Tuna Noodle Casserole Re-Done
294 calories, 7 g fat, 34 carbs, 41 g protein
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 cups dry elbow pasta (I use Dreamfields Healthy Carb Living pasta)
1 Tbsp Land O’Lakes Light Butter
1 Tbsp flour
1 cup skim milk
4 oz Cabot Extra Light Cheddar
6 Tbsp parmesan
1/2 bag frozen Steamfresh green beans
3 cans chunk white tuna
2 Tbsp Italian bread crumbs
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F and cook pasta.
2. Melt butter over medium low heat, add flour to make a roux, add milk and let cook for one minute.
3. Add 4 tablespoons of parmesan and the cheddar. Cook for 5 minutes until it is a thick sauce.
4. Toss sauce, pasta, green beans and tuna and spread in a casserole dish.
5. Mix remaining parmesan and bread crumbs together and sprinkle over the top of the dish.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly around the edges.
After winning its season opener, the softball team dropped three straight during its road trip in Cleveland last weekend. The final scores were an 8-7 victory against St. Bonaventure, two losses (3-0, 6-2) to Cleveland State and a 4-1 loss to Canisius.
Mallory Lyons ’14 led the Bison with three hits and three RBIs, as the Orange and Blue defeated St. Bonaventure 8-7 in 10 innings. Caryn Connors ’14, who pinch-ran and scored the go-ahead run for the Bison in the ninth inning, was pleased with the Bison’s performance.
“Our first game win was a great start to the season. We battled through 10 innings to get the win so that made it that much more special,” Connors said. “However, there is still a lot more work to be done and we have not lost sight of that.”
The Bison dropped their next three games, two to Cleveland State with a game against Canisius in between. Connors, who also pinch-ran in the fourth and final game of the weekend, said that the team will continue to just focus on the little things as the season gets underway.
“Winning our first game of the season proves that we have a lot of potential this year. It also gave us a perspective on what was successful and what wasn’t which will help us tremendously in the practices and games to come,” Connors said.
Lyons has a team-leading .375 batting average, as well as three RBIs. The Bison will be back in action this weekend as the travel to Farmville, Va. to compete against Stony Brook and Longwood in the Longwood Spring Classic.
In 2011, the University Board of Trustees approved the construction of Academic West, the site for new classrooms, offices and laboratories. The initiative to build additional campus buildings was a part of the 2007 Campus Master Plan.
In addition to its practicality for both faculty and students, Academic West will be LEED certified, making it energy efficient and environmentally friendly. There will be a partial “green roof,” rain gardens with native plants to manage storm-water runoff and, as a result, the energy performance will be at least 24 percent more efficient than the typical design standards. The construction cost is estimated at $24 million.
The opening of the new building is much anticipated by both students and faculty alike.
“In my four years here, I have seen many changes but none as large as the construction of Academic West. It is difficult to envision returning to campus as an alumni and seeing a different Bucknell. It is, however, exciting to think that future students will have newer, more advanced facilities,” Morgan Slade ’13 said.
On Sept. 13, 2012, students, faculty, administrators and alumni gathered to watch the addition of the final piece of structural steel. This event marked the final stages of construction and the implementation of the Campus Master Plan.
“I am looking forward to the creation of the ‘Humanities Quad’ made possible when the Social Sciences move to Academic West,” said John Westbrook, chair of the department of languages, cultures and linguistics. “The quad will provide a showcase of the Arts and Humanities on the most prestigious part of campus. It will bring under one roof the faculty in my department who currently spread among four different buildings. The move also creates new academic, social and research spaces, such as a digital media lab, a costume shop and an enhanced archaeology lab, and several open lounges.”
As the construction continues, the University hopes the new building will be in use by the fall semester of 2013.
It is no secret that the University likes to be on top. The school ranks among the most prestigious–and most expensive–institutions of higher learning in the United States. It is also listed as one of the most attractive campuses in the country. Topping the lists is a cutthroat game, and in the past months the admissions office has been rocked by a scandal concerning one list in particular.
“We’ve definitely come under a lot of fire lately,” said Hugh Helfer, vice president of enrollment. “People have been demanding answers ever since it was leaked that we’ve been accepting female students based partly on their looks. Yes, we have rigorous academic standards, too, but people fail to understand the importance of homogeny at Bucknell. We’re one of the most attractive campuses there is, and I’m not talking about quads, I’m talking about calves. I’m talking about maintaining or improving our rank of number 26 on College Prowler’s ‘Hottest Girls’ list. I mean, they gave us an A+, for crying out loud.”
