The Bowdoin Orient

A student's letter to the editor printed in last week's Orient regarding the early termination of an on-campus Halloween party has garnered attention in local media and prompted discussion among students, administrators and residents regarding the relationship between Brunswick and the College. Junior Samir Sheth wrote that Brunswick thrives "financially and culturally" on the presence of Bowdoin, and broadly referenced multiple occasions in which the Brunswick Police Department (BPD) has been involved in shutting down campus parties in reaction to noise complaints made by residents of the town. Sheth suggested that students boycott Brunswick businesses in response.

With the first round of early decision applications due Monday, the annual fervor of admissions season has kicked into gear. Much of the national media's attention this fall has been directed at the ethics of legacy admissions at selective colleges and universities. Like almost all liberal arts colleges, Bowdoin factors an applicant's relation to an alumnus of the College into its admissions decisions, and data shows that legacy students are on average about twice as likely to gain admission than non-legacy applicants.

A recent report on athletics in Division III indicates that recruited athletes at highly selective colleges have lower GPAs than their teammates who are walk-ons, and significantly lower grades than non-athletes. However, Director of Athletics Jeff Ward said that this is not the case at Bowdoin. "The academic performance of those on teams is the same as those not on teams," he said in an interview.

In a change from previous years, the results of the off-campus study preliminary application, collected on November 1, indicate that, for the next school year, more students intend to study abroad in the fall semester rather than in the spring. "[The shift] is a little surprising because the spring is usually the more popular semester," said Director of Off-Campus Study Stephen Hall. "I think some may have chosen the fall semester because...they had heard what we were saying about the spring being more popular [in past years]."

In a unanimous vote, the Brunswick Town Council rescinded an ordinance passed last September to purchase land for a new Brunswick Police Department (BPD) station. At a public hearing on Monday, residents voiced their dissatisfaction with the proposed purchase of a property at the corner of Stanwood and Pleasant Streets, identified as a potential location for a new BPD station. Upwards of 40 town residents attended the hearing.

Bedbugs crawled back into the College with another reported case, this time in first year residence Winthrop Hall. The student contacted Facilities Management after suspecting the presence of bedbugs. Facilities Management was unable to confirm an infestation at press time, but planned to reexamine the area. In the interim, the student was relocated to another residence until further notice.

Two and a half years after Bowdoin was named College Prowler's "School of the Year," Bowdoin still holds the title. College Prowler recently updated its rankings for Bowdoin. The website determines rankings based on analysis of student survey responses, open-ended student reviews and statistical data. This means that the ratings can fluctuate as student reviewers post their comments.

Recently, questions regarding the state of town-gown relations have been thrust to the forefront of the collective consciousness of Bowdoin and Brunswick. Last week, the Orient ran a letter from one frustrated student, which sparked an all-time high number of online comments in response, from students at Bowdoin and members of the community alike. Earlier this week, the Times Record, the local daily paper, ran an article that painted a town-gown relationship strained by alcohol. Do we have a serious issue?

In 2008, Democrats were swept into control of the national government and all at once became responsible for dealing with the nation's economic and political crises. Paul LePage and the Maine GOP now find themselves in similar circumstances.

On Tuesday, November 2, the American electorate engaged in its ritual cleansing. They chased more than 60 Democrats from the House and another six from the Senate. Power changed hands yet again in this country's government. And once again, the incoming party is promising to set up a utopia and the outgoing party is cackling at what will be the inevitable failure of its adversaries. Do you feel clean?

The biggest change from high school that I noticed as a first year last fall was the different schedule. In high school, I was in class for six hours a day, five days a week. In college, I'm in class for three hours a day, four days a week. A suburban kid through and through, it's not often that I feel directly affected by a national issue. As a college student, however, it's hard to look at the national education debate and not feel affected.

As hard as it may be for some students to imagine, I strongly believe that the locals, police, campus security and the administration all have the students' best interests at heart. Along with most parents, we collectively want all of you to get a good education and to revel responsibly.

