I just feel that I absolutely have to have some place to vent my frustration at the world somewhere and I also decided to jump on the ever-moving bandwagon and put it in the bullsheet in the hopes that many of you feel the same way.
Every time I take a technical test and use a fine tipped pencil, the pencil its fine-tippedness. I get up and walk over to the pencil sharpeners and try my hand at sharpening it. Once an easy task, this action has today become such an ordeal with pencils being broken in the machine that I often find myself completely unmotivated to finish my exam. How many times must I get up to sharpen my pencils (yes I’ve taken to carrying at least 8 around) every day? No wonder our economy is getting shot to hell! With the loss of the ability to manufacture American pencil sharpeners properly and having to resort to import them from Europe and China, countries that have traditionally preference ink over graphite, America has to spend trillions of fax dollars importing pencil sharpeners that are a mixture of crap and oil. (The oil lubricates the crap, which is inserted into your pencil after extracting the graphite when the crank is turned.) I just do not feel I am getting my tuition’s worth when I can’t finish my exam because the sharpener breaks all my pencils. I, like all my fellow collegiates, handpick my pencils to last a long time and charting their structural integrity with a complicated test procedure: sitting on them, dropping them from the bio lab, putting them through Curtis dining hall and using them to shotgun; so I KNOW my pencils space-worthy.
Instead of border control we should have sharpener inspection. That is where the true terrorist threat is coming from. Terrorists have enlarged fear-tactics to include ruining future generations of Americans by sabotaging our education on the smallest level. This is a national situation! I have extensively researched and consulted the FTATA (free teachers against terrorist activities) and have found an economically priced, structurally sound pencil sharpener that is an effective counter terrorist strategy. Follow this link on your computer to view.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.shoplet.com/office/plimages/Model-l-table-or-wall-mount-pencil-sharpener-chrome-receptacle-black-base_123932.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/EPI1041.html&usg=__HOa75LNlwzBF1co04IhopHx6uOI=&h=240&w=240&sz=10&hl=en&start=8&um=1&tbnid=rlrkO3vpGKIoKM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dx-acto%2Bsharpener%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DG
The website is very secure. But be sure to clear your browsers after viewing so that
the terrorists don’t destroy our only hope against educational terrorism!
-Adam Shaw.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Bullsheet Computer DIED!
About Prop 8...
Those of you who read my 11/6 post know how revolutionary I believe the election of Obama
is for the civil rights movement. The most white position of power in the world has gone
black, and history has been... well you know. I've heard several black people on the news
talk about how amazing it is to be able to say to their children: "Today, you can be
anything you want to be." And this truly is amazing. But lest we forget, that on November
4, 2008, the gay community was told by mandate of the people, that they are to be
society's lesser humans.
Why is it that the United States rejoiced in the glory of breaking such a monumental race
barrier, yet largely ignored the passing of Proposition 8--the ballot initiative, which
called for the banning of gay marriage in California? Furthermore, where was Barack Obama
to promote this basic civil liberties cause? He could have reached out to those black and
Hispanic communities that voted overwhelmingly for Prop 8--but he didn't. Obama should
not be blamed, but he should have been there.
Not only did the most progressive state in the union vote against the rights of an entire
people, but so did Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas. In fact, Arkansas banned gays from
adopting! But what conclusions can be drawn from these staggering civil rights defeats? I
am confident that the day will come when gay marriage is legalized once again (perhaps
sooner rather than later), but it is clear that the nation is still overwhelmingly
homophobic, and too many gays are fearful of advocating for their own cause (the No On
Prop 8 campaign rarely even used the word).
What is good about Prop 8 is that it has sparked a bit of a national dialogue--not a very
big one, but significant nonetheless. Protests in California are growing, and outrage
amongst many prominent people in the straight community are voicing their opposition (see
Keith Olbermann). The campaign against Prop 8 was poorly organized and largely
ineffective in many communities (particularly black and Hispanic ones). But the
proposition has also exposed another dastardly foe to civil rights: organized religion.
What organization provided the most support for Prop 8? The Mormon Church, of course.
