This week students aren’t the only ones receiving quantitative reports of their semester’s progress. From administrators to our elected Student Association officials to our noteworthy peers, here are the grades Pipe Dream’s editorial board are dishing out this semester to Binghamton University’s most notable figures.
David Bass, SA president: A-
Not since Matt Schneider and his purple umbrella has there been a president who made himself so known to the student body. Past Presidents Mike Smyth and Michael Schiffman were notoriously absent and ineffectual as leaders of the SA, and we’re impressed with Bass’ efforts. Sure, we can’t credit Bass with changing much, but we’d like to credit him with trying. His campaign platform was to change the SA’s Ivory Tower image and attitude, and some degree of shortcoming on that crusade keeps him from getting an A. Kudos, however, to Bass for organizing student opposition to the administration’s proposal for the Newing College and Dickinson Community renovations. Next semester we’re looking forward to giving him an even better grade.
The SA e-board (Joe Danko, Matt Landau, Sandi Dube, Chris Powell, David Redbord): B
If it were up to the executive vice president, VP of University Programming and the VP of Academic Affairs, this e-board would get straight As. Danko has come through on his promise of developing the Student Group Council and being on the side of student groups. It has a little way to go, but the fact that the SGC exists and has the potential to disseminate information and create a unified consensus is promising. (Full disclosure: Danko and Pipe Dream’s news editor are dating.) Landau’s enthusiasm for advocating for students’ academic rights was what wooed last year’s editorial board to back his bid for his current position. It’s also what has us so impressed with the official who is fighting against HPE cuts and for equal representation on administrative councils. And Dube’s announcement of the spring show (tickets for the Foo Fighters concert go on sale today) is some of the biggest news to come out of her office since Green Day played here. Props also go to her for securing the sold-out Gym Class Heroes show this semester.
But the overall average was brought down by some concern for the two remaining e-board members. Redbord may have taken his position late in the semester, but we haven’t heard or seen much from his office so far. In fact, it’s hard to really remember anything about him. And while Powell has been diligent in the administrative duties of his office and kept himself on top of the finances of student groups, an incident this year made us hesitate before giving him an A. His testimony against the Student Action Collective early in the semester was a little over the top and his statements smelled like they were ‘ dare we say it ‘ politically motivated.
Soccer hooligans: A
Between the rhymes and the synchronized stomping, the soccer hooligans deserve the credit for perhaps single-handedly christening the new Bearcats Sports Complex with enthusiasm and a sufficient amount of rowdiness. We’re endlessly proud of them for showing up and putting as much spirit into the games as legitimate hooligans around the world do. They may have had to censor some of the profanity in their initial cheers, but they got our opponents in a tizzy ‘ enough to lose their cool (ahem ahem, Vermont’s Roger Scully and Will Haywood).
BU men’s basketball team: C-
The golden boys and the golden coach have yet to show us what they’re really made of ‘ unless this 1-7 record is really all they’re capable of. Indeed, they would have gotten an F if not for massive amounts of grade inflation. Kevin Broadus’ lofty paycheck and recruiting was meant to herald the building of a stellar new team, but even his poetic descriptions of sand, snow and gradual change can’t change the fact that the team can’t win a game to save Baxter’s skin.
BU administration: D
Despite complimenting the powers that be on their emergency plan and text message alert system at the beginning of the year, there’s been some bad news this year. Why 22 gym classes have to go is still beyond us, and we urge the provost not to approve of this new curriculum without re-instituting the fantastic activity courses that made HPE a gem at this University. And while we’re talking about complaints falling on deaf ears, let’s not forget the Downtown Center fiasco. One of the most memorable images of this semester was President Lois B. DeFleur and Dean Patricia Ingraham ignoring students’ pleas during the Center’s opening ceremony while waxing quixotic about the wonders of the new building. And we’re still waiting for the day when the administration will listen to what students have to say about future construction on this campus. Don’t you think we know what we want and what’s good for us?
Greek life: B
This semester the greeks seemed to unite under an umbrella of, well, unity. They raised money for their own Greek Week when they couldn’t get enough school funding, and in anticipation of new recruits, they held a Meet the Greeks event. But the bizarre violence which marred Greek Week this semester still has us puzzled. A dead deer was left on the doorstep of one frat, and letters were stolen or thrown into the fountain. Was it greek-on-greek hate? Were the greeks as a whole targeted? The greeks have done a lot to change their image on campus, but they still seem to be plagued by the petty competitive spirit that damaged an otherwise splendid semester for them.
Student activism: A
The A may be a case of slight grade inflation, but there’s been a detectable increase in how much students care and are willing to show it. In fact, Pipe Dream has not squealed about apathy all semester. From causes to protests to large turn-outs at campus events, we’re impressed at how many people have come out in support of one movement or another. Universities are meant to be hot zones of activism, and we may be seeing the return of something special. Instead of staring at YouTube.com and blogs, students took the pavement and let their voices be heard.