Freshman Press

WU FOOTBALL
SPORTS, PAGE 5
HIDDEN GEMS
SCENE, PAGE 3
CAMPUS PHOTOS
PAGE 8
Freshman Press
Students
support
proposed
Bar and
Grill
ANDREW SCHEINMAN &
PENG SHAO
NEWS REPORTERS
PHOTOS BY NNEKA ONWUZURIKE | STUDENT LIFE
The new South 40 Dining Center offers several
comfortable chairs around a fireplace. The new
Bear’s Den was finished was over the summer
and offers many different dining options such as
pizza and the new Indian station.
Revamped Bear’s Den provides
more choices for student dining
SAAD ADNAN KHAN
NEWS REPORTER
The new Bear’s Den eatery is finally
open and offers a wide range of food,
from Mongolian cuisine to Indian street
food that everyone in the campus can
enjoy.
Students have flowed into campus
since Aug. 15. And the well-lit cafeteria
in South 40 House provides them with a
diverse palate of food.
Sophomore Francis Wu says that he
spent all of his meal points at Subway last
semester, but this semester he plans to
spend them at a new dining place.
“It feels like everyday I’m not going to
starve because there are so many options
and all the options are so good,” Wu said.
Bear’s Den, the main dining location
in South 40 House, offers old and new
stations alike, such as Mongolian grill,
tandoori chicken, pasta, pizza, kosher
food, a tacqueria and a grill and sandwich
station. Many items on the menu at Bear
Grill change each semester. The Tandoor
station is there to offer students different
sorts of spicy Indian curry. Very soon, it
will also include Indian street snacks in
the menu, such as crunchy tangy chaats
and pani puris.
To relieve the taste buds after
consuming hot spice, students can
always go to the Bakery, where they can
treat themselves to pastries and sweets
made by Starr Murphy, a graduate from
Washington University Law.
Nadeem Siddiqui, the resident district
manager of Bon Appétit, recommends
the salad bar at the South 40 and Ibby’s
restaurant at DUC for athletes. They can
get large size meals and eat as much as
they want to at these places.
Siddiqui also welcomes all new
students and offers advice to those from
abroad.
“Come see me. I can totally relate to
it,” he said with a laugh. He would be
happy to help international students plan
and budget their meals. Moreover, he
advises students with dietary restrictions
Though Washington University in
St. Louis dropped one step in the U.S.
News & World Report’s Best National
Universities rankings, Chancellor Mark
Wrighton remains confident in the
University’s quality of education and
community.
Before the new report was released,
Wash.U. was ranked 12th, but in the
newest report, it was moved to 13th.
Northwestern University and the
University of Chicago again placed
just ahead of Wash.U., while Brown
University, Cornell University and Rice
University have repeatedly been placed
just behind. Previously, Johns Hopkins
University has placed behind, but is now
tied with Wash.U.
U.S. News & World Report ranks
colleges based on a variety of factors,
including graduation rate, undergraduate
academic reputation, freshman retention,
faculty resources, student selectivity,
financial resources and alumni giving
rate. Having studied and taught at two of
the top 10 schools according to this list,
Wrighton feels that Wash.U. is among the
best schools in the country.
“We have great faculty, great students
and great facilities,” Wrighton said. “The
rankings will be fine.”
Wrighton feels that students “fulfill
interests that are related to their academic
program but also to the community,” and
is, in that manner, confident in students’
abilities. He believes that if students keep
contributing to the community, Wash.U.
will continue to be one of the world’s best
universities.
Despite the drop, this year’s freshman
class is larger than any previous incoming
class, with approximately 1600 freshmen.
“We had more say yes to us than
anticipated,” Wrighton said.
However, despite the notable increase,
Wrighton is not concerned at the capacity
of the facilities and resources. He doesn’t
expect a major difference in the size
of classes or on-campus activities, yet
changes were made in order to facilitate
these students. The city of Clayton has
approved Wash.U.’s request to allow more
students to live on the South 40, which
was previously not legal.
Even though more freshmen are
SEE BAR, PAGE 2
Freshman
class numbers
record high
JACK CHONG
NEWS REPORTER
SEE FOOD, PAGE 2
Wrighton remains confident
despite drop in rankings
ANDREW SCHEINMAN
PENG SHAO
NEWS REPORTERS
Students may now have a place to enjoy
late night programming and deep fried
food on campus.
This summer, Student Union proposed
adding a bar and grill in the basement of
Umrath Hall, where Subway used to reside.
“Students approached us last year about
getting a bar on campus,” Student Union
President Morgan DeBaun said.
Over the summer, a survey was sent
to students and received overwhelming
support, with 97 percent of over 1100
students responding positively. This
nearly unanimous response convinced the
administration to negotiate the project.
“The numbers were impressive,” said
Steve Hoffner, associate vice chancellor
for operations. At the moment, the project
is still in its infancy. DeBaun, Hoffner
and Nadeem Siddiqui, the resident
district manager of Bon Appétit, are still
anticipating further development but are
waiting for a completed design of the
space.
The proposal outlines a late night bar
and grill managed by both the Student
Union and Bon Appétit, with a unique
menu and nightly programming, such as
musical guests. According to the Student
Union survey, students would prefer a new
dining location that offers authentic grill
food, such as hamburgers, chicken wings,
and deep fried food. According to Siddiqui,
enrolled this year than ever before, the
University has continued its commitment
to socioeconomic diversity.
According to Wrighton, the University
has been more “proactive in supporting
students from different backgrounds,” and
he continues to “make Wash. U. accessible
and affordable to large community.” The
University has been trying to tighten
internal spending in order to provide
more financial aid to students from
underprivileged families.
In the past, the University would give
loans to these families, but Wrighton
recognizes that families with a combined
yearly income of less than $60,000
cannot handle a loan of that sort. With
its “Opening Doors to the Future: The
Scholarship Initiative for Washington
University,” scholarship program initiated
last year, the University intends to provide
scholarships, replacing loans. With the
combination of smaller loans, scholarships
and work/study programs, Wrighton
hopes the University will see even more
socioeconomic diversity, giving everyone
the opportunity to attend Wash.U.
regardless of background.
Wrighton expects this year’s freshman
class “to be great.”
The class of 2014 boasts the largest
freshman class to date as more students
chose to accept their offer of admission to
Washington University than ever before.
“Our freshman admission target was for
a class of around 1500.” Julie Shimabukuro,
director of admissions, said.
However, this year the number of new
freshmen entering the gates of Wash. U.
creeps just over 1600 students, and with
the addition of study abroad students the
number of new students on campus this year
is close to 1700. The admission rate remains
relatively unchanged at around 20%, but this
year more students that were accepted opted
to take the offer of admission, resulting
in a class more than 100 students over the
estimate.
No students were admitted off of the
waitlist.
In addition to having the largest
freshman class ever, this year also saw the
most applicants in Wash. U. history. 25,000
students applied to Wash. U. and competed
for the few spots available.
The unusually large freshman class was
not without its consequences.
“Our first job was to make sure we had
housing for the incoming freshmen, but
Residential Life and the academic schools
did a great job of accommodating all our
freshman,” Shimabukuro said.
Several logistical problems accompanied
the class’s unexpectedly large size.
