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The Nation’s Oldest Continuously Published College Weekly Tuesday, May 11, 2021 Volume 150, Number 23 bowdoinorient.com

College wraps up on-campus testing for the academic year

“We built all the [testing] tute, which is typically a biomed-
by Ayub Tahlil stations you see [in Morrell] in- ical and genomic research center,
Orient Staff house to help move people swiftly repurposed its facilities to create
This academic year has been and safely. We also needed a way a rapid COVID-19 testing center
defined by the measures taken to schedule students, because at at the start of the pandemic. The
by the Bowdoin community to the time we were afraid of long Institute has been processing
protect against COVID-19, and lines,” COVID-19 Resource Co- tests not only from colleges and
the cornerstone of the College’s ordinator Mike Ranen said in a universities in the New England
plan to prevent an outbreak on Zoom interview with the Ori- area but also from Massachusetts
campus has been a robust testing ent. “But now, we don’t require K-12 schools and high-risk com-
program. In the fall, the College students to sign up because lines munities such as nursing homes.
administered an average of 2,400 haven’t been a problem.” “I first heard about the Broad
tests per week. This semester, that At the end of the day, after all Institute through a piece of pa-
number has increased to 4,500 tests have been administered, the per that made it on to my desk,
tests per week. The total expenses vials containing student, faculty but at that point the partnership
associated with the program will and staff samples are driven to was only available for Massachu-
exceed $2.6 million for the year. the Broad Institute in Cambridge, setts schools. When they finally
All these tests are self-admin- Mass. opened up to schools within a
istered in Morrell Gymnasium, The College, along with more 150-mile radius, we reached out
which has been transformed than 100 of its peer institutions in to make a deal,” President Clay-
from a practice and competition New England, partnered with the ton Rose said in a Zoom inter-
site for the College’s varsity bas- Broad Institute to help facilitate view with the Orient.
ketball programs into the Col- regular testing for students, staff
lege’s testing hub. and faculty this year. The Insti- Please see TESTING, page 3

Fewer Bowdoin appli-

cants granted Fulbright
awards than expected
ceptance rate. The majority of stu- Student Fellowships and Research
by Annika Moore dents—52—applied for the ETA, were unaware of how the pan-
Orient Staff
compared to 10 who applied for demic would affect success rates
The College saw fewer accep- the study/research award. until students began receiving
tances for the Fulbright Student Assistant Director of the Cen- their results in January. For ex-
Program this year than is typical, ter for Cocurricular Opportuni- ample, one student learned that
despite a record number of appli- ties Kate Myall attributes the lower they were not selected because the
cants, many of whom advanced to number of grantees to disruptions program they applied to was can-
the semi-finalist stage. caused by the COVID-19 pan- celled altogether.
Of the 62 applicants for the demic, including some countries “It’s their prerogative, but it
2021-2022 program year, 39 were downsizing or cancelling their certainly was a surprise to watch
recommended to be semifinalists ETA. some really extraordinary appli-
and eight students were selected “In other years, I think that that cants not get the news that, based
for English Teaching Assistant- would have yielded a higher per- on previous years, based on the
ship (ETA) programs, while centage of selects,” Myall said in a quality of their applications and CHENG XING, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
five were selected for the study/ Zoom interview with the Orient. PACKED UP AND READY TO GO: A staff member packages test samples in Morrell Gym. These vials are then
shipped to the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Mass., which has been processing the College’s samples throughout the
research award—a 20 percent ac- Applicants and the Office of Please see FULBRIGHT, page 4 academic year.

As on-campus students weigh housing restrictions, those off campus scramble

including “immediate remov- them access to College academic during the academic year. pus housing market has been a year we’ll be able to get these fac-
by Dylan Sloan and Lily Randall al from campus.” Mandatory buildings and facilities—but not Last summer, due to the scramble not just for students, but ulty back into their usual places.”
Orient Staff masking, physical distancing and residential spaces. BIMF’s cancellation, many of for the BIMF’s organizers as well. Further, the festival’s organiz-
The release of the Summer restrictions on gatherings will be Close to 250 people partici- these houses were available to Off-campus students looking to ers weren’t able to confirm that
Campus Community Agreement enforced in a manner similar to pating in the BIMF will also be students, creating a relatively live in Brunswick for the summer it would be held in person until a
this week painted a clear picture this past spring. living on-campus and enrolled in loose housing market for those have taken away once-reliable month ago, meaning faculty have
of what life on campus will look “I understand being cautious, Bowdoin’s testing program. The staying in Brunswick over the housing options for BIMF faculty. also been pressured to find con-
like for students who sign it, and but there’s a point when it feels BIMF is operating with a slightly summer. This year, though, “We certainly rely on repeat venient housing in a shortened
it is a picture that strongly resem- like it’s maybe a little too cautious, reduced population of student students were pressured to find landlords, that makes our job a time frame.
bles this past semester at the Col- especially when we’re going well participants this summer in ac- what scarce housing options they lot easier, particularly if a land- “We weren’t positive we were
lege. For students ineligible for beyond what state and federal cordance with Bowdoin’s campus could earlier than usual. lord and individual faculty mem- even going to have an in-person
on-campus housing, the market guidelines are telling us we should density guidelines, and all BIMF “My friend and I were looking ber can form a relationship. Some festival until early April when
for off-campus rentals has been do—and also when everyone is members living in Bowdoin for housing all the way back in faculty are staying in the same we made the final decision,” said
exceptionally tight, due primar- required to be fully vaccinated,” housing will be signing the cam- March,” said Anika Helmke ’22, place for five to ten years, every Nitsch. “Usually we have much
ily to the return of the Bowdoin said Lola Motley ’22, who will be pus community agreement. who will be pursuing a remote year, which is great and makes it more lead time, but this year,
International Music Festival living on campus and working The in-person return of the internship and living in Bruns- a lot easier for them and for us,” because we were waiting to see
(BIMF). remotely through a Cooke Re- BIMF, which was held virtually wick this summer, in a phone Executive Director of the BIMF how vaccination was going and
As will be the case next fall, all search Fellowship offered by the last summer, has impacted the interview with the Orient. “We Daniel Nitsch said in a phone the state of COVID-19, we waited
students living on campus must Environmental Studies Depart- summer housing landscape both had some ideas on the horizon interview with the Orient. “We to get as close to the summer as
be fully vaccinated before hous- ment, in a phone interview with on and off campus. While Bow- and decided early to talk with a waited longer than usual to make we could. We had to wait a bit,
ing officially opens on June 4. the Orient. doin accommodates the bulk of friend who said there might be a decision for the summer, and which made housing more chal-
Moreover, as per the agreement, As was the case this past se- BIMF participants in on-campus space. The people we’re living some of these repeat landlords lenging. We had to scramble and
there will be a testing program for mester, students living off-cam- housing, the festival’s organizers with already know they are living had already moved on and want- see what was available in the last
students throughout the summer, pus in the Brunswick area will be also routinely rent out houses in the house next school year, so ed to book their place and gave it few months before the summer
and students who miss a certain allowed to apply for on-campus close to campus to accommodate they get preference there.” to someone else for the summer, season.”
number of tests will be subject to privileges. This enrolls them in its 50 faculty members, many The issue is two-sided; se- so we lost out on that. Hopefully,
disciplinary action—potentially the testing program and allows of whom often rent to students curing a lease in the off-cam- that’s just a one-year dip and next Please see HOUSING, page 4

N MOMENTS OF JOY F NEW FOOD TRUCK STAPLE A MAKING BEATS S PAY GAP O ON CREATIVITY AND CAPITAL
Students come together, outdoors and Students were wowed by the Mr. Tuna Jose Melo ’23 has turned his dorm room Athletic department spending information Aminat Ibn Yusif writes about social
masked, for live music. Page 4. food truck. Page 5. into a music studio. Page 7. shows gender pay gap. Page 9. capital and race. Page 11.
 2
2

PAGE TWO
Tuesday, May 11, 2021

MACKEY O’KEEFE, BOWDOIN ORIENT

BREAKING DAWN: Students enjoy a quiet quad early in the morning before their first course of the day.

SECURITY REPORT May 3 crossword answers

4/30 to 5/5
Friday, April 30 · A staff member discovered policy.
offensive graffiti on a white
· A fire alarm at 24 College board located in a tent on the · Housekeeping reported ex-
Street was caused by students Cleaveland Quad. cessive damage inside an Osher
cooking and burning food. Hall room.
Monday, May 3
Saturday, May 1 · An officer escorted a stu-
· An officer checked on the dent with a sport-related finger Shawn Bayrd ’19
· Loud music at 2:00 a.m. at well-being of an off-campus stu- injury to the Mid Coast Walk-In
Brunswick Apartment J was dis- dent at the request on the dean’s Clinic.
turbing students. The music was office and counseling services.
turned off. Wednesday, May 5
Tuesday, May 4
· Two students were cited for · A fire alarm at Harpswell
alcohol policy violations on the · A student at an off-campus Apartments 2 was caused by
Main Quad. residence reported the odor of excess shower steam.
gas inside the house. The stu-
· A student was treated for dents evacuated, and Brunswick · A student’s parked vehicle
a finger laceration at the Mid Fire Department responded. in the Farley lot was forcibly
Coast Walk-In Clinic. entered and a radar detector
· A staff member reported was stolen. An investigation is
Sunday, May 2 that a student outside Ladd in progress.
House was violating alcohol

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Tuesday, May 11, 2021 NEWS 3

