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The Nation’s Oldest Continuously Published College Weekly Friday, April 13, 2018 Volume 147, Number 21 bowdoinorient.com
College invites 21
students to join
Geoffrey Canada
Scholars Program
For the six weeks before the
by Devin McKinney start of the semester, approx-
Orient Staff
imately 16 students will work
A cohort of Bowdoin stu- on academic enrichment, such
dents from the Class of 2022 as quantitative reasoning and
will arrive on campus six college-level reading skills,
weeks before the start of the while six Bowdoin upperclass-
fall semester as part of the men will act as their resident
recently-announced Geoffrey and teaching assistants.
Canada Scholars Program. This year, the College invit-
The program, named after ed 21 students to join the pro-
the educator and activist, is gram, hoping to yield 16—the
part of the College’s THRIVE same number of students that
initiative, which aims to bet- are in a first-year seminar.
ter support low-income, first Students were selected based
generation and underrepre- on previous academic expe-
sented students. It connects rience, extracurricular inter-
programs such as Bowdoin ests and geographic region,
Advising Program to Support according to Associate Dean
Academic Excellence (BASE), for Academic Affairs Charles
the Bowdoin Science Experi- Dorn. The Office of Academic
ence and the peer academic Affairs and the Office of Ad-
mentoring program. THRIVE missions worked together to
was announced in September pick the students.
after a $5 million donation “This is a program that’s
from Netflix founder and dedicated to four guiding
CEO Reed Hastings ’83. principles: achievement, JENNY IBSEN AND ANN BASU, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
Canada ’74 is the founder
of the Harlem Children’s Zone
belonging, mentorship and
transition for primarily WALK IT OUT: Organized by Anu Asaolu ’19 and Amie Sillah ’20, “What is fashion?” transformed
and a member of the THRIVE
advisory board. Please see SCHOLARS, page 3 the Chapel into a catwalk on Thursday night, featuring thrifted threads from a range of wardrobes.
Looking for advice, prospective students? Six first-year students reflect on their time so far SEE PAGE 9.
N HIT THE LOTTO F QUEER COMMUNITY A POETRY WITH PURPOSE S HEY BATTER BATTER O CALL-OUT CULTURE
ResLife increases options for upperclass Jonah Watt’18 makes space for queerness Amal Kassir speaks out against apathy and After crushing Colby, softball looks toward Helen Ross ’18 on sexual violence on
students in the housing lottery. Page 4. on a heteronormative campus . Page 9. injustice. Page 6. Trinity. Page 12. campus. Page 15.
2 PAGE 2
2 Friday, April 13, 2018
SECURITY REPORT
4/05 - 4/11
STUDENT SPEAK:
Thursday, April 5 Sunday, April 8
What’s the best package you’ve gotten at the
• Excessively loud music was reported on the fourth
floor of Coles Tower.
• A College neighbor complained about student ve-
• Brunswick police cited a minor student walking on
Maine Street for possession of alcohol by a minor (by
consumption).
mail center?
hicles parked along Boody Street and impeding the • An officer checked on the well-being of a minor
flow of traffic. student who had been drinking and was ill in the Zoe Wood ’18
Thorne Hall women’s room.
Friday, April 6
• A parent requested a wellness check for a student
• A student at Brunswick Apartments reported
someone banging on a door at 2:00 a.m. An officer
"My dad tapes cat hair to every let-
after being unable to make contact. An officer found
the student to be safe and in good spirits.
located the student who was responsible for the dis-
turbance and resolved the matter.
ter or package he sends me, without
• A faculty member was briefly stuck in a malfunc-
tioning elevator in Druckenmiller Hall.
• Excessive noise reported at Chamberlain Hall.
• Two students engaged in a physical altercation in a
fail. It’s kind of a nice reminder of
• Smoke from a hair straightener
activated a smoke alarm in
residence hall, resulting in injuries to both.
The incident is under investi-
home ."
Chamberlain Hall. gation. Ava Jackson ’20
• A student-driv- • Students smoking
en College van
scraped a parked
outside of Coles
Tower accidentally "A $20 Amazon vibrator. It’s hot
vehicle in Bruns-
wick.
ignited leaves in
a drainage grate. pink."
• A student A security offi-
reported a sus- cer put out the
picious acting fire with a fire
vehicle on Park extinguisher.
Row near Long- • An officer Atticus Carnell ’18
fellow Avenue. checked on
No law viola-
tions were not-
the well-being
of a student
"Earlier this year I received a well-
ed, but a report
was filed.
at the request
of a concerned
used copy of ‘The Book of God: The
Saturday, April 7
friend. Bible as a Novel’ by Walter Wan-
• Officers checked
on the well-being of an
Monday, April 9
• A damaged wooden
gerin with no return address and no
intoxicated student at Coleman
Hall.
EMMA BEZILLA stair rail was noted at the
north entrance to Helmreich House.
explanation whatsoever. "
• A student at an off-campus gathering reported that • Reports were submitted to the dean’s office on
a champagne bottle fell on her head, causing a bleed- three students who have each accumulated multiple Julio Cesar Palencia ’20
ing laceration. The student was treated for a mild parking violations and hundreds of dollars in fines.
concussion at Mid Coast Hospital.
• Brunswick police cited a student at MyTie for al-
• Administrative and academic building fire drills
were conducted.
"Rattle snake powder. It’s for my
legedly failing to pay a bar tab. At the request of man-
agement, the student was issued a trespass warning.
• A student who is on a leave of absence was found to
be living in campus housing without authorization.
arthritis. "
• A minor student was detained at MyTie for pre-
senting a fraudulent identification card in an attempt Tuesday, April 10
to enter the bar. The matter was turned over to secu- • A student tossing a Frisbee accidentally broke a
rity and a report was filed. window pane at Adams Hall. Alex Withers ’21
• A 21-year-old student was removed from My Tie
after he was observed drinking a brand of alcoholic
beverage that was not sold by the establishment. A
Wednesday, April 11
• A mischievous two-year-old boy pulled a fire alarm
"I don’t get packages. I’m not
security report was filed.
