Following Columbia administration’s decision to postpone the implementation of a gender neutral housing policy that was expected to be in place for the 2010-2011 academic year, the students who introduced the plan – EAAH President Avi Edelman (CC ’11) GendeRevolution President Miranda Elliot (CC ’10), 2011 VP Sean Udell (CC ’11) and 2010 VP for Policy Sarah Weiss (CC ’10) – have been circulating a petition to address the administration’s concern that there may not be enough student support for the new housing policy.

Avi Edelman answers a few of Bwog’s questions.

Why do you think the administration decided against implementing the policy, or even a pilot program for this year’s selection process? What reasons did they give for the decision (other than their worries that not enough students were in favor of it)?

A lot of the reasons given for the delay were logistical–updating the housing application, educating the student body about the changes, and getting feedback from students about the policy were all mentioned. That’s extremely frustrating and disappointing, because the proposal was submitted according to a timeline established in consultation with administrators. Those of us who worked on the proposal (a broad coalition that included CCSC, ESC, Everyone Allied Against Homophobia, GendeRevolution, and the Columbia Queer Alliance) also made it very clear that we were eager to assist the administration in the logical work necessary to make this happen in time for this year’s room selection. Many administrators that we have worked with have been fantastic, and I am confident that the policy will eventually become reality; this is just a classic case of bureaucratic foot-dragging.

More answers after the jump!

Read more…

Photo by Jason Alarcon

Photo by The Weather Channel

Stay in your homes – the Cataclyzzard is here! (The Weather Channel)

Paterson’s bombshell story (Take 1 2 3 4). (NYT)

The fight for marriage equality steps up. (NYT)

The Battle of the Barnard Meal Plan Part V: Deployment of the Student Task Force. (Spec)

Nothing says “Community Service” like Dunkin Donuts, hot chocolate, and Rock Band, right? CCO’s coming up (March 27th, just on the other side of spring break), so they’re taking over the Lerner Piano lounge from 8:00-10:00pm tonight for their “Rock Out, Chow Down” free food extravaganza. There will be a raffle, too–all the details are here.

Photo from accuweather.com

Snowicane? Cataclyzzard? Nor’Easter II, Electric Boogaloo? Call it whatever you like–just as back-to-back 40-degree days earlier this week led to tantalizing thoughts about warm weather, it looks like we’re gonna get dumped on. Again. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect from 6am Thursday until 6pm Friday. We’re told to “expect accumulations from 7-13 inches,” but, really, it could just as well be that godawful slushy rain-snow devil hybrid. So break out those sleds and long underwear. Or not. Enjoy the terrifying photo!

Lerner Cinema

**FREE FOOD AND DRINKS!** Do you have an interest in international affairs? Did you go to Model UN conferences in high school? Are you looking to get involved with a new, highly rewarding activity? CMUNNY V is looking for committee chairs, crisis directors, and committee proposals for our conference next fall. Come meet the secretariat, brainstorm, and have your questions answered. Open to all interested. No prior Model UN experience needed!

secretariat@cmunny.org
www.cmunny.org

Finally, the hints of a new new, Westside-related restaurant are coming to fruition. A tipster alerted us that local blog Harlem + Bespoke recently posted on a new sign in the area, revealing that the restaurant in question would be called Vareli (Restaurant Lounge), filling the long-empty niche for Nice Restaurants With Artisan-Crafted Bronze Signs. They’ve got a website, too (varelinyc.com), and are taking reservations–but not so fast! Bwog called to inquire and, after being met with a gruff “Who’s asking?” learned that our very own Per Se will be open in 10 to 12 days.

And, for the curious, Vareli appears to mean absolutely nothing in any language at all. Sic ‘em, commenters!

This Art Garfunkel film and the proposed mandatory meal plan: similar yet different!

It’s Barnard Meal Plan Hullabaloo Episode 47: A Case of Logistics!

After DSpar’s open forum on February 4th, a plan to form a committee was announced on Feburary 11th. Bwog was recently tipped by one frustrated Barnard student who signed up to be on the committee, but was unable to participate because of the predetermined meeting times. After 23 students had signed up to be a part of the group, Dean Denburg had promised initially that meeting times would be “determined [. . .] with student schedules in mind.” A follow-up email then gave two official meeting times and stated that all group members would be chosen from those who could attend these meetings, leaving a number of students unable to participate.

