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A Letter from Mr. Pickens 04 Queeries: On Other Closets 08 Annual Essay Writing Advice 09 A Summer Survival Guide 12
St. John’s College • 60 College Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401 • Feb. 28, 2012 • Vol. XXXIII • Issue 18
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<< Cover: Living large on Reality’s RMS Titanic, freshmen gamble at Lola’s. Photo by Henley Moore. >> Too Much Light: The cast performs “Old Awakening” on Saturday night. A review of their performance can be found on Pg. 10. Photo by Jonathan Whitcomb-Dixon. The student newspaper of St. John’s College 60 College Avenue Annapolis, Maryland 21401 gadfly@sjca.edu
Editors-in-Chief Danny Kraft Grace Tyson Assistant Editors Nathan Goldman Ian Tuttle Layout Editor Hayden Pendergrass Assistant Layout Editors Hau Hoang Amy Stewart Staff Sebastian Abella Melissa Gerace Jonathan Barone Robert Malka Tommy Berry Sarah Meggison Joshua Snyder Jonathan Whitcomb-Dixon Charles Zug Business Manager Honore Hodgson Photographer Henley Moore Contributors Virginia Early Hannah Pasternak Maryellen Markuske Leo Pickens Barbara McClay Liam Wallace !
Founded in 1980, The Gadfly is the student newspaper distributed to over 600 students, faculty, and staff of the Annapolis campus. Opinions expressed within are the sole responsibility of the author(s). The Gadfly reserves the right to accept, reject, and edit submissions in any way necessary to publish the most professional, informative, and thought-provoking newspaper which circumstances at St. John’s College permit. Articles submitted will be edited for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and length in most cases. The Gadfly is not obligated to publish all submissions except under special circumstances. The Gadfly meets every Sunday at 7 PM in the lower level of the Barr-Buchanan Center. Articles should be submitted by Friday at 11:59 PM to gadfly@sjca.edu.
!"#$%!&'#(!$)*++,!!##$*($,(%!-&)!,*(.$ Looking at Junior Math > Barbara McClay, A’12
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his Thursday, February 23, the SCI convened to discuss the efficacy of the junior mathematics tutorial. Did it really prepare students for the math in junior and senior lab? And did the amount of secondary sources required to discuss Newton (for instance) damage the quality of the discussion in junior math? It was agreed upon by everybody present that, as it stands, junior math does not prepare students for the math they are asked to understand in the junior and senior laboratory. Beyond this agreement, however, there was great disagreement as to how to solve the problem, or even how serious the problem really was. If the aim of the mathematics tutorial, as a whole, was to teach “math for reading knowledge,” then in some ways the mathematics tutorial could not be fairly condemned for failing to produce students fluent in using calculus. Just as the language tutorial aimed at producing a reading knowledge of Greek rather than the ability to compose in Greek, the mathematics tutorial was meant to open up dense mathematical texts for the reader, albeit without giving them those exact mathematical tools. The fact, then, that students could not necessarily use calculus or design proofs on their own was not a valid criticism of the mathematics tutorial. In that case, the concern would merely be in tweaking the existing junior math sequence into being more tailored for the knowledge necessary in later semesters. This might mean resurrecting some of the old calculus manual or introducing papers to cover key concepts currently untouched by the tutorial. However, that specific tailoring of the study of calculus—from a subject worth studying in itself to a subject studied to understand other texts—was also a concern raised by those in attendance. Did we really study calculus for its own sake, or simply to understand Leibniz? In addition, some took issue with the way the mathematics tutorial fails to teach students how to think creatively with mathematics. Shouldn’t we want to produce students with the ability to use math, rather than simply read about it? Another issue raised was that the junior mathematics tutorial, by opening with the question of whether or not calculus is a valid form of mathematics, failed to address that question by considering the work of later mathematicians who answered it in the affirmative. This meant that students could finish the tutorial under the impression that there was something essentially suspect or magical about calculus, without even being aware of the work done later to address this exact concern. The study of Dedekind at the end of the semester, although intended to fix this problem, often failed to seem to students connected in any way to the study of calculus earlier in the year. In the discussion of Newton, overall, it was agreed that the proliferation of secondary sources was not a serious problem. On the other hand, some sources were not available to all students, which could be problematic. Whether or not the situation called for an official college manual or commentary on Newton remained unresolved. !
