Construction fence crochet

The fences are already up for the impending renovation of the Hanover Inn and they're ugly, so I whipped out my crochet hooks to try to mend the situation a bit.

Here's what I came up with:

Hop construction fence sea scene
© Callista Womick 2011

Sea scene up close
© Callista Womick 2011

Dartblog: Hix ‘12 Writes to DDS’ Dave Newlove

In our ongoing struggle against the new meal plan, shared from Dartblog:

Will Hix ‘12 has written to Dartmouth Dining Services Director Dave Newlove with a proposal for a smarter set of student dining choices. We wish Will luck, but we aren’t betting on him.

––– Forwarded message –––-
From: William Hix Date: Sun, May 15, 2011 at 1:44 AM
Subject: Open Letter to DDS Director David Newlove
To: “David J. Newlove”
Cc: “Sylvia C. Spears” , April.D.Thompson@dartmouth.edu, “Callista R. Womick” , Torrey.Barrett@dartmouth.edu, Elisabeth.Ericson@dartmouth.edu, “David A. Rice”, “Blaine W. Ponto” 

Dear Mr. Newlove, 

Thank you for meeting with me this past week to discuss the proposed meal plan options. Each opportunity I have to speak with College administrators gives me a greater appreciation of the difficulties with pleasing a large, diverse group of people. Many of the students who are frustrated with SmartChoice understand that you are trying very hard to incorporate their concerns into the meal plan for next year. I appreciate your support and urge you to consider the following when modifying the proposed plans:

First, the proposed minimum plan, “SmartChoice10,” imposes an effective fine of $3,051 per year on students: 

The current minimum plan, “Mini Green,” costs $3,675 per year for an equal amount of DBA. The current maximum plan, “Super Green,” costs $5,925 per year for the equivalent of $7,749 DBA. The purchasing power for meals on the minimum plan is worth $4,074 per year less than the maximum plan, but the plan costs $2,250 per year less than the maximum plan, an effective fine of $1,824 per year, worth 49.6% of the cost of the minimum plan, levied on students who pick the minimum plan (http://www.dartmouth.edu/dining/plans/). 

Excluding DBA, the proposed minimum plan charges $3,900 per year for 300 meals (10/week, 10-week terms, 3 terms) at a rate of $13.00 per meal. The proposed maximum plan, “SmartChoice20,” charges $4,749 for 600 meals per year for a purchasing power of $7,800 at $13.00 per meal. The purchasing power for meals on the minimum plan is worth $3,900 per year less than the maximum plan, but the plan costs $849 per year less than the maximum plan, an effective fine of $3,051 per year, worth 78.2% of the cost of the minimum plan, levied on students who pick the minimum plan (http://www.dartmouth.edu/dining/dds/smartchoice.html). 

Students who purchased the minimum plan this year will lose an additional $1,227 in purchasing power next year if they pick the proposed minimum plan. The proposed minimum plan should be modified to return the purchasing power penalty of the minimum plan to approximately 49.6% of the cost of the plan. 

Second, the proposed minimum plan ($4,320/year) costs $645 more per year than the current minimum plan ($3,675/year) and is the most expensive minimum plan among the five other Ivy League schools that offer meal plan options: 

$4,320-$4,974 per year Dartmouth SmartChoice10-SmartChoice20
(http://www.dartmouth.edu/dining/dds/smartchoice.html) 

$4,287-$4,287 per year UPenn BFF-EAT
(http://www.cafebonappetit.com/penn/diningplans/firstyear/) 

$4,270-$6,220 per year Cornell Basic Bear-Golden Bear
(http://housing.cornell.edu/campuslife/dining/options.cfm) 

$3,675-$4,200 per year Dartmouth Mini Green-Green
(http://www.dartmouth.edu/dining/plans/) 

$3,244-$4,158 per year Brown 7/week-20/week
(http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Food_Services/mealplans/index.php) 

$3,010-$5,473 per year Princeton Block 95-Unlimited
(http://www.princeton.edu/facilities/info/dining/files/next-year-prices.pdf) 

$1,890-$4,440 per year Columbia Plan D-Plan A
(http://www.dining.columbia.edu/docs/meal-plans-flex/plans.html) 

Among the five other Ivy League schools with meal plan options, the median minimum meal plan is $1,082 per term and the mean is $1,113 per term. The proposed minimum plan should be modified to cost approximately $1,100 per term. 