Residential Life was faced with housing
more freshmen than planned, and decided
to reopen Rutledge, which was traditionally
SEE ADMISSIONS, PAGE 2
2 STUDENT LIFE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
Approximately how many times would you
go to the proposed Bar and Grill?
Every other weekend
(Th-Sat)
20% (227)
U
ST
F
YO
STU
TES
DEN
R
U
O
T L IF E , S
TATISTICS C
D
EN
3 to 25 this semester. Students can also
enjoy buffets during the Diwali festival on
campus.
Most of the chefs who work on campus
are graduates from Culinary Institute of
America.
“They are passionate about food and
taking care of the students,” Siddiqui
said. He also mentioned that there will
be a cooking club, starting this semester,
“Cooking with Julia,” hosted by a student.
ION
and food allergies to talk to the chefs any
time at the cafés. Students can make an
appointment with the campus dietitian to
plan proper meals.
There will also be many opportunities
for free food at special events at the
University. Moonlight Breakfast, which is
a traditional event, takes place before the
final exams each semester. Floor dinners
have been formalized with addition of
College Hall and will occur from Sept.
BAR FROM PAGE 1
TU
N
FOOD FROM PAGE 1
Once or twice a week
48% (553)
YA
NG
|
Every other week
14% (161)
AR
Y
Every other day
13% (144)
C
BY
RT
HA
M
Everyday Never
3% (31) 2% (26)
greasy food will draw the upperclassmen
from The Loop to main campus for late
night food and drinks.
DeBaun feels that a late night bar
and grill on main campus will attract
upperclassmen of age to stay on campus
and out of the community late at
night. In addition, she believes that the
establishment will revive the late night
scene on main campus for students who
live off-campus.
At this time, only campus card points
and cash would be accepted at the
location, as meal points would earn no
additional revenue and create a deficit in
the new establishment.
“For a campus of this size, we already
have too many dining locations,” Hoffner
said. He added that as long as the Student
Union can ensure that the establishment
would at least break even, the project will
succeed. The administration would not
subsidize the losses.
Almost ten years ago, a bar and
grill called the Umrathskeller, or more
commonly, the Rat, added to the nightlife
on campus. Students flocked in for Rat
Night each Thursday, and the bar was
packed wall to wall. However, after
realizing that the bar provided underage
students with alcohol, the administration
strengthened restrictions on it. The Rat
then collapsed, as underage students
could no longer be served alcohol, and
attendance severely dropped.
In order to prevent a repeat of the
Rat’s downfall, the bar and grill would
“focus on programming…not on beer,”
according to Siddiqui. In addition, the
bar and grill would only serve beer as an
alcoholic beverage.
Both Hoffner and DeBaun agree that
students will be respectful of the campus
and other students when drinking on
campus.
“It’s a choice individual students have
to make,” Hoffner said, “and students are
very respectable of the campus.”
ADMISSIONS FROM PAGE 1
a sophomore dorm. Rutledge will be a
substance-free living space.
Additional Washington University
Student Associates (WUSAs) were trained
so that the student-to-WUSA ratio would
remain consistent with previous years.
Some adjustments had to be made
to freshman orientation as well. The
Fieldhouse in the Athletic Complex will
be unable to hold all of the parents and
students, so a live video feed will be made
available to those who won’t fit.
Despite the large incoming class, the
orientation program will remain the same
as previous years, and incoming freshmen
can look forward to a fun-filled weekend
at the Wash. U. orientation.
Not only is the freshman class
exceptionally large, it is also extremely
diverse.
“Right now, in terms of general
diversity, we’re trying to make it as diverse
a class as possible,” Shimabukuro said.
The class features students from all 50
states, and also includes 109 international
students who traveled from places such
as China, Korea, Myanmar, Trinidad,
Ecuador and many more. This number
of international students is slightly lower
than the number from the class of 2013
but is much larger than those of previous
years.
“I think that international students
bring a different kind of perspective.
I hope that they can learn from our
domestic students and that our domestic
students can learn from them,” said Kathy
Steiner-Lang, assistant vice chancellor and
director of OISS.
The record number of students can
also be attributed to the school’s financial
aid. This year, Wash. U. was able to offer
financial aid to all qualified students.
“The recession was bound to have
affected students’ decisions to apply for
need-based financial aid. The University
remains committed to make sure students
have the financial resources they need
to not only enroll as freshmen, but to
continue their studies through graduation
– no matter what turns the economy
takes or how it affects their families,” said
William Witbrodt, director of Student
Financial Services.
GRACE FUNG | STUDENT LIFE
PHOTOS BY LAUREN PATRICK AND NNEKA ONWUZURIKE | STUDENT LIFE
Parents and students walk toward Brookings Quad during a tour. This year’s freshman
class includes more than 1600 students.
Kate Gaertner
editor in chief
Hana Schuster
senior scene editor
Katie Sadow
design chief
Perry Stein
director of training
Josh Goldman
associate editor
Percy Olsen
Stephanie Spera
senior cadenza editors
Evan Freedman
design editor
Johann Qua Hiansen
Evan Wiskup
directors of image &
relations
Paula Lauris
Shayna Makaron
Dan Woznica
managing editors
Michelle Merlin
senior news editor
AJ Sundar
senior forum editor
Alex Dropkin
senior sports editor
Puneet Kollipara
enterprise editor
Matt Mitgang
photo editor
David Seigle
senior online editor
Erin Mitchell
senior graphics editor
Freshman Press
Participants
designers
Rachel Noccioli
copy chief
Puneet Kollipara
Freshman Press
Participants
copy editors
Brittany Meyer
director of multimedia
Andrew O’Dell
general manager
Sara Judd
advertising manager
Copyright 2010
Washington University
Student Media, Inc.
(WUSMI). Student Life
is a financially and
editorially independent,
student-run newspaper
serving the Washington
University community.
Our newspaper is
a publication of
WUSMI and does not
necessarily represent
the views of the
Washington University
administration.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
STUDENT LIFE
scene
3
Hidden gems of Wash. U.
10 must-visit locations
From left: The law school and Louderman libraries, the KWUR studio, and the Goldberg Formal Lounge.
ALIEZA SCHVIMER
SCENE REPORTER
While acclimating to the geography
of Wash. U., freshmen should know that
there is more to each building than bricks,
windows, and—in the case of Elliot Hall—a
more modern approach of concrete. Here
are the less obvious places within those
buildings that will help us adapt to our
home for the next four years.
The Goldberg Formal Lounge,
located on the second floor of the DUC, is
a nice place to relax. The room is well lit,
generally quiet, and students can be found
napping on couches. For music lovers,
there is also a Steinway piano located in
the lounge—available by reservation. The
fireplace situated on the far wall of the
room adds to the intimate environment.
The Ann W. Olin Women’s Building
is home to many different student groups
and activities. KWUR, the campus radio
station, has its studio in the basement in
PHOTOS BY SAM SCHAUER, GRACE FUNG &
NNEKA ONWUZURIKE | STUDENT LIFE
back, its walls filled with thousands of
albums and CDs. Dancers will find that
the Women’s Building proves perfect with
its multiple dance studios of various sizes.
Student Records is located in the building
for freshmen who have yet to take their ID
pictures.
The Observatory, located on top of
Crow Hall, can be accessed through the
south door Monday through Thursday
from 8 to 10 p.m. With the large telescope,
students are welcome to gaze at the stars,
and it is even possible to view the arch and
city lights at night.
