Month: October 2012

Bucknellian-President Bravman Homecoming Q&A

Jen Lassen

News Editor

News Editor Jen Lassen ’15 sat down with President John Bravman to discuss the “We Do” campaign that will launch this Homecoming Weekend. A first in University history, the campaign is ultimately about the learning that goes on at the University between students and faculty.

Besides raising money, what is the main goal of the “We Do” campaign?

“Campaigns have many goals. One, of course, is to increase the resource base of the University, but it’s also to build a large and sustainable network of alumni and volunteers that will be engaged in this campaign. At a place like Bucknell, it’s a place for students; we’re a student-centric undergraduate institution. To enable that, we also need this group of alumni to be engaged like never before.”

How much planning has gone into this campaign, and when did the planning commence?

“It has been about 10 to 12 months of very active planning. The University has talked about it before I got here; the campaign was announced in 2007 but delayed by the economic downturn and delayed again by presidential transition. So the campaign has been talked about for a while, but what it’s become has been a very intensive project over the last year. We actually did in 10-12 months what might typically be done in 18 months, but I strongly felt that we couldn’t wait anymore.”

What long-term effects do you foresee for this campaign?

“Long-term effects are to provide additional opportunities for students and faculty, and to put the University on a stronger financial footing. It is, on the one hand, amazing what our University does with our core financial resources, but our endowment is quite low compared to almost all of our peers. Our core financial strength is well below that of our peer and aspirant institutions. This will only be our third major comprehensive campaign; many of our peers have had four, five, six … When we launch this weekend, it will be 16 years between public launches. At many schools, that’s probably double the intervals they’ve seen. We want to provide our faculty the full set of resources that they need and deserve to deliver the best education in the country.”

What response do you predict the campaign will receive?

“The people we’ve talked about it with are very excited. As we’ve shared that faculty and staff have generated for the campaign, captured only in part by our theme of ‘We Do,’ people are very excited by it. It has traditional components of endowment for financial aid, endowment for faculty and construction of buildings, but on top of that, we’ve also added goals in six academic areas [the Creative Campus Initiative, the Global Learning Initiative, the Human Health Initiative, the Management Education Initiative, the Residential Learning Initiative and the Sustainability Initiative]. That’s a fairly new concept that we’ve built for Bucknell. I certainly hope [the campaign] will start strengthening the financial resources of the University, to build some of the buildings we need, and to really launch these initiatives.”

Where will the campaign go beyond the University?

“We’ll have three years of road shows in 10 to 12 cities. In the calendar year 2013 starting in January, we’ll be in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Boston and New York. We’ll be taking faculty and students on the road with us. I predict that it will be 10 to 12 major city events, 30 to 50 smaller events around the country and hundreds of individual visits.”

What does “Homecoming” mean to you?

“I love the phrase ‘Homecoming.’ It’s a great phrase. We really believe it’s not a cliché because in some measure, we want our University to be a home for alumni forever. It becomes a home typically somewhere during their freshman year, but we want it to be a home for people throughout their lives.”

What are you most looking forward to this weekend?

“I’m most looking forward to telling stories about what we do for our students, why we want to raise this resource base for our students and faculty and, quite frankly, bragging about how our faculty and students work together … that’s always a great, fun time.”

Sara Blair Matthews
News Editor

You’ve said in the past that Twitter was founded on simplicity. Why do you think that is especially important now that our society is so focused on multitasking?

“I don’t really believe in multitasking. I think you can do one thing well at a time. With regard to Twitter, maybe I’m obsessed with simplicity because I’m actually not that smart. I can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. But I also believe, from a higher altitude look at this stuff, that constraint really breeds creativity. The simpler or more constrained something is, or the less resources you have, the more imagination it takes to respond, and I’ve always thought that. When I was a little kid, I would go to the restaurant and we’d flip over the menus to draw. I would ask my mom, ‘What should I draw?’ I just didn’t know what to do on the blank piece of paper. She would say, ‘Draw whatever you want,’ and I would say, ‘I can’t think of anything!’ If she would say, ‘Just draw a truck,’ at least I had an idea of a place to start … so simplicity breeds more creativity, and I really don’t believe in multitasking.”

