[324] in UA Exec
Re: You are being lied to.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Cinjon Resnick)
Tue Apr 6 18:36:55 2010
In-Reply-To: <alpine.DEB.2.00.1004061829570.4436@fermi-dirac>
From: Cinjon Resnick <cinjon@MIT.EDU>
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:36:24 -0400
To: Nathan Lachenmyer <scottnla@mit.edu>
Cc: Austen McRae <amcrae@mit.edu>, 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
--0016e65b611e821e08048399147e
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
That seems antithetical to the grand idea of promoting student objectives,
which is I believe strongly indicated in the name and spirit of the CFS.
On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 6:30 PM, Nathan Lachenmyer <scottnla@mit.edu> wrote:
> It's the UA's job to work with them. It *should* be CFS's job to 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. Whether they are right or wrong, they will stand till the
>> end so they don't lose face. It's human nature;
>> if we were dealing with intellectuals we wouldn't have this problem.
>>
>> As such, I strongly recommend not taking this form of action.
>>
>> My 117 cents,
>>
>> -more cents
>>
>> 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
>> focusing 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
>> administration 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 all
>> 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 by
>> 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 stupid
>> to feed themselves: How could they
>> build rocket engines?"
>> "MIT graduates are an increasingly undesirable set of people to hire.
>> 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 ways
>> (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 options
>> 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
>> adults who have the right to make their own
>> decisions no matter what. That's what you should all be screaming at
>> 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; we
>> know what's best for them."
>>
>> -hwkns
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:57 PM, Keri Garel <thekeri@mit.edu <mailto:
>> thekeri@mit.edu>> wrote:
>>
>> I second the recommendation of Matt McGann and also strongly
>> suggest avoiding Dean Randolph.
>>
>> Charles Stewart and John Essigmann are housemasters of McCormick
>> and Simmons (respectively) - I've worked with both of them in the
>> past, and they'd both be good people to turn to.
>>
>> -Keri
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:47 PM, Jessica H Lowell <jessiehl@mit.edu
>> <mailto:jessiehl@mit.edu>> wrote:
>>
>> I second Winston and Wartman (and I would add Abelson,
>> Sussman, and Slocum to
>> the category of sympathetic profs. Gray somewhat varies by
>> issue - I have no
>> idea what he thinks about Dining. Personally, I wouldn't
>> generally take senior
>> admins into my confidence on controversial issues - they can
>> be helpful to work
>> with, but there's a difference between a helpful partner and
>> someone you really
>> trust. Hastings and Lerman both signed on to today's letter
>> in the Tech - make
>> of that what you will.
>>
>> I would add Matt McGann in Admissions as someone I'd trust
>> absolutely and who
>> can give good advice.
>>
>> I *strongly* dis-recommend Randolph.
>>
>> - Jessie
>>
>>
>> Quoting Martin F Holmes <goholmes@MIT.EDU
>> <mailto:goholmes@MIT.EDU>>:
>>
>>
>> Whenever I got the impression that students were being
>> manipulated by the
>> administration, there were a few key people I always went
>> to for advice or
>> help. Here's my laundry list of great contacts that you
>> can be very forward
>> and upfront with and who will listen to you and provide
>> solid confidential
>> advice:
>>
>> Dan Hastings (Dean for Undergraduate Education, not
>> involved with DSL but great
>> advocate and still has influence, respect, and power with
>> senior admins)
>>
>> Bish Sanyal (former Chair of the Faculty, very sympathetic
>> to student concerns,
>> not sure of his current sway as former chair though)
>>
>> Paul Gray (former President, hard to get a meeting with,