When it comes to needing quiet studying
time, the Law School Library, though often
intimidating for underclassmen, is ideal.
Silence pervades the area, and the graduate
students’ glances, though uninviting, pay
homage to the studious atmosphere.
Windows surround the top floor of
Olin Library. The natural light that filters
through creates a comfortable and quiet
setting for studying. If you are interested in
history, the bookshelves on the third floor
are lined with the library’s collection.
Located in Eads Hall, Holmes Lounge,
with its extravagant, red décor, has an
array of made-to-order carvery wraps and
paninis. Housing the well-known “Jazz at
Holmes” every Thursday night from 8-10
p.m., the lounge is a nice place to relax
and study while listening to live music.
The room, which housed the Queen’s
jewels during the St. Louis World’s Fair, is
beautifully decorated.
The basement of Village House has
multiple study rooms and classrooms,
which are great places for student groups
to meet. The Black Box Theatre, also in
the basement, is home to various offbeat
productions put on throughout the year.
Want to watch TV, play ping-pong, pool,
or foosball? There is a lounge downstairs
offering them all.
For the musically-inclined, Tietjens
Hall provides a number of soundproofed
practice rooms, some including pianos. The
Sachs Electronic Music Studio can also be
found in the building. Protruding windows
make the brick building one of the more
unique architectural structures on campus.
Next-door is the Gaylord Music Library,
which provides rentable sheet music and
recordings.
Upstairs on the second floor balcony of
Louderman Library, embedded between
bookshelves, is a clandestine space where
quiet studying is easy and made comfortable
by the cushioned bench nicely positioned
below a window.
Though it may be hard to figure out
which is the easiest to climb, the tree
outside of Olin Library, on the South
East side across from Eads Hall, has low
branches that are accessible and regularly
hold the weight of Wash. U. students. You
may even see modern dancers maneuvering
through the trees. It also provides great
shade for studying on warm and often
humid St. Louis days.
TEXTBOOKS: the cheaper the better
SAMUEL KWAK
SCENE REPORTER
Classes have begun, and buying textbooks
is on everybody’s mind. There is an easy
and convenient way to take care of it all at
once: the Campus Bookstore. Purchasing
books is certainly simple. There is, however,
a downside: the bookstore is very expensive.
A wide variety of alternative options exist for
students unable to shell out several hundred
dollars a semester for books.
Cheaper books are definitely the main
advantage of online textbook shopping.
However, one must be cautious when
purchasing online. Since you cannot actually
see and check the product, the delivered
books may not look exactly like what you
were expecting. In addition, online shipping
is often volatile and runs the risk of delayed
or lost packages. These problems are
ask the r.a.
wh
at
Entering freshman year, students are often unfamiliar with the campus and its
surroundings. In order to better acquaint them with Wash. U. and St Louis, we asked
Resident Advisors for their advice and thoughts on freshman year.
-by Georgie Morvis, Scene Reporter
Five things I
wish I knew my
freshman year
1 Understand that not everyone will like you.
2 You can’t be involved in every single thing.
3 Find where you fit in, and don’t change for
other people. 4 Don’t be afraid to try and
experience new things. Always be openminded. 5 Form relationships that matter,
out of your floor, building and class.
- Katie Godchaux (Liggett 4)
1 Wash. U. is hard, and
you must study early and
often. 2 Dedicate your time
to something unique. 3 Be
patient with yourself and
remember that mistakes
are okay. 4 A C on one
exam will not kill you. 5 Get
off-campus and explore St.
Louis!
- Shana Bartley (Koenig 4)
day. Therefore, it is strong recommended
that you do extra research to find the best
balance of availability, price and quality.
The process has been simplified thanks to
Google Product Search. Click the shopping
compounded when faced with a subpar online
merchant. To prevent these things, be sure to
double-check some important points such
as condition, availability, expected shipping
date, price and, most importantly, customer
reviews. Most of the sellers are welcoming
inquiries from prospective customers, so feel
free to contact them about the products.
Besides buying from different online
sellers, there are a lot of options to get
textbooks for less money—used books,
online or digital edition and rental among
them. The best option varies between
individuals. If pencil or highlighter marks in
your textbook easily annoy you, buying used
books may not be a good option. If using a
computer screen for a long period of time is
undesirable, digital copies are not for you.
During the textbook shopping season,
starting a couple weeks before classes
begin and running a few weeks into the
semester, online prices may change day by
1 The best places to study are
the top of the Women’s Building
and the B-school library. 2 Take
advantage of all the free food
(nomealpoints.com). 3 Don’t
waste extra meal points. 4 Go
to Cornerstone for tutoring and
resources. 5 Go to Office Hours,
regardless of your grade.
1 Use Web Food. 2 Don’t eat
at regular times. 3 Recycle
everything except for food,
ice, liquids and Styrofoam. 4
Before Labor Day, lockouts
are free. 5 Umrath has like a
million washers and dryers.
- Lia Reed (Off-Campus Apartments)
- Tiffany Ogawa (Nemerov 3)
tab at the front page of Google and type
the title and the author of the textbook you
need. The engine searches a wide variety of
online sellers, allowing you to locate the best
textbook retailer for you.
cost comparison
’s
Course
Campus Bookstore
Amazon.com
Cheapest seller
Other cheap prices
(Note)
L 07 111A
General Chemistry
I
236.75
(Currently N/A)
171.58
57.00
(International Edition:
www.easy-textbook.com)
L 24 131/132
Calculus I/II
195.25
160.34
83.99
(International Edition:
www.valorebooks.com)
L 31 117A
General Physics I
130.00
(WU Mini Pak)
122.95
N/A
L 32 101B
American Politics
94.50
80.15
79.86
(WalMart)
L 33 100B
Intro. to
Psychology
111.75
103.26
72.99
(eBay)
na
yo
ur
m
e
fa
vo
(fl
oo
Edward Poyo
(Sofo 3)
Su Koo
(Millbrook 1)
Nandan Prasad
(Lopata 3)
Julia Mellon
(Sofo 2)
place
to eat
Bear’s Den
Holmes
Lounge
Village
Brunch
Bear’s Den
place to
study
Attic of
Engineering
building
Law school
library
Holmes
Lounge
thing to
do offcampus
Salsa
Concerts/
restaurants
Sledding
at Art Hill
Going to the
Drunken Fish
Dancing at
Carnaval
Talking in the
hallway with
her floor
Going out to
dinner in large
groups
Hanging out
with her big
sister from
Delta Gamma
n/a
Abnormal
Psychology
rit
r)
e.
..
freshman
memory
class
Intro to Public
Health
Olin
library
Survey of
Latin-American
Studies
4
STUDENT LIFE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
forum
The Smoking Ban
In defense of
JESSICA MARGULIS
FORUM COLUMNIST
I headed off to college for the first time.
I stepped off the plane and reveled in my
newfound sense of unlimited freedom
and total control. However, I quickly
discovered Washington University has rules
and regulations that appear to limit the
freedom of its students, such as the newly
implemented campus wide tobacco ban.
But, these regulations actually come with a
multitude of new liberties.
The smoking ban will impove the quality
of life for anyone on campus who has ever held
their breath while walking through a cloud
of smoke, had a coughing fit or an allergic
reaction to tobacco. With the enforcement of
the smoking ban, these people now will be
able to enjoy campus without fear of health
issues.
