The Bowdoin Orient

Endowments fall among peer schools

By ADAM KOMMEL, ORIENT STAFF

Across the NESCAC, the global financial crisis has propelled endowments downward. Amherst's endowment has fallen by 25 percent since June 30, while Colby's endowment is down at least the same percentage. Williams has estimated a loss of about 28 percent, and Trinity has calculated an 18 percent loss. Bowdoin administrators with knowledge of the endowment chose not to comment on the College's performance.

Obama win spans globe

By GEMMA LEGHORN, ORIENT STAFF

Rather than spilling out onto the Quad as the returns from the election rolled in, some Bowdoin students watched the events among strangers thousands of miles from home. Juniors studying abroad this semester, however, said that celebrations up to and following the announcement of Obama's presidential win rivaled those in the United States.

Policy nixed that bumped some from first-choice fall courses

By MARY HELEN MILLER, ORIENT STAFF

For spring 2009 course registration, which began Thursday, students will no longer be bumped from first-choice classes in order to increase the enrollment of under-enrolled second-choice classes. Such a policy was implemented during registration for Fall 2008 courses, which took place in May for upperclassmen. It aimed to prevent some courses from being canceled due to an enrollment of fewer than five students, and it affected 23 students' course schedules.

Nichols meets with BSG, urges safety

By ALEX PORTER, ORIENT STAFF

Director of Safety and Security Randy Nichols has a mantra. Asked to divulge it by Class of 2012 Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) Representative Nyle Usmani during a visit to Wednesday's BSG meeting, Nichols stated, "Number one, you've got to care." During the 40 minutes that he spent with the BSG, Nichols offered a verbal report of the state of the College's security situation.

MARGOT D. MILLER, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT

ON THE SPOT: From left: Will Alexander ‘12, Anneka Nelson ‘11, Ben Cedars ‘11, Nolan McNair ‘08, and Julia Bond ‘09 perform in the first Improvabilities show of the year on Thursday night. Security officers had to turn an estimated 200 students away because of large crowds.

FEATURES

Curia: Bowdoin's hotspot for blogging, dialogue

By PIPER GROSSWENDT, ORIENT STAFF

The age of blogging, gossip, and Internet activism has taken online reporting to a whole new level, and Bowdoin's Curia is stepping up to the challenge. Launched in January 2008 by William Donohoe '08, Bowdoin's online blog Curia (bcuria.com) is accessible only from computers on campus. According to its "About" section, Curia aims to provide a space on campus "for organized cultural critique." With content ranging from timely reporting of news on campus to lighter features pieces, the Web site also allows viewers to comment on stories, either under a registered user name or anonymously.

OPINION

EDITORIAL

Endowment disclosure

During the current economic downturn, administrators at many colleges and universities across the country have informed students, employees, alumni, and parents as to how the global economic crisis is affecting their school. Bowdoin is no exception: Several weeks ago, President Mills sent an e-mail to the campus titled, "The Economy and Bowdoin." In the letter, Mills emphasized that Bowdoin is well-positioned to withstand the current economic crisis. What Mills failed to mention in the note, however, were any specifics on the current state of Bowdoin's endowment.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Student bands tune up Bowdoin music scene

By ERIN K. MCAULIFFE, STAFF WRITER

Though pounding hip-hop often blasts at Bowdoin parties each weekend, occasionally these manufactured beats are replaced with live music from Bowdoin's several campus bands. Perhaps the most well-known Bowdoin band is The Milkman's Union, which formed two and a half years ago. Members include Henry Jamison-Root '10 on guitar and vocals, Akiva Zamcheck '11 on guitar, Sean Weathersby '10 on bass, and Peter McLaughlin '10 on drums.

SPORTS

Field hockey downs Tufts to win NESCACs

By KATHERINE POKRASS, STAFF WRITER

Despite its loss to top-seeded Tufts earlier in the season, the Bowdoin Field Hockey Team rallied in the NESCAC tournament behind junior Kara Kelley, beating Tufts 1-0 and winning its fourth consecutive NESCAC championship. The Bears also took care of Middlebury 4-0 in the semifinals of the tournament.