Perhaps the most discriminated religion in American history (the ironic part) has
disregarded the plight of fellow human beings, and ensured the passing of this mandate of
intolerance (providing nearly half of the funds). Organized religion claims they must
protect the "sanctity of marriage," but we must remember that this "sanctity" once
prohibited inter-racial marriage. It should be clear who is on the wrong side of this
issue.
So what is the big deal about marriage exactly? Do gay people really "deserve to be
miserable like the rest of us" (Bill Maher)? Well this issue really is not about
"marriage" per se. It is about taking away the freedoms of people who are different. The
ferocious campaign to take away given rights ought to disgust any decent person--and the
hateful "Pro-8" celebrations that took place should be condemned. But in the words of
Kevin Sessums: "Race has always--up until this point--trumped sexual orientation as a
socially accepted civil rights issue." This, I believe, will be a turning point of the
LGBT rights movement--when the word "gay" entered the national conversation of civil
liberties.
I heard Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (an opponent of Prop 8) say that the "people of
Cali-forn-i-a have spoken"--that this is the nature of democracy, and the will of the
majority. Well, is our court system not designed to protect the interests of minorities?
If we operated under mob rule, how many millions would be disenfranchised? In this
instance, it will be up to the courts to re-establish that majorities cannot determine
the limitations of liberty upon minorities. Example: Brown v. Board of Education (the
controversial ruling to desegregate schools).
But in closing, I have a question for those who believe in equality: are you a true
advocate for the cause? To the minorities who have suffered throughout history, but have
gained significantly in the past 50 years: do you feel no responsibility to stand with
your brothers and sisters in their own quest for the Dream? Who are we to sanction
freedom? Who are we to treat others as lesser beasts who must adhere to the law of
religion and prejudice? I do not believe that I have been a good enough an advocate, but
now is the time to endure... to pursue what is right and noble; for we must come together
for the pursuit of happiness of all.
Do not be afraid. Be human.
-Skye Wallin
(www.theskyewire.com)
EVEREST GEAR is having a DENISON STUDENTS ONLY SALE!! $10 Off All Jackets and Denison
Hoodies.
8195
I'm looking for a ride to and from Indianapolis or anywhere in
between Columbus, OH and Bloomington, IN (Cincinnati, Dayton, etc.)
for Thanksgiving break. I'd be more than happy to cover half the cost
of gas. If interested, please contact dailey_n@denison.edu.
Hello, Everyone!
Don't forget to drop by the Curtis Veggie room sometime today between 11:00 am and 2:00
pm to make sack lunches for low-income Licking County residents. Materials to make these
lunches will be provided. If you are going to be in Curtis anyways for lunch, why not
take five minutes to make a lunch for someone who otherwise might not get to eat?
-Hunger and Homelessness
hey bullsheeters, could you put this in until tuesday? thanks!
Hey Denison! Do you want to know "how to have love and sex without embarrassing
yourself"? If you do, come and listen to world renowned sex columnist ANKA RADAKOVICH's
advice, this upcoming TUESDAY (Nov. 18) at 7:30 in SWASEY!
Anka has appeared on VH1, MTV, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, Conan O'Brien (9 times!), and over
200 other shows; she has also written for The New York Post, GQ, Redbook, Seventeen,
Cosmo, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Playboy, Marie Claire, New York Magazine, and many
others.
We would love to see you there!
-The Women's Resource Center
thanks bullsheet!
Last Chance to Get Involved with Homelessness and Hunger Week!
PB&J Making and Delivery!
A) PB& J Lunch Making Drive @ Curtis Dining Hall, drop-in any time from 11:00-2:00pm,
make peanut butter sandwiches and lunches for low-income residents of Licking County.
Materials are provided!
B) Deliver PB&J Lunches! to The Main Place: a drop-in center for homeless and mentally
ill residents of Newark. Be prepared to hang out and chat with clients and/or play BINGO
for prizes!
12:30-2:30
Meet at the PB&J Drive at Curtis-- transportation provided!
Be there or be box-shaped!