Bwog asked Barnard Director of Media Relations Sun Min to shed some light on the timing issue:

Given the timeline for the work of the committee, Dean Denburg and VP Brown offered both afternoon and morning slots to the students volunteers. The timing of the selection of the meeting time and the student lottery winners was based on the time slot that worked for the greatest number of the students.

Stay tuned to Bwog for updates as Barnard wages its biggest civil war since the dress code wars of 1960.

Bwog was sent this in an email from an engineering professor:

“OMG…that outfit!”

To which we can only reply: OMG…that outfit!

Photo from amazon.com

Awesome! A fake jewel heist! Like, actually taken straight from Snatch. (New York Post)

Next year, we’ll get new textbook information before classes start. (Spec)

The Mayor is raining on our parades. (Daily Intel)

Jehovah’s witnesses are packing up and leaving Brooklyn Heights. (Gothamist)

It’s really, really tough to fire bad teachers quickly. We’re trying, Arne! (The New York Times)

UPDATE: New, scarier photo from Liza Weingarten

At around 2 AM, McBain was evacuated due to a fire that appears to have started in the room directly above Milano (or in Deluxe? Bwog is getting conflicting reports) on the second floor. started when the rain shorted out the Deluxe sign, setting fire to the canopy above it (updated 2:40 a.m.). A McBain resident reported that there was “lots of smoke” in the hallways, and a Nussbaum resident saw a large flame coming out of the window. Fire trucks and police cars filled the corner of 113th and Broadway and put out the fire in less than 10 minutes. As of 2:15 AM, the fire trucks were clearing away. A Watt resident reports that the window is very charred, but no one was hurt. The entire street “smells like a campfire.”

As of 2:20 AM, hundreds of McBain residents are stranded outside in the rain. One RA estimated it would be 1-4 or more hours until they are let back in. Bwog’s thoughts are with you, shafted and soggy sophomores!

Photo by Brian Donahoe

UPDATE, 9:45 AM: The unlucky residents of McBain 211 report that the fire came into their open window while they were sleeping. The firefighters “barged into the room” to make sure nothing was on fire. The residents, Fernando Rios, CC’12, and Spencer Almen, SEAS’12, are being temporarily relocated while their broken door and windows are fixed.

313 Fayerweather

Join GlobeMed at Columbia for a free dinner and discussion with Dr. Maya Sabatello, human rights and international law specialist who teaches for Columbia University’s Human Rights Program and NYU’s Center for Global Affairs. The discussion will center around ways in which human rights laws can further the movement for global health equity.

kjy2104@columbia.edu

Lerner 555

Works by Maurice Ravel, Felix Mendelssohn and J.S. Bach.

Founded in 2001, Columbia Classical Performers seeks to support the
community of classical musicians on campus who wish to perform in an
intimate, stress-free environment for their peers. CCP works to give
musicians performance opportunities by providing venues all over
campus, coordinating recital logistics, publicizing events, and
planning post-concert receptions. CCP has a dual purpose: to allow
musicians an outlet to share their music with the public, and to
provide the Columbia community with free, high-quality classical
music.

Past recital venues have included Philosophy Hall, Lerner Hall, and
Miller Theatre, and performers have included violinists and pianists
to oboists and a mandolin player. The diverse programming over the
years has included staples of repertoire such as works by Beethoven
and Mozart, to new music composed by students and leading contemporary
composers like Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Satow Room, Lerner Hall

“La Americana” is an intimate documentary following an undocumented immigrant’s journey from Bolivia to New York City and back, as she struggles to save the life of her ailing daughter. Her unforgettable story is woven into the current immigration crisis in the United States, putting a human face on this timely and controversial issue. The director of “La Americana,” Nicholas Bruckman will be speaking and taking questions about this award-winning film. Food will be served. *Non-CUID tickets available at Lerner Box Office*

pacomdc@gmail.com

568 Lerner Hall

Ever wonder what a law school class is really like? Come find out at “Law School Preview” hosted by the Columbia Pre-Law Society! Professor Peter Strauss, the Betts Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, will be giving an introduction to his course Legislation. Legislation is an elective course for first-year law students, so you’ll get a sense of what electives are like in law school. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask Professor Strauss questions about the course and legal education in general!

prelaw@columbia.edu
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/prelaw/events.html