Accuweather never lies! Finish everything you have to do until next Wednesday (which will be 66 and rainy) right now.

Update, 10:35pm: Unrelated, but also good: free cereal, massages and other nice things in Schapiro main lounge right now.

Photo via Wikipedia

Yesterday, Bwog’s Housing Inquisitor, David Hu, collected the reactions of those lucky souls owning the best housing lottery numbers. Today, he’s back with the not-so-lucky.

Bwog: How did you feel when you found out?

Loser Less Fortunate Columbian 1: It was actually funny. I just sat there chuckling at myself asking how that number was even possible.

LFC2: When I found out that I had the ABSOLUTE last number, I had a very weird reaction. I didn’t really care because I set my priorities straight and didn’t give a crap. I think the crappy feelings that might have ensued were overloaded by my happiness at receiving a really good grade in my Arabic quiz earlier that day. I like to think that I have my head on right and worry about more important things….or probably because I have yet to discover how disastrous this might be. Eh, whatever. I might have a chance to room with some Barnard girls who haven’t gotten their lottery numbers (I am reallly, really, rreeeaallllyyyy hoping that works out!). If that didn’t work out, and I have to end up getting the last room, again, whatever, life goes on. I’m from New York, I love going home every weekend, and my parents sure as heck won’t mind giving me my room back!

Bwog: What were your previous plans for housing?

LFC1: I didn’t expect this shitty of a number so my future roommate and I were hoping to live at a Nussbaum or Broadway double. We were hoping for a really good number though so we could live in singles next year too. Oh well…

LFC2: I didn’t have too many expectations, the only thing I really desired was a private bathroom. I absolutely do not want to share a bathroom with a whole floor, I’ve seen the bathrooms in Furnald and John Jay. When bathroom-visiting is anonymous (I know this sounds weird), people don’t care about hygiene or flushing the toilet, but from my experiences in a Carman suite (which I will kinda hate to leave because I had such a nice clean–private!–bathroom), sharing a bathroom with 3 other girls means that we were going to make sure our stuff was clean and not disgusting. Maybe I was just lucky with my suitemates, I have heard some horror stories, but who knows. My momma raised me to keep excellent hygiene, I was match with other girls who shared that concern, and I would really hate to give that up. Read more…

Photo via Wikipedia, though AAA's version will probably be more fun.

Two rather different entries in the free food log tonight:

First, the Columbia University International Relations Forum will be serving a free Indian buffet in advance of a screening of The Sky Below, an award-winning documentary on Pakistan and India. Singh will be in attendance, and a conversation will follow the screening. That’s all happening at 8:00pm in Roone Arledge Auditorium–Facebook event here.

Then, at 9:00pm on the Lerner ramps, the Asian American Alliance is holding what they’re calling a Milk and Toast Study Break–you can “enjoy delicious toasts with sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter and a variety of fruit jams!!!”

!!!

Details here.

Photo via Wikipedia

The Columbia Political Union hosted another in its series of debates between the Columbia Democrats and Republicans. Senior Junior Political Correspondent Derek Huang was there.

Ah, debate: an experience normally associated with eager high-schoolers who take themselves too seriously. Last night’s debate, though, involved a different type of hyper-argumentative youth. Last night’s debate between the College Democrats and College Republicans featured two moderators–one from each group–and two debaters representing each side. The topic of the debate was the recent and controversial (in most circles, at least) ruling by the Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

Read more…

Food trucks have been all the rage for some time now, and they’ve begun to creep into Morningside Heights. We’ve had the Dessert Truck. We’ve still got the Wafels & Dinges truck. But how about something a bit less sweet, and a bit more personal? How about a student-run truck devoted to serving Columbia and the Upper West Side with seasonal, affordable food?

Impossible, you say?

Well, meet NOM³ (yes, as in “Nom nom nom”). The group is interested in bringing just such a truck to campus, and they’ve entered into the Columbia Venture Competition for seed money. They’ll be presenting their idea along with a handful of other groups TONIGHT from 6:00pm-9:00pm in 750 CEPSR/Schapiro Hall–full details here. Here’s the kicker: the audience will choose one team to move on to the competition’s final round, so make sure to stop by and show your support. Oh, and they’ll be serving free samples…

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions sends out letters informing the 23,195 potential members of the Class of 2014 of their fates. That number, in addition to early decision applicants, brings this year’s total to 26,178: 21,747 of them applied to the College and 4,431 to SEAS. Best of luck, friends!

All photos by CG

On Tuesday night in 569 Lerner Hall, the Columbia Political Union hosted a discussion of the social relevance and political influence of pop icon Lady Gaga. Contessa Gayles, Bwog’s Official Gaga Correspondent, was on hand.

Although the event was off to a late start, the crowd was subdued by pizza and Gaga’s favorite: gummies. Moderator and CPU President Sajaa Ahmed facilitated the discussion between the three panelists–Jason Bell, Lauren Herold and Bryan Lowder–and the diverse group of 70-plus opinionated Gaga fans. Prefaced by a plea to take any pretension with a grain of salt–as intellectual plumage puffing is inevitable at a gathering of Ivy Leaguers attempting to apply political interpretations to seemingly vacuous pop music–the event was finally underway. Each panelist presented their well-researched interpretations of the pop icon’s influence and intended message to the world. Focusing specifically on the artist’s latest music video, “Telephone”, the debate opened with a nod to Gaga’s attempt to rebel against essentialist culture, nationalism, and consumerism while asserting representations of radicalized gender identity.

