Tis the season for self-reflection, and as we anxiously count the hours until we can slip into a tryptophan-induced coma, the Student Life Editorial Board reflects on what we are thankful and not thankful for at Wash. U.
David Brody
Senior Photo Editor
I am thankful for:
1. Bowls of candy in the OSA office, especially when they are full of mini-Snickers.
2. The ability to get into a heated abstract intellectual argument about anything at anytime for any/no reason.
3. Clusters, in Honey Bunches of Oats form.
I am NOT thankful for:
1. Overpriced, slow Internet service.
2. Oppressive climate forced upon staff and non-tenured faculty that prevents them from criticizing University policies for fear of losing their jobs.
3. Clusters, in ArtSci requirements form.
Tess Croner
Forum Editor
I am thankful for:
1. The Bunny: There is nothing like going to a university with a sense of humor.
2. The Campus Circulation Shuttle: When it’s raining, miserable and cold, and the last thing on earth you want to do is walk to class, the shuttle is your knight in shining armor. And it has saved me from being late SO many times (though probably not enough).
3. The rodent infestation: you’re walking to class and see a squirrel ram headfirst into a tree. Always hilarious. The squirrels give Wash. U. its unique comedic flavor.
4. Fresh bagels…mmmmmm.
I am NOT thankful for:
1. The uneven distribution of balconies: Why don’t the new dorms have them?
2. The ridiculous curving system for Bio exams. I’m not a pre-med, but I feel for them.
3. 8 a.m. final exams: They’re nothing short of sadistic.
Justin Davidson
Managing Editor
I am thankful for:
1. The fabulous facilities at the Athletic Complex, particularly the racquetball courts, as well as the wide variety of IM sports available for students. After all, we need somewhere to work off all those Mallinckrodt wraps and Bear’s Den quesadillas.
2. The Career Center’s willingness to help guide you along the path to employment. Facing the real world sucks, but at least we have a wonderful resource here on campus that makes it a little less scary than it already is.
3. Chancellor Wrighton’s “rap” video on YouTube about evals… it’s so awfully bad that you can’t help but laugh. I’m also thankful for the Chancellor’s most generous contribution to the world: glowsticks.
I am NOT thankful for:
1. The giant hole on campus-it is an eyesore, to say the least, and makes this once-beautiful campus seem like a Mecca for construction projects. At least I can sleep easy knowing that the class of 2012 or 2013 will have a nice looking school.
2. Standardized tests-one test should not be the determining factor for the direction of your life. America’s education philosophy needs to be reconsidered, and the LSAT should be banished to hell.
3. Specific class requirements for a major that do not pertain to your area of interest within the major-here’s looking at you, Anthropology and Political Science.
Sarah Kliff
Editor in Chief
I am thankful for:
1. My roommates, past and present, who have kept me sane, happy, and supplied with chocolate at crucial moments.
2. The Career Center-when you have no idea what is going to happen next year, it’s nice to have someone tell you that it’s okay, and help you figure things out.
3. The Student Life staff and their craziness, dedication and excitement. And studliness.
4. The Gargoyle staff for pulling me out of the Student Life office-at least for a moment or two.
5. An amazing four years at Wash. U. and whatever comes next.
I am NOT thankful for:
1. Ten hour flight paths from St. Louis to Seattle to get home for break. Anyone have a good book recommendation?
2. The business schoool students who already know what they’re doing next year. It’s okay to not have a job/life direction yet, right?
3. Professors moving finals at the last minute.
Daniel Milstein
Senior Forum Editor
I am thankful for:
1. KWUR
2. No classes on Fridays.
3. Professors who cancel classes the days before Thanksgiving.
4. Omar Minaya, Endy Chavez, Petr Prucha and Marek Malik.
5. Thai Pizza, Big V’s, and Avanti.and going a semester without eating at Bear’s Den.
I am NOT thankful for.
1. KWMU.
2. Off-campus Ethernet.
3. Drainage.
4. The fall of Student Universe.
5. Bicyclists.
Chelsea Murphy
Forum Editor
I am thankful for:
1. Doris at Art-Arch Cart. That woman has been a savior to me when I skip lunch and run in after she’s closed. If she’s there, she sells food.
