

The latest issue of The Dartmouth Review, featuring history, interviews, and commentary on the topic of War and Peace, is now online. Coverage includes:

* The Laurelled Men of Dartmouth who have served throughout history, and four Dartmouth students/alumni answering the call right now
* The Case for Bob Barr; The Case for the Causal Theory of Perception
* Pulitzer prize winner John Burns talks Iraq at the College; gives an exclusive TDR Interview to boot
* Emily Esfahani-Smith on the foreign policy career path; TDR interviews former CENTCOM commander General Abizaid
* Naturally, the Week in Review, and The Last Word.

Sununu Surging

2008-10-28T18:47:00.001-04:00

Having met the man and seen his record, I am hoping that this pans out and at least the Granite State does its part to deny Obama his supermajority.

Homecoming Issue Online

2008-10-26T00:12:00.003-04:00

Our latest issue of The Dartmouth Review, celebrating homecoming, is now online. Top stories include:

* A History of Dartmouth Nights, including why one should, nay, must rush the field.
* The editorial take on the Presidential Search, and a tragic blow-by-blow of the student forum
* Why Jeffrey Hart is supporting Barack Obama.
* The Rugger's Roundup and the latest Indian Football update
* Why Socrates was not black
* Per Usual, the week in review and the last word on the subject.

Dartmouth

2008-10-17T00:55:00.002-04:00

Something less divisive, as Homecoming is a time for the Dartmouth family to recognize that our bonds are stronger than our disagreements.

And it's really cool to watch.

Parity Politics

2008-10-12T21:16:00.002-04:00

The Hanover Institute, a non-profit corporation with an interest in maintaining parity on Dartmouth College’s Board of Trustees, issued a full page advertisement in The Dartmouth on Friday, making it clear that they will continue the fight for alumni influence on the Board. While the Association of Alumni claims to be negotiating to gain more alumni trustees, the Hanover Institute remains skeptical of the Board’s reciprocity in the matter. The potential for another law suit, this time filed by individuals, remains on the table.

We call upon the Board of Trustees to affirm the right of parity – the right of alumni to elect one-half of the non ex-officio members of the board – at their November 7-8 board meeting.

If they are unable to do that, then any “negotiations” between the Board and alumni are clearly futile.

WFB's Son To Vote Obama

2008-10-11T04:16:00.003-04:00

So in the event anyone notices or cares, the headline will be: “William F. Buckley’s Son Says He Is Pro-Obama.” I know, I know: It lacks the throw-weight of “Ron Reagan Jr. to Address Democratic Convention,” but it’ll have to do.

Christopher Buckley explains.

Nader Neglected

2008-10-07T13:20:00.003-04:00

Ralph Nader, the quadrennial third-party presidential candidate, held what could be loosely defined as a “campaign rally” at Dartmouth College on Monday. Despite the on-campus popularity of environmentalism and consumer advocacy, two of the central issues in Nader’s largely overlooked run for the White House, the event was not well attended.

As The Dartmouth reported, Nader, visibly perturbed by the lack of interest, took shots at the quality of the college’s political discourse and its conservative reputation.

Nader noted that fewer than 10 of the approximately 40 audience members appeared to be Dartmouth students. He criticized the “sterile political debate at Dartmouth,” adding that the College is known as the most conservative school in the Ivy League.

Questions for Professor Hart

2008-10-06T15:03:00.003-04:00

This week, I will be interviewing Professor Hart about the elections (and his support of Barack Obama) for our upcoming issue. If any Dartlog commenters would like to suggest questions for Prof. Hart, they can be left in the comments section.

Latest Issue Online

2008-10-05T07:06:00.003-04:00

The Latest Issue of The Dartmouth Review is now online, focusing on the issue of religion and spirituality on campus. Highlights include:

* A History of the Tucker Foundation
* Ending the Secular Crusade by Emily Esfahani-Smith
* The Return of Prof. Rosenstock-Huessy, commentary by Jeffrey Hart
* A TDR Exclusive Interview with BC's Peter Kreeft
* A History of the Review; A Pea-green's take on his first week
* The Last Word on the subject

TDR and Technology

2008-10-04T16:20:00.002-04:00

As Web Editor of The Dartmouth Review, I will begin to provide insight into Technology here at Dartmouth, and in the nation as a whole. New student start-ups, changes in the Dartmouth network infrastructure, and national debates on such topics as Network neutrality and software patents - all will be fair game. I hope to appeal to the geekier side of Dartmouth, of which I am unabashedly a member.

To kick it off, I'd like to provide a shot of what was undoubtedly one of more light-hearted moments of Thursday's debate.

Vice-Presidential Debate

2008-10-02T23:28:00.007-04:00

About two and a half hours ago, liberals everywhere tuned in to the Vice Presidential debate, already relishing the anticipated rout. Even some pessimistic conservatives expected Joe Biden to talk circles around Sarah Palin. However, the debate didn’t quite go that way, although Joe Biden's ability to talk in circles remains unquestioned.

Governor Palin held her own. She didn’t always answer the moderator’s questions, but neither did Biden (or any candidate in debate history). She also failed to refute the Delaware Senator’s devastating insinuations that John McCain believes in the free market. She did, however, demonstrate an understanding of national issues, the very thing she has been so frequently accused of lacking.

The debate probably didn’t achieve any spectacular conversions; those who prefer liberal ideas will still prefer Obama/Biden. But swing voters who doubted Palin’s competence at the national level can set those doubts to rest.

2008 Dartmouth Clery Report

2008-10-01T01:36:00.003-04:00

The Dartmouth Department of Safety and Security today released their 2008 Annual Security Clery Report, detailing various crime rates, specifically crimes committed by students and those that occurred on Dartmouth property. Not much was new in the document besides 2007's numbers. Highlights include:

We appear to have stamped out arson on campus, with no occurrences in '06 or '07!
Dartmouth campus still murder-and-manslaughter free! Take that, Yalies!
Alcohol-related arrests down 40% since '05 - alcohol-related disciplinary action down almost 50%! (Debate: does this make the '11s the worst class ever?)
No gun law violations (not that there's really any gun laws to violate here in NH)
Burglary, drug law arrests/violations all holding even
A slight up-tick in sexual offenses (14 in '05, 13 in '06, 19 in '07)

Bailout-palooza

2008-09-29T22:03:00.002-04:00

Paul Hodes, our Democratic Representative here in Hanover, opposed the bill today. Perhaps the dartlog commentators would like to weigh in on the deal as well?