[325] in UA Exec
Re: You are being lied to.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Ainsley K. Braun)
Tue Apr 6 18:41:40 2010
In-Reply-To: <t2g1fa34f871004061536l7d0c4d65h2f68b111314688f4@mail.gmail.com>
From: "Ainsley K. Braun" <ainsleyb@MIT.EDU>
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:41:10 -0400
To: Cinjon Resnick <cinjon@mit.edu>
Cc: Nathan Lachenmyer <scottnla@mit.edu>, 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
Agreed with Cinjon.
I don't think the whole underlying purpose of CFS is to bitch and
moan. I thought it was a way to make others aware of what is going on
in the school.
People don't care anymore. There has to be a large revamping of the
UA and a new connection made with the administration, which, yes, may
involve a lot of ass kissing if we're ever going to get anything done.
If anything bitching and moaning would make the admins completely not
want to work with us.
Think about it.
Ainsley
On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 6:36 PM, Cinjon Resnick <cinjon@mit.edu> wrote:
> 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> wrot=
e:
>>
>> It's the UA's job to work with them. =A0It *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 the=
y
>>> will get more defensive, and we will never make
>>> 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;
>>> 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:
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0If people are forming a PR approach to this issue: I'd recom=
mend
>>> focusing on this notion, personally. These
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0administrators (those who don't just fetishize dining hall c=
ulture)
>>> are working from a common data set which
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0says that:
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0* Students suck at feeding themselves
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0* Dining halls provide quality food which alleviates that pr=
oblem
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0* Running piece-meal dining programs is expensive and cumber=
some
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0Given these statements along with the premise "I have the ri=
ght to
>>> control your actions", mandatory dining
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0seems like an entirely reasonable plan. Arguing with the
>>> administration about whether the above elements are
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0true is almost certainly a losing game (given that they don'=
t seem
>>> to care, and also that those statements
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0are almost certainly true for large subsets of students, pos=
sibly
>>> all of them).
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0MIT is upset to lose face in the public's eyes in general, a=
nd lose
>>> the support of its funders (both alumni
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0and other). If you can't hit MIT in one of those ways, you p=
robably
>>> aren't going to get very far. I'd say
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0that trying to humiliate MIT in the eyes of the public and a=
lumni by
>>> focusing on how students are
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0increasingly treated like children rather than adults seems =
like a
>>> way to do that.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0"Don't give money to MIT, it's a waste. Their students are t=
oo
>>> stupid to feed themselves: How could they
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0build rocket engines?"
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0"MIT graduates are an increasingly undesirable set of people=
to
>>> hire. Being coddled all throughout their
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0college years leaves them unable to deal with real world pro=
blems."
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0If you can make the administration actually suffer in meanin=
gful
>>> ways (loss of funding, loss of face),
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0they'll acquiesce.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0Just remember that in many ways this is an argument about fr=
aming.
>>> It isn't about whether MIT is correct that
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0they will save 5% each year on dining, or whether the dining=
options
>>> are sufficient, or whether students
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0really would save money and eat better if their plan goes th=
rough.
>>> It's about Freshman on Campus, in loco
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0parentis, and the fact that the MIT student body is comprise=
d of
>>> adults who have the right to make their own
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0decisions no matter what. That's what you should all be scre=
aming at
>>> the top of your lungs about.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0-Clayton
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0Daniel Hawkins wrote:
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Charles Stewart and John Essigman are fine peopl=
e, but their
>>> perspective (at least on dining
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0matters) is very much "it doesn't matter what st=
udents say; we
>>> know what's best for them."