>> not directly involved
>> with administration, but can provide you with great advice
>> and still use his
>> weight when he desires to add pressure to a situation)
>>
>> Phil Walsh (Director of Campus Activities Complex, very
>> experienced and
>> knowledgeable, able to provide good advice, has some sway
>> within DSL and great
>> experience with dining in the past)
>>
>> Anne McCants (former Chair of Faculty Committee on Student
>> Life, huge student
>> advocate, likely still has some influence within DSL)
>>
>> Jim Champy (one of the most influence members of the
>> Corporation, member of
>> Executive Committee of the Corporation, very difficult to
>> get ahold of and
>> likely requires a meeting request from Mike, Maggie,
>> Vrajesh, or Sammi, a huge
>> student ally although he usually works behind the scenes,
>> provides very
>> reasonable and balanced advice, has a ton of sway withing
>> all levels of MIT)
>>
>> Steve Lerman (Vice Chancellor, about to leave MIT,
>> provides awesome confidential
>> advice, listens well to students, has huge sway within the
>> administration but
>> that may be subsiding given his pending departure from MIT)
>>
>> Rafael Reif (Provost, hard to get a meeting with, listens
>> and sympathizes with
>> students but requires a degree of tact since he's clearly
>> a member of the
>> senior admin, has a tremendous amount of sway and leverage)
>>
>> Dana Mead (Chairman of the Corporation, retiring at end of
>> year, strong student
>> advocate but also requires tremendous tact since he is a
>> senior leader of MIT,
>> tremendous amount of sway)
>>
>> Patrick Winston (Professor, very sympathetic to student
>> concerns and provides
>> good advice, limited sway withing DSL)
>>
>> Jed Wartman (limited sway but provides good sound advice)
>>
>> Robert Randolph (limited sway but provides good sound advice)
>>
>> I'd also recommend combing through recent issues of The
>> Tech and Faculty
>> Newsletter to identify other members of the faculty,
>> administratior, or
>> Corporation that you feel like may be strong student
>> advocates.
>>
>> Martin
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Quoting "Liz A. Denys" <lizdenys@MIT.EDU
>> <mailto:lizdenys@MIT.EDU>>:
>>
>>
>> I have a pretty well established relationship with
>> Muriel. I'll try to meet with her this week.
>>
>> -Liz
>>
>> Andrew Lukmann wrote:
>>
>> Hey Ted,
>>
>> I'm sorry to hear that, but it certainly makes
>> sense given my experience with her when she was an
>> Asst. Housemaster at Simmons (5-7 yrs. ago). I
>> mentioned her mostly for the fact that she is one
>> of the few people who are usually willing to talk
>> with students and who, by the nature of her
>> position, has some real leverage over DSL. In
>> general, she's probably someone that active
>> student advocates should build a relationship with
>> - even if she proves to be altogether unhelpful on
>> the dining front, she may be willing to take a
>> stand on other things that students care about.
>>
>> -Andrew L.
>>
>>
>> Ted Hilk wrote:
>>
>> Hey Andrew,
>>
>> The last time I spoke with Prof. Muriel
>> Medard, she was trying to justify reducing
>> financial aid by $1400 for students opting out
>> of the dining plan when the actual difference
>> in expenses between dining hall food and
>> cooking for oneself over a year is only $500
>> on average. Nevermind the fact that this
>> would essentially be predicating student aid
>> on student choices (should I get extra
>> financial aid if I want a new computer?).
>> After half an hour she finally admitted that
>> the amount was arbitrary and that the extra
>> deduction was solely intended to 'encourage'
>> students to buy into the dining system. She
>> is very polite and willing to talk at great
>> length about issues, but I'm afraid she does
>> not appear to be in support of the student
>> perspective on this matter.
>>
>> Ted
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 4, 2010 at 7:12 PM, Andrew Lukmann
>> <lukymann@mit.edu <mailto:lukymann@mit.edu>
>> <mailto:lukymann@mit.edu
>>
>> <mailto:lukymann@mit.edu>>> wrote:
>>
>> Hey Jessie (and everybody else)...
