[328] in UA Exec
Re: You are being lied to.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Nathan Lachenmyer)
Tue Apr 6 18:49:36 2010
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:49:29 -0400 (EDT)
From: Nathan Lachenmyer <scottnla@MIT.EDU>
To: Daniel Hawkins <hwkns@mit.edu>
cc: "Ainsley K. Braun" <ainsleyb@mit.edu>, Cinjon Resnick <cinjon@mit.edu>,
Austen McRae <amcrae@mit.edu>, Clayton Sims <ctsims@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: <i2x9d4f87ed1004061546zcf2b9c67sbb73e3c833ccb981@mail.gmail.com>
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I agree with Hawkins. The UA needs to play nice. CFS doesn't, and is=20
worthless if you just want it to be a UA-Awareness group. CFS needs to be=
=20
the stick so that the UA can be effective, otherwise the administration=20
has no incentive to even *listen* to the UA, which I believe was what=20
started this entire discussion.
In short: "Fuck shit up."
Nathan
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010, Daniel Hawkins wrote:
> I disagree somewhat.=A0 Bitching and moaning makes the admins completely =
not want to work with YOU directly.=A0 When that's
> going on, and at the same time the UA is saying "hey, we're over here, wa=
iting to have a respectful, compromise-oriented
> conversation with you," admins may be more inclined to communicate with t=
he UA.=A0 As opposed to the general case where the
> UA is saying "hey, let's have a conversation" and the admins are saying "=
no, it looks like the other students don't
> really care, so we'll just do what we want."
>=20
> -hwkns
>=20
> On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 6:41 PM, Ainsley K. Braun <ainsleyb@mit.edu> wrote=
:
> Agreed with Cinjon.
>
> I don't think the whole underlying purpose of CFS is to bitch and
> moan. =A0I thought it was a way to make others aware of what is goi=
ng on
> in the school.
>
> People don't care anymore. =A0There has to be a large revamping of =
the
> UA and a new connection made with the administration, which, yes, m=
ay
> involve a lot of ass kissing if we're ever going to get anything do=
ne.
>
> If anything bitching and moaning would make the admins completely n=
ot
> want to work with us.
>
> Think about it.
> Ainsley
>=20
>=20
> 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 objectiv=
es,
> > which is I believe strongly indicated in the name and spirit of the CFS=
=2E
> >
> > On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 6:30 PM, Nathan Lachenmyer <scottnla@mit.edu> wr=
ote:
> >>
> >> 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 t=
hey
> >>> will get more defensive, and we will never make
> >>> any progress.=A0 Whether they are right or wrong, they will stand til=
l 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 rec=
ommend
> >>> focusing on this notion, personally. These
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0administrators (those who don't just fetishize dining hall=
culture)
> >>> 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 =
problem
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0* Running piece-meal dining programs is expensive and cumb=
ersome
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0Given these statements along with the premise "I have the =
right 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 do=
n't seem
> >>> to care, and also that those statements
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0are almost certainly true for large subsets of students, p=
ossibly
> >>> all of them).
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0MIT is upset to lose face in the public's eyes in general,=
and lose
> >>> the support of its funders (both alumni
> >>> =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
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0that trying to humiliate MIT in the eyes of the public and=
alumni by
> >>> focusing on how students are
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0increasingly treated like children rather than adults seem=
s like a
> >>> way to do that.
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0"Don't give money to MIT, it's a waste. Their students are=
too
> >>> stupid to feed themselves: How could they
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0build rocket engines?"
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0"MIT graduates are an increasingly undesirable set of peop=
le to
> >>> hire. Being coddled all throughout their
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0college years leaves them unable to deal with real world p=
roblems."
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0If you can make the administration actually suffer in mean=
ingful
> >>> 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 =
framing.
> >>> It isn't about whether MIT is correct that
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0they will save 5% each year on dining, or whether the dini=
ng options
> >>> are sufficient, or whether students
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0really would save money and eat better if their plan goes =
through.
> >>> It's about Freshman on Campus, in loco
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0parentis, and the fact that the MIT student body is compri=
sed of
> >>> adults who have the right to make their own
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0decisions no matter what. That's what you should all be sc=
reaming 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 peo=
ple, but their
> >>> perspective (at least on dining
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0matters) is very much "it doesn't matter what =
students 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 McCormi=
ck
> >>> =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.
