Sigma Chi brothers evicted from house
Though their recognition as a chapter will not be revoked, brothers of Washington University’s Sigma Chi fraternity will not be allowed to live in their house next year.
“As a result of the most recent violations and Sigma Chi’s probationary status for the past two years, it has been determined that members of Sigma Chi will not occupy the Sigma Chi fraternity house for a period of at least two years,” said a press release from the University’s Office of Public Affairs.
Freshman year: Presidential debate and protests
Small Group Housing made its way onto campus, though progress was slowed because of strikes by concrete workers, inclement weather, and an alleged $11 million budget increase. The Chemistry Lab building and the Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center progressed in their construction, and contractors broke ground on the Biomedical Engineering building by Brookings.
Sophomore year: Overcoming international tragedy
This year marked not only the largest number of available rooms on campus, but also the highest number of students, nearly 4,000, living on campus in university history. The increase in students was due largely to more upperclassmen applying to live on campus, as opposed to moving to off-campus apartments, as was the trend in the past.
Junior year: Jews for Jesus, MetroLink, and war
This school year saw improvement in many areas for Washington University. The overall undergraduate program rose from the 14th to the 12th-highest ranking in U.S. News and World Report, which also ranked 19 graduate programs among the top 10 in their respective categories.
Senior year: 150, construction and Nicaraguans
Washington University began its 150th year with the announcement that the University had risen in rank to hold a spot as the 9th best undergraduate program in the country according to U.S. News & World Report. This was the University’s first appearance in the top ten. The Sesquicentennial Celebration, commemorating the University’s 150th anniversary, brought approximately 20,000 students, faculty and community members to campus for over 200 festive events.
University to grant honorary degrees to six
Along with the more than 2,300 Washington University students who will receive degrees at the Commencement ceremonies on May 21, the University will award six accomplished individuals with honorary doctorate degrees.
Three-year library project comes to an end
Washington University celebrated the completion of its three-year Olin Library renovation project in style on May 7 with a fitting grand-scale rededication ceremony. Held beneath a pavilion erected in front of the library entrance, the ceremony featured a number of distinguished speakers, including Chancellor Mark Wrighton and keynote speaker Neil Rudenstine, former president of Harvard University.
New grads face tough but improving job market
For this year’s graduating class, finding a job may not be as difficult a task as it has been in the past. Recent reports about the job market for the class of 2004 have been quite positive. The nonprofit National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) measured the potential jobs available for grads by polling its company members on four separate occasions during the academic year.
Graduating seniors await Commencement
With Washington University preparing to celebrate its 143rd Commencement ceremony on May 21, another class of seniors will soon see their undergraduate careers at the University come to an end. The Chancellor will confer awards upon the class of 2004 and degree candidates in the University’s graduate programs during Friday’s ceremony.
According to Sue Hosack, director of the Office of Student Records, the Office has recommended 2,934 degrees for distribution at Commencement. Not all of these recommended diplomas will be awarded, however, as some students fail to meet graduation requirements or make a last-minute decision to return for an additional semester.
Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman, a best-selling author and foreign affairs columnist for The New York Times, will return to the University to deliver the Commencement address. Friedman visited the campus in September to deliver the inaugural Assembly Series Sesquicentennial lecture, and his speech on international borders in the 21st century received a great deal of positive attention from the University community.
Uncertainty and life after college
Four years ago, at the Freshman Convocation, Professor Lee Epstein told us, “I am, you are, we all are-profoundly uncertain.” Now four years later those words seem to have greater meaning and greater relevance.