http://www.whitworthforum.com In the Loop, out of the Loop, and beyond the Loop. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:22:24 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en On Monday, Sept. 14 2009, Bill Robinson made his announcement to step down from the presidential position. I interviewed him on Friday, Sept. 18 for an article in the Pacific Northwest Inlander, which ran on Tuesday, Sept 24. Inlander:  You’ve made your decision to step down in your presidential role ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=337 There is a chance, good Internet user, student of the latter-day Whitworth, that some day you will stumble upon (or StumbleUpon) this blog. In some errant Google search, you will run across this mysterious artifact of another time, a day when "East Residence Hall" was just a fanciful dream, when ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=333 Spokane has always been a city with a small but passionate independent music sector, which has been able to thrive due to the activism on the part of students and local establishments friendly to the arts. Many Whitworthians have fond memories of nights spent at the Empyrean, a downtown coffeehouse ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=316 Like most years, next fall brings a lot of new changes to the Whitworth campus. Whitworth will see the opening of East Residence Hall, (named after famed Whitworth Trustee, George P. Eastresidencehall). Schumacher's brief and torrid life as a dorm will end.Yes, three years from now, most people will be ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=310 Whitworth is making history. Last spring, “Open Conversation: Orientation” became the first officially chartered club to deal specifically with sexual orientation. This past school year I served as President of this club, holding events that encouraged discussion and doing my best to ensure students of all orientations had a safe ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=309 There are a number of draws to a non-religious stance. Obviously, students can easily reject Christianity in favor of other religions, but I want to delve into the agnostic/atheistic/naturalist alternative. Positivity I disagree with the very first premise of Core 350: that we live in a broken world. So in the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=305 "I used to be a Christian." A smirk. "Until I came to Whitworth." It's a very common line at Whitworth. It's graced countless opinion columns, each time pretending to be a shocking statement. But it's something that's happened time and time again to Whitworth Student after Whitworth student. Some, to be clear, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=296 Sometimes, people will have thoughts or ideas about how the forum should be run. We encourage this type of feedback. The forum, after all, is premised on openness. But we do not want it cluttering up other threads. From now on, any feedback should go in this thread. Put feedback in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=298 Congrats, seniors! Six and a grisly half out of ten of you (65%) will be moving back in with your parents after graduation. Juniors, the clock is ticking. Are you scared? In the year since I was graduated, I have learned about a trillion times as much about the real world ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=291 The curtain goes up. The lights are dim. A small figure paces...and speaks. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to speak with you about a real problem in today's world. It causes orphans to starve to death. It causes pretty girls to cry in front of crowds. It causes pretty guys to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=276 Well, now. A whole new swath of you are graduating. Use the comment section below to write an obituary of your college career. Talk about what you loved and what you didn't. Talk about your successes and your regrets. Talk about the RealLife Afterlife, and whether you're excited or apprehensive. http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=271 In the massive discussion of the Vagina Monologues below, Dr. McPherson raised an interesting matter. Since him and I were both of male gender, were we really qualified to judge The Vagina Monologues as a play? It's that implied question of criticism that permeates academia: the question of how important identity ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=261 First - let me say I'm really excited to see how the site has taken off in the last few weeks. With that said, I'd like to make a request. When you comment, please, please, PLEASE: 1) Avoid emoticons of any kind. If you need a winky face or a saaaaad face or ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=253 I have learned the secret to writing. Would you like me to share it?Cool! Me too!It's to take a stab at what you want to say, without worrying how people will recieve it.  It doesn't matter if it's a good or a bad stab - you can parry, you can thrust.  You ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=252 The administration's choice to allow a production of the Vagina Monologues on school grounds represents but one sign of Whitworth's ongoing de-Christianization. George F. Whitworth, when he first established the college back in 1890,  envisioned a college where students would "honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity". By endorsing and condoning such ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=250 There comes a time in every epic friendship when things go badly. I don't mean the silly squabbles about what to do once you finally decide to hang out Friday night, or whether that one movie really did deserve to win the Oscar for "Best Picture".  No, I'm talking about ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=251 As most of you probably know, a hate crime was committed this week near campus. Here's a link to the updated Whitworthian article. I have to admit that, when I was first told about the incident, I couldn't even formulate a reaction. See, I'm so naive when it comes to acts ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=249 First off, I am tremendously proud of Whitworth for finally having the gumption and wherewithal to put on a work like this. I know that we have tried to put on a production of the Vagina Monologues for years, and I am glad that it finally happened. Moreover, I always ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=246 Introducing Whitworth's only advice column, written by a Whitworth student, for other Whitworth students! For your edification, amusement, & pleasure: it's Dear G-Unit! Dear G-Unit: I'm writing you today because I feel my parents are starting to like my roomate better than me.  The first thing they always ask when they call ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=245 "So, people get more fired up about sweatshirts than censorship?," Elizabeth Johnson commented on her own article. "Great."She had a point. The article chronicling the administration's censorship of the intended title for the annual senior art exhibition had received precisely one comment from the Whitworth community in the week ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=244 I sent an email to every candidate running for an ASWU position, requesting that they tell me, in one sentence or less, why they were the best choice.  Here were their responses (mostly more than one sentence). ASWU President Tyler Whitney said, "I will effectively represent students in front of external groups, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=243 Ha ha ha.....really though. Vote.  The sooner the better. Same deal as last time, people. I logged into Facebook and typed each candidate’s name into Facebook search.  Their first name I made a link to either the picture they’re using to campaign with, or their profile pic. Their last name is ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=242 Hey guys! This is Marissa Connolly writing and I am running for East senator next year! I just wanted to quickly address my quote that is posted next to my name in the Forum because it's a pretty funny story that you all should hear. :) So, a couple of weeks ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=241 ...before you forget, 'cause you were busy doing @#!# CORE homework!   OKAY, here's what I did.  I logged into Facebook and typed each candidate's name into Facebook search.  Their first name I made a link to either the picture they're using to campaign with, or their profile pic (in many cases, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=239 You saw it on your friend's note on Facebook. You might have seen it parodied in Time Magazine. You might not have a Facebook.   Regardless, here it is: Everyone's least favorite favorite meme: with a twist: 25 Things Gabrielle Vaughn Loves and Hates About Whitworth 1. My favorite theatre major said ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=238 Scenario: Traditionally counter-culture group decides to put on show, Whitworth administration objects to show because of advertising. No, not not that show. No, not that counter-culture group. Or that one, or that one. Yeah, it's a pretty common scenario, but this time with a whole new cast of characters. Meet the senior art ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=237 A trend seems to have taken over the comments in the Whitworthian lately. And no, I'm not talking about the tendency toward annoyed or even furious tones. I'm talking about the habit of commenting using a false name. What amazes me in particular is how these commenters seem to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=235 My roommate and I have always maintained that Warren must be a hidden enclave of interesting people. This myth of ours has perpetuated, as we’ve only lived on the other side of campus and met very few Warrenites. So, desiring to prove our theory, we went to Warren’s version ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=236 There's a bit of firestorm in the comment section under the Whitworthian lead opinion article,"Express yourself with style, not sweatshirts." Whitworthian Columnist Elizabeth Johnson had the audacity to note that Whitworth students are prone to wearing sweatshirts as their predominate form of chic expression. This is not a startling discovery. Whitworth students ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=233 Holy cow, the Whitworth just twittered (twitted?) that the rise in tuition (and room and board) is only going to be "4.69 percent". That's incredibly... low.  