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-hwkns
>>>
>>> On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:57 PM, Keri Garel <thekeri@mit.edu
>>> <mailto:thekeri@mit.edu>> wrote:
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0I second the recommendation of Matt McGann and also strongly
>>> =A0 =A0suggest avoiding Dean Randolph.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0Charles Stewart and John Essigmann are housemasters of McCormick
>>> =A0 =A0and Simmons (respectively) - I've worked with both of them in th=
e
>>> =A0 =A0past, and they'd both be good people to turn to.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0-Keri
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:47 PM, Jessica H Lowell <jessiehl@mit.e=
du
>>> =A0 =A0<mailto:jessiehl@mit.edu>> wrote:
>>>
>>> =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 vari=
es by
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0issue - I have no
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0idea what he thinks about Dining. =A0Personally, I would=
n't
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0generally take senior
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0admins into my confidence on controversial issues - they=
can
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0be helpful to work
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with, but there's a difference between a helpful partner=
and
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0someone you really
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0trust. =A0Hastings and Lerman both signed on to today's =
letter
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in the Tech - make
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of that what you will.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I would add Matt McGann in Admissions as someone I'd tru=
st
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0absolutely and who
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0can give good advice.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I *strongly* dis-recommend Randolph.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- Jessie
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Quoting Martin F Holmes <goholmes@MIT.EDU
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:goholmes@MIT.EDU>>:
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Whenever I got the impression that students were=
being
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0manipulated by the
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration, there were a few key people I al=
ways went
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to for advice or
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0help. =A0Here's my laundry list of great contact=
s 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 =
provide
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0solid confidential
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advice:
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Dan Hastings (Dean for Undergraduate Education, =
not
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0involved with DSL but great
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate and still has influence, respect, and p=
ower with
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior admins)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Bish Sanyal (former Chair of the Faculty, very s=
ympathetic
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to student concerns,
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not sure of his current sway as former chair tho=
ugh)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Paul Gray (former President, hard to get a meeti=
ng with,
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not directly involved
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with administration, but can provide you with gr=
eat advice
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and still use his
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0weight when he desires to add pressure to a situ=
ation)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Phil Walsh (Director of Campus Activities Comple=
x, very
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0experienced and
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0knowledgeable, able to provide good advice, has =
some sway
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0within DSL and great
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0experience with dining in the past)
>>>
>>> =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=
DSL)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Jim Champy (one of the most influence members of=
the
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Corporation, member of
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Executive Committee of the Corporation, very dif=
ficult to
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0get ahold of and
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0likely requires a meeting request from Mike, Mag=
gie,
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Vrajesh, or Sammi, a huge
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student ally although he usually works behind th=
e scenes,
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0provides very
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0reasonable and balanced advice, has a ton of swa=
y withing
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0all levels of MIT)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Steve Lerman (Vice Chancellor, about to leave MI=
T,
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0provides awesome confidential
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advice, listens well to students, has huge sway =
within the
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration but
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0that may be subsiding given his pending departur=
e from MIT)
>>>
>>> =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 an=
d leverage)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Dana Mead (Chairman of the Corporation, retiring=
at end of
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0year, strong student
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate but also requires tremendous tact since=
he is a
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior leader of MIT,
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0tremendous amount of sway)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Patrick Winston (Professor, very sympathetic to =
student
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0concerns and provides
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0good advice, limited sway withing DSL)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Jed Wartman (limited sway but provides good soun=
d advice)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Robert Randolph (limited sway but provides good =
sound advice)
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'd also recommend combing through recent issues=
of The
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Tech and Faculty
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Newsletter to identify other members of the facu=
lty,
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administratior, or
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Corporation that you feel like may be strong stu=
dent
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocates.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Martin
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Quoting "Liz A. Denys" <lizdenys@MIT.EDU
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:lizdenys@MIT.EDU>>:
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I have a pretty well established relatio=
nship with
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Muriel. I'll try to meet with her this w=
eek.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-Liz
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Andrew Lukmann wrote:
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Hey Ted,
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'm sorry to hear that, but it c=
ertainly makes
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0sense given my experience with h=
er 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 fac=
t that she is one
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of the few people who are usuall=
y willing to talk
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with students and who, by the na=
ture of her
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0position, has some real leverage=
over DSL. In
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0general, she's probably someone =
that active
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0student advocates should build a=
relationship with
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- even if she proves to be altog=
ether unhelpful on
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the dining front, she may be wil=
ling to take a
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0stand on other things that stude=
nts care about.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-Andrew L.
