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Editorial Opinion

Editorial

As students, we often get caught up in our daily lives on campus, consumed by the mostly trivial problems that surround us. For this reason, we at The Bucknellian feel compelled to congratulate and learn from the actions of one of this year’s People of the Year, Christina Cody ’12.

Cody’s actions this year have truly broken the mold of what we expect from a student of this University. Few would argue against the fact that, in general, students exude apathy in situations like this. When it comes to making serious change on campus, specifically in the way students think, not many students would go as far as Cody did to accomplish her goals.

We often hear the terms “first-world problems,” as well as “the Bucknell Bubble,” and these two concepts delineate one of the largest problems on our campus: students are just not connected to real life. Often all that matters is fitting in and being cool.

We only pay attention to these “problems,” when really we should be focusing on the type of issues Cody is addressing.

Why do we do this? Maybe because we are so busy that we don’t take the time to stop and think, maybe we just don’t think that we can make a difference in the campus’ culture, or maybe it is something completely different.

Whatever the reason, we must take notice of extraordinary students like Cody, who not only addressed a problem on campus, but also took action to create serious awareness. We must realize that we can make a difference.

With that said, talking about promoting change is easy–-taking action is very hard. How do we make the jump from idea to action? There is no correct answer to this question, no guaranteed way to ensure change.

A great start, though, is for we as students to slow down and think about what is actually meaningful in life. We need to take some time for ourselves, to sit back, relax and forget about frat parties and Lilly Pulitzer. If we can at least start with a change in our own individual mindset, we will have the opportunity to change the broader campus culture.

So, as the school year winds down and we prepare to go home for summer, we all should take some time to think about how we want the University to be when we come back in the fall. And while we think about this, we must never lose sight of who really has the power to enact change: we do.

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Arts & Life

Documentary highlights agriculture’s importance

By Julian Fleming

Contributing Writer

For about the last half-century, community-supported agriculture, or CSAs, have been a popular alternative to the established commercial and industrial systems of agriculture that have come to dominate the food landscape. But surprisingly, CSAs remain largely unknown to many people around the country and are by no means a presence in every community.

Considering the bounty of unhealthy food options available to the average consumer, it is a shame that more people do not know about CSAs or have access to them.

Working with professor of English Amanda Keeler in ENGL 339 – Seminar in Film/Video Production, we first studied the forms of documentary, informational and nonfiction filmmaking. We wanted to understand how and why these films are made, as well as the purposes they serve in the real world. Knowing this, we then began looking for a local not-for-profit organization that could act as the subject for our own informational video. After much careful consideration, we selected DreamCatcher Farm, a local CSA located in Lewisburg. We were inspired by their mission to provide healthy, nutrient-dense food to the local community using balanced, sustainable farming practices, and we decided that we wanted to share their message.

Using professional-quality Panasonic AF100 cameras, along with professional lighting and sound equipment, we set out to produce a five-minute informational video highlighting DreamCatcher Farm as a shining example of community-supported agriculture, as well as a vital component of the local community.

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Arts & Life

Courtney Flagg (Senior Reflection)

By Courtney Flagg
Former Editor-in-Chief

Over the years I have become quite skilled at turning out articles rather quickly, so when I was asked to write a senior reflection, I thought nothing of it. After all, how hard can it be to talk about the hours upon hours I’ve spent in Roberts basement preparing a newspaper for publication? I’ve lived and breathed this newspaper for the majority of my college career, so I figured when the time came for me to “reflect,” something would come quite naturally. It hasn’t. Writing about something that has changed me so much has proven quite difficult.

In my career at the University, I have never valued anything more than my time spent as a part of The Bucknellian staff. This weekly newspaper has challenged me in ways I never thought possible. As a staff, we have powered through sleepless nights, weeks with “nothing to report on,” uncooperative writers and, at times, an angry administration. As my friends were hitting the bar on Wednesday nights, I would head off to Roberts, where I would remain in the basement for an unhealthy amount of time. While this experience has indeed been stressful and tiring, it was also the most fun I’ve ever had. After all, how many people can say they interviewed B.o.B on his tour bus after a concert or talked about SNL with Seth Meyers before Center Stage?

