The Bowdoin Orient

In the midst of an allegation that a senior administration official improperly used the work of a faculty member, the College says it is working to update and expand its policy to protect intellectual property.

DeRay Mckesson '07 has been disqualified as a candidate for the presidency of the Class of 2007 in this week's completed elections, the Orient learned late Thursday. At issue is Mckesson's role as president of Bowdoin Student Government (BSG).

Today's Common Hour lecture featuring Paul Rusesabagina sold out further in advance than any previous Common Hour event, according to Assistant Director of Events Brenna Hensley. Rusesabagina is famous for his heroism during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. As a manager at a hotel, he used his influence to shelter over 1,000 Rwandan refugees and orphans. Many students know him as the main character from the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda, in which Don Cheadle played Rusesabagina.

With the impending vacancies in the positions of Dean of Admissions and Dean of Academic Affairs, the College, with the help of search committees and search consultant Kim Morrisson, is actively seeking strong replacements for these key roles within the school administration.

Approximately 475 volunteers donned umbrellas and raincoats to participate in Common Good Day Saturday. Registration showed a significant increase from last year's 430 volunteers, who also found themselves volunteering despite a heavy downpour.

Widgets, mini-applications that exist exclusively in Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger," can be downloaded from apple.com to personalize a user's Dashboard. Although Dashboard comes with 12 default widgets, users now have over 1,300 interest-specific widgets to choose from online. Among these is the recent invention of John Hall '08?a widget that displays Bowdoin's dining service menus.

The cost of a Bowdoin education has once again reached an all-time high, with the 2005-2006 comprehensive fee surpassing the $40,000 mark for the first time. Total tuition and fees now amount to $41,660, marking a 4.99 percent increase over the course of one year. "Forty-thousand dollars is seen as a benchmark," said Director of Student Aid Stephen Joyce. "I think there will become a point where cost is a major factor, but I don't know if $40,000 is that point."

It may be too late for us to stand behind Mr. Rusesabagina, but it is not too late for us to stand against the genocide of today.

As an ardent supporter of equal rights, I was both frustrated by the guest speakers at Monday's event and disappointed by many of the protestors in attendance. The argument put forth by Mr. Heath, while well-worded, was fundamentally flawed.

In attending the lecture given by Michael Heath on Monday night, an event sponsored by the College Republicans, I saw a Republican party that over the past decade has been transformed by an increasingly polarized American political system.

PDA. I'll translate for those of you who don't get out much: Public Display of Affection. You've seen outbreaks of it at Bowdoin, or back home, but this summer and fall I became an expert on the subject, or should I say affliction? I tracked it down all over New York City for Seventeen Magazine, and now I'm surrounded by it in Paris. And let me tell you, it's getting a little bit out of control.

Above all things, above being a Republican and a conservative, I am for Bowdoin. I love the school, care for my friends here, enjoy the classes, appreciate the professors, and cherish the experience that I am having. Apparently, many students on this campus do not feel this way.

The people of Maine will soon have the opportunity to decide whether or not it is a good idea to extend basic legal protections against sexual-identity discrimination. Vote no on 1 and the protections are extended. Vote yes on 1 and they are not. This is, of course, an easy decision. Just ask Michael Heath's Christian Civic League. For the sake of preserving social order and gender identity, the very pillars of our society, we must vote yes! Or ask the folks at Maine Won't Discriminate. Vote no on 1; it's an open-and-shut civil rights case. Simple!

Looking back to Monday evening and the infamous Michael Heath/ Reverend Sandy Williams visit, it all seems so surreal. To think that people could hold such prejudices and call themselves Christians is simply beyond me. It offends me as both a Christian and a human being.

I think that many people misinterpreted the reason why Michael Heath and the Maine Christian Civic League oppose the anti-discrimination bill. It isn't that they favor discrimination of gay people, but instead, they are worried about the bill's ramifications in society.

I would like to comment on Zachary Linhart's letter, published in the September 16 issue of the Orient. At Bowdoin, there is need for dialogue on issues of race and racism and thus, I am happy Linhart shared his opinions.