What are your long term goals for Twitter?

“I don’t work there any more, so my long term goals are that they just do incredibly well without me. But I guess a better way of saying that is I hope that if Twitter is to be a triumph, it’s not to be necessarily considered a triumph of technology, but rather a triumph of humanity. I hope it becomes a symbol of what people can do when they coordinate and collaborate more than celebrated for its algorithms or its data centers.”

If you had to do it all over again would you do it the same way?

“I would probably do it the same way because I think that there was so much joy and fun in the early days and the way we approached it. If I wasn’t having fun, then I wouldn’t have stuck with it. Even though there were so many problems, we weren’t technically ready for the success we had and an easy answer would be I would do it by investing first in infrastructure, I still wouldn’t change it. What made it work was the joy we were having when we did it.”

Christina Oddo & Sara Blair Matthews
Arts & Life Editor, News Editor

In his lecture “How To Be Successful,” which occurred in Trout Auditorium on Oct. 22, Richard Zare claimed that problem solving is the key to a successful life. He also asked whether or not problem solving could be taught, and continued to question this throughout the lecture.

He offered TIPS, standing for Thought Process, Information, Plan and Solution. These steps involve thinking about the problem, as well as highlighting key words involved in its solution.

After considering TIPS, Zare explained that through further research he learned you need to “decompose the problem into smaller problems,” and to “think of similar problems you can solve” if the problem is too difficult.

Zare said that in order to get better at solving problems, you need to actually solve problems. It is not sufficient enough to just read a book about problem solving. In this way, intervention on a teacher’s part may not necessarily help the student. Zare emphasized that at some point, everyone will be a teacher, whether it is in a parental, office or academic setting. He noted that it is important to keep in mind that students need to learn through practice rather than mere observation.

“I learned to enjoy what I am learning and stop stressing over school,” Olivia Cohen ’14 said. “He was a really great speaker and had the audience fully engaged.”

In regards to problem solving strategy, Zare highlighted working backwards as well as the importance of immersing yourself in a problem. He related personal experiences where he obsessed and dreamed about problems and ended up solving them through these creative methods.

Problem solving is all about attitude, and the “willingness to play with reality.” He promotes the questioning of assumptions.

Zare also spoke about his love for solving seemingly challenging problems. He challenged the audience to a coin problem, a US states problem and a few optical illusions. He also talked about his problem solving correspondence with friends across the country and how they take joy in attempting to stump one another.

Zare encouraged the audience to “celebrate the joy of ‘aha!’ … a thrilling moment of discovery.” He also emphasized the importance of failure.

“Let failure be your guide to success in problem solving,” Zare said.

Zare received his undergraduate and graduate degree at Harvard University, and he has been working at Stanford since 1977.

Brianna Marshall
Writer

Homecoming 2012 promises to be extremely entertaining for alumni as well as faculty and students. Campus has been buzzing with activity in preparation with the construction of the tent on the quad and other additions such as the “We Do” banners hanging on the windows of the Elaine Langone Center. With activities ranging from concerts to athletic events, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy this weekend.

While alumni-focused events with limited student attendance are a key component of Homecoming Weekend, there are many interesting opportunities for students. Uptown is hosting a concert featuring Vertical Horizon, famous for their 90’s hit “Everything You Want,” tonight at 9 p.m. Other musical events include a concert by Corey Harris tonight at 8 p.m. at the Campus Theatre and, for those who were lucky enough to win a ticket in the student drawing, Norah Jones will be performing in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Saturday is a fun-filled day of events starting with a conversation at 9 a.m. in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts between Jim Cramer, host of “Mad Money” and Walter Isaacson, bestselling author and biographer of Steve Jobs. A Q&A session with Ana Aguilera Silva ’14, Mairead Smith ’13 and Chris Spahr ’13, led by President John Bravman, will follow. 