There were times, last semester especially, when The Bucknellian felt like a full-time job. I would lie awake at night worrying about news stories and unresponsive writers. I am embarrassed to say that there were numerous instances where I put the paper above my schoolwork, and sometimes I would forgo class in favor of refining articles and harassing people for quotes. But I wouldn’t change a thing. The mishaps and successes alike have shaped me as a person and helped me develop a professional confidence I’m positive wouldn’t exist had I not become involved with this publication.

Of course, the friends I have made along the way cannot go unmentioned. The dedicated staff was, at times, the only thing that kept me sane during those long nights in the newsroom. I have to thank them for putting up with my unfiltered commentary and delusional 3 a.m. babbling. They are some of the smartest, funniest and most dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure to meet, and I am proud to say they are some of my best friends.

When my peers and I graduate in a few short weeks, each of us will have memories or experiences that define our college experience. I am proud to say my memories are filled with my time at The Bucknellian. For me to say “I will miss it” would be a gross understatement.

 

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Opinion

Lewisburg offers many summer opportunities

By Molly Brown

Writer

With the school year winding down, I hear many conversations from students about their plans for the summer. The common consensus of giddy delight that students will have no work is short-lived for those pursuing internships or intensive jobs, but most students are chomping at the bit to leave Lewisburg for their homes or vacation destinations. I was asked if I would ever spend a summer in Lewisburg the other day, and my affirmative response brought shock from my peers. I would definitely spend one of my summers in Lewisburg. Here’s why.

Firstly, Lewisburg is adorable. I would love to see the downtown neighborhood with all of the shops, the park, the cafes and the local music scene in the summer. I imagine there are festivals in the park, and concerts, and I could really see the town from a sort of non-student perspective. During the school year, everywhere is inundated with students and we’ve acquired a sort of reputation among the townies. I’d want to see what it was like, a day in the life of a summer in Lewisburg. I’d wake up early, go for a walk, eat some breakfast somewhere and probably do some writing for the morning and early afternoon. Lewisburg is quiet, yes, but that doesn’t need to be a hindrance. Lewisburg’s the sort of town that you can write a book in Cherry Alley and no one will bother you, no matter how long you stay. Then I’d take a nap. Afterwards, I know I would deplete most of savings going to the Campus Theatre. Finally, I’d befriend a townie so they’d grant me access to their porch, because, in my book, no summer is complete without a porch.

I might even consider taking a course or two to get ahead, but that wouldn’t alter my vision from above too drastically. I know many students pursue summer courses here at the University for a variety of reasons, and I do think it would be interesting to try out some time. Mostly, people wonder if I would grow bored. I honestly don’t think I would. I love small towns. I’d probably seek ways to recreate a “Dandelion Wine”–esque summer for myself, and I would definitely read the book again (you should, too). I’m really interested in getting to know the people of Lewisburg, the ones who’ve lived here for a long time. I love learning about people: their stories, what they do, what they like to read, what they don’t like to read, stories about their children, anything. I would continue going to Scrabble on Tuesday nights … in fact, I’m going to be really upset when I cannot for the whole summer. I would try and do whatever I could to go beyond a typical student’s perception of Lewisburg to attempt to understand it beyond its appearance of a sleepy little place with nothing to do. I think it’d be the makings of some great stories to tell my friends when they return in the fall.

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News

Prospective students browse activities at open house

By Ali Napoli
Contributing Writer

The University hosted its annual Admitted Student Open House Activities Fair on Saturday, April 21 in Gerhard Fieldhouse. Most student clubs and activities attended the fair, which set up stations to allow the fall’s incoming first-years to browse what they could potentially be a part of next year.

“Admitted Student Open House is the most significant activity the University undertakes to help potential members of the incoming class see why Bucknell is the best choice for their college experience,” Dean of Admissions Robert Springall said. “Our role in Admissions is to facilitate the day.”

The University expected 500 families to attend, so food and refreshments were provided to accommodate that estimate. The clubs and activities present ranged from LARPing to club sports to musical groups.