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{ !"#$%&'(
$*-%*&*"#
How will your seminar character spend Spring Break? +,()*"
}
$#()*"
Sophocles
Michel de Montaigne
John Locke
William James
Antigone will “hang out” on the beach.
Montaigne is going to Brazil to taste the native cuisine.
Locke is going to kill a man who put himself into a state of war with him by stealing his bicycle.
William James is going people-watching.
> Sebastian Abella > Nathan Goldman
> Sebastian Abella
> Grace Tyson
NEXT WEEK
What is your seminar character’s “ideal” date?
In Response to “Bursting the Johnnie Bubble” > Maryellen Markuske, A’15
T
he mandate in question, which is a part of a larger health How did the original law appear to affect religious freedoms? care law, the Affordable Care Act, was in no way meant It depended on your decision to assign any organization that to restrict religious freedoms. Its purpose is simply to provide hires employees the economic right to deny those employees the option of affordable, preventative health care treatments access to legitimate means of preventative health care on the to all women. basis of the religious affiliation of the organization. But, as of How does the mandate work? Originally, it would require February 10th, the current White House administration has employers to provide the coverage of women’s preventative decided to make attempts at amending the law. Under the treatments within their employee’s health benefit plans free new regulations, should employers retain the right to deny of co-pays or deductibles. The treatments include, among such coverage, the responsibility would fall on the insurance others, testing and counseling for various sexually transmitted companies themselves to ensure that those same employees infections, domestic violence screening, breastfeeding would receive a health care option containing those same supplies, and various types of preventative methods devoid of costcontraception. Acceptable contraception sharing. Of course, the law in no options are all FDA approved, and none Personally, I believe that health care of them—not even approved emergency is a human right as surely as religious way requires anyone to contraceptives such as the morning freedom is. Therefore, there should be take contraceptives. The after pill—can be termed “abortifacient.” no discrimination in determining who These methods work either by restricting decision to use preventa- receives access to legitimate means of the flow of sperm from reaching and safe, dependable care. This includes tive birth control would fertilizing an egg or preventing the body economic discrimination—reputable remain a personal matter. studies have shown that more than half from releasing the egg from the ovaries, never by terminating a fertilized egg. of all women have been deterred from How does the mandate affect employers and employees? using preventative health care treatments because of the high While recognized houses of worship (churches, etc.) would cost created by cost-sharing plans. This is unfortunate, because have been exempt, some religiously affiliated organizations the majority of diseases contracted by women are preventable. would have still been required to present these treatment Whether someone is making the responsible choice to use options as part of their employee benefit plans. For example, contraceptives, get a mammogram test, or be screened for should a teacher at a religiously-affiliated school choose to any possible sexually transmitted infection, it should be utilize FDA approved contraceptives, the health care plan of available to them at the lowest possible cost. When that cost that institution would be required to cover the cost of those is free, everyone can pay it. Even for insurance companies treatments. Likewise, a doctor working for a religiously themselves, the cost of coverage should be lessened, because affiliated hospital would receive the same opportunity to make patients who have access to safe, preventative health care the same choice. Of course, the law in no way requires anyone often don’t find it necessary to use emergency, reactive health to take contraceptives. The decision to use preventative birth care as frequently. control would remain a personal matter. Neither would it affect The Affordable Care Act can be read in full, or in part, existing “conscience laws,” which allow doctors of particular at www.healthcare.gov. For information on the types of faiths to choose not to prescribe contraceptive methods. contraceptives approved by the FDA, go to www.fda.gov. !