The ban was realized at a very logical time.
With the recent implementation of health care
reform backed by the Obama administration,
Americans have become responsible for
paying for the health care for all citizens.
Therefore, all Americans are indirectly
financially responsible when one is sick. This
poses an issue for all citizens when someone
becomes involved in destructive behavior,
such as smoking.
Researchers from the University of
California, San Francisco found in a 2002
study that 3.8 percent of smokers quit
smoking when their offices instituted smoke
free policies at work. Employees who
continued smoking smoked an average of 3.1
fewer cigarettes per day, creating a combined
29 percent relative reduction in tobacco use
among all employees.
The scope of the University’s policy
people will now
be able to enjoy
campus without
fear of health issues
extends beyond the workplace and into
dorms, creating an opportunity to replicate
these positive results on a bigger scale. Every
year in the United States alone, there are an
estimated 46,000 deaths from heart disease
in non-smokers who live with smokers.
Eliminating smoking on campus can help
keep non-smokers healthy. If Washington
University can have that effect on such a
large scale, they can drastically prevent longterm health problems for their students that
all Americans would have to pay for.
So even though I can’t smoke on campus,
Washington University is still a place
brimming with opportunity and healthy
lungs.
A how-to:
Getting rid of the parents
DANIEL DEIBLER
FORUM COLUMNIST
I carry my bags to my new home at
Wash. U., set up my room, pack away
my clothing and casually throw my
depressingly empty bags above my closet.
I hug my mother and say goodbye to her in
a suitably emotional fashion that doesn’t
reveal my excitement at her departure. As
I lay on my bed I think about college life,
and what is store for the next four years.
Suddenly, my reverie is broken by
a scratching at my door. My immediate
thought is that in the wild of the Midwest,
small animals roam freely in college dorms.
I open the door—and immediately am
thrown backwards by a sobbing woman,
who upon closer inspection I realize is my
mother. (Suggestion: Try looking through
the peephole on your first day. You will
avoid being tackled)
It is a process that every student must
go through at some point during the movein experience. Our parents have finished
helping us set up our new lives and have
decided that we need just a little bit more
preparation.
They normally begin to toe this line
when the smaller stuff, the school supplies
and toiletries are being unpacked. They
begin to give small suggestions about how
to live in what is ostensibly your home.
They transition to last minute advice
about your personal life. (Hope that their
guidance remains vague, specifics can be
uncomfortable.)
The moment of truth comes when
nothing is left to do except say goodbye—
and they refuse to go. Their delaying
can be quite subtle. They could try to
reorganize everything in your room to
“maximize efficiency.” Or, they might
suddenly notice something lacking in
your dorm—and decide they have to
buy it for you. (You can use that to your
advantage of course. How often can you
make friends by giving away that third
desk lamp?)
My goodbye to my family may have
been easier than most emotionally, most
likely due to the pony I never got when
I was five (I love you Cinnamon), but it
takes a concerted effort to get rid of them
for good.
It requires directed questioning, “What
time was your flight out again?” or “Don’t
you need to be home for something?” are
both effective in reminding them of the
existence of the outside world.
It requires some understanding of the
process they are going through. “Mom,
Dad… I understand that you will miss
me, but I think it is time for me to start my
life on my own.” (Faking understanding
can work too.)
It requires, most of all, emotional
conviction. That is not to say it is bad
to be sorrowful. Change can be difficult.
Nevertheless, if you break down during
those crucial minutes of the final goodbye,
you will never be left alone. Like any
decent general, they are looking for every
moment of weakness. They will capitalize
on it and force themselves into the breach
of your open door. They will exploit your
natural hesitation just to be closer to you.
If all else fails, it may even require a
blunted pitchfork (a fairly easy way to get
your point across to the parents without
actually hurting anyone).
We need to make sure our parents
understand before they leave that while
we love them dearly, we are beginning to
embark upon our own lives for the first
time and that eventually they absolutely
have to go.
We have to make them see that as
emotionally jarring as leaving behind
your child in a foreign city can be, it is
something that needs to be done so that
their emotional development can actually
progress.
We should remind them of the time that
they first left home for an extended period
and ask them to recall the reasons behind
why they left their parents behind. We
need them to realize that their departure
is ultimately the best thing for all of us.
It’s not as though we are going to be using
any fireworks, so it is finally time for them
to let us celebrate our Independence Day.
In opposition to
PIERRE DESCHAMPS
FORUM COLUMNIST
Picture the scene: Walking through a
snow-clad Wash. U., a student desperately
tries to ignite his lighter, his frostbitten fingers
failing to strike the flint. As his lips turn blue
and hypothermia starts to set in, he turns back
to campus, unfairly thwarted in his attempts
to enjoy a cigarette.
The health issues at the crux of the
smoking ban cannot be denied. Research
proves that second hand smoke can be
responsible for cancer and cardiovascular
disease. This year, a campus-wide smoking
ban has been established, forcing smokers
outside of campus whenever they need their
nicotine fix. The ban has even been extended
to our own cars!
the smoking ban
is another step on
the slippery slope
towards total
conformity
However, as an exchange student from
Europe, it seems peculiar to me that such a
wide-open campus feels the need to send
its smokers outside of campus boundaries.
An indoor smoking ban is understandable,
but with the winds blowing away most
of the risks of second hand smoke, a
campus-wide ban is an unnecessary and a
heavy-handed measure.
You cannot justify a campus-wide
smoking ban by saying that you want to
defend the innocent, upstanding nonsmokers, because a reasonable compromise
would be to have designated smoking areas
that would enable smokers and non-smokers
to coexist in harmony. It seems the real reason
behind the ban is to pressure and stigmatize
smokers, to push them away from the Wash.
U. community. The pressure on freshmen to
stop smoking will be overwhelming.
Those who defend the smoking ban
reject any positive effect that tobacco may
have. While it is seen as a drug in that it is
addictive, it is not seen as having an effect
on the nervous system. In other words, the
cigarette has become a “death stick”, and its
diverse properties have been reduced solely to
the harm it causes to our health.
While this aspect of smoking is irrefutable,
it completely leaves out the question of choice.
This is further emphasized by the fact that the
decision to smoke is seen only as the result of
peer pressure and a will to look “cool.”
But tobacco is a nervous relaxant, a
psychotropic drug. It was originally used
by Indian shamans to reach a trance state.
As such, it is odd that smoking is attracting
such widespread disapproval at a time when
the campaign for marijuana legislation is
gaining weight. It’s almost as if people think
it’s stupid to smoke a light drug and so had
better go all out.
Many will no doubt argue that stopping
smokers from harming their own health is a
positive thing, a progressive crusade to find
the new Holy Grail that is the totally sanitized
world. Most people raised an incredulous
eyebrow when they heard that the Canadian
town of Halifax banned perfume on public
buses, but the smoking ban is another step on
the slippery slope towards total conformity. We
live in a world where everything is dangerous
and in which our lives must conform to the
pre-approved path of our moral leaders.
Don’t smoke, don’t have sex, drink only if
you’re over 21—I like a world with asperities,
and I want a world where people can have at
least a semblance of freedom, where smokers
don’t have to walk 15 minutes to their place
of exile, rejected, unloved, unwanted.