>>
>> Like you pointed out, a number of reliable
>> student allies in the
>> administration have moved on and on the
>> whole, less cooperative
>> people have replaced them. Without a guy
>> like Immer or Larry to go
>> to, this generation of student leaders is
>> (I believe) having a
>> harder leveraging their relationships than
>> we did. That said,
>> there are still a number of people who
>> might have a bit of pull in
>> DSL that I would recommend people engage,
>> if they haven't already:
>> Phil Walsh (CAC), Ann McCants (former
>> faculty CSL chair), Muriel
>> Medard (CSL chair - though her opinions on
>> dining might be
>> well-ingrained). Also, even though he is on
>> his way out, I've
>> always found Steve Lerman to be a friend to
>> students and he might
>> be in the position to speak (or act) a
>> little more freely now that
>> he is moving to GWU.
>>
>> I think it's great to see a number of
>> students realizing that they
>> need to hold administrators feet to the
>> fire when they fall short
>> of their own rhetoric/promises regarding
>> meaningfully engaging
>> students on important issues. If you (and I
>> do mean all of you)
>> don't make it difficult (or embarrassing)
>> for them to ignore you,
>> they will never have any incentive to act
>> in your best interest
>> any time it conflicts with the easiest path
>> to their goals (in
>> this case, dining cost effectiveness).
>>
>> Keep it up!
>> -Andrew L.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Jessica H Lowell wrote:
>>
>> Quoting Daniel Hawkins <hwkns@MIT.EDU
>> <mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU> <mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU
>>
>> <mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU>>>:
>>
>> Jessie,
>>
>> We tried coming up with our own
>> proposal last year (DPC).
>> Admins keep
>> calling it "an important piece of
>> student input" and
>> completely ignoring its
>> contents. What's driving this is
>> the desire to eliminate
>> the deficit and
>> "build community" around dining,
>> which involves less
>> choice and more money
>> (but not MIT's money - they need to
>> eliminate the
>> deficit). Those are
>> principles that everyone in the
>> administration (that I'm
>> aware of) agrees
>> on. I haven't talked to Matt -
>> I'll send him an e-mail.
>>
>>
>> Yeah, I saw the proposal. It looked
>> like a good step. It's
>> the same old story
>> with Dining. When I dealt with that,
>> though, it was easier,
>> because larryben
>> (Columbo's predecessor) was still
>> around and he was on our side.
>>
>> Who does Columbo listen to? Presumably
>> Phil Clay, but I doubt
>> Clay's useful
>> here. Immerman's gone, so that's a
>> non-starter. The FSILGs
>> generally have a
>> stake in students not getting screwed
>> over on Dining, since
>> less choice often
>> hurts their frosh and on-campus members
>> - is anyone on the
>> FSILG side of the
>> Student Life staff persuadable and
>> trusted by Columbo? Could
>> any of the RLAs
>> help here? If Admissions has any
>> influence with Columbo,
>> which they may not,
>> they'd likely be willing to help you
>> out with him.
>>
>> It sounds like if you keep working
>> primarily with Columbo,
>> you're not going to
>> get anywhere. Obviously, you have to
>> work with him,
>> communicate with him, not
>> antagonize him too much. But that
>> doesn't mean you can't work
>> with other
>> people (sounds like a good project for
>> a senator or two!).
>> And if you can dig
>> up administrative allies, they might be
>> able to make more
>> progress with Columbo
>> than you can.
>>
>> Have you bugged your rich
>> potential-big-donor alumni? Many
>> FSILGs and some dorm
>> living groups keep in contact with a
>> lot of their alumni, and
>> might be able to
>> dig up a few wealthy folks who would be
>> pissed about students
>> being screwed
>> over on dining.
>>
>> The UA has little real power given to
>> it - it has to find ways
>> to manufacture
>> its own.