Mr. Linhart's derogatory letter in the last edition of the Orient shows that racial ignorance remains in society. A random Gallup Poll, which apparently resulted in "72% of black Americans" believing that George Bush "doesn't care about black people," is a ridiculous foundation for an argument. To follow up that particular comment, Linhart also said that 67% of whites disagreed with that view.

As a young boy, tapping his foot to the music played by a nearby Kansas City 24-hour jazz radio station, Professor James W. McCalla didn't know what he was listening to, but he knew that he liked it.

The Farnsworth Museum has a unique mission as a nationally recognized gallery in the heart of Down East Maine.

Since coming to Bowdoin, a place that even from a visitor's perspective he felt cared about all students individually, Mckesson has learned the art of questioning himself honestly.

Dear Dr. Jeff: It seems like we have a different health insurance plan this year. I've gotten a little confused about coverage for referrals and lab tests. Can you help clarify? -T.K.

When she peforms in Pickard at 8:00 p.m. tonight, Rachael Yamagata will introduce herself to Bowdoin for the first time. As a singer-songwriter, however, she's hardly a newcomer.

In the opening sequence of the film Lord of War treats the audience to the on-screen birth of a bullet. In the recesses of a mechanized womb, a casing is fitted, and a fresh metal mouth nourished with gunpowder. Several robotic arms come forth to cap the round, and with a cold violence portending its later use, the shell is fused. The bullet is now ready for the assembly line.

Sam Beam, the Miami cinematography professor-turned-neo folk sensation?known better by his stage name, Iron and Wine?has collaborated with the Arizona-based alternative group Calexico to create a six-song EP entitled In the Reins.

"You may tire of me as our December sun is setting," poses Death Cab for Cutie lyricist and front man Ben Gibbard, "because I'm not who I used to be." These lines open the poignant track "Brothers on a Hotel Bed" from the acclaimed indie-rock band's latest and first major label release, Plans. The album, the band's fifth, represents its evolution toward a more retrospective, pensive sound.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ($6.49 for a six-pack, available at Hannaford) My first experience with this pale ale was just a few months ago on a cool, crisp summer night in northern California (where it is brewed). Widely regarded as a great casual beer, Sierra Nevada did not disappoint?its light texture and subtle flavorings were a delight, delivering a memorable drinking experience from first sip to last gulp. Unlike other high-end beers, it is not a chore to drink an entire six pack of Sierra Nevada.

One of Bowdoin's best resources is also one of its least known. Students may know where it is?that little white building next to Admissions?but few have ever been or even know what is available to them there.

Autumn brings many changes to the environment?leaves changing color, an extra hour of sleep in October, and most importantly, nipple-numbing cold weather. Never fear, we are still due a few more days of delicious sunshine. So, this week I have wines that would be perfect to drink while outdoors and some that will keep your blood pumping in the cold.

What is the best song ever made? JPB: "It Puts The Lotion On It's Skin" by the Greenskeepers. JW: Currently, "Into the Night" by the Music, "Nothing Gives Me Pleasure" by Josh Rouse, and "Dakota" by Stereophonics.

On the heels of his second solo LP Songs for Silverman, released last spring, Ben Folds has put out a 28-track album of live and studio recordings, including speaking tracks in which he explains the origins of his music and his background as a musician. The album was made in conjunction with iTunes, and has been made available exclusively through the iTunes online music store.

Robert Channing is not the loudly-dressed, mysteriously muttering psychic of carnival tradition. Pictures on his website depict him in casual garb, sometimes a suit, and his resume boasts of success in entertaining corporate events. The feats he'll perform tonight won't involve tarot cards or palm-reading. Channing is determined to read minds.

No one who has any interest in major league baseball should have been surprised by the outcome of the last series between the Red Sox and the Yankees two weekends ago. The penultimate series of the regular season for these two unparalleled rivals started with a lopsided New York victory on September 9, in a game filled with defensive errors by Boston and several long home runs by New York.

The women's volleyball teamarrived at the University of New England ready to win last Wednesday night. The Polar Bears took the Nor'easters in three straight games, 30-28, 30-20, and 31-29, in their victory Wednesday night.