After Fountain Scare, DOS Walks Thin Line

By Charlie Sprague | March 30, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Opinion | 58 comments | |

 

The administration has touched a nerve, and a rare anger from students has spread throughout the campus. As of this writing, nearly 400 of students and alumni have joined the Facebook group, previously named “Don’t Drain our Traditions”[i] and now operating as “The Thesis Fountain Party Fan Club.” The latest outbreak of student rage erupted yesterday when Senior Class President William Robelo-Lara’s announced a DOS review of the Thesis Fountain Party.[ii] Some seniors have witnessed this celebration happen seven times before and almost all have eagerly waited four years for their turn at this CMC tradition.

Various administration officials scrambled to respond to student outcry late into the evening. John Faranda used his Facebook profile to respond to the new group. Dean Huang sent an email out to the student body to calm things down, which was followed by another this morning. “We have agreed to let the Senior Thesis Fountain Party continue, in its old location,” he wrote, “but simply want those participating to be respectful of others and noise issues.” It was not made clear how student sentiment factored into the recent decision.

Is that Professor Ward Elliott we spy,snapping pictures on the left? Could that be a sign of senior faculty approval?

The timing of this incident could not have come at a worse time for the administration. Poor Andrew Brewer, Assistant Director of Annual Giving, has scheduled an event to collect senior gifts at the Senior Apartments tomorrow night. My guess is that seniors will be happy to take the free sandwiches and beer, but be far less generous with their wallets in light of recent news. Some seniors who have already donated have even been threatening to cancel their senior gift, but the viability of this option remains unclear. Furthermore, with many high school students expected on campus in the coming weeks, and many of them considering whether to accept CMC’s offer of admission, the Office of Admission must be concerned about an angry and unhappy student body expressing their feelings to prospective students.

The Fountain Party fiasco represents only the tip of the iceberg of student discontent.  This year the administration, led by the Dean of Students, has launched a concerted attack on CMC’s culture by canceling or amending many traditions. The Dean of Students indefinitely canceled TNC on the eve of Spring Break before announcing a reinstatement of the tradition starting this Thursday. In addition to beefed up security (reportedly staffed by the CMS Football Team) and fencing, TNCs will now be CMC-only with the exception of a guest list for friends of CMCers. The Dean of Students Office seems to be repeating the same strategy with the Fountain Party. After 26 years, the Madrigal Feast was canceled. Madrigal had been in danger for years and the Athenaeum had grown tired of holding the event, but it was a deeply unpopular move nonetheless.

Some of these have been attributed to Mary Spellman’s arrival at Dean of Students. Charles Johnson argues that killing traditions was her legacy at Sarah Lawrence College and he speculates that she was brought to CMC for that purpose. CMCers complained that with the Fountain Party and Madrigal Feast gone, two of the four traditions mentioned on Claremont McKenna College’s Wikipedia article have ended.[iv]

The CMC student body is deeply resentful of the administration’s assault on CMC traditions. A typical reaction was voiced by senior Max Mautner, “How can the administration be so stupid to remove a popular tradition just as an entire class is about to graduate?” In regards to the administration’s rationale for ending the Fountain Party, the reported complaints about students getting wet and professors disliking the noise don’t seem compelling to students. The fountain can be avoided with only a minute of extra walking time and the sound coming from the celebration can hardly be any louder than the construction of the “Taj MaKravis.” If some of these events are causing problems, the administration should proactively work with students and ASCMC to change them for the better rather than unilaterally canceling or modifying them.

More fundamentally, the administration’s approach seems guided by an overall strategy of trying to end CMC’s “party culture.” Way back in September, the administration met with RAs about semester-opening party events, stated that “things have to change,” and even threatened to turn CMC into a dry campus. If this is the administration’s strategy, they are highly unlikely to succeed. Fellow Forum writer Kevin Burke has made the poignant observation that partying is the dominant status game at CMC and the administration can’t change that reality. Moreover, the administration shouldn’t be in the business of trying to air-dry CMC. Students come to CMC knowing full well that we have an open drinking culture with parties available to all. Along with many other organizations, the Student Life Committee provides plenty of opportunities for socializing without alcohol. Students are capable of self-policing and feel comfortable criticizing their peers’ poor judgment. For most of its history, CMC has successfully discouraged drunk driving and alcohol poisonings by holding large, on-campus parties with a lax alcohol policy where students feel free to seek help if they need it. We absolutely should preserve this aspect of the CMC experience.

