The Bowdoin Orient

As students headed back to campus a week ago, US News and World Report published its rankings of America's best colleges. Bowdoin climbed from tenth to seventh place.

With the help of thefacebook.com, hundreds of Bowdoin students are meeting new friends and reuniting with old ones without even leaving their desks.

Following a year's worth of work in planning, design, and implementation, Bowdoin launched its new Web site on Aug. 20.

The Orient asked a sampling of students out on the Quad how they felt about alterations to the art museum. In interviews conducted earlier this week, many students said the museum plays a vital role in the Quad and the community.

The Department of Safety and Security announced a new name, focus, and phone number for its student shuttle service.

The issue is one of planning and prudence, and the lesson hopefully learned from the process extends beyond the Museum and its similarly notable companions on the Quad.

In the months leading up to this year's presidential election, almost nothing has been discussed as often as John Kerry's ability to balance criticism of President Bush with the maintenance of his patriotic image.

Some time between the still-mysterious "Pub Incident" and the alcoholic haze of Ivies weekend last year, President Barry Mills quietly made the announcement that the Walker Art Museum would be renovated.

Since I was "lucky" enough to spend my summer within the bubble, I thought I should give those of you who had an out-of-bubble experience a quick tour of recent changes undergone in those bygone months of blissful repast . . .

How we decide this election will likely impact us for years to come and engaging in a frank conversation about where we should go is a labor of patriotism.

Our youth will always be defined by a less idyllic summer that will be remembered for its cultural excesses, bleach blond beauties, designer handbags, and skintight clothing that leaves nothing to the imagination. In short, we have just had the summer of Paris Hilton.

Ahh, September at Bowdoin?the grass is still green, the leaves are starting to change color, people can still survive outside...and the freshmen are everywhere.

Quite simply, pro-Israeli actually means pro-Palestinian as well. Those who support Israel want the same things for the Palestinians that they want for themselves.

Delightfully far from tacky and quite refined, you're not going to find a Hooters anywhere on Monhegan Island. Twelve miles from mainland, the tiny island offers a glimpse into pristine Maine.

Dear Students: Welcome to Bowdoin 2004-2005, from all of us in the Health Services! In this, my first column of the new year, I wanted to review some of our programs and services and write a little about our sense of mission here at Dudley Coe.

So maybe you have a car at Bowdoin. Perhaps you use it to get home during the holidays, but stay out of it during the school days. Cut back on CO2 emissions, save your gas money, and enjoy the wind in your hair. Hop on your bike and head to some great places to enjoy autumn in Maine.

What is "quite interesting" this weekend? Comedian, author, and "media gadfly" Mo Rocca will perform at Morrell Gymnasium at 8:00 p.m. on September 11.

I've often wondered if long-dead English authors ever roll in their graves when Hollywood takes a whack?often literally?at one of their masterpieces. It's not that Vanity Fair, a film based on William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel, is akin to literature shredded to pieces?not exactly...

We've made it, everybody. Another movie summer come and gone. Catwoman, Club Dread, and Troy are safely behind us, groveling in the deep dungeon reserved for the celluloid sludge that should have never made it to the screen. Now it's full speed ahead into a fall season promising the usual suspects for Oscar glory.

Before I get to my reviews for the week, let me explain how this is going to work. I am not a wine snob; while I have attended a class on wines, I do not believe in using words like "leggy" or describing a "bouquet." I love wine. Wine is a very social drink because it means you have to have company in order to do a bottle justice; I don't believe in re-corking. Also, I like the fact that you could drink a different bottle of wine every day for the rest of your life and never do the same one twice.

"They are both so sexual, so muscular, so sensual. I just really love that comparison," said Brooke Winter-DiGirolamo '05. And what is this comparison? Surprisingly, it is naked girls and dead fish.

Instead, Medulla, Bj?rk's first studio album since 2001's Vespertine, marks her boldest and strangest move since she wore a dead swan to the Oscars. Why? The entire album is made up of human vocals. Instruments not allowed.

Wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth, Manny Ramirez lazily jogs over to pursue a fly ball. You're certain that this ball will fall in for a hit. Manny has a long, loping stride, enough to convince you that he decided long ago that long strides expend less energy.

Since Coach Peter Slovenski began coaching the men's cross country team at Bowdoin in 1987, the program has developed a tradition of success. Under his guidance, the men have won three NESCAC titles, and many All-New England and All-American honors.