SJB to shut down all Eclectic events this semester

Wesleying just received the following e-mail from Alex Chaves '12 on behalf of Eclectic Society:

Recently Scott Backer and the Student Judicial Board has informed the Eclectic Society that all events, lectures, gatherings, and shows will be canceled and prohibited at Eclectic due to a “House Hosting Restriction” through April 30th, with the exception of the weekend of WesFest for pre-frosh.

These charges are being made over noise complaints during one night last semester. As a society we are distraught; if this Hosting Restriction is to remain, it will mean that NO EVENTS will be able to occur at Eclectic for the remainder of the semester. We as a society feel that the exception for WesFest indicates that the administration is more interested in creating the appearance of student life for prospective students than actually supporting student culture.

This ban includes a Das Racist and Ponytail concert, an STI testing day, lectures by Lynn Owens and Patricia Clough with the Sociology department, a college in prison fundraising event with Bro-zone, along with many other events. Many students outside of the Eclectic Society have worked hard to plan these beneficial events, and we as a society want to provide a space for them. We feel that these charges will do great damage to the Wesleyan student body, and will undermine the purpose of Eclectic’s presence on this campus.

Eclectic is asking you, the student body of Wesleyan, to help support us in lifting these charges and maintaining the planned events over the course of the semester (events we all were looking forward to). We will be distributing a petition for this Hosting Ban, please sign. We feel that Eclectic makes a positive contribution to the intellectual and artistic atmosphere of Wesleyan’s campus and this punishment is overly harsh. We have tried to provide Wesleyan with fun and stimulating events that improve student life at Wesleyan, please support us in continuing this tradition.

Please join us in appealing these charges,
The Eclectic Society

So, I'm conflicted. On the one hand, in my experience, the SJB tends to be pretty fair. When they dish out harsh punishment, it's usually justified. Minor violations really are given warnings. Without further details about the violation that led to this punishment, I'd be hesitant to sign a petition.

That said, this totally sucks for the entire campus. Some of the proposed events benefit the whole community in remarkable ways - the free STI testing is an obvious example, but so are the academic lectures and cultural events. (Patricia Clough? As a soc major, can I just say, that's AWESOME.)

I know we at Wesleyan tend to get very angry very quickly, but I urge Wesleying's readers to channel that frustration. Instead of getting angry at the administration/SJB without knowing the facts, let's try to find a way to react calmly, while still appreciating the fantastic events Eclectic throws every semester, and finding a way to help Eclectic continue doing so.

[edit 12:30am] Anna Wiener '09 wrote a letter on AuralWes that clarifies what Alex wrote, and has more information about where to find the petition to sign. Definitely read that.

[edit by Sheek, 3/3, 2:15 pm] An online petition is also up, sign it!

Remembering Paula Lawson

An obituary was published in the Boston Globe last week for former associate provost of Wesleyan, Paula Lawson, who passed away last month:

In her roles, as wife, mother, sister, friend, associate provost of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., and synagogue leader, Paula (Sossen) Lawson strove for perfection. Family and friends said she often achieved it.

Her goals were high, and she applied as much energy to her work at Wesleyan, where she had been since 1996, as she did to climbing mountains, hosting dinner parties, and human relationships.

...At Wesleyan University, Mrs. Lawson used her diplomatic skills and her knowledge of higher education to keep things running smoothly. "Paula Lawson was a model academic administrator and a delightful co-worker," Joseph W. Bruno, Wesleyan vice president for academic affairs and provost said in an e-mail.

...Faculty members appreciated her dedication. "Paula had gone from being an administrator to being the administrator," said Claire B. Potter, a Wesleyan professor. "It's people like Paula who get things done. They get us hired and paid, they get our research accounts set up, they straighten out something confusing with the registrar's office."

"Paula was an amazing person," said her sister. "She just wanted to make the world better for others."

According to the article, a memorial service is currently being planned for Wesleyan.

Boston Globe: Paula Lawson, 49, Wesleyan Administrator

Paula Lawson

Associate Provost Paula Lawson suddenly passed away on Sunday. From an all-campus e-mail from V.P. for Academic Affairs and Provost Joe Bruno:

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is with the deepest shock and sorrow that I write to inform you that our dear friend and colleague, Associate Provost Paula Lawson, died suddenly on Sunday. Those of you who have worked with Paula know of her dedication to Wesleyan, exceeded only by her love for her husband Rich, her son Jack, and the rest of her family. Paula was also committed to her faith and was a very active member of her synagogue, Congregation Adath Israel in Middletown, where she served as Secretary of the Congregation.

Arrangements for a funeral service are pending and will be announced when details are available. I know you join me in sending our heartfelt sympathies to Rich and Jack Lawson and all of Paula’s family and many friends.

All of us at Wesleying extend our most sincere condolences to Paula's family. More information will be posted as it is received.

How do you pronounce "Holly Wood"?

Check out this A+ guilt trip. My mother doesn't even do it this well.

Senior!

Why won’t you call in your name pronunciation? For us it seems a simple request. Now Wesleyan dollars that could be used for scholarships, paying workers, providing community resources, etc. need to be used to track you down and get you to call in. NEVER have so many seniors refused to let the name readers know how to pronounce their names. I am bewildered. Please call in your name. Call 685-2005.

Suzanne O’Connell
Faculty Marshall

Edit: My housemate just reminded me about how they accidentally DELETED ALL THE MESSAGES from the first round of people who called in...

What about the New President?

Well, this is fun. Moving away from food now, what do you want out of the new President? Many different ideas about what the role of the President should be. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Michael Roth compared to Dougie B?

Do you hope that he is more accessible to the student body? Involves himself more in on-campus activities? Are you eager to take a class with him (or his wife)? Do you think he'll reconsider chalking? Do you think he'll cater more to the academic interests of the school? Will he be as good of a fundraiser as Dougie?

Let's go!