Despite clouds and chilly gusts, College Days’ penultimate event seems to be set to happen tonight, starting at 9 on Low Plaza. Consistent with the New York City theme of this years events, tonight’s festivities are supposed to be emblematic of “Broadway.” There will be a performance by CU Glee Club followed by a live broadcasting on a Jumbotron screen of the first episode of the new season of Glee, justified complimented by free popcorn.

For those who have not seen Glee before, a sample quote for your delectation:

“I am not homophobic. In fact, I have two gay dads. See, I was born out of love. My two dads screened potential surrogates based on beauty and IQ. Then they mixed their sperm together and used a turkey baster. To this day we don’t know which one is my real dad, which I think is pretty amazing.”

Let’s be honest, Columbia: most of you voted for Barack Obama, and many of you would like to see the swearing in of Columbia’s first graduate to reach the Oval Office. Sadly, though, the first day of classes falls on the same day (January 20) as the inauguration, leaving you to wonder “why not give us the day – or at least the morning – off?”

The Columbia administration rejects your pathetic attempts at logic. Instead, according to an official PrezBo communiqué, they’ve decided to use the go-to method for all important university events: “a ‘Jumbo Tron’ screen will show the inauguration live on Low Library Plaza beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m.” The screening will take place “unless there are extremely severe conditions,” and hot chocolate and warm cider will be there to keep you (luke)warm. 

Of course, this entire post is predicated on the belief that PrezBo’s e-mail scribe meant to write “JumboTron,” not a gigantic 1982 movie (although it would be interesting to watch the inauguration parade as one big lightbike race). Full e-mail after the jump. Read more…

Some of your classmates have already started sitting on the steps, willing to sit there bored, for hours and hours, just to watch Obamacain on the Jumbotron, which your student leaders fought for so valiantly.

Michael Snyder and Tobin Mitnick, both CC ’10, said that they weren’t sure they were going to hang around until the speech. “I don’t have class,” Snyder shrugged noncommittally, and later admitted that he would “probably hang around.” Mitnick doesn’t expect Obama or McCain to say anything of substance, but said that if there were a debate, he’d like Lee Bollinger’s hair to moderate.

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As the joint Obama-McCain forum rolls closer, more and more details are beginning to emerge. Last night, Bwog told you about the councils’ and groups’ plan for Thursday. Now, more details are emerging about the event itself.

The first issue is seating. Many of you are no doubt wondering when those emails granting you entrance will show up. It turns out that they will not arrive in your inboxes until tomorrow morning. The lottery was conducted early Monday afternoon, but Secret Service checks and other delays will keep the final list from being sent out until Tuesday.

Sadly, chances of getting a ticket are not exactly high. Sources told Bwog that over 15,000 people registered for the lottery. 300 people were selected, but only the first 100 names on that list are guaranteed entrance. The other 200 names will be put on a waitlist, with no more than half of them getting in. The final student count depends on how many seats there are, but suffice it to say that, even if you managed to brave the internet traffic jam to enter the lottery, your chances of actually sitting inside are only about 1%.

More details about event, including who else will be sitting in Roone, and what to do if you’re not able to get in, after the jump.

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Well, they moved quickly this time. As we wrote about before, the announcement of a joint appearance by Obama and McCain on campus next Thursday took student government and group leaders completely by surprise.

Just before midnight, though, the presidents of the student councils, club governing boards, and Panhellenic councils have sent an email to President Lee Bollinger, as well as fellow administrators interim Dean of Student Affairs Kevin Shollenberger, Executive Vice President for Student Services Jeffrey Scott, and Housing & Dining Vice President Scott Wright.

The email asks for two accomodations: “a fair share of the tickets made available are apportioned to undergraduates” and “arrangements, similar to those made for the Ahmadinejad visit, should be made for all students, including but not limited to the installation of a large screen on South Lawn.” In other words, “make sure everyone gets an equal chance at tickets, and give us another jumbotron.” The full letter will be printed in Thursday’s Spectator, but you can save yourself from waiting outside a residence hall until noon and just read it below the fold.

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