NEWS IN BRIEF Students living in the Brunswick

Hotel reflect on an isolated semester
COMPILED BY REBECCA NORDEN-BRIGHT

MCKEEN CENTER TO DISCONTIN-

UE COMMON GOOD DAY
in a Zoom interview with the meal—that’s something I have to gagement and mental health
The McKeen Center for the Common Good is discontinuing its by Josie Tidmore and Orient. schedule or think about.” has varied based on residents’
Hayden Redelman
annual Common Good Day (CGD), McKeen Center Director Sarah As time went on, Vorno said, This physical distance often relationship to their fall proctors.
Seames announced in an email to the community on Wednesday. Orient Staff students took the initiative to prevents Hotel residents from For some, like Bhadra Mishra
CGD will be replaced with a new program called Common Good The Brunswick Hotel and start planning social events— venturing to other parts of cam- ’24, their remote proctors have
Project Teams (CGPT). Each team will volunteer with a former CGD Tavern has housed 47 first-year whether it was gelato runs or pus where they might find social planned game nights. Others,
partner organization for a period extending beyond a single day. Ac- students this semester as part of Mario Kart game nights. Vorno opportunities. however, have not felt the same
cording to Seames, CGPT will better allow volunteers from the Col- Bowdoin’s plan to secure single said he appreciated the efforts “I don’t necessarily feel the mo- level of support.
lege to tackle projects on a more flexible time frame in order to best rooms for all students needing of his proctees and jumped in tivation always, especially in bad “I’ve only really kept contact
accommodate community partners’ organizational needs. on-campus housing this spring. to support their programming. weather, to go walk on the other with … members of my core
Seames explained that, since CGD’s inaugural year in 1998, volun- The students entered the se- First-year students appreciated side of campus,” Morcos said. group that are on campus,” Fer-
teer opportunities to serve the community year-round have expand- mester with varying levels of the efforts made by Vorno and “[The distance] makes it hard to nandez said. “I feel like on cam-
ed dramatically. This has led to a changed conception of the Center’s connection to their neighbors: the other proctor assigned to the connect with people and to see pus now, I’m busy with classes
mission. some had met over winter break, hotel, Daniela Quezada ’22. students unless you see them in and then also busy with the peo-
“We understand the McKeen Center’s mission in more dynamic and some were core group mates “Part of my experience [on passing or go to events toward the ple here, so I have not been able
terms [than in the past], designing programs to deepen students’ com- from the fall. Others, however, campus has been] shaped by other side of campus, [since] no to keep in contact with [a lot of]
munity impact, the relationships they build in the community and the went in relatively blind, making it proctors, and I think they did a students come toward the Hotel.” people.”
development of critical self-awareness in our pursuit of the common difficult to form a pod. very good job,” Bryant Ung ’24, COVID-19-related restric- Warmer weather, however, has
good,” Seames wrote. This meant that many stu- an international student from tions on social gatherings have provided residents with opportu-
The McKeen Center will accept its first project proposals this sum- dents were struggling in the Cambodia, said in a Zoom inter- heightened this sense of distance, nities to engage with upperclass
mer and begin work on the projects as soon as September. Communi- first few weeks of the semester, view with the Orient. with many first years having few students that many have never
ty partners will be able to choose when the projects are finished, and as COVID-19 guidelines were Di Phung ’24, also a resident of opportunities to meet upperclass- interacted with before.
each volunteer group will receive support from the Center. stricter and students were not the Hotel, went on regular walks men. “[The May 1 Celebration] was
able to socialize to meet others with Quezada, which helped her “The Hotel is quite isolated actually the busiest I’ve seen cam-
in the Hotel. Ilana Fernandez ’24, feel less isolated on campus. from everyone else,” Ung said. pus ever. The pictures don’t do it
an international student from “During the time I felt the “We sort of do our own thing, justice … It was the first time I’ve
Singapore, explained that she did most lonely and isolated and … and [upperclass students] also seen how big the Bowdoin com-
not know all but three of the peo- overwhelmed in the beginning of do their own thing, and it’s not munity is,” Fernandez said.
ple she crossed paths with to get March, [Quezada] was there for like there’s any event[s] that peo- Despite its challenges, resi-
meals or tested during those first me,” Phung said in a Zoom inter- ple invite others to because of dents of the Hotel have found
weeks on campus. view with the Orient. “I think that COVID[-19] restrictions.” many benefits to their unconven-
Joosep Vorno ’22, a proctor really helped my mental health.” Not all residents have had an tional living arrangements.
assigned to the hotel, said that it Despite efforts to build com- interest in physical program- “It doesn’t give a college dorm-
was initially unclear what his role munity, Hotel residents noted a ming, which is another obstacle like atmosphere here, but I really
as a proctor in the Hotel would sense of exclusion from the rest of to building community. can’t complain because the living
be. Students in the Hotel, Vorno campus, especially from upper- “Not everybody is interested conditions are very good com-
explained, were assigned proctors classmen, and the Hotel’s physical … right now, because of various pared to other dorms,” Ung said.
in the fall with the expectation distance from many buildings on reasons. Some people are just In addition to accommoda-
that programming would be con- campus only adds to this divide. really swamped with work. [Oth- tions, residents are thankful for
tinued through the spring semes- “I would say [the Hotel] is pret- ers] are really concerned about the opportunity to connect with
ter remotely. ty far from campus, so definitely COVID-19, so they are taking a members of their class through
“[Initially,] we were more just the commute back and forth gets step away [and are] more inter- their housing in the Hotel.
SOPHIA WEI, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
an extension of ResLife on cam- tedious,” Sara Morcos ’24 said in a ested in remote [programming] “We’re a pretty big and diverse
A DIFFERENT KIND OF DORM: The Brunswick Hotel. Located just off pus, if, [for example] they needed phone interview with the Orient. with their remote proctors,” Vor- group of students, and it’s been
Maine Street, the building’s separation from the rest of campus has led its someone to come and … open “It’s hard because you can’t go five no said. really nice to meet new people,”
residents, including 47 first years, to report feeling isolated from campus life. the door for them,” Vorno said minutes before class to grab your Success in programing, en- Morcos said.

Students adapt summer plans to uncertainties of COVID

through the College remained with the Orient. “I think there’s a virtual school year led her to seek [also] feel the delayed effects of Still, in a year of heightened vol-
by Caroline Hallmark relatively steady this year and even tremendous amount of excitement opportunities away from the com- people not having as much money atility, Brennan also acknowledges
Orient Staff increased for some programs. to be on-campus and have a more puter screen. to give.” the difficulties caused by the pan-
Juggling Handshake appoint- “It’s been pretty incredible how normal Bowdoin summer.” “I’m going to Zoom class every As a result of the uncertainty in demic. For students frustrated by
ments, cover letters and interviews creative people have been and what For Justis Dixon ’23, who will be day, [and] I’m already spending a these sectors, some students have the overwhelming workload, Bren-
on top of an a packed course load, they’ve come up with to submit,” working in Topsham this summer lot of time online,” Mahoney said in struggled to find opportunities nan emphasized the importance
students often struggle to keep up Brennan said in a Zoom interview as a Bowdoin Public Service in a Zoom interview with the Orient. during the typical hiring window. of slowing down and practicing
during internship application sea- with the Orient. “I would say [ap- Maine fellow, living in Maine and “Interviewing and researching stuff “Organizations, especially non- self-compassion.
son, and the COVID-19 pandemic plications] are just as high quality as pursuing an in-person opportunity is just one more thing to be doing profits, are dealing with the same “It’s a lot to deal with, for stu-
has only added another layer of they’ve ever been.” was a priority. … [So], I wasn’t trying to apply to uncertainty we are,” Ancona said. dents to be searching for a job or
complexity to the process. Howev- Between the McKeen Center’s “One thing that I was focusing a million things because I knew I “[So] it’s tough for them to make an internship in the middle of all
er, despite setbacks and difficulties, funded fellowship programs and on for the summer [was] having an wouldn’t want to do a ton of inter- a decision in February and March of these other stressors. And it’s
Bowdoin students and staff have CXD’s internship grants, nearly 150 in-person [internship] experience,” views all online.” about summer internships.” always a lot, but it’s particularly a
found creative ways to adapt their students will receive funding from Dixon said in a Zoom interview In addition to the difficulty of Despite the toll the pandemic lot right now,” Brennan said. “It’s
summer plans to the uncertainties the College to pursue summer with the Orient. “I preferred to be searching for a job remotely, stu- has taken on both students and very easy for us to look at a friend
of the pandemic. opportunities this year. Of these, [in] Maine because I think it would dents have also had to navigate the employers, Brennan sees a silver and say, ‘Take a break—take a walk
Executive Director of Career Ancona noted that there was a be safer in terms of COVID[-19].” challenges of a volatile job market. lining in the resilience of Bowdoin’s with me, let’s talk about it, it’s going
Exploration and Development noticeable increase in interest for The pandemic has shifted For industries hit particularly hard alumni network. to be okay.’ And we don’t do that for
(CXD) Kristin Brennan and As- on-campus positions. students’ summer plans in other by social distancing measures last “I have not seen this kind of alum ourselves in the same way. So I feel
sociate Director at the McKeen “I think there was sort of a ways as well. For Annie Mahoney year, recovery has been uneven. loyalty and commitment and inter- like any conversation about what’s
Center Tom Ancona said that de- draw to [these fellowships] being ’23, who will be working at a “While businesses come back est in really helping—it’s singular to happening right now jobs and in-
spite uncertainties surrounding the in-person, especially once sum- French-language camp in the San faster, some of the arts and media Bowdoin,” Brennan said. “Alums are ternships, it’s important that it starts
COVID-19 pandemic, the number mer housing became an option,” Juan Islands in Washington state jobs are still really hard [to bring just really willing to talk to people, with having some compassion for
of applicants for summer funding Ancona said in a Zoom interview this summer, fatigue from the back],” Brennan said. “Nonprofits they get that it’s hard out there.” yourself.”

TESTING have an opportunity to participate.

The price that Broad was able to
for campus events such as athletic
competitions and theatre rehears-
tail price; the exact number could
not be shared with the Orient due
has allowed us to bring students
to campus safely and responsibly,”
to have the ability to test in case
one of the [COVID-19] strains is
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
offer was some function of 25 als. These quick-turnaround tests to non-disclosure agreements. Rose said in a Zoom interview able to evade a vaccine.”
The Institute charges a stan- percent of what we were seeing allow close contact for certain ac- “I had made an inquiry last with the Orient. One idea is pool testing, in
dard rate of $25 per test for all on the retail market for PCR test- tivities. For example, actors in last summer with our labs to see if As this semester draws to a which samples from groups of stu-
participants in the college and ing and at a quicker turnaround month’s production of “Cows of we could order some for the fall, close, College administrators are dents are combined and analyzed
university program, a fraction of time, so, the 24-hour result versus War” were antigen tested and able and they were not available,” Or- evaluating what role testing will together to generally determine if
the typical processing cost, which typically a three day wait for other to perform without masks. lando said. “After they were made play in the fall semester. Orlando the virus is present on campus.
can be more than $100. Over the labs that were offering something These tests were only available available to higher ed, I quickly is currently designing the bud- “[Pool testing] makes a lot of
course of the year, the College has for the fall,” Senior Vice President through Abbott Laboratories, purchased them to strengthen our get for the next fiscal year, which sense in an environment where
purchased roughly 105,000 tests, for Finance and Administration which found itself with a surplus testing protocol and give us more could include an allocation for most of your population is vac-
yielding an estimated allocation of and Treasurer of the College Matt after the Biden administration options.” testing on-campus students. cinated,” Orlando said. “You’re
$2,625,000 towards the processing Orlando said in a Zoom interview asked for fewer tests than the “Together, the PCR and antigen “It’s a real shot in the dark. The not having everyone test two or
of these tests. with the Orient. Trump administration. This ex- tests allow us to quickly identify key here is [that we will have] a ful- three times a week, or even once a
“There was no negotiation Also available this semester are cess was offered to select colleges individuals who are carrying the ly vaccinated community,” Orlan- week—you’re having a percentage
about price—we were grateful to rapid antigen tests, which are used and universities at a fraction of re- virus and later isolate them. This do said. “Of course, you still want of your population test.”
4 NEWS Tuesday, May 11, 2021

