Around the Ivies

Brown University: On April 11, an assembly of approximately 40 students participated in the second annual March Against Sexual Assault on Brown’s campus, the Brown Daily Herald reported. Stand Up!, the group that organized the march, aims to raise awareness about sexual assault on campus and provide support for survivors. Students and community members sported shirts that read “Not on our campus” as they joined the march. Activist Wagatwe Wanjuki delivered a keynote address where she discussed her experience as a survivor, the importance of acknowledging intersectionality and it’s role in assault and the importance of avoiding traditional narratives in regard to sexual assault.

Cornell University: Last week, Cornell’s Slope Day Programming Board announced this year’s performers for the spring-term event: Magic! and Chance the Rapper, the Cornell Daily Sun reported. Student reactions were largely positive, although some were surprised at the choice of Magic! as the opener. Some students said they were hoping for a more sophisticated opener for Slope Day’s 150th anniversary, including one who responded, “It’s the 150th year and I was expecting Oprah.”

Harvard University: Divest Harvard has continued its protest, according to the Harvard Crimson. The group of environmental activists has most recently blockaded Massachusetts Hall and barred leading administrators, including University President Drew Faust, from entering their offices. At least 150 activists attended a rally on Sunday night as part of the group’s “Heat Week” protest.

Princeton University: According to the Daily Princetonian, the Princeton Class of 1977 Facebook group was deleted on April 7 following an alumnus’ controversial post. The post consisted of an article from The Atlantic that had already been shared and deleted several times about “The Princeton Mom.” People speculate that Class of 1977 president Susan Patton closed the group, since the article was aimed at her remarks about sexual assault that some perceived as offensive.

University of Pennsylvania: In an effort to increase transparency at this year’s event, UPenn recently announced its Spring Fling party policy — over the entire weekend, the University will allow eight registered events, four Greek and four non-Greek, to serve alcohol. The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that several students find this policy unrealistic given the size of the undergraduate student body. Penn Police and Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement agents will regulate the parties both on and off campus, undercover and in uniform.

Yale University: Yale’s Class Day co-chairs announced on April 7 that the 2015 Class Day speaker will be Vice President Joseph Biden, the Yale Daily News reported. Vice President Biden was chosen for his “resiliency, compassion and humor,” according to one of the co-chairs. Students interviewed by the Yale Daily News were pleased with the announcement, and the co-chairs hope Biden will inspire students to approach life with humor and grace as they enter into the post-graduate world.