“Admitted Students Day was a great opportunity to interact with the upcoming class. The Activities Fair was packed, and all the new kids were very excited to be Bucknellians. As a tour guide, I got to really meet the kids and show them their soon-to-be home,” Asha Harvey ’15 said. “Parents were really interested, asking many questions about the dorms and such. I also got the opportunity to really show the kids the Arts Residential [College] halls which was so nice because that is what I am a part of on campus. I got to show them the ins and outs and where I live. The day and fair just proved how well-rounded Bucknell is, and how the incoming students have such an array of activities to chose from.”

Other tour guides shared similar views.

“I found the experience to be especially rewarding as a freshman tour guide, because I could alleviate any fears that I knew I had coming into Bucknell. At the same time it was a weird feeling knowing that I was in their shoes just a year ago,” Brett Walter ’15 said.

The activities fair started at 11:45 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m., giving students more than enough time to browse their interests and enjoy a light lunch. Numerous faculty and upperclassmen were present to meet and greet the new soon-to-be first-year students.

“It is the people from every academic department, our student life and co-curricular programs, and 100 student organizations who really welcome and inform prospective students and their families. The stories of Bucknellians at their best is the heart of the day’s event, and those stories are often why students who come to this event choose to enroll here,” Springall said.

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News

Go Greek Week promotes Greek life

By Connor Small
Contributing Writer

Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council sponsored the first “Go Greek Week” this past week to display positive Greek involvement on campus and in the surrounding area, and to promote positive Greek values to first-years.

Each day from April 16 to April 22,, the Go Greek committee sponsored a number of events in support of Greek organizations. These events included free cake in the ELC Mall, an a cappella concert in Smith Quad and a Greek Life study break with free food for students outside the Ellen Clarke Bertrand Library.

“I had so much fun attending the ‘Go Greek Week’ events, especially facilitating the comradeship between the students and faculty at the basketball game. We look forward to working with next year’s chairs to continue improving the success of the event. We enjoyed the time devoted to this project and thank you to everyone who helped make this week a reality,” Alexis Birnberg ’13 said.

The week not only focused on promoting Greek life to students, but to faculty as well, with many events being dedicated to faculty interactions with Greeks on campus. Events like the faculty vs. Greek basketball game promoted cooperation and team building between faculty and Greek students. Some events were designed to show appreciation toward faculty, such as sending thank-yous, hand-written by members of various Greek organizations, to each department on campus.

Overall, “Go Greek Week” proved to be successful in promoting positive aspects of Greek life, with students and faculty deeming the week a successful experience that will only improve with time.

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News

Relay for Life behind in fundraising

By Amanda Ayers

News Editor

The 2012 Relay for Life event will be held in Gerhard Fieldhouse from 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28 to 3 a.m. Sunday, April 29 to support the American Cancer Society and celebrate those who have battled cancer.

Despite ardent efforts, including a Lewisburg Freez night in which a portion of all proceeds were donated to Relay’s efforts, fundraising is behind what it was at this point prior to the event last year. But members on the planning committee are confident that with the large jump in donations in the past couple of weeks, fundraising will surpass levels in years past. Last year, University students ultimately raised $103,850 in the fight against cancer. As of Wednesday, there was only $50,115 raised.

“At this point last year I believe we were a few thousand dollars ahead, but unfortunately we think it might be due to removal of philanthropy dollars and mandatory hours for community service,” Elena Thomopoulos ’14 said. “However, we have no doubt there will be a strong presence of Greek Life at the event.”

“The Freez night was extremely successful for both fundraising and advertising purposes. We made over $400 selling T-shirts and will be receiving a portion of the Freez proceeds from that night,” Sinzer said. “It was wonderful to see the campus come out and support the event.”

As of Wednesday, 856  members were signed up on 79 teams.

“We are expecting a very good turn out. We changed the time from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. to accommodate more individual schedules with finals coming around and we have received lots of positive feedback,” said Emily Sinzer ’14, one of this year’s Relay co-chairs.

The Relay began on campus in 2006 and is planned by the University’s Relay for Life Committee, chaired this year by Sinzer and Eliann Shadmi ’14. They have been involved in every facet of planning the event with the help of Amanda Alexander, a representative from the American Cancer Society, who provides them with information about ACS and helps with other official matters like counting money and making sure that ACS guidelines are followed.

