What did you think of this whole Senate drama? How crazy was "Mudd Goes Madd"? Why is Student-talk so quiet right now? Talk about anything you want, unmoderated, from now until Monday morning.
I'll be in Boston until Sunday night, so besides the random HNMUN-related post/picture, Pitzer Uncovered is on a break. I'll post an open thread that anyone can comment on later today. Consider it your digital "free wall".
These lovely folks did a little pre-wedding photo shoot around the Claremont Colleges. This is just a preview; there may be more to come. Here's to hoping that one of the long-term couples at Pitzer gets engaged before we graduate... on Valentine's Day, perhaps?
From the desk of transportation expert Zach Strom '13:
...there will be three vans stationed at Ontario Airport that will circulate around both terminals looking for students to pick up. The two vans will circulate roughly every 20-30 minutes looking for students. Make sure that you make yourself visible and to stand by the loading zone. Keep an eye out for a Pitzer van with a laminated sign that reads ONTARIO AIRPORT SHUTTLE.
Should a van become overcrowded, do not worry. There will be three vans at the ready that will be able to take you comfortably back to the Pitzer Service Road. If one van becomes full, the driver will call another operator for backup.
The returning fare is the same fare, $8. The option to pay through Paypal is still an open method and is highly encouraged. Payments can be made by going to www.pitzertransportationcoalition.webs.com.
Pre-boarding reservations, however, will not be taken at this time due to the sporadic arrival of students.
The Pitzer Transportation Coalition wishes to make this trip as simple and convenient as possible and we always are looking to make each ride better than the one beforehand.
Should there be any other questions, feel free to ask.
-Zachary Strom
Pitzer Transportation Coalition
I've added the Pitzer Transportation Coalition website to the top "QuickLinks" tab for your convenience. Get home safe, everybody!
Jonathan Hirsch of The Port Side gives me a sense of what this whole Senate debacle looks like to an outside observer [blogger's emphasis supplied]:
Jasper [...] has spent a considerable amount of time recounting the shenanigans of Pitzer’s student government, led by the so-called “Vanguard.” According to Jasper, there is a proposal to essentially rewrite the Pitzer Student Government Constitution currently being debated. [...] If adopted, I would lose respect for Pitzer’s student body and I assume that any prospective student who was searching the Pitzer student government site would too. Below are some of the highlights. I’ll try to refrain from commentary. The ridiculousness speaks for itself.
To be honest, there are a lot of "shenanigans" that I haven't yet (un?)covered in this space. It became very difficult when I was often personally involved in dealing with Senate stuff while being a first-year mentor, studying for the LSAT, and trying not to fail out of school. Topics include:
The Judicial Council debacle, in which the Vanguard attempted to make secret appointments to the college's judicial committee.
The Vanguard's many secret, unconstitutional appointments to Student Senate.
Dean of Students Jim Marchant's email that called for Student Senate to start following its own Constitution.
Senate Chair Brian Orser's call for a College Council meeting, which was smacked down by President Laura Trombley.
An open discussion which explored implementing the ideas contained in the new Constitutional proposal through a series of less disruptive Constitutional amendments (led by your humble blogger)
Senate Chair Brian Orser's second call for a College Council meeting, which nobody ever canceled (or showed up to).
Senate Chair Brian Orser's dramatic monologue during the semester's final Student Senate meeting, saying that he wasn't sure if there was a legitimate Student Senate.
My thoughts on Arthur Levine's resignation.
I hope to have these episodes detailed before the start of the spring semester. Thanks for reading, Jonathan, but it's only going to get weirder. Stay tuned.
Crime in Los Angeles County dropped again in 2009 despite rising unemployment and the bad economy, continuing a slide that has pushed homicides to levels not seen since the 1960s.
Killings dropped about 17% in Los Angeles and by nearly a quarter in areas patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Together, the agencies investigated about 500 killings through Sunday -- a sharp drop in bloodshed compared with the more than 1,500 in 1992, the year of the Los Angeles riots.
"It is a different world," said Police Chief Charlie Beck, a 32-year veteran of the force. "There was a time when it was the opposite of today -- when it seemed there was no limit on the potential for things to get worse and worse. The whole outlook has shifted now."