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The Gadfly A Letter from Mr. Pickens Concerning New Croquet Rules
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The Gadfly
> photos by Roger J. Robertson, Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;11
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!"#$%&%'"((%)* Drag Ball
> illustrations by Sasha Welm, Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;14
!"#$%&'$!()*+(, Lola’s
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!!!!!"##$%#&: On Other Closets
> Hannah Pasternak, A’12
T
here’s this guy I’ve been flirting with at synagogue. He I didn’t always feel obligated to obey this particular has the most beautiful blue eyes, and he makes me laugh, religious ordinance, and I didn’t particularly want to, either. and he is enough of a gentleman (and enough of a flirt) to The change is relatively recent, only a year and a half or so, insist on walking me back from services on the rare occasions and so I’m still totally new to the “how to tell people” game. when we’re both there. But I feel a little bit guilty. You see, I’m a bit of a coward about it, actually. I tell myself that I there’s something about me he doesn’t know yet. don’t want to embarrass other people, but really, I wonder if I don’t touch guys. I just feel a little bit weird for being different. I’m not talking about shaking hands or giving a friend a Because, as I said, it’s not easy. I wonder if you realize how high five, although there are people who don’t even do that— many times a day you give someone a hug to say hello, or I’m talking about hugging, kissing, and everything else that you sit next to someone and sort of cuddle while watching sort of just happens from there. I don’t do any of it. And I a movie. Touch is such a huge, assumed part of our culture didn’t just wake up one morning and and our mindset. I’ve removed myself decide that I was going to abstain from from that norm. It’s lonely. I know why I tell myself that I don’t physical contact with guys from now I’m doing it, why I have to–it’s only a want to embarrass other choice at the deepest metaphysical until I’m married just because I want to, or because it’d be fun. people, but really, I won- level–but it’s hard. I miss it. It is most decidedly not fun. And yet, here’s my chance to not der if I just feel a little bit tell, But it is something I feel like I need my chance to ignore this feeling to do. Without going deeply into the weird for being different. of obligation—and I’m passing it up: Rabbinical sources or how I came to this I’m going to tell him the next time I understanding (although I’d be happy to do so if you seek me see him. It’s not a comfortable thing to say. There’s really no out), the short version is this: touch matters. It’s supposed good way to say, “Look, um. The thing is…” He’ll at least have to matter, it’s supposed to be sexual. Those are good things. heard of the commandment, and so I won’t have to stammer But sexuality doesn’t belong everywhere, and one of the my way through an explanation of what it is and why. ways to create a neutral space for everyone is to refrain from All I’ll have to do is tell him that I’m shomerret negiah, and “affectionate touch” at all. he’ll understand. I hope. We’ll see. !
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!"#$%&"'&()*&+**$ The Boozfly was scheduled for print last week, and would have featured these exemplary athletes, but technical difficulties prevented its publication. The Jocks of the Week featured here are the winners of last Sunday’s 2 v 2 basketball tournament. Abby DeVries, A’14 & Rachel Hahn, A’13
Hunter Cox, A’13 & Jonathan Barone, A’13
Ty Kun, GI & Graham Gordon, GI
The Gadfly
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So You Have to Write an Annual Essay
> Barbara McClay, A’12
I
f you are a freshman, a sophomore, or a junior, it has meaning of a text, which ought to be answered to your own probably come to your attention that you have a very big satisfaction before any other questions can be asked. There is project to start working on right around now. Some of you may the question of the author’s relationship to his own text—the be thinking about essays past, which have proved less than vision that underlies the text in question. Finally, there are satisfactory, and are wondering how to do better. Those of you questions about your own relationship to the book you are who are freshmen are probably wondering what, exactly, the considering, which come after both of these levels. expectations for this essay are. What you have all probably It is from this third level—the level where you are forced noticed is that nobody is going to help you out very much. to consider what the book is saying about you—that your At St. John’s, we have a dim view of formal expectations. The essay questions ought to be drawn. This is the level where ideal is that you ought to write your essay out of the pure joy the questions start to become real, and the level where your of thinking seriously about a thing. However, what constitutes answers begin to matter. a serious thought—and what turns that serious thought into Second, your essay should not be a summary of the book. an essay—are not necessarily clear. A little guidance is helpful. If you are writing on Aristotle, Aquinas, or Kant this year, Even the few resources the college does offer—such as the this piece of advice is aimed particularly at you. But it is useful prize-winning essays in the library—are offered without the to everybody, no matter what their subject is. kind of commentary that might render them useful to the Many people this year will have been struck, for instance, confused or lost student. by what Aristotle says about friendship in the Ethics. Some The following comments are not endorsed by the school, of you will probably write your annual essays on this subject. or intended to be guidelines given any kind of official status. But unless your question rises above the level of “what is Instead, these are ways of thinking about the process of friendship in the Ethics,” you will discover once you turn the writing an essay