• The unauthorized use of a fog machine caused a
at Hubbard Hall, causing a building evacuation.
• An officer assisted a student who fainted after giv-
loved."
smoke alarm at Reed House. ing blood at a Red Cross blood drive at Smith Union.
What can you buy with your Bowdoin tuition? by Samuel Rosario
Orient Staff
HAVE
’19 and Ben Painter ’19 are trends, promising to “create to counter sexual assault,” said ficulties on BSG and previous
running for president, while programs and events to en- Rock. “We need to reinforce experience as leaders on cam-
Amber Rock ’19 and Nate gage across difference,” by, how students view our social pus. Most candidates shared
DeMoranville ’20 are running for example, connecting class code and [take] responsibili- similar views on these topics.
SOMETHING
for vice president. Candidates’ councils with the Brunswick ty for how students view our Both Painter and Nur ad-
platforms vary from broad Police Department “to foster campus culture.” vocated for mandatory events
goals to shift campus culture better relations between us For his platform, DeMor- for students around chal-
TO SAY?
to demands for more specific and them. And to recreate anville discussed BSG acces- lenging issues such as race
institutional reforms. events like the Teach In to sibility, election reform and relations, sexual assault and
Though Painter and Rock build community.” programming. He hopes to differences of identity, so as
are running on a joint plat- In Painter and Rock’s joint bring back Food for Thought to ensure that all students
form—their faces appear platform, Painter focuses on discussions, host more student engage in these discussions.
together on posters across mental health awareness and panels and encourage more Rock and DeMoranville
SUBMIT AN
1
campus—students are not Rock takes the lead on sexual students to participate in BSG, agreed that the administra-
required to vote for both of assault prevention. both by running for positions tion should take caution when
OP-ED
them. DeMoranville critiqued At the debate on Tuesday, and by attending meetings. inviting conservative speakers
joint campaigns at Tuesday’s Painter proposed establishing “I have a simple goal of in- on campus and should focus
500-700
debate, saying that it was a a working group to “consider creasing student engagement on allowing student opinions
way to effectively double their institutional reform around and satisfaction in student across the political spectrum
WORDS
campaign spending money. how to handle issues such as government,” said DeMoran- to be heard.
Nur centered his platform medical leave, demand for ville. “BSG will come to you. Voting opens online at 8
around creating comprehen- counseling and other services We will hold meetings where a.m. today and closes on Sun-
sive financial aid, re-eval- for students.” students are naturally—places day, April 15 at 8 p.m. Cam-
2
uating curricular policies Rock seeks to establish like 24 College and Kanbar— paigning for the chairs of the
SUBMIT A such as the Exploring Social
Differences (ESD) and In-
specific orientation program-
ming around sexual assault
not always Daggett Lounge.”
A lack of student participa-
BSG Executive Team begins
next Monday and Class Coun-
LETTER TO ternational Perspectives (IP)
requirements and increasing
awareness and prevention and
ensure that all students are in-
tion in BSG affairs has been
previously noted. When BSG
cil campaign will commence
the week of April 30.
THE EDITOR
200 WORDS SCHOLARS the seminar] was: ‘I want to
do it.’ I was excited because
authors.
Dorn noted that the pro-
gram’s directors may decide
to expand it to accommodate
OR FEWER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
it is something I believe in. I gram will work in conjunc- more students.
low-income, first generation was a first-generation student tion with other THRIVE ini- “Bowdoin has been trying
students and students histor- myself, and as a person of col- tiatives. to diversify the student body
Send all submissions to ically underrepresented in
higher education,” said Dorn.
or, I understand the struggles
of being in an environment
“One of the things we’ll be
able to do is essentially con-
for a few years and also to
increase financial support for
orientopinion@bowdoin.edu The students who are part
of the program will also enroll
where you may feel underpre-
pared or you just want more
vene meetings of the directors
of the various programs that
low-income students, so I feel
like this is yet another piece
by 7 p.m. on the Tuesday of in a firstyear seminar together resources, so I see that as part comprise THRIVE and to of the puzzle,” Kong said. “It’s
of different variables.
Violence Prevention and Ed- what has been done,” Douglas tition is by no means an at- so real. People shouldn’t have
ucation Lisa Peterson and Di- said. “Sexual violence is a huge, tempt to circumvent that, or to go through that in order for
rector of Gender Violence Pre- multifaceted problem—I think minimize that, but it’s the idea –Benje Douglas things to change.”
vention and Education Benje it takes a really big concerted that we didn’t want this to be The authors explained that,
Douglas, who oversees the Ti- effort and lots of different vari- a private conversation that was while this process has been
tle IX program at the College. ables and lots of different sta- occurring between me, Sophie, difficult for many people in-
“I was not aware that they ples are involved and invested.” Amber, Eleanor and a couple Violence]. It needs to be every- the importance of remember- volved with the petition, the
were releasing a petition, but Dean of Students Affairs other people.” where.” ing that different avenues are response of the Bowdoin com-
I met with them earlier in Tim Foster explained that The decision to write and Some students expressed empowering for different sur- munity has been encouraging,
the semester,” Peterson said. he was initially surprised to release the petition stems not concern that some of the post- vivors and that formal report- with many students, faculty,
“They had reached out to me hear about the petition, as he from a feeling that Bowdoin ers, which referenced vaginal ing is not the right avenue for staff and alumni reaching out
with some ideas for potential feels there’s a lot of activity at is facilitating an unhealthy and anal penetration in large everyone. to express support.