May 1 Celebration invites students to find moments of joy

at the start of their sets. Still, er than have been able to in over a
Hintze was largely satisfied with year, but also a reminder of what
COVID-19-related compliance she, as well as all other students,
during the event. have lost.
“I think this semester, our “It was one of the first times
students have been really great that felt close to normal, and it
about maintaining social distanc- was so nice to engage with peo-
ing and wearing their masks,” ple I’m friends with who I haven’t
Hintze said in a Zoom interview been able to spend time with at
with the Orient. “And you know, all [this year],” Richards said in an
I think our students were really interview with the Orient. “That
great, and that I was really pleased was the most fun for me—just
with—how well they all really be- being able to dance outside and
haved that afternoon.” listen to all the student bands …
Lohmann agreed that students that’s one of my favorite things
respecting COVID-19 guidelines that I can think of at Bowdoin.
allowed for the day to go on as Listening to student performanc-
successfully as it did. es and everyone being really ex-
“It’s been a difficult semester, cited and happy to be there, and I
it’s been a difficult year and I real- feel like that was a great reminder
ly can’t thank students enough for on Saturday. But earlier this week,
all that they’ve done,” Lohmann I was feeling a little sad because it
MACKEY O’KEEFE, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
said. “And even in the midst of all also reminded me how much fun
GETTIN’ THE BAND BACK TOGETHER: TBD performs on the steps of the Walker Art Museum during the College’s May 1 Celebration. The band was able to of this, I am so grateful and in awe we could have had and how much
perform together for the first time in over a year and a half. of their respect and care for one fun we were planning.”
dents can find happiness, joy Miriam Fraga ’18. She oversaw since before the pandemic began. another and for all of the proto- As the semester comes to a
by Halina Bennet and light?’” Lohmann said in a students as they painted planters “I feel like this kind of event, cols that we have had to have in close, Lohmann and Student
Orient Staff Zoom interview with the Orient. and tie-dyed t-shirts, two crafts where a lot of the school comes place.” Activities staff hope that students
For the first time since “I didn’t want anything fancy or previously hosted by Student together and is having a good Students who attended re- can continue to find these mo-
COVID-19 sent students home flashy or too orchestrated; I want- Activities that received a flood time, hasn’t happened in so long called the celebration with over- ments of joy and that the College
last spring, the College hosted a ed those moments that would be of positive feedback and inspired … as a performer, it was crazy whelming positivity, explaining will be able to provide more expe-
campus-wide in-person event. simple but would show students Fraga to bring them back for the to be a part of, but also just as a how important this opportunity riences like this.
Dubbed a “May 1 Celebration,” that we are here to help them find day. student at Bowdoin,” Chris Ritter for joy and a feeling of relative “I’m here to help students find
the Office of Student Activities the kind of light that I know is Many students who were not ’21, a member of TBD, said in a normalcy was. those opportunities for joy and to
scheduled a day of outdoor activ- within every student.” in the craft tent could be found Zoom interview with the Orient. “I thought it was a great mo- really celebrate,” Lohmann said.
ities, live music and food trucks Having proposed the idea to in front of the Walker Art Mu- “That was the best part of it, real- ment for the student body, espe- “We have our puppies on the
last Saturday afternoon to usher the Office of Student Activities, seum enjoying student bands ly. I feel like I would have had just cially in such a time of high stress quad and our petting zoo and our
in the final month of the semester. Lohmann worked with others in and a performance by one of the as much fun in the crowd, and I and anxiety for a lot of students,” food trucks.”
After student feedback around the division to plan the event. College’s a cappella groups, the loved seeing my friends and other Jackson Coyle ’23 said. “I think The May 1 Celebration’s suc-
the time of the College’s shortened Three different food trucks— Meddiebempsters. bands play, and everyone just be- Bowdoin holding an event where cess may lead to a new tradition
spring break revealed widespread including Mr. Tuna, a consistent One band, called TBD, per- ing together.” we were all outdoors, there was or modifications to existing ones
exhaustion and disappointment student request—games includ- formed together for the first time Director of Student Activities music and everyone was having in the future.
with the school’s approach to ing volleyball, softball and corn- in over a year and a half. They Nate Hintze did occasionally a good time was really beneficial “I think I’m excited for the fall,
mental health, Dean of Student hole, student bands and a craft began practicing only nine days have to ask students to maintain for the mental health of the over- when we have everybody back on
Affairs Janet Lohmann realized tent drew students from dorm before Saturday, rehearsing six physical distance from the per- all population here at Bowdoin.” campus and there’ll be a new class
that students could benefit from rooms and libraries to fill the times before their set. During formers and others outside their Chloe Richards ’21, is set to of first years, and it’s a chance to
intentional moments of joy. quad that sunny Saturday. the performance, students on pods, and multiple singers were graduate later this month. She ex- really think through what we
“After spring break, I was One feature of the day was the the quad began to stand up and instructed to remind students to plained that this was a wonderful want this next year to look like
reflecting on ‘What can we do craft tent, overseen by Assistant dance in a display of joy and to- make sure they were only danc- moment where more Bowdoin and what the new traditions that
to find those ways in which stu- Director of Student Activities getherness not seen in person ing with members of their pods students were able to join togeth- we want to start are,” Hintze said.

Mental Health Holiday gives FULBRIGHT Audrée Grand Pierre ’21 also she said. “COVID[-19] also of-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 plans to build upon research she fered a time to reflect about what
began at the College during her I want to do post grad. I think it