[i] The name of the Facebook group appears to be a reference to the rumor that the administration will drain the fountain on the day thesis is due to prevent the champagne celebration from happening in it.

[ii] Despite Michael Wilner’s suggestion, I refuse to call this incident “Fountaingate”.

[iii] Yesterday, I emailed Dean Huang, Dean Nauls, and Dean Spellman to get information about this story. Only Spellman responded by telling me to speak with Dean Nauls.

[iv] Somebody evidently updated the article just hours after William’s announcement.

More posts by Charlie Sprague »
Charlie Sprague

I love to debate, but I hate it when people take arguments about their politics personally. I love to travel for free. It's one of the best things I've gotten from my CMC education. Sunday is often the most frustrating day of my week (I'm a 49ers fan).

 
 
 
 
  • Alumnus

    I would just like to thank the Forum for keeping up with this story – this is really very good reporting especially on such a short timeline.

    When I first got to CMC the Forum was a concept born out of a faltering 3rd tier college newsletter. I am so impressed with what everyone on the staff has done with it in just 5 years.

    Job well done.

  • Alumnus

    I would just like to thank the Forum for keeping up with this story – this is really very good reporting especially on such a short timeline.

    When I first got to CMC the Forum was a concept born out of a faltering 3rd tier college newsletter. I am so impressed with what everyone on the staff has done with it in just 5 years.

    Job well done.

  • Another Alumnus

    I want to echo the comments of my colleague above. Great reporting and great article!

  • Another Alumnus

    I want to echo the comments of my colleague above. Great reporting and great article!

  • Matt F

    Just as a clarification, the Senior Sandwich Night is tomorrow night (31st). Good article Charlie. My only critique is that Madrigals wasn’t a DoS related response from what I’ve gathered but an Athenaeum staff response.

  • Matt F

    Just as a clarification, the Senior Sandwich Night is tomorrow night (31st). Good article Charlie. My only critique is that Madrigals wasn’t a DoS related response from what I’ve gathered but an Athenaeum staff response.

  • Old Alum

    The “Taj MaKravis” crack is a gratuitous cheap shot at an alum who gave the college $75M to provide students with state-of-the-art classrooms and faculty and research institutes with desperately needed office space. I’m sure his next major gift can be made to a community that won’t ridicule it.

  • Old Alum

    The “Taj MaKravis” crack is a gratuitous cheap shot at an alum who gave the college $75M to provide students with state-of-the-art classrooms and faculty and research institutes with desperately needed office space. I’m sure his next major gift can be made to a community that won’t ridicule it.

  • old timer

    Thats professor Charlie Lofgren of the CMC History dept. on the left in the picture. I’d know that hat anywhere.

    • wardlover

      definitely ward. only ward would dare get that close to raging seniors and happily snap photos of their carefree, exuberant, youthful spirits.

      • Ward for Sure

        Agreed it is Ward Elliott. Lucky him, he gets to enjoy the fountain party every year.

  • old timer

    Thats professor Charlie Lofgren of the CMC History dept. on the left in the picture. I’d know that hat anywhere.

    • wardlover

      definitely ward. only ward would dare get that close to raging seniors and happily snap photos of their carefree, exuberant, youthful spirits.

      • Ward for Sure

        Agreed it is Ward Elliott. Lucky him, he gets to enjoy the fountain party every year.

  • concerned senior

    I am a little upset by Wiliam’s initial e-mail which literally started a frenzy of frustration and rage in Poppa last night. It seems that Dean Huang always had the intention of simply changing the tradition and NOT canceling it outright.