programming, and so we had Bowdoin already happening culture that is specific to this font sizes, could be triggering “I’m worried that this post- “People really care, they
a couple really robust meet- around sexual assault preven- institution, but rather from the to some survivors of sexual as- er makes it seem that if you really do,” Cowen said. “And
ings to discuss different gaps tion. However, he explained idea that Bowdoin exists with- sault. In an email to the Orient aren’t formally reporting your people have come to us with
that they saw in programming that he understands the con- in a wider society that instills Thursday night, the petition assault, that’s why there are concerns and questions about
… I was really excited about cern that people have that certain norms about gender authors apologized for the po- still assailants on this campus,” parts of the petition, and we’ve
some of the ideas they brought there is not enough mandato- relations in students before tentially triggering content. Necheles said. “It’s no one’s ob- had important conversations
forward. Some of them over- ry programming, and he ex- they come to campus. “We would like to extend a ligation to formally report an with those people, and we defi-
lapped with plans, with hopes pressed that the College could “We live in a rape culture, so sincere apology to those who assault—if you choose not to nitely encourage them to come
this isn’t Bowdoin’s fault,” said were hurt by our posters,” they formally report an assault, you to us if they have any more
has a role.
they can just focus on being a some students were empow- posters that are hung in Smith “We love Bowdoin; we care
student.” ered, we also recognize that Union must be associated with about Bowdoin. If we didn’t
–Amber Rock ’19 While acknowledging the
important work done by exist-
other students were upset and
triggered by this information
a sponsoring organization, ac-
cording to Director of Student
care, if we just thought this
was the way it was and this
ing student groups whose mis- and we failed to fully account Activities Nate Hintze. was how it has to be, then we
sions are specifically related to for their individual wellbeing.” Previously, the petition wouldn’t be doing this,” Burke
that I had for future program- always be doing more with this sexual assault prevention and Another concern that was authors had hoped that the said. “We recognize the power
ming as well, and so provided a issue. supporting survivors, the au- raised was the idea that, while accompanying opportunity that Bowdoin students, Bow-
very nice opportunity to part- “I look forward to actual- thors said that the amount of the petition may be empower- to sign a petition would pro- doin staff, Bowdoin faculty
ner with students in getting ly hearing constructive ideas programming around sexual ing for some survivors, it may vide an avenue for people to have … we’ve seen a lot of
those implemented.” people have because this is a assault that is mandatory for also stir up difficult psycho- channel their emotions into a positive changes happen, and
Douglas feels that the peti- classic place where there are all students is insufficient. logical and emotional reac- contribution toward positive we can just continue and do so
tion is positive in that it con- so many opportunities to do “There are a ton of great tions for other survivors. change. Even so, they acknowl- much more.”
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A
6
Amal Kassir
activist, empathist, poet
speaks out against injustice
agency of her own. window holding our kids, drip- what language you laugh in? The happiness and sadness mean. “I think her perspective on
by Sabrina Lin “Not knowing how to con- ping with blood, praying you’ll human reactions, the smiles and The fact that my family lost their humanity and her discussion of
Orient Staff vince someone [of] the sanctity at least point your cameras at us. cries. What language are the tears families—you know what that her personal turmoil and jour-
There are activists, there are of human life, it renders me very, You lock your doors at night, but when they’re falling from your meant? They didn’t have to live in ney, in both faith and in her own
storytellers and there’s Amal Kas- very powerless. And the reason we’re all afraid of this world … eyes?’” added Kassir. that hell on earth.” role in portraying these issues
sir. Unapologetic in her poignant why I get up on these stages is be- we’re afraid like all mothers … Her work is also deeply rooted Realizing the labels easily in society, was really illuminat-
dissections of humanity, the cause it gives me power, it gives We will never forget the lives we in her history and first-hand sto- ascribed to her because of her ing,” said Emma Greenberg ’18.
Denver-born, Syrian-American me ownership to my voice,” said lost, we will teach our children to ries from members of her family. appearance, Kassir challenges “She talks about devastating and
spoken-word poet calls herself Kassir. “I get to speak and claim pray for your children. We will Outspoken about the tragedies of connotations of Islamophobia horrific things with a very inter-
an “empathist.” Her Thursday my territory.” teach them to say, may we bury war in Syria and frustration with and speaks about her religion esting lens of both her role as an
night performance in Kresge Kassir speaks about individ- the guns like we bury the chil- the refugee crisis, Kassir seeks to with pride and appreciation. American, her role as an activist
Auditorium, sponsored by the uals deeply affected by human dren, say Amen.” communicate the unimaginable “If you want to know where and her role as a human being.”
Muslim Students Association, injustice and systematic abuses With this depiction of grief, weight of human tragedy. Islamic feminism begins, it is this Indeed, what makes Kassir
presented personal recounts on of power. Her poems are made Kassir draws a parallel between “At the end of the day, my verse right here: ‘Heaven is under stand apart is her understanding
war, race and religion. particularly powerful through the footage of Syrian mothers dad lost his sister and we lost your mother’s feet’ ... It’s believed of love and empathy.
Kassir’s name stands for their palpable depictions of pain hugging their kids in tears and 11 members of our family … at the epicenter of our faith, of “I strongly believe that the
“hope” in Arabic, her Syrian and loss, often centered on the the almost identical ones seen When you’re from a war zone our upbringing, of our values.” opposite of peace is not war. The
father’s native tongue. Exposed relationship between mother from Parkland, Florida. The vic- you become a professional at Students appreciated her dis- opposite of love is not hate—it’s
to the strife of war and poverty and child. She opened with a tory of life, according to Kassir, is saying goodbye,” she said. “This tinct perspective and remarked apathy,” said Kassir. “It’s like the
from a young age, Kassir has al- heart-wrenching portrayal of a the most moving universal motif. is the case not just for a place like on the ways in which Kassir ex- heart has its own cognition.”
ways had a strong impulse to ex- mass school shooting. “There’s a verse by Brother Ali Syria … We’re put in a position plored the enduring strength of
press her indignation and assert “We are standing before your … and he says, ‘Can you tell me where we have to redefine what humanity.