Usually Whitworth's tuition rate goes up at TWICE the rate of inflation. Usually it goes up at a pace of 5 or 6 percent. ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=234 The administration can be blamed for slow Internet speeds   You may have noted the anti-piracy opinion article in the Whitworthian this week. Interestingly, the author, Jerod Jarvis, doesn't attack piracy on the basis that it's unfair to artists, movie producers, etc. He attacks it on the basis of piracy at Whitworth slowing down ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=232 At long last, it's Whitworth's turn to grapple with the Vagina Monologues controversy. The show finally made its way to the Whitworth campus, and then was postponed at the last moment because of "concerns over advertising guidelines." Really? Concerns over advertising guidelines? Okay, we'll go with that, until we find out, specifically, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=231  Does anybody know what DAY it is? No, not Howdy Doody day. And yes, Saturday, would be a correct answer, but not the one I'm looking for. No, I'm talking about Valentine's Day. The day when Cupid loads up his quiver and starts firing indiscriminately into the crown, every kiss -- even ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=230 The prime responsibility of the ASWU, it seems, is to talk about how it should reorganize the ASWU. This is a repeat joke of mine. I originally wrote it in this year in review. The ASWC, persistent fellows that they are, continue their tradition of making their only real action of the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=229 The old Westminster building was like your grandpa.  It was visibly deteriorating, the plumbing wasn’t in tip-top shape, and when it rained, you worried it might tumble to the ground.  It smelled of old leather, trace amounts of pipe tobacco, and a hint of asbestos.  The wear was evident, but ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=228 Take any community, any corporation, any company, or any group of friends, and place them in a mega-sized petri dish. Let them fester. Observe. With eerie speed, a jargon develops. A new language, reflecting their own unique value system, arises. It's a sideeffect of comfort. When speaking or writing, we slide ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=226 A week or so before school let out for Christmas, a survey of sorts was put up in the bathrooms of Arend as to the temperature inside the building. Hallmates were asked to vote as to their preferences, being warned that if more votes were counted than people who ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=225 Does anyone know why Whitworth thought it would be a good idea to give two residential buildings the same name?   Yeah, yeah, I know, it's Shalom Community Center and Shalom of the Village, but the fact is that the shorthand name for both is still "Shalom."  It's a fantastic name, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=224 I've given Head Admissions Dude Fred Pfursich a lot of flack for assuming the economy would send admissions plummeting, even while applications increased, and even in spite of evidence that, in general, people go to college more in a recession. (Especially with state institutions.) With a crappy job market, people need ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=223 This is a small project I would like your help with. Whitworth has rules. They're in the student handbook. But as most Whitworth students know, the rules in the handbook are not really the rules at Whitworth. In fact, I suspect that it's been a long time since many administrators have actually ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=221 This is a research paper I wrote in Fall 2006 about the way the rules have changed on the Whitworth campus over the years and -- perhaps more interestingly -- the way student reaction to those rules have changed. Keep in mind that this happened before the Racial Tension exploded ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=222 Quote while you're ahead is a series highlighting flip-flops, contradictions, or sudden changes in policies at Whitworth. Point Despite an increase in the number of applicants, the admissions staff expects fewer incoming students to enroll for fall 2008. .... Pfursich said some factors that may account for the decline in the number of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=220 As most of us probably know, this year's school schedule was altered for reasons I forget. When the changes were announced, I felt a slight annoyance at the idea of adapting to something new, but it wasn't anything I felt worried about. However, unless I have just been oddly lucky ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=219 When I was a writer for the Whitworthian, I'd always joke that the purpose of the paper was to take the greatest journalistic minds in the school, teach them all the keys, tips, and tricks to feretting out the truth, and then turn that mighty force on the noble goal ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=218 I am an Obama supporter and I am horrified by what I have seen on and off campus these last couple days. The election hadn't been over for two minutes before I was assaulted and assailed by text messages, emails, blog posts, Facebook statuses and other means of expressing ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=215  Take a look at the recent comments.  Whaaaaaaat? http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=214 Below is my unedited version of the Barack Obama endorsement I wrote for this week's Whitworthian. I'm doing this because I feel as though the article edited out some of my actual arguments, rather than just my hyperbole, which makes me look like a bit more of a tool than ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=213 I noticed today that no one’s written a post on the Forum for 16 days. Why? I figure you probably haven’t written for the same reason I haven’t written: we’re busy. Busy busy busy busy busy. For example, this Friday I have two midterms, a final, ein Vokabeltest, and a ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=212 The good news: Whitworth is ranked number 165 in the nation in Forbes' College Rankings. The better news:  They call us Whitworth College. Glad to see someone still cares about tradition. Just thought I'd post something to cheer up your day, amidst the dour economic news. http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=211 We get a lot of ASWU Announces E-mails.       I've gone on the record as saying that I don't care that we get a lot of e-mails. Deleting them is really, really easy.  The problem is that most of them are horribly ugly abominations.  Here are some quick E-mail Commandments that all ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=210 By now most students are aware of what happened last Tuesday on George Fox University's campus. If you are not, I will save time by simply linking you to this story. To quote President Bill Robinson's Friday evening email: This stunt is not funny. It is abhorrent. It assaults GFU’s ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=209 Collin Gibbs, the Sports Events Coordinator has started a contest to name Whitworth's Pirate Mascot. But a simple trip through the Whitworthian Archives -- specifically to Oct. 16, 1929 -- reveals that the Pirate Mascot already has a name: Pat. Choosing a mascot was a long and drawn out process, but ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=208 The U.S. News and World Report Rankings are out again this year. In the category of Best University-Masters West (which is awfully specific) Whitworth tied for 6th. This is better than last year, when our loss of academic reputation among other college administrators caused us to fall from 5th to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=198 Update: I fixed a fairly glaring inaccuracy. Originally, I said that Stan was offered a job, but did not apply. That is wrong, wrong, wrong. Stan was encouraged to apply for the manager job, applied, but then was not hired. My mistake. 17 years. Let's put that in perspective. 17 years ago, Bill ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=207 Mock Rock was, as always, a spectacle to behold last night. In retrospect, I wish I had brought a notebook so I could analyze every skit, but I will just run down some highlights. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think there were any Disney songs all ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=206 I went through old Whitworthians last night to catalog who won Mock Rock from its (supposed) inception. I'm only including when Mock Rock was an actual part of initiation. (Homecoming doesn't count.) Of course, some newspaper articles actually forget to include the 'who won' aspect of the story. (Which is ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=205 ... and now... the thrilling conclusion of How to Win Whitworth. (By Charity Whitney, Daniel Walters, Galen Sanford, Gabrielle Vaughn, Brent Flyberg, and Kelly Vincent) Terminology: Become Fluent in Whitworthese "Did you hear from the RD about the RA and SGC who got a B3 after their DTR at CBD-- Now, that's AOK ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=202 Professors:  Teachers, but in Tweed. The classes you take aren't that important. Who you take them from is. For example, if Ron Pyle was teaching "History and Theory of Low-Fat Margarine", you'd have to wait until you were a senior to get into the class. Such would be the waiting ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=201  When we last left the How to Win Whitworth Guide, it was hanging from one hand from a crumbling clifface, as alligators snapped at its heels from the swirling lava below... now, we go live, to part 2 of the thrilling series: How to win Whitworth. Relationships: A new last name ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=200  The following is the first of a four part guide written to Whitworth freshmen by Whitworth veterans. It is not endorsed by any official institution, and the viewpoints are that of the writers, not of the college, not of the ASWU, not even, really, of the Forum. In the next ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=199 Mistakes have consequences. When Whitworth admissions underestimated the number of freshman who would decide to follow through on their Whitworth application, it spawned a number of very real pragmatic concerns. (Remember, despite the fact that Whitworth had more students apply, and the fact that admissions go up in shaky economic times, we ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=204 I am stoked to start my four year trek at Whitworth coming up. Sure it's a division three school and it's only a few miles from my house, but I think I made the right choice. I've only heard awesome things about Whitworth and I can't wait to experience them for ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=203 As you may have heard, a bunch of College Presidents -- including one from PLU -- signed a letter encouraging Congress to "reconsider" the drinking age. There was a time, long ago, when the drinking age was set at 18 instead of the classic 21 years of age. It makes sense that ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=197 I've given Whitworth a lot of crap for it's half-hearted commitment to free speech. (The notion that only official clubs can hang posters on campus -- oh, and by the way, those clubs can't have ties to *certain* organization, stands in stark contrast to basic values of a liberal education.) But ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=196 From today's Spokesman-Review:  Whitworth's freshman class is expected to be about 557. That's an increase of 4.5 percent over last year, while the university's goal is to grow at 2 percent a year, said Fred Pfursich, dean of enrollment services. "We were planning on having a class slightly smaller than last ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=194 By now many of you have probably read the e-mail sharing with the Whitworth community about the death of beloved English professor Nadine Chapman. She was gracious, generous, and well-loved. She will be greatly missed. I want to open this up for people to share thoughts, remembrances about Nadine, encouragement, whatever ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=195 A Couple Preliminaries: It is my intention not to reveal anything about The Shack which would constitute a decent plot “spoiler.” I’m not going to tell you who kills Dumbledore in book six, all right? I won’t mention specific events. I’ll skirt around the heavy imagery. I’ll even try to avoid ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=193 Beginning in the fall of 2009, Whitworth will have two new off campus houses, Alpha Chi Omega, a sorority, and Delta Beta Gamma, a fraternity. Vice President of student life Kathy Storm made the announcement Monday morning, “With Whitworth’s increasing enrollment, the law of averages dictates that we will ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=192 I don't know if you actually read Whitworth Today, the publication delivered to Whitworth Parents and Alums. Now that I'm officially an alumnus of the college University, I'm especially interested in hearing how my former alma mater is faring. After all, I need to make sure my annual donation of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=191 "Old Desiderio asks young Desiderio: 'And when he offered you a night of perfect ecstasy in exchange for a lifetime's contentment, how could you possibly choose the latter?' And young Desiderio answers: 'I am too young to know regret.'" ~ The Infernal Desire Machines of Dr. Hoffman, Angela Carter The other night, in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=190 I think most people have better things to do than read 157 pages of judicial decision over the summer, but I spent all yesterday vigilantly scouring the U.S. Supreme Court’s District of Columbia v. Heller opinion written by Scalia.  While I bet most people don't want to read these long texts for ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=189 Thinking of something to write about for the forum during the summer is like trying to think of something to pray aloud about during the last minutes of a prayer-a-thon. Somebody has already mentioned the global church, natural disasters, carnal sin, cancer, and the Babylonian character of the media, so ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=188 Indexed http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=187 I'm not sure if this is the best place for this, but it is basically the first draft for a piece I am writing. I am interested in hearing your opinions on both the subject, and the piece itself. Thanks. -Brent There is no wall separating east Mountlake Terrace from ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=184 My friend and I have decided to create our own blog. This is Justin. He is my blog partner in crime. His minor celebrity shouldn’t hurt ( not to mention he is dreeeeamy). I, to the dismay of some, will not cease posting in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=183 No one will deny that there are some blatant biases on the Whitworth campus. Some get talked about more than others. There’s probably been more discussion about the bias against gays at Whitworth than there has been about the bias against, say, smokers. On the whole, though, most biases seem ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=179 Chacos: What? Sandals just aren’t douchey enough? So you genetically crossbreed a sandal and a Birkenstock? The result is a hideous mutant freak shoe that is a crime against nature. Quit playing God you Dr. Moreau of footwear Jessica Biel: She is just not that hot. The Mariners keeping Richie Sexson: This ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=181 School's out for the summer. It's been out for so long that, by now, Alice Cooper's voice is horribly sore. And for some of us.  School's out forever. Summer has a curious quality. For some, it's paradise. It's a time to kick back, work on your tan, go to The Lake ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=180 Do you have a default song? When there’s no song stuck in my head from the music I’ve been listening to lately, there’s one which usually comes up which I haven’t heard aloud for years. It’s a song one of my brothers’ college band played in 2002 or so. The ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=176 I figured that some future Pirates might peruse the forum before matriculating here in the fall (who am I kidding, current pirates don’t read this, I just don’t feel like studying for my Spanish final), so I am going to dole out some advice for all those youngins. This one’s for ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=175 Hold tight. This post is going to get a bit LiveJournaly. It'll be a bit frantic and disorganized -- free-association combined with hackneyed philosophy observations, like a mix of James Joyce and freshman poetry. That's okay, I feel I've earned it. Everyone gets one rambling regurgitation-of-angst post. This is mine. As my ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=174 Update: Fixed some links. Update:  Note - jmcpherson.blogspot.com is, apparently, not the blog you're looking for. In a previous post, I mentioned I'd like to see a Whitworth Forum-type blog for professors. While something as coordinated as the Forum hasn't yet happened, there are at least a few professors who've begun to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=173 It's easy to slip by in many Whitworth classes without learning a bit of information. By the time we reach college, we've perfected the art of slacking, getting by with a hodgepodge of Cliff Notes, test-taking skills and bribing the teacher. But some in some classes, despite our best ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=172 In case your curious, here's the best dorms on campus, ranked in descending order. So you know, the three dorms I've lived in are Warren, Duvall, and Arend. 1. Warren Hall. Perfect sized halls for strong unity. Large enough that almost everyone can find a niche. Best designed dorm lounges ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=171 Bill Robinson's contract expires next year. Does this mean "B-rob" as everyone -- including pre-frosh and probably Pope -- seems to call him, is at the precipice of retirement? Not necessarily. From how I read it, Bill Robinson's popular enough that if he decides he wants another couple years at the wheel ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=168 Okay, writing a little about the Westminster lounge and faculty in response to Corey’s list has encouraged me to post a little list of my own: a list of my favorite things about my majors. I’m hoping you’ll also share what you like about your major(s), and then we can ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=170 You only thought I was done. A few days ago I said it was time for us seniors to be prepared to enter the world, but not to leave Whitworth behind. Though this school has been great to all of us, everything could use a bit of improvement every year. Sure, some ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=169 *cough* Come here, son. I have something to tell you. Yes? Yes, father? Tell me! I'm... graduating. *cough, cough* No! Don't say that! You still have a chance, the doctor says that if you manage to somehow pull through and fail Comm Ethics, you'll be able to live another year at ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=166 To all of you who participated in these lists and to all who merely took a glance at them, thanks for the support these past ten weeks. The reason for doing these lists was to give us all a chance to catch up with the world. Many times life after ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=167 Well, it took four years, but ASWU has finally impressed me. In last night's meeting, they rocked like the ancient ASWC of yore, asking tough questions, challenging administrative claims and assumptions, and demanding -- demanding! -- that Whitworth remain a vigorously rigorous institution. Hear that? That's the soft thwip-twhip of pig ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=165 Pictures by Thomas Robinson. Captions by Daniel Walters Art by the respective artists.  