    Charlie, you wrote that, “If some of these events are causing problems, the administration should proactively work with students and ASCMC to change them for the better rather than unilaterally canceling or modifying them.”
    If you read some of Huang’s emails it seems clear this is exactly what they are trying to do, there was no mention of cancellation at all.

    Now I’m not saying that DOS is completely innocent, they should be aware of our sensitive state and the seriousness of this event for all students. However, it seems they never meant to start a fire of dictatorship that was flagrantly fanned by an overreacting class prez.

    PS. For all the bitching and moaning we all did about TNC, only two events were canceled and I’m sure we all got shit-faced anyway. I really don’t think things are changing as radically as the drama-seekers may like to believe.

    • It’s not William’s fault

      I don’t think William is to blame here. He was told by DOS staff that they would go as far as draining the fountains the night before thesis is due to ensure there is no party in the fountains. That is outrageous.

      There’s a question as to whether or not Dean Huang was aware of what was going on, but he delegated things to Jim Nauls who dealt with the situation poorly.

    • problem is…

      The thing is, as class president, William more than anyone wanted the thesis fountain party to happen. So when sending his first email last night, he felt like there was any chance the party would occur, he wouldn’t have said what he did. After speaking with Jim Nauls, he was told that the only acceptable location for the party would be the Senior Apartments (not even Green Beach). While some student anger was misdirected (particularly at Dean Spellman), it isn’t right to blame the messenger.

    • Anon

      Jim Nauls was very explicit in stating that the thesis party would happen at the senior apartments, and when green beach was offered as a potential alternative, this was unequivocally shot down. The statement was quite simply “there will be no fountain party”.

      I can’t imagine how there could be any misunderstanding when the message communicated was clearly “this isn’t going to happen”, even in spite of offers to work with DOS.

      Obviously Dean Huang dumped the blame for a PR disaster on the senior class president by essentially suggesting he was so incompetent so as to not understand what was clearly being communicated to him.

  • concerned senior

    I am a little upset by Wiliam’s initial e-mail which literally started a frenzy of frustration and rage in Poppa last night. It seems that Dean Huang always had the intention of simply changing the tradition and NOT canceling it outright.

    Charlie, you wrote that, “If some of these events are causing problems, the administration should proactively work with students and ASCMC to change them for the better rather than unilaterally canceling or modifying them.”
    If you read some of Huang’s emails it seems clear this is exactly what they are trying to do, there was no mention of cancellation at all.

    Now I’m not saying that DOS is completely innocent, they should be aware of our sensitive state and the seriousness of this event for all students. However, it seems they never meant to start a fire of dictatorship that was flagrantly fanned by an overreacting class prez.

    PS. For all the bitching and moaning we all did about TNC, only two events were canceled and I’m sure we all got shit-faced anyway. I really don’t think things are changing as radically as the drama-seekers may like to believe.

    • It’s not William’s fault

      I don’t think William is to blame here. He was told by DOS staff that they would go as far as draining the fountains the night before thesis is due to ensure there is no party in the fountains. That is outrageous.

      There’s a question as to whether or not Dean Huang was aware of what was going on, but he delegated things to Jim Nauls who dealt with the situation poorly.

    • problem is…

      The thing is, as class president, William more than anyone wanted the thesis fountain party to happen. So when sending his first email last night, he felt like there was any chance the party would occur, he wouldn’t have said what he did. After speaking with Jim Nauls, he was told that the only acceptable location for the party would be the Senior Apartments (not even Green Beach). While some student anger was misdirected (particularly at Dean Spellman), it isn’t right to blame the messenger.

    • Anon

      Jim Nauls was very explicit in stating that the thesis party would happen at the senior apartments, and when green beach was offered as a potential alternative, this was unequivocally shot down. The statement was quite simply “there will be no fountain party”.

      I can’t imagine how there could be any misunderstanding when the message communicated was clearly “this isn’t going to happen”, even in spite of offers to work with DOS.

      Obviously Dean Huang dumped the blame for a PR disaster on the senior class president by essentially suggesting he was so incompetent so as to not understand what was clearly being communicated to him.