The
he N
Next Four Years
We asked six first years to tell us what they wish
they knew before starting at Bowdoin. These are
”
their responses.
compiled by Alyce McFadden and the Orient Staff
I thought
hought I’d just feel really I thought it would be re- Honestly I expected it would At the beginning of the I think when I got to I’ve had a lot more fun this
isolated
ated up here, because
becaus I a
ally difficult transitioning, be tough transitioning from year I felt like a lot of people college first I was kind of year than I was expecting to
greww up in a really suburban/
suburba but more of the sense that
b West Coast to East Coast, were close to their room- self-conscious about what my have. I think there’s some-
urban
an area. I thought that th
the nneither of my parents went to but just in terms of diversity, mates, and I just didn’t have reputation was going to be thing really unique about col-
Maine
ine
ne environment wou would ccollege, so they had no idea the campus community has that. I felt weird about that— or what other people would lege in that it’s separate from
make me feel closed off what to tell me. I was com- provided a versatile student like, was that a me problem? think about me, but then re- the rest of the world. We’re
from the rest of the world or ing here really confused and body. It is diverse enough to Is this a thing I should be alized that I don’t really think these quasi-adults with these
something. Which is kind of scared about how I would be make it feel like I have not working towards? But, I’ve that much about [it]—I don’t quasi-adult responsibilities.
an exaggerated feeling, but able to ... behave myself in really changed surroundings found that I settled into really spend that much time - Aida Muratoglu ’21
’2
when I came here I really felt a way that would allow me but rather travelled to a more friend groups that aren’t nec- thinking about anybody else,
the sense of community on to get through school but varied community, filled with essarily within my living situ- so no one’s thinking about me
campus and it made it feel also to make a lot of friends a variety of perspectives. The ation, which I love, because I that much.
really big. and establish myself here. hardest thing has been the love my friends. - Nick Purchase ’21
Oh, god, I just feel like a But Bowdoin really made an personality of East Coast peo- - Ayana Harscoet ’21
brochure every time I talk. effort to make everyone feel ple—they’re a little bit ruder.
They’ve brainwashed me. welcomed. - Ben Zevallos ’21
- Dylan Bess ’21
- Dan Mayer ’21
Angeles always seemed too Bowdoin didn’t disappoint. green, and then the next day an adventure! It was either Yet, despite all the difficul-
FROM S.A.D. TO SPRING
sunny and perfect—in fact I remember looking around in “Bam!” The trees are dead, take the long way through the ties, I see this entire experi-
the weather in California is so the fall and snapchatting how and now it’s cold. Yay! muddy paths that Bowdoin ence as a cathartic one. Win-
When I was looking at col- perfect that we have a perpet- the leaves were various shades Maybe that’s why I was so cleared, trudge through the ter and fall weren’t necessarily
leges, I placed a very particu- ual problem with droughts. I of red, orange and yellow. It enchanted by the idea of fall deep snow or (my personal horrible—they also had their
lar (almost unreasonable) em- was tired of this, and so I ap- was the wonderful, pictur- and winter—I’ve never lived favorite!) slip and crawl my positives. And although I hat-
phasis on the weather. I wasn’t plied to schools like Bowdoin esque image that I expected. I in an environment like this way across the sheets of ice ed some aspects of it, I learned
looking for anything perfect; where I believed I could expe- didn’t have any of this grow- before. Fall at Bowdoin was that Facilities and the town how to adapt to a harsh envi-
rather I wanted something rience the seasons of which I ing up; the trees at home were incredible—and I believed of Brunswick never seemed ronment. Bowdoin’s environ-
different. The weather in Los was deprived. boring. One minute they’re that winter would be the to clear. Awesome choices, ment made it much easier to
same. Winter conjured right?! adapt to any potential prob-
up the idyllic images But this wasn’t the main lems I might encounter. If I
from the Christmas thing that bothered me. It had issues, I could just use
movies that I watched was the fact that the weather one of the many resources
growing up. When the actually had an impact on my on campus. Surviving winter
first snowflakes fell, I mood. Before I came to Bow- also felt like a group effort—it
was thrilled. doin, I didn’t even know what brought me closer to people.
“Aww! It’s baby’s Seasonal Affective Disorder It allowed me to forge new
first snow!” I remem- was. But after experiencing relationships with the people
ber my roommate my first winter here, I realized with whom I was stuck inside.
saying, as I looked that it was very real—winter I’m now more confident that
around the Quad try- just drains you. It worsens I can actually be “at home at
ing to take pictures of the stress of schoolwork and all lands”—I might not be a
all the snow. I remem- becomes downright depress- true “Mainer,” but I survived
ber saying, “I need to ing. I spent my days doing didn’t I?
take a picture of all homework and excessively Depriving myself of
this before it’s gone!” napping—staying inside be- warmth and sunshine also al-
I was wrong. Within cause the weather was nasty lowed me to better appreciate
a week, a snowstorm outside. After a while I felt the “perfect weather” I took
brought in a few more like I just couldn’t breathe— for granted. I’m not as intense
inches of soft snow. I both literally and figuratively. as those people who pull out
didn’t realize that it The weather made my asthma their shorts and Birkenstocks
would stick around act up and made everything in sunny 39-degree weath-
until April. worse. I felt miserable. er, but I try to study outside
Winter was not as At this point I just wanted whenever it gets to 50.
pleasant as I naively winter to end. I wanted to see Spring is here. And I’m
thought. The beauti- the sun and hang out on the hopeful—but I honestly think
ful white snow that I Quad again. I wanted to cut I’ll still find a way to com-
was so excited about across the Quad. I wanted to plain about it too, especially
turned into this nasty use the diagonal path between since I’m the type of person
mess. It always seemed the Chapel and Gibson again. who sits in the quad for five
to be dark, and I Unfortunately, winter lasts for minutes and comes home
couldn’t go outside a while—especially at Bowdo- with 30 bug bites.
like I used to at home. in where it can snow up until Roither Gonzales is a mem-
ALEX BURNS
Going to class became April. ber of the Class of 2020.
