Quick Mid-term Review

I realize I haven't been doing a good job of updating this page lately... on one hand I've been pretty busy, but on the other there also hasn't been much happening on a college level that I can comment on. I'll quickly go through two things though.

The first was Formal dinner, over a week ago. Prof C (re)stated some of his goals for the college: to start a culture of reading, beautify the college (particularly the lounges), and revive an interest in endangered animals.

These goals follow the turn he took at Orientation to steer the college towards being more intellectual. Especially the first and the third goals. So far, he has made personal efforts to 'introduce' his students (he's teaching a module this semester) to the reading room. Also, there's a third-year project that's interested in animal conservation, and one or two more that are decorating shared spaces. Not sure how else the three goals will being realized.

What I'm interested in is how he'll push (or not push) in these directions. His involvement was very explicit during Orientation, where he made concerted efforts to change its tone. However, Prof C usually lets things go in its flow during the semester, so we'll see if he  will still stick to this policy.

The next interesting event is the 4th CSC elections. This year's one is almost as dramatic as the last. For one, a group of candidate contested as a complete committee. The closest to this to ever happen was two cycles ago, when a few candidates campaigned as groups, although not quite successfully (not all members were voted in).

The only position contested for was Vice-President, by a freshman. He lost, but kudos to him for being brave.

I think contesting elections by team was a natural progression though. I know, though only vaguely, that the past few CSCs faced power (more like ego) struggles and some cooperation issues. I'm sure there were efforts to prevent/ remedy these problems, but from an onlookers perspective the committees seemed rather disjointed right from the beginning. Forming a committee candidature seems like an attempt to establish agreement and coherence of roles and objectives before elections to tackle that problem.

It'll be interesting to see future elections too, if candidates will start contesting as complete committees or 'parties'.

But for now, I look forward to see what the 4th CSC will bring to the college. Good luck.