students opportunity to breathe

based on the fact [that] they study/research grant to Australia. actually helped in a weird way.”
were recommended, we expect- Grand Pierre will be pursuing a Myall said that she was sur-
ed,” Myall said. Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the prised by the number of students
In 2018 and 2019, Bowdoin av- University of Queensland, where who were still enthusiastic about
eraged a 50 percent acceptance rate her research will focus on minori- applying for a Fulbright amidst
back from students in the wake allowing them small moments of with Fulbrights, a big difference ty burnout, which is a state of psy- the pandemic.
by Halina Bennet of the College’s shortened spring joy during a daunting semester. from the 20 percent seen this year. chological distress experienced by “I would have been completely
Orient Staff break, Mental Health Moments “Obviously, large events aren’t Some seniors decided to apply minority individuals who exist in understanding, if the Class of ’21
With finals around the cor- and the Polar Pause. feasible, and it’s just the simple for Fulbrights after their semesters predominantly white, straight and/ was a little reticent to apply for an
ner and weather getting warm- “We heard from a lot of stu- little things that are really helping abroad were cut short, Myall said. or gender-conforming spaces. international experience, given
er, Peer Health is attempting dents who said these mental people’s mental health,” Emily Ja- Noelia Calcano ’21, who was Grand Pierre said during a how the world was in turmoil,” she
to ensure that mental health health elements are very much cobs ’23 said in an interview with awarded an ETA to Spain, traveled Zoom interview with the Orient said. “Instead, we had the greatest
and wellness are a top priority so a quick fix band-aid solution,” the Orient. “I definitely think that to Madrid for her study abroad that the process of writing her ap- number of applicants to date.”
on campus. On Saturday, the Somerby said in a Zoom inter- this is a much needed event at this during the spring of last year but plication was in some ways made Myall explained that Bowdoin
group hosted a Mental Health view with the Orient. “And I’m point in the semester.” was sent home early due to the easier by the COVID-19 pandemic. students tend to only apply once
Holiday on Dudley Coe Quad not saying the health hunt or At 12:30 p.m., Thando Khum- pandemic. “Everyone was used to Zoom to Fulbright, while students from
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., provid- the health holiday is a solution, alo ’23 led a Zumba class on the “I was really excited to be able and meeting remotely, and so, with other schools are accustomed to
ing students an opportunity to but I think it’s a step in the right quad, providing another way for to return [for the Fulbright],” she [my Ph.D. advisor]—she’s based in applying several times.
get outside and find moments of direction of showing students students to relieve stress and be said in a Zoom interview with the Australia—it was really nice, just “It’s not been the culture of Bow-
happiness. the different resources, and also active. Orient. being able to Zoom whenever we doin to reapply in the same way that
“The Health Holiday was our encouraging the resources to get Somerby hopes Peer Health During her time outside the needed to, as well as the Fulbright it is at other institutions,” she said.
way to get people to go outside, better.” will implement this event and classroom, Calcano hopes to in- office at Bowdoin,” she said. “But this cohort, especially, I really
kind of like a wellness day to Across the lawn, games and others like this in the future, and tern for a legal organization that Eliza Jevon ’21, who was award- hope people consider reapplying
do wellness-related tasks, and activities were set up, including he expects to offer it to incoming supports immigrants, a project ed an ETA to Taiwan, echoed this because I think the outcomes this
just kind of get people’s spirits Spike Ball, cornhole, coloring first years next fall. that connects to her honors thesis sentiment. year reflect so much on the disrup-
up before finals,” Susu Gharib and friendship bracelet making. “Especially for the class of about protections for refugees in “It’s nice to have this long-term tion of COVID[-19] rather than on
’23, a member of next year’s It was an opportunity for stu- 2025, and even for 2024, those the United States. goal while we’re all stuck at home,” the caliber of applicants.”
Peer Health Leadership Core dents to take a moment to catch students have never experienced
(PHLC), said.
The event featured free Bay
their breath and take their minds
off of impending deadlines and
campus outside of a pandemic,
and I want to make it very clear
HOUSING April,” said Abby Bennitt ’23, who
will be pursuing an internship with
is not opening its doors to accom-
modate them, especially given the
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Bowls, donuts, craft supplies, the end of the semester. off the bat what resources we have a company based in Falmouth this College’s commitment to protect-
t-shirts and a health hunt that “I think a little morale booster for them,” Somerby said. “This Just like the BIMF, many summer and is still searching for ing the Brunswick community.
sent students around campus for as we’re heading into finals sea- holiday has essentially laid the students were not sure of their housing in the Brunswick area, in “I’d be willing to pay Bowdoin’s
activities such as exercising and son is really important,” Paloma framework for next year. And it’s summer plans until late into the a phone interview with the Orient. rates at whatever they wanted to
journaling. Committing to the Aguir ’23, a member of Peer my hope that we will have more semester. As a result, the search “By that point, a lot of people that set,” said Bennitt. “it could be more
hunt entered students into a raffle Health, said. “With the weather events like this to help prioritize for off-campus housing has been knew they’d be in Maine or knew than $65 a week—I don’t care, re-
to win a $100 Amazon gift card. getting warmer, I think the gen- health for all students, and also difficult given the abundance of they wanted to be in Maine [had] ally, if it meant that I could be here
Henry Somerby ’23, a mem- eral spirit on campus has been build excitement for everything students looking to call Brunswick snapped up a lot of the classic and have a place to live that was
ber of Peer Health’s Outdoor going up and we’re looking to the college has to offer, from STI home for the summer. off-campus housing.” central and was going to be with
Health Promotion group and the add to that.” testing in the health center, to “It’s tough [looking for off-cam- Some students struggling people that I knew and [that] I
PHLC, came up with the idea for Students in attendance echoed counseling, to peer to peer sup- pus housing] because I didn’t get to find off-campus housing ex- knew would be safe COVID-19
the Health Holiday after push- that the event was a nice break, port.” my job officially until the end of pressed frustration that Bowdoin wise.”
 F FEATURES
5 Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Mr. Tuna: Brunswick’s new mobile sushi staple visits the College
side restaurants, so places like
by Lucas Dufalla the [Portland] promenade
Orient Staff
and the Brunswick mall kind
Drawing in hungry Bow- of became a gathering place
doin students with fresh and more than ever,” said Rubin.
mouthwatering sushi rolls, Bowdoin approached Ru-
the Mr. Tuna food truck has bin earlier this year to cater
quickly become a staple of the the May 1 celebration, and the
Bowdoin foodie’s diet. The business agreed to park their
truck offers an array of sushi truck on the quad for the du-
roll options of every style and ration of the event. During
flavor, satisfying customers the celebration, the truck of-
no matter their personal taste. fered a variety of sushi rolls
Mr. Tuna was founded in that catered to the wide range
2017, when owner Jordan Ru- of the tastes of Bowdoin stu-
bin and manager Marisa Lew- dents. Menu options ranged
iecki purchased a used hot from the tame yet flavorful
dog cart off of Craigslist. Af- sweet potato roll to the more
ter a profitable first year op- adventurous spicy salmon
erating on Commercial Street and taki rolls.
in Portland, the business ex- The truck, which was
panded to a brick-and-mortar parked in front of Ladd House
store located in Portland. The and sold out within two hours
restaurant has allowed the of the start of the celebration,
pair to hire more employees, was well-received by the Bow-
increase the sushi offerings doin student body.
on their menu and reach a “I think students really ap-
broader customer base. LILY WEAFER, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT preciate [Mr. Tuna],” said Jose
“The market started [with] ON A ROLL: Mr. Tuna’s food truck is now stationed at the Brunswick Mall. Mr. Tuna has multiple trucks in the midcoast area and a restaurant in Portland. Mota ’23 in a Zoom interview
just seven seats, and now with the Orient. “It was a
we’ve expanded [to] have 19 “I always remember when sushi up there.” best quality product, the fish fish as if you go to, say, New good choice by Bowdoin. It’s
seats in here,” Rubin said in I was in Brunswick seeing Bowdoin students have is never frozen: it’s prepared York City,” Rubin said. “We not too often that we get a su-
a Zoom interview with the all the food trucks up there,” also welcomed this novel ad- and put on the trucks in the want to make it way more shi food truck.”
Orient. “We have a full sushi Rubin said. “They always dition to the Brunswick food early morning to be sold later accessible, more fun and less The novelty of the food
menu now, not just the sta- had lines, and it seemed like scene. that day. pretentious.” truck itself also contributed to
ples.” a great place to have a food “I like their food! It’s rare “All the fish is cut at the Surprisingly, the onset of the positive student response.
The company now boasts truck.” to see a sushi food truck, and market … all the vegetables, the COVID-19 pandemic Bowdoin students seized the
three food trucks in addition Mr. Tuna’s operations in they do a good job. [I’m] glad the sauces, everything is benefited Mr. Tuna and their opportunity to eat a meal not
to their Portland storefront, Brunswick have allowed Ru- we have more and more food made here at the restaurant, Brunswick food truck. While commonly served at events or
one of which operates at the bin and his employees to con- options in Brunswick,” said and then it gets packed,” Ru- their storefront was closed in the dining hall.
Brunswick Mall seven days a nect with the Brunswick com- Sean Xie ’21 in a message to bin said. from March to November of “A soon as Bowdoin
week. Rubin, who has worked munity and Bowdoin students the Orient. Rubin and his team at 2020, their food trucks re- reached out, we said we’d love
in the food service industry by offering their unique take The Mr. Tuna food truck Mr. Tuna have committed to mained open and served as a to do it, and it was a really
since 2001, was inspired to on sushi. in Brunswick usually oper- bringing high-quality and gathering space for members cool event,” said Rubin. “It
expand to Brunswick after “The people of Brunswick ates with two employees who tasty sushi to Mainers at an of the Bowdoin and Bruns- [went] super smoothly, and
visiting the town and seeing really embraced us,” Rubin make fresh sushi rolls to-or- affordable price point. wick communities. you guys ate a ton of food!”
the food truck scene. said. “There’s not really much der. To ensure they deliver the “We buy the same quality “People weren’t eating in-

International students reflect on a tumultuous and frustrating year

been retroactive instead of who fit regular criteria or have the world … I think Bowdoin thing,” Perez-Hervada said. honestly what we see the Col-
by Juliana Vandermark proactive. been able to get a job through really has to improve in that Given the size of Bowdoin’s lege could do better in, seeing
Orient Staff
“I feel like the question the College are afforded sum- sense and kind of not make endowment and the relative what peer institutions are do-
Following a programming about international students mer housing. us grovel for basic necessities lack of resources dedicated to ing and saying ‘we should do
series for ‘international stu- is often considered, but if “I just always feel like in or- such as housing,” Tuna said international students, many this too,’” Perez-Hervada said.
dents’ week,’ the International there is not someone in the der to ask for us to be includ- in a Zoom interview with the ISA members expressed their In the absence of clear and
Student Alliance (ISA) orga- room who has actually had ed, I need to ‘trauma-dump’ Orient. wish for Bowdoin to invest in concrete support and leader-
nized a celebration reflecting that experience, that question and say ‘Hey, this is the rea- Ignacio Perez-Hervada ’22 a dean or office designated ship from the administration,
on a bittersweet year, which might be answered too fast son, this is the reason, this is mentioned that, on a recent specifically for internation- in addition to working with
took place at 30 College on and not explored in depth,” the reason’ … and it’s kind of Instagram story posted by al students. Currently, Khoa the College, the ISA serves
Thursday afternoon. While Yordana Gerdzhikova ’23 said frustrating on the administra- Bowdoin’s International Stu- Khuong, associate dean of as a much-needed source of
the celebration was an uplift- in a Zoom interview with the tion’s part because for them, dent Association (ISA), one upperclass students, is the community and support for
ing and recreational event, Orient. this is just a decision they have Bowdoin student had replied only individual designated by international students of all
many international students Raima Chakrabarti ’22 re- to make for their job. For a lot that international students the College to handle inter- grades and backgrounds.
also voiced frustrations and flected on the effects of the of the international students, should just “deal with it,” re- national student affairs while “First and foremost, I think
concerns in response to the travel ban implemented over it’s our life,” Chakrabarti said. ferring to challenges interna- also performing his work as a it’s really important that we
uncertainties that lie ahead. a year ago. She discussed its Zeynep Tuna ’22 has been tional students face because dean. create a community that in-
International Week at effects on her as someone who experiencing this same dif- of the pandemic. The person Gerdzhikova and Pe- ternational students can rely
Bowdoin aimed to celebrate calls Thailand home. ficulty in acquiring summer claimed that those who travel rez-Hervada agreed that a on,” Perez-Hervada said.
Bowdoin’s international stu- “Especially with housing. She explained that, from outside the country to designated dean for inter- ISA continues to be the
dent population. While it COVID[-19] this past year while it’s easy to feel optimis- attend Bowdoin chose to be national students to match vehicle for international stu-
represented a moment of and all of Bowdoin’s sudden tic about the positive progress international students and that of other NESCACs with dents to voice their opinions
coming together, many inter- decisions, I feel like I can con- at combating the virus, the therefore chose these obsta- smaller endowments than and find support.
national students have spent fidently say that international College still needs to acknowl- cles. Bowdoin’s would be a huge “Having an organizational
this year dealing with ongo- students have always been an edge that vaccinations do not Perez-Hervada said ISA step in the right direction. body that can [both] foster
ing isolation and uncertainty. afterthought,” Chakrabarti resolve challenges faced by opted not to respond to the “Most NESCACs except communication with the ad-
Many international students said in a Zoom interview with international students. message. for Bowdoin have a dedicated ministration and be a source
have been underwhelmed the Orient. “I do think that Bowdoin “Some people just think international dean, while we of collective celebration and
and frustrated by the Col- Chakrabarti has noticed really needs to do better in that our problems are not have Dean Khuong ... we love expression of discontent is,
lege’s handling of issues in- similar dynamics a year lat- terms of remembering that valid because we chose to him, but he also has to take I think, very valuable for the
ternational students faced er. Unlike last summer, when in the U.S. vaccinations are come here to study, and we care of half the school. And school itself and for interna-
as a result of the COVID-19 international students were being released and things are don’t agree with that. We are so there’s a few things that a tional students,” Gerdzhikova
pandemic, with some arguing guaranteed on-campus hous- starting to look better. But entitled to the same attention lot of the NESCACs are doing said.
that the response has mainly ing, this summer only those that’s not the case in the rest of from the College and every- which we aren’t and so that’s

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6 FEATURES Tuesday. May 11, 2021