Friday, April 13, 2018 FEATURES 11
DIVERSITY MATTERS
Long division: polarizing parties, formulaic
discussions and their confusing remainders
by Sydney Avitia-Jacques, Sophie Cowen, Hannah Berman & Kayli Weiss
Orient Contributors
This article is the third installment in the Diversity Matters series, in which students from the Diversity in Higher Education
seminar present research based on interviews with 48 seniors.
O
ur analyses of self-segregation These events catalyzed discourse on areas of their lives. To many students, DIANA FURIKAWA
and insufficient race education race, cultural appropriation and campus classrooms were crucial sites of these
at Bowdoin suggest that many structures, and the campus climate grew conversations. To others, talking infor-
students do not understand the impact turbulent and divided as the College mally with friends and peers who were
of racial inequity in their own lives. responded to these issues. For many more engaged in the issues helped alle-
What happens when this manifests in current seniors, this tone defined their viate confusion and illuminate others’
controversy? second year at Bowdoin and has had perspectives. For example, one student the controversies said, “It felt like there and healing to all parties? The frustra-
At the beginning of the Class of 2018’s lasting effects. explained not knowing what cultural were targets on all our backs and every- tion evident in our interviewees’ stories
college careers, three racially charged Our research shows that individu- appropriation was—apart from being one was watching out to see what we more than two years after the “tequila”
controversies occurred on campus over als’ responses to these racially-charged “bad”—until an upperclassman heavily did next … Nobody wanted to say the party is a testament to the controversies’
the course of 15 months. In their first se- controversies cannot fit into simple cat- involved in the discourse explained it. wrong thing.” Similarly, another student enduring sting. What does it mean for
mester at Bowdoin, just before Thanks- egories—they cannot be understood, as Even students implicated in these mentioned fearing their inquiry would so many seniors to graduate with the
giving, the men’s lacrosse team hosted one student said, as “an us-versus-them controversies described experiences that infuriate their peers: “We were all too memories of division still intact? As the
their “Cracksgiving” party, an annual binary.” We found that some students encouraged them to opt into discussions scared to ask people why they were up- class of 2018 prepares to leave Bowdoin,
event at the time where teammates and report learning from the aftermath of about race. One student described their set about it, because all we had seen was so too may the memories of these racial-
their guests dressed up as Pilgrims and these parties and many report feeling team’s conversations with an affinity angry Facebook posts and yelling at the ly charged controversies. Pamela Zabala
Native Americans. The following Octo- discouraged by this series of events. group as “the most productive conver- [BSG] meeting.” One student of color, ’17 explored this issue in her honors
ber, members of the sailing team dressed Students felt pressured to talk about sation we had” because the group was who was in disagreement with members thesis, which we encourage you to read.
up in baggy clothing, one member wear- the parties and were often unsatisfied understanding and did not assume bad of their affinity group, said, “I felt like I Her research revealed incidents of racial
ing cornrows, for their “gangster” party. by their peers’ and administrators’ re- intentions. However, encouraging learn- couldn’t speak my piece without being bias have occurred on average every
Four months later, a group of students actions. We explore how students have ing experiences were not universal. attacked.” 3.5 years since 1964—just about every
threw a tequila-themed birthday party tried to reconcile their lingering frus- A central pattern among students Confusion about the racially-charged time the student body is regenerated.
in an upperclassmen dorm in which trations and find common ground with who mentioned feeling discouraged (63 events was common, but questions were It should not take another “gangster”
some students wore mini sombreros. those whom they perceive to be on “the percent) was the lack of platforms to rarely asked—much less answered—in or ‘“tequila” party for future Bowdoin
While less than half (40 percent) of our other side.” ask questions without feeling punished these structured conversations. Inter- students to care and learn about racial
interviewees mentioned “Cracksgiving,” ••• by their peers. Twenty-three percent viewees felt restricted to specific ways of justice.
almost everyone (92 percent) men- In this climate, many of our inter- of discouraged interviewees expressed talking about the controversies at public How, then, can students learn—as
tioned one or both of the sophomore viewees expressed a desire to resolve unresolved confusion. Students of color discussions and few felt comfortable ex- many said they wanted to—from these
year controversies. their confusion. More than half (58 in particular commonly felt they were pressing their opinions or acting upon moments?
The unique, rapid succession of percent) mentioned encouraging expected to know, care and teach more their confusion. Together, polarization Some of this work starts with the
racially-charged controversies—espe- learning experiences that helped them about cultural appropriation than their and confusion hindered efforts to learn. teams implicated in the controversies.
cially during the 2015-2016 academic understand the controversies. They of- white peers—yet did not always feel pre- Each party was quickly “universally As one sailing team captain shared,
year—engaged students across campus ten noted the value of being able to ask pared to do so. One student explained “I condemned” in BSG resolutions that post-“gangster” party, they met with
in issues of diversity, including many questions openly and form new conclu- still don’t feel like I can do the best job defined cultural appropriation and as- sociology professors and participated
who had before not done so before. sions and ideas they could apply to other explaining to someone why [cultural serted that it was “unacceptable.” Disci- in a facilitated Inter-Group Dialogue
appropriation is] not a good thing.” plinary sanctions by the administration (IGD) with members of the African
Which racially-charged controversies stood out to students? Another student said, “I remember that after the “tequila” party described the American Society. This year, they held
year really realizing that I could say that behavior as “unbecoming of a Bowdoin an IGD program in addition to a team
100% I fit in, in terms of being a person of col- student” and specified punishments for conversation about the “gangster” par-
90% 87.50% or, but, culturally, I’m very white,” indi- implicated students. In this way, Bow- ty to give underclassmen the context
cating that they still felt ignorant about doin officially presented a unified front that prompted the team’s conversations
80% cultural appropriation. maintaining that the incidents were about race. A member of the team said
70% 66.67% Following the “tequila” party, the unacceptable—but as many seniors re- these events “try and emphasize that
60% campus felt polarized, much as it does call, students’ interpretations remained the conversations about race extend be-
to some students today. Fifty-seven per- divided. The administration expected yond the ‘gangster’ party.” In contrast, a
50%
cent of discouraged students mentioned students to understand where to draw member of the men’s lacrosse team said
40% 39.58%
polarization and felt divisiveness. One the line with respect to cultural appro- that he participated in “very productive”
30% student said, “I realized how divided our priation and ethnic stereotyping but stu- discussions after “Cracksgiving,” but the
campus could be in so many ways, but dents did not feel that they knew where team has not participated in any formal-
20%
[after the ‘tequila’ party], I really felt it.” this line was. ly organized discussion about the event
10% Another student explained how the con- This formal denouncement of cul- since. These students were drawn into
0% troversy made Bowdoin feel divided and tural appropriation on a campus where discussions about racial justice because
“Cracksgiving” 2014 “Gangster” Party 2015 “Tequila” Party 2016 felt forced to choose a side. “It was really students generally lack racial education they had to be. Their learning matters,
hard because I could totally see both generated resentment. Attempts by the but the rest of campus must work, too.
