Category — News

Isn’t the general purpose of Morning Mail to provide news and tell students things they wouldn’t otherwise know?

If so, then what was up with this little gem from today’s Morning Mail?

Subject: Changeover From Heating to Air Conditioning 2010

Spring is upon us.  It is that time of year in New England when we can expect a wide range of outdoor temperatures.  Normally we will see a steady increase in temperatures; and as soon as we are sure that spring and summer have arrived, a cold spell will hit, which will again require us to provide heat to the buildings.

Um, duh. Spring generally comes by May, even in New England. After yesterday’s ridiculous humidity on top of somewhat high temperatures, students could think it would stay warm forever. But a quick look at the 10 day forecast for Providence will show a predicted low of 44 on Sunday. Uh oh, might need some heating again.

They definitely don’t sound up to the challenge of regulating temperatures inside University buildings.

Darn these unpredictable weather patterns!

Oregon Trail …. the essence of an innocent youth. (Or an aggressive, computer-based youth, but all the same.)

A group of MCM students, doing what those kids do best, is reliving the journey — via Google Streetview.

From 10 a.m. today, until 5 p.m., they will battle highways and forge rivers, avoiding oxen and roadkill as they go. Go ahead, relive your glory days.

The task of reporting the news is one that can seem somewhat daunting at first.  Not only must the intrepid journalist possess a certain degree of moxie as she pushes and prods her way into the bitter truth about the world as we know it, but she (and her editors) must also understand how to compile details and organize them in a clear and concise manner.

But sometimes, a publication makes such a major mistake—one that is so completely and utterly ridiculous—that we must ask: “what were they thinking?”  Such is the case for the April 28^th issue of the British tabloid “The Sun.”   You don’t need a degree in journalism to figure out the problem with this one.   An article published on the magazine’s website last Wednesday bore the headline “Nasa: [sic] Evidence of life on Mars.”   [Read more →]

Immigration reform activists rallied on the steps of the State House on Saturday after spending the day marching through Providence’s neighborhoods and calling for legislation that would reform immigration on a national level. (Go here for a video of the State House rally.)

The ProJo is running a series this week that follows the lives of students, teachers, parents, and dropouts at Central Falls High School. Part One in today’s paper (written by Brown’s Visiting Lecturer in English Tom Mooney) follows Antonio Cruz as he goes from high school dropout to poet-rapper all while trying to earn his GED from the Blackstone Valley Community Action Program.

Rhode Island College will honor four people with honorary degrees at the school’s commencement ceremonies later this month. Those honored include Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble founder Frank Battisti, Rhode Island Monthly Communications owner John Palumbo, and House Speaker Gordon Fox.

Today’s Morning Mail came with the first tip in a week to better sleep from Health Services. It told readers they should avoid or limit intake of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol – which can all cause disturbances to sleep.

Now’s not exactly the right time to tell students to lay off the caffeine. How else are we supposed to stay awake to do all the reading, writing and studying required of us? And without alcohol, how are we supposed to cope with the crushing weight of finals?

Thanks, Health Services, for a well-intentioned message at the totally wrong time. We’ll be looking forward to what other sleeping tips we’ll receive this week. Next you’ll probably be telling us we shouldn’t go to Cinco de Mayo Fish Co.

Eat free or dine trying.

_____

Are we hard-wired for wisdom?
2 pm
Barus and Holley 166
HINT: The refreshments are in the lobby 15 minutes beforehand

Club Plan Informational Open House
4-5:30 pm
Faculty Club
Rising seniors: want in on the Club Plan? Come try it out with drinks and snacks.
RSVP to Mary_Hogan@brown.edu by 12pm Monday 5/3.

De-Stress Movie / Ice Cream Night
7-10 pm
Barus Hall
Watch movies and make ice cream sundaes with the Education DUG. Om nom nom.

Glenn Loury: Race, Incarceration, and the Quality of American Democracy
8-9 pm
Smith-Buonanno
SSDP, ECON, PIZZA

RISD’s new Take a Break festival will take place on May 8^th from 1 pm to 8 pm, showcasing nine music acts and a variety of student art.  Advance tickets are available for purchase at the RISD Office of Student Life for $10 with a Brown student ID.  Expect a big turnout to see/buy artwork and get some good local grub.

Ah, reading week. The insanity. The madness. The caffeine. The weird study tricks. The blending of academics and pop culture. Surely you all memorized “We Didn’t Start the Fire” for your American history exam. (No? Really?)

There are many a shortcut for English literature … She’s All That, as a stand in for Pygmalion; She’s the Man for Twelfth Night; 10 Things I Hate About You is modeled after Taming of the Shrew; Clueless epitomizes Emma; and the list goes on and on.

But for those of you struggling with that final Shakespeare paper, here’s a helpful modernization, fit just for the Brown student.

Out of Second City in Chicago comes Sassy Gay Friend. He tells Juliet like it is, that she’s 14 and an idiot.

He dishes it to Ophelia too, warning her about Hamlet’s ‘tude.

The lesson learned? Maybe the ladies of Brown are better off than Shakespeare’s girls. We got the best advice on our sides. Now go write your paper.

Brown graduate Janet Yellen was nominated by President Obama to serve as the vice chair of the Federal Reserve Board.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s approval of the Cape Wind project could have significant repercussions for Rhode Island. Last week Governor Carcieri joined the governors of five other East Coast states in signing a letter to the Secretary expressing concern that disapproving Cape Wind would hamper offshore wind farm development elsewhere.

Gallup finds that “younger voters remain less enthusiastic about voting in this year’s midterm elections than those who are older.” But will the young adults of Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District turn out in droves for former Real World star Sean Duffy?

Mayor Cicilline proposed a $639 million budget on Friday that calls for no increases in taxes. The budget is 3.5% costlier than this year’s and is slightly less than 2009′s $618 million budget. While property tax revenue is expected to stay stagnant, spending will likely increase by $21 million due to the higher cost of Providence’s debt payments, increased health and pension costs and wage increases for unionized workers.

The Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island has been caring for injured and abandoned wildlife since 1994. Located in Saunderstown, RI, the clinic is the only facility of its kind in the state. Check out the Projo’s video for adorable animals and the important work of the rescuers who care for them.

Zombies were out in full force Friday night, terrifying pedestrians, drivers and others on College Hill. April 30th marked the 4th annual Zombie Night, an event staged by RISD students looking to harness their artistic talents to impersonate the undead.