If you’re still trying to nail down your plans for next Wednesday’s drunken celebration of Irish culture, look no further.

This morning, Brown students who actually read Morning Mail woke up to an invitation from WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) and MathWiSE to the St. Patrick’s Day Sci Li Challenge, their evening of “good ol’ St Patrick’s Day fun.”

Anyone familiar with Brown traditions knows what the Sci Li Challenge is, and it’s probably not quite what WiSE is advertising with their “hunt for treasure (well, sort of)” (although the meaning of “sort of” is very ambiguous). They should realize it’s dangerous to throw that term around lightly, especially when it’s linked to St. Patrick’s Day! [Read more →]

Believe it or not, ADOCH — that glorious sun rain-soaked two days where hundreds of prefrosh come to campus and we all go out of our way to impress them with how mature and collegiate and happy we are — is just around the corner. Well, it’s in about a month. But before you know it, the class of 2014 (!!!) will be descending upon College Hill, and your friendly ADOCH housing coordinators have informed Blog Daily Herald that they’re still looking for folks to host a prospie or two on the night of April 15. The form’s accessible here, and everyone, including upperclassmen, is welcome to host. Get on it.

In the wake of a drug bust in the Providence Police Department, Mayor Cicilline announced random drug testing for police officers and a new assessment of how the narcotics unit functions and how officers rotating within the department are supervised.  The PPD has been battling image issues recently as three of its officers were charged with peddling drugs and two others, including Detective Robert DeCarlo, with police brutality.

Providence schools Supt. Tom Brady announced a plan to reform four of its worst schools through cooperation with the teachers union.  The proposal would involve leaders of the teachers union and school officials meeting to formulate changes for each of the schools.

A bank robbery investigation took a turn for the bizarre when a plumber discovered stolen $10 bills and a circuit board clogging a toilet at LaQuinta Inn in Warwick.  The hotel staff heroism didn’t end there–a housekeeper later helped cops nab a suspect who was hiding behind an ice machine.

Oh, the Oscars. Along with birthdays and the Superbowl, the Academy Awards is one of those once-a-year, can’t miss events. At least for anyone who loves critically-acclaimed movies, glitzy Hollywood stars, sing and dance numbers, and Meryl Streep. Thankfully, Gail loves all four.

This year’s Oscars were especially exceptional. For the first time in the Academy’s history, a woman took the Oscar for Best Director home. And not just any woman. The award went to The Hurt Locker’s director Kathryn Bigelow — James Cameron’s (a.k.a Mr.Avatar-big-CGI-movie-man) ex-wife.

Although “Avatar” was an impressive commercial success, not many were shocked when “The Hurt Locker,” which has been called a “near perfect war film” since its 2008 release, took the Best Picture award. Other winners included Jeff Bridges (or, as most Brown students call him, ‘The Dude’) for Best Actor, Sandra Bullock for Best Actress (who won another kind of award the night before), Mo’Nique for Best Supporting Actress, and Christoph Waltz for Best Supporting Actor. [Read more →]

The Albuquerque, N.M., public school district is beating us at our own game.

According to local news coverage, the district is proposing to move back school start times for high-school students in their district to let teens sleep an hour later each day. They say their teens don’t get sleepy until around 11 p.m., and so the students aren’t getting the sleep they need to learn. Their evidence? A Brown University study.

(Sorry, but yes — Brown does still have 9 a.m. classes.)

Eat free or die trying.

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Lunch with Faculty Fellows in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies
1 – 2:30 p.m.
President’s Dining Room, Ratty
RSVP required

Research Opportunities Panel
4 p.m.
Foxboro Auditiorium, Kassar House
Biological research, international health, behavioral science, health policy and light refreshments

JPU Debate: The Future of Financial Regulation
7-8:30 p.m.
Wilson 101
Political pizza

International Humanitarian Foundation Open House
8 p.m.
Latino Room, TWC
Sustenance for sustainable development

Matched Advising Program for Sophomores (MAPS) Study Away Panel
8:30 p.m.
JWOWW 411
Abroad and away; pizza and snacks

Ever been forced to decide between two conflicting options?

Given that you are  (probably) a human being, I’m sure you have. So the next time you are forced to decide between Ratty or V-Dub, Sci Li or Rock, go out or stay in, or any other conundrum, check out sometimesredsometimesblue.com.

Sometimes the screen is red and sometimes it is blue. Simply let sheer randomness decide all of your life’s major decisions.

But whatever you do, do not go against the site’s prediction. Bad things will happen.

The Open the Books Coalition, a collection of student groups, gathered in front of University Hall during the February Corporation meeting to call for increased transparency in Brown’s investments. Here are some photos that didn’t fit in the paper.

[View with PicLens]

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Photographs by Nick Sinnott-Armstrong and Max Monn

A completely sketchy sign hanging outside the Ratty today claimed the four acts were coming to Brown this April.

Sadly, we won’t actually be graced with the musical and coiffure-related stylings of a certain Providence DJ this Spring Weekend. But wouldn’t it be…awesome? Confusing? Terrifying?

At least the hipsters, the chilled out electronica fans and the 50 Cent- haters would all be happy.

oh hell yes.

So in case you haven’t noticed, it’s no longer bone-chillingly, soul-crushingly freezing up in this piece anymore; yippee! The Main Green has already been swarmed for the past few days, and the Weather Channel is now saying that it should be just as perfect for at least the next few days, so seriously, if you’re in the library you should probably just leave right now.