First the Junior art students, in a creative masterstroke, come out with a "Junior Art Exhibit." Critics loved it, fans loved it, it was a box office smash. And now, less than a month later, the Senior art students are producing ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=161 I wrote the 95 theses. I know, I know. Not exactly a breaking piece of news worthy of the Drudge siren. It’s more like breathlessly revealing that, guess what, Stalin, of all people, was behind the assassination of Trotsky! And that OJ fellow? He might have had a hand – or ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=159 When Cory asked me to write this column a few months back, I couldn’t believe it. My reaction was something to the effect of, “Are you kidding me? I don’t think anyone can actually do that list justice.” Yet here we are, three weeks from the end of the school ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=162 We have all seen him, strolling about campus, waving, smiling, and of course, saying hello to as many students, staff, and faculty members as he can, “Hello Peter. Hi John, how are you Mary? Good to see you Amy.” His ability to remember names borders on the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=160 After the intense discussion generated last week over the simple topic of movies, do I dare go out on the limb of politics?...yea, I do. This week’s list is the Top Ten American Political Moments of 2004-2008. I researched a good 10-12 news magazine and newspaper sites about major events in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=158 We've had some pretty spirited conversation about movies in Cory Marshall's greatest films post, and I'd like to open debate for a similar topic without waiting for debate to open in a comment thread, or hijacking another person's post. Television is a varied enough medium that trying to declare any one ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=157 Those who have gone through the Core program at Whitworth are probably at least familiar with the name Blaise Pascal. The man's risk/benefit analysis has been used to encourage the doubtful to believe in God's existence, because the risk of not believing in God is greater than the risk of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=156 The Sun is out, it's the weekend, people are in shorts and sandals and spring dresses, Omache Field finally opened...let's do another just-for-fun list to celebrate. It only seems logical that any top ten special is going to have to consider Hollywood eventually, and I'm no exception. It's time to bring out the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=155 If you were to tune into 90.3 FM you would hear the sounds of masters at work. That’s right, I’m talking about the KWRS DJ’s. Have you ever wondered what goes on up in the radio booth to produce a successful show? It’s not all sittin’ back ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=154 Writing by Daniel Walters, Photos by Thomas Robinson and Corbis.com Many of you know me as "Daniel Walters the Writer" or "Daniel Walters the Warren Senator" or "Daniel Walters the Super Smash Brothers player (usually as Kirby)". But few know me as "Daniel Walters the artist." Yes, I'm quite the art man, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=142 The Whitworthian (maybe you've heard of it) featured a special section on Whitworth culture -- and trying to define exactly what Whitworth is. It's not easy. As usual, everybody seems to know what "the typical Whitworth student" is, but few can actually point to examples. Everybody, in their own way, is ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=152 Thank you to everyone who voted.  Regardless of the box you checked on the ballot, you did a service to this university.  Yeah, the news of my loss tonight was profoundly disappointing but not because it undermined my ego.  Rather, it's just plain hard to face that I've lost the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=151 Via the Whitworthian: President: Obe Quarless Executive Vice President: Kalen Eshoff Financial Vice President: Kendra Hamilton Among other interesting notes, Seth Flory is the Off-Campus Senator. Check the link for full results. http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=150 First, a quick note to those who haven't been following the campaign. Just because you don't know the candidates well or haven't been following the issues, doesn't mean you can't vote! It just means you shouldn't. Here are a few final thoughts on the candidates. First of all, this is the year of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=149 Update: Clarified a bit. Can't figure out the differences between the candidates this year because of vague posters and platitudes? I've got you covered. PRESIDENT OBE QUARLESS Grade: Junior. ASWU Experience?: Yes, he was the Sports Coordinator. Also has been in music ensembles and has played football. Campaign Themes: Empowering the common student. Increasing ASWU's profile. ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=148 The Whitworthian obtained rough percentage numbers from the primaries. It's on their Web site. President: Peter Cleary: 36% Obe Quarless: 29% Tyler Hamilton: 28% Luis Lopez: 4% Executive Vice President: Kalen Eshoff: 93% Financial Vice President: Kendra Hamilton: 42% Carl Chan: 40% Mark Baker: 17% Now let's go back to my post-primary analysis: I’m willing to bet, however, that between Mark and Chan, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=147 Correction: Peter Cleary was correct when he stated that all execs are paid the same. I was going off of a document that was only, essentially, an experiment. The document did not note it was an experiment, so that was the problem. This is my first experience LiveBlogging. Beware. I ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=146 One of the biggest frustrations for voters during the election is figuring out the differences between opponents. That's one of the reasons I've pushed the So tell me, what's the difference between you and your opponent? Don't worry. You can actually say you're better than your opponent. Because if you aren't, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=145 Originally on my schedule I had planned to do a politically-themed top ten list this week. Well…we’re getting enough of politics right now. This next list took me almost literally a billion years to try to figure out how to frame appropriately. I had in mind the topics I was ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=144 Let's talk about sex. Cnn had an article earlier this week saying that "A survey of sex therapists concluded the optimal amount of time for sexual intercourse was 3 to 13 minutes. " That doesn't include foreplay, of course. To gather this data, the women in these playful situations were given ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=143 It's a good night to be from Stewart. President: Peter Cleary Obe Quarless ----- Cleary and Quarless. Nobody would have predicted. Well, technically, Obe predicted it exactly in a conversation I had with him in the dining hall tonight. The guy knows the student body. They were the two candidates to offer the most specific suggestions and ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=141 Here's a fun little game to try to see if you can detect any differences between the ASWU candidate's campaigns. I’ve taken the little phrases on their campaign posters and scrambled them. See if you can figure out who it’s coming from. Be warned. It’s may be a bit tougher ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=140 One of the ways the FVP represents the student body is through the Budget and Finance committee. Now, their word is not necessarily final, but they can be an important force in deciding how student money is spent. Considering students don't get a choice in whether they pay student fees, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=139 If you're elected, a year from now the student body will ask whether you lived up to the hype. They will ask what the fallout from their vote has been. The problem is, we need a rubric. Give us your promises. Give us your plans. So here's the challenge: At the end of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=138 And then there was one. In what seems like a classic slasher flick, the list of potential EVP's has been pared down from seven to a mere solitary one. They were picked off one by one. A few, like Amanda Plumb, just never decided to run. Others, like Luis Lopez and ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=136 Sophomore year, I wrote very short parody of It's A Wonderful Life, for the Stall Street Journal. The George Bailey character, maddened by too much blue tape on the campus, wished that ASWC didn't exist. He woke up to discover a world radically different. While nothing on campus had really ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=134 As all of the AWSU candidates were taping up their campaign posters, I was with Katie Zerkel finalizing my decision to drop out of the FVP race. I would like to take the time to explain my rationale for this decision. I operate to the best of my capacity on ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=135 Out of all the candidates thus