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0-Keri
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 2:47 PM, Jessica H Lowell <jessiehl@mit=
=2Eedu
> >>> =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 va=
ries by
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0issue - I have no
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0idea what he thinks about Dining. =A0Personally, I wou=
ldn't
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0generally take senior
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0admins into my confidence on controversial issues - th=
ey can
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0be helpful to work
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with, but there's a difference between a helpful partn=
er 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 t=
rust
> >>> =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 we=
re being
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0manipulated by the
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration, there were a few key people I =
always went
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to for advice or
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0help. =A0Here's my laundry list of great conta=
cts 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 an=
d 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=
power with
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0senior admins)
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Bish Sanyal (former Chair of the Faculty, very=
sympathetic
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0to student concerns,
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not sure of his current sway as former chair t=
hough)
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Paul Gray (former President, hard to get a mee=
ting with,
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not directly involved
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with administration, but can provide you with =
great advice
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and still use his
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0weight when he desires to add pressure to a si=
tuation)
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Phil Walsh (Director of Campus Activities Comp=
lex, very
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0experienced and
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0knowledgeable, able to provide good advice, ha=
s 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 Committe=
e on Student
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Life, huge student
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate, likely still has some influence with=
in 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 d=
ifficult to
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0get ahold of and
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0likely requires a meeting request from Mike, M=
aggie,
> >>> =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 s=
way withing
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0all levels of MIT)
> >>>
> >>> =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 swa=
y within the
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administration but
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0that may be subsiding given his pending depart=
ure from MIT)
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Rafael Reif (Provost, hard to get a meeting wi=
th, listens
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0and sympathizes with
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students but requires a degree of tact since h=
e'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)
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Dana Mead (Chairman of the Corporation, retiri=
ng at end of
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0year, strong student
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0advocate but also requires tremendous tact sin=
ce 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 t=
o 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 so=
und advice)
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Robert Randolph (limited sway but provides goo=
d sound advice)
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'd also recommend combing through recent issu=
es of The
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Tech and Faculty
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Newsletter to identify other members of the fa=
culty,
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0administratior, or
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Corporation that you feel like may be strong s=
tudent
> >>> =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 relat=
ionship with
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Muriel. I'll try to meet with her this=
week.
> >>>
> >>> =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=
certainly 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 f=
act that she is one
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0of the few people who are usua=
lly willing to talk
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0with students and who, by the =
nature of her
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0position, has some real levera=
ge over DSL. In
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0general, she's probably someon=
e 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 alt=
ogether unhelpful on
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the dining front, she may be w=
illing to take a
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0stand on other things that stu=
dents 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 =
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 whe=
n the actual difference
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0in expenses between di=
ning hall food and
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0cooking for oneself ov=
er a year is only $500
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0on average. =A0Nevermi=
nd the fact that this
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0would essentially be p=
redicating student aid
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0on student choices (sh=
ould I get extra
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0financial aid if I wan=
t a new computer?).
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 After half an hour sh=
e finally admitted that
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the amount was arbitra=
ry and that the extra
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0deduction was solely i=
ntended to 'encourage'
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students to buy into t=
he dining system. =A0She
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0is very polite and wil=
ling to talk at great
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0length about issues, b=
ut I'm afraid she does
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0not appear to be in su=
pport of the student
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0perspective on this ma=
tter.
> >>>
> >>> =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 <mai=
lto:lukymann@mit.edu>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:lukymann@mit.e=
du
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0<mailto:lukymann@mit.e=
du>>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Hey Jessie (and e=
verybody else)...
> >>>
> >>> =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 ha=
ve moved on and on the
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0whole, less cooperativ=
e
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 people have repla=
ced 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 generati=
on 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=
their 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=
number of people who
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0might have a bit of pu=
ll in
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 DSL that I would =
recommend people engage,
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0if they haven't alread=
y:
> >>> =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), Mu=
riel
> >>> =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). =
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 Stev=
e 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 positio=
n to speak (or act) a
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0little more freely now=
that
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 he is moving to G=
WU.
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 I think it's grea=
t to see a number of
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0students realizing tha=
t they
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 need to hold admi=
nistrators feet to the
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0fire when they fall sh=
ort
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 of their own rhet=
oric/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 impor=
tant 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 dif=
ficult (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 h=
ave 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 confl=
icts 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=
cost 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 =
wrote:
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Quoting D=
aniel 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 J=
essie,
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 W=
e tried coming up with our own
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0proposal last year (DP=
C).
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =
=A0Admins keep
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 c=
alling 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 c=
ompletely ignoring its
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 c=
ontents. =A0What's driving this is
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0the desire to eliminat=
e
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 t=
he deficit and
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 "=
build 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 c=
hoice 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 d=
eficit). =A0Those are
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 p=
rinciples 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 a=
ware of) agrees
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 o=
n. =A0I haven't talked to Matt -
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0I'll send him an e-mai=
l.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Yeah, I s=
aw the proposal. =A0It looked
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0like a good step. =A0I=
t'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 Dini=
ng. =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 l=
arryben
> >>> =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 o=
ur side.
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Who does =
Columbo 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 us=
eful
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 here. =A0=
Immerman's gone, so that's a
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0non-starter. =A0The FS=
ILGs
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 generally=
have a
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 stake in =
students 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 choi=
ce often
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 hurts the=
ir 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 sid=
e of the
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Student L=
ife staff persuadable and
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0trusted by Columbo? =
=A0Could
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 any of th=
e 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 the=
y may not,
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 they'd li=
kely 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=
like 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 no=
t going to
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 get anywh=
ere. =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 communica=
te with him, not
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 antagoniz=
e him too much. =A0But that
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0doesn't mean you can't=
work
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 with othe=
r
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 people (s=
ounds 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 admini=
strative 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.
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Have you =
bugged your rich
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0potential-big-donor al=
umni? =A0Many
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 FSILGs an=
d some dorm
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 living gr=
oups keep in contact with a
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0lot of their alumni, a=
nd
> >>> =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 scr=
ewed
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 over on d=
ining.
> >>>
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 The UA ha=
s little real power given to
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0it - it has to find wa=
ys
> >>> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 to manufa=
cture
> >>> =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.=
edu>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> =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
> --
> Ainsley K. Braun
> Massachusetts Institute of Technology
> Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
> Class of 2010
> ainsleyb@mit.edu
> 603.957.2822
>=20
>=20
>=20
>
--8323329-2032164739-1270594169=:4436--