Vacuoles of Knowledge: The land’o Pando

conjoined nature of the aspen
by Izzy Lockhart
Columnist stand also makes each tree at-
tuned to the same biochemical
If you are like me, you were clock, allowing Pando’s foliage
taught at an early age that the to change color all at once. In
largest organism on earth is autumn, Pando is uniformly a
the blue whale. Well, get ready dazzling shade of yellow.
for your mind to be blown: we Recently, Pando has resur-
were taught a lie. Look out, faced in science news, because
blue whale—there’s a new sher- of its demise rather than its
iff in town. His name’s Pando, incredible vitality. The parks
and he’s a tree. service has discovered that
That’s right. The largest Pando is weakening from the
known organism on the planet attacks of both insects and dis-
is a tree, or rather a system of ease. Pando is also no longer
trees. Ah, the shame of being regenerating at the frequency
outranked by a bunch of over- it should be. Researchers have
sized sticks. The blue whale pointed to the mule deer as the
is definitely punching the air main culprit in this regenera-
right now. tion issue.
Pando is an aspen clone Due to efforts by humans
located in the Utah mountain to eliminate the predator pop-
basin of Fishlake National For- ulation in the national forest,
est. It comprises 40,000 aspen the mule deer has thrived in
trees with the same root sys- Fishlake. These animals feed
tem, spanning over 106 acres on Pando’s saplings before they
and weighing about 13 million can reach maturity, making it
pounds. It was first discovered difficult for Pando to replace
in the 1970s that Pando is a sin- its gradually dying stock. Pan-
gle organism, and it was named do’s current condition can thus
after the Latin word meaning be thought of as a collective of
“I spread.” Research has since childless elders (who are simul-
shown that Pando spawned taneously conjoined and iden-
from a singular seed at the end tical siblings).
of the last ice age (about 2.6 Methods such as fencing
million years ago), making all and controlled burning are
the aspens in the stand genet- being employed to help keep
ically identical. Each new sap- the deer away and stimulate
ling of Pando thus arises not regeneration, but efforts have
from a new seed, but from the achieved minimal success
existing root structure. thus far. However, this has not
This affectionately-nick- dissuaded state park workers
named “trembling giant” has from continuing to try to keep
endured plenty over the thou- Pando alive and propagating. It
sands of years it has been alive. SOPHIE LIPSET is my hope that Pando will be
Scientists have found that it one occasion, but the excep- fire-stimulated regeneration, is also remarkably resilient be- If one of the trees in the system around for at least a few hun-
has been proverbially and lit- tional WATs (Wet-A$$ Trunks) prevented Pando from suffer- cause its constituent trees co- is ailing, extra resources will be dred years more if only to keep
erally tried by fire on at least particular to aspens, as well as ing significant damage. Pando operate to sustain one another. diverted to that individual. The the blue whale’s ego in check.

Under pressure: the unseen burden of expectations

On the occasions where I my life. With these ideas in perfectly has only intensified. eration/low-income (FGLI) that I could switch places with
by Ryan Britt
Columnist came home to my mother, it mind, I obsessively pursued But expectations are only part student in college and is the people I care about so
was incredibly hard to focus these goals because it was the of the issue. something I grapple with ev- they could all have the luxury
I think often of my walk on anything except trying to only hope I had at that time. The issue with the intensity ery day. of stability that I enjoy here,
back home from my bus survive the night. Howev- I committed myself to refus- of this pressure is that every The time commitment of and I’d bet that many students
stop after school when I was er, even if I was beaten and ing to allow this generational failure or setback I encounter spending four years away at with similar backgrounds as
younger. I was often shaking battered at the end of those trauma to continue—I had to at Bowdoin feels like I am not college is another aspect that me would do the same.
in fear, with my eyes stinging awful nights, I would muster break the cycle. just letting myself down, but has been really hard to deal As an FGLI student, I
with tears at the thought of whatever strength I had left I put an incredible amount also letting down my family with a lot of the time because have come to Bowdoin un-
what I might come home to— to try and get my school- of pressure on myself to do and my community. I am con- it makes me feel stagnant in der pressure. Pressure from
either an empty, quiet trailer work done because of the perfectly in school, sports stantly carrying the weight my goal of supporting my the expectation that I will be
to finish my homework, or an hope and support I received and any other activity I was of my family’s future every family and community. I feel the one to change the lives of
angry, drunken mother who from people at my school. My involved in because I craved day. It is often incredibly deeply guilty for being the my family and break our vi-
would take her frustrations principal, who was a father the vision of the future that exhausting, especially when member of my family that cious cycle of poverty, while
out on me and disrupt the rest figure to me, drilled into my had been painted for me. So, I feel like I am not doing as “got out” and gets to be at a dealing at the same time with
of the evening. head the idea that education with each subsequent year, well as I should be. It’s even place like Bowdoin. Every the traumas and guilt my up-
This walk only took about was an avenue to raise myself I worked harder and harder more complicated because I day, I get multiple meals, bringing afforded me. This is
five minutes each day. I would and my family out of pover- while the pressure only in- find it really hard to enrich housing, a safe neighborhood the reality of my existence at
always count the trailers in ty. He constantly assured me creased. This self-imposed myself intellectually when I’m to explore and enjoy and all Bowdoin, and I share it with
each row on my street to try to that I had the capability of pressure has carried over to constantly preoccupied with kinds of support. But the peo- the hope that those who don’t
calm myself down as much as breaking the vicious cycle my life at Bowdoin, and al- getting my family out of the ple I love and care about are really understand the FGLI
I could and to try and counter of violence, substance abuse though I have at this point in terrible situation that they’re left behind and still suffering. experience can see that it is
my fears from mounting me and pain that my family was my life achieved many of my trapped in. I often feel a lot This may seem like an in- much more than just a title.
entirely. I hated the feelings of caught up in by working hard goals by just surviving long of pressure to succeed, but conceivably low bar for some, Many of us are carrying so
uncertainty, anxiety and fear in school, getting into college enough to get here in the first simultaneously I can’t focus but the reality is that things much that goes unspoken. It
that this walk elicited in me and getting a good job. He place, the stress feels worse. enough to avoid failure and that we often take for grant- is important for the Bowdoin
every day. I wanted so badly told me that I had the ability Now that I have “made it,” as feel a lot pain and shame ed here at Bowdoin are out of community to recognize this.
to have a different life for me, to save future generations of many in my family and com- when I do fail. This, I believe, reach for many FGLI students We are here for much more
my brothers, my grandmother my family from suffering in munity like to say, the expec- is an experience unique to the and their home communities. than just academics. We are
and my mother. the ways I had throughout tation that I continue doing identity of being a first gen- I often find myself wishing here for survival.

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 F ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 7

Jose Melo ’23 makes and sells beats in dorm room studio
COURTESY OF JOSE MELO

instrumental training, Melo ways on how to make profes- ed building up my little studio amass over twenty-thousand his dorm room by converting
by Jane Godiner became an equally avid mu- sional-sounding beats.” at home in my room—I even views. one of his empty bedrooms
Orient Staff
sic-listener and music-maker. Melo began producing his have the padding on the wall.” “This was the very first into a small-scale version of
Jose Melo ’23 mixed his “Since before my early first beats with digital audio Throughout high school big collaboration because I his home studio.
first beat on his school-issued teens, I remember always lis- software on his laptop—from and the beginning of his col- really hadn’t sold my beats “I was like, ‘Let me bring
laptop when he was 13 years tening to a lot of rap and trap Fruity Loops, to GarageBand, lege career, Melo found him- like that,” Melo said. “Then I stuff from home, and what-
old. Today, when he is not music as a way to relax and to Logic Pro X—and quick- self growing new connections noticed it’s pretty profitable, ever can fit my car is going
doing laboratory work or tak- detach myself from my sur- ly became familiar with the and cultivating an audience and I was like, ‘Why am I not to work,’” Melo said. “I just
ing classes for his integrative roundings,” Melo said. “Vo- unique features and limita- of family, friends and local selling my beats?’” brought everything I could,
biology major, Melo sells his cally, rapping really was not tions of each program. businesses in his hometown As Melo grew more serious and I kind of set up my little
dorm-studio-born beats to my strong suit, and I learned “I have none of those song of Mattapan, Boston. about introducing his beats to area here.”
local artists in his hometown that pretty early.” files,” Melo said. “I wasn’t “My brother just knew peo- the market, he also began re- While Melo believes that
and the greater Boston area. In middle school, Melo saving anything at that time, ple in Boston, or I would run fining his business model and his inability to have in-per-
Although he has only re- used YouTube to explore just messing around with the into people who were inter- determining the most efficient son meetings with clients due
cently begun selling his work, the work of rappers and programs. When I started off, ested in music in Boston be- way to work with clients. to the pandemic has been
Melo has been musically beat-makers both in and out- I wasn’t really planning on cause I’ve been doing music “Usually what tends to hap- constraining, he is optimistic
inclined since elementary side the mainstream. When he selling beats—that was not for a long time,” Melo said. pen is I’ll just make beats, and about the future of his busi-
school, when he began study- discovered rapper Rick Ross’s even in my mind.” “It’s kind of bizarre, but that’s the beats I really like, I’ll finish ness and looks forward to the
ing the viola—an instrument song “B.M.F.,” he became Over the years, Melo grew pretty much how I started. It’s them myself; but then the oth- opportunity to expand his
that he still plays. curious about the process of his collection of beats and all pretty luck-based.” er beats, I’ll show to artists,” reach.
“I’m quite grateful for tak- making and mixing beats. recording equipment, and In June, Melo collaborated Melo said. “They’re going to “It’s really hard with the
ing viola classes because it “When I listened to that his room soon reflected his with his first vocal artist—a hit something that they like, pandemic because we can’t re-
has helped tremendously in song and heard the trumpets growing passion for music connection that he had made and then I’m going to be like, ally roam freely or go to plac-
my rap and trap production,” in the background and how production. while living with his family ‘Yep, I can finish this.” We usu- es,” Melo said. “If I sat down
Melo wrote in an email to the the beat was constructed, I “[The musical equipment] in Boston. While neither of ally cover a lot of ground that and actually did this with no
Orient. “I can now feel and was so motivated to learn how is all stuff that I’ve accumu- them had many subscribers way.” pandemic, I’d probably be
hear when something is not to make trap and rap beats,” lated over the time; there’s no on YouTube at the time of During the spring 2021 doing really well—maybe I
quite in tune or rhythm.” Melo said. “I spent endless way I was getting it all in one the song’s release, Melo was semester, Melo has taken ad- could actually release a hit or
In conjunction with his amounts of time looking for go,” Melo said. “I slowly start- shocked to see the project vantage of the extra space in something.”