that have proven helpful essay in that what you wrote was not an to me in the past, or pieces of advice that interpretation of Aristotle, but simply helped me greatly and that I would like to a rewriting of what he already said. You ...what constitutes a share with you. have not offered anything of your own, serious thought—and First, your essay needs to be about a and you did not ask a real question. what turns that serious question. This can be a difficult trap to avoid. The need for “a question” can be a thought into an essay— After all, don’t you want to be clear on stumbling block for some people. They are not necessarily clear. what you mean when you talk about want to write on something—an image, or Aristotle’s discussions of friendship? Isn’t a line, or a passage, or an idea—but they it important to establish what that means? don’t have a question. Perhaps they are intrigued by the way The answer is yes—and no. Yes, you should establish what Dante relies on Beatrice’s eyes in the Paradiso, or the way the you mean. But, no, you should never simply summarize or Republic opens, or even frustrated by Descartes’ proof of the paraphrase what Aristotle says. If you find it helpful to write a existence of God. Whatever it is, they are stuck on it, and it paraphrase, go ahead and do it. But don’t put it in your essay. won’t let them go. It doesn’t belong there. Those sticking points are not in themselves questions. But Thirdly, your essay ought to say something. they contain questions. Behind any individual’s obsession Part of asking real questions is having the courage to really with a text or a part of a text lies a real concern. Figuring out answer them. If you ask the questions that actually concern what your “question” is—your actual question—is as simple as you—questions whose answers might, perhaps, inform your asking yourself why the text matters so much to you. Whatever life—then at the end of the paper you ought to have really underlies your fixation or frustration with a text is your real addressed it. If you write an essay on Aristotle’s treatment on question. friendship this year that in no way causes you to look critically This question, ideally, will occupy a middle place between at your own friendships, then your essay is a failure. the personal and the textual. It will not be “why do I care,” An essay represents a complete thought. If, at the end of nor will it be “what does the text say.” Instead, it ought to ask: your paper, you have nothing to say about your question, then “What does this text say about the world? What does this text your thought is incomplete. You have not had the courage to say about my life?” think through your question. You have not genuinely asked it. A question should distinguish between the levels of meaning Perhaps you will turn out to be wrong. But who cares? You in a text. There is the question of the actual mechanical said something. At least you got to be wrong. !
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Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind A Review of KWP’s Rendition of The Neo-Futurists’ 30 Plays in 60 Minutes > Jonathan Whitcomb-Dixon, A’15
Joe Wood (A’12) performs “Rorschach”.
O
n February 18 and 25, alternative theater slipped back into verted fairy tale, with the dragon capturing the knight’s heart, St. John’s. To Shakespeare’s and Sophocles’ shared dread, and the ode to St. John’s, The Republic. Also, there were two Too Much Light returned with great success. Both nights they friends failing to finally sort things out and a memory of 9/11 filled the seats, despite trying their best to scare us off before from the perspective of a confused kid. The plays were a wonthe shows. derful combination, and the contribution of each cast member Before being allowed to find our seats, the actors subjected was definitely felt. the audience to a test of our will to see the show. The first The whole concept seems foreign to St. John’s, and yet Slaya night they warmed up with the strangest “performance art” Nemoy, Mary Alice Recher, Sidharth Shah, Ben Mishkin, Tomthey could conceive of, making sure to include the audience. my Berry, Anne Culpepper, Tessa Nelson, and Joseph Wood The following show they were a bit made it a natural fit for our school. pickier, having the audience audition They did not try to make it pretentious The whole concept seems before taking their seats. Luckily for us or play it for a lark, but they took it as foreign to St. John’s, and yet... serious as its nature called for. It was we stuck it out for the show. [they] made it a natural fit for definitely funny, but it definitely wasn’t If they had tried to shake us up before the show actually started, it was only in a joke, and the hard work all eight put our school. They did not try order to prepare us for the show itself. to make it pretentious or play into it was entirely evident. Despite the It was almost unsettling to move from hard work, which included rewriting it for a lark, but they took it as ten plays between the first and second questions on bestiality and Hitler’s tiserious as its nature called for. show, the cast showed us all how much rade against Stalin to serious stories on familial communication and a friend’s fun they were having. suicide, and even stranger to come out of a sad play into a masThe whole production was unexpectedly amazing. More turbation joke. “Man-O-War” was a beautiful play, but it was than just fun, it was very well done; most plays were good in something else to see that paired with Tommy Berry commit- themselves, and all of them contributed to the whole. Each ting sex crimes in two separate plays. play contributed something, whether it was Slaya tossing Throughout the night there was a bit of everything, includ- candy to the audience, or Ben finding out his parent is sick. ing even the down-to-earth. There is probably no one per- Everyone’s contribution added up to a great time, and just two son who would appreciate every single play, but also no one performances is not enough, though the cast have lives outside who could help but appreciate some plays. There was an in- of Too Much Light. !