The University Celebration and Pre-Game Showcase, featuring the work of faculty and students across many academic disciplines, will be held at 11 a.m. at the Practice Field.  The Homecoming football game against Colgate will follow at 1 p.m. Also at 1 p.m. will be music, theatre and dance performances by students and faculty are being held in Natalie Davis Rooke Recital Hall. For those who are interested in a more interactive experience, an arboretum walking tour, led by Associate Professor of Geography Duane Griffin and Associate Professor of Biology Mark Spiro, will leave from the Bertrand Library at 2:30 p.m.

Although the campus has become well-aware of “the public launch of the largest fundraising campaign in Bucknell’s history,” as described by Bravman, Homecoming Weekend is a great way to promote campus involvement and highlight all the work students and faculty do every day. Bucknell Student Government (BSG) is among the many student organizations that are represented at these events.

“BSG is honored to be a part of the many wonderful activities and happenings of this special weekend. They recognize and appreciate how important this weekend is as it welcomes home Bucknellians and kicks off a campaign launch, which is incredibly important to Bucknell’s future,” said BSG advisor and Associate Dean of Students Kari Conrad.

Olivia Seecof
Writer

Take Back the Night, which occurred on Oct. 18, has grown to become an anticipated and highly respected event on the University’s campus with growing participation each year. Hundreds of students filled the science quad to participate in the rally. This event, originating in Philadelphia in 1975, has been taking place for many years.

“The roots of Take Back the Night lie in the issues of sexual and intimate partner violence, the voices of survivors and the voices of students who are taking a stand on our campus,” Tracy Shaynak, Director of the Women’s Resource Center, said.

This year, the Speak UP Bucknell Peer Education Program in conjunction with the Women’s Resource Center worked together to plan the event.

“The students were really involved in the planning. There was a committee of students who worked with Tracy Shaynak for about a month and a half to plan the whole event,” Stephanie Gonthier ’15, a member of Speak UP Bucknell, said.

“These are not easy issues to discuss, but we know we cannot make a difference without student ownership, dedication and commitment. Having the opportunity to work with students who are willing to help us address these issues head-on is incredibly valuable,” Shaynak said.

The event included students reading excerpts of stories as well as inspirational thoughts.  It then concluded with a walk around campus with students carrying glow sticks: teal for sexual assault and purple for domestic violence. During the walk, the campus a capella groups sang.

“I always love singing at Take Back the Night. It’s such a great cause and I was honored to be a part of it. It is awesome seeing our campus joining together,” Allison Gibson ’13, a member of the Offbeats, said.

“I think that Take Back the Night says what almost no other event on campus can.  To me, Take Back the Night tells anyone who is suffering the effects of sexual violence that there are hundreds of people who care and will take time out of their nights, forget about their exam the next day, maybe lose some extra sleep and often relive memories they don’t want to have just to be there and support you,” Will Evans ’14 said.

“I am grateful to all of the students who spoke at Take Back the Night, and hope that this event and others will help us continue the dialogue as we all work together to address the issues facing our campus community,” Shaynak said.

Paige Bailey
Writer

The Race and Politics panel on Oct. 22 was a reminder that despite the election of President Obama, the country has much to do in terms of racial acceptance. The Race and Politics discussion was the last in a series of conversations to help the campus community hone in on key themes in the context of a momentous election. Each participant highlighted key ways that the race has manifested itself in the political arena in both invidious and consistent ways dating back to the nation’s founding.

Associate Professor of History Leslie Patrick outlined a historical account of the politics of race. He said that while the nation deliberately worked to exclude African Americans from politics at its founding, there is “ample evidence that the past is still with us.”

Patrick said there is a key break with the past in terms of the language that is used in politics to discuss race. She argued that in fact, the 20th century is distinct because race is not directly referenced. Instead there is a “new code” that attempts to mask blatant racism with language of “law and order” and “states’ rights.” All four panelists agreed on this point. Specifically, Associate Professor of Economics Nina Banks defined this situation as “racism without specific terms.” This color-blind racism is now the “dominant paradigm” in America.