Third, the proposed plans include meal credits that expire weekly with no rollover. The plans are the least flexible among the four other Ivy League schools with meal plans that include DBA, as they have the smallest proportion of DBA to total meal plan cost: 

1.000 Dartmouth Green with termly rollover
(http://www.dartmouth.edu/dining/plans/) 

0.187 UPenn Best Food Fit Plan with termly rollover
(http://www.cafebonappetit.com/penn/diningplans/firstyear/) 

0.234 Cornell Bear Basic Plan with no rollover
(http://housing.cornell.edu/campuslife/dining/options.cfm) 

0.120 Brown Flex 460 Plan with termly rollover
(http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Food_Services/mealplans/index.php) 

0.102 Columbia Plan C with 15 floating meals/semester
(http://www.dining.columbia.edu/docs/meal-plans-flex/plans.html) 

0.097 Dartmouth SmartChoice10 with no rollover
(http://www.dartmouth.edu/dining/dds/smartchoice.html) 

Among the four other institutions with DBA, the median percentage of discretionary dining dollars to total meal plan cost is 15.4% and the mean is 16.1%. The proposed meal plans should be modified to use only DBA or restore DBA to at least 15.7% of the total meal plan cost, and should include termly rollover to preserve DBA in student accounts. 

Finally, I would like to offer an alternative to the proposed meal plans that incorporates these suggestions: 

Alternative Meal Plan Summary
$1,658 SmartChoice200: 200 meals/term + $50 DBA
$1,500 SmartChoice140: 140 meals/term + $100 DBA
$1,300 SmartChoice100: 100 meals/term + $150 DBA
$1,100 SmartChoice70: 70 meals/term + $225 DBA
$850 SmartChoice50: 50 meals/term + $150 DBA (off campus only) 

Notes: Meals do not roll over each term but DBA does. SmartChoice200 will be the default plan for first-year students and will prevent students from using too many meals early in the term by limiting the number of meals per day to four. Meals equivalents may be purchased on DBA for $12.50. 1953 Commons should have a small cafe outside of the pay-per-meal zone that charges items to DBA as well as seating for students who are not buying a meal. 

Students should also be allowed to opt-out of SmartChoice altogether in favor of a plan with only DBA ($1,100 minimum). Meal equivalents would cost $12.50 at all locations during the day. Students would be offered a bonus on each dollar deposited in the following brackets: 

$1,100-$1,300: 50%
$1,300-$1,500: 75%
$1,500+: 100% 

Because I only have access to publicly available information about the meal plans, I understand that the alternative plans may require some modification. Please consider the three main suggestions, which are backed by evidential comparisons to the current meal plans at other Ivy League schools. I am excited to continue this discussion with you and the other members of the Dartmouth community during the coming weeks. 

Respectfully submitted,
William R. Hix ‘12

Scene Sixty-Seven: I'm human, for now

Sponsored by the Creative Gaming Club, HvZ returns to Dartmouth!

AP Wire

ZOMBIE OUTBREAK RECURS AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

Only months after a scientific experiment gone awry resulted in the deaths of nearly a hundred innocent students, Dartmouth College has again been wracked by a zombie outbreak. This time, however, the medical school avows any involvement in the disaster.

Sources suggest that Professor Fred Schnapps, the criminal responsible for the previous zombie outbreak is, however, behind this new disaster. The original zombies-- two of them, sources say-- were seen stumbling wildly through the woods from the direction of Lebanon Community Service Jail, the prison in which Schnapps has been incarcerated for the past three months.

"It was terrible," said Gail Fitzcabernet-Wallinson, a Hanover local. "I saw the two zombies burst out of the woods and go staggering towards Dartmouth. I couldn't give a s***, really, whether they eat all the students or not. But I certainly don't want them eating ME!"

Our Washington correspondents report that President Obama is again on the case. "I can't speak public about it just yet," he told reporters, while spinning a pair of shining golden revolvers around his fingers, "but suffice it to say that I will be f****** these zombies up, so I will."

Our hearts and good wishes reside with the beleaguered students of Dartmouth College.

THE GAME IS ON.

Last term I made it 21 hours. Time will tell whether my survival skills have improved.


*** Update 1 (2 Aug. 2012): I survived the whole time, but only by avoiding the missions and staying inside and generally being a paranoid wreck. I do not recommend this strategy to future players.

Scene Sixty-Six: PILLOW FIGHT!