Meddiebempsters resume in-person performances and rehearsals

[when] we got the news [that ing app. the A Cappella Council, was semester to keep in touch with future as an alum.
by Katie King our show] was cancelled,” So- When the Office of Stu- the first to receive the news them,” said Solimine. “We “I would love to come back
Orient Staff
limine said, in a Zoom inter- dent Activities asked the about their May 1 perfor- then just essentially picked and visit. I’m not entirely sure
After a long year without view with the Orient. “So then Meddiebempsters to sing— mance as well as permission our favorites, which is always where I’ll be in the world at
the chance to sing in person, we knew our tour was ending, masked, but in-person—at the for the group to rehearse in a good way to figure out what that point, but I hope to be
the Bowdoin Meddiebemp- but at that point, we didn’t May 1 Celebration, the group person for the first time since to sing.” able to see them,” said Burnett.
sters, Bowdoin’s oldest a cap- know that we were going to be was thankful that they had last spring. Since their performance on The Meddiebempsters are
pella group, are back on stage. heading home for the [rest of remained connected through “I got an email from Student May 1, the Meddiebempsters also eagerly anticipating the
When COVID-19 cases the] semester.” these meetings and virtual Activities saying they were al- are looking forward to future arrival of new members in
surged last March, the Med- While the Meddiebemp- rehearsals throughout the ac- lowing in-person rehearsals in concerts and opportunities to the fall 2021 semester—they
diebempsters had just started sters had the unique oppor- ademic year. Smith Union,” Sayler said. “So continue singing together. have not held auditions or
their annual tour and were tunity to spend time together “We were all just as excit- eight days ago was our first “We have at least one or welcomed any new members
prepared to sing at colleges on the drive back to campus, ed as you could express in a in-person rehearsal in almost two things booked for the fall in over a year and a half.
and venues all over the north- they remained uncertain as to group text,” Solimine said. 400 days, and that was very already with [venues] off-cam- “What I’m looking forward
east. Timothy Solimine ’22, whether they would sing to- “Luckily, we put in work over exciting.” pus,” said Jack Burnett ’21, the to most is actually audition-
the group’s music director, gether as a group again before Zoom throughout this semes- Choosing what songs to group’s business manager in a ing and welcoming the new
learned that the spring tour the Class of 2021 graduated. ter to make sure we at least re- sing for the group’s first per- Zoom interview with the Ori- Meddies, because it’s been
was canceled while they were Over the past year, even as membered our songs, so when formance required the Med- ent. so long since we’ve had new
driving to one of their tour the Meddiebempsters were we came together and sang for diebempsters to fully examine Burnett, who will graduate members,” said Solimine.
stops. scattered across the country, the first time, we could put it their repertoire. this month, has missed getting “The excitement of getting a
“It was Saturday, and we they continued to meet virtu- together in a week.” “We went through a lot of to sing with his friends in the whole new group that will po-
were driving away from cam- ally and found ways to sing to- Jay Sayler ’23, the Med- our songs, and they were all in Meddiebempsters during his tentially be some of my best
pus to head down to Tufts, gether virtually through Zoom diebempsters’ social media pretty good shape because we last year, but hopes to stay friends is so exciting to look
where we were performing, calls and Discord, a voice call- manager and vice president of had been working this whole connected to the group in the forward to.”
8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Delta Sigma/Delta Upsilon art competition announces five student winners

ent. “I think there’s a benefit background … are very in-
by Alison Jackson of this year—we didn’t know digenous—you see them all
Orient Staff who the judges were at all, so in the Mexican markets,”
it was less transparent, but it Amezcua said. “And then the
Last month, the Delta Sig- also allowed full creativity.” Birdland, that’s a really old
ma Alumni Corporation held As was the case with many jazz club in New York … it
its twenty-second annual of the other winners, Poppen was a lot of symbolism.”
Delta Sigma/Delta Upsilon drew inspiration from the While it was difficult for
art competition, which cel- pandemic for her submis- Amezcua to create the large
ebrates visual art created by sion. While she was studying piece in her small bedroom,
Bowdoin students. Out of remotely from her home in she is proud that she was able
29 submissions, the panel of Iowa, Poppen went on dai- to produce award-winning
judges selected pieces from ly nature walks and began art in a nontraditional work-
five winning artists: Abby bringing her camera along space.
Wang ’23, Camille Amezc- once she became familiar “My mom was like, ‘You
ua ’22, Bradford Dudley ’23, with the geography. can’t do painting anywhere in
Lily Poppen ’22, and Aadhya “As I was walking, I learned the house,’ so I had a whole
Ramineni ’23. the landscape intimately,” tarp in my small bedroom,”
While student artists have Poppen said. “I titled the Amezcua said. “But it was a
historically provided publici- piece ‘Traces’ because, in ev- really good moment of recog-
ty for the competition them- ery single one, there is some nizing that you don’t need to
selves, this year’s entirely subject that’s really small in be in the studio to still make
remote programming forced comparison to the landscape and be proud of what you’re
Assistant Director of Student and feels almost swallowed by doing.”
Activities Miriam Fraga ’18, it—but at the same time, it’s Amezcua also learned ani-
who has organized the com- indicating that there is move- mation in order to bring her
petition since 2018, to take on ment toward something.” artwork to life. After carefully
this responsibility herself. While she photographed constructing the jazz players
“We haven’t been able to many of her walks, one of her with wire and plaster, Amezc-
work with interns,” Fraga said favorite photos came out of ua made the figures “perform”
in a Zoom interview with a drive home: much like the against her pastel backdrop,
the Orient. “It’s a lot of me stationary semi-truck in her which she accomplished with
reaching out to the different photograph, Poppen yearned animation software on her
art faculty and student artists for movement during the iPad.
that I know—students that height of the pandemic. “The wired hands…were
have submitted to the show “[The photo] has this sense super delicate, so having to
in the past—and encourag- of stillness and movement,” do each little movement was
ing them to submit to the art Poppen said. “That’s what I really hard, and that was my
show.” wanted—this longing toward first time [working with ani-
Fraga said that one of the moving again, having more mation],” Amezcua said. “On
greatest obstacles to the re- community and dynamic, but the piece it says ‘an experi-
mote format of this year’s also existing and loving this ment with animation’ because
competition is the judges’ in- landscape that was so stable I don’t think I’m really able to
ability to see the submissions and seemed pretty quiet and call myself an animator yet,
in person. always there.” but it was a good way to open
“When we switched to this Like Poppen, competition that up for myself.”
format, the judges get all of winner Camille Amezcua ’22 Competition winner Abby
the submissions virtually… was also influenced by the Wang ‘23 was also deeply
and that’s great for 2D media pandemic, although her sub- and personally connected to
like photography and paint- mission centered around one the content of her artwork—
ing,” Fraga said. “I think it’s of her newfound interests: her submission ‘Why is this
more challenging for things listening to jazz music. so wrong?’ addressed a lack COURTESY OF AUDREE GRAND PIERRE
like sculpture and ceramics, “During the pandemic, I of diverse representation of “RELEASE”: The painting “Release” by Audree Grand Pierre ‘21 was featured in this year’s Delta Sigma/Delta Upsilon
where it would be easier to got very into jazz and played LGBTQ couples in the me- art competition.
see things in a 3D format.” a lot of Sun Ra, Miles Davis, dia through a series of digital her iPad to create her sub- “It was cool because I had gallery showing in Smith
Competition winner Lily Archie Shepp … it really im- drawings. mission and illustrated the some friends who graduated Union.
Poppen ’22 noted another bued everything I was doing,” “A lot of times in the me- theme of physical connection or are still on campus that I ha- “I know we have students
unique aspect of this year’s Amezcua said in a Zoom in- dia when LGBT groups are through deliberate shading. ven’t talked to in a bit… [who] who love to see their artwork
competition: due to the virtu- terview with the Orient. “All portrayed, it’s always kind While it was her first time saw the post that Bowdoin did hang, especially in such a
al format, none of the contes- of my sketches were of peo- of sad or heavy, so I wanted making art with her iPad and about it and they reached out,” public space,” Fraga said.
tants knew the identity of the ple playing jazz instruments, something that was a little Apple Pencil, Wang enjoyed said Wang. “That was cool, be- “[To] be able to celebrate that
judges. and I really wanted to see if I more personal,” Wang said the opportunity to explore cause I got to reconnect briefly and also get to meet the Delta
“You want to look up your could take that a step further.” in a Zoom interview with the new drawing and shading with them.” Sigma alumni corporation is a
judges and see what type of In addition to jazz, Amezc- Orient. “One of them is a lit- techniques. While she has entertained great opportunity for our stu-
work they gravitate toward ua used her piece to pay hom- tle sad, but the other two are Despite the virtual format the possibility of a future dents to connect with [local]
and put your best foot for- age to her Mexican heritage as brighter and happier, and I of this year’s competition, hybrid model for the compe- alumni.”
ward within the style you well as her home, New York wanted to show love between Wang found it especially ful- tition with the Delta Sigma Aadhya Ramineni ’23 is a
think might be a good con- City. people to humanize [them], filling to be recognized for her alumni corporation, Fraga member of the Orient staff.
tender,” Poppen said in a “My dad is from Mexico in a way.” success by the Bowdoin com- primarily plans to bring back
Zoom interview with the Ori- City, so the flowers in the Like Amezcua, Wang used munity. the competition’s in-person

Printmaker Mizin Shin explores interconnectivity in lecture

Shin’s print “How Things eyes at two different french fry ed, food can be high-end and light on the idea that all ele- and three-dimensional com-
by Colter Adams are Consumed”—which fea- displays. fancy, or budget and cheap.” ments of our systems are of ponents alongside print work.
Orient Staff
tures french fries as a focal Shin hopes the piece will Shin’s prints often harness significance from the individ- Shin’s innovation extends
On April 9, Associate Pro- point— is emblematic of her prompt her audience to con- the cyclical and modular na- ual, to the larger construct,” well outside the gallery; she
fessor of Art Carrie Scanga provocative style. Through the sider whether the value of ture of printmaking to illus- Shin said. is also a visiting assistant
hosted printmaker Mizin Shin piece, Shin captures the im- food is more dependent on trate the interconnectivity of In her lecture, Shin em- professor at the University of
for a lecture on her recent balance between the economy production or presentation. systems—from the process phasized the versatility of Rochester and a co-founder of
work. During her talk, Shin of consumption and the food “The work shows [that] of manufacturing cookies, to printmaking and outlined her Mirabo Press, a printmaking
showcased some of her most manufacturing and distribu- what we pay for is a lot more complex social and economic experience working in both studio in Buffalo.
notable projects and demon- tion process. The print leads than just what’s on our plates networks. traditional and contemporary Shin believes that collabo-
strated the art form’s unique viewers through a maze of ag- or in our paper boxes,” Shin “By showing intrinsic con- styles. The interplay between rating with local art commu-
ability to depict contemporary ricultural and manufacturing said during her lecture. “De- nections among simple ob- these two styles has often led nities often leads to insightful,
challenges. motifs, halting the viewers’ pending on how it is distribut- jects, [print] works can shine Shin to experiment with light multidisciplinary work.

