Senior Year: construction, championships and controversy
Johann Qua Hiansen
Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: News
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October brought racism and other forms of discrimination to the forefront of campus as a student's car was vandalized with a slur. Student groups continued to lobby for a sexual assault coordinator but were unsuccessful even as they succeeded in establishing a coordinator for the LGBTQIA community. As a result of these tensions, Connect 4 was created to address discrimination on campus.
The school hosted several famous and highly controversial speakers throughout the year. Alberto Gonzales spoke at the 560 Building, and his $30,000 speaking fee sparked a peaceful protest led by the College Democrats and other groups. Other notable speakers included Newark Mayor Cory Booker, author Alan Lightman, political pundit Paul Begala, Loveline's Dr. Drew, actor Peter Sarsgaard and comedian Margaret Cho.
Inflatable couches returned to W.I.L.D. as rapper Lupe Fiasco headlined the fall show and funk star George Clinton headlined the spring show. Other notable performers were Stars, who played at WUStock, and Cascada, who gave a brief performance that disappointed many. A student was tasered by the Washington University Police Department (WUPD) while resisting arrest at the Gargoyle, overshadowing Girl Talk's concert there.
WUPD had its hands full this school year as multiple robberies occurred over winter break in the Myers and Hurd dorms. Many students became more conscious of their surroundings after a freshman was mugged at gunpoint on the South 40.
Several influential professors changed their roles at the University. Professor Richard Smith, who taught the popular Introduction to Human Evolution course, left the anthropology department to become the dean of Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Tzachi Zach, popular accounting professor, will now teach at Ohio State after being denied tenure.
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