Thankz,
Eryn
Dear Students,
I left a brown patagonia jacket in the foyer of Huffman the night of november 13, around
7:00 p.m. so that it would not reek if Huffman for the rest of the night, and when I came
back after eating it was not there. If you picked it up please have the decency to
contact me, it was a birthday gift that I have had for a week and a half. I just want it
back. Thank You.
John Dionne
Dionne_j@denison.edu
Slayter: 9172
To all you who submitted, sorry about the mixup, the computer had a meltdown and was attacked by viuses...thank GOD for technology woohoo!
-Laura "theskyewire.com?" Masters, Junior Editor
Those of you who read my 11/6 post know how revolutionary I believe the election of Obama
is for the civil rights movement. The most white position of power in the world has gone
black, and history has been... well you know. I've heard several black people on the news
talk about how amazing it is to be able to say to their children: "Today, you can be
anything you want to be." And this truly is amazing. But lest we forget, that on November
4, 2008, the gay community was told by mandate of the people, that they are to be
society's lesser humans.
Why is it that the United States rejoiced in the glory of breaking such a monumental race
barrier, yet largely ignored the passing of Proposition 8--the ballot initiative, which
called for the banning of gay marriage in California? Furthermore, where was Barack Obama
to promote this basic civil liberties cause? He could have reached out to those black and
Hispanic communities that voted overwhelmingly for Prop 8--but he didn't. Obama should
not be blamed, but he should have been there.
Not only did the most progressive state in the union vote against the rights of an entire
people, but so did Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas. In fact, Arkansas banned gays from
adopting! But what conclusions can be drawn from these staggering civil rights defeats? I
am confident that the day will come when gay marriage is legalized once again (perhaps
sooner rather than later), but it is clear that the nation is still overwhelmingly
homophobic, and too many gays are fearful of advocating for their own cause (the No On
Prop 8 campaign rarely even used the word).
What is good about Prop 8 is that it has sparked a bit of a national dialogue--not a very
big one, but significant nonetheless. Protests in California are growing, and outrage
amongst many prominent people in the straight community are voicing their opposition (see
Keith Olbermann). The campaign against Prop 8 was poorly organized and largely
ineffective in many communities (particularly black and Hispanic ones). But the
proposition has also exposed another dastardly foe to civil rights: organized religion.
What organization provided the most support for Prop 8? The Mormon Church, of course.
Perhaps the most discriminated religion in American history (the ironic part) has
disregarded the plight of fellow human beings, and ensured the passing of this mandate of
intolerance (providing nearly half of the funds). Organized religion claims they must
protect the "sanctity of marriage," but we must remember that this "sanctity" once
prohibited inter-racial marriage. It should be clear who is on the wrong side of this
issue.
So what is the big deal about marriage exactly? Do gay people really "deserve to be
miserable like the rest of us" (Bill Maher)? Well this issue really is not about
"marriage" per se. It is about taking away the freedoms of people who are different. The
ferocious campaign to take away given rights ought to disgust any decent person--and the
hateful "Pro-8" celebrations that took place should be condemned. But in the words of
Kevin Sessums: "Race has always--up until this point--trumped sexual orientation as a
socially accepted civil rights issue." This, I believe, will be a turning point of the
LGBT rights movement--when the word "gay" entered the national conversation of civil
liberties.
I heard Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (an opponent of Prop 8) say that the "people of
Cali-forn-i-a have spoken"--that this is the nature of democracy, and the will of the
majority. Well, is our court system not designed to protect the interests of minorities?
If we operated under mob rule, how many millions would be disenfranchised? In this
instance, it will be up to the courts to re-establish that majorities cannot determine
the limitations of liberty upon minorities. Example: Brown v. Board of Education (the
controversial ruling to desegregate schools).
But in closing, I have a question for those who believe in equality: are you a true
advocate for the cause? To the minorities who have suffered throughout history, but have
gained significantly in the past 50 years: do you feel no responsibility to stand with
your brothers and sisters in their own quest for the Dream? Who are we to sanction
freedom? Who are we to treat others as lesser beasts who must adhere to the law of
religion and prejudice? I do not believe that I have been a good enough an advocate, but
now is the time to endure... to pursue what is right and noble; for we must come together
for the pursuit of happiness of all.