  • Remember Dean Huang is a Polit

    I don’t see this as William’s fault, but this is all based on hearsay because Dean Huang chose his words very carefully in his e-mail so as to avoid taking any significant blame for this situation. He should not have delegated such an important issue to Jim Nauls who I hear routinely has trouble communicating with students.

    My understanding of the situation from William and others is that Dean Huang asked Jim Nauls to work with William to make changes to the tradition.

    I don’t know if Dean Huang meant for those changes to include a change in venue from the fountains to the Senior Apartments, but Jim Nauls told William that that’s what would have to happen. He also said DOS could drain the fountains. Maybe that was Jim Nauls’ own decision, maybe not.

    Jim Nauls also relayed to William that Dean Huang and the rest of DOS was behind the impetus for a change. Had William gone directly to Dean Huang, maybe this could have been avoided. Maybe Dean Huang would have had the same answer before all this outcry. Maybe not.

    • hmmmm

      Didn’t Dean Huang say in his email that the responsibility was all his? So…kind of a moot point.

  • Remember Dean Huang is a Politician

    I don’t see this as William’s fault, but this is all based on hearsay because Dean Huang chose his words very carefully in his e-mail so as to avoid taking any significant blame for this situation. He should not have delegated such an important issue to Jim Nauls who I hear routinely has trouble communicating with students.

    My understanding of the situation from William and others is that Dean Huang asked Jim Nauls to work with William to make changes to the tradition.

    I don’t know if Dean Huang meant for those changes to include a change in venue from the fountains to the Senior Apartments, but Jim Nauls told William that that’s what would have to happen. He also said DOS could drain the fountains. Maybe that was Jim Nauls’ own decision, maybe not.

    Jim Nauls also relayed to William that Dean Huang and the rest of DOS was behind the impetus for a change. Had William gone directly to Dean Huang, maybe this could have been avoided. Maybe Dean Huang would have had the same answer before all this outcry. Maybe not.

    • hmmmm

      Didn’t Dean Huang say in his email that the responsibility was all his? So…kind of a moot point.

  • Redefining our culture?

    This is a timely article as many students (myself included) are worried about the recent drive to change the school that we have loved since we decided to come here. Although I admit it is an insanely great privilege to be able to drink freely and have a great time outside, the new RA’s have to been told to prohibit drinking games outside. When asked why, they responded that, “The school wants to attract more diverse applicants.” But if the school is trying to attract new kinds of students by covering up what we, the current students, love about our school, doesn’t that seem to constitute redefining our culture?

    • http://claremontcurrents.com Jeremy

      From what my RA told us, outdoor drinking games are only discouraged during the day, since they look trashy to professors, visitors and admissions tours. They’re still allowed during evenings, which is when 95% of the games are played anyways. That particular development doesn’t seem to be too problematic.

  • Redefining our culture?

    This is a timely article as many students (myself included) are worried about the recent drive to change the school that we have loved since we decided to come here. Although I admit it is an insanely great privilege to be able to drink freely and have a great time outside, the new RA’s have to been told to prohibit drinking games outside. When asked why, they responded that, “The school wants to attract more diverse applicants.” But if the school is trying to attract new kinds of students by covering up what we, the current students, love about our school, doesn’t that seem to constitute redefining our culture?

    • http://claremontcurrents.com Jeremy

      From what my RA told us, outdoor drinking games are only discouraged during the day, since they look trashy to professors, visitors and admissions tours. They’re still allowed during evenings, which is when 95% of the games are played anyways. That particular development doesn’t seem to be too problematic.

  • The Sky is Falling!!!

    Rather than dispelling the rumors that the DOS is trying to turn our campus into a nunnery, I feel this article only feeds the frenzy of misinformation and speculation.

    First, it was never the intent of the DOS to cancel the Thesis Fountain Party. They simply wanted to make small changes to help mitigate the impact of the party on the rest of the campus. While I was not at the meeting, there clearly was a miscommunication between Jim Nauls and WR-L.

    Second, TNC was cancelled because they had a significant outstanding debt (over 20k) for damages caused by the events over the last several years. DOS wanted ASCMC to take responsibility and come up with a plan to repay this debt. As far as making TNC a CMC only event, it has always been a CMC only event.