“We make most of our admissions decisions while listening to ‘Legs’ by ZZ Top,” Merv Hunter, an admissions officer, elaborated. “We take two things into account: whether or not ‘she’s got legs’ and whether or not ‘she knows how to use them.’ ZZ Top is very explicit about these qualifications, and so are we.”
“Of course,” Helfer added, “we don’t see pictures of the applicants. That would be chauvinistic. Instead, we use the applicant’s extracurricular activities to determine what she might look like. We look for things like track and field, swimming and gymnastics.”
Since learning of this process, many have expressed anger toward the institution, calling it a “boys club” and “the grotto on the Susquehanna.” Helfer and Hunter take exception to such accusations.
“Critics of our policy, which has been in place for decades, do not appreciate the importance of the status quo in allowing for the survival of Bucknell as we know it,” Helfer said. “Girls here must be attractive enough to be used as a commodity for admission to parties. Without such girls, no one would be able to get in and there would be no parties, nothing to do whatsoever. No one would want to come here, and the University would turn into Bennington College.”
At the time of printing, Helfer and Hunter were reviewing applications while blasting “Legs” and playing air guitar.
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons President Bravman attributed the errors to admissions staff no longer employed by the University. The misreported figures made SAT averages higher and ACT scores lower than reality.
Siobhan Murray
Staff Writer
President Bravman released a statement that disclosed past instances of false reporting of SAT and ACT averages from 2006 to 2012.
According to the report, the University had been omitting an average of 32 students’ SAT scores each year during the seven year range. SAT averages were inflated by 7 to 16 points on a 1600-point scale, while the reported ACT scores were one point lower than the correct figures.
Bravman recognized that although the inaccuracies were small in scale, the larger issue was a violation of “the trust of every student, faculty member, staff member and Bucknellian they reached.”
New Vice President for Enrollment Management Bill Conley realized in early September 2012 that the profile of the University’s next admissions class was inexplicably lower than in previous years. After analyzing reports of the last several years and verifying the misreported data, he concluded in early November 2012 that scores had been omitted. Over a period of two months, Bravman reported the error to the Board of Trustees, the University community and phoned U.S. News & World Report.
“It was Bucknell’s first direct communication with U.S. News on this matter,” Conley said.
Bravman said that he believed a single person had been responsible for the false data.
“Enrollment management leadership no longer with the university prepared these inaccurate numbers,” Bravman said in his statement to the Board of Trustees.
Bravman said he spoke to the former enrollment management leadership in a discussion he described as “unsatisfactory,” demonstrating “ignorance at best” or “incompetence at its worst” in recognizing the importance of reporting accurate data.
Former Vice President of Enrollment Management Kurt Thiede retired in 2011 after taking the position in 2002. Brian Mitchell, University president from 2004-2010, did not respond to a phone call regarding his role in the admissions process.
The role of vice president of enrollment leadership, which supersedes the role of head of admissions, was created “to build the University’s national and international reputation and recognition, to increase diversity and to increase yield and selectivity while enrolling a talented group of students who are intellectually and socially engaged,” as stated on the University website.
Still, incidents like these outline the way that data has become increasingly important to a school’s reputation, and the pressure on admissions personnel to deliver better numbers. Bravman said that, like “almost every other college and university across the country,” the University supplies data sets to U.S. News & World Report Rankings. The recent disclosure of erroneous calculations was reported to the magazine and the correct data submitted.
U.S. News’ policy has omitted schools from its college rankings table when that school’s misreporting of data had improved their rank. Although Bravman stated that he does not expect such small variations in reported SAT scores to affect the University’s overall rankings, it is not yet known. Bravman does not believe that the University’s reputation will be hurt.
“I think that it will be enhanced,” Bravman said. “In the end, people who are discerning and understanding and care are going to think ‘they did the right thing.’ And high performance organizations are imperfect, and when they make mistakes, it is how you deal with it. It’s how you deal with errors that really tells a lot about you.”
In regards to who is to blame, Bravman believes this to be of no concern.
“It doesn’t matter under who it happened. It happened. I’m not absolving myself, I’m not blaming anybody. I don’t care about that. We have to look at policies and procedures that allowed this to happen and change them. And that’s what we’ve done.”
What constitutes a University student, and the University as a whole, extends beyond the realm of standardized testing.
“Not only are your SAT scores not a full measure by any means of who you are … neither is your high school GPA, or letter of recommendation,” Bravman said. “We work very hard to have the holistic process that measures students in many ways.”
Bravman believes that it is the love for the institution that constitutes its development.
“There is no GPA or SAT for the love of an institution,” Bravman said. “We call it development, not fundraising, for a reason. It’s really not about money; it’s developing people’s understanding of, and passion for, the institution moving forward. All private institutions, of course including Bucknell, depend on that love and support.”