sides, so it was almost impossible—I College to respond appropriately to Classes of 2019, 2020, 2021 and
What factors made students opt out felt so divided,” they said. Similarly, one the controversies were often met with 2022, recognize your power and duty
of conversations about race? recalled walking into an open Bowdoin bitterness. First, students in general to learn during your time here. Our re-
Almost all students answered with multiple factors Student Government (BSG) meeting were confused about the nature of and search shows that coursework and class
following the “tequila” party: “I’ll never reasoning for the punishments. Second, discussion on racial inequity can effec-
90% forget this: literally all the minorities some students felt they were disciplined tively teach students about race without
80.00% were on one side of the room and it was without enough explanation of the line burdening students of color. There is no
80%
73.33% all white people on the other side of the they crossed, nor sufficient opportunity reason a Bowdoin student should grad-
70% room,” they said. “I feel like everyone to talk with the group on the other “side” uate without a grasp of institutionalized
60% 56.67% was waiting for me to choose a side.” of the conflict. Some complained of a racism. Consider this as you register for
••• lack of transparency and a focus on as- fall classes. Professors, make teaching
50% Why do students still feel confused signing blame. As one student said, “The these controversies part of the education
40% and divided, despite their desire to find way it was handled seemed like really you provide your students.
a resolution? After the “tequila” party, kind of inflammatory, and [the admin- Seniors, ignorance is no acceptable
30% a number of community forums were istration was] not helping settle disputes excuse. Carry the lessons from these
22.33% 23.33%
20% held on campus by BSG and other of- or create meaningful apologies.” One controversies with you—if you have lin-
13.33% ficial groups, in an attempt to help stu- student described the punishments as gering unresolved confusion, ask your-
10% dents process the controversy. Despite arbitrary. Students talked about pun- self why, and if there is anything you can
0% the purpose of prompting open conver- ishments, polarization and conflict that do to learn. Listen to what your peers
Some other Exhaustion Confusion Perceived Seeing Bowdoin sations and learning, these reactive dis- led to resentment, which ultimately have to say, and consider discussing over
reason from talking divisiveness conversation as structures cussions felt to some students like “echo discouraged them from engaging in and brunch and beyond.
about race meaningless or
ineffective chambers” where the same strong opin- learning from racial dicussions after the Next time, we will close our series
ions were validated and others silenced. events. by looking at what seniors think about
COMPILED BY HANNAH DONAVAN AND DREW MACDONALD. SOURCE: “UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY”.
Students who felt constrained in ••• diversity. We will consider the personal
(BOTTOM): Percentages add up to more than 100 percent because some students structured conversations felt obligated If divisiveness is the one thing stu- meaning of diversity for students and
mentioned more than one factor. “Bowdoin Structures” refers to things such as administrative to maintain “political correctness.” For dents agree on, how can they come to seek to answer why diversity matters at
actions and policies; organized events such as BSG forums, among others. example, one student involved in one of a solution that brings understanding Bowdoin.
S
12 Friday, April 13, 2018
SPORTS
HIGHLIGHT
REEL Softball crushes the Mules, faces Trinity
FIRST ONE by Jason Cahoon
AROUND: The men’s Orient Staff
and women’s track and This past weekend the soft-
field teams opened their ball team climbed the NESCAC
spring season at the standings with an in-conference
Smith Pioneer Invita- sweep against Colby. The Po-
tional with a dominating lar Bears then split both out of
performance, winning 15 conference series against Hus-
individual events and all son University on Sunday and
four relays. Anne McK- University of Southern Maine
ee ’20 won the 5000M on Wednesday, leaving the team
by over 10 seconds with 19-7 (4-2 NESCAC).
a time of 19:19.03, while Bowdoin dominated the Col-
Ben Torda ’18 won the by series, outscoring the Mules
27-1 across the three games. The ANN BASU, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
3000M steeplechase by
over 30 seconds with a first two games were played in
Brunswick, where Bowdoin beat SWEEPING UP: (LEFT):
time of 10:03.86. The Jordan Gowdy ’18 steps
Polar Bears will continue Colby 12-0 in both the first and
up to bat against Colby on
their season today with second games.