Do not be afraid. Be human.
-Skye Wallin
(www.theskyewire.com)
EVEREST GEAR is having a DENISON STUDENTS ONLY SALE!! $10 Off All Jackets and Denison
Hoodies.
8195
I'm looking for a ride to and from Indianapolis or anywhere in
between Columbus, OH and Bloomington, IN (Cincinnati, Dayton, etc.)
for Thanksgiving break. I'd be more than happy to cover half the cost
of gas. If interested, please contact dailey_n@denison.edu.
Hello, Everyone!
Don't forget to drop by the Curtis Veggie room sometime today between 11:00 am and 2:00
pm to make sack lunches for low-income Licking County residents. Materials to make these
lunches will be provided. If you are going to be in Curtis anyways for lunch, why not
take five minutes to make a lunch for someone who otherwise might not get to eat?
-Hunger and Homelessness
hey bullsheeters, could you put this in until tuesday? thanks!
Hey Denison! Do you want to know "how to have love and sex without embarrassing
yourself"? If you do, come and listen to world renowned sex columnist ANKA RADAKOVICH's
advice, this upcoming TUESDAY (Nov. 18) at 7:30 in SWASEY!
Anka has appeared on VH1, MTV, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, Conan O'Brien (9 times!), and over
200 other shows; she has also written for The New York Post, GQ, Redbook, Seventeen,
Cosmo, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Playboy, Marie Claire, New York Magazine, and many
others.
We would love to see you there!
-The Women's Resource Center
thanks bullsheet!
Last Chance to Get Involved with Homelessness and Hunger Week!
PB&J Making and Delivery!
A) PB& J Lunch Making Drive @ Curtis Dining Hall, drop-in any time from 11:00-2:00pm,
make peanut butter sandwiches and lunches for low-income residents of Licking County.
Materials are provided!
B) Deliver PB&J Lunches! to The Main Place: a drop-in center for homeless and mentally
ill residents of Newark. Be prepared to hang out and chat with clients and/or play BINGO
for prizes!
12:30-2:30
Meet at the PB&J Drive at Curtis-- transportation provided!
Be there or be box-shaped!
Thankz,
Eryn
Dear Students,
I left a brown patagonia jacket in the foyer of Huffman the night of november 13, around
7:00 p.m. so that it would not reek if Huffman for the rest of the night, and when I came
back after eating it was not there. If you picked it up please have the decency to
contact me, it was a birthday gift that I have had for a week and a half. I just want it
back. Thank You.
John Dionne
Dionne_j@denison.edu
Slayter: 9172
To all you who submitted, sorry about the mixup, the computer had a meltdown and was attacked by viuses...thank GOD for technology woohoo!
-Laura "theskyewire.com?" Masters, Junior Editor
Sunday, November 9, 2008
My President is Black and So Am I
So I believe now that much of the hype has died down that it is necessary to analyze the recent election. I had a conversation with a Denisonian on Wednesday who believed that Barack Obama does not have “American values”; when I asked what are “American values” he responded “he’s a socialist,” as if McCain didn’t vote for and Bush didn’t sign the Bail Out. Who’s the socialist? However, this young man did make me ask myself “what is an American and why do I avoid such a classification?”
America is a very young country and our people have limited common history. Our links to one another are very questionable. As Americans our identity and unity are founded on ideals; they depend on buzz words such as freedom, equality, unalienable rights and so forth. What does it mean to be an American? It means the constant ability to reinvent yourself, to change your country; it means to progress. Unlike any other country on this earth we have that potential because of our limited history, our cultural makeup, the foresight of the “founding fathers” (this might be the first and last time I pay these slave owners any recognition), and the tradition of activism (from the Boston Tea Party to The Nation of Islam); These factors all point into the larger issue though which is that the American identity is not static, it’s an idea, a concept, a set of beliefs.
America’s ability to reinvent itself is what Barack Obama represents. No matter how his presidency turns out, although it couldn’t be worse than the last eight years, it will stand as a symbol of America’s fatigue. Our country was deteriorating so we changed. Obama represents “the wretched of the earth”, “the least of these” and he will hold one of the most powerful positions in the world; he represents progress.