>>
>> - Jessie
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -- Liz A. Denys
>> lizdenys@mit.edu <mailto:lizdenys@mit.edu>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -- ----------------------------------------------------------------
>> Keri Garel
>> Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
>> MIT Class of 2010
>> thekeri@mit.edu <mailto:thekeri@mit.edu>
>> http://keri.mitblogs.com/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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That seems antithetical to the grand idea of promoting student objectives, =
which is I believe strongly indicated in the name and spirit of the CFS.<br=
><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote">On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 6:30 PM, Nathan Lach=
enmyer <span dir=3D"ltr"><<a href=3D"mailto:scottnla@mit.edu" target=3D"=
_blank">scottnla@mit.edu</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; borde=
r-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">It's the UA&#=
39;s job to work with them. =A0It *should* be CFS's job to humiliate th=
em until they work with the UA.<br>
<font color=3D"#888888">
<br>
Nathan</font><div><div></div><div><br>
<br>
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010, Austen McRae wrote:<br>
<br>
<blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; borde=
r-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
If you try to publicly make them lose face, or humiliate them, then they wi=
ll get more defensive, and we will never make<br>
any progress.=A0 Whether they are right or wrong, they will stand till the =
end so they don't lose face.=A0 It's human nature;<br>
if we were dealing with intellectuals we wouldn't have this problem.<br=
>
<br>
As such, I strongly recommend not taking this form of action.<br>
<br>
My 117 cents,<br>
<br>
-more cents<br>
<br>
On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 5:24 PM, Clayton Sims <<a href=3D"mailto:ctsims@m=
it.edu" target=3D"_blank">ctsims@mit.edu</a>> wrote:<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0If people are forming a PR approach to this issue: I'd reco=
mmend focusing on this notion, personally. These<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0administrators (those who don't just fetishize dining hall =
culture) are working from a common data set which<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0says that:<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0* Students suck at feeding themselves<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0* Dining halls provide quality food which alleviates that probl=
em<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0* Running piece-meal dining programs is expensive and cumbersom=
e<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0Given these statements along with the premise "I have the =
right to control your actions", mandatory dining<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0seems like an entirely reasonable plan. Arguing with the admini=
stration about whether the above elements are<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0true is almost certainly a losing game (given that they don'=
;t seem to care, and also that those statements<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0are almost certainly true for large subsets of students, possib=
ly all of them).<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0MIT is upset to lose face in the public's eyes in general, =
and lose the support of its funders (both alumni<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0and other). If you can't hit MIT in one of those ways, you =
probably aren't going to get very far. I'd say<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0that trying to humiliate MIT in the eyes of the public and alum=
ni by focusing on how students are<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0increasingly treated like children rather than adults seems lik=
e a way to do that.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0"Don't give money to MIT, it's a waste. Their stud=
ents are too stupid to feed themselves: How could they<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0build rocket engines?"<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0"MIT graduates are an increasingly undesirable set of peop=
le to hire. Being coddled all throughout their<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0college years leaves them unable to deal with real world proble=
ms."<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0If you can make the administration actually suffer in meaningfu=
l ways (loss of funding, loss of face),<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0they'll acquiesce.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0Just remember that in many ways this is an argument about frami=
ng. It isn't about whether MIT is correct that<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0they will save 5% each year on dining, or whether the dining op=
tions are sufficient, or whether students<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0really would save money and eat better if their plan goes throu=
gh. It's about Freshman on Campus, in loco<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0parentis, and the fact that the MIT student body is comprised o=
f adults who have the right to make their own<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0decisions no matter what. That's what you should all be scr=
eaming at the top of your lungs about.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0-Clayton<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0Daniel Hawkins wrote:<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Charles Stewart and John Essigman are fine people, =
but their perspective (at least on dining<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0matters) is very much "it doesn't matter w=
hat students say; we know what's best for them."<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-hwkns<br>
<br>
On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:57 PM, Keri Garel <<a href=3D"mailto:thekeri@mi=
t.edu" target=3D"_blank">thekeri@mit.edu</a> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:t=
hekeri@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">thekeri@mit.edu</a>>> wrote:<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0I second the recommendation of Matt McGann and also strongly<br>
=A0 =A0suggest avoiding Dean Randolph.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0Charles Stewart and John Essigmann are housemasters of McCormick<br>
=A0 =A0and Simmons (respectively) - I've worked with both of them in th=
e<br>
=A0 =A0past, and they'd both be good people to turn to.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0-Keri<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:47 PM, Jessica H Lowell <<a href=3D"mail=
to:jessiehl@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">jessiehl@mit.edu</a><br>
=A0 =A0<mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:jessiehl@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">jes=
siehl@mit.edu</a>>> wrote:<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I second Winston and Wartman (and I would add Abelson,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Sussman, and Slocum to<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the category of sympathetic profs. =A0Gray somewhat varies b=
y<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0issue - I have no<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0idea what he thinks about Dining. =A0Personally, I wouldn=
9;t<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0generally take senior<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0admins into my confidence on controversial issues - they can=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0be helpful to work<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with, but there's a difference between a helpful partner=