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Ted Hilk wrote:
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Hey Andrew,
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0The last time I spoke wi=
th Prof. Muriel
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Medard, she was trying t=
o justify reducing
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0financial aid by $1400 f=
or students opting out
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of the dining plan when =
the actual difference
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in expenses between dini=
ng 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=
the fact that this
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0would essentially be pre=
dicating student aid
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0on student choices (shou=
ld 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 =
finally admitted that
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the amount was arbitrary=
and that the extra
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0deduction was solely int=
ended to 'encourage'
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students to buy into the=
dining system. =A0She
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0is very polite and willi=
ng 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 supp=
ort of the student
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0perspective on this matt=
er.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Ted
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0On Sun, Apr 4, 2010 at 7=
:12 PM, Andrew Lukmann
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<lukymann@mit.edu <mailt=
o:lukymann@mit.edu>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:lukymann@mit.edu
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:lukymann@mit.edu=
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Hey Jessie (and eve=
rybody else)...
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Like you pointed ou=
t, 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=
moved 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 replace=
d them. Without a guy
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0like Immer or Larry to g=
o
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 to, this generation=
of 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 t=
heir 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 n=
umber of people who
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0might have a bit of pull=
in
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 DSL that I would re=
commend 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), A=
nn McCants (former
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0faculty CSL chair), Muri=
el
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Medard (CSL chair -=
though 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). Al=
so, 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 =
Lerman 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 t=
hat
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 he is moving to GWU=
.
>>>
>>> =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 =
they
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 need to hold admini=
strators feet to the
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0fire when they fall shor=
t
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 of their own rhetor=
ic/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 importa=
nt 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 diffi=
cult (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 hav=
e 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 conflic=
ts 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 c=
ost effectiveness).
>>>
>>> =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.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Jessica H Lowell wr=
ote:
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Quoting Dan=
iel Hawkins <hwkns@MIT.EDU
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU> <=
mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:hwkns@MIT.EDU>>>=
:
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Jes=
sie,
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 We =
tried 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 =A0=
Admins keep
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 cal=
ling 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 com=
pletely ignoring its
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 con=
tents. =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=
deficit and
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 "bu=
ild 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 cho=
ice and more money
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 (bu=
t 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 def=
icit). =A0Those are
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 pri=
nciples 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 awa=
re 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.
>>>
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Yeah, I saw=
the 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 ol=
d 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 lar=
ryben
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 (Columbo's =
predecessor) was still
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0around and he was on our=
side.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Who does Co=
lumbo 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 usef=
ul
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 here. =A0Im=
merman's gone, so that's a
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0non-starter. =A0The FSIL=
Gs
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 generally h=
ave a
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 stake in st=
udents 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=
often
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 hurts their=
frosh 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 Lif=
e staff persuadable and
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0trusted by Columbo? =A0C=
ould
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 any of the =
RLAs
>>> =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 =
may not,
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 they'd like=
ly be willing to help you
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0out with him.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 It sounds l=
ike 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 =
going to
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 get anywher=
e. =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=
with him, not
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 antagonize =
him too much. =A0But that
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0doesn't mean you can't w=
ork
>>> =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 (sou=
nds 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 y=
ou can dig
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 up administ=
rative 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 wi=
th Columbo
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 than you ca=
n.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Have you bu=
gged your rich
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0potential-big-donor alum=
ni? =A0Many
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 FSILGs and =
some dorm
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 living grou=
ps 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 ab=
le to
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 dig up a fe=
w 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 screw=
ed
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 over on din=
ing.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 The UA has =
little 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 manufact=
ure
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 its own.
>>>
>>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 - Jessie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> =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.ed=
u>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> =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
Ainsley K. Braun
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Class of 2010
ainsleyb@mit.edu
603.957.2822