He also represents a unification of all traditionally oppressed demographics. Our cultural lens is that of white heterosexuals. Therefore, the identity of all others has been ascribed them and since the foundation of this country the other has been trying to find its place. The issue is that we have identities of negation; that is, we know what we aren’t, and that is white heterosexual, but we don’t know what we are. For example to be Black is to be African American, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Latin, West-Indian, and Black African; to be queer means to be bisexual, gay/lesbian, and transgender. We are simply othered, and Obama represents a grounding in this nation for all oppressed groups; he is our roots, our link to this land.
The fact of what Obama is not still remains. He is not a reason to stop fighting. He is not my leader, that is, I will not wait for his guidance to act. Obama’s election does not negate the personal responsibility of all in regards to social justice. He is not an end of racism. Obama is an anomaly; he was raised by whites, and did not completely realize the influence of his Blackness until he was in college. This is to say that the psychological impact of racism was not as prevalent in his development as it is for the majority of Blacks in America. And, to be honest, I believe this has had a huge impact on his success.
Now, I believe whole heartedly that the man I am is the man I have made. America is what Americans have made it. Denison is what Denisonians have made it; and this has made my experience here rather frustrating. My most recent entries, while highly inflammatory and angry in tone, had an underlying faith in Denison’s capacity for greatness. With the amount of resources that we have and the elite status of the institution I have been disappointed. We choose not to be trailblazers out of fear and in our conformity and complacency we are protected by a culture that shuns activism and shirks (overt) conflict. And Obama’s election should serve as license to be a catalyst of change not the right to be a spectator. Who should recognize our progress and use it as inspiration to persist. We should be active participants in the change that is proposed.
In my most recent entries I said that I was God and that is what I meant. I am God because I take responsibility for who I am, what I do, and the impact that I have. There is no exclusivity to this status though. But because of others aversion to seize control of their experiences and lives, to take responsibility for who they are there is a burden placed on those that do. We feel the need not only to propel change but to be galvanizing forces; and it’s a shame that if people realized their own power and owned who they are they could own their space and overcome any inclination that encourages them to shrink so that others aren’t ashamed of their wasted potential.
I believe that it’s necessary to view President Elect Obama in the proper light. His leadership when viewed appropriately is powerful and deserves the utmost respect. However, I believe that any inclination to become a spectator is dangerous. Far too often leaders are burdened with unproductive and inactive masses who only seek to popularize, universalize, and water down the leader’s message. We do not need to wait on Obama to know what’s right; he has not told us and will not tell us anything that we don’t know; and because we already possess the knowledge we are responsible for transforming ourselves, our school, our communities, and our nation.
Peace,
Darrin Collins
America is a very young country and our people have limited common history. Our links to one another are very questionable. As Americans our identity and unity are founded on ideals; they depend on buzz words such as freedom, equality, unalienable rights and so forth. What does it mean to be an American? It means the constant ability to reinvent yourself, to change your country; it means to progress. Unlike any other country on this earth we have that potential because of our limited history, our cultural makeup, the foresight of the “founding fathers” (this might be the first and last time I pay these slave owners any recognition), and the tradition of activism (from the Boston Tea Party to The Nation of Islam); These factors all point into the larger issue though which is that the American identity is not static, it’s an idea, a concept, a set of beliefs.
America’s ability to reinvent itself is what Barack Obama represents. No matter how his presidency turns out, although it couldn’t be worse than the last eight years, it will stand as a symbol of America’s fatigue. Our country was deteriorating so we changed. Obama represents “the wretched of the earth”, “the least of these” and he will hold one of the most powerful positions in the world; he represents progress.
He also represents a unification of all traditionally oppressed demographics. Our cultural lens is that of white heterosexuals. Therefore, the identity of all others has been ascribed them and since the foundation of this country the other has been trying to find its place. The issue is that we have identities of negation; that is, we know what we aren’t, and that is white heterosexual, but we don’t know what we are. For example to be Black is to be African American, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Latin, West-Indian, and Black African; to be queer means to be bisexual, gay/lesbian, and transgender. We are simply othered, and Obama represents a grounding in this nation for all oppressed groups; he is our roots, our link to this land.