far, Luis probably has the strongest narrative on his Facebook page. Everybody roots for the underdog, and Luis positions himself as the underdog, the daredevil (the Roosevelt quote) and somebody who genuinely loves Whitworth. Whitworth gave him a chance, he seems to say, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=133 A smattering of questions for Mark Baker, who's running for ASWU financial vice-president. (Full disclosure: He is the Whitworthian financial reporter, but we have little contact.) On your facebook Election page you post "I plan on implementing some clarity into the FVP position. Previous Vice Presidents have been allowed to manipulate ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=132 At Whitworth, the first 24 hours of a campaign may be the most important. First impressions are everything, and name recognition is the strongest with the people who've campaigned the largest and longest. And so it begins. Never, in the history of man, has so much blue tape been used by ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=131 There's a problem that many ASWU execs run into in their first few days of office. The problem of purpose. The problem of role. What am I s'pposed to do? many execs ask themselves. As Scott Donnell said during the interview for the accountability report: "My role is one of the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=130 As I alluded to in a previous post, often the greater Whitworth community doesn't actually get their questions about ASWU candidates answered. The rhetoric of elections often don't go beyond a few vague fragmented buzzwords (Accountability! Experience! Nice hair!) I'm hoping the Forum can help change that. I've given each candidate ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=129 The shot has fired, and the runners are off. But that doesn't mean they've all began from the same starting line. Some of the students gunning for the ASWU executive positions have an advantage over others. Here are the students that are coming in with the biggest headstart in the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=128 High school elections were simple. There was a very basic hierarchy, at least at my school, of things important to the student body in the campaign. In rapidly-descending order: 1. Sense of Humor. 2. Posters, Name recognition. 3. Professionalism. 4. Issues. A funny -- or even psuedo-funny -- irreverent campaign would beat a polished professional ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=127 It's a little upsetting to hear some of the comments made by people in my communication ethics class. These comments are upsetting because people seem to misunderstand some very central tenets of ethical theories... and the professor doesn't correct the misunderstandings. So in brief, there are two major ideas that keep ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=126 Update: Seth Flory is no longer running. See his post for why. Update: Chelsie Hall is not running either.   Update: Vi Nguyen is no longer running. That makes Corey and Kalen the only candidates for EVP. Note about future posts: Unless I hear differently, candidates can't actually comment on issues about ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=123 There has been a great deal of controversy this past week over some statements made by Barack Obama's former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Reuters reports: In sermons widely circulated in the media, Wright has called the September 11, 2001, attacks retribution for U.S. foreign policy, cited the U.S. government as the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=124 Mark Sherridan informs me in the comments that a new blog, focused on the ASWU elections, has popped up on the magical fields of the Internet. Here is the post. I shall provide helpful commentary. I, Publius, A search on the Whitworth Student directory reveals no students named Publius. ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=122 I was going to do one of these each week, but I have had absolutely no work to do for the past few days so here's the next one a few days early. This week's topic is the Greatest Photos of 2004-2008. For each photo I will provide (when available) the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=121 In an announcement that feels like an Onion headline reject, the Catholic Church has revealed a list of seven additional "mortal sins" created to keep pace with the modern world's wickedness. The Vatican's semi-official newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, broke the story and the list, which includes (in layman's terms): Polluting Genetic ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=120 This week in essay writing, we were asked to write an essay composed exclusively of quotations (real or approximate), and use this format as a way of opening polemic space about a culturally relevant topic. Here’s what I came up with. Feel free to add your own quotations or to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=119 A few weeks ago when I started compiling topics for these lists I noticed a recurring theme: death. More than a handful of times the events that affected our world in the past four years initiated or concluded with someone passing away. Usually when a person of a certain level ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=118 Let me preface this by saying that I have a vested interest in the topic. I am going to be in Whitworth's Master in Teaching program next year, and hoping to become a high school teacher shortly thereafter. For my Essay Writing class, we were told to find quotations about something ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=117 This forum tends to spark good conversations with people I respect, so I wanted to bring this topic here. My branch of communication studies is speech, rather than journalism, so there are accepted norms in the journalistic profession I'm not fully aware of... and I hope my writing this does ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=116 Two weeks ago I covered news stories, last week I covered scientific achievements…it’s time to liven things up a bit. From now on I’ll stagger my lists between the “for serious” and the “eh, just for fun” categories. So why not start of the fun categories with a stereotypically fun ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=115 I didn’t used to like Spokane.  This is for a few reasons. One is that one of my best friends in high school, who moved to my hometown from Spokane our freshman year, told me that Spokane was past its prime.  She liked that it had real winters, but other ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=114 I have just returned from a trip to the Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Olympia. Allow me to offer up a vague summary of recollections and applications of what I learned and experienced during this weekend. First of all, the breakfast was delicious and I could've eaten an entire plate of roasted ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=113 So, I have figured out, through a few experiments and some format finagling tricks, how to send emails to the entire campus. I apologize for the grammatical errors throughout that test e-mail. If I knew it would work, I would have spellchecked more closely. I've considered writing how I did it. So, do ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=112 This isn't necessarily something I like talking about. It's much easier to, like so many people when their predictions or analysis don't come true, just pull a retcon. "Oh, yeah. I knew that Phantom Menace was a lousy movie the entire time. I would never have given it a positive review ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=111 I was reminded of this fun little logical mistake in ethics class today. Check it out: Media portrayals of violence, the claim went, cause violent behavior in young Americans. Some 40,000 images of violence will cross before the eyes of teenagers, apparently. When media violence is said to be a causal factor ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=109 Well folks, here’s my second edition of Top Ten Lists. The feedback on the forum was pretty good last week, but the feedback from talking to some of you in person was even better. Hopefully this week will have a little more of each. The topic for this week’s list is ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=108 Ah, how the laws of gravity cause the orbit of the earth to bring the turn of the seasons, ushering in spring (trust me, soon) with its above-freezing temperatures and maybe, one can hope, a little green grass. There’s something less pleasant which spring brings around, however, and I’m ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=107 There'd been some hemming and hawing in Hollywood about whether the film industry's premiere awards show could go on without its needed scribes. But thanks to the writers' strike ending after almost 100 long days, indeed, There Will Be Oscars. So before the Academy renders my personal opinions null and void ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=106 Update: Added Mark Baker for FVP Update: Added Vi Nguyen for EVP. Update: Added Tyler Hamilton for President and EVP. Just as I've finally gotten used to saying "Eh Ess Triple You" instead of "Ass-whack," ASWU Elections for next year began to be hinted at. Next year, obviously, Whitworth ceases to exist entirely ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=105 ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=104 Come on, who doesn’t like lists? We can never have enough of them! Over Christmas break the history major in me was contemplating being a senior in college and was looking for a way to commemorate everything we’ve been through in the last four years. And when I say “we,” ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=103 Update: According to an e-mail from Scott Donnell, the dead week is happening from May 5-10, not at April as (I believe) was originally stated at the ASWU meeting last Wednesday. Also, it will be called the "Week of Jubilee," probably inspired from the term "Day of Jubilee," a ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=102 Yep, Valentine’s Day was last week, and no one’s posted that cynical/probing piece on it yet, so I thought I’d give you folks a look at my thoughts on Feb. 14.               