2. New Art History Library. The moving stacks bring hours of entertainment when doing boring research.
3. Coca-Cola products on Campus. I wouldn’t survive if I had to drink Pepsi.
4. My walk from Mallinckrodt to Bixby. It calms me down on stressful days.
I am NOT thankful for:
1. Lack of parking space. Expensive parking passes should equal parking spaces.
2. Ignorance toward St. Louis. Explore St. Louis, it isn’t as boring as you think.
3. Two papers due on the same day for the same class. It’s just obnoxious.
4. Preferential treatment to benefactors over students. Who takes out enough money in loans to buy a small country? Not the benefactors.
Liz Neukirch
Associate Editor
I’m thankful for:
1. Professors who are truly invested in the well being of their students beyond the classroom. You know who you are, and we cannot thank you enough. It’s wonderful to have you as mentors and friends we can go to for support…or to share a good joke.
2. Our once-beautiful campus. At least I got to enjoy it for three years before the construction projects destroyed it!
3. The Performing Arts Dept. study abroad program at the Globe Theatre. Nothing beats standing on that stage at 1 a.m. under the stars and reciting Shakespeare. It changes you.
4. Stimulating, intelligent conversations. When you’re in the mood, you can have them with more or less anyone here, at any time. Note: After midnight is always the best time to discuss the meaning of life. Trust me.
5. Angela Markle, Tasha Nicholson, Megan Osdoby and Camila Salvisberg. I knew you ladies from the start and your presence in my life these past three-and-a-half years has made all the difference. Thank you. For the past, the present, and everything yet to come.
I am NOT thankful for:
1. The climate of fear that seems to prevail throughout the administration. Speak out publicly against what the University wants, it seems, and your job may be in jeopardy. Isn’t this supposed to be a community of open dialogue and collaboration?
2. A brand new University Center that, at present, appears to have no plans to include a ballroom, bowling alley, arcade or any other amenities that will draw students together for non-academic activities. If the University is so eager to compete with the Ivies and other elite schools, it should take a serious look at the facilities available to their student bodies.
3. The beer-and-a-hookup atmosphere that seems more popular than actual dating. Ever heard of asking someone to dinner? It involves some level of verbal communication before making a move, but there are some pretty smart people on this campus. I’m sure you can manage a sentence or two.
4. Being mistreated on Election Day because I’m a student. Guess what? I’m also an adult with a right to vote in this country. If you don’t like it, get out.
5. Oh, look at the pretty landscaping… and that hawk mauling a squirrel.
Jill Strominger
Forum Editor
I’m thankful for….
1. The way professors are truly concerned about their students’ lives and the accessibility of the professors.
2. The fact that in most classes, students aren’t put in direct competition for grades and this allows for a more collective learning experience.
3. A highly interesting, motivated and passionate student body.
4. The large variety of campus opportunities to do anything from research to joining to student groups or community service organizations.
5. Communication between the University and students either through the administration, SU, or ResLife employees.
I’m NOT thankful for…
1. The lack of school spirit.
2. The perception that one’s major determines the seriousness or importance of his or her studies.
3. Obsession over the University’s national image.
4. Poor cell phone reception and Internet problems.
5. The distance between Wash. U. and the nearest Buffalo Wild Wings.
David Tabor
Managing Editor
I am thankful for:
1. Friends and family, which goes unsaid far too often.
2. The opportunity to study at a top-ranked University. When the worst thing in my life is a grade on a paper, I’m very lucky.
3. Hot Pockets-the breakfast, lunch and dinner of champions.
I am NOT thankful for:
1. The in-class writing evaluations now being administered in Argumentation. Because of poorly-made accreditation requirements, my teacher and I are losing a day of class to an intensely boring exam.
2. Having to get used to writing a monthly rent check.
3. Living in the most dangerous city in the country. Diet snap.
Mandy Silver
Senior News Editor
I am thankful for:
1. A two-week long hiatus from Student Life.
2. My wonderful news editors who always stay late hours and keep me optimistic when there are only three articles in at 7 p.m.
3. Dancing penguins, in particular those that like to shake their flippers to Shakira.
I am NOT thankful for:
1. Long lines in Mallinckrodt.
2. Rainy days with no umbrella.
3. Vigilant transportation officers who ticket my car.