The fact of what Obama is not still remains. He is not a reason to stop fighting. He is not my leader, that is, I will not wait for his guidance to act. Obama’s election does not negate the personal responsibility of all in regards to social justice. He is not an end of racism. Obama is an anomaly; he was raised by whites, and did not completely realize the influence of his Blackness until he was in college. This is to say that the psychological impact of racism was not as prevalent in his development as it is for the majority of Blacks in America. And, to be honest, I believe this has had a huge impact on his success.
Now, I believe whole heartedly that the man I am is the man I have made. America is what Americans have made it. Denison is what Denisonians have made it; and this has made my experience here rather frustrating. My most recent entries, while highly inflammatory and angry in tone, had an underlying faith in Denison’s capacity for greatness. With the amount of resources that we have and the elite status of the institution I have been disappointed. We choose not to be trailblazers out of fear and in our conformity and complacency we are protected by a culture that shuns activism and shirks (overt) conflict. And Obama’s election should serve as license to be a catalyst of change not the right to be a spectator. Who should recognize our progress and use it as inspiration to persist. We should be active participants in the change that is proposed.
In my most recent entries I said that I was God and that is what I meant. I am God because I take responsibility for who I am, what I do, and the impact that I have. There is no exclusivity to this status though. But because of others aversion to seize control of their experiences and lives, to take responsibility for who they are there is a burden placed on those that do. We feel the need not only to propel change but to be galvanizing forces; and it’s a shame that if people realized their own power and owned who they are they could own their space and overcome any inclination that encourages them to shrink so that others aren’t ashamed of their wasted potential.
I believe that it’s necessary to view President Elect Obama in the proper light. His leadership when viewed appropriately is powerful and deserves the utmost respect. However, I believe that any inclination to become a spectator is dangerous. Far too often leaders are burdened with unproductive and inactive masses who only seek to popularize, universalize, and water down the leader’s message. We do not need to wait on Obama to know what’s right; he has not told us and will not tell us anything that we don’t know; and because we already possess the knowledge we are responsible for transforming ourselves, our school, our communities, and our nation.
Peace,
Darrin Collins
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Lots of Stuff to Talk About!
Editor Rant
Saturday there is an important Swimming and Diving meet against Kenyon. Swimming takes place earlier than Diving. Diving is at 5:00 pm in Mitchell's pool. Seems like a time everyone can make, right? Wrong. I bet most of the swim team will not be in attendance, supporting their fellow teammates. Just because there are more swimmers should not mean that the divers feel pressured to attend the entire swim portion while few to no swimmers attend the diving portion. This angers me mostly because my younger sister is a diver, and a damn good one at that, but her talent is unrecognized because the people who go to watch diving are parents, few friends and maybe 3 or 4 swimmers. Last weekend I got up hung over and walked my ass down to the pool at 10 am to watch my sister dive, mainly because she's awesome. When I was there the swimmers I saw (4 of them) were sitting talking to each other or studying before their portion of the meet, the other people there were parents of other divers and two other students. My sister then stayed the rest of the meet to watch and support the swimmers.
This is just unfair. Is it not a Swimming AND Diving team? Do teams not support one another? It makes me angry to see my sister and her teammates unsupported by the rest of their team. I was on swim team in high school and the same bullshit happened, diving was earlier sometimes so no swimmers watched, and those who watched got bored and talked to each other, which is just rude and ruins the concentration of the divers. Since I was ten years old I have spent most of my Saturdays in the natatorium of the University of Buffalo watching my sister compete. It was hot, humid, hours long and most of the time I hated it. But when my sister got on that board to dive I got this feeling of such pride, that's my little sister doing that, getting those scores, being that good at what she does. Eventually when I understood it more, I had more fun and appreciated it more.
All I am asking is that Saturday, you go and support the swimmers, and then support the divers, and swimmers, I hope you stay and support the divers, because most of them are someone's brother or sister and all of them are someone's child, and there's a lot of pride in that and there should be the same pride in them as your teammates.
