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Name, Hometown, School: Sarah Dion; Cleveland Heights, OH; CC
Claim to Fame? COÖP Coord, CAVA member, that girl who is always late to class (this has become a bad, rude habit).
Where are you going? The whole post-graduation thing is a work in progress. I’m staying in New York for the summer to work and save up money for whatever ends up being next.
Three things you learned at Columbia?
- How to really trust people. Thank you, Hurricane Irene, for helping me recognize this point of personal growth with your utter terribleness.
- It is always worth asking (for money to do something, for a blue bin extension, to change your paper topic, whatever) because people are far more receptive to things that you expect them to be, especially if you can honestly and politely convey where you’re coming from.
- Piggyback rides while drunk end poorly at a statistically significant rate.
“Back in my day…” Hamilton and Furnald lawns were hedge-free, La Negrita still existed, and shopping at Trader Joe’s was a trek. Also, no one was seriously talking about the issues of mental health and student wellness at Columbia outside of administrative offices.
Justify your existence in 30 words or less: A few summers ago, I taught my little cousin how to ride a bike. Neither of us made any memorably profound statements like this, but it was pretty awesome.
Is the War on Fun over? Who won? Any war stories? There are certainly administrators here who would prefer that college students not behave like college students, but I think there are a lot of people driving policy who are interested in creating an environment that is safe and nurturing for everyone. With that in mind, if you think something is unfair, get involved! Columbia’s bureaucracy is messy, but there are people who want to hear what we have to say. Also, a lot of the rules that make it more difficult to ‘have fun’ came about because of stupid/dangerous things that people did at some point. So, keep that in mind…
Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? I think that I’ve achieved the equivalent of Executive Platinum in the Frequent Westside Cheese Samplers’ Club. My allegiance to cheese knows no bounds.
Advice for the class of 2016?
- Do COÖP!!!
- Embrace the Stop-and-Chat! Even if it makes you late for your next class/meeting/whatever, it’s totally worth taking the time to say hello to/get to know the crazy awesome people on this campus. A more thorough explanation of this can be found here.
- Share whatever you have to give. There are the little things, like snacks, study guides and funny things online, and the bigger ones, like your talents and energy and time and love. I think this is one of the most effective ways to build a sense of community at Columbia, which, despite all the commentary to the contrary, does exist.
- Learn how to cook at least one dish/item before you leave home.
- Respect deadlines. Once you get off that train, it’s incredibly difficult to get back on.
- The whole “You only get one free CAVA” thing is a MYTH.
- Watch out for the aspects of Columbia culture that can easily tip from amusingly cynical or impressively dedicated to downright unhealthy- don’t be afraid to call yourself and your friends out when that line is crossed.
- Get a bike.
Any regrets? Not being more dedicated towards my academic commitments. Not changing my major/taking classes that I was more excited about. Being late at the expense of others (Sorry!). The Penske. Not asking for help when I needed it. Not acquiring a time turner. I can’t imagine giving up any part of the way this has all played out though. In an effort to not add to my regrets: I LOVE YOU GUYS. Thanks for everything.
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13 Comments
@diehard fan SARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAHSARAH
you are wonderful and we will miss you SO much!
@EMS Command 5Alpha, you are seriously amazing. Thank you for being someone who I have always been able to count on, get wise council from, and have buttloads of fun with. CU definitely will not be the same without you. Thank goodness you’re here for the summer. To plenty of fun times in camp schapiro!
@Sari SARAHHHH!! You rock!
@Anonymous DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE BOOKSTORE WILL REOPEN AFTER 3PM TODAY?
@Sooooo... what is the free CAVA policy?
@Anonymous CAVA itself (the ambulance ride) is free regardless of how many times you have used it before. CAVA members are all volunteers, and the university funds the ambulance. If you called 911 and had FDNY pick you up, you’d be charged several hundred dollars for the short ride to St. Luke’s. Your stay at St. Luke’s, however, is obviously not free. When you receive a bill after being CAVA-ed, it’s a hospital bill, not a CAVA bill.
@Denny Crane She’s majoring in Biology
@So... no major?
@mo$ Amidst the somewhat cynical and jaded NY/CU community, Dion always sees and brings out the best in people. Dion is just genuinely so good, and has sacrificed so much of her own time and SLEEP to be there for others and to make Columbia a better place. She truly is the wisest person I met in college.
Sarah Dion, I love you more than all the wings, pickles and JoJos Peppermint ice cream in the world. You go, Glen Coco!
@7Bov I bet Sarah would be the BEST bike-riding teacher ever. She’d come up with some intuitive yet systematic description and compassionately help people through bit by bit. I wouldn’t be surprised if she used the video-link as some sort of inspiration.
Sarah is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. She seeks out ways to give back to people, works her tail off until everything is in order and feigns from receiving praise for doing the jobs no one else wants to do. I’m constantly in awe of her and wholeheartedly believe that this school would be a radically different place without her. I know for sure that I’d be a radically different person without her. Thanks for always being there and always being you. You’re the best
@7Bov …oops… “feign” should be “shies.” Good thing I’m graduating!
@Other 7bov ZOMG SARAH DION ARRRRGH! Amazing, amazing person who always manages to be completely chill when other people would be convulsing with stress. She’s always been such a down-to-earth (and yet slightly off-beat) realness check in the very, very unreal world that is Columbia. So lucky to have known Sarah for all four years.
@Other other 7bOv Sarah Dion is one of the mOst wonderful ppl on this planet and everyone who has been fortunate enough to cross her path is extremely lucky. Love you Sarah!!!!!!!