The University has both a Colleges Against Cancer club and a Relay For Life committee. The club works on several cancer awareness activities all year long, while the Relay committee focuses on planning the Relay event. Both of these groups partner with the American Cancer Society.

“Both the co-chairs and the committee have all been personally affected by cancer and have found this event as a wonderful way to fight back against a disease that takes too many lives,” Sinzer said. 

“The students plan all the details of the event, from lining up entertainment acts to acquiring food donations to recruiting teams, and they do a great job,” Alexander said. “It is really a great event and we have lots of students involved who are passionate about the cause.”

Teams are made up of various campus groups ranging from Greek organizations, to sports teams to first-year halls. Much of the registration and fundraising has occurred online on the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life website. On the website, each team is able to manage its members, set a fundraising goal and make a statement about why its members chose to relay.

Delta Gamma members of the Class of 2014, for example, wrote that “At the event, our sisters will camp out overnight and take turns walking around the track to raise money and awareness to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Saving lives from cancer starts one team, one participant and one dollar at a time. Our team is doing its part to make sure that cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life.”

The website also enables participants to see the top fundraising teams and individual participants. As of Wednesday, Kappa Kappa Gamma Seniors was the top fundraising team and Kate Bloom ’12 and Emily Partridge ’14 are the top two fundraising individuals.

Many campus groups will make an appearance on Saturday night, even putting on performances for participants. The Bison Chips, Bison Girls Dance Team, The Off Beats, Truck Bed Band, Two Past Midnight, Beyond Unison, We Brake for Nobody and Doug Bogan plan to provide entertainment into the wee morning hours. In addition to performances, there will be moon bounces, a mechanical shark, Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza, Rita’s Water Ice and Dunkin’ Donuts.

More information can be found on the American Cancer Society’s official webpage.

Categories
Letters to the Editor Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Sleeping Around

To the Editor:

I have been reading the “Sleeping Around” column for the past three weeks and have found it trivial, juvenile, vulgar and badly written. For a time I thought this opinion due to my age: I am no longer a sexagenarian but a septuagenarian.

I asked a graduating senior, a good writer and a good friend, what he thought. He said: “Only The Bucknellian could make a sex column so boring.”

I rest my case. Thank God the semester is almost over.

Paul Archambault (Ret. Guest Faculty)

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Arts & Life Study Abroad

Study Abroad Back Page

By Beth Eanelli, ’13

There is a city built around a mountain…

I spotted Table Mountain about 10 minutes before I descended into Cape Town, South Africa in January from a plane window. In the span of my semester abroad, which is quickly coming to an end, I have come to recognize that Table Mountain is more than just a natural wonder and environmental anomaly, but the center of culture in this city.

Right outside of the city center is Khayelitsha, Cape Town’s largest township, with homes made of metal scraps form neighborhoods complete with barbershops, convenience stores and schools. Although the townships are residual from the racial segregation in South Africa during apartheid, they still exist, and a staggering percentage of Cape Town’s population lives in these communities. The townships’ residents see the flattened top of Table Mountain and the city below as a symbol of the racial tension that plagues South Africa.

Some of Cape Town’s most beautiful places utilize the mountain as a backdrop, such as the beaches and gardens. Surrounded by mansions, five-star resorts and staggering beauty, these places are havens in Cape Town, but reminders of the disparities in South Africa. between the rich and poor, the townships and wealthy neighborhoods, the perfect landscape and perpetual poverty.

I walk up the base of the mountain every day to the University of Cape Town. I am taking classes about poverty and culture in the country and spend my days reading and socializing on the main quad, which has picturesque views of the city. I am surrounded by South Africans, Zambians, Namibians and students of every nation in Africa representing every sub-culture of this continent, speaking different languages, all with a common goal of greater knowledge.

I love the way the mountain looks different from every part of Cape Town, and from every form of transportation. When a taxi is stopped at a light, beggars come to the window, dirty palms held out in a plea for coins. Pickup trucks speed down the freeway, with people packed into the open back like sardines, clothes pulled taut from the wind and locomotion. I can see the geological mound change shape from a train window as it twists and turns around the mountain and as children laugh and run around. Locals dressed in all types of uniform sit and chat in Afrikaans, Zulu and isiXhosa as they make their way home from work.

