As the latest step in a process with profound implications for Macalester, faculty and staff members of the Strategic Directions Implementation Task Forces have been holding open forums to present their preliminary work to the campus community. The task forces are addressing issues as complex and diverse as the housing crisis, recruitment of students of color and the role of multiculturalism in the curriculum. {more}

Throughout the 2001-2002 academic year, Macalester College Student Government (MCSG) has worked to become more active and to establish itself as an accurate representative of student opinion on campus.

“Historically, MCSG has been seen as an ATM machine,” said MCSG President Nick Berning ’02. “It has not been perceived as an effective organization. This has been improving over the past several years, and we’re continuing that improvement.” {more}

At the March 13, 2002 faculty meeting, the faculty voted to overhaul the college committee structure to increase the impact and efficiency of the committees, and reduce overlap in committees. {more}

Simon Morrison ’04 wants to know why it took him so long to find a place to get a haircut in St. Paul.

“There is nowhere around here for black people to get their hair cut,” he said.

According to CMA Assistant Director Sedric McClure, domestic students of color may find the Twin Cities a less-than-welcoming place to spend four years. {more}

If major, internationally recognized research grants are any indication of a department’s health, the Japanese Department is alive and well.

Erik Slivken ’02, a mathematics major, and Sarah Pradt, professor and chair of the Japanese department, have both won Fulbright Awards to study in Japan. {more}

Student participation: who needs it?

The weather was beautiful on Monday, April 15, 2002. The tank tops were out, the temperature was high and Mac students were lying on the lawn getting sunburned. That’s probably why only five students showed up for the Strategic Directions Implementation Task Force open forum and that’s including a Mac Weekly reporter. {more}

Why you should give your hard-earned money to Macalester after spending $120,000 on a college education

Everyone should check out the memo, “Challenging Choices Ahead,” distributed by the task force on academic. The memo notes that we don’t have enough money to continue our current spending levels, and suggests ways to cut back on spending or raise revenue. Among the suggestions-cut back on need blind admissions, cut back on study abroad, cut back on the number of faculty … or increase gifts to the college. {more}

For my brother: Paul Kim Wee Ik

By NORA MAIN

He once radiated joy. A mischievous little boy with a round belly, the color of hot chocolate, an impish smile, and thick black curls that wiggled with careless glee. That little boy went away one day and I don’t think he’ll ever return. {more}

Majors in ES need jobs

By CATHERINE NEUSCHLER

I’m having problems finding a job. Maybe that wouldn’t be relevant to this forum, except that I’m an Environmental Studies (ES) major. My classes in that program have convinced me that I want my work to ultimately help the environment. Yet I’m faced with the reality that I may not be able to put my environmental principles fully into practice in whatever job I get after graduation. {more}

On April 7, 2002 I realized today that I failed to do something very important. I should have written it down on my hand; with my acute case of senioritis, that seems to be the only way I can remember anything.

I realized this at the staged reading of Lisa Jones’s play, “Combination Skin,” about the literary trope of the “tragic mulatto.” I had never heard the term “tragic mulatto,” but the play promised to be provocative. The students did an amazing job, and more issues and emotions surfaced in those two hours than in a semester’s worth of most academic work. {more}

In recent seasons, Macalester baseball has not been synonymous with explosive offensive play. This year, however, the Scots’ bats are on fire.

The Scots (15-8, 4-4 MIAC) split two doubleheaders against conference rivals this week, scoring 52 runs in four games.

After losing the opener to first place St. Olaf 5-2 on Saturday, the Scots crushed the Oles 20-3 in the second game, which was postponed to Sunday due to rain. The win dealt the Oles their first conference loss this season and their first loss at home in three seasons. {more}

As the number one fan of Blade, I was naturally the first one in line on the opening night of Blade II: Bloodhunt. Although I am aware that sequels usually aren’t that great, I was hoping that Blade II would follow in the footsteps of The Godfather, Part II and The Empire Strikes Back. How hard can it be to have Wesley Snipes smile slyly after destroying a room full of vampires or pose strangely in the middle of an excessively choreographed fight scene? This is really all I wanted. {more}