[322] in UA Exec
Re: You are being lied to.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Nathan Lachenmyer)
Tue Apr 6 18:30:49 2010
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:30:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: Nathan Lachenmyer <scottnla@MIT.EDU>
To: Austen McRae <amcrae@mit.edu>
cc: Clayton Sims <ctsims@mit.edu>, hwkns@mit.edu, Keri Garel <thekeri@mit.edu>,
Jessica H Lowell <jessiehl@mit.edu>,
Martin F Holmes <goholmes@mit.edu>, "Liz A. Denys" <lizdenys@mit.edu>,
Andrew Lukmann <lukymann@mit.edu>, Ted Hilk <thilk@mit.edu>,
Nathaniel Fox <natefox@mit.edu>, Alexandra Jordan <amjordan@mit.edu>,
Anthony Rindone <arindone@mit.edu>, UA Senate <ua-senate@mit.edu>,
UA Executive Board <ua-exec@mit.edu>, cfs@mit.edu
In-Reply-To: <j2qeb87f3c11004061522xb64eedfbod57c2a5244243d37@mail.gmail.com>
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It's the UA's job to work with them. It *should* be CFS's job to=20
humiliate them until they work with the UA.
Nathan
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010, Austen McRae wrote:
> If you try to publicly make them lose face, or humiliate them, then they =
will get more defensive, and we will never make
> any progress.=A0 Whether they are right or wrong, they will stand till th=
e end so they don't lose face.=A0 It's human nature;
> if we were dealing with intellectuals we wouldn't have this problem.
>=20
> As such, I strongly recommend not taking this form of action.
>=20
> My 117 cents,
>=20
> -more cents
>=20
> On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 5:24 PM, Clayton Sims <ctsims@mit.edu> wrote:
> If people are forming a PR approach to this issue: I'd recommend fo=
cusing on this notion, personally. These
> administrators (those who don't just fetishize dining hall culture)=
are working from a common data set which
> says that:
>
> * Students suck at feeding themselves
> * Dining halls provide quality food which alleviates that problem
> * Running piece-meal dining programs is expensive and cumbersome
>
> Given these statements along with the premise "I have the right to =
control your actions", mandatory dining
> seems like an entirely reasonable plan. Arguing with the administra=
tion about whether the above elements are
> true is almost certainly a losing game (given that they don't seem =
to care, and also that those statements
> are almost certainly true for large subsets of students, possibly a=
ll of them).
>
> MIT is upset to lose face in the public's eyes in general, and lose=
the support of its funders (both alumni
> and other). If you can't hit MIT in one of those ways, you probably=
aren't going to get very far. I'd say
> that trying to humiliate MIT in the eyes of the public and alumni b=
y focusing on how students are
> increasingly treated like children rather than adults seems like a =
way to do that.
>
> "Don't give money to MIT, it's a waste. Their students are too stup=
id to feed themselves: How could they
> build rocket engines?"
> "MIT graduates are an increasingly undesirable set of people to hir=
e. Being coddled all throughout their
> college years leaves them unable to deal with real world problems."
>
> If you can make the administration actually suffer in meaningful wa=
ys (loss of funding, loss of face),
> they'll acquiesce.
>
> Just remember that in many ways this is an argument about framing. =
It isn't about whether MIT is correct that
> they will save 5% each year on dining, or whether the dining option=
s are sufficient, or whether students
> really would save money and eat better if their plan goes through. =
It's about Freshman on Campus, in loco
> parentis, and the fact that the MIT student body is comprised of ad=
ults who have the right to make their own
> decisions no matter what. That's what you should all be screaming a=
t the top of your lungs about.
>
> -Clayton
>
> Daniel Hawkins wrote:
> Charles Stewart and John Essigman are fine people, but their =
perspective (at least on dining
> matters) is very much "it doesn't matter what students say; w=
e know what's best for them."
>
> -hwkns
>=20
> On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:57 PM, Keri Garel <thekeri@mit.edu <mailto:theke=
ri@mit.edu>> wrote:
>=20
> =A0 =A0I second the recommendation of Matt McGann and also strongly
> =A0 =A0suggest avoiding Dean Randolph.
>=20
> =A0 =A0Charles Stewart and John Essigmann are housemasters of McCormick
> =A0 =A0and Simmons (respectively) - I've worked with both of them in the
> =A0 =A0past, and they'd both be good people to turn to.