I walk into the HUB and spot the mail line snaking half-way into Lied Square, some students holding ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=101 Have you finished filling out your course evaluation forms yet? Yea, me neither. I'm about to admit to something that is a little petty and shallow and, well, I know it is. But I have an issue with the evaluation form process here at Whitworth and would like to see ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=100 On the 29th of January, 6-14 students got together and buried the "Big Ugly" - aka the statue in front of the library. Here are some photos that show the event: http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=99 Student government campaign season is coming up in about a month, and my commentator toes are already tingling. The best part, besides snickering at the vague, fluffy campaign promises (I'll build community by listening to the disconnected in a pro-active way!), is hoping they'll be some incredible advertising. I ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=98 The Whitworth Forum (this site you read at this very moment) has seen some limited success. There have been some important issues raised, some incisive commentary, and some unbelievable deals on prime-rate mortages in the comment spam. Yet, in some ways, the Forum has fallen short. There, frankly, aren't enough ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=96 I love higher ed. Oh, not actually attending college. I just love the idea of higher ed. Reading about it. Discussing it. Analyzing the problems and flaws. Most of all, I like to scrutinize the culture, observing how students deal with the twilight zone between childhood and adulthood, how the reality ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=95 Allow me to invent a new word today: "Awaring." I declare that this word is now a legitimate verb in the English language and has the definition "to make one aware of a problem." Already ahead of the game, Whitworth is packed to the pinecones with people who spend hours ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=94 Let's make one thing clear. I have a bias. I have a vested interest in wanting the Whitworthian to succeed. When, on those bleary-eyed Monday morning, we send the Whitworthian PDFs to Garland Printing for 2500 copies to be printed, I want those 50,000 pages to be the best they can be. When ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=91 I'll start with a little bit of background. I read a lot of album reviews, and a lot of top ten lists. A few years ago, I decided that I should start writing out a top albums list at the end of each year. It's been a lot of fun so ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=90 Do me a favor, the next time you find yourself in the old Fine Arts Building, take a moment to examine the Koehler gallery. No, don't allow yourself to be distracted by the art within, though the black sculptures of banana's do present a compelling portrayal of the contradictions manifest in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=89 I do a lot of criticizing of Whitworth. I think the school is full of a variety of deep-seeded problems, and I express that opinion regularly. Part of that’s because, well, complaining about what’s wrong often forces changes. Going on and on about good things may make people feel fuzzy ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=88 Writing on the wall in the painting room of the art building. And there are too many dead things in there. About the photo: Although the actual taking of this photo isn't the most intriguing thing (besides getting the composition set in a way to make it interesting, especially with the white ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=87 I followed a few stories about a British teacher in Sudan who almost got executed for a student project. Apparently, Gillian Gibbons asked her students to name a class teddy bear with their favorite name. The young students went with "Mohammed." Gibbons was jailed and faced more jail time and ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=86 Much has been made of the "Vandalism" incident in the Art Building. There's only one problem. It can't, by any regular stretch, really be considered vandalism. Somebody, in the wee morning hours of Nov. 12, broke into the Whitworth Koehler Gallery, took down the Official Featured Art, and replaced ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=85 “Charity used to escape demands for justice furthers oppression," said Nick Wolterstoff in a lecture he gave at Whitworth 3 years ago. Wolterstoff was talking about Afrikaaners (of which I am one) in South Africa giving charity to poor black people while oppressing them with their racist Apartheid politics. The ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=84 I have been pushing since my sophomore year for a Gay-Straight Alliance to be chartered at Whitworth-- to no avail. As far as I can tell, the barrier is being placed by Administration. It seems that many students, even students who do not support homosexuality, see the merit of a ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=83 One of my favorite plays of all time (which I've only read, not seen performed) is Henrick Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. In it, a doctor in a small coastal community makes a disturbing discovery. The hot springs, which the entire town's tourism -- its livelihood, it's economy -- ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=82 When I saw the front page of this week's Whitworthian I rolled my eyes. The main headline reads, "Pirates sent packing," in reference to the soccer teams second round losses in the NCAA Division III tournament. To me, that's an awful tone for reporting the end to exemplary seasons for both ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=81 The documentary series "Seven up!" starts with a very ambitious goal: To record the dreams, hopes, and conditions of fourteen British seven-year olds, and then, every seven years, check up on them. The first movie "Seven up" led to "Seven plus seven," "35 up" and, most recently, "49 up." It would ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=80 [Updated on November 11, 2007) Every so often on the Forum, I will briefly doff my pajamas of blogging, and slip into the fedora, sports coat, and old-timey mustache of my position of Whitworthian Opinions Editor. The entire purpose of an Opinions section is to serve as a collection of variety of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=78 1. The proximity access system is MUCH more convenient than having to reach deep into your pocket, fumble for your keys, try several of the wrong keys, and then try the right key upside down, try to turn it the wrong way, before then and only then gaining access to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=79 You know you hate it. You know that whenever the phrase "Core 350" is mentioned your throat constricts, your blood bubbles and boils, and your fingernails curl back into your bone. The problem with the phrase, "Core 350," of course, is that it is associated with the class Core 350. "Ah, Daniel," ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=77 [Note: This post was edited on September 7th.] For you freshmen, you uninitiated in the ways of student government, you may not realize how mind-blowingly huge the number "2" is. Consider this: When I was dorm senator, back in the halcyon days of 2005-2006, we only did two constituency reports the entire ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=76 Last week Maria Johnson wrote an opinion article about the conscience ("an inborn sense of right and wrong, by which we judge the moral character of human conduct") and its role in Christian views. She concluded, in short, that the conscience is an insufficient "moral compass" and that children must be ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=75 I considered writing a lengthy post describing all the environmental initiatives Whitworth is implementing. But Whitworth already wrote a list for me. I suggest reading it. You may improve your perception of the university. http://www.whitworth.edu/sustainability/ http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=74 Imagine the endurance of soccer fused with the roughness of football and you might taste part of the glory that is rugby. This is a sport of gentlemen, a sport unhindered by pride or money, a sport celebrated in every continent, country, and even in every state of our great ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=73 Police have tasered another person to death (this time it wasn't in Spokane). These police with their electroshock weapons are acting increasingly like attack dogs. They arrive on the scene and, by default, incapacitate the person. There's little consideration of alternatives. They show up and bite (they addressed the man in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=72 So, how are they? http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=71 I ran into an article yesterday that I thought would be interesting to share here. It is a book review of Pulitzer Prize winning writer Charlie Savage's book Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy. I haven't read the book, but the gist is that ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=70 Last week, 35 members on the Board of Trustees were here on our campus. ASWU asked for feedback from hundreds of students about what they would say to the Board about their Whitworth experience so far this year. I presented these answers to the Board last Friday, and ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=69  Right now, the most commented-on and read story on the Whitworthian Web site is a column by Maria Johnson.  