-Laura Masters, Junior Editor
Remember, Remember, the 8th of November
Dear Denison Community,
On Wednesday, President Knobel sent a campus-wide email addressing the events that happened during this week last year. After reading the letter, the Denison Progressive Alliance executive committee wants to address the anniversary of last November's events, and to call for a continuation of the discussions that began at that time. We are happy to see that the Administration recognizes the importance of ongoing dialogue and creating changes on our campus. However, it is our observation that the actions of the Administration have not succeeded in creating a sustained dialogue, but rather have come in small doses. An email near the end of the semester is inadequate and overdue. In order to truly see change on this campus, there must be a consistent and urgent effort by both the Administration and the student body to seek transformations.
All of the efforts listed in Dr. Knobel's email are laudable actions, but we find it troubling that for many students, this was their first time hearing about these changes. We want to encourage the administration to be more open with students about changes being implemented so we can make use of them.To facilitate this conversation, DPA is starting a weekly lunch hour conversation open to all students, Administration, faculty, and staff. Please look for more information about this towards the beginning of next week. We will contact the Bullsheet with more ways to get students involved in these discussions.
Ultimately, true change on our campus culture can only come about through the combined effort of students and Administration. This is the starting point to create change, and if we want it, we have to fight for it. One email every semester is not enough, we need to be a part of the process and involved in making the change. Last year, there was a sense of solidarity and collective understanding, but that seems to have died away with a lack of communication. We recognize, as Dr. Knobel said in his email, this cannot be all about the Administration. However, the Administration does have the ability to facilitate the conversation and foster student involvement.
As President-Elect Obama said to the nation Tuesday night, this "is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other." Change must not just be rhetoric, but action; and we have the power to make that happen. This is reflected not just on a national level, but on a local level and begins with ourselves, in our Denison community.
We echo Dr. Knobel's words that as the election represented a fundamental responsibility to the national community, we also have a responsibility to the Denison community. Last November, there was a call on campus to change the current systems. To do so, we encourage the Denison community to seek information from the Administration, faculty, and staff, and to reach out to one another.
Amanda Dever, 7677; Caiti Schroering, 8096; Emily Anderson, 8531
DCGA, WooHoo!
There are many qualified candidates running this semester for the position of 2012 DCGA Class Senator. I have read the platforms of my competitors (available on the DCGA website), and it seems that we agree on many things that we would like to see happen at Denison. From making freshman parking more accessible, to increasing the quality of dining hall food, we have each stated a commitment to improving the quality of life and available opportunities for the entire campus. That being said, I am asking for your vote. Having attended multiple DCGA meetings, I feel that I understand (and possess) the necessary skills to serve as an effective Senator. Even if I am not elected, I am committed to effecting change on campus. For example, I will be seeking a position on the newly created Security Council to act as a mediator between students and campus security.I cannot promise that everything you personally want to see change would in fact change as a result of electing me. No one could promise that. But I can guarantee that should I be elected, I would commit to fully serving you. Thanks for your time and remember to vote for up to 8 candidates on November 11th on myDenison.
Kale "friend me on Facebook if you have any questions" Hills 7571
Saturday there is an important Swimming and Diving meet against Kenyon. Swimming takes place earlier than Diving. Diving is at 5:00 pm in Mitchell's pool. Seems like a time everyone can make, right? Wrong. I bet most of the swim team will not be in attendance, supporting their fellow teammates. Just because there are more swimmers should not mean that the divers feel pressured to attend the entire swim portion while few to no swimmers attend the diving portion. This angers me mostly because my younger sister is a diver, and a damn good one at that, but her talent is unrecognized because the people who go to watch diving are parents, few friends and maybe 3 or 4 swimmers. Last weekend I got up hung over and walked my ass down to the pool at 10 am to watch my sister dive, mainly because she's awesome. When I was there the swimmers I saw (4 of them) were sitting talking to each other or studying before their portion of the meet, the other people there were parents of other divers and two other students. My sister then stayed the rest of the meet to watch and support the swimmers.
