Amid the recent debate over reforming Student Assembly, the organization should be praised for launching the Student Government Task Force to scrutinize the structure of student government at Dartmouth. The reform group has a real potential to significantly change the Assembly and improve its effectiveness as an organization that serves students. It is a little worrisome that the body choosing the makeup of this group is a body of students deeply involved in Student Assembly — the Assembly’s Membership and Internal Affairs Committee — but such a setup will not preclude the group from being effective so long as MIAC acts appropriately. In selecting the eight panel members from the larger student body over the coming days, MIAC should remember to seek out independent voices. No one on the task force should have a personal interest in preventing reforms in the Assembly. For example, it would be inappropriate for a current member of the Assembly’s executive committee to serve on the task force, as the task force will undoubtedly examine both the existence of and the selection for each executive position. An independent council will prove most effective and Dartmouth students will be better off for it.
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The staffs of Facilities, Operations and Management, Dartmouth Dining Services, Safety and Security, along with the other “essential” College employees who made it to work Wednesday, deserve recognition. They were the unsung heroes of the College’s “snow day.” The all-too-often unappreciated College workers came through to make the students’ day in the snow an enjoyable and manageable one. While the College was closed for all “non-essential” staff on Wednesday, the staff of FO&M and DDS reported to work and truly demonstrated their vital role at Dartmouth. While students were sledding, playing snow football and drinking hot chocolate, the tireless efforts of FO&M allowed students to get to classes, the library and dining halls by quickly clearing sidewalks and plowing parking lots. DDS workers braved the snow to allow for the special Valentine’s Day menu to be offered as planned. If not for their dedication, students would not have been able to finally enjoy the winter wonderland that is so central to the Dartmouth experience.
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Dartmouth students finally have something better than two-cup, solitaire and masturbation to curb the vicious boredom of winter in Hanover. The popular website BoredatBaker.com, has arrived as an oily fountain of campus dialogue-cum-college mischief where nobody is safe. The site defines itself as a place where students “say anything without having to conform to social norms or societal expectations,” by posting anonymous statements. Then it is left to the Dartmouth public to view and judge the site’s content as “thumbs up,” “thumbs down” or “newsworthy.” Bored at Baker has become a place where we can embarrass our friends, denounce our foes, plead for sex and be offensively provocative. But on a campus divided about the merits and limitations of free speech, Bored at Baker has the potential to be a genuine outlet for us to share honest thoughts amongst ourselves if it is not ruined by insensitivity and cowardice first.
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The College’s war on alcohol continues unabatedly; zero tolerance seems to be the order of the day.
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By
Dale Turner, Professor, Native American studies and government
To the Editor:
With all that has been going on over the past few months why did Nathan Bruschi ‘10 (“Affirmative Action Too Skin Deep?,” Feb. 13) choose to publish his inflammable thoughts now?
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To the Editor:
As a former athlete, I can appreciate the facilities and scheduling constraints faced at Leverone Fieldhouse (“Leverone Field House hosts a host of Big Green athletes,” Feb. 14). Add me to the list of supporters for a bubble over Memorial Field. The article noted the benefits that a temporary winter facility has provided for winter sports at Boston College. While the success of the athletic program at the Jesuit Ivy cannot be denied, a more compelling example is located a few miles from Boston College, at another Ivy League school. Even that school, with its limitless land holdings and endless endowment, has built a temporary bubble into its historic football stadium. In spite of the objections raised by some traditionalists, the bubble has received universal praise by the athletes such facilities are meant to serve.
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