When I met John Brett '00 he was carrying a pillow under his left arm. It seemed strange that he would bring it to a retreat dedicated to brainstorming aspects of campus that need improvement (SHARE- Students Hearing and Responding Effectively), but Dartmouth is pretty diverse so I didn't question it too much.

"Do you bring your pillow with you everywhere you go?" asked Kari Jo Grant, one of the two organizers of the retreat.

"No, actually it's International Pillow Fight Day and I wanted to make sure I was ready for the showdown at 5:30. We're meeting at the center of the Green."

Obviously, this is something I could get excited about. A few questions later, my initial suspicion that he was a Super Awesome Dude proved true and we tripped over to the blitz terminal to make magic. He sent me a promotional blitz, I forwarded it to the all-campus listserv, and the rest is history the rest is history.

Gavin Huang / The Dartmouth Staff | https://tinyurl.com/dxsndhj

*** Update 1 (2 Aug. 2012): dartbeat broke history; link updated and photo added. (That's John on the right.)

Scene Sixty-Five: Dartmouth Gets Greener

Our recycling system is ok.

We now have single-stream and there are bins beside most trash cans, but the system isn't uniform across campus and many students are too confused (or too apathetic) to utilize it.

Collis Cafe took a step toward addressing that this term with not only the addition of a compost option (previously available only at foco*) but also a complete revamping of the system which makes the distinction between receptacles much more obvious. Kudos to whoever took the initiative.

In other news, I saw the first flowers of the season today: crocuses, yellow and purple. I hope they'll be hardy enough to stand the snow tomorrow.

© Copyright Callista Womick 2011

*Comments on the renovation: I miss the beautiful murals on the old foco ceiling (although apparently they contained asbestos) and having only one entrance/exit (as of this term) is a pain, but I guess the pirate theme is pretty cool. Seriously, though: I heard some people referring to it as '53 yesterday. The distinction between Thayer Dining Hall and Thayer Engineering School was admittedly dodgy sometimes, but there's nothing ambiguous about foco. Lest the old traditions fail.

*** Update 1 (3 Aug. 2012): RIP Home Plate.

Scene Sixty-Four: Home, part one

We've all fallen in love, we've all fallen out of love, and most of us have fallen into one of the many potholes that pepper the road of relationships. I returned to Dartmouth last fall homesick and hungry for life as only she can dish it out. But each week that passed left me more bitingly bitter.

More peers than ever were sacrificing (or, worse, "postponing") their happiness in pursuit of the best grades, the best internships, the best jobs, the best salaries...

More friends than ever were eager to lose themselves in the throngs of traditional Greek life...

More than ever, I realized how unlike my former self I felt pressured to be...

My growing suspicion that Dartmouth was becoming less and less the school to which I eagerly, exclusively, applied in 2008 was fueled by the early January announcement that Dean Sylvia Spears would not apply for permanent deanship at the end of her two year interim appointment. As an OPAL familiar and ever-accessible ally of the student body, her loss was a tremendous blow to my confidence in this institution. Not to mention the many discomforts engendered by the search for the new Dean. (No students of color on the original committee? No inclusion of any employees of the Dean of the College Office?!) This unease was further exacerbated by the cascade of resignations that followed. Desperate to find out how other members of the community felt about Dartmouth, I began asking everyone I know. Their answers were bleak.

Of my peers, most admitted that while they felt part of small social groups they didn't see campus at large as the big, friendly family that we love to portray during Dimensions and Trips. Social pressure is such, they continue, that any opinions other than that of unadulterated love for the College are effectively stifled.

Even more disquieting were the conversations that I had with faculty and staff. Most agree that the College's current priorities are not in the best interest of the educational experience. Many say that layoffs of the past two years require them to do work once shared by two or more people. Morale is low and burnout is imminent. A few confided that they were not sure how much longer they could continue working here. All agreed that the current environment does not foster the constructive criticism necessary for an entity as large as Dartmouth to grow and change.

"I'm not usually the type to keep quiet," admitted one, "but the way things are now I think it is in my best interest and that of the students I serve to keep my neck down and just do the best job that I can from day to day."

"Most of us just can't afford to stand up and say anything," lamented another, "because we have families to think about. We can't afford to lose our jobs."

