Semester in Review: The Semester That Wasn’t

bwogIt’s New Year’s Eve! But before you go popping the champagne corks, strap in for an announcement and a look back at the last semester of the Aughties/Naughties/Zeroes. First, starting tomorrow, former daily editor and current magazine senior editor Eliza Shapiro, CC ’12, will be taking over as Bwog editor; joining her as deputy will be three-semester (!) daily editing veteran Anish Bramhandkar, SEAS ’11. Once again, it’s been a privilege to edit this blog for y’all this past year – thank you.

- JCD

The year began with improvements: JJ’s got WiFi; the JSchool got shiny. Then 2013 took the 2 train too far uptown and taught us all a thing or two about forced friendship.

After the fresh-people were tucked in to their tiny Carman beds, the hot-button issue of the Fall semester exploded. As the leaves turned, Marky Mark stopped by Happy Hour at 1020. Plus: famous people hung out in Low; PrezBo looked funny. Westboro protested at JTS. The Columbia Bartending Agency re-opened and the War on Fun was pretty much unaffected.

During midterm season, the hot dog saga continued. Everyone went swine-crazy. The Community Food & Juice Inferno ’09 finally stopped raging, 6 months later, and we all guzzled $5 hot chocolates in celebration.

Before Thanksgiving, we saw stars outside Butler. Shock and awe: Columbia beat Princeton, a year after 08 Homecoming. Raphael Graybill made us proud and jealous. And in November’s episode of Damn the Man, Postcrypt (Art Gallery) got evicted, and the concrete jungle where dreams are maaaade of denied us a meteor shower.

Winter started creeping in, and gender-neutral dorms put everyone in a tizzy. Bob Saget performed in Miller and made us all miss Full House. Morningside Books basically re-opened with a new name: Book Culture! Hawkma made the semester’s first appearance, bloodying up a pigeon near John Jay. Lerner celebrated its double-digit birthday, but no one celebrated with it. Barnard’s mandatory meal plan announcement didnt go over so well.

Despite all this we were thankful.

The first week of December, the not-so-arguably most legitimate news story of the entire semester broke: Columbia was denied eminent domain for the Manhattanville expansion project. Finals, running right up to the 23rd, sucked even worse than usual, and Fall 2010′s schedule probably won’t be much better. And if the administration has its way, there might not be a Postcrypt Coffehouse to lighten the mood.

The semester ended with a heartwarming scene of widespread icy violence: hundreds of Columbians pelted each other with snowballs and sledded down the Steps late into the night, and compared bruises the next morning back in Butler.

Panorama by HEH

- ECS


45 °F, Fair

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Lost and Found

  • Lost: Flash Drive (Feb 09 2012)

    8GB Patriot Flash Drive, with a “Scale the Summit” bottle opener and a key attached. Was in the Brooks Computer Lounge located in the Barnard Quad, in the computer “Brooks14″. Lost at 2:30 pm. Will tradesies for another flash drive. For reals. Contact jef2140@barnard.edu.

  • Lost: Green Notebook (Feb 08 2012)

    I’ve been missing a green notebook for my Evolutionary Basis of Human Behavior (EEEBW4010) class since Feb. 7th. It should have the name Kimberly Young written inside. It was last seen in the Schapiro computer lab. If found, please contact kty2102@columbia.edu

  • Lost: Blue Coach Purse (Feb 06 2012)

    The purse has large red circles on it, and contained an ID card, keys, wallet, pink headphones, Metrocard, and other important things. Last seen in Schermerhorn 614. If found, please contact rdc2125@barnard.edu

  • Lost: LL Bean Backpack and Macbook (Feb 05 2012)

    Hi, I’m missing a black LL Bean Backpack, last seen in the lounge of Broadway 12 during the Super Bowl. It’s black, with the initials “BCB,” embossed in grey. It contains an Apple laptop and several important books. If found, contact bcb2131@columbia.edu.

  • Lost: Paul Smith Wallet (Feb 02 2012)
    I lost a Paul Smith, multi-striped leather wallet (red, yellow, green, etc.) and it should have a insurance card and metro card among other things. Reward offered, wy2185@columbia.edu

  • Lost: Lion Laundry Gym Bag (Feb 01 2012)

    I lost a Lion Laundry bag full of gym items. Contact sac2171.

  • Lost: Burberry Coat (Feb 01 2012)

    Black puffy coat with two layers and Burberry plaid pattern on lining. Last seen at Lerner Party Space during Black Students Organization (BSO) party on January 20. Please contact jyc2130@columbia.edu if found. Reward offered.

  • Lost: Ivory Scarf (Jan 31 2012)

    Yellowish ivory scarf with a lot of print on it. Most likely to be found at 504 Diana or LRC SIPA. If found then you shall be rewarded with my eternal gratitude. Contact: an2503@barnard.edu

  • Lost: Blackberry (Jan 30 2012)

    Last seen in the Hartley computer lab at around 9 am, on 1/30/12. No case; no password; background is a generic picture of a rower on a lake. About 2 years old and showing its wear. Contact: etp2109.

  • Lost: Burberry Scarf (Jan 28 2012)

    Last seen at Il Cibreo on January 19 around 1am. It’s beige cashmere with unique colors which complete the original burberry pattern. If you took it by accident please contact aln2133@columbia.edu. If you took it because you like it, not cool.

  • Send us your notices of lost or found items!