    • More misinformation

      1- Yes it was their intent. Jim Nauls specifically told William that it would not take place in the fountain this year. If there was a miscommunication, it was within DOS.

      2- TNC was not canceled because of outstanding debt. There is debt every year that is paid at the end of each year from ASCMC’s cash reserves. If DOS had told ASCMC that it would have to either pay the debt or face the cancellation of TNCs, ASCMC would have happily paid the debt immediately.

      • The Sky is Falling!!!

        I went back and looked at ASCMC email about Thursday nights:

        We aren’t taking care of our campus: Story House charges caused over the course of the year have amounted to over $20,000 of damages.

    • Read the rest of the e-mail

      “We aren’t taking care of our campus: Story House charges caused over the course of the year have amounted to over $20,000 of damages. Story House charges are incurred when:
      o Party hosts and attendees don’t clean up after the event and cups, cans, bottles, and other trash are left everywhere
      o Things get crazy–broken window screens, furniture, and glass, bloody walls, hand prints, etc.
      o Story House housekeepers clean things up for professors, prospective students, and visitors, often charging overtime for their work.
      * Fights: TNC is actually a CMC-only event. When non-CMCers attend TNC (other 5Cers or off-campus), things tend to become unruly (AKA: people fight).

      * TNC isn’t what it used to be: Once upon a time, TNC was a magical event for CMCers. Dorm presidents were responsible for creating an intimate event that facilitated small-scale social interaction. It was an opportunity for students to talk, dance, and relax from the workweek. Recently, however, things have changed. After the party ends, students congregate outside and campus safety isn’t capable of keeping things safe with such a large, usually rowdy, group.”

      The point isn’t that ASCMC hasn’t paid a $20K bill and THAT’S the reason why TNC was canceled. The bill is the least of it. It’s the fights/general debauchery/possibility of alcohol poisoning and CMC’s liability, etc.

      • The Sky is Falling!!!

        I admit I misspoke when I attributed all of the reasoning to the 20k bill, but I think the email says it all. DOS isn’t trying to kill the traditions at CMC; they just want a little more reasonableness.

    • NOT

      This is not years of debt, it is this years debt. The adminstration knew exactly when ASCMC was going to pay the bill because they pay it at the same time every year.

  • The Sky is Falling!!!

    Rather than dispelling the rumors that the DOS is trying to turn our campus into a nunnery, I feel this article only feeds the frenzy of misinformation and speculation.

    First, it was never the intent of the DOS to cancel the Thesis Fountain Party. They simply wanted to make small changes to help mitigate the impact of the party on the rest of the campus. While I was not at the meeting, there clearly was a miscommunication between Jim Nauls and WR-L.

    Second, TNC was cancelled because they had a significant outstanding debt (over 20k) for damages caused by the events over the last several years. DOS wanted ASCMC to take responsibility and come up with a plan to repay this debt. As far as making TNC a CMC only event, it has always been a CMC only event.

    • More misinformation

      1- Yes it was their intent. Jim Nauls specifically told William that it would not take place in the fountain this year. If there was a miscommunication, it was within DOS.

      2- TNC was not canceled because of outstanding debt. There is debt every year that is paid at the end of each year from ASCMC’s cash reserves. If DOS had told ASCMC that it would have to either pay the debt or face the cancellation of TNCs, ASCMC would have happily paid the debt immediately.

      • The Sky is Falling!!!

        I went back and looked at ASCMC email about Thursday nights:

        We aren’t taking care of our campus: Story House charges caused over the course of the year have amounted to over $20,000 of damages.

    • Read the rest of the e-mail

      “We aren’t taking care of our campus: Story House charges caused over the course of the year have amounted to over $20,000 of damages. Story House charges are incurred when:
      o Party hosts and attendees don’t clean up after the event and cups, cans, bottles, and other trash are left everywhere
      o Things get crazy–broken window screens, furniture, and glass, bloody walls, hand prints, etc.
      o Story House housekeepers clean things up for professors, prospective students, and visitors, often charging overtime for their work.
      * Fights: TNC is actually a CMC-only event. When non-CMCers attend TNC (other 5Cers or off-campus), things tend to become unruly (AKA: people fight).