At risk of simplifying her argument, she claims it is "appalling" that Whitworth has a nude figure drawing class. She believes that a Christian university should not offer such a class, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=68 First of all, one doesn't. I don't like the title - I'd prefer "How does one approach the unknowable?" or something in that vein. Anyway, it's an excellent question. I decided to bring it up here because this site is host to some great discussions, and is the stomping ground of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=67 On last Wednesday's ASWU meeting, Dr. Dick Mandeville asked for input about the Resident Area Policy policy, (RAP policy, for short.) (On a quick side note, Mandeville is an adequate dean of discipline name. It's a cross between "The Man" and "Cruella de Ville." But the top prize goes to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=66 In my haste to post my previous post on Saga Terminology I forgot one of the most important Saga terms: Saga Rejection: Occasionally, some people decide that the best place to have their private conversation, secret meeting, or heartbreaking DTR is in the most populated place on campus. Then you come cheerfully ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=65 The concept, the idea, the philosophy of "Saga" is as pivotal to Whitworth as the concept of Tao is to ancient China. (I'm going to say "Saga" instead of Sodexho or the Dining Hall, because that's what most students use. I'm a populist like that. And it's shorter. And more epic.) Naturally, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=62 I’m in a unique position to set the tone of the entertainment here at Whitworth. Your student fees fund ASWU, which means that the entertainment here is paid for with your money. I want to be a good steward of your money. So here are my questions- Who do you ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=63 The new security systems on our doors amuse me for a variety of reasons. The first, is the notion that Whitworth really needs a security system. -There's a reason why people leave  their backpacks, containing valuable laptops and textbooks, just sitting outside the dining hall. They're safe. Nobody's going to grab and ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=60 An article was published in the Whitworthian online this week (coincidentally, this article was written by myself) covering a lecture by Richard Cizik. He is vice president of governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals. This forum offers me the ability to detach myself from the groups I am publicly ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=61 If you were not at our ASWU meeting this last Wednesday, you should know that it was filled with many "firsts."  If was the first time that eight newly-elected representatives and one BJ Senator joined our family; the first cake and music party scheduled as part of our meeting; the first (and last) time that ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=59  Look through the archives of the Whitworthian opinions section and you'll find numerous, numerous, numerous columns whining about the Ring by Spring aspect of the "Little Three." In fact, Traditiators aren't even allowed to mention the "Ring by Spring" to their freshmen. To them, the "Little Three" only has two ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=54 So, walking from class to class on campus, you get to see all sorts of student transportation. Biking still seems to be the preferred method, but there is also a great number of guys (and a few girls) riding longboards around. The trusty old skateboards and Razor scooters are in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=58 I will begin this by admitting my total fear of posting anything on the Whitworth Forum in the wake of the great debates I have already been reading on here. I appreciate the opportunity this place can potentially provide for the sounding off of truly individual opinions. This brings me to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=53 Dani King wrote a fun article about four different types of Whitworth Fashion. I think she misses the biggest category of Whitworth Fashion: The Sweatshirt and Jeans. Ideally the sweatshirt has a barbecue sauce on it and this is the fourth day the jeans are being worn. Which brings to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=52 An opinions article in the Whitworthian online tells the autobiographical story of Elizabeth Johnson's visit to the Creation Museum in Kentucky. It is not a strictly Whitworth topic, but I believe it's an issue Whitworth students should be interested in, if they are not already. Our university's science faculty teaches the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=51 This is an excerpt from "How to Win Whitworth," a guide for new freshmen. Whitworth Terminology. -That metal hunk in front of the library? That’s known as the “Big Ugly.â€? The artist set out to create the Biggest Ugly imaginable, and he succeeded admirably. -There’s far less clarity over the name of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=50 One of the things that many members of ASWU proclaim during campaigning is that they will represent the students. Some of them are even gutsy enough to get into specifics; they say they will increase the number and quality of constituency reports taken this year. After all, constituency reports are ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=49 Significant portions of the world's Muslims consider America the Great Satan. Significant portions of Americans seem to consider Muslims little Anti-Christs. So? This posting is intended not as a rebuttal to what Nathan Harrison wrote in the opinions section of this week's Whitworthian, but as an opening to fuel more discussion. ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=48 Many of you are reading this blog instead of studying for your first Core 250 test. *Tsk tsk tsk.* Fortunately, I'm here to help you study. I thought to myself, what if I wrote a song that would perfectly outline all various ideas philosophy and psychology, all sung to a ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=47 If you haven’t ventured into the library or Weyerhaeuser in the last few weeks, you might have missed the plethora of receptacles for people’s recycling now.  We now have containers to segregate glass and plastics from our garbage.  There are even three different types of bins for paper. Though I still ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=46 Yesterday, you may have noticed more than 100 people walking around with day-glo orange shirts on. The shirts said "orphan," alluding to the depressingly large number of African children who were orphaned because of AIDS. Now, I'm all for stopping AIDS. So is most of America. We spend a considerably larger ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=45 One of the coolest things about sites like this are the way it allows people to express their ideas without a filter. It's far more real when people aren't assigned a specific topic. When they can simply honestly lay out their views for all too see. Which is why I would ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=44 I remember my freshman year of high school and being in a state of  “Wow, I’m finally in high school!  I feel so mature!!â€?  I was, of course, interested in the cool new memorabilia, like school sweatshirts, letterman’s jackets, and Advanced Algebra books–pretty much anything that proved I was in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=43 Check out this article in this week's Whitworthian. I'm especially inarticulate in it, and it refers to posts as "blogs," but it's cool to see this site mentioned. (Unfortunately , the print edition fails to mention the url of the site) I wanted to clarify something else in the article. It ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=42 Community Building Day has always been one of Whitworth best ideas. It's one of Whitworth's biggest PR coups. It has a dual meaning, obviously. It's meant to build the community around Spokane, but also to build community at Whitworth. That's why it's disappointing to learn that, as of last year, Whitworthians were ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=41 Think of someone you love. If you’re a freshman, the cute boy you’ve noticed for a week and never talked to does not count. Seriously, think of someone you know you truly love. Now think of the last time you hugged that person. Many children’s studies show that children need ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=40 "Saga sucks." Does it really? I definitely used to. I lived on campus 2003 through 2005 and I distinctly remember the "chicken fried steak". It was fish. And it was only one meal having an identity crisis. Things have changed: now, we have vegan selections, meats from actual animals (they cut it in ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=37 Good people of the Whitworth Forum, as of 0800 hours this morning I christened this site by smashing a glass bottle of Orange Soda on the bow of my laptop. Today, we officially launch. I'm sure there's still bugs to work out. I'm sure that this site can still use some ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=38 I wonder how much of an impact cartography has had on the course of history. Of course, the age-old science of map construction has always been important, but I wonder about the psychological impact of how maps are laid out. For example, the world map on the wall downstairs in Weyerhauser shows ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=39 A recent article by USA Today (The Pop-Up Picture book of newspapers) asserts that college counseling services are overpacked with students. There are two possibilities for this, from what I see. Either people are getting more depressed, stressed, or mentally taxed or people are simply turning to Official Counseling services ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=36 Microsoft is so polite. When I typed "mete" in the process of writing a paper, Word 2007 gently underlined the obscure noun in blue. Not red; no, that would imply I was wrong. But blue, as if to say, "Look, you probably just typoed, so we wanted to check and ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=35 If I were to describe our cafeteria to my friends in Manhattan, I'd tell them it feels like the green line. On the green line, you are a sardine. You must be Gumby or play rugby to get off at your stop. You will walk like cattle along the platform, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=34 If you are anything -- even a little tiny bit -- like me, then you hate textbooks. You hate reading them, you hate looking at them, you hate studying from them, and most of all, you hate buying them. So several hundred dollars later, as I feel the entirely unsatisfying ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=30 I love the English language. Its my favorite for a number of reasons. I'm practically fluent. This comes from the fact that my parents intentionally exposed me to it at an early age. We don't have to worry about guy words, girl words, and androgynous words like you do in some languages. ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=33 Starting Fresh Count your blessings... that doesn't sound quite right in our vernacular. The phrase is a bit old-school. This year is a new beginning for Whitworth. We're a university. We're like that band you loved (before they got popular, found the radio, and sold out to the infernal Man) when they ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=32 Today is the "In Memory of..." student life program. To make a point about drunk driving a bunch of students paint their faces white, wear black, and are silent for the rest of the day. They look like mimes, but not those eerily happy mimes that jovially accost you in Europe ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=31 There's a powerful sense of bliss that washes over you as a high school senior. You're at the top of the food chain. You know the ropes, know the teachers, know the inner workings of your school. In fact, you know almost everyone. You've had four years to get to know ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=29 As you read this, bear in mind that I will often level a criticism against a group. Sometimes, I either am or have been a member of said group. Thus, before even considering being offended by what I say, remember that I just might be criticizing myself as well. Whitworth University ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=27 This year, Whitworth dropped 4 rankings on the US News and World Report ranking for Best Universities-Master's, West. Where we once were 3rd for Best Values- Master's West. We were beaten out by- of all the Universities in the world- Gonzaga. (Although other rankings systems disagree.) From the Whitworthian article on the ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=28 At the ASWU meeting last night, I learned that there had been yet another incident of people tearing posters off of (I believe) a person's door. Now, angrily tearing down posters is as old as College itself. Go through the Whitworthian archives and within four years you'll find incidents of people ripping ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=26 "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." First, I would like to commend my fellow writer of the Whitworthian, Galen Sanford ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=25 "Senior Stefan Robinson originally planned to dress up as either an angel or a demon for this year's student identification photo. When he heard students would be prohibited from using props or masks in their ID photos, however, Stefan found a creative way to get around the restriction. If you haven’t seen Stefan’s ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=24 I've been strongly in favor of keeping this blog purely an unofficial student affair, and not an official part of ASWU, the Whitworthian, or Whitworth in general. This was several reasons: I wanted this blog to be a generally uncensored open forum, I wanted to protect the ASWU and Whitworthian ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=22 For those of you not reading the paper these days there's been some significant news: (Ranked in descending order of significance) 1. Alex the Grey Parrot, possessing a vocabulary rivaling the smartest of simians, has died at age 31. 2. Vladimir Putin dissolved his government in honor of Alex. Putin is rumored to ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=23 Wait, you mean Muslims can be Christians? But if they're Christians, aren't they automatically not Muslims? To be Christians, they'd have to go to church, right? They'd need to claim Muhammad was a false prophet, that Allah and God are dialectical, that Jesus was born of a virgin, right? They must ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=16 Being a business major I often use the cost to benefit ratio approach to evaluate decisions. When Whitworth established its “no hole policyâ€? three years ago I quickly applied the policy to the cost/benefit approach. First I would like to point out that the year previous to the “no hole policyâ€?, ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=21 It's the 6th anniversary of the day that the bland calendar date- September the 11th, normally only meaningful to a few people because of their birthday or anniversary- became steeped in deep, sober Meaning. After the outpouring of patriotism in the first few years- some genuine and moving, some cheesy and ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=20 Get ready to kiss Whitworth's student-run radio station goodbye. After years of broadcasting in the shadow of larger college stations -- Gonzaga's classical station or Eastern Washington's all-jazz, for example -- what was once just the underdog is now going under. Come next year, KWRS will abandon its slice of ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=9 In our first class session of "Religion and Public Life in America" with Jerry Sittser, we talked about the notion of America as a "Christian nation" and the implications of that phrase. We are a nation that has undoubtedly been affected by Christian moral teachings and, to some extent, basic ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=19 One of the best services that the ASWU offers is free newspapers for student perusal. In the midst of the fury and hubub of classes and activities at College, it's easy to forget that there are, in fact, things happening in the outside world. Newspapers like the Spokesman, the New York ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=18 The title contains my complete conclusion concerning convocation. Agree? http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=15 As a former ASWC Senator, I've been infamously critical and cynical towards Whitworth's student government. Usually I've found it to be a fairly insular organization, focused more on its own rules, procedures, and events than on reaching out to either the students or the administration. But I've got to hand it ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=12 Sometime in 2004, my travels through the music jungle led me to discover one of the greatest pop-chameleons of all time: The Thin White Duke himself. David Bowie. But while Bowie's constant posturing and reinventing gave us Aladdin Sane, Ziggy Stardust, and his current fashion-rock star form, it also yielded one ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=13 What a turnout. The multi-cultural reception Thursday evening was packed full of Whitworth community members. The event kicked off the first cultural event of the 2007 school year. And it wasn’t just ASWU members who attended – students, faculty, administrators and cabinet members were there as well. Even President Bill Robinson ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=14 One of the lines for intros for Mock Rock I regretted cutting for time, went like this: “And the use of the following songs will result in an automatic dishonorable disqualification: “Nooma Noomaâ€? “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy.â€? “Circle of Life, from the Lion Kingâ€? "Or anything from Disney, for ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=11 In the last 24 hours, my housemates and I have welcomed a new member to our home for a short time. This gentleman is currently searching for local housing, and having quite a difficult time of it. We're doing our best to plug him into local communities and find him ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=7 As I saw all the freshmen move in, I observed them buying textbooks from the bookstore. I wanted to yell, Star-Wars-like, "Don't buy those books! It's a trap! You don't actually need them! You can get them cheaper by sharing them between 5 different people." But I didn't. Sometimes-- like learning a ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=8 According to Student Email All, sovereign lord of my inbox, my face may no longer appear in ID photos. The exact wording of the email is:No props or "faces" will be allowed for 2007 ID pictures.I have written a computer simulation to determine what this will mean for future ID ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=6 As those of you who don't automatically delete any ASWC(U) email know, this year the Fun-Squashing hammer has finally come down on goofy student pictures. In previous years students would construct elaborate disguises for their picture to fool any bloodthirsty killers who try to hunt them down on Stalker net. But ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=5 You’ve probably heard of people who- due to weakened immune systems, deadly illnesses or dramatic allergies- are forced to live their entire life encased in what’s essentially a plastic bubble. If that bubble has even the slightest hole- waves of deadly bacteria rush in. The irony, of course, with hyper-sanitized ... http://www.whitworthforum.com/?p=4