According to the Daily Bulletin, Pitzer economics Professor Jim Lehman is the co-chairman of a Claremont Rotary Club project called "Bikes for Kids". This holiday season, the program delivered 35 bicycles to Claremont kids. I took a couple microeconomics courses from Jim a few semesters ago, but I didn't know how involved in the community he is:
This very successful project is one of dozens undertaken by the Rotary Club of Claremont. It sends students overseas - presently the club sponsors both a high school student on a Rotary Youth Exchange Program and recent college graduates on Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships. It welcomes students from overseas - there is a Claremont High School Youth Exchange Student from Argentina, and it has hosted a steady succession of international students at the Claremont Graduate University.
"We have taught emergency preparedness at the local junior high school for more than 30 years," Lehman, a professor of economics at Pitzer College, said. Keep reading Jim Lehman is a Stellar Human Being
This blog is going on hiatus until the first day of the Spring 2010 semester. Other than crucial announcements, actual breaking news, and what happens during future Senate meetings, I'm taking a break. I am hoping to return from Winter Break with more news about what is happening on campus, the cool shit Pitzer students and alums are doing, and student issues for which I want to raise awareness.
To those of you closely embroiled in these discussions about the future of student governance, please conduct yourselves with civility and respect for others.
There's been a noticeable drop-off in posting over the last week at Pitzer Uncovered, and I want address it so you don't think it's slowly dying. Until the end of this semester, I'm going to be restricting myself to writing more substantial opinion pieces rather than news and events updates that are available elsewhere. (Hopefully the Orange Peel will be up and running soon to fill that gap.) So updates will be less frequent, but hopefully of higher quality.
I'm also going to be reaching out to other Pitzer students and asking them to write guest posts (if you're interested, email me).
Amber Carrow '03 is among 5 grade school teachers named as California “Teachers of the Year.” (Amber's sister Katy Carrow graduated from Pitzer in '07.) Quite a few Pitzer students have plans to become teachers after graduation, so this sets the bar pretty high:
Amber Carrow, a seventh-grade world history instructor at Chemawa Middle School, was selected by state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, based on a review conducted by a state selection committee, according to the California Department of Education.
Carrow has been teaching for six years, all of which have been spent at Chemawa.
The school’s principal, Sean Curtin, praised her for creating “a positive and exciting learning environment in her classroom.”
During a recent trip to Nova Scotia to conduct climate change research, Carrow remained in daily contact with her students via the Internet.
“I work very hard to take my class from ordinary to extraordinary,” she wrote in her award application. “I attempt to bring history to life through a variety of teaching skills and hands-on learning techniques.”
Carrow earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social studies and education from Pitzer College in Claremont and Claremont Graduate University, respectively.
A 79-year-old woman was struck and killed about 3:10 p.m. today by a Metrolink train at the Indian Hill Boulevard crossing in Claremont. The train was a San Bernardino line 314, which departed from Union Station about 2:20 p.m., according to a Metrolink news release. The Los Angeles County sheriff's coroner was on scene, said Angie Starr, Metrolink public information officer. The second track in Claremont was reopened at 4:25 pm and trains were allowed to pass at 5 mph, according to the news release. Other Metrolink trains departing Union Station were delayed 10 to 60 minutes and another train was canceled, according to the news release. There were no reported injuries on the Metrolink train or to the crews, Starr said.
Put the RA On-Duty Phone number in your phone like this: "**RA On Duty" so it shows up first when you access your contacts.
Bring your cell phone out with you.
Have a big dinner and drink lots of water.
Don't lose track of anybody in your group.
From Residence Life Director Chris Brunelle:
I wanted to share Pitzer’s alcohol & drug policies with you due to recent questions asked about them. I believe that there are three things all Pitzer students should know about our alcohol & drug policies:
1. All of Pitzer’s alcohol and drug policies are in accordance with the local, state and federal laws.
2. If you are found in violation of our alcohol and drug policies, you will be held accountable for your actions and behavior. We seek to use educational and rehabilitative methods to address the individual and collective responsibility of each member of the Pitzer community.
3. Don't be afraid to seek immediate medical help for a friend who has had too much to drink; contact the RA on duty. Don't worry about you or your friend getting in trouble or that they may become angry or embarrassed. Remember, that you cared enough to help a friend in need. Always be safe, not sorry.
...
I also wanted to share with you some information about alcohol poisoning. As a responsible member of our community it is important that you know the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and what to do if you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning. Please know that alcohol poisoning is a life threatening condition and hesitating can mean the difference between life and death. Below is some information about alcohol poisoning you should know.
What Should you Do If you Suspect Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning?