>=20
> =A0 =A0-Keri
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:47 PM, Jessica H Lowell <jessiehl@mit.edu
> =A0 =A0<mailto:jessiehl@mit.edu>> wrote:
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I second Winston and Wartman (and I would add Abelson,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Sussman, and Slocum to
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the category of sympathetic profs. =A0Gray somewhat varies=
by
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0issue - I have no
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0idea what he thinks about Dining. =A0Personally, I wouldn'=
t
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0generally take senior
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0admins into my confidence on controversial issues - they c=
an
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0be helpful to work
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with, but there's a difference between a helpful partner a=
nd
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0someone you really
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0trust. =A0Hastings and Lerman both signed on to today's le=
tter
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in the Tech - make
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of that what you will.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I would add Matt McGann in Admissions as someone I'd trust
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0absolutely and who
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0can give good advice.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I *strongly* dis-recommend Randolph.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- Jessie
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Quoting Martin F Holmes <goholmes@MIT.EDU
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:goholmes@MIT.EDU>>:
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Whenever I got the impression that students were b=
eing
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0manipulated by the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration, there were a few key people I alwa=
ys went
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to for advice or
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0help. =A0Here's my laundry list of great contacts =
that you
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0can be very forward
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and upfront with and who will listen to you and pr=
ovide
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0solid confidential
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advice:
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Dan Hastings (Dean for Undergraduate Education, no=
t
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0involved with DSL but great
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate and still has influence, respect, and pow=
er with
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior admins)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Bish Sanyal (former Chair of the Faculty, very sym=
pathetic
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to student concerns,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not sure of his current sway as former chair thoug=
h)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Paul Gray (former President, hard to get a meeting=
with,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not directly involved
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with administration, but can provide you with grea=
t advice
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and still use his
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0weight when he desires to add pressure to a situat=
ion)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Phil Walsh (Director of Campus Activities Complex,=
very
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0experienced and
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0knowledgeable, able to provide good advice, has so=
me sway
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0within DSL and great
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0experience with dining in the past)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Anne McCants (former Chair of Faculty Committee on=
Student
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Life, huge student
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate, likely still has some influence within D=
SL)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Jim Champy (one of the most influence members of t=
he
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Corporation, member of
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Executive Committee of the Corporation, very diffi=
cult to
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0get ahold of and
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0likely requires a meeting request from Mike, Maggi=
e,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Vrajesh, or Sammi, a huge
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student ally although he usually works behind the =
scenes,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0provides very
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0reasonable and balanced advice, has a ton of sway =
withing
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0all levels of MIT)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Steve Lerman (Vice Chancellor, about to leave MIT,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0provides awesome confidential
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advice, listens well to students, has huge sway wi=
thin the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration but
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0that may be subsiding given his pending departure =
from MIT)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Rafael Reif (Provost, hard to get a meeting with, =
listens
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and sympathizes with
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students but requires a degree of tact since he's =
clearly
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0a member of the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior admin, has a tremendous amount of sway and =
leverage)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Dana Mead (Chairman of the Corporation, retiring a=
t end of
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0year, strong student
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate but also requires tremendous tact since h=
e is a
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior leader of MIT,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0tremendous amount of sway)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Patrick Winston (Professor, very sympathetic to st=
udent
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0concerns and provides
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0good advice, limited sway withing DSL)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Jed Wartman (limited sway but provides good sound =
advice)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Robert Randolph (limited sway but provides good so=
und advice)
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'd also recommend combing through recent issues o=
f The
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Tech and Faculty
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Newsletter to identify other members of the facult=
y,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administratior, or
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Corporation that you feel like may be strong stude=
nt
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocates.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Martin
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Quoting "Liz A. Denys" <lizdenys@MIT.EDU
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:lizdenys@MIT.EDU>>:
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I have a pretty well established relations=
hip with
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Muriel. I'll try to meet with her this wee=
k.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-Liz
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Andrew Lukmann wrote:
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Hey Ted,
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'm sorry to hear that, but it cer=
tainly makes
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0sense given my experience with her=
when she was an
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Asst. Housemaster at Simmons (5-7 =
yrs. ago). I
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0mentioned her mostly for the fact =
that she is one
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of the few people who are usually =
willing to talk
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with students and who, by the natu=
re of her
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0position, has some real leverage o=
ver DSL. In
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0general, she's probably someone th=
at active
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student advocates should build a r=
elationship with
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- even if she proves to be altoget=
her unhelpful on
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the dining front, she may be willi=
ng to take a
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0stand on other things that student=
s care about.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-Andrew L.
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Ted Hilk wrote:
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Hey Andrew,
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0The last time I spoke with=
Prof. Muriel
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Medard, she was trying to =
justify reducing
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0financial aid by $1400 for=
students opting out
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of the dining plan when th=
e actual difference
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in expenses between dining=
hall food and
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0cooking for oneself over a=
year is only $500
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0on average. =A0Nevermind t=
he fact that this
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0would essentially be predi=
cating student aid
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0on student choices (should=
I get extra
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0financial aid if I want a =
new computer?).
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 After half an hour she fi=
nally admitted that
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the amount was arbitrary a=
nd that the extra
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0deduction was solely inten=
ded to 'encourage'
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students to buy into the d=
ining system. =A0She
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0is very polite and willing=
to talk at great
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0length about issues, but I=
'm afraid she does
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not appear to be in suppor=
t of the student
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0perspective on this matter=
=2E
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Ted
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0On Sun, Apr 4, 2010 at 7:1=
2 PM, Andrew Lukmann
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<lukymann@mit.edu <mailto:=
lukymann@mit.edu>
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:lukymann@mit.edu
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:lukymann@mit.edu>>=
> wrote:
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Hey Jessie (and every=
body else)...