Bravman also explains that it is not just about ranking in the long run.
“I never worry about a ranking,” Bravman said. “I worry about building great programs, attracting great students, hiring great faculty, and then finding the resources to let them do the magic that they do. We are trying to be the best version of Bucknell. What that is of course, will evolve over time, but I think it should be driven by this kind of organic, holistic view.”
In the future, Bravman says the University will work to make its score calculation and reporting more accurate and transparent by requiring admissions staff to provide admitted students’ raw data, rather than calculated data, to institutional research staff before reporting it to any external entity. In addition, the University will periodically appoint a third-party auditor to verify the data’s accuracy.
Any student here who has walked home from the bar, a downtown or Gateway party, or who simply lives downhill has encountered The Flying Bison, the University’s diesel-guzzling oasis that stands ready to capitalize on the excessive alcohol consumption the University so frowns upon. Each weekend, hordes of drinkers skirt Public Safety SUVs and make their way to the front of Vedder Hall for a treat that will make their cotton mouths once again water. Yes, the University has certainly found a way to make economic lemonade out of the lemon that is the campus climate, and the vast assortment of beer, wine, martini and shot glasses available in the bookstore is a testament to that. However, there is one element of the University’s party culture that has yet to be exploited.
“Recent studies of the social habits of Bucknellians have shown that the students often smoke a plant called cannabis, also known as marijuana or ‘weed’ as the kids call it,” Heath Clifton, head of Bucknell’s Marketing Committee, said. “Of course, the University does not condone the use of this substance, but an interesting side effect of the drug is that it causes users to consume large quantities of food. ‘Stoners’ or ‘potheads,’ as they are called, also have an affinity for purchasing marijuana-related paraphernalia. The University no longer views these individuals simply as a menace to public safety. We now also see them as a demographic to which we can market all sorts of [crap]!”
As a result of these findings, the University has announced the launch of a second food truck, The Blazing Bison, which will specialize in satisfying the very munchies students are not supposed to have. The tentative menu includes Funyuns and Cheez Doodles, as well as straight-from-the-refrigerator specialties, such as leftover spaghetti and cold leftover pizza. Each menu item will cost exactly $4.20.
“The beauty of it is that, with the exception of snack chips, The Blazing Bison can be stocked almost entirely with food left over from Bostwick and The Bison,” Jonathan Macaslan, head of Bucknell Dining Services said. “It will cost very little to operate and will allow Dining Services to reduce food waste.”
As for the aforementioned paraphernalia, Clifton was excited to announce that “Bison Bongs” will soon be available at the bookstore.
“They’re going to be blue and have a picture of an orange bison with dreadlocks. We’re calling him Bob the Bison, after Bob Marley. Apparently that guy is really big with our demographic,” Clifton said. “We’re also thinking of selling roach clips that have orange and blue beads and feathers.”
However, Clifton wants to remind students that these items will not be allowed on campus.
“Like most merchandise in the bookstore, these things are intended as gifts for family and friends back home,” he said. “‘Bison Bongs,’ like Bucknell shot glasses, are something nice for Mom and Dad to buy when they visit or a way of letting Grandma and Grandpa know you’re thinking of them.”
Clifton wants to see ‘Bison Bongs’ on shelves by mid semester and The Blazing Bison parked downhill by early fall.
The holidays might be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this classic holiday cookie–and in a healthy way! The average peanut butter kiss cookie has 123 calories, 7 grams of fat, 13 grams of carbs and 3 grams of protein. This recipe cuts down by using light peanut butter, Truvia and egg whites, as well as a mini muffin tin to ensure perfect portioning.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
4 Tbsp Better’n Peanut Butter
1/4 cup Truvia Baking Blend
1 egg white
15 Hershey’s Kisses
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Beat all ingredients (except Hershey’s Kisses) together until well mixed.
3. Spray mini muffin tin with non-stick spray and add 1/2 tablespoon batter to each cup.
4. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. Press in Hershey’s Kisses as soon as cookies are done and enjoy!
As of now, it can probably be safely assumed that most of the University’s students have attended one or more of its famous “registers,” during which students cram into one of the many frat houses and dance, shoulder to shoulder, to extremely loud music. If you are looking to get down to the latest hits and sweat it out with a bunch of people in a rave-like environment, then the register is the perfect place to do so. Want to dance dirty with a stranger and maybe have one of those random hookups you’ve been hearing about? Great! Head over to the nearest frat hosting a party and get your groove on! But if you’re looking to meet new people, have a conversation with someone or just hangout casually, then the register probably is not the party you are looking for. While these types of parties can be fun and entertaining, after a while they leave one desiring more on Friday or Saturday night.