So while enjoying your smoke-free
campus, remember the cigarette wielder that
you have ostracized.
Finding your way
JOANNA YOON
FORUM COLUMNIST
I am from an all-girls school in Dallas,
with approximately 100 girls in each grade.
The entire grade knew about what happened
at last night’s party or who got asked out
for homecoming from the brother-school.
Everyone knew about each other so well that
no secret could exist. For the past four years,
I believed this tight-knit community was the
norm for every high school in this planet.
My narrow thoughts shattered completely
as I stepped onto Washington University’s
campus. Everything was so vast and spread
out. Some people sped by me on bicycles while
others lie basking in the sun. Everyone seemed
very preoccupied with their own business. My
family was so lost in a labyrinth, not knowing
where we were supposed to head. After half–
an-hour of wandering, we finally arrived on
the South 40.
I believe that I am not the only person who
felt this way. I’m sure my classmates might
have felt the same way as I did – astonished
and mouth wide-open – as they first walked
onto the campus. They must have also been
surprised by the number of people walking
around the school and the immense landscape
this school possesses. However, I am starting
to overcome my initial awe-struck feelings, as I
already have spent two weeks in this place.
The school itself is filled with hospitality.
Whenever I was lost on campus, people
approached me first and offered me help –
some of them even took me to the place where
I was heading. A 2335 acre school is obviously
very large, but the layout of campus is very
simple. The two main sections - The South
40, which accommodates residential colleges
and the new Bear’s Den, and the Danforth
Campus, which is composed of academic
My narrow thoughts
shattered completely
as I stepped onto
Washington
University’s campus.
buildings – are all you have to know. If you
get lost, find your way to Forsyth Blvd. and a
white bus will take you to where you want to
go. Even though you may think you are lost on
campus, you are actually not, because there is
always a way to find your path.
As the first week of classes nears its end,
my familiarity with the campus has definitely
increased. I have already found the doorway
from the DUC that is closest to the South 40. I
can now walk to Simon Hall without a map in
my hand. When I walk around the underpass
between the South 40 and main campus, I
see familiar faces that no longer make me feel
detached from the whole environment. During
my two weeks on campus, the school definitely
has grown on me. I have found the solution to
the labyrinth that once confused me.
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editor in chief: Kate Gaertner
associate editor: Josh Goldman
managing editors: Paula Lauris, Shayna
Makaron & Dan Woznica
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scene editor: Hana Schuster
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
STUDENT LIFE
5
sports
Football looks for Class of 2014 to
excel during upcoming season
SAHIL PATEL
SPORTS REPORTER
In the hot, sweaty dog days of August,
the highly touted freshman class of the
Washington University football team
pushes itself to fill the holes that plagued
last year’s team.
Following the Bear’s first losing season
since 1992, head coach Larry Kindbom
looks for more maturity down the stretch
to win close games.
“We weren’t that far off last year,”
Kindbom said. “We played a really
challenging schedule. We just kept falling
short by a little bit. We had so many little
things go wrong that I can’t say our team
played that badly last year. A lot of guys
are back. That helps with maturity.”
The freshman class of 2014 brings size,
strength, and a lot of speed to the playing
field. This strong group has already
exceeded the expectations of the coaching
staff.
“We have some outstanding skill
in this freshman class,” Kindbom said.
“That makes our practices better every
day. Our level of talent is probably greater
just from the fact that we have so many
freshmen that are really mature. They are
able to practice full speed everyday, which
makes our whole team practice at a higher
speed.”
The team returns 17 starters and 50
reserves from last year and has a recruiting
class of 38 freshmen, bringing the team
roster to 105 players. The result is a logjam
at several positions, but that has not
stopped some freshmen from standing out.
“We really have some good freshmen
quarterbacks that are all playing well,”
Kindbom said. “We’re trying to figure
out how to sort them out. They’re getting
limited [opportunities] because our
upperclassmen quarterbacks are playing
so well.”
The team is returning all of its tailback,
but freshman John Hagemann has stood
out according to Kindbom. Safeties Tate
Byers and Scoot O’Brien have Scott
O’Brien have also excelled during practice.
O’Brien and Byers are part of a packed
secondary that features graduate student
Nick Vom Brack and All-American
Brandon Brown, both multi-year starters.
The returning players and freshmen stick
together, but the competition for playing
time is on everybody’s mind.
“The veterans help out all the time,”
O’Brien said. “Myself, along with many
of the other freshman defensive backs, go
to Nick and Brandon whenever we have
specific questions about coverage and
formations. Since there are many good
defensive backs returning, the level of
competition is raised even higher. Every
day we work and push each other as hard
as we can go.”
Even with so many players, O’Brien
and Byers have stood out. However, the
competition is tight, so they have set
modest goals for the time being.
“My first goal is to make the traveling
team and play some special teams,”
O’Brien said. “We’ll go from there.
Starting over as a freshman means you
have to be patient. When you do get the
opportunity to play, you have to take
advantage of each and every minute
you’re on the field.”
In an intra-squad scrimmage earlier
this summer, the freshmen’s “outstanding
skill” was on full display. Not only did
they play well against the rest of the
varsity team, but the freshman team
scored first as well.
“Our freshmen made some plays,”
Kindbom said. “The fact that they could
score, I was just glad they knew what
the plays were. That just lets you know
that they can compete on the field with
upperclassmen...Just the fact that they can
compete at the level, that’s the best thing
about this class.”
FRESHMEN
athletes hard at work
hard at work
PHOTOS BY MATT MITGANG AND SAM SCHAUER | STUDENT LIFE
SAM SCHAUER | STUDENT LIFE
Freshman safety Scott O’Brien, 38, trips up sophomore running back Chris Castelluccio
after Castelluccio broke loose into the secondary during an afternoon practice.
6 STUDENT LIFE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
cadenza
Finding Your Place On Campus
LAURA DESCH
CADENZA STAFF
Welcome to college. You’re probably
feeling out of place right now. Maybe you
were the violin virtuoso in high school
or perhaps the dancing queen. Good
thing Wash. U. has many ways for you to
continue your passion. Whether you love to
rap or rhyme, sing and dance or act like a
fool in front or behind the scenes, there is a
place for you. Here are the facts on a few of
the activities you can join.
If you’re an
Orchestra Dork…
You need to register for private music
lessons and music ensembles if you want
to put them on your schedule. Don’t worry
if you haven’t done that yet! You have
until Sept. 14 to change your schedule. If
you just don’t have room in your schedule
there are still plenty of activities to join. If
you want to see specific audition times for
curricular orchestras, bands, and choirs go
to music.wustl.edu/dates.
Eggs and Jam. Past songs performances
have included songs by the Dixie Chicks,
Taylor Swift, The Fray and Imogen Heap.
Auditions are at the beginning of fall and
spring. Fall auditions are the first week in
September. Prepare a chorus or verse from
your favorite song. If you want a tightknit group of girlfriends, this one is for
you. For photos, music and more fun see
greenleafsacappella.com.
Mosaic Whispers is proudly the
oldest co-ed a cappella group on campus.
They arrange their own music and compete
at the International Championship of
Collegiate A Cappella. If you want a family
feel and a musical challenge, pick Mosaic
Whispers. Auditions are at the beginning of
each semester. Fall auditions are Sept. 3-5.