This last quote sums it up the best:

"The saddest is hearing long-time (30 yrs) employees who have loved working at the College don't like being here anymore. There is no sense of community or morale anymore. Something is very wrong when a college decides that taking away benefits and forcing people to work two jobs is the best way to make up for its lost investments. Employees are not a drain on Dartmouth. They are the people who make "the Dartmouth experience" possible. It would be a sorry place if no one worked here and students just wandered from building to building."

My emphasis.

I sobbed frustrated tears to my roommate, my boyfriend, my mom, and finally my dean. Sage-like, as always, Dean Pfister offered me a tissue and an hour of his Thursday evening. "It's obvious that you care very deeply about these people, and I know that you aren't the type to run away from problems. Here's what I suggest..."

He reminded me of everything that I love about Dartmouth- its people, more than anything- and advised me on concrete ways that I could help bring about the changes necessary to make Dartmouth a community in which everyone is respected, valued, and uplifted. Further encouragement came from the organization of The People's Coalition, an assembly of Dartmouth students, faculty, and staff devoted to promoting fair dealings and social responsibility. This, on the heels of Kathleen Mayer's spot-on assessment in I wrote this at 3 a.m., revived my sense that there is real community here at Dartmouth. All of its problems are thus-far intact, but at least now there's a real grassroots student movement to address them.

No, Dartmouth is not perfect. No, not everyone loves being here. But I do.
Like Dean Pfister said, I'm not one to walk out when faced with a challenge. My relationship with the College may be pretty rocky right now, but I love her enough to stick it out and help her through.


*** Update 1 (14 Sept. 2011): As of tomorrow,  Professor John Pfister will no longer be a dean. He is returning to teaching full time through the Psychology department. In his departing blitz, he shared these thoughts:

1.  The smallest acts can make the biggest difference.
2.  A balanced life can only exist when you can plant your feet firmly on safe ground.
3.  Giving good advice starts with learning how to listen to your own voice.

 *** Update 2 (20 Jan. 2012): The People's Coalition has not held any meetings of which I or any of my acquaintances are aware for nearly a year, so for now (and with disappointment) we're considering it inactive.

WCAX: Dartmouth helps women defend themselves

Shared from WCAX:

WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

Instructors from R.A.D.-- which stands for Rape Aggression Defense-- are teaching a group of men and women on the campus of Dartmouth College to become teachers themselves.

"They need to do their technique deployment. They are going to be tested tomorrow on their practical aspect of it. They are going to be going through a simulation scenario tonight. They also have to take a written exam," instructor Pat Iapicca explained.

Anti-violence advocates say one in every six college-aged women will report being a victim of a sexual assault. And the experts here say the number of rapes taking place could be higher.

"Unfortunately they are out there and the number that are being reported is far below what is actually happening," Iapicca said.

And that includes places like Dartmouth.

"I decided to take the course because sexual assault is a problem on Dartmouth's campus and it's one the administration is working to address. And, I would like to be part of the active solution," said Callista Womick, a sophomore.

At the end of this intense 3-day, 30-hour course the students will become certified instructors. Risk reduction, avoidance techniques and 41 physical maneuvers are part of the package, teaching women how to defend themselves. Women like Brittany Garcia who personally knows the affects of sexual violence.

"To be able to work past them to help them on their healing. To help them start to heal and to become more comfortable in themselves," Garcia said.

"And to let them know that no matter what situation they find themselves in, either social, or whenever they feel threatened, that they can do something," said Aryana Jacobs, a senior.

And of course Dartmouth is not the only college coping with the issue of sexual violence. But Dartmouth officials say they hope this course is one solution to the problem.

"It's really important for women to learn self-defense and learn empowerment so hopefully we can reduce the numbers," said Jennifer Murray, who works at Dartmouth.

Instructors say the best fight is the one that you have never been in. So 90 percent of the techniques that are taught here are to avoid altercation all together.

Several different people on campus helped bring the instructors' class to Dartmouth, including President Jim Yong Kim. Kim has said that taking on sexual violence is a priority.

Scene Sixty-Three: I go to Dartmouth

...and sometimes things get a little crazy here. Time-wise, I mean.

The infrequency of posts from last term attests to the fact that I was entirely swamped with work- from taking on two new internships (with OPAL and Global Grassroots) to pledging Phi Tau to class to bed! No time to blog. Let's face it, most of what I did manage "to write last term" is actually backdated.

This is a new term, though, and while my only significant circumstantial change is an increase in out-of-class work (hello Studio Art classes), I fully intend to better manage my time and update more frequently. After all, what good is my being busy if I can't share the experience with anyone?