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Tuesday, May 11, 2021 9

SPORTS
Athletics spending shows pay gap between women’s and men’s teams
by Seamus Frey experience on campus, and England, which helps to limit tennis), the average of the de- tors that come into play with either direction.”
Orient Staff the vast percentage of what is those expenses, but they do partment’s total expenses per the different sports that we The pay gap as FTE be-
Every September, colle- referred to as revenue in the end up being considerable.” player essentially evened out support,” Ryan said. “But it is tween men’s and women’s
giate athletic departments reporting is simply the Col- certainly something that we’re coaches at Bowdoin was al-
around the country are re- lege funding the operations of mindful of to manage the al- most half of the pay gaps as
quired by the U.S. Depart- the athletic department.” location of resources across FTE at Colby and Bates, both
ment of Education and the However, some funds were all of our teams.” of which were about $20,000
Equity in Athletics Disclosure sourced from alumni, most Equal allocation, however, in 2018-19.
Act (EADA) to report their of which were donated to the does not extend to the sal- “[The pay gap] is a really
athletic expenses and net Polar Bear Athletic Fund. The aries of coaching positions. important issue that we’ve
revenues, as well as the demo- Fund raises about $150,000 In 2018-19, all head coaches been monitoring for quite
graphics of their teams, for each year and supports all of of men’s teams were men, some time,” Ryan said. “It’s
the previous academic year. the athletic programs offered and half of the head coach- not a new conversation within
While the EADA report from at the College, but alumni can es of women’s teams were our department, but the sala-
2019-20 has been delayed due also donate directly to certain men. During that academic ry decisions are really based
to the COVID-19 pandemic, programs. year, head coaches of men’s upon the experience level of
data from 2018-19 provides “We don’t do a lot of so- teams were paid an average of people who we bring into our
insight into how Bowdoin’s liciting for funding [for in- $52,809, while head coaches programs.”
athletic department secures dividual programs] because of women’s teams were paid At Bowdoin, the pay gap
funds and spends its money. we’re really fortunate to have an average of $48,746. across men’s and women’s
EADA reports are sep- our programs be funded by If these are standardized teams continues to a lesser
arated into three sections: the College,” Ryan said. “So, to Full Time Equivalents extent for assistant coaches.
personnel, expenses and rev- the majority of the fundrais- (FTE)—scaling the institu- Men’s team assistant coaches
enues. At Bowdoin in 2018- ing that takes place is general tional salary to what it would were paid $72,692 as FTEs
19, the athletic department’s fundraising through the Polar be if the coaches were full- and women’s team assistant
expenses were equal to its Bear Athletic Fund to help time workers—the pay gap coaches were paid $67,169 as
revenue of $12,823,173. support all of our programs.” reaches about $10,000. In FTEs.
A majority of the Expenses in the EADA re- 2018-19, men’s teams’ head “We are really internally
$12,823,173 earned, and sub- port are more complex than coaches were paid $92,919 on focused in terms of the re-
sequently spent, by the ath- revenue. Operating expenses, average as FTEs and women’s sources that we allocate to
letic department in 2018-19 as defined by the report, are teams’ head coaches were paid support our programs here at
was sourced from the College game day expenses. At Bow- LILY ANNA FULLAM
$82,421 on average as FTEs. Bowdoin, more so than mak-
itself, as it is every year. doin, this mostly consists of “Our salary structure is ing comparisons with our
“Our athletic department travel expenditures. More broadly, total ex- across gender, with an aver- based upon the experience peers,” Ryan said. “But going
does not make money for the “Travel drives the bulk penses encompass coaches’ age of $6,794 spent per male level of the people who we back to when Tim Foster was
College,” Ashmead White Di- of the [operating] expenses salaries and facilities upkeep, athlete and $6,665 spent per bring into the various coach- the dean of students and in
rector of Athletics Tim Ryan for our programs, and that as well as operating expenses. female athlete. ing positions that we have my early days as the director
said in a Zoom interview with is impacted by the number While each team’s budget “By and large, across gen- and their contributions to the of athletics … this has been
the Orient. “Supporting col- of students who may happen varied and the operating ex- der, in terms of the students College,” Ryan said. “Over something that the College
legiate athletics is a decision to participate within a par- penses per player per team that we’re supporting within time, as there’s turnover and has paid attention to and, as I
that the College has made in ticular program,” Ryan said. ranged from $431 (men’s the department, it’s not in- staffing, I think the dispari- mentioned before, it’s an im-
terms of the overall planning “The majority of our travel is track and field/cross coun- tentional to have it be exact ty … in terms of salaries for portant issue.”
and budgeting for the student centered in and around New try) to almost $8,000 (men’s because there are various fac- head coaches will deviate in

Women’s soccer team adapts for first competition in 18 months

play would be high,” Smith- be ready and playing at our overtook [my nerves].” situation. our current first years at
by Tucker Ellis
Orient Staff
son said in a phone interview best,” Smithson said. “The Despite the team’s eager- “Everybody got plenty of least once every two weeks,
with the Orient. “[The play- drills and activities we do are ness to get back on the field, playing time on the field and and we have regular conver-
Following an 18-month ers] had done a lot of work on very game-realistic. We try to the Polar Bears faced changes, plenty of touches, so that’s sations about DEI work. We
hiatus from competition, the their own, and it showed.” work on the things that will restrictions and procedures been a huge plus,” Smithson keep them involved as much
women’s soccer team hosted Defender Katherine Page help players have the most implemented due to the said. as possible,” Smithson said.
Bates on Sunday, May 2 for ’23 largely credited the sup- confidence when they step COVID-19 pandemic. Page also found hope and “We’ve also separated the
a scrimmage with no official portive and light-hearted at- onto the field [for a game].” “All the players were optimism within the team’s team into small ‘critical re-
box score. The 90-minute mosphere at practices for the Above all else, Smithson masked for the game, and we restricted circumstances. lationship groups’ based on
competition was played over team’s confidence. was grateful to experience the had to go through the testing “[Having a smaller team] proximal positions on the
three 30-minute periods as “The goal [of the season] return to competition with protocols that Bowdoin has,” has given us a unique oppor- field, and each group engag-
opposed to the typical two was to support each other and her team by her side. Smithson said. “In addition to tunity,” Page said. “It forces es in activities together on
45-minute periods in order have fun together,” Page said “Having the opportunity that, everyone involved had each of us to connect with Zoom.”
to give players more rest and in a phone interview with the to play was the highlight of to get a rapid antigen test the people that we previously Moving forward, Smithson
recovery time. Orient. “Going in with that the past year,” Smithson said. morning of the game.” hadn’t spent as much time feels that her team’s passion
The team’s last game was mindset, there was a lot of en- “Getting the chance to take Smithson also explained with.” and appreciation for soccer
against Tufts on November 2, ergy and excitement and low- the field together and play the that the decreased size of her To compensate for the will be rejuvenated by their
2019. er stress [at the scrimmage].” sport we love gave us the first team made the scrimmage physical and social separa- return to the field.
Despite the disruptive, To prepare for the matchup sense of normalcy that we’ve more difficult. tion between first-year and “We were rewarded for all
stressful academic year and with Bates, Smithson and her had in a long time.” “Many of our players, es- upperclass players, Smithson our hard work, and we were
lack of opportunity for com- team simply did what they Page echoed her coach’s pecially first years, are not on has attempted to create an able to remind ourselves that
petition, Head Coach Brianne always do: approach practices sentiments. campus right now,” Smithson atmosphere in which athletes we play soccer because we
Smithson explained that con- with competition in mind. “[Being reunited with the said. “We had 12 players with living away from campus truly love the sport,” Smith-
fidence was high in the lead- “Every time we practice, team] is a very special thing,” only one substitute.” are easily integrated into the son said.
up to the scrimmage. everything we do is focused Page said. “I was pretty ner- However, Smithson was team’s dynamic through on-
“We knew, even early on in on asking ourselves what vous because I hadn’t played able to find a silver lining in line conversations.
the spring, that our level of we need to do in order to in so long, but the excitement the potentially discouraging “We have Zoom calls with

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10

Well In, Lad: The next generation of Messi vs. Ronaldo?

Champions League’s all-time witnessed generational talent shoes of the old guard. onto the scene in 2019 play- yet very different, players.
by Ben Brown
Orient Staff leading scorer, with Messi a before, but never simultane- Kylian Mbappe, 22, who ing with Austrian Club RB Mbappe relies on his foot
close second before a drop- ously like Messi and Ronaldo, currently tries his trade in Salzburg, where he became skills and creativity, while
Welcome one and all to off to third that speaks vol- who have had every accom- France for the club Paris Saint the first teenager to score in Haaland dominates with his
what is Well In, Lad’s final umes about their dominance plishment since their concur- Germain (PSG), has been one five consecutive Champions size and goalscoring instinct.
column of the semester. It’s in front of the net. Messi has rent rises to fame measured of the most exciting young League matches. He trans- Mbappe plays with more
been a long journey, but I’ve won the European Golden against the other’s. players in the game for the ferred to Borussia Dortmund flair, while Haaland takes the
enjoyed myself plenty, so I Shoe (most goals) award six Essentially, what we have past few years. Though not this past year, where he has get-it-done approach—with
hope all of you reading have, times; Ronaldo, four. Messi seen since the turn of the cen- possessing the most imposing continued his goal scoring everything. Check out his in-
too. To wrap up the semester, has racked up an incredible 35 tury is sheer dominance of the figure, he is incredibly quick, tear. Haaland isn’t known for terviews and you’ll see what
I want to do a little reminisc- major trophies; Ronaldo, 31. game, on and off of the field, has ball control that rivals having great feet or being the I mean. They certainly aren’t
ing on the past and take a look But they’re more than just by Messi and Ronaldo. Unfor- the best of them and always creator that Mbappe has come direct analogues to Messi and
at what the future of soccer stellar on paper. The impact tunately, all good things must seems to find a way to create to be known as, but Haaland Ronaldo, but their concurrent
might hold. they’ve had on the sport and come to an end. We’ve started goal-scoring opportunities has an uncanny ability to find rises to fame and immediate
Even the most casual of on the soccer community to see, albeit slightly, a decline for him and his teammates. the back of the net game in linkages of success in the me-
soccer fans recognize the can’t be understated. Since of the two in terms of their In 2018, at the age of just 18, and game out. At Dortmund, dia certainly point towards
names Messi and Ronal- the early 2000s, kids all over dominance. Messi is now 33, he became the youngest play- he’s continued scoring at an the potential of a dynamic
do—referring, of course, to the world—myself includ- and Ronaldo is 36. Don’t get er ever to score in a World unprecedented rate. In 16 eerily similar to that of Messi
storied legends Lionel Messi ed—have looked up to them me wrong—they are still eas- Cup Final as he helped lead Champions League games, vs. Ronaldo. I don’t want to
and Cristiano Ronaldo—the as heroes. They are the play- ily two of the best players in France to victory. In 2019, he’s notched 20 goals, and jump the gun, but everything
greats who have, for the better ers everybody dresses up as the world—but as the curtain he was named French league in the Bundesliga he’s put they have shown us early in
part of two decades, domi- for Halloween and the ones begins to close on their ca- player of the year following a away a whopping 38 goals their careers indicates they
nated the sport of soccer and kids pretend to be whilst they reers, the question has arisen: 39 goal, 15 assist season. He’s in 41 games. His 6’4” frame, have the potential to lead the
developed a rivalry that will dribble through their class- who, if anyone, will take their racked up an astonishing 27 coupled with his speed, has next generation of superstars.
go down as one of the greatest mates on the playground. And place? Looking at the game goals and 15 assists in his few allowed him to be deadlier in So don’t be surprised if, in
in sports history. Their stats perhaps what has made their right now, the only logical years of Champions League front of the net earlier in his five years time, you see kids
speak for themselves. Between impact extra special is the fact contenders are prodigy strik- play, and in Ligue 1 play he career than almost anyone in walking around your neigh-
the two, they have captured 11 that we got to witness them ers Kylian Mbappe and Erling has netted 89 goals and 27 as- the history of the sport. borhood sporting Mbappe
of the last 12 Ballon d’Or (best competing at the same time Haaland, who both seem to sists in his four years for PSG. Mbappe and Haaland and Haaland jerseys for Hal-
player) awards. Ronaldo is the and against each other. We’ve have the potential to fill the Erling Haaland, 20, burst are two unbelievably gifted, loween.