and<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0someone you really<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0trust. =A0Hastings and Lerman both signed on to today's =
letter<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in the Tech - make<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of that what you will.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I would add Matt McGann in Admissions as someone I'd tru=
st<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0absolutely and who<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0can give good advice.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I *strongly* dis-recommend Randolph.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- Jessie<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Quoting Martin F Holmes <<a href=3D"mailto:goholmes@MIT.E=
DU" target=3D"_blank">goholmes@MIT.EDU</a><br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:goholmes@MIT.EDU" target=3D"_bl=
ank">goholmes@MIT.EDU</a>>>:<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Whenever I got the impression that students were bei=
ng<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0manipulated by the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration, there were a few key people I always=
went<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to for advice or<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0help. =A0Here's my laundry list of great contact=
s that you<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0can be very forward<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and upfront with and who will listen to you and prov=
ide<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0solid confidential<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advice:<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Dan Hastings (Dean for Undergraduate Education, not<=
br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0involved with DSL but great<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate and still has influence, respect, and power=
with<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior admins)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Bish Sanyal (former Chair of the Faculty, very sympa=
thetic<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to student concerns,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not sure of his current sway as former chair though)=
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Paul Gray (former President, hard to get a meeting w=
ith,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not directly involved<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with administration, but can provide you with great =
advice<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and still use his<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0weight when he desires to add pressure to a situatio=
n)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Phil Walsh (Director of Campus Activities Complex, v=
ery<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0experienced and<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0knowledgeable, able to provide good advice, has some=
sway<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0within DSL and great<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0experience with dining in the past)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Anne McCants (former Chair of Faculty Committee on S=
tudent<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Life, huge student<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate, likely still has some influence within DSL=
)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Jim Champy (one of the most influence members of the=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Corporation, member of<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Executive Committee of the Corporation, very difficu=
lt to<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0get ahold of and<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0likely requires a meeting request from Mike, Maggie,=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Vrajesh, or Sammi, a huge<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student ally although he usually works behind the sc=
enes,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0provides very<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0reasonable and balanced advice, has a ton of sway wi=
thing<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0all levels of MIT)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Steve Lerman (Vice Chancellor, about to leave MIT,<b=
r>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0provides awesome confidential<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advice, listens well to students, has huge sway with=
in the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration but<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0that may be subsiding given his pending departure fr=
om MIT)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Rafael Reif (Provost, hard to get a meeting with, li=
stens<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and sympathizes with<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students but requires a degree of tact since he'=
s clearly<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0a member of the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior admin, has a tremendous amount of sway and le=
verage)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Dana Mead (Chairman of the Corporation, retiring at =
end of<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0year, strong student<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate but also requires tremendous tact since he =
is a<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior leader of MIT,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0tremendous amount of sway)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Patrick Winston (Professor, very sympathetic to stud=
ent<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0concerns and provides<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0good advice, limited sway withing DSL)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Jed Wartman (limited sway but provides good sound ad=
vice)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Robert Randolph (limited sway but provides good soun=
d advice)<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'd also recommend combing through recent issues=
of The<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Tech and Faculty<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Newsletter to identify other members of the faculty,=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administratior, or<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Corporation that you feel like may be strong student=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocates.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Martin<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Quoting "Liz A. Denys" <<a href=3D"mail=
to:lizdenys@MIT.EDU" target=3D"_blank">lizdenys@MIT.EDU</a><br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:lizdenys@MIT.EDU" targe=
t=3D"_blank">lizdenys@MIT.EDU</a>>>:<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I have a pretty well established relationshi=
p with<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Muriel. I'll try to meet with her this w=
eek.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-Liz<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Andrew Lukmann wrote:<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Hey Ted,<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'm sorry to hear that, but it c=