Prepare under a minute of your favorite
song. For more reasons to join Whispers,
see mosaicwhipsers.wustl.edu.
More Fools Than Wise is for you
if you want something more traditional.
It is an a cappella chamber ensemble. The
group sings madrigals, motets and jazz
arrangements. It performs for private events
and hosts a Madrigal Feaste in the fall while
wearing full Renaissance garb. Audition
sign ups began on Aug. 30. Auditions are
the first two weeks of September. Practice
and perform the audition piece given
when signing up. For pictures and more
information see fools.wustl.edu.
WU Pops is a non-credit, student
only orchestra. It’s made up of about 50
members from all different majors. The
orchestra plays contemporary music from
popular movies, musicals and bands.
Past pieces played include music from
“Wicked,” “Forrest Gump,” “Spiderman”
and “Schindler’s List.” They perform one
concert in the fall and the spring. The first
rehearsal is Sept. 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
in the 560 Music Building. You may want
to look the building up on a map first. It’s
on the west end of the Delmar Loop near
the Scientology Church. Grab a music
buddy, and don’t get lost!
If you’re hopelessly in
love with a cappella…
After Dark is a self-described “vibrant”
co-ed a cappella group. Members compose
their own arrangements and have won
awards such as Contemporary A Cappella
Recording Awards for Best Co-Ed
Collegiate Song. They compete annually
at the International Championship of
Collegiate A Cappella and rehearse 6 to
8 hours a week. Auditions are Sept. 2-5.
Prepare 30-45 seconds of a song of choice
for auditions. For more information and
videos see afterdark.wustl.edu.
The Stereotypes. No girls allowed
in this clubhouse! The Stereotypes are
an all–male a cappella group that work
to break the mold of stereotypical male
choirs. Rehearsals are self-described as
fast-paced, unruly and exciting. The group
performs a wide variety of contemporary
genres including punk, rock, and pop. The
Stereotypes travel extensively to places
such as Northern California and Boston.
Members arrange their own music and
choreograph the occasional silly dance.
Auditions will be Sept. 4-5 from 12-9
p.m. For hilarious photos and bios see
thestereotypes.org.
If you’re head over
heels for dance…
Performing Art Department
(PAD) Productions. Auditions for
the Wash. U. Dance Theatre will be Sept.
14 at 7 p.m. in the Annelise Mertz Dance
Studio. For more information on any PAD
production, see pad.artsci.wustl.edu.
If you’re a total
Drama Geek (or
Gleek)…
Greenleafs. Sorry guys! This one
is females only. They are the only allfemale a cappella group and the second
oldest a cappella groups on campus.
They believe that singing is always fun
and that girl-bonds last forever. They
hold an annual concert each fall: Green
Performing Arts Department
productions.
Drama auditions will be
Sept. 2-3 with callbacks September 4 and 5.
Sign up for a time on the PAD Callboard,
located outside of Mallinckrodt room 312.
All-Student Theatre
is a
collaborative group effort to produce and
perform a student show in the Quad.
Everyone and anyone is allowed to
participate in many different aspects. The
theatre hosts a fall talent show to fundraise
for the spring show. Auditions for the
spring show are late January. If you want to
submit ideas or submissions for the show,
email AST at [email protected].
If you’re a whiz at
improvising…
Suspicious of Whistlers is a
long form improv comedy troupe. The
group takes suggestions from the audience
and puts on a 30-minute improvised set.
Membership is through audition. The
group performs at the national level at
Del Close Festival in New York and the
Chicago Improv Festival. Members also
travel to North Carolina (Comedic Arts
Festival), New York and Chicago annually.
Rehearsals run for six hours a week, and
auditions are Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in front of
Shepley. Auditionees will participate in
warm-ups and exercises with the improv
group. Callbacks will be Sept. 15. To
see photos and more information, go to
getsuspicious.com.
Mama’s Pot Roast
is the longest
running improv comedy group on campus.
The group performs short form improv
and original sketches. Membership is
through audition. Mama’s Pot Roast often
travels annually to Chicago to observe
shows and participate in workshops. It also
performs on campus in the semi-annual
Knighta Komedy. Auditions are Sept. 14
at 7 p.m. in front of Shepley. Auditionees
will participate in warm-ups and exercises
with the improv group. Callbacks will be
Sept. 15. If you would like to see examples
of improv games the troupe plays, see
mamaspotroast.com and click on “Games”.
KARL
is a short form improv troupe. The
group plays games similar to what is seen
on “Who’s Line is it Anyway.” Membership
is through audition. KARL has been
known to open for professional comedians
such as BJ Novak and Craig Robinson.
It also travels often including annually to
Chicago to observe shows and participate
in workshops and offers three full-length
shows. The troupe practices two hours
twice a week. KARL will be opening for
the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB alumni
include Amy Poehler, Ed helms and Rob
Corddry) Oct. 1. Auditions are Sept. 14 at
7 p.m. in front of Shepley. Auditionees will
participate in warm-ups and exercises with
the improv group. Callbacks will be Sept.
15. To see funny videos and game examples
search KARL improv on youtube.com.
If your dream is to
work with TV…
WUTV
is free on channel 22 on campus
cable. It broadcasts students’ original shows
and films. You can become involved in a
preexisting show or propose your own.
WUTV offers opportunity for students to
gain experience in video production and
broadcasting. Alumni of WUTV have
worked for Good Morning America,
Fear Factor and Invasion. The studio is
located on the third floor of the Danforth
University Center. WUTV has weekly
meetings at Sunday at 6 p.m. The first
meeting will be Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. in the
WUTV studio (third floor of the DUC in
the Harvey Media Center). Several existing
shows are looking for cast and crew. If you
don’t know you’re way around the airwaves
and cameras, don’t worry. New students
will be trained to use the equipment and
editing software. Check out WUTV’s cool
founding story and more at wutv.wustl.edu.
If you’re always
speaking with meter
and rhyme…
WU-SLam
is a spoken word and slam
poetry group. It welcomes all students and
their stories. WU-SLam has won awards
such as Best Performance and Best Poem at
the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational.
There are three ways to get involved:
Inklings, Performance Crew and National
Slam Team. Inklings is a weekly writing
workshop each Monday at 8 PM in Ursa’s
Fireside. Performance Crew performs at
various venues and events. Auditions are
early October with rolling auditions later.
Performance crew meets once a week
Saturday at 1 p.m. The National Slam team
spends the second semester preparing for
the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational.
To place on the National team, you must
come in the top four at the Grand Slam
January 28. Join Inklings, audition for
Performance Crew or compete in monthly
slams during the fall semester. To see their
calendar and highlight videos see wuslam.
wustl.edu.
For even more groups see su.wustl.edu/
directory.
“Do You Need the Manual?”
Mind-bending
entertainment sees
a rise in popularity
MOLLY SEVCIK
CADENZA STAFF
“Inception” was met with largely positive
reception this summer. However, no film can
appeal to all moviegoers—no matter how
fantastic 224 of the 258 reviewers on Rotten
Tomatoes thought “Inception” was.
My parents are two of four people I know
that did not enjoy the film.
Don’t get me wrong. Differences in
opinion should be tolerated, celebrated even.
But hearing my parents complain about what
I thought was one of the best movies of this
summer (top three at least) tried my patience.
Why did my parents dislike the flick?
