The Bowdoin Orient

Credit/D/Fail up for revision

By WILL JACOB, ORIENT STAFF

Members of Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) and the Recording Committee sought student and faculty input about Bowdoin's Credit/D/Fail policy in a campus forum this week. "The main concern is that instead of promoting deep exploration into new areas, the current system encourages students to do the minimum amount of work possible to receive credit," Recording Committee member Sam Dinning '09 said.

Anti-gay incident prompts concerns

By KIRA CHAPPELLE, ORIENT STAFF

The Bias Incident Group recently met for the second time this academic year in response to an act associated with homophobia. A student, who requested anonymity, said that she parked her car at Brunswick Apartments on the night of Friday, February 3, and woke the next morning to discover that the word "gay" had been written in the snow on the front and back windshields of her car. In an interview with the Orient, the student, who is openly gay, said that she knows she was targeted because "it took time, energy, and purpose to find my car and write on both the front and back windshields."

Staying in touch: A look at student-trustee interaction

By BETH KOWITT, ORIENT STAFF

When the Trustees convened for their February meeting, some students might not have even realized that they were on campus. "After four years here, it was the first time I think I ever even saw a trustee," said senior Jon Ludwig, who, as a member of the a cappella group the Meddiebempsters, sang at a reception for the board on the Friday night of the February 8 to 10 meetings.

Hill '74 offers insight on six-party peace talks

By ANNA KARASS AND MARY HELEN MILLER, ORIENT STAFF

More than 30 years after competing on Bowdoin's lacrosse fields, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Christopher Hill '74 still believes in the importance of teamwork.

MIKE ARDOLINO, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT

PERFORMANCE A REALISTIC STUDY OF FAMILY: Jessie DePalo ’08 and Jay Tansey ’07 perform in this weekend’s Masque and Gown show, “The Marriage of Bette & Boo.” See feature article...

FEATURES

Early investments can pay off

By ADAM KOMMEL, ORIENT STAFF

For students with savings in the thousands of dollars, letting it languish in a low-interest savings account may seem wasteful. But Gary Weaver, associate director of student aid, warned that students must be prudent with their money. "There are so many unknowns and living expenses ahead of you," Weaver said. "You're going to need that cash."

OPINION

EDITORIAL

Grade/Credit/Fail

Three years ago the College changed its Credit/Fail policy to a Credit/D/Fail policy. The policy change was driven by concerns that students were abusing the system. Faculty argued that students were putting in minimal effort to attain a passing grade and that their lack of interest was harming the quality of many classes. According to Orient records, students were barely included in the discussion?and the faculty ultimately decided to create a Credit/D/Fail policy that, for many students, is stifling. The threat of receiving a "D" discourages students from broadening their academic interests, even though that exploration is at the core of a liberal arts education.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

'Monologues' aims to raise awareness

By CAROLYN WILLIAMS, CONTRIBUTOR

Victory, Valentine, Vagina?the V in V-Day has more than one meaning. In 1998, Eve Ensler, an actor, playwright, and activist, started V-Day, a global organization to stop sexual violence against women and girls. V-Day arose out of Ensler's award-winning play "The Vagina Monologues." This year marks the fifth annual Bowdoin performance of the show.

SPORTS

Women?s basketball goes for seven

By JEREMY BERNFELD, STAFF WRITER

The Bowdoin Women's Basketball Team hopes to earn a seventh straight NESCAC championship trophy on Sunday, but will face tough competition for its seven-peat bid. Bowdoin (24-1, 9-0 NESCAC) is the top-ranked team in the conference tournament and will hold this weekend's three games. On Saturday, the Polar Bears will look to get things started off right when they play host to fourth-seeded Williams.