In Bell’s opinion, the revolution is declawed by Gaga’s participation in the very system of commodification she seeks to rebel against. Her only redeeming contribution is her imagination of violence, exhibited in the video’s prison fights, punching gestures in dance routines, and mass homicide by poison sequence. Bell suggested that we all secretly want to participate in this culture of violence, and that this is the real reason why we cannot look away from her videos. Herold also commented on the use of violence in Gaga’s videos, suggesting that it is a vehicle for her to transgress the objectification of the male gaze. Power comes from the union of violence and sex, although the pop star never mentions her overt incorporation of violence into her videos, nor claims to be an activist speaking out against domestic violence (despite her video, “Paparazzi”, in which she kills her abusive boyfriend). Herold suggests, to her dismay, that Gaga uses violence as a tool to make radical statements about gender stereotypes, rather than pointing out that violence itself is a real problem. Read more…

Let’s face it: we don’t exactly make life easy for our RAs (or Community Advisers, or Graduate Hall Directors). So let’s appreciate them–with a Day of Staff Appreciation! From an email from Residential Programs:

The Office of Residential Programs would like to invite you to join us in giving a shout-out to our Resident Advisers, Community Advisers, and Graduate Hall Directors tomorrow, March 31st! On Wednesday, we will be taking some time out as a campus to acknowledge the hard work of these staff members. We encourage you to write a note, say an encouraging word, or find some other meaningful way to appreciate your own RA, CA, and GHD on that day.

Thanks for helping us appreciate our student staff. Your positive feedback means a lot to them!

Sincerely,

The Residential Programs Staff

Seriously, though: go say thanks!

First, overheard (overtexted?) from a Concerned Citizen:

Sorry about our housing number dude. But at least someone filled 100 large Snapple bottles with water and put them in the McBain elevator.

At least, indeed! Our tipster included this picture:

Also, Bwogger Claire Sabel reports that Brownies Cafe in Avery is giving away free matzoh, along with new sandwich cards EDIT: the same sandwich cards they’ve had for some time now. Happy Pesach!

Photo via Wikipedia

While much of the hubbub in Washington in recent days has centered on the passage of the healthcare bill, students have yet another reason to celebrate: the passage of a bill set to thoroughly reform the student loan system. The Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act will, in effect, remove the middleman from the student loan process. Basically, students will take out loans directly from the government, not large banks and lenders like Sallie Mae. It’s all in more detail here. Suffice it to say that President Obama is “pretty stoked.”*

*Not a direct quote.

What does this mean for Columbia students? Glad you asked! In an email sent yesterday, Dean of Financial Aid Daniel Barkowitz laid out the details:

This morning, President Obama signed a reconciliation bill that significantly reforms the processing of federal loans and grants for students. In light of this legislation, Columbia University will transition to the Federal Direct Student Loan Program beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year. Read more…

Photo via Flickr

English professor/Shakespeare godhead James Shapiro has a new book coming out, and he’s looking to shake up the authorship debate. (The Chronicle of Higher Education)

Sarko’s appearance Monday wouldn’t have been complete without his famous personal lectern, designed to make the height-conscious president appear a few inches taller. Bonjour, mon petit Napoleon! (The Daily Mail)

UWS bike lanes coming soon? (Spectator)

Spelunkin’ Duncan returns (to the glorious pages of the alumni magazine)! (Columbia Magazine)

Our Balloon Boy, Joey Goldberg, might soon be floating away on his own hot air current of success–he’s on iTunes. (iTunes)

Now!Here, Columbia’s travel magazine, is holding a general body meeting at 8 PM in Lerner 503

Enjoy delicious toasts with sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter and a variety of fruit jams!!! While enjoying the sweet treats, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about AAA’s upcoming Teach-In program and the Game of Love event!

FREE FOOD!!!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111176532227776&ref=ts

This is basically ESC. Photo via senate.gov

Sean Zimmermann reports from last night’s hot and heavy ESC meeting.

Study Days madness never, ever ends: ESC passed the Academic Calendar Proposal that would begin school before Labor Day. Jim Applegate, Education Committee Chair, commented to Whitney Green that he based his proposal to remove the election day break on the Facebook petition, Petition to Change Winter Break Calendar Facebook Group, which focused on the late end of finals and the study days problem. When Applegate explained that faculty want to be with their families during the final week of summer, Green countered that students want to be with their families during fall break. According to Green, the talks were “one-sided,” and her meeting with Applegate and Sue Yang became a “fairly heated discussion,” as the education committee has not “respected the voices of students.” Read more…

Two events tonight feature free pizza:

Blurred Frontiers: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America

International Affairs, Room 707, 6pm (NOW)

The Politics of Lady Gaga

Politics and Pop Culture Panel Series

Lerner 569, 8:00pm