Around the Ivies
Brown University: Brown student group First-Gens@Brown plans to release a student-organized guidebook aimed toward helping first-generation college students navigate their time at the university, the Brown Daily Herald reported. The guidebook, which the group intends to release by the end of winter break, will attempt to counteract the unfamiliarity of college by offering information that these students may not already know, including information about meal plans, office hours and scholarship programs.
Columbia University: This year’s Students Affairs Committee Quality of Life survey reported an overall increase in student satisfaction, but also showed a decline from 2013 in student satisfaction within three minority groups: students from low-income backgrounds, those who experience physical and mental disabilities and transgender students, the Columbia Spectator reported. University senator and committee vice chair Ramis Wadood said these results were unsurprising due to the unique challenges these groups face, noting that the findings demonstrate the existence of a concrete problem and will allow Columbia to implement programs to address these groups.
Cornell University: Animal activists have accused Dr. Laurie Glimcher, dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, of chimpanzee abandonment, the Cornell Daily Sun reported. These protests began when the New York Blood Center withdrew funding from the Liberian Lab where Glimcher and the NYBC performed virus-testing research on chimpanzees. Protesters argued that the lack of financial support left 66 chimpanzees abandoned without food or water. Glimcher has denied any responsibility in NYBC’s withdrawal of funding and spoke of her support for the ethical treatment of animals.
Harvard University: Harvard faculty and administrators have recently proposed changes to the University’s general education program, the Harvard Crimson reported. These changes would lower the number of required classes and implement more stringent requirements of departmental courses. Four town hall meetings have been held to discuss these changes, and the committee intends to propose official legislation in December.
Princeton University: On Oct. 18, the Hidden Minority Council created a Princeton Class Confessions page on Facebook to offer first generation and low-income students a forum to anonymously post questions or personal stories, the Daily Princetonian reported. The page was initiated as a means of making students feel comfortable at Princeton and giving them an outlet to discuss their experiences. Brittney Watkins, co-chair of the council, hopes that the page will lead to broader culture and policy changes around these issues at Princeton.
University of Pennsylvania: Rachel Senturia, a member of the University’s Class of 2006, has launched STEMsocks, a science-themed sock company, the Daily Pennsylvanian reported. Senturia began STEMsocks in 2012, and has continued her business to prove that scientists are not necessarily how stereotypes often portray them. Senturia intends to expand her business by increasing the accessibility of STEMsocks and selling a greater variety of products.
Yale University: Yale sophomore Neema Githere accused Yale’s Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity of racial discrimination, the Yale Daily News reported. Githere posted a Facebook status describing an incident where women of color were not permitted into the fraternity last week with the justification that the party was “white girls only.” Githere was not in attendance at the event, but mentioned that she had been affected by a similar situation in the past. SAE has denied all accusations.