Samantha Sokol

This past Saturday, The New York Times reported about current GS student Sara McKenna, former marine and firefighter, who is currently involved in a cross-country custody battle that raises important questions about women's rights. The situation started when last year, McKenna became pregnant during a brief relationship with Bode Miller, the Olympic ski star. By December, McKenna moved to New York to start school at Columbia after breaking things off with Miller. But oh yeah...she was seven months pregnant. Who was to take custody of the child when the dad lives in California but the mom is in New York? A legal custody battle ensued because Miller accused McKenna of absconding to a more sympathetic New York court. McKenna's New York court agreed, and Miller's California court granted him custody of the child. moreA woman being pregnant does not take away her right to make the choice to attend college! At the same time, it was pretty unfair to Miller that McKenna moved his unborn child across the country. On November 14th, the case was picked up again in an appeals court in New York. This time, the court declared that McKenna's rights were violated. In fancy lawyer talk:

Let the games begin! The official candidate list for Fall 2013 CCSC and ESC elections has been released. Some info, and the list after the jump.

Is it just me, or is snapchat really awkward? It's lovely to use in order to keep in touch with people. I use it to talk with my high school friends because it's actually nice to see their faces and what they're doing. But, when some random person you've only met once adds you on snapchat...what do you do?! When someone you only vaguely like starts snapping you a lot....what's the protocol?! There are no unspoken millenial rules when it comes to snapchat, while there are such rules for twitter and facebook. Snapchat can only be seen as the uncharted territory where AWKWARDNESS REIGNS !! 1. Snapping in Public I take out my phone, and take a stealthy glance around the library. As most have thier head buried in a book, I make about five double chins into the unforgiving lens of my iPhone just in time for someone I vaguely know from NSOP week to walk by and look directly at me. Yes. This is what I've been up to.

Good morning you crazy Columbians! Feeling cranky? Grouchy? Well, how about something to feel excited for. Parks and Rec is starting up again on Thursday at 8 p.m.! So let's take a moment to appreciate how Ron Swanson looks when he's hopeful. Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!more In other news: Know this: SIPA professor Prabhjot Singh was assaulted Saturday night while walking on 110th Street and Lenox Avenue. Just in case you missed out on this: Check out the Weekend Recap for men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and women's tennis. Check this out: A response to The Eye's feature story, "The End of the Internship", suggests that unpaid internships lead to an unjust culture.

Wondering what that random music was by College Walk? There are two demonstrations coexisting between Butler and Low. The first is a student-run demonstration called "Indigenous Peoples' Day Die-In." Students are rallying on college walk in order to remember the indigenous peoples forgotten due to the legacy of Columbus.

In my last 1:11, I wrote about how Artpop, Lady Gaga's new album, is the perfect cure to the mid-semester slump. For today, to boost my street cred show you some new music, I compiled songs from more "up and coming" artists to put a spring in your step. First is Sky Ferreira. Sky's music is perfect for getting ready in the morning---it's all I've been listening to. To make you feel like an underachiever, Sky models, acts, and writes her own music, all at the age of 21. The good thing, however, is that her age makes her music super relatable. In "24 Hours," she sounds a lot like Lana Del Ray. more No matter where I am or what I am doing, this song by Smallpools will make me break out in dance. End of story. Can we also take a moment to appreciate the awkward tween who is ROCKING IT on the cover of this album? Next up on our playlist is The Crash. Since this band hasn't released an album since 2008, they aren't necessarily "up and coming"...but their songs are so good I DON'T CARE! This band is from Turku, Finland, and a lot of their songs are about obsessing over a crush from afar. While creepy, I think that is something we could all relate to here... This song by Clubfeet is also a total jam. This song makes me want to make some spontaneous sk8r friends and set off into the California sunset. ~~~*And at that moment, I swear we were infinite*~~~ We all secretly love Disco/80s music (like the kind they play in Liz's Place), and we all kinda wish that people still made music like that today. Well, Minks is the answer to your quandary! His music has that rocking 80s electronic backbeat you've been craving. You're welcome. While Haim (pronounced Hime) isn't so much "up and coming" as much as they are already there, they are probably one of the best bands of 2013. (Spectator interviewed them earlier this year). I am obsessed with them so don't even start with me. These sisters produced a 2013 album where every song is amazing. Like, all of them. Here are the peppiest songs of their album.

As well as it is a Monday, today is National Occult Day. Basically, we're dealing with some batshit space realm business. If you have a ouija board you could stop reading this because that thing knows more than I do. If you don't possess a future-telling board, however, see here for today's news. First of all: Don't forget that today is class registration for CC and SEAS, and it's the first day you could sign up for L-courses (may the odds be ever in your favor). Read this: Sports Weekend Recap includes everything you need to know about Football, Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Men's soccer, and more. Know that Dean Martinez said she will not apply to become permanent dean of Student Affairs. Consider that the feelings of hatred in Israeli-Palestinian debate should not extend to Morningside Heights.

I'm a Shosh, if you were wondering. I am consistently asked which character of the hit dramedy "Girls" I would be, and I consistently say that I'm Shosh. Not sure why. I guess the Jewy-ness and the Snuggie-ness factor in, but that's pretty much it. Real talk: As a sophomore rapidly approaching her gilded 20s with no shiny career plans as of yet, I have some grievances with Lena Dunham's oeuvre.

All Barnard students recently received an email about a sexual assault which occurred last night at approximately 4 A.M. A university affiliate was in a livery cab (those semi-legal black taxis) when the driver pulled over to the side of the road and assaulted the affiliate. The perpetrator is described as male, in his 50s, with grey hair and a beard. The car in which the assault happened is below.