The Bowdoin Orient

An unprecedented number of Early Decision I (ED I) applications is flooding the Office of Admissions. As of Wednesday afternoon, the College had received 561 ED I applications—over 10 percent more than last year's total—and there are more still to come.

Last Saturday's WBOR concert featuring The Morning Benders reportedly resulted in an altercation between The Milkman's Union and WBOR management. The conflict ensued after WBOR pulled the plug on the Milkman's Union after the band allegedly refused to stop playing.

At Bowdoin, it is not just the students who are happy. On Monday, Harvard University's Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) released its ranking of colleges and universities with the highest levels of pre-tenure faculty job satisfaction. In the baccalaureate category, Bowdoin qualified as "exemplar" in three out of eight categories: Nature of Work (Overall), Nature of Work (Research) and Nature of Work (Teaching).

The current freeze on faculty salaries is on track to thaw next year as planned. According to Dean of Academic Affairs Cristle Collins Judd, there has been no discussion of extending the freeze into the 2011-2012 academic year. "Our anticipation was that it was a two-year salary freeze and that after that we would move out and that is where we are," said Judd. The freeze on faculty salaries was first publicly announced in a January 22, 2009 message from President Barry Mills. The letter outlined the terms of the freeze among other measures to cope with the endowment's 17 percent loss.

"Has someone discriminated against you because of who you are?" "Have you cried on campus?" "Do you believe yourself to be middle class?" "Have you questioned your class status since you came to Bowdoin?" In an exercise called "Walk the Line," which took place as a part of a retreat for multicultural and first-generation first years held last weekend, students pushed themselves to answer questions like these in order to take a deeper look into their identity at Bowdoin.

College Anonymous Confession Board (ACB), the gossip website, was the main topic of conversation last night at the first of what is to be an ongoing series of open student discussions facilitated by Bowdoin Student Government (BSG). "There has been a discussion on campus that there is no place where students can talk about certain issues and so, this year, the Student Affairs Committee decided to hold a discussion series," said BSG Vice President of Student Affairs Chanwoong Baek '12. "We thought that Bowdoin as a community talking about anonymous conversation would gain interest among students."

Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) did not meet this week, but that did not mean the group was not busy. On Tuesday, BSG introduced a new way for students to browse course syllabi and last night, BSG organized transportation to the long-awaited Harry Potter movie release.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings to four companies that produce alcoholic beverages that contain caffeine, among them Phusion Projects, LLC, the producer of Four Loko. The FDA said that alcoholic drinks with caffeine additives pose "a public health concern," and indicated that it would take action if necessary, including possibly seizing inventory or imposing an injunction on production.

The men's soccer team is in uncharted territory. With a school-record 12 consecutive wins, a No. 6 national ranking, and a program-first NCAA tournament victory, this is the best squad Bowdoin has ever fielded. As for the field hockey team, Final Four appearances are quickly becoming business as usual. Thanks to Coach Nicky Pearson, the College boasts the premiere field hockey program in Division III, and we are ecstatic as the team pursues its third national crown in four years.

Times of strife typically provide watershed moments for people to reflect on their values and ideals. These moments demand that members of society identify where they stand and whom they stand with. The resulting dialogue among competing visions is a cornerstone of the democratic process—elections, of course, serve to decide which vision the majority prefers. It is therefore essential to understand that political parties are not just organizations dedicated to getting politicians elected.

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.

In my last installment I sent you to Local 188, a cool bar/restaurant hybrid in Portland frequented by 20-somethings and my mom. This week, I'm sticking closer to home with a classic Brunswick dining locale that is admittedly much less cool. Henry and Marty has been a staple in Brunswick for many years, offering a slightly more sophisticated menu than many of its neighbors. I have had the occasion to eat there a number of times, and have had many enjoyable meals. I recently revisited Henry and Marty and experienced some major ups and downs. Henry and Marty is, in a word

The Bowdoin condoms always break. Is there something wrong with the ONE condoms? We hear this question a lot. I asked Director of Health Services Sandra Hayes to comment on the effectiveness of the ONE condoms. She confirmed the ONE website's assertion that the condoms are as effective as other leading manufacturers.

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.

Halloween isn't over for the Bowdoin College Concert Band (BCCB), which will perform "GHOSTS!" for its fall concert on Sunday. The performance will feature a host of haunting spirit-themed pieces.

What song do you like to sing at the top of your longs? Katie: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cindi Lauper. Put's a smile on my face every time. Ella: Well, actually I prefer duets. Katie and I do a magical a cappella rendition of Hall and Oates' "You Make My Dreams Come True."

This interview was conducted with Portland-based singer-songwriter Aly Spaltro, a.k.a. Lady Lamb the Beekeeper. Spaltro, who Bowdoin students may know from her years of employment at Brunswick Bart and Greg's DVD Explosion! is planning to further her music career come December, first with a move to Cambridge, Mass. and then to New York.

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

Considering all of the adversity that the Polar Bears went through this season, there was no better way for them to wrap up the season than by beating archrivals Colby in Waterville last Saturday.

The women's cross country team finished its season with a ranking of seventh in the New England regional poll, improving from last year's rank of ninth.

The men's cross country season came to a bittersweet end last Saturday, celebrating exciting individual highlights while also facing disappointment as a team.

The sailing team hosted its final event of the fall season, the Atlantic Dinghy Tournament, last weekend, capping a season of mixed results with an encouraging finish at the intersectional.

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.