Everyday life, especially in this little school atop the hill, is studded with calendars filled with opportunities to snatch so as “not to miss anything.” How easily the mind slips into high gear, filling up space in the planner so as to experience it all! This time of year is marked by the harvesting of activities and involvements. In the sighs of the wind and … Continue reading The letter that’s not in your PO
“‘Hazing’ means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization” –MN Law 127.465 Organizations across the world practice some form of hazing. It is a harmful act … Continue reading …Opposed to hazing
These are truly the times that try men’s souls. If you’ve been watching cable news recently, you know all about it. “America’s economy is sinking into the dreaded double-dip recession, taking the rest of the world with it!” “The American People cry out for leadership, while little or nothing of substance is accomplished in Washington!” “Our leaders seem too busy keeping their jobs to actually … Continue reading Impressions of a DC intern
…taking out the trash During his term as Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani instituted a comprehensive law enforcement plan that he believed would lead to an overall reduction in crime rates in his city. The plan? Clean the streets of New York. Keep them clean of trash, broken windows, graffiti, et cetera. The theory behind all this was that by changing small things … Continue reading The skeptical Prince is…
I spent the 2010-2011 school year as an untouchable, a member of the lowest social class here at Gustavus. I was a Collegiate Fellow. I can’t complain too much about this dark time in my social life. I did, after all, apply for the position, after being lured in by the promise of my own free room. I did not know, however, that Collegiate Fellows are … Continue reading In defense of Collegiate Fellows
Why I am not a Gustie Greeter Alright, that’s enough. Ma’am? I’m serious, let go of your son. For god’s sake woman, get a grip. You’re acting like he’s going off to fight the Communists or something. Come on, he’s not going to die, ma’am. There are only two-hundred thirty-three different ways to die on this campus, twenty fewer than St. Olaf. So we’ve got … Continue reading The adjective noun
There are a lot of things I’ve learned in my time at Gustavus, most of which have nothing to do with the classes I’ve taken. Some things I learned in the first week, some things I learned yesterday. As a first-year, I struggled to find friends who treated me well. I was going to transfer, I was going to leave this institution and never look … Continue reading Gustavus actually
My last article as a Gustie arrives too soon for me. For you, who have either read or ignored me for the last two years, this article may be a sigh of relief; I certainly have not always been the most agreeable or friendly commentator. Even before that, I had a few snippy editorials published. I’m sure only a select few would care to remember. … Continue reading Cashing out at Gustavus
Sometimes I wonder: if actions speak louder than words, why the hell am I writing? I’ve asked myself this while writing papers for my English major, while writing (or trying to write) poetry, even when writing this column. Despite loving words, I still ask myself what makes my words any better than anyone else’s; what makes my words worthy to read? Who am I to … Continue reading Final suggestions
Anticipation is the worst. All of the planning, the hopes, the doubts, the worries—it’s more than exhausting. College, especially in the spring, is full of anticipation. Students are constantly in the mode of planning—they’re in thick with expectation for courses, for majors, for extracurriculars, for potential jobs. I think there is a misnomer among students and the older adults who no longer remember being 22—the … Continue reading No last words, just an overused ellipsis
