ASS

David Helfand does not drink coffee for three reasons.

Who is Big Sean? As someone who had never heard of this Bacchanal Babe until realizing I wouldn't be able to watch him perform, I took it upon myself to do some investigating. Well, for one thing, Large Sean seems to be quite a deceiving character: It appears he and his lady friend, Ariana Grande, are both rather minuscule people who aren't that "Big" or "Grande" at all.

I'd just finished drafting my weekly Spectrum post last night when I came across an article so arresting that I now find it inappropriate to write on anything else. The article in question was published yesterday by a student at Dartmouth, and I urge you to read it. The column is not without controversy, regarding both the author's character and his gut-wrenching claims concerning Dartmouth's Greek life and campus culture in general. And just as sickening are some of the responses to the article, mostly by Dartmouth students and alum, many of which could be described, at best, as heartless. If I am sure of one thing, I am sure of forgiveness. And when I claim to know anything about it, it's because I've needed it often and known a fair share myself. Forgiveness can change lives. It can change relationships, and campuses, and cultures, and nations. In it is a capacity more powerful than judgment. But what's all this got to do with us Columbia kids? In light of this article and the many others from other colleges in recent semesters, it seems to me that an icy climate has spread across our campuses---indeed, the Big Ass Blue Whale might be bigger than we thought.more The specific problems at Dartmouth might not look quite the same as the problems at Columbia. And yet it almost feels as if a veil is being lifted back, or rather ripped back, on the same dark monster whose reach extends across campus borders. So, while I know that we've certainly got our own share of issues, I hope we can also include other campuses in our vision for change and renovation. For our fates are most certainly connected. When our President addressed the Nation on Tuesday, he spoke of a country made great because "we get each other's backs."

The letter to President Bollinger published yesterday contains a moment so remarkable and extraordinary, that I'm going to repeat it for you just to make sure you don't miss it. It was written:

Last year saw its share of controversy from CIRCA's proposed dinner with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Barnard's new tuition policy, the General Studies Student Council's ever changing leadership, and CUCR's safe space forum. The "Spirit of '68" returned to campus as this semester saw a rise in activism, including the Occupy Columbia movement. ROTC also returned to campus for the first time in 43 years amid contentious debates and hearings. The unexpected resignation of Dean Moody-Adams along with the appointment of Deantini left many demanding transparency, while the faculty of SEAS has no confidence in Dean Pena-Mora. In sports, the Editorial Board called for the firing of football's Coach Wilson—and that's just what happened. And important conversations about sexual violence and mental health were finally openly discussed and addressed, thanks in no small part to blogger Caroline Blosser's big ass blue whale series.