The Bowdoin Orient

After weeks of hinting and guessing, the Ivies spring concert lineup is here. Ivies 2011 will feature Janelle Monáe, Mac Miller and Local Natives. "Janelle Monáe was high on our list," said Entertainment Board Co-Chair David Gruber. "She got rave reviews on the comments portion of [the Ivies] survey."

The deadline for off-campus study applications for the 2011-2012 academic year has come and gone. On Monday, approximately 46 percent of the Class of 2013 submitted an application to study away to the Off-Campus Study Office (OCS). OCS received a total of 229 applications, 19 of which were applications to study away for the entire year. 116 students elected to study away in the fall semester, while 94 opted to study away in the spring of 2012.

Bowdoin's first ever "Meatless Monday" produced a wide range of reactions among students this week, some laudatory and others severely critical. In the eyes of some, the meal was a success that demonstrated the health and environmental benefits of reducing meat consumption; for others, however, the event was a heavy-handed attempt to curtail dietary choice.

With the spring service trips set to commence this weekend, Bowdoin students are preparing to lend a helping hand in local communities. The programs, sponsored by the Joseph McKeen Center for the Common Good, range from visiting a refugee camp in Portland to helping out at an organic farm and give students the opportunity to participate in community immersion and service programs off campus over a two-day weekend trip.

Dean of Student Affairs Tim Foster joined Bowdoin Student Government's (BSG) weekly meeting on Wednesday to field questions on a wide range of issues currently facing Bowdoin students. The discussion included topics such as the effectiveness and evolution of the College House System, as well as the misuse of alcohol and the surge in alcohol-related transports.

With a record number of applicants to the College Houses, students are practically banging down the doors at the Office of Residential Life. With "well above 300 applicants" for only 206 spots, interest in the College Houses is at an all-time high.

The Office of Safety and Security recently recovered a television stolen from MacMillan House on May 29 of last year, according to Director of Safety and Security Randy Nichols.

We often use this space to discuss the larger issues facing the College: finances, the academic program, and environmental goals among them. Our focus today resides with a smaller—but nonetheless important—facet of the College that is dear to the hearts of students. The Bowdoin Shuttle provides an essential service to the College. We save the dispatch center's number in our cell phones under "Safe Ride," the former name of the nighttime shuttle service. Yet, despite a generally favorable opinion of the Shuttle, students—as well as the Office of Safety and Security—would benefit immensely from the improvement of certain elements.

Quick, rush to the polls! Each time there is an election for anything, we are inundated with announcements. Last week, the Entertainment Board had an election. Fantastic, I thought when I first got the e-mails; finally I can really have some input into what musical acts visit the school. Yes, yes, we are given input in the autumn. Being allowed to pick which of seemingly dozens of obscure and almost unknown bands we have a dim recollection of hearing were good from a friend of a friend is nice, but getting to elect the people who make the real decisions is even better.

Three weeks ago, I wrote a column encouraging students to stay on campus rather than go abroad during their junior year. As expected, I took a good deal of flak. Consequently, I was wary last week of writing an article that might further diminish my standing in the eyes of Bowdoin students. In particular, I was hesitant to pen an article touting the virtues of the program known as "Meatless Mondays." Ultimately, I abstained from writing an op-ed altogether in last week's edition of this storied publication. So much for that approach. The general sentiment expressed in Bowdoin's uproarious reaction to last Monday's dinner has confused and humored me.

This Monday, a nationwide initiative known as "Meatless Monday" finally made an appearance at our beloved dining halls. The concept—a dinner without any meat to get students talking about the environmental impact of eating meat—actually worked. While initially appalled by the idea that I would have to go someplace else to enjoy a dinner that included a main course, I thought back to my experience in Italy, where eating meat twice a day was an idea so foreign to my Italian roommates that they sat with mouths agape as I explained American dietary tendencies. I decided to go to "Meatless Monday" with an open mind and a hungry stomach.

I would like to make some general statements on the problem of political parties and the problem that those parties, or associations more generally, solve. Not to beat the issue with a meat hammer, but I believe some observations from the "Meatless Monday" episode deserve some reflection. I was talking with one of my closest friends about "Meatless Monday," and something she said gave me an unsettling feeling. She did not really care too much about the issue until she found out it was backed by the Bowdoin College Democrats, and that made her furious: "Just another attempt for them to shove another one of their causes down our throats." The issue was made much more controversial than it had to be just because a political group had its stamp on it. And party platforms make us angry! Why is this?