Throughout my first year, I attended most of the registers that occurred over the year and had a great time dancing and letting loose. However, towards the end of the year the parties got stale for me, and I began to desire real human interaction and to actually talk to my fellow party-goers instead of just dancing next to them. I tried to go to downtown parties, but they were even harder to get into and often just turned into an unofficial register with people packed to the walls. Then, I got to attend a date party and was relieved to find it was a much more social environment. Date parties have a more relaxed feel to them, with the music being played at a more reasonable volume and attendees talking and enjoying each others’ company. I found it was much easier to go up to a stranger and strike up a conversation at the date party than it was at a register, where such an act is an accomplishment to say the least. The only hitch is that you have to bring a date, which can be a hassle to find, but is not impossible once you get the courage. I suppose it is not required to have a date if you are a member of the organization hosting the party, but it is encouraged.
Once you have a date, it’s a great boost to your experience. A date is an ensured companion for the entire party; someone you will have to talk to and get to know throughout the evening. If you have a crush but you’re not sure how to make the first move, a date party is a wonderful way to break the ice and get closer to that special someone. Even if you don’t bring a love interest, you can still bring a friend and have just as good of a time.
Registers are a fantastic way to live the college dream and go crazy every once in a while, but if they are the only parties that you attend, they’ll eventually get dull and repetitive. If you get the chance to go to a date party or other formal event, take it. It’s a great change of pace and can result in a thoroughly satisfying evening for someone looking for a more social and relaxing atmosphere.
It seems as though everyone in the campus community is on the edge of his or her seat to see what the controversial Campus Climate Report will lead to in the coming months, but there is positive action currently taking place as students develop a voice for change. The “Double Take Project” dissects the social scene through theatre right from its source: the student body. This project has been in the works for the past few months and has been developed by the Bucknell Theatre department’s Christina Cody ’12. This Sunday, students are in for a treat to hear what their colleagues reallyhave to say.
“I have been conducting interviews from students all across campus and simply listening to all of their stories–positive, negative, hilarious, scary … everything!” Cody said.
There is a lot of anonymity behind the controversial voice of the “Double Take Project,” but maybe people will finally say what everyone’s thinking, shedding some light on campus life. One anonymous student has been quoted for Sunday’s piece, saying, “Coming into Bucknell you know you’re a freshmen, you’re fresh meat, you’re something that hasn’t been cooked yet. I look at Bucknell as a pressure cooker in a lot of ways … you come here as ‘fresh meat,’ and I put that in quotation marks, and then by the time you’re out, you’re good! You’re a good piece of filet mignon ready to be eaten in the real world … right?”
There are sure to be humorous moments throughout Cody’s piece, but at the heart of what she is quoting are the real feelings of our peers. Support the brave students speaking out for or against the social scene that seems to infect all of our lives in the “bubble” by going to Hunt Basement on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. This is an intimate setting, so make sure to get there early to guarantee a seat.
The University’s campus was overflowing with parents and siblings of students last weekend. The beautiful weather provided a suitable environment for the activities and events available for students and their parents.
“Freshman parents get to see how well we are adjusting to the college environment. It was also nice for them to see where we’ve been living for the past month and what they’re paying for,” Lindsey Nourse ’15 and Tyler Wind ’15 said.
Family Weekend appeals to everyone on campus.
“It provides a good setting for students to introduce parents to Bucknell beyond what they see in an admissions visit or another weekend during the year. The activities over Family Weekend really provide insight into life at Bucknell,” Arielle Barnett ’14 said.
After checking in at the Family Weekend Welcome Center, families attended numerous events hosted by the University. The weekend athletic events included field hockey and both men’s and women’s soccer games. There was an orchestra concert, performances in Rooke Chapel by all five campus a cappella groups and a comedy show by improv group We Brake for Nobody. There were also information sessions for parents and students interested in learning more about study abroad programs, financial aid and other topics.
While Family Weekend often caters to first-year students and their families, the University provides a unique experience for family members of all students students on campus.
“I love updating my parents about everything that’s been happening at Bucknell, but when they’re actually here and can see the places I study, my friends, and my sorority suite, they actually get to see my Bucknell life. Plus the home cooked meals they bring and the hugs are always the best,” Sarah Dubow ’13 said.
The University attracts multi-generational Bucknell families as well. Those who attended in previous years enjoy visiting their children and grandchildren at the school and seeing how things have changed and stayed the same.
“I was once a student at Bucknell, so it’s great to be able to come back with my family and relive all the amazing memories,” Sue Romagnoli ’87 said.
The weekend concluded with the Paint Bucknell Pink 5K walk/run on Sunday morning.