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The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Performs Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 > Charles Zug, A’15
I
nitially, I found Maestro Novo’s interpretation of the first movement to be questionable. The strings took up each phrase with a jarring sharpness, a noticeable staccato, which caused me to reflect on the character of the entire first movement. I realized that, because the strings did not adequately hold and extend each phrase, the movement’s serene opening suffered greatly, and the progression of ideas sounded unnatural. The resultant terseness of the opening prevented the movement from gathering proper momentum and properly progressing to the manic coda. Yet I found the second movement to be particularly well done. The maestro’s choice of tempo yielded a pristine, beautiful and clear B-section, and a lovely oboe solo caused me to reconsider my initial impression of the orchestra’s competence. The third movement was slow and dancelike, not boisterous and tempestuous. Indeed, it was a scherzo in the most regal sense; maestro Novo extracted a true dance from the Allegro Giocoso, which I found to be quite new and very original.
The brass fanfare opening of the fourth movement was stupendous, and in fact it was the entirety of the last movement itself that enabled me to understand Maestro Novo’s overall interpretation of the symphony. But I will not mar with words the rapturous sublimity of the fourth movement, because it was superb and entirely convincing. The fact of the matter is that the orchestra lacks an adequate string section. This hampered most of all the sweeping grace of the first movement, and caused Novo to search for a compromise; on one hand he could have let the strings, as ideally they ought to have, take each phrase at full value and with full legato. On the other hand, doing so would have resulted in unclear texture and bad tone. So he pursued his only option, by limiting the strings to shorter phrasing, and a more disjointed texture. Doing so probably saved the first movement from utter chaos. I give my compliments to the wind and brass sections, however. They presented their parts with beauty and clarity, filling the symphony with astounding freshness. !
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> Ian Tuttle, A’14
I
f, as the aphorism goes, demographics is destiny, ladies take lower. note. It’s becoming, perhaps more than ever, a man’s world. But what’s the big deal about a few extra men? First, it’s That is the trend reported by Nicholas Eberstadt, a scholar at not a few. It’s 55 million, enough to alter the sex-structure the American Enterprise Institute, in a fascinating article en- of the entire planet. Second, it’s not slowing down. South titled, “The Global War Against Baby Girls.” The article ap- Korea is the only country that has returned from an unnatural pears in the Fall 2011 issue of The New Atlantis, a quarterly to natural SRB. No other country shows signs of reversing journal that wrestles with the ethical and social implications the trend, which means a greater “boy surplus” in the coming of developments in science and technology. years. And there will be serious social consequences. Eberstadt’s article contends that over the past thirty years Eberstadt draws on the work of Mara Hvistendahl, who sex-selective feticide, made possible through prenatal gender chronicles this same problem in her recent book, Unnatudetermination technology and surgical abortion procedures, ral Selection: Choosing Boys Over Girls and the Consequences has led parents around the world to abort pregnancies en of a World Full of Men. She is not optimistic. “Historically, masse—some 55 million babies. And all of them girls. societies in which men substantially outnumber women are Eberstadt begins by noting that the relationship between not nice places to live,” and she cites the substantial evidence total numbers of male and female births is “a fixed biological linking high sex ratios and violence. In India, she notes, the characteristic for human populations”: approximately 103 to best predictor of violence today is not poverty, class, or reli106 newborn boys for every 100 newborn gious conflict; it is the sex ratio. And that