To the Editors: I have a good deal of beef with your rather myopic outrage over the pilot attempt at "Meatless Monday" last week. If I may, I wish to add a little outrage of my own before the campus forgets about the event entirely. Perhaps our very own "best Dining Service in the country" is an important part of the problem, but not for the reasons you have suggested.

To the Editors: In response to last week's article "'Meatless Monday' raises campus controversy," I would like to compliment Diana Lee for discussing the exciting campaign that is introducing thousands of students to vegetarianism. Demand for meatless options on college campuses is growing, and students across the country are adopting "Meatless Mondays" as a result. A recent study by ARAMARK, a leading food-service provider, concluded that one in four college students are seeking out vegan options.

Hankering for a hamburger? Better not be this Monday night. That evening, Thorne and Moulton Dining Halls, in partnership with the Bowdoin College Democrats (BCD) and other student groups, will not serve any meat. Meatless Monday, a national initiative, is well-intentioned: reducing meat consumption limits carbon emissions and provides health benefits.

Portland, named "America's Foodiest Small Town", has no shortage of great restaurants to choose from. Still, I rarely stray from the small list of my favorites and find myself recommending the same restaurants. My efforts to branch out landed me at Figa, whose chefs draws inspiration from a number of cuisines—Greek, Brazilian and Indian, especially. Figa's menu manages to be eclectic and harmonious at once.

"I work as a waiter at a restaurant on Maine Street, and in my years of experience I have found that Bowdoin students don't tip. Ethicist, please address proper tipping practice." -Samuel Sabasteanski '13

Students recognize Lauren Sweetman as the person who smiles graciously when she signs them up for an appointment in the Career Planning Center, but few ever guess Sweetman is the same person who for 20 years sang in barbershop choruses and repaired boats. Sweetman's professional career has introduced her to many lines of work, culminating in her post at the Career Planning Center.

In the next few editions of my column, I will be focusing on different accessories that can totally rejuvenate your look. Everyone knows just how versatile scarves are. Recently, the scarf has gone through a kind of rebirth, re-emerging in a great number of forms. Its appeal as an accessory has trumped its utilitarian function of keeping the neck warm. Scarves are the ideal accent for any outfit, be it an everyday getup like a sweater and jeans, a weekend ensemble like a little black dress, or garb for a job interview like a blazer and slacks.

There will be a new bear at Bowdoin this weekend with The White Panda coming to perform at Morrell Lounge on Saturday night.

Today's Common Hour speaker was not kept secret from campus: Founder of PostSecret Frank Warren.

The campus band Mr. Suds, comprised of seniors Bryce Lednar (guitar, vocals), Sam Epstein (guitar, vocals), Brian Wu (synth, vocals), James Carney (bass) and Andrew Coleman (drums, vocals), who met their first year, has been a regular staple of the small, but ever-growing, Bowdoin music scene for years.

This evening's Hillel event will lend students a view into the rich cultural diversity of the modern Israeli state. Cinematographer Yoav Kosh will visit campus for a screening and discussion of the Israeli film "Shiva," directed by an acclaimed Israeli actress Ronit Elkabetz and her brother Shlomi Elkabetz.

Artist and activist Julio César Montaño, a native of Tumaco, Colombia, spoke of his efforts to preserve Afro-Colombian culture at Quinby House yesterday evening in a lecture that highlighted his political activism in the Afro-Colombian community of Tumaco in the late 1980s.

For many people, traveling across the United States is a lifelong goal that too often goes unachieved. Greta Van Campen '05, however, will set out on her cross-country journey with a unique purpose; she plans to paint a portrait of America.

Dave Fogler '90 leaves a special effect on aspiring art students

Men's hockey preps for playoff game at Amherst

The women's swimming and diving team wrapped up its season at the NESCAC Championships at Williams last weekend, returning to Bowdoin with seven new school records and a 10th place finish.

After earning a spot in the NESCAC Tournament, the men's basketball team saw its season end in an 82-62 quarterfinal loss to Williams on Saturday.

The women's indoor track team placed fifth in the New England D-III New England Championships in Massachusetts last Saturday with several impressive individual performances.

The women's squash team finished 20th nationally at the College Squash Association National Team Championships last weekend at Princeton University. The team went 1-2 in the C Division to finish its season with a record of 7-16.

After another solid performance at the Middlebury Carnival, the nordic ski team is looking to ski into the history books this weekend at the Bates Carnival.