“Inception” was too complex for them to
enjoy it.
At first, their argument didn’t resonate
with me. My mother was kind enough to
explain further.
In her mind, seeing a movie is supposed to
be an escape; not just an escape from the real
world (which “Inception” undoubtedly is),
but also an escape from thought. My mother
didn’t go to the theater just to be confused
(which “Inception” ultimately did for her).
My friends and I have a different attitude.
We loved “Inception” when we saw it and
enjoyed the feeling of confusion it induced.
A look at recent trends indicates that fun
mind tricks have indeed become the very
base of modern entertainment institutions.
“Inception” currently holds the number
two spot for highest opening day box office
earnings for a science fiction film, having
grossed $23.7 million in midnight screenings
alone. This past February, “Shutter Island,”
another DiCaprio mental obstacle course
(can’t Leonardo DiCaprio ever have a happy
home life?), grossed an estimated $294
million, making it Martin Scorsese’s highest
grossing film.
The film industry is producing more
mentally engaging films than ever before and.
Based on box office earnings, our society
is eating it up (if you listen carefully, you
can hear DiCaprio’s agent giggling). As my
parents would say, gone are the days where
10 cents bought you a ticket and a caramel
corn to a feel-good flick with no drama and a
happy ending.
Cinema isn’t alone in its turn to the mental
chore.
Strategy based video games first became
popular right before the millennium with
the introduction of the first “Warcraft” RTS
(Real Time Strategy Game) in 1994. Blizzard
Entertainment launched “World of Warcraft,”
its first MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer
Online Role-Playing Game), in 2004. Their
status has only skyrocketed since then. As of
December 2008, “World of Warcraft” had
a record of 11.5 million subscribers. If that’s
not impressive enough, according to XFire,
a program that tracks registered users’ online
gameplay, over the course of one day in April
2006, 18 million minutes of “WoW” were
played. Do the math and you’ll see this equals
over 34 years spent playing a strategy roleplaying game.
“Final Fantasy XIII,” the newest
installment of the MMORPG media franchise
“Final Fantasy,” reports 5.55 million copies
sold worldwide since its release this May. The
“Call of Duty” series encompasses seven first
and third person shooter games, total retail
sales of which total well over 3 billion dollars.
Finally, “RuneScape” has over 10 million
active accounts, making it the most popular
free MMORPG on the web.
Millions of people log billions of minutes
on MMORPGs everyday. Gameplay rules are
complicated to say the least (I read through
them. I remember one. Maybe two if I really
focus). Now, this would deter my mother from
ever subscribing to “WoW” or signing up for
a “RuneScape” account. But the amount of
players for MMORPGs has been growing
steadily every hour of every day. Rather than
acting as a deterrent, the intricacies of these
games are a beacon, as people delight in the
complications involved in the invention of a
new self.
Complexities are even present in socalled fluff entertainment. Take the popular
television series “Gossip Girl.” At face value,
GG seems to be a thoughtless dramedy,
delving into the lives of privileged high school
students and their careless parents. While the
plots are mundane and the characters grating,
there are so many from both categories,
and they tangle in such a way that it takes a
considerable amount of concentration to keep
them straight.
My mother’s favorite TV time waster was
the long running sitcom “Happy Days.” A
typical episode saw Richie and his friends
getting into all sorts of innocent shenanigans,
the Fonze being suave and getting them into
even more innocent shenanigans and Richie’s
parents Mr. and Mrs. C. providing meatloaf
and warmed milk (tasty, no?).
When was the last time you saw a kid
skipping rocks at the local pond? When was
the last time you saw the neighbor’s young
son pulling around an old Radio Flyer? The
last time you saw boys picking up a game
of stickball in a deserted lot? Girls playing
marbles? This is the world my parents
remember, and this is the world they idealize
when thinking about their childhood.
We always hear about simpler times
and the wholesome ways of yesteryear. In
addition to becoming more complex, our
entertainment forms have certainly become
more colorful in recent decades. But when
my parents claim that their time was better,
as both an environment for childhood and
growing up, I can’t help but politely disagree
(because, in my day, kids learned to respect
their elders).
Sure, complexities and perplexities have
replaced good old-fashioned fun, but a faster
world requires faster entertainment. As the
times change, we must adjust. It only makes
sense that our forms of amusement should
adjust as well.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
STUDENT LIFE
7
Propaganda Through the Years
“OMG I love this song!!!” This is a
reference to my friend when “Wannabe”
comes on the radio. Let’s face it, we all
have guilty pleasures from our past. There
KARA GORDON
CADENZA STAFF
are things that define our generation. My
parents are still in love with Frankie Valli
and the Four Seasons, and my old English
teacher is obsessed with Pearl Jam. Jack
Kerouac’s “On the Road” defined the beat
generation. So here’s a blast from the past,
the media that defines Generation Y, from
elementary school to high school.
Elementary School: The Age of Innocence
From 1991-2002, we experienced the Spice Girl Craze and the height of boy bands, embarked on a magical journey with Harry Potter,
watched the last of the sitcoms and were introduced to the computer. Here are some things that defined our childhood.
Mother-Approved Music
And they wonder why we’re the sexcrazed generation? Personally, my mom
wouldn’t actually let me listen to this music,
but all my friends did…Yes, I understand
I was deprived...But I think everyone
still knows all of the Smash Mouth and
Backstreet Boys lyrics, recognizes the
signature “Bye Bye Bye” dance move and
sings “Hit Me Baby One More Time.” And
as for “Wannabe,” it was the walk out song
for the Michigan Division II 100 Backstroke
State Finals for the past four years.
‘Wannabe,’ Spice Girls
‘Hit Me Baby One More Time,’ Britney
Spears
‘I Want It That Way,’ Backstreet Boys
‘Bye Bye Bye,’ N’Sync
‘All Star,’ Smash Mouth
Books Our Parents Bought
for Us
G-Rated Movies We Were
Allowed to Watch
Some of you might be thinking:
“Reading?” But who didn’t at least try to
read “Harry Potter”? My friends and I
literally galloped around the playground
pretending to ride on broomsticks and
chase the Snitch. Those of us who enjoyed
the series enough adventured into the
equally whimsical “Artemis Fowl.” And
I know I had to read “The Giver” and
“Hatchet” about five times for literature
circles. As for “Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory,” it’s a timeless classic.
These were scary movies. I don’t
know about you, but the “Lion King” was
unbelievably sad and “Toy Story” creeped
me out. However, all these movies had an
appeal to the parents and were thus more
tolerable than “Barney.” But my life’s
dream was to be Jasmine (she even came
to my fifth birthday party), and I can’t tell
you the number of hours spent learning
the handshake from “The Parent Trap.”
And “Monster’s Inc.” is a classic, as every
proceeding Pixar movie proved to be.
“The Giver,” Lois Lowry
“Hatchet,” Gary Paulsen
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,”
Roald Dahl
“Harry Potter “ (1-5), J.K. Rowling
“Artemis Fowl,” Eoin Colfer
“Parent Trap”
“Aladdin”
“Toy Story”
“Monster’s Inc.”
“Lion King”
The Shows Our Parents
Introduced to Us So We
Would Stop Bothering
Them
Our Saturday mornings were, for the
most part, occupied by cartoons. I really
miss “Hey Arnold” and “Rugrats,” and
I think there were quite a few life lessons
from “Arthur” and “Doug.” And I don’t
know about you, but I think “Power
Rangers” is self explanatory.