girls—by Nature, nothing more or less. is only like to get worse with millions of (Why these particular numbers is unclear, “Historically, societies in unmarried, childless men. though one of the pioneers of demography, And that is especially bad news for the which men substantially fairer Johann Peter Sussmilch, suggested that sex. Both authors note a disturbing outnumber women are trend: the supply-and-demand economics “the Creator’s reasons for ensuring four to five percent more boys than girls are born of increasingly scare females, who, as they not nice places to live.” lie in the fact that it compensates for the become less available, become more “valu• Mara Hvistendahl higher male losses due to the recklessness able.” In Asia, that has led to a booming of boys, to exhaustion, to dangerous occumail-order bride industry, an increased pations, to war, to seafaring and immigration, thus maintain- demand for prostitution, and kidnapping and trafficking. ing the balance between the two sexes so that everyone can But perhaps Eberstadt sums up the most important consefind a spouse at the appropriate time for marriage.”) Howev- quence: er, since the 1980s, SRBs (sex ratio at birth) in dozens of countries have been increasing far beyond the natural window. [T]he very fact that many thousands—or in some cases, milChina is ground zero. In 1979, China began its still-effectual lions—of prospective girls and young women have been de“One Child Policy.” Three years later, China’s national census liberately eliminated simply because they would have been showed an SRB of 108.5. In the 2005 “mini-census” China’s female establishes a new social reality that inescapably colors SRB was nearly 120. In certain concentrations of counties the whole realm of human relationships, redefining the role of (accounting for millions to tens of millions of people in the women as the disfavored sex in nakedly utilitarian terms, and world’s most populous country) the child sex ratio is 150 or indeed signaling that their very existence is now conditional more: 150 boys age 0 to 4 for every 100 girls. And it gets worse and contingent. when considering parity-specific SRBs—sex ratios at birth by birth order. As of 2005, China’s second-birth SRB was 143, its As both authors make clear, this did not have to happen. third-birth SRB 156. With the spread of amniocentesis technology to the developBut it’s not just China. The same trend is taking place, in ing world, parents with a vested interest (cultural, economic, varying degrees, in—just to name a few—Singapore, Vietnam, etc.) in having male offspring had an inexpensive way to deterIndia, Armenia, Libya, Cuba, Portugal, and a host of others mine the sex of their child in utero—and, with the availability across the globe, from the Caucasus to sub-Saharan Africa to of affordable, medically induced abortion, a way to get rid of Latin America. Taking those countries identified by the Unit- an unwanted child. And it has not been simply the contraceped Nations Population Division and the U.S. Census Bureau’s tive strategy of the “backward” lower classes. Sex-selective International Programs Center as having SRBs or child sex abortion has started in each country among the wealthiest ratios over 107, and those countries whose own population and best-educated, eventually filtering down to become part statistics show similar numbers, more than 50 countries and of the larger culture. And, what may be most shocking, the territories—accounting for almost half of the world’s popula- decision to abort is most often made by the mother. tion—show unnatural demographic trends. Because of these It is nothing less than the great irony of radical feminism: trends, the global SRB and child sex ratio have both now ris- the proliferation of elective abortion procedures, intended en to 107. And keep in mind that these studies may lowball to liberate the female sex, has made possible its decimation. the actual figures, because they consider only countries with Margaret Sanger should be spinning in her grave. SRBs or child sex ratios of 107 or higher, while anything over Eberstadt’s article is excellent, and I would encourage all to 105 is considered unnatural. Some researchers start at 103 or read it. It is available at www.thenewatlantis.com. !
