August 30
If I stay healthy, will you? Guest post put together by Celie, featuring Dr. David McBride on flu and staying healthy:
Thanks Celie and Dr. McBride — simple and common sense advice. I’m hoping the hype doesn’t overtake the real threat. Regardless, I’m on my way to wash my hands and find a way to stay up on this. Hoping I’ll stay well if you do, too.
Peace.
August 29
“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
(Hamlet, Act IV, Sc. 5)
Will big changes in our collective behavior make a dent in global climate change? If we, BU, put the pieces our changed lives together, will it make a difference? Plenty of people will shout, “Yes!” Susan Chaityn Lebovits offers this guest post about two ways we can start making a difference — by carrying a cup and powering down:
Thanks Susan. Hope you’ll come back with more updates and tips. Pick up a fancy cup you can carry around. Only a 25 cents off, but I’m off with my cup to get a discount on a cup of joe – like our behavior changes, the discounts add up (and matter).
Peace.
August 27
Dean Elmore issued the following advisory today regarding University move-in on Saturday, August 29, 2009. It was sent out via email to all students who had not moved in as of Thursday, August 27, 2009.
August 25
I join the chorus of folk singing – proudly, with energy, beautifully, and, with lots of joy – Welcome! (As a prelude to a great academic year I recommend you stop to listen to Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words).
I hope your summer was wonderful – restful, productive, and beautiful. I got a chance to see the country – to visit the District; see the Pacific from Los Angeles; drive a Camaro in San Fran; walk through a rainforest near San Juan; soak up the vibe in my hometown, the NYC; serve as witness to the place where Martin Guitars get their magic; and, to see the public beauty of the Mini-Apple – and spend some time with the Boston University family. I hope we get a chance to chat about our summers.
Another year around the sun and we are ready for a great start for this community. Prior to the start of classes, more than 1100 students are already on campus to lend their hands and hearts in service around the City. More than 6,000 of us will get together, before the start of classes, to cheer for our students in our own annual Fall classic. The BU Class of 2013 – more than 4,000, strong – will walk through the streets of the City, together, for a ceremonious welcome and induction into this great community. And the life of the University is pumped up, again – the sights and sounds of our community are back with style and energy.
I am obligated to remind you of a few important items. First, take a look at the Code of Student Responsibilities – the standards for how we keep ourselves safe and maintain a vibrant community. (Please also take the time to review the University’s policies for academic and non-academic conduct.) As you engage in activities in and around the campus, please remain diligent about your personal safety and fire safety. Feel free to ask questions of the people and departments here to respond to your concerns and to help you find solutions to problems. Let’s also continue to do what we do best – look after each other. Take a look at this friendly reminder about personal safety living the good life at the University (without interfering with other people’s vibe):
Finally, if you are eligible to do so, I encourage you to register to vote. Look for voter registration drives organized by departments, clubs, and organizations around campus. Remember that elections are held this and every year.
Hope to see you at Terrier Tailgate. To your great year,
Peace.
P.S I’m that dude who digs hockey – can’t wait to see the National Collegiate Champions kick off their season in October. I’ve got an extra season ticket – I’ll give it to the person who sends me the coolest photo of life at BU. You can send the photo to dos@bu.edu by Tuesday, September 15, 2009. I’ll post some of the good pictures. Good luck!
August 24
Welcome Back! As you kick off the 2009-10 school year, how does a semester of free textbooks sound? Well, I want to stay connected with each of you, so if you text BUKARMA to 47647 and opt in for information on some exclusive events you’re only going to hear about through me, you’ll have a chance to win free textbooks for the semester – up to $500! The only catch? YOU HAVE TO BE AT THE TAILGATE TO WIN. Standard text message rates do apply, but I promise we won’t spam you with texts. Join the conversation!
Peace.
August 18
I haven’t been able to get to a town hall-style meeting on health care – I’m getting my info primarily through news reports. More power to the folk showing up to listen and to raise their voices. Some are worried about what appears to be organized groups at the ready to shout, disrupt gatherings, and behave in an uncivil manner. (I even hear that folk in President O’s administration are taking the meeting facilitator’s role seriously by handing out technique books for the handling of outbursts at these meetings.) Does the way these folk act make them and their concerns less authentic?
Is this really about health care in the United States? It’s great that people are showing up but what are they showing up for? It’s great that there are protests, but I am unclear about their purpose? What messages are we sending? What messages do we want to send? Is this an issue worthy of no business as usual until we figure it all out? Are the disruptions that we’ve witnessed this summer, part of true civil disobedience and comparable to other societal change mechanisms and conversations?
Some of this has gotten ugly – for real. What about that question of civility and quality civic involvement? Will the apparent uncivil behavior be effective and advance this issue? Or, is this really about frustration over access to our representatives, senators, and government – that there are not enough town halls meetings and outlets to be heard beyond writing in and receiving a form letter response? Are all the people in the room? How do we get more people into these rooms? I know I’ve only had a limited view of it all, but I don’t see enough young folk in the room or leading the conversations (especially where they will shoulder the costs and implementation).
Indicating that “you want your country back,” is a loaded pronouncement. I never quite know what it means or if I want to know. I love this stuff — people showing up to talk this out and be engaged with how the place works — but I’m not sure how and where to jump in to the conversation. We know there’s room for ideas and words, but is there a place for volume and emotion, too?