I can see the mountain from the porch of my house. I wake up to the rising sun illuminating it in neon orange and go to sleep knowing the mountain is resting below a blanket of Southern Hemisphere stars. When I leave Cape Town to travel on weekends, the best part about coming back is seeing the outline of Table Mountain: a symbol of the place I have learned to call home.

My favorite place in all of Cape Town is the top of Table Mountain, where I can see the entire city sprawled in a semi-circle around the mountain. I love watching the sun set into the ocean and subsequently seeing the city lights turn on, transforming the city into a sparkling, luminous display. I first reached the summit on my third day in Cape Town. The top of the mountain reminds me of how much I have learned since that third day. I now can name most areas of the city, point out landmarks, and all of the restaurants, markets and museums I have grown to love. Being abroad in a developing country has taught me more than I ever could have learned in a classroom. Every day in Cape Town makes me question humanity, culture, race, equality, and my place in the world. From the top of the mountain, I can see how invaluable studying abroad has been for me.

Categories
Arts & Life

Rob Duffy (Senior Reflection)

By Rob Duffy

Former Editor-in-Chief

My first week as sports editor, sophomore year, I remember having to email a writer late Wednesday night to ask why on earth his article wasn’t in yet. His response (paraphrased): “Oh—when you gave me that assignment, you meant it was for this week?” The article wasn’t ever coming in, I realized, and we would be stuck with a blank half-page if I didn’t get to work. So I did: that week I ended up authoring four and a half of the nine articles in the sports section. The whole process was exhausting, but I was exhilarated to be able to leave my mark on the paper.

Over the next two years, the crises never went away. There were the recurring newsroom floods, the constant fights to get the newsroom printer and internet to work, the time when we realized on Thursday afternoon that we had accidentally entirely deleted an article and it needed to be rewritten. Sports usually turned out fine—at The Bucknellian, we love sports and don’t care who knows—but the rest of the paper was often an adventure, one that I got increasingly involved in as I progressed to managing editor and then editor-in-chief. There were also the long-term issues, like the nagging question of how to keep an all-volunteer staff motivated and the infamous hole in the ceiling. My friends from outside the paper thought I was nuts to put up with it all.

They were probably right, but I still maintain that it was a good sort of “nuts.” As far as I’m concerned, my whole newspaper experience was completely worth it, and I don’t regret any choices I made along the way. The process of putting a newspaper together was grueling at times, but the setbacks made it all the more triumphant when things finally did come together. The last issue of my run as EIC, when we both ratcheted up the quality and packed 11 articles onto the front page, is something I’ll always be proud of.

But what really makes being part of the newspaper staff worthwhile is the connections you make with your fellow staff along the way. The newspaper introduced me to some of the most friendly, talented and driven people I know and gave me the opportunity to develop friendships I’ll never forget. The newsroom camaraderie was always the best thing about being involved with the paper, and for every memorable crisis there was a memorable positive experience as well: the time we watched Pulp Fiction, the Sheetz runs, the New York City trip, our absurd postings to the newsroom walls, the list goes on. I wish a heartfelt thanks to all the great people who were part of these experiences.

I’ve also gotten to witness the revitalization of the paper’s staff. Two years ago, as our numbers were dwindling, we were utterly convinced that the paper would be dead in two years. It obviously isn’t, and I’m excited about the newfound possibility of emphasizing quality and not just quantity, now that the paper finally has enough people. I have confidence in the ability of a dedicated staff to not just report on things that are easy to cover, but to investigate and shed light upon the big issues that affect campus; to address controversial but important topics like sex, drugs, and role of the Greek system on campus in a thoughtful, dignified manner; to write stories that grab readers, not just stories that fill pages; and to package everything together with memorable and eye-catching layouts. Some of those things the paper is already doing well; others can still use a bit of work. What’s important is that the newspaper’s potential is the greatest it’s been in years.

Meeting this potential is never easy, but if my experience with the paper has taught me anything, it’s that the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. I wish future staffs good luck in creating experiences and newspapers they can be similarly proud of.