ertainly makes<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0sense given my experience with her w=
hen she was an<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Asst. Housemaster at Simmons (5-7 yr=
s. ago). I<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0mentioned her mostly for the fact th=
at she is one<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of the few people who are usually wi=
lling to talk<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with students and who, by the nature=
of her<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0position, has some real leverage ove=
r DSL. In<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0general, she's probably someone =
that active<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student advocates should build a rel=
ationship with<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- even if she proves to be altogethe=
r unhelpful on<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the dining front, she may be willing=
to take a<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0stand on other things that students =
care about.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-Andrew L.<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Ted Hilk wrote:<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Hey Andrew,<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0The last time I spoke with P=
rof. Muriel<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Medard, she was trying to ju=
stify reducing<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0financial aid by $1400 for s=
tudents opting out<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of the dining plan when the =
actual difference<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in expenses between dining h=
all food and<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0cooking for oneself over a y=
ear is only $500<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0on average. =A0Nevermind the=
fact that this<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0would essentially be predica=
ting student aid<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0on student choices (should I=
get extra<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0financial aid if I want a ne=
w computer?).<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 After half an hour she fina=
lly admitted that<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the amount was arbitrary and=
that the extra<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0deduction was solely intende=
d to 'encourage'<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students to buy into the din=
ing system. =A0She<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0is very polite and willing t=
o talk at great<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0length about issues, but I&#=
39;m afraid she does<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not appear to be in support =
of the student<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0perspective on this matter.<=
br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Ted<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0On Sun, Apr 4, 2010 at 7:12 =
PM, Andrew Lukmann<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<<a href=3D"mailto:lukyma=
nn@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">lukymann@mit.edu</a> <mailto:<a href=3D"ma=
ilto:lukymann@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">lukymann@mit.edu</a>><br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:<a href=3D"mailto=
:lukymann@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">lukymann@mit.edu</a><br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:<a href=3D"mailto=
:lukymann@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">lukymann@mit.edu</a>>>> wrote=
:<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Hey Jessie (and everybo=
dy else)...<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Like you pointed out, a=
number of reliable<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student allies in the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 administration have mov=
ed on and on the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0whole, less cooperative<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 people have replaced th=
em. Without a guy<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0like Immer or Larry to go<br=
>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 to, this generation of =
student leaders is<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0(I believe) having a<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 harder leveraging their=
relationships than<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0we did. That said,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 there are still a numbe=
r of people who<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0might have a bit of pull in<=
br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 DSL that I would recomm=
end people engage,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0if they haven't already:=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Phil Walsh (CAC), Ann M=
cCants (former<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0faculty CSL chair), Muriel<b=
r>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Medard (CSL chair - tho=
ugh her opinions on<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0dining might be<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 well-ingrained). Also, =
even though he is on<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0his way out, I've<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 always found Steve Lerm=
an to be a friend to<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students and he might<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 be in the position to s=
peak (or act) a<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0little more freely now that<=
br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 he is moving to GWU.<br=
>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 I think it's great =
to see a number of<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students realizing that they=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 need to hold administra=
tors feet to the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0fire when they fall short<br=
>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 of their own rhetoric/p=
romises regarding<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0meaningfully engaging<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 students on important i=
ssues. If you (and I<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0do mean all of you)<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 don't make it diffi=
cult (or embarrassing)<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0for them to ignore you,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 they will never have an=
y incentive to act<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in your best interest<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 any time it conflicts w=
ith the easiest path<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to their goals (in<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 this case, dining cost =
effectiveness).<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Keep it up!<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 -Andrew L.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Jessica H Lowell wrote:=
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Quoting Daniel =
Hawkins <<a href=3D"mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU" target=3D"_blank">hwkns@MIT.ED=