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The Gadfly
12
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> Liam Wallace, A’12
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oing through my own internship search this year made me Career Services before break, just have a competent friend or reflect on my past attempts to spend summers well, and relative do it). You’ve now finished everything that’s most easI thought I might offer the few bits of wisdom I’ve picked up ily done on campus. to those of you who are going through the process for the first Fourth, look for people you want to intern under. First, check time. to see if you have any relatives, friends, or acquaintances who If you haven’t started already, you should begin working to- work or may have contacts in the field you’re interested in. Ask wards an internship immediately—like, as soon as you put down tutors as well, by email if necessary (networking is the easiest The Gadfly. The deadlines for many of them are approaching, and most effective way to get an internship). Ask Career Servicalong with the deadline for Hodson funding (March 21st). Al- es to put you in contact with alumni doing the work that you’re though that may seem like a fair amount of interested in. Skim through the Career Sertime, remember that annual essay deadlines Horizons newsletter (it comes to your ...I thought I might vices are around then, too, so get started now. It SJC email). You can also start exploring your offer the few bits would be ideal if you could complete the first field with Google. Find organizations you’d three steps in the next four days, i.e., before like to work with. If they have summer inof wisdom I’ve spring break, for they are easier done while on ternship programs, apply for them, and/or picked up... campus. If you fall off-schedule, don’t worry, look for specific people within the organijust find a way to work around it! I have listed zation. Email them. Be sure to mention that the steps in the order that worked best for me, but they can be you may get funding from the Hodson, so they wouldn’t need completed in whatever order best fits your circumstances. to compensate you. You get bonus points if you’ve read up on First, think of something that may be interesting to you. the specific work they’re doing, so you can mention particular Start now! Write down a few ideas in the margin of your Gad- things you’d like to work with. Be brief and to the point. fly! This isn’t your final career, only something you’d like to The rest is simply making sure to submit your paperwork spend a summer on. If you’re having trouble coming up with for Hodson funding on time; this takes some coordination beideas, draw from what you know: think back to childhood pas- tween you and your internship adviser, so it is good to check sions, think of classes you like at St. John’s or liked at other with Career Services about what you need to submit before schools, read the Career Services newsletter, Horizons (in your you leave for spring break. Step four can be finished over SJC email inbox), and talk to your friends, parents, tutors, and spring break, but it would be better to do it in the first week. Career Services (located in Pinkney Hall, through the entrance Good luck hunting! ! closest to the dining hall). Once you have a few ideas, weigh them for a day—make lists of the pros and cons. Trust your intuition. The main criterion should be what you’re most interested in; if you keep coming back to an idea in your head, at least use it as a starting point. If you’re unsure about your idea, > Virginia Early, A’13 you can always check with Career Services to see if you can make something happen. t this time, the Delegate Council has completed all budSecond, ask two of your tutors to write you letters of recomgeting for on-campus clubs. Funds are still available for mendation (you need two letters of recommendation for Hodemergency budgeting, but please note that they may not be son funding and most internships). You can tell them where to granted. The DC audit has been turned in to the Business send the letter later; for now it’s just important to give them Office, and funds should be disbursed by the end of next sufficient time to write it. Two weeks is usually the minimum week to all clubs receiving funds from the Delegate Counamount of time required, although its always worth asking, cil. Thank you to all our archons and council members for no matter the time constraint. Say, “Hi Ms./Mr. [your tutor’s their dedicated work in completing the fastest budgeting name], I am going to be applying for internships in [field of inand disbursement process the Delegate Council has ever terest]: Would you be comfortable writing me a strong letter of known! recommendation based on my class performance?” At our last Wednesday meeting, the Delegate Council Third, write a resume. This could take under an hour of your hosted a discussion about bikes on campus. We are hoping to begin the bike rental program again at St. John’s and will time. Here is what you do: 1. type “Purdue OWL resume” into be working with Ms. Waters to ensure they are properly Google. Click on the top result, their resume workshop, and maintained and stored. To ensure that all our bikes have skim through this. Alternatively, pick up the resume writing enough storage, the CSL has suggested creating an indoor hand out from Career Services. 2. In MS Word or whatever, storage space for bikes in the Humphries basement, moving begin filling in your personal information using their resume all bikes out of the Chasement, and moving the Humphries template. Skip over any information that you don’t have or basement pool table to Randall’s first floor common room. don’t remember. 3. Quickly proofread your draft. 4. Take it The Delegate Council also conducted emergency budto Career Services for Jaime and Kathleen to look over, then geting for Shammai and International Club. Shammai will make any corrections they recommend. The same process can be receiving $806.30 in funding and International Club will be followed to write your letter of interest for Hodson funding be receiving no additional funding. This is due to the higher and internship applications that require it. Search Google to voting threshold that emergency budgeting requires. get an idea of how to write a letter of interest, or pick up the Questions? Concerns? Want to get involved? Email Virhandout from Career Services. Write a draft as quickly as posginiaEarly@me.com or like the Delegate Council on Facesible, proofread it, and take it to Career Services or our friendly book! (www.facebook.com/SJCADelegateCouncil). ! writing assistants (if you can’t make it to writing assistance or
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