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Like you pointed out,=
a number of reliable
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student allies in the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 administration have m=
oved on and on the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0whole, less cooperative
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 people have replaced =
them. Without a guy
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0like Immer or Larry to go
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 to, this generation o=
f student leaders is
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0(I believe) having a
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 harder leveraging the=
ir relationships than
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0we did. That said,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 there are still a num=
ber of people who
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0might have a bit of pull i=
n
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 DSL that I would reco=
mmend people engage,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0if they haven't already:
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Phil Walsh (CAC), Ann=
McCants (former
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0faculty CSL chair), Muriel
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Medard (CSL chair - t=
hough her opinions on
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0dining might be
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 well-ingrained). Also=
, even though he is on
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0his way out, I've
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 always found Steve Le=
rman to be a friend to
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students and he might
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 be in the position to=
speak (or act) a
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0little more freely now tha=
t
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 he is moving to GWU.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 I think it's great to=
see a number of
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students realizing that th=
ey
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 need to hold administ=
rators feet to the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0fire when they fall short
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 of their own rhetoric=
/promises regarding
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0meaningfully engaging
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 students on important=
issues. If you (and I
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0do mean all of you)
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 don't make it difficu=
lt (or embarrassing)
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0for them to ignore you,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 they will never have =
any incentive to act
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in your best interest
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 any time it conflicts=
with the easiest path
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to their goals (in
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 this case, dining cos=
t effectiveness).
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Keep it up!
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 -Andrew L.
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Jessica H Lowell wrot=
e:
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Quoting Danie=
l Hawkins <hwkns@MIT.EDU
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU> <ma=
ilto:hwkns@MIT.EDU
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU>>>:
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Jessi=
e,
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 We tr=
ied coming up with our own
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0proposal last year (DPC).
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Ad=
mins keep
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 calli=
ng it "an important piece of
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student input" and
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 compl=
etely ignoring its
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 conte=
nts. =A0What's driving this is
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the desire to eliminate
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 the d=
eficit and
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 "buil=
d community" around dining,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0which involves less
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 choic=
e and more money
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 (but =
not MIT's money - they need to
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0eliminate the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 defic=
it). =A0Those are
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 princ=
iples that everyone in the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration (that I'm
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 aware=
of) agrees
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 on. =
=A0I haven't talked to Matt -
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'll send him an e-mail.
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Yeah, I saw t=
he proposal. =A0It looked
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0like a good step. =A0It's
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 the same old =
story
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 with Dining. =
=A0When I dealt with that,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0though, it was easier,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 because larry=
ben
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 (Columbo's pr=
edecessor) was still
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0around and he was on our s=
ide.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Who does Colu=
mbo listen to? =A0Presumably
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Phil Clay, but I doubt
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Clay's useful
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 here. =A0Imme=
rman's gone, so that's a
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0non-starter. =A0The FSILGs
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 generally hav=
e a
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 stake in stud=
ents not getting screwed
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0over on Dining, since
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 less choice o=
ften
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 hurts their f=
rosh and on-campus members
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- is anyone on the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 FSILG side of=
the
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Student Life =
staff persuadable and
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0trusted by Columbo? =A0Cou=
ld
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 any of the RL=
As
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 help here? =
=A0If Admissions has any
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0influence with Columbo,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 which they ma=
y not,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 they'd likely=
be willing to help you
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0out with him.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 It sounds lik=
e if you keep working
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0primarily with Columbo,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 you're not go=
ing to
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 get anywhere.=
=A0Obviously, you have to
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0work with him,
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 communicate w=
ith him, not
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 antagonize hi=
m too much. =A0But that
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0doesn't mean you can't wor=
k
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 with other
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 people (sound=
s like a good project for
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0a senator or two!).
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0And if you=
can dig
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 up administra=
tive allies, they might be
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0able to make more
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 progress with=
Columbo
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 than you can.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Have you bugg=
ed your rich
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0potential-big-donor alumni=
? =A0Many
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 FSILGs and so=
me dorm
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 living groups=
keep in contact with a
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0lot of their alumni, and
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 might be able=
to
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 dig up a few =
wealthy folks who would be
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0pissed about students
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 being screwed
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 over on dinin=
g.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 The UA has li=
ttle real power given to
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0it - it has to find ways
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 to manufactur=
e
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 its own.
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 - Jessie
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-- =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Liz A. =
Denys
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0lizdenys@mit.edu <mailto:lizdenys@mit.edu>
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> =A0 =A0-- =A0 =A0 -------------------------------------------------------=
---------
> =A0 =A0Keri Garel
> =A0 =A0Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
> =A0 =A0MIT Class of 2010
> =A0 =A0thekeri@mit.edu <mailto:thekeri@mit.edu>
> =A0 =A0http://keri.mitblogs.com/
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>
--8323329-990769658-1270593042=:4436--