      * TNC isn’t what it used to be: Once upon a time, TNC was a magical event for CMCers. Dorm presidents were responsible for creating an intimate event that facilitated small-scale social interaction. It was an opportunity for students to talk, dance, and relax from the workweek. Recently, however, things have changed. After the party ends, students congregate outside and campus safety isn’t capable of keeping things safe with such a large, usually rowdy, group.”

      The point isn’t that ASCMC hasn’t paid a $20K bill and THAT’S the reason why TNC was canceled. The bill is the least of it. It’s the fights/general debauchery/possibility of alcohol poisoning and CMC’s liability, etc.

      • The Sky is Falling!!!

        I admit I misspoke when I attributed all of the reasoning to the 20k bill, but I think the email says it all. DOS isn’t trying to kill the traditions at CMC; they just want a little more reasonableness.

    • NOT

      This is not years of debt, it is this years debt. The adminstration knew exactly when ASCMC was going to pay the bill because they pay it at the same time every year.

  • No more trash

    I have no problem with the DoS’ desire to limit the amount of drinking games that occur during the DAY, especially in NQ where everyone and their mother is walking by. It does look trashy. However, once the sun sets I could care less what students do, as long they respect one another and do not destroy property. Keep in mind that DoS needs to occasionally “crack down” on certain aspects aspects of our campus culture. Otherwise, CMC will turn into complete anarchy. It seems as if these crackdowns come in cycles and as a senior I have not noticed any terribly drastic negative changes. For example, I have NEVER had anybody reprimand me for anything relating to drinking, partying, loud music, etc. EVER. I have a feeling that is extremely rare among colleges these days. CMC is still an extremely unique and special college and I have faith that it will remain that way far into the future.

  • No more trash

    I have no problem with the DoS’ desire to limit the amount of drinking games that occur during the DAY, especially in NQ where everyone and their mother is walking by. It does look trashy. However, once the sun sets I could care less what students do, as long they respect one another and do not destroy property. Keep in mind that DoS needs to occasionally “crack down” on certain aspects aspects of our campus culture. Otherwise, CMC will turn into complete anarchy. It seems as if these crackdowns come in cycles and as a senior I have not noticed any terribly drastic negative changes. For example, I have NEVER had anybody reprimand me for anything relating to drinking, partying, loud music, etc. EVER. I have a feeling that is extremely rare among colleges these days. CMC is still an extremely unique and special college and I have faith that it will remain that way far into the future.

  • Senior

    As an outraged senior I, went to DOS this morning and met with several staff members who explicitly told me that their initial “compromise” was to allow us a party at the apts. They were planning to meet shortly after I left the office due to the student uproar. However, I don’t believe that their initial intent involved any sort of fountain party whatsoever. I also believe that Jim Nauls and the entire DOS knew what they were doing when they told William that the fountain party was cancelled. They did the same thing with TNC. In both cases they were planning to back down somewhat, but I think that it was wrong of them to use this strategy of threats and blackmail rather than negotiating in good faith with the students. In both cases DOS was also wrong to not directly inform the student body as these were their decisions and not those of ASCMC. I do not like the message that DOS is sending by in the way that they are dealing with students and ASCMC, and I have lost a lot of respect for Dean Huang in particular for the very political way in which he has handled these issues.

    • Dean Huang’s Halo is fading

      Agreed. Dean Huang can’t just get off the hook by saying that he had no knowledge of what his staff members were communicating to the senior class. This is on him just as much as it is on Jim Nauls.