1. Know the signs of alcohol poisoning and do not wait for all signs to be present, not all signs have to be present to indicate alcohol poisoning
Critical Signs for Alcohol Poisoning
Mental confusion (can’t answer simple questions), stupor, coma, or person cannot be roused
Heavy or persistent vomiting
Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)
Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
Seizures
Hypothermia (low body temperature), cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin color
2. Be aware that it is dangerous to assume the person will be fine by “sleeping it off.” A person who has passed out may die.
3. Try to wake the person. Try to wake the person by calling their name, slapping their face, or pinching their skin. See if you can get a reaction that will wake the person up. Remember, just because they wake up doesn't mean they are fine. Alcohol stays in the bloodstream until it is processed and just because you can get some reaction at 1:00 AM doesn't mean they will still be conscious by 2:00 AM. Do not leave the person alone.
4. Check the person's breathing. Evaluate if the person has slow or irregular breaths; less than 8 times per minute or more than 10 seconds between breaths. If they are not conscious or barely able to wake up, we need to make sure they don't choke on their own vomit.
5. Gently turn them onto his/her side and into the Bacchus Maneuver position. (see below)
6. Do not leave the person alone. Although it might be inconvenient, it is important to stay with someone who is extremely drunk and barely conscious. Continue to monitor their breathing, responsiveness, skin and lip color, etc.
7. If there is any suspicion of an alcohol overdose, contact the RA on duty or any member of ResLife immediately for help. Don't try to guess the level of drunkenness. Stand by your decision. Stand up for your friendship. Do the right thing based on your best judgment and your knowledge of alcohol poisoning. You are always doing the right thing by getting help.
What Can Happen to Someone With Alcohol Poisoning That Goes Untreated?
Victim chokes on his or her own vomit.
Breathing slows, becomes irregular, or stops.
Heart beats irregularly or stops.
Hypothermia (low body temperature).
Hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar) leads to seizures.
Untreated severe dehydration from vomiting can cause seizures, permanent brain damage, or death.
Even if the victim lives, an alcohol overdose can lead to irreversible brain damage. Rapid binge drinking (which often happens on a bet or a dare) is especially dangerous because the victim can ingest a fatal dose before becoming unconscious.
If you have any further questions about our alcohol & drug policies or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of ResLife.
Chris H. Brunelle
Director of Residence Life
Pitzer College
909.607.298
Because we are heading into Fall Break, and because your resolute blogger is busy with LSAT's, this blog is going on hiatus until a week from tomorrow. I might post something if the mood strikes, but expect good consistent content again starting a week from today.
Have a happy, healthy, safe, delightful Fall Break!!!!
On Wednesday, October 14, the Athenaeum admirably continues its recent streak of gayin' it up by hosting Cleve Jones giving a talk entitled "Forty Years after Stonewall". I must admit that I had no idea who Cleve Jones was until I saw Milk a few months ago, but his importance to the gay rights movement is explained in the Ath's supplied bio:
One of the most prominent national activists for gay rights, Cleve Jones was just a young transplant to San Francisco when he met and worked for Harvey Milk, who later became a member of the city Board of Supervisors and one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Interning in Milk’s office until his assassination in 1978, Jones later worked as a legislative aide to several California Assemblymen.
When the AIDS epidemic was beginning to unfold in San Francisco, Jones spearheaded a campaign to raise public awareness of the disease, in spite of intense criticism. In 1983, he helped found the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and his indefatigable struggle was later documented in the award-winning book And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts. The death of his best friend from AIDS compelled him to create the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to bring a human element to the statistics behind AIDS and to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS. The quilt, with almost two thousand panels, was first displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on October 11, 1987. The quilt now has more than twenty thousand panels, each dedicated in remembrance of a loved one who has died of AIDS. Claremont McKenna College was proudly the first college in the U.S. where the quilt was publicly presented, back in 1993.
Here's Jones addressing the Gay Rights Rally in Washington, D.C. on October 11, 2009.
I realized this morning that Student Senate Crossed the Line. was actually the 100th post on this blog! I'm glad that it was a milestone marked by something substantive.
Hopefully by the 200th post, I'll have a Cecil the Sagehen expose, a ton more ClubFiles, some original videos, a Google Calendar with all club meeting times, a dedicated Senior Class page with a recurring Senior of the Day feature, and a lot more commentary on the controversies of this beloved College.
Thanks to all of you for reading and commenting, especially those of you who have taken the time to tell me that you like the blog.
"We have taught emergency preparedness at the local junior high school for more than 30 years," Lehman, a professor of economics at Pitzer College, said. 
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