Professor of Sociology Linden Lewis also discussed the paradox between the primacy of race and the lack of an explicit discourse on race. For example, Lewis said that the continuing question of Obama’s nationality deems him as “other” in a fundamental way. However, questioning African American citizenship is not a new feature in American politics.

“We are witnessing … the sharpening of the discourse of race … racially coded language and terms in the political debate,” Lewis said. “[For the first time there is] someone in the White House whose citizenship and patriotism can be brought into question by racist members of society,” Lewis said.

Professor of Political Science Atiya Stokes-Brown highlighted how the increased diversity of the American population brings important questions for the Republican Party in particular.

“There is reason to suggest that despite the Latino vote being up for grabs that they in fact primarily vote for the Democratic Party,” Stokes-Brown said.

She said that the important role demography plays in elections “guarantees race’s role” in the political sphere in the future.

In the context of an election, the audience was able to engage in how racism still pervades American politics.

“ … Despite having an African American president, we do not live in a post-racial society. The issue of racism is now below the surface, rarely discussed, as we see in the current presidential election,” Paige Cobbs ’13 said.

The “Great Recession” our country is currently in has magnified the preexisting wealth gap between black and white Americans. The unemployment rate of African American men is double that of their white counterparts. Because of the failure to address racism, Banks said it is unsurprising that the recession was “particularly catastrophic to the African American community.”

Kerong Kelly
Writer

This year’s Homecoming campaign, scheduled for this weekend, is the largest effort the University has seen it its 161 year history. The goal is to raise half a billion dollars. To celebrate its most generous donors, the University will be hosting a gala tomorrow night, held in a tent that spans the entire width and length of the Academic Quad. The following day, there will be a BBQ for the faculty, staff and their families to show the University’s appreciation for their service to the school.

The tent measures approximately 275 feet long by 85 feet wide, over half an acre in area. It will take approximately one week to set up and one week to disassemble. As for the effect it will have on student transportation across the quad, the delays are minimal. Some students showed their displeasure with its location.

“I think the tent takes away from the fall foliage. The most beautiful views are from the academic quad,” Morgan Slade ’13 said.

Other events that are going to be held during Homecoming weekend include Corey Harris and Vertical Horizons concerts tonight and a conversation with Jim Cramer and Walter Isaacson tomorrow morning. Though the tent’s function is visible, some believe its placement is not completely practical.

“I don’t understand the location. I think a better location would have been the Sojka Pavillion,” Brandon Dellafave ’16 said.

The University would not release the total cost of the tent.

Jen Lassen
News Editor

A 21-year-old Lewisburg man was recently found and arrested by Buffalo Valley Regional Police after breaking into University students’ homes through an iPhone GPS tracking device app.

Tristan Swigart of Lewisburg was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, loitering and prowling and criminal mischief.

On Sept. 15, police said that four University students reported a break-in at their apartment on 31 South Sixth Street. Three of the occupants were sleeping upstairs, but the fourth roommate was not home at the time.

Taken from the house was a 32-inch flat-screen television, a DVD player, a bottle of Three Olive vodka, a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne.

Also, a student living at 108 S. Sixth St. previously reported that someone stole a TV, an iPhone and two MacBooks from her. She said she had GPS tracking software that indicated her iPhone had been taken to 113 North Third Street where the culprit was eventually found and arrested.

All tenants of both 31 South Sixth Street and 108 South Sixth Street were unable to comment on the case due to legal concerns.

“We always made sure to keep the doors locked before, but the burglars went through our living room window so we immediately made sure all of our windows were locked, and we keep the blinds drawn at all times. We also don’t leave anything of value in our living room. It was kind of scary, but I still feel pretty safe living downtown because I know we always have our doors locked. Other students downtown may not follow the same procedure as we do of locking their doors and windows, but I think everyone definitely should,” an anonymous student living nearby downtown said.