Head Coach of women’s basketball Shibles accepts position at Dartmouth

by Sebastian de Lasa cord was 281-65, making the Shibles was named the 2019 head coach Stefanie Pemper, arguably her finest, as Bow- middling program at Dart-
Orient Staff NCAA tournament 11 times. WBCA Division III Coach Shibles was Bowdoin women’s doin won its first NESCAC mouth—the women’s team
Adrienne Shibles, Head In recent years, Shibles’ teams of the Year, is a three-time basketball’s winningest coach. Championship and advanced has not posted a winning
Coach of the women’s bas- were almost unbeatable, run- NESCAC Coach of the Year, Players from Shibles’ tenure to the third round of the record since the 2017-18
ketball team, has accepted an ning a combined 58-4 record and was named Head Coach are smattered across the re- NCAA tournament, before season, finishing its last full
offer to become head coach of since the 2018-19 season, for the 2021 USA Basketball cord books: her teams were the remainder of the tour- season at 10-17 overall with a
the Dartmouth College wom- making back-to-back NCAA Women’s U16 National Team. incredibly adept on offense, nament was cancelled due to 4-10 record against other Ivy
en’s basketball team. Over 12 tournament finals in 2018 Building upon the dom- defense and the glass. Shibles’ COVID-19. League schools.
seasons, the Polar Bears’ re- and 2019. In personal honors, inance of her predecessor, final year as head coach was Shibles will take over a

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 O OPINION
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 11

Support international students

during and after COVID-19
Last week was International Week at Bowdoin—a week when the interna-
Creativity does not replace capital
tional student community celebrates its members’ cultures while reflecting what resources are available to students simply don’t even realize its importance,
by Aminat Ibn Yusif
on unique struggles that have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. In and how to use them and receptiveness because this sort of networking is a part
Columnist
an Orient feature covering International Week, many international students to student critiques. Writing centers are of the unwritten curriculum they have
voiced concerns about a lack of sufficient support from the College. These Colleges often make the misinformed known to be feminized and white and never learned. Students who can fos-
issues aren’t new, and they deserve our attention. assumption that all students understand this can ultimately deter students who do ter relationships with faculty members
When COVID-19 cases first began to spread in the United States in ear- what resources are available to them and not fall into these categories from using typically find it easier to attain letters of
ly 2020, Bowdoin’s shutdown and the government’s subsequent restrictions how to use them. Office hours, writing the space. recommendation and are often able to
posed a myriad of challenges for international students; factors such as trav- centers, “Q” (quantitative-reasoning) Sociologist Anthony Jack and author obtain higher GPAs. Underfunded high
el bans, excessive time differences and U.S. laws surrounding VISA status tutors and even libraries are a few of the of the “Privileged Poor” often speaks of schools generally don’t stress how pro-
threatened the ability of international students to successfully engage in many “resources” that are commonly the ‘doubly disadvantaged’ student versus fessional relationships can be beneficial
classes. In the features piece, international students reported that the College advertised to students, but how can they the ‘privileged poor’ student. Although in the long run, and so students miss out
had made an effort to meet their needs, but many feel they had not been be useful if all students don’t know what both are categorized as low-income, the on building these networks when they
provided adequate solutions to the obstacles they continue to face. they are or how to use them? ‘privileged poor’ typically come to college arrive at college. By continuing to enable
As reported in this week’s feature, international students are demanding Firstly, we often these systems that
the College do better, and they are now asking for access to safe, on-campus underestimate the support classism
housing this summer. Many of their home countries still face grave threats importance of capital. and racism, insti-
from COVID-19, whether due to economic and political roadblocks hin- And by capital, I mean tutions are setting
dering access to vaccines or new strains making the virus more dangerous cultural capital and ‘doubly disadvan-
than ever. The challenges that prevented international students from feeling generational capital, taged’ students
comfortable returning home last summer when Bowdoin supported all in- things that are often up for failure. Al-
ternational students who requested housing are still in place. The offer of important while nav- lowing students to
guaranteed on-campus housing is not. igating elite Amer- enter a space, but
Even in non-COVID-19 times, the infrastructure in place at Bowdoin for ican institutions. It not allowing them
supporting its international students is lacking. Unlike many of our NESCAC is a privilege to have to take up space, is
peers, Bowdoin does not have any single staff member entirely devoted to access to parents or destructive by na-
working with the unique, and often more delicate, circumstances that inter- direct relatives that ture. It is counter-
national students face. Currently, one dean is responsible for advising half are familiar with the productive to get
of all Bowdoin sophomores, juniors and seniors as well as aiding all interna- way elite institutions students to college
tional students. Just like our peer institutions, such as Bates, Hamilton, Mid- work because they but not through
dlebury and Trinity, Bowdoin should have one staff member who is entirely themselves attended college. Thus, fail-
dedicated to helping solve the challenges that international students face. one and experienced ure to recognize
International students have expressed frustration at constantly being how they operate. It is and support disad-
treated as an afterthought throughout this past year, and yet, the College has a privilege to under- vantaged students
still not adopted more intensive measures to aid them. This does not match stand how to use your is one flaw of many
the College’s goal of upholding the Common Good and building a network professors as a re- in academia.
of community support and care. We need to finally start listening to students source, to understand First-genera-
when they ask for help. what office hours are tion, low-income
We urge the College to prioritize finding solutions to the problems faced and that you are enti- students are often
AMIRA OGUNTOYINBO
by international students. We ask that Bowdoin consider how its adminis- tled to attend. It is also applauded for their
trative systems may best be altered to support these students through the elitist and classist to ability to get to
pandemic and beyond and make the necessary changes as soon as possible. assume that all students are familiar with with a level of cultural capital that allows college, but once they arrive as students,
the ways in which college resources work; them to navigate academia with more they enter an environment that has been
This editorial represents the majority view of the Editorial Board, which is there is an unwritten curriculum essen- ease. For instance, they understand what systematically programmed to require a
comprised of Julia Jennings, Katie King, Kate Lusignan, Nina McKay, Dylan tial to the success of college students. Stu- office hours are and how they should look certain level of cultural capital to survive.
Sloan and Emily Staten. dents without this cultural or generation- rather than just when they are. With an Having to adjust mentally to this culture
al capital are told to be creative in order to understanding of how one can reach shock—that could result in imposter
survive. How come my academic success out to professors and academic advisors, syndrome—in addition to navigating
depends on my ability to think creatively? these students are able to actually benefit the various resources at college on one’s
It is crucial that institutions like Bowdoin from access to the resources provided by own becomes a burden that overwhelms
redefine what support actually looks like. colleges. Students that Jack classifies as many.
You see, many marginalized students ‘doubly disadvantaged’ are uncomfort- Is a resource actually a resource if
get to college and are used as props by able navigating academic resources be- you don’t know how to use it? This may
ESTABLISHED 1871 elite institutions to promote diversity, cause it is a behavior they never learned. be a foreign concept for many, but your
but what about the support once they are The resources provided by institutions inability to comprehend how the other
bowdoinorient.com orient@bowdoin.edu 6200 College Station Brunswick, ME 04011 there? More specifically, academic sup- remain the same, but the level of inclu- half lives is directly correlated with your
The Bowdoin Orient is a student-run weekly publication dedicated to providing news and information port is more than creating a writing cen- sivity and ability to use them differs tre- subconscious elitism. Stop using low-in-
relevant to the Bowdoin community. Editorially independent of the College and its administrators, ter; it’s also ensuring that it’s an inclusive mendously. come, marginalized students as pho-
the Orient pursues such content freely and thoroughly, following professional journalistic standards in space that all students feel comfortable For example, networking is a skill that to-ops if, when the time comes to offer
writing and reporting. The Orient is committed to serving as an open forum for thoughtful and diverse using. The establishment of places like the is often intimidating for many. It is an support, responsibility shifts from the
discussion and debate on issues of interest to the College community. Baldwin Center for Learning and Teach- additional step that numerous students institutions to students who are expected
ing here at Bowdoin is simply providing have not had the space to learn or be to “be creative.” We are at a point where
access–the next step is inclusion. Inclu- taught. Many marginalized, first-gen- these shortcomings must change institu-
Kate Lusignan Nina McKay sion means more visual representation eration students do not feel comfortable tionally so students don’t need to be cre-
Editor in Chief Editor in Chief within the staff, formal introductions to building relationships with faculty, or ative to survive and excel academically.

Managing Editor
Digital Director Sabrina Lin News Editor
Steven Xu Dylan Sloan Halina Bennet
Emily Staten Rebecca Norden Bright QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Photo Editor Ayub Tahlil
Mindy Leder
Mackey O’Keefe Associate Editor
Sophie Burchell
Features Editor
Tianyi Xu HAVE YOU HAD MR. TUNA?
Layout Editor Ellery Harkness
Miki Rierson A&E Editor
Julia Jennings
Jane Godiner

Social Media Editor

Head Copy Editor
Lily Anna Fullam Sports Editor
Answer at bowdoinorient.com/poll.
Aadhya Ramineni Seamus Frey
Sophia Wei Copy Editor

Last issue’s response:

Sofie Brown Opinion Editor
Head Illustrator Katie King
Jacob Rose Lily Randall
Kayla Snyder
Business Manager
Kathryn McGinnis Q: DID YOU WATCH THE BSG DEBATES?
11% YES
The material contained herein is the property of The Bowdoin Orient and appears at the sole discretion of the
editors. The editors reserve the right to edit all material. Other than in regard to the above editorial, the opinions 89% NO
expressed in the Orient do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors. Based on answers from 163 responses.
 MAY
12 Tuesday, May 11. 2021

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