Saturday. (RIGHT TOP):
the Bowdoin Spring Kate Hoadley ’20 pitched in Maddie Rouhana ’21 hit two
Invitational at 4 p.m. all seven innings while only al- home runs and four RBI’s
lowing three hits and zero walks against the Mules. (RIGHT
and striking out three batters. In BOTTOM): Natalie
SMASHIN’ IT: The the second game, Sam Valdivia Edwards ’18 congratulates
’19 went 2-for-2 with two runs her teammates.
men’s tennis team
batted in (RBIs). Allison Rutz
improved its record to
’20 pitched five innings while week with a grand total of four After these losses, Bowdoin ing that sweeping the series focuses greatly on time man-
11-0, NESCAC 3-0 after
only allowing five hits and one homeruns, 10 RBIs and hitting looks to come back against Trin- would help them climb to first agement in order to handle this
winning its first home
walk. for extra bases for five of her six ity in a three-game series. place in the NESCAC East. schedule.
match against Amherst
“[Our pitchers] have been at bats. “I think coming off a loss it is “Trinity is always a really “We make sure that they
8-1 this weekend. The very solid all year,” said Head “In years past, we have played very important that we bounce solid team. There is always a re- know their schedules and when
team swept the dou- Coach Ryan Sullivan. “It is nice down to competition, so it was back,” Natalie Edwards ’18 said. ally competitive rivalry because they’re going to have to free time
bles, giving it a lead going into a game and knowing good to see us come out hot and “We have to be hungry, but we both teams are looking to make to get their work done,” he said.
early on in the match. that our pitchers are going to put score in almost every inning,” can’t be anxious and on our the playoffs later in the season,” “We work hard to make sure
The team faces off us in a position where we are go- said Claire McCarthy ’18. heels. We have to relax but we said McCarthy. “We know that that our players have the chance
against Brandeis today ing to have a chance to win that The team followed the Colby also have to want it. So, I think they are going to come at us to be successful in whatever they
at 3 p.m., followed by game.” series by splitting a two-game the message is that the only team full steam ahead, so we have want to accomplish here. Some-
a match against No. 3 Both teams traveled back series with both Husson and that has ever beat is ourselves.” to match that intensity while times that means we make sac-
Middlebury on Saturday to Waterville to play the third University of Southern Maine. This will be an important staying relaxed and trusting our rifices; sometimes that means
at 2 p.m. game the following day, where On Sunday, Bowdoin lost to weekend for the team because it team, without getting in our they make sacrifices.”
Bowdoin defeated Colby again Husson 7-4 but then came back is currently tied with Tufts (4-2) own way.” Bowdoin will play one Friday
13-1. Infielder Maddie Rouhana later in the day to beat the Ea- for second place in the NESCAC One of the largest challenges afternoon game at 4 p.m. On
WORKING HARD: ’21 hit two home runs and four gles 10-1. The Polar Bears did East Division. Meanwhile, Trin- the team faces is fatigue. Cur- Saturday the team will play the
The women’s rugby RBIs. Rouhana’s performance the opposite on Wednesday, first ity (3-0) stands undefeated in rently, the team is playing up- second game at noon, followed
team started its season contributed to her being named beating University of Southern first place. The Polar Bears look wards of five games per week. by the final game of the weekend
at the Brown University the NESCAC player of the Maine 5-2 and then losing 10-4. forward to the challenge, know- According to Sullivan, the team at 2 p.m.
Sorenson 7’s Tour-
nament on Sunday,
1
Except Baxter Basement. You will never—you ought never—feel at home there.
2
Like your mom always says—nothing good happens before 3 a.m.
3
Join the Outing Club. Otherwise, you will only ever see pine trees and overly socia-
ble squirrels. (Watch out—they will steal your muffins.)
4
Never as good an acquaintance as the Moulton card-swipers, though.
5
The Art Museum is a great place to do homework. We’re not sure if there’s actually
any art in there, though.
6
Was your Baxter Basement hook-up named “Art”?
7
Some of your classmates are going to be super smart.
8
Which will in turn make you feel kind of dumb.
9
Next to your OneCard, your spare dining hall mints and the crushing burden of all
of your work.
10
If you get your hands on the keys to HL, please, please let us know. Nothing screams
“academically seriously student body” like a library that doesn’t open until 10:00 am
on weekends.
11
Funded intern$hips, baby.
12
A host or E host? (Hint: they’re in charge of parties and beverage distribution)
13
And not only the people on your first-year floor. We promise.
14
I mean, probably leaders in ResLife eventually. Or a sports captain. Maybe even
editor-in-chief of this very paper. Now that’s real power.
15
From H-L to Thorne (3 minutes); from Moulton to H-L (2 minutes); from Mass
Hall to Thorne (eternity).
16
In the music? In the moment?
Performative nationalism
17
Over mozzarella sticks from the Pub, mostly. KAYLA SNYDER
18
*Coöperate
19
That one day we have a sick darty? Bowdoin-Colby Hockey Game?
20
Five? Three? Depends.
21
Bring your A-game to Bowdoin, sure, but please don’t be one of those people who
Mohamed Nur
Hi friends. My name is Mohamed Nur, and I’m running for Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) president. I have met incredible people at Bowdoin
who inspire me every day to make the communities I enter better off than when I first found them. I believe that there is much work to be done in order to
make Bowdoin more inclusive and dynamic and better for all students.
I am currently the vice president of academic affairs for BSG; I’m a student director for the Center for Multicultural Life and serve as the co-chair of the
Multicultural Coalition. I’m a head residential advisor for ResLife. I’m an active member of the Muslim Student Association and the African American
Society (Af-Am) and served on Af-Am’s leadership board for two years. I have been the student representative on three committees for the College: the
Trustee Committee for Multicultural Affairs, President Rose’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and the Reaccreditation Committee.
It will take all of us to make Bowdoin a better place. This is our moment. I want to ensure that we all can call Bowdoin home. I
want to hear your concerns, and am ready to work alongside you to continue to improve our campus. I hope to gain not just your
vote, but your trust. Thank you for considering my candidacy!
Ben Painter
I hope that BSG can embody compassionate leadership by focusing on issues that improve the happiness of
I hope that BSG can embody compassionate
the students itleadership
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year are mental health and sexual assault prevention.
Nate DeMoranville
Hello, friends! My name is Nate, and I am running to be the vice president of Bowdoin Student Government. I’ve outlined my platform below, and
I truly hope I can count on your vote.
Goal: To increase student engagement and satisfaction in student government.
Game Plan:
• Better programming: signature events like No Hate November will go on without a hitch. At the very least, they will be advertised effectively.
• Increased accessibility: BSG will come to you! On occasion, the Assembly will meet where students are naturally, places like 24 and 30 College, not
Daggett Lounge. I will also fully support the Disabled Students Association (DASA) and its ongoing activism.