In "Brunswick community intolerant of students" (November 5), Samir Sheth '12 calls for Bowdoin students to shut Brunswick residents out of their lives because they are "ruining our good time." In short, Mr. Sheth's letter is ludicrous. I can understand that an abbreviated Pinefest might be disappointing, but I am embarrassed to be part of a student body defined by mere revelry. I am also mortified for Mr. Sheth knowing that the greater Brunswick community will read his letter.

Mr. Sheth discusses the timidity of the administration in not standing up to the community. Wake up. Every single adult in that "timid administration" you so blithely refer to is a member of the Brunswick community.

The town of Brunswick is economically dependent on the College in many ways, but Bowdoin needs Brunswick just as much. I'm not speaking of nice perks like good restaurants—though I'm hard-pressed to come up with another college town of a similar size with so many great places to eat and drink—but of basic fundamental services. So yes, Mr. Sheth, please cut out Brunswick entirely.

Mr. Sheth's letter is illogical, offensive and unworthy of publication. Bowdoin and Brunswick share a relationship, which while presently healthy, is at all times inherently symbiotic. Mr. Sheth asks, "Without Bowdoin, what is Brunswick?" This question can easily be reversed—its answer is that a Bowdoin bereft of the residents, shops and community of Brunswick would not survive.

Mr. Sheth proposes a course of action that students should consider carefully. It is important that students take note of improper, excessive and violent acts by the Bowdoin Police Department, which are oftentimes gratuitous displays of power specifically directed at Bowdoin students. When the police employ "curfew" tactics on students—such as retaining innocuous pedestrians, manipulating underclassmen, and terrorizing houses at night—they are targeting Bowdoin students.

Brunswick—Brunswick, Maine: approximate pop. 23,000. Every college town needs a watering hole where the fanciful bond between enlightened manners and democracy diminishes in drink. These are places we go to live vicariously, speak crassly and porch-philosophize about how life is absurd. This week, I learned it's best to do it with a clown.

Waders. Galoshes. Wellies. Rain boots have many names, but only one wearer: females. Girls are able to stay protected from the drizzles and downpours, while guys remain vulnerable to the wetness because rain boots have become a solely female phenomenon. Just as cross-body bags have slowly shifted from being a feminine accessory to a co-ed phenomenon, and baggy "boyfriend" jeans have entered into the female wardrobe, the same gender neutralization can happen with rain boots.

Imagine an opportunity to see two highly talented, renowned musicians without paying for overpriced tickets. Imagine no more because that opportunity is here.

Finish the sentence: If music be the food of love... ... then play on. You can't top Shakespeare's words so why try?

Following The Morning Benders concert tomorrow night, the popular mash up artist E-603 will perform at Reed House's space-themed party from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

What could possibly be unfunny about Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr. stuck in a car together on a cross-country trip? This concept, used as a primary selling point for director Todd Phillips' sophomore effort, "Due Date," uses the same rubric, and some of the same jokes, as his directorial debut, "The Hangover" (2009).

The standard sounds of Smith Union will give way to the dancey melodies of three up-and-coming bands tomorrow night. WBOR is bringing The Morning Benders, Lady Lamb the Beekeper and The Milkman's Union for its annual fall concert.

Bowdoin's and Bates' orchestras will join forces in two performances of classical music this weekend. The combined orchestra will perform both at Bates' Olin Arts Center and Bowdoin's Studzinski Recital Hall.

The volleyball team was searching for its first-ever trip to the NESCAC semifinals but was stopped dead in its tracks when Williams pulled out of a five-match losing streak last Friday.

Buoyed by strong results, the sailing team is preparing to host and compete in the Atlantic Coast Tournament. Fresh from a first-place finish at the Crew's Regatta and a sixth at the competitive Rhode Island State Championships, the Polar Bears are optimistic about a strong home-water performance this weekend.

Members of Stoned Clown and Chaos Theory will be able to show off their ultimate skills for the final time this fall at the annual Frozen Butter Ball (FBB) tournament.

Polar Bears choose diverse methods for selecting captains