  • Senior

    As an outraged senior I, went to DOS this morning and met with several staff members who explicitly told me that their initial “compromise” was to allow us a party at the apts. They were planning to meet shortly after I left the office due to the student uproar. However, I don’t believe that their initial intent involved any sort of fountain party whatsoever. I also believe that Jim Nauls and the entire DOS knew what they were doing when they told William that the fountain party was cancelled. They did the same thing with TNC. In both cases they were planning to back down somewhat, but I think that it was wrong of them to use this strategy of threats and blackmail rather than negotiating in good faith with the students. In both cases DOS was also wrong to not directly inform the student body as these were their decisions and not those of ASCMC. I do not like the message that DOS is sending by in the way that they are dealing with students and ASCMC, and I have lost a lot of respect for Dean Huang in particular for the very political way in which he has handled these issues.

    • Dean Huang’s Halo is fading

      Agreed. Dean Huang can’t just get off the hook by saying that he had no knowledge of what his staff members were communicating to the senior class. This is on him just as much as it is on Jim Nauls.

  • Senior Class President no Sain

    The speed and swiftness with which Dean Huang responded to allegations that his staff had tried to cancel the Senior Thesis celebration makes me believe Senior Class President William Robelo-Lara made this into way more than it should have been.

    I would like to see the forum follow up on this story with a reaction from him since it was his actions which started this whole thing.

  • Senior Class President no Saint Either

    The speed and swiftness with which Dean Huang responded to allegations that his staff had tried to cancel the Senior Thesis celebration makes me believe Senior Class President William Robelo-Lara made this into way more than it should have been.

    I would like to see the forum follow up on this story with a reaction from him since it was his actions which started this whole thing.

  • bigchris1313

    Did you people read the same email that I did? In the email that I read, Dean Huang explicitly shoulders the blame for the entire DOS, regardless of whether the problem was actually his fault. I don’t know what email you guys are reading.

    My initial analysis was that someone in DOS had screwed up–I assumed Spellman–and that Dean Huang was taking the fall for everyone because of his bulletproof rep. If anything, it appears that Dean Huang was a blameless sacrificial lamb (yes: just like Jesus). Fortunately–much like Christ–Dean Huang has power overwhelming.

    We’ve arrived at a situation where one of the following realities is most likely true:

    A) Dean Huang has been an honest, trustworthy student advocate for the entirety of his tenure, just as he was in this case.

    B) Dean Huang was an honest, trustworthy student advocate for the entirety of his tenure up until now, but in this case he decided to lie to our collective face in the face of a massive backlash after he heartlessly sold our collective interest down the river.

    Keeping in mind Occam’s Razor–as taught to me by Dean Huang himself during his Fall 2005 PHIL 90 course–I’m going to choose A.

  • bigchris1313

    Did you people read the same email that I did? In the email that I read, Dean Huang explicitly shoulders the blame for the entire DOS, regardless of whether the problem was actually his fault. I don’t know what email you guys are reading.

    My initial analysis was that someone in DOS had screwed up–I assumed Spellman–and that Dean Huang was taking the fall for everyone because of his bulletproof rep. If anything, it appears that Dean Huang was a blameless sacrificial lamb (yes: just like Jesus). Fortunately–much like Christ–Dean Huang has power overwhelming.

    We’ve arrived at a situation where one of the following realities is most likely true:

    A) Dean Huang has been an honest, trustworthy student advocate for the entirety of his tenure, just as he was in this case.

    B) Dean Huang was an honest, trustworthy student advocate for the entirety of his tenure up until now, but in this case he decided to lie to our collective face in the face of a massive backlash after he heartlessly sold our collective interest down the river.

    Keeping in mind Occam’s Razor–as taught to me by Dean Huang himself during his Fall 2005 PHIL 90 course–I’m going to choose A.

  • We forget too quickly

    Still doesn’t change the fact that DOS has been trying to kill our traditions…have we forgotten what they did to 6.01 this year? Organising an open day on the same day so parents would be around, changing it to 6.01 am and forbidding outdoor drinking games? I am still reeling in from that and this is a new low

  • We forget too quickly

    Still doesn’t change the fact that DOS has been trying to kill our traditions…have we forgotten what they did to 6.01 this year? Organising an open day on the same day so parents would be around, changing it to 6.01 am and forbidding outdoor drinking games? I am still reeling in from that and this is a new low