• Election reform: no more popularity contests. I will introduce measures to equalize campaigning and encourage more students to run.
Relevant Experience:
• Current president of the sophomore class: This year, my team and I have put together a wonderful semi-formal, a wildly popular spoon
game—elimination—and purchased quarter-zips for our class.
• Former class rep to the BSG: In my first year, I sat on the General Assembly and learned the ins and outs of student government. We
oversaw the Free Flow Campaign and put picnic tables outside of Moulton.
Amber Rock
I’m Amber Rock, and I’m super excited to be running for vice president of BSG with Ben Painter.
I am a current member of BSG’s executive team, the VP of the Class of 2019 and the proud proctor of Moore first floor. Thanks to these experi-
ences, I have a deep understanding of how Bowdoin functions as an institution and would love to continue working with dedicated students, staff
and faculty to improve our community. It was this sense of community and belonging that drew me to Bowdoin three years ago.
I love Bowdoin. I love all the opportunities that it offers its students and want to make certain that students can spend their time and
energy pursuing the activities that are most important to us. Students should be provided with resources by the College to make their lives
as positive as possible, so they can focus on the great things Bowdoin has to offer, rather than problems that can be prevented. Two of the
most significant detriments to the student experience here are problems with mental health and sexual assault.
Nearly every student is affected directly or indirectly by sexual assault. This does not have to be our reality. We have the power to
end sexual assault on our campus. We need to institutionalize resources and prevention education so we can give students the tools to
counter sexual assault. We need to reinforce how we view our social code and take responsibility for shaping campus culture. Students
deserve better, and it is about time we focus on this pertinent issue as a community.
See my running mate and friend Ben Painter’s statement for our plans on mental health. Thank you for your consideration and
remember to vote by this Sunday!
PHOTOS: ANN BASU AND EZRA SUNSHINE, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
Friday, April 13, 2018 OPINION 15
1
Send all submissions to
the most recent issue of the Orient concerning Susan
SUBMIT AN OP-ED
Rice as an Honorary Degree recipient at graduation.
First, the number of communications to the College
disagreeing with the above action hardly constitutes a
“backlash” of alums. Second, this action has certainly 500-700 words orientopinion@
not divided the alums on this issue. This is a gross ex-
aggeration to say the least. Some alums, probably of a
bowdoin.edu by 7pm
conservative political persuasion, certainly oppose this
action. I can certainly understand how this occurred,
on the Tuesday of the
week of publication.
2
but, absent a serious and professional poll, that opinion
is way over the top. Lastly, let me affirm the decision to SUBMIT A LETTER
give this honor to Susan Rice in the strongest possible
way. Ms. Rice has the academic credentials. She has giv- TO THE EDITOR Include your full name
en our country outstanding service, and she is a highly
intelligent and highly successful woman of great stature.
200 words or fewer and phone number.
I know that President Rose and the Board of Trustees
have made an excellent and important choice.
Robert Morrison is a member of the Class of 1952.
APRIL
16 Friday, April 13, 2018
FRIDAY 13
FILM
Screening Adultery: Anna Karenina
in Film
Alexander Burry, associate professor of Slavic and East
European languages and cultures at Ohio State University,
will discuss how four different directors portray the theme
of adultery in their adaptations of “Anna Karenina.” His talk
will examine the role of adultery both in the novel and as a
cultural phenomenon.
Beam Classroom, Visual Arts Center. 1:30 p.m.
PERFORMANCE
An Evening with Comedian Jenny Yang
Jenny Yang, a comedian, writer and actor, will perform
stand-up. This event is a part of Asian Heritage Month pro-
gramming. Yang has made appearances on Comedy Central,
Funny or Die and Whitney Rice. ANN BASU, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
Kresge Auditorium, Visual Arts Center. 7 p.m. JUST FOR KICKS: Maine Inside Out, a group of formerly incarcerted youth committed to dismantling oppression, shared their experiences through
poetry and movement. The group held a workshop in Reed House and then performed in Kresge Auditorium on Wednesday.
LECTURE
A Cappella Performance
SUNDAY 15 WEDNESDAY 18
Bowdoin’s six a cappella groups will perform.
Bowdoin Chapel. 7 p.m.
PERFORMANCE
FILM LECTURE
Dance Show and Workshop “Loving Vincent”
Six groups on campus will perform different styles of dance “Being Green: Mindfulness, Activism
ranging from hip-hop to swing dance. The event will be
“Loving Vincent” tells the story of the mystery surrounding and the Environment”
Vincent van Gogh’s death. The showing is part of Frontier’s Dennis Kiley ’03 will examine the intersection between en-
followed by a workshop. Independent Film Series. Tickets are $7.
Kresge Auditorium, Visual Arts Center. 8 p.m. gaged living, sustainability and mindful practice and discuss
Frontier. 3 p.m. how people can collectively impact the environment.
PERFORMANCE Lancaster Lounge, Moulton Union. 4 p.m.
Office Hours presents “Clayton Rose: A
Life in a Day”
MONDAY 16 THURSDAY 19
President Clayton Rose will join Office Hours for its
improv performance.
Kresge Auditorium, Visual Arts Center. 9 p.m.
SATURDAY 14 TUESDAY 17
Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, will explain how
her organization promotes environmental philanthropic
engagement and how students can get involved.
EVENT Pickering Room, Hubbard Hall. 7:30 p.m.
DISCUSSION
Rep Your Culture Kicking the Stigma LECTURE
Af-Am, SOCA and Africa Alliance will host an event where
students can represent their culture through clothing and
A student panel will discuss aspects of mental health and its Bursurka A Cappella Concert
impact on their performance both in the classroom and Ursus Verses and Boka will come together to sing in a
other items. athletics.
Russwarm African American Center. 10 p.m. biannual a cappella concert.
Shannon Room, Hubbard Hall. 7 p.m. Bowdoin Chapel. 8:30 p.m.