U</a><br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:<a href=3D"mailto=
:hwkns@MIT.EDU" target=3D"_blank">hwkns@MIT.EDU</a>> <mailto:<a href=
=3D"mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU" target=3D"_blank">hwkns@MIT.EDU</a><br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:<a href=3D"mailto=
:hwkns@MIT.EDU" target=3D"_blank">hwkns@MIT.EDU</a>>>>:<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Jessie,=
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 We trie=
d coming up with our own<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0proposal last year (DPC).<br=
>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Admi=
ns keep<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 calling=
it "an important piece of<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student input" and<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 complet=
ely ignoring its<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 content=
s. =A0What's driving this is<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the desire to eliminate<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 the def=
icit and<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 "b=
uild community" around dining,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0which involves less<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 choice =
and more money<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 (but no=
t MIT's money - they need to<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0eliminate the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 deficit=
). =A0Those are<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 princip=
les that everyone in the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration (that I'm=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 aware o=
f) agrees<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 on. =A0=
I haven't talked to Matt -<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'll send him an e-mail.=
<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Yeah, I saw the=
proposal. =A0It looked<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0like a good step. =A0It'=
s<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 the same old st=
ory<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 with Dining. =
=A0When I dealt with that,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0though, it was easier,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 because larrybe=
n<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 (Columbo's =
predecessor) was still<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0around and he was on our sid=
e.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Who does Columb=
o listen to? =A0Presumably<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Phil Clay, but I doubt<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Clay's usef=
ul<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 here. =A0Immerm=
an's gone, so that's a<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0non-starter. =A0The FSILGs<b=
r>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 generally have =
a<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 stake in studen=
ts not getting screwed<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0over on Dining, since<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 less choice oft=
en<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 hurts their fro=
sh and on-campus members<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- is anyone on the<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 FSILG side of t=
he<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Student Life st=
aff persuadable and<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0trusted by Columbo? =A0Could=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 any of the RLAs=
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 help here? =A0I=
f Admissions has any<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0influence with Columbo,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 which they may =
not,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 they'd like=
ly be willing to help you<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0out with him.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 It sounds like =
if you keep working<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0primarily with Columbo,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 you're not =
going to<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 get anywhere. =
=A0Obviously, you have to<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0work with him,<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 communicate wit=
h him, not<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 antagonize him =
too much. =A0But that<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0doesn't mean you can'=
;t work<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 with other<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 people (sounds =
like a good project for<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0a senator or two!).<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0And if you c=
an dig<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 up administrati=
ve allies, they might be<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0able to make more<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 progress with C=
olumbo<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 than you can.<b=
r>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Have you bugged=
your rich<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0potential-big-donor alumni? =
=A0Many<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 FSILGs and some=
dorm<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 living groups k=
eep in contact with a<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0lot of their alumni, and<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 might be able t=
o<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 dig up a few we=
althy folks who would be<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0pissed about students<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 being screwed<b=
r>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 over on dining.=
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 The UA has litt=
le real power given to<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0it - it has to find ways<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 to manufacture<=
br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 its own.<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 - Jessie<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-- =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Liz A. De=
nys<br>
=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<a href=3D"mailto:lizdenys@mit.edu" target=
=3D"_blank">lizdenys@mit.edu</a> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:lizdenys@mit.=
edu" target=3D"_blank">lizdenys@mit.edu</a>><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
=A0 =A0-- =A0 =A0 ---------------------------------------------------------=
-------<br>
=A0 =A0Keri Garel<br>
=A0 =A0Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences<br>
=A0 =A0MIT Class of 2010<br>
=A0 =A0<a href=3D"mailto:thekeri@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">thekeri@mit.edu=
</a> <mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:thekeri@mit.edu" target=3D"_blank">theker=
i@mit.edu</a>><br>
=A0 =A0<a href=3D"http://keri.mitblogs.com/" target=3D"_blank">http://keri.=
mitblogs.com/</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br>
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