This is just unfair. Is it not a Swimming AND Diving team? Do teams not support one another? It makes me angry to see my sister and her teammates unsupported by the rest of their team. I was on swim team in high school and the same bullshit happened, diving was earlier sometimes so no swimmers watched, and those who watched got bored and talked to each other, which is just rude and ruins the concentration of the divers. Since I was ten years old I have spent most of my Saturdays in the natatorium of the University of Buffalo watching my sister compete. It was hot, humid, hours long and most of the time I hated it. But when my sister got on that board to dive I got this feeling of such pride, that's my little sister doing that, getting those scores, being that good at what she does. Eventually when I understood it more, I had more fun and appreciated it more.
All I am asking is that Saturday, you go and support the swimmers, and then support the divers, and swimmers, I hope you stay and support the divers, because most of them are someone's brother or sister and all of them are someone's child, and there's a lot of pride in that and there should be the same pride in them as your teammates.
-Laura Masters, Junior Editor
Remember, Remember, the 8th of November
Dear Denison Community,
On Wednesday, President Knobel sent a campus-wide email addressing the events that happened during this week last year. After reading the letter, the Denison Progressive Alliance executive committee wants to address the anniversary of last November's events, and to call for a continuation of the discussions that began at that time. We are happy to see that the Administration recognizes the importance of ongoing dialogue and creating changes on our campus. However, it is our observation that the actions of the Administration have not succeeded in creating a sustained dialogue, but rather have come in small doses. An email near the end of the semester is inadequate and overdue. In order to truly see change on this campus, there must be a consistent and urgent effort by both the Administration and the student body to seek transformations.
All of the efforts listed in Dr. Knobel's email are laudable actions, but we find it troubling that for many students, this was their first time hearing about these changes. We want to encourage the administration to be more open with students about changes being implemented so we can make use of them.To facilitate this conversation, DPA is starting a weekly lunch hour conversation open to all students, Administration, faculty, and staff. Please look for more information about this towards the beginning of next week. We will contact the Bullsheet with more ways to get students involved in these discussions.
Ultimately, true change on our campus culture can only come about through the combined effort of students and Administration. This is the starting point to create change, and if we want it, we have to fight for it. One email every semester is not enough, we need to be a part of the process and involved in making the change. Last year, there was a sense of solidarity and collective understanding, but that seems to have died away with a lack of communication. We recognize, as Dr. Knobel said in his email, this cannot be all about the Administration. However, the Administration does have the ability to facilitate the conversation and foster student involvement.
As President-Elect Obama said to the nation Tuesday night, this "is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other." Change must not just be rhetoric, but action; and we have the power to make that happen. This is reflected not just on a national level, but on a local level and begins with ourselves, in our Denison community.
We echo Dr. Knobel's words that as the election represented a fundamental responsibility to the national community, we also have a responsibility to the Denison community. Last November, there was a call on campus to change the current systems. To do so, we encourage the Denison community to seek information from the Administration, faculty, and staff, and to reach out to one another.
Amanda Dever, 7677; Caiti Schroering, 8096; Emily Anderson, 8531
DCGA, WooHoo!
There are many qualified candidates running this semester for the position of 2012 DCGA Class Senator. I have read the platforms of my competitors (available on the DCGA website), and it seems that we agree on many things that we would like to see happen at Denison. From making freshman parking more accessible, to increasing the quality of dining hall food, we have each stated a commitment to improving the quality of life and available opportunities for the entire campus. That being said, I am asking for your vote. Having attended multiple DCGA meetings, I feel that I understand (and possess) the necessary skills to serve as an effective Senator. Even if I am not elected, I am committed to effecting change on campus. For example, I will be seeking a position on the newly created Security Council to act as a mediator between students and campus security.I cannot promise that everything you personally want to see change would in fact change as a result of electing me. No one could promise that. But I can guarantee that should I be elected, I would commit to fully serving you. Thanks for your time and remember to vote for up to 8 candidates on November 11th on myDenison.
Kale "friend me on Facebook if you have any questions" Hills 7571
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