Author: The Bowdoin Harpoon

Bowdoin

College Announces $3.7 Million Donation to Support H-L “Children’s Corner”

by WILL HAUSMANN February 5, 2019

Earlier this week, Bowdoin received an unconventional alumni donation. George Ross ‘87 will be donating $3.7 million to support what he claims is “an undeveloped and underutilized resource at Bowdoin”: the “Children’s Corner” in Hawthorne-Longfellow Library.

If you didn’t know Bowdoin had a section devoted to adolescent pleasure reading, you are not alone. The Children’s Corner, previously across from the main entrance to H-L, will undergo substantial changes after the exorbitant donation. Ross’ gift is expected to allow for the purchase of close to 17,000 new books for the Children’s Corner. The college plans to renovate the Shannon and Pickering Rooms in Hubbard hall to accommodate the expansion of the collection.

Ross stipulated in his donation that these new books should primarily be picture books and chapter books with at most 100 pages. He thought these books would be more appealing to the student population than other, more advanced options. On the topic of literacy discrimination at higher education institutions, Ross said, “It’s just crazy to me that the barely literate don’t receive more help at a school as inclusive as Bowdoin. I was lucky I played a sport. Also, what does ‘inclusive’ mean?”

Additionally, Ross claimed access to picture books was crucial to him finishing his English major. He stated, “I took a lot of classes where each student chose their own novels to read, so whenever an essay was assigned, I went right to the Corner and grabbed some Seuss or Silverstein or Dahl. You know, the classics.” Ross, who now somehow owns a publishing company, claimed these literary magnates developed his writing and rhetorical analysis skills. He believes his donation will help Bowdoin students experience the literary genius of Magic Treehouse and other modern masterpieces. “I read at roughly a 3rd grade level,” Ross added.

The donation will also create an endowed curator of the new and improved Children’s Corner. With a starting salary of $534,000, the Children’s Corner curator will be the 2nd highest paid college employee behind CIO Paula Volent. Applications are now available on JobX.

All, The Oriental Express

THE ORIENTAL EXPRESS (Week of Feb. 3): Bowdoin Pep Band Plays Timeless Classic Mo Bamba

FEB. 4, 2019

By Calderon McHuman and the Pied Piper (with Editorial Assistance from the Bowdoin Harpoon)

Here’s your rundown of marginally notable news that you “ABSOLUTELY NEED” to know this week from the Orient:

1. BOWDOIN PEP BAND PLAYS TIMELESS CLASSIC MO BAMBA

After a ten year hiatus, the pep band has returned to Bowdoin. The band’s former iteration was disbanded after controversy over anti-American sentiments (liking socialism before Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made it cool). In an attempt to win back the Bowdoin community, the band played tunes such as Mo Bamba at last weekend’s hockey game. The pep band is welcoming to all, especially if you suck at music and just like to bang on drums.

Want to learn more (doubtful)??? Read the full article here.

2. BOWDOIN NORDIC BEAT TWO TEAMS?

After an absolutely grueling Maine State Championship (aka “The Chummy”) last weekend, Bowdoin Nordic was able to come out on top over a MASSIVE field of three teams and 52 athletes. A key for Bowdoin’s successful team this year is that they like skiing, sage analysis from the Orient sports desk.

Learn more about “The Chummy Broomhaha:” here.

3. POLAR BEARS (DON’T) MAUL MAMMOTHS

Attempted Puns by the Orient: 0; Paleozoology: 1

Although Polar Bears and Wooly Mammoths may have coexisted for over 100,000 years, Polar Bears rarely preyed upon the land mammals. Nonetheless, Bowdoin Basketball beat the team formerly known as the Lord Jeff Indian Killers, capitalizing on their “good old fashioned chutzpah.” And Randy Nichols nearly had an aneurysm over potential fire code violations.

Read more about “good old fashioned chutzpah” here.

4. IS LADD LAME?

For the second straight year as a senior only college house, Ladd has struggled to get applicants. Residential life has given rising seniors nearly a 2 MONTH extension to apply. However, it is unclear whether this policy of 2 month deadline extensions will be used elsewhere at the college.

Want a whole college house to yourself? Read more here.

5. WHEN IN DOUBT, BUILD MORE STUFF

The college announced this week they will be constructing two new buildings starting in 2020 : Mills Hall and a New Arctic Studies Center where the writers of the Orient might learn a thing or two about mammoths and polar bears. The new Arctic Studies Center will also give the Arctic Museum more space than a glorified closet. Larger lecture spaces in Mills hall should keep non-STEM students from being “intimidated” by Searles 315.

Learn more about building you’ll probably never use here.

Compiled by Will Hausmann

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All, Bowdoin

Polar Points to be Replaced by Randy Nickels

by HOLLY LYNE February 1, 2019

Polar Points, a widely respected form of campus currency, are now retiring after years of devoted service to the College. Students will soon purchase their almond milk lattes with Randy Nickels, the new cryptocurrency named in honor of Bowdoin’s longtime Director of Safety and Security, Randy Nichols. Continue reading “Polar Points to be Replaced by Randy Nickels” →

All, Bowdoin

70% of People Who Get Express Just Don’t Have Lunch Plans

by AINE LAWLOR and ARJUN MEHTA Jan. 30, 2019

Bowdoin students love talking about how busy they are. Everyone says they “are absolutely swamped” and “have to grab Express,” but we all know what that really means: they don’t have enough friends to schedule a lunch and they don’t have have guts to walk into Moulton and take a seat at a table alone. They are just getting that bagged lunch so they can go home and let their confidence sink lower than the quality of the Express cookies. Continue reading “70% of People Who Get Express Just Don’t Have Lunch Plans” →

All, Bowdoin

Bowdoin IT Still Too Enthralled by Front Page to Fix All the Other Problems with bowdoin.edu

by WILL HAUSMANN Jan. 29, 2019

Nearly two months after the launch of the new website, bowdoin.edu remains riddled with functionality problems. The Harpoon went to the dark, scary depths of the Coles Tower basement to do some investigative reporting on Bowdoin IT’s problems. After redirecting a group of first years looking for a party in 13C, we found the windowless enclave of Bowdoin IT.  Continue reading “Bowdoin IT Still Too Enthralled by Front Page to Fix All the Other Problems with bowdoin.edu” →

All, Miscellaneous, Op-Ed, World

Canada Goose Heads South for Winter Break

by  BROOKE VAHOS and ELIZA JEVON Jan. 24, 2019

Hailing from Vancouver originally, Remington the Goose decided it was time for a change of scenery.  He so hated wearing his threadbare $1050 Expedition Multi-Pocket Parka Coat with Fur Hood. Drag racing his Lamborghini through the snow was getting old (he was generous enough to give his livery driver a break from time to time). So, he had Roger pack up his Louis Vuitton suitcases and book the next flight to Tijuana, Mexico. Continue reading “Canada Goose Heads South for Winter Break” →

All, Bowdoin

How is your yeast infection? And 10 other questions to ask instead of how was your break.

By BROOKE VAHOS Jan. 22, 2019

It’s here, everyone’s least favorite time of year. The period where all you can talk about is the 5 agonizing, tragic weeks of winter break. To avoid the monotonous and disingenuous question “How was your break?”, our team at the Harpoon came up with 10 questions for you to ask your peers instead: Continue reading “How is your yeast infection? And 10 other questions to ask instead of how was your break.” →