“Hey Arnold”
“Rugrats”
“Doug”
“Power Rangers” (original)
“Arthur”
Middle School: The Most Awkward Years Ever
Girls slowly started to develop certain curves, boys’ voices started to crack and everyone had braces. We were awkward as hell, but frankly,
we still thought we were hot stuff. A lot of us got our first kisses, had our first slow dance (because grinding was dirty) and had our first
“significant other” (when a boyfriend for a month was majorly serious) in middle school.
The Newest Frontier:
Internet
The accessibility of the internet really took
off in middle school. This was great, but also
led to some poor-quality information on the
web (however, I think Wikipedia is credible)
and incredible amounts of procrastination
(i.e. ebaumsworld). Girls were always trying
to take the perfect Myspace picture and too
many people used Xanga as a public diary.
And of course, instant messaging, because
tYpInG lIkE tHiS made us feel sweet.
Myspace
ebaumsworld
AIM
Xanga
Books We Read Because
Our English Teachers
Made Us Read Choice
Books
Basically, there was a huge drought of
decent books in middle school. That, or
we just didn’t read unless we were forced
to. Most girls I knew picked up Brashares’
series, as well as “The Clique” for the
scandal factor, while boys tended to lean
towards “Eragon” and “Pendragon.” No
matter how uncool reading was, the “Harry
Potter” base stayed solid.
“The Sisterhood of the Traveling
Pants,” Ann Brashares
“Harry Potter,” J.K. Rowling (it never
got old)
“The Clique,” Lisi Harrison
“Eragon” series, Christopher Paolini
“Pendragon” series, D.J. MacHale
Wikipedia
The Music We Thought
Was Good
For the most part, all of these songs are
the typical four-chord pieces that we were
in love with, even though they were poor
quality. I really don’t understand the appeal
of “Stacy’s Mom” or “1985”, but to tell
you I don’t love them would be a lie. Gwen
Stefani taught a lot of kids how to spell
bananas (although why they didn’t know
how to by middle school, I don’t really
understand either), and my best friend
blasted Kelly and Jesse in his car just last
week.
‘1985,’ Bowling for Soup
‘Beautiful Soul,’ Jesse McCartney
‘Since U Been Gone,’ Kelly Clarkson
‘Hollaback Girl,’ Gwen Stefani
‘Stacy’s Mom,’ Fountains of Wayne
PG-13 (and PG) Movies
We Watched Because
We Thought We Were
Rebellious
Ok, maybe not “Finding Nemo,”,but
you know you thought you were badass
when you watched “The Ring.” And every
guy knew that he would have to watch
“The Notebook” eventually. “Shrek”
became a phenomenon that, for some
reason, continues, but the first movie was
excellent.
“The Notebook”
“Finding Nemo”
“The Ring”
“Shrek”
“Napoleon Dynamite”
TV Shows That We Thought Explained Our Lives
From the innocent to the scandalous, we had a variety. In sixth grade, most girls
were obsessed with “Lizzie McGuire” and “The O.C.” By eighth grade, thankfully, we
graduated to witty “Gilmore Girls,” although I’m sure half of the girls my age didn’t
understand the pop-culture references. “Family Guy” became the new favorite satire
(although, again, I don’t think half of the viewers understood the cultural references), and
“American Idol” took off with Simon’s snooty comments.
“Lizzie McGuire”
“American Idol”
“Family Guy”
“The O.C.”
“Gilmore Girls”
High School: Sex, Drugs and Alcohol 101
I want to say our tastes matured, but that would be pushing it. On one hand, we finished “Harry Potter” and watched the mind-blowing
“Inception.” On the other hand, our media trends started to include fifteen-year-old boys that looked and sang like they were twelve. Here’s
to the good (and not so good) trends of high school.
Really Good and Really
Bad Music
Literature (or lack
thereof…)
There are some really good bands out
there. In the mainstream, Lady Gaga’s
beats and unique style are a force to be
reckoned with, and judge me if you will,
but ‘I’m Yours’ and ‘Hey There Delilah’
still makes me smile. And boys, listen
up: even if he’s singing in falsetto, we are
suckers for ‘You’re Beautiful.’ Beyonce kept
rocking it with ‘Single Ladies,’ especially
with it being featured in “Glee”.
Our favorite series came to a close (but
who’s pumped for the final movie and the
theme park?!?!). Meanwhile, we occupied
our time with Brown’s morally scandalous
novel, Picoult’s heartbreaking tale and the
mentally stimulating “Ender’s Game”.
However, vampires, werewolves and
beginning every sentence with the subject
became the new trend.
‘You’re Beautiful,’ James Blunt
‘Single Ladies,’ Beyonce
‘Hey There Delilah,’ Plain White T’s
‘I’m Yours,’ Jason Mraz
‘Poker Face,’ Lady Gaga
“Harry Potter,” J.K. Rowling
“Twilight,” Stephanie Meyer
“The Da Vinci Code,” Dan Brown
“My Sister’s Keeper,” Jodi Picoult
“Ender’s Game,” Orson Scott Card
Procrastination Central: The Internet
There is, in fact, a site for everything. Some things are just so cool and so addicting,
making sites like stumbleupon.com and Bubble Spinner extremely dangerous for your grade
point average. Social networks became increasingly important, and Facebook plunged us
deeper into the Internet Age. Sites like fmylife.com and textsfromlastnight.com just make us
feel better about ourselves.
stumbleupon
Facebook
fmylife
textsfromlastnight
Sporcle
Quality Movies
Good job, kids. You actually did alright
on this one. “The Hangover” is just plain
funny, and “Juno” launched television
shows about teen pregnancy. “The Dark
Knight” was a sad, but appropriate salute to
the wonderful Heath Ledger and “Avatar”
revolutionized the way we make movies.
And as for “Toy Story 3,” we graduated
high school and are entering college with
Andy. Enough said.
“The Hangover”
“Avatar”
“The Dark Knight”
“Juno”
“Toy Story 3”
TV Shows We Actually
Think Are Good
Medical and trashy reality shows…
not your brightest moment, Class of ’14. I
don’t care what you say, I think Snooki and
everything about “Jersey Shore” is trashy.
And maybe I loved “Grey’s Anatomy,”
but it was definitely a guilty pleasure, and
“Lost” was hard to follow if you didn’t
start at the beginning. Dwight Shrute,
however, will always make me laugh, and
I will always love any television show that
features Kristin Chenoweth. But you have a
chance in the next four years to start anew.
Make good choices.
“Glee”
“Lost”
“Grey’s Anatomy”
“The Office”
“Jersey Shore”
Procrastination Part II: Video Games
Procrastination Part II and a third of the reason that long distance relationships fail.
When you’ve been in boot camp for nine weeks and haven’t been able to call your girlfriend,
one would assume you would call the first chance you get. Apparently, however, pretending
to shoot people is more important. Like, seriously?
“Call of Duty”
“Halo 3”
“Madden”
“FIFA World Cup”
“World of Warcraft”
8 STUDENT LIFE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
photo
PHOTOS BY GRACE FUNG, NNEKA ONWUZURIKE, LAUREN PATRICK AND SAM SCHAUER | STUDENT LIFE
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