The Westletter: Week of 1/29/17

THE WESTLETTER for the week of 1/29/17

as always, for more see sites.dartmouth.edu/west-house/

To add the West House calendar to your own calendar applications, you can use this iCal link.

  • WEST HOUSE NEWS

— We had a very enjoyable House Professor’s Tea on Friday afternoon with Prof. David Kotz (Computer Science) who led a fascinating discussion about the mobile technology in healthcare and associated challenges with security.

Our next House Professor’s Tea will be this Friday, Feb 3 at 4:30pm with special guest Scott Listfield ’98.

Scott Listfield ’98 is known for his paintings featuring a lone exploratory astronaut lost in a landscape cluttered with pop culture icons, corporate logos, and tongue-in-cheek science fiction references. Scott grew up in Boston, MA and studied art at Dartmouth College. After some time spent living abroad, Scott returned to America and, shortly before the real life, non-movie version of the year 2001, began painting astronauts and, sometimes, dinosaurs.

— The West House IM basketball team closed out their season on Friday going down to Allen House. However an opportunity for payback looms over Winter Carnival, when there will be a skating rink set up on the Green with House tournaments in broomball(like hockey, but with no skates) and if there is enough interest, ice hockey! If you’re interested in representing West House on the ice, contact Exec co-chair Ryan.R.Monasch.19@dartmouth.edu.

— West House was well represented at the Colleges against Cancer Winter Bazaar on Friday, where we operated the popular cornhole game. Thanks to the Exec for organizing.

  • Reserving Fahey Lounge space

With the transition of the residence halls to House Communities, starting this term the lounge spaces in Fahey Hall have been set aside for general use by members of the House in the evenings. However, our House Admin Pamela Duffy is now able to book these spaces for student groups in some cases – if you’re interested in using one of the Fahey Lounges for an event, please contact Pamela atPamela.K.Duffy@dartmouth.edu. The criteria for event approval are still being determined; in general the ground-floor lounge will be more often available for use by groups as it is less commonly used as a general studying/gathering space.

  • Free HOP tickets

West House has available free tickets for House members to attend world-class performances at the Hopkins Center each term. Please see below the list of upcoming performances for this week; a full list of shows for upcoming term is available here. If you’d like tickets, please contact House Administrator Pamela Duffy at Pamela.K.Duffy@dartmouth.edu.

Danish String Quartet

Tue Jan 31 2017 – 7:00 PM

Program includes Beethoven’s bracing, soulful E-minor quartet and the sounds of Scandinavia in luscious arrangements of sprightly folk tunes.

  • Mini-Seminars in West House

Please see here the flyer for this term’s AVDF mini-seminars on exciting topics with our esteemed faculty. These are free, informal, and short! and a great way to connect with faculty and each other in the West House community. If interested, please contact Pamela at Pamela.K.Duffy@dartmouth.edu.

  • Dartmouth Posse Retreat

A note from Westians Karla Rosas ’20 and Natalie Freitas ’20:

We are two of the Posse veteran scholars on campus who are organizing a weekend retreat with all expenses paid to Lake Morey Resort. The event will take place February 24 at 4pm through February 26 at 12pm with transportation included to and from campus.The Posse Plus Retreat is a unique space where students, faculty, and staff come together to participate in a powerful discussion about a topic relevant to Dartmouth’s community. We will engage in dialogue on the topic of Division, Community and Identity in American Society. It is an incredible opportunity for students and faculty to voice their ideas and experience this important national conversation.

This invitation is extended to everyone in the Dartmouth community. The Facebook invite is here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1047689815359421/?active_tab=discussion

  • STUDENT EXEC BOARD MEETING

The next Executive Board meeting will take place on Sunday, January 29 at 8:30pm in the McLane seminar room. Minutes to all Exec Board meetings are available here. All are welcome to participate!

Agenda for Jan 29:

  1. Update on College Bazaar
  1. Update on Plans for Winter Carnival
  1. Discussion of a statement to send to West House
  1. Recap of meeting with administrators re: winter/spring plans
  • Hill Winds Society

A note from our own Shivam Chadha ’17:

Hey 20’s!

Do you want to meet alumni and be a student ambassador for the college?

Do you want to learn more about Dartmouth’s history and traditions?

Do you want to hang out with a super cool group of students?

Then learn about the Hill Winds Society!

Come to one of our mandatory information sessions and optional drop-in office hours to learn more!

 

Mandatory Information Sessions

Tuesday, January 31st 7:00 – 8:00 pm in Paganucci Lounge

Thursday, February 2nd 7:00 – 8:00 pm in Paganucci Lounge

 

Optional Drop-In Office Hours

Monday, January 30th 6:00 – 8:00 pm in KAF

Wednesday, February 1st 6:00 – 8:00 pm in KAF

Applications due Wednesday, February 8th at Noon

 

The Hill Winds Society, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, is comprised of a diverse group of students selected to be ambassadors to the alumni body. Founded in 2006, the society represents a variety of student interests, backgrounds and academic disciplines. Members are selected on the basis of their campus involvement, communication skills, leadership ability and potential, and infectious Dartmouth spirit.

  • Communicate Science!

As the editor of your Westletter (and your House Professor) I’d like to take the opportunity to advertise an exciting opportunity for Dartmouth students later this term to develop and utilize their science communication skills:

A huge part of success in almost any career is strong communication skills. This term we are excited to announce an opportunity for Dartmouth students to develop your ability to connect with audiences and in particular to share your love of science with your peers and the public.

In partnership with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and the National Science Foundation, we will be holding a workshop, consisting of five sessions over two weeks, to teach students skills in science communication.

We’ll be using fun and engaging improv techniques developed from acting training to help you connect with audiences.
The five sessions will be held on the following dates:
Feb 21, 23, 28, Mar 2, 7 (precise times to be scheduled).

Students who complete the workshops will be eligible to apply for a program of astronomy outreach in Appalachian Mountain Club lodges and huts over summer 2017. This program has previously hosted a number of Dartmouth students and is a great way to spend the summer in the outdoors while staying engaged with science.

Students in the program will also be encouraged to build and execute their own public outreach program using the skills they’ve developed.

If interested or if you have any questions, please email Prof. Hickox at ryan.c.hickox@dartmouth.edu.

 

Exec Board Minutes 1/22/17

  • Shifts for the Colleges Against Cancer Baazar:
    • 4:30-5:30: Noah, Ryan, and Tim
    • 5:30-6:30: Amaris and Alexis
  • Begun Discussion of House Facebook; Noah will meet with General Counsel and Dean Biron this week to discuss
  • The House should have more board games, maybe a platter of cookies available so students can just hang out in spaces. Baking club could also serve this purpose.
  • The Executive Board want to meet with Cathy Henault to discuss getting a new TV and video game system in Fahey 1
  • The House Executive Board would also like to look into having a gym and library in the house. Potential locations were discussed. The Executive Board like the study room on Fahey 4 for a library.

 

 

The Westletter: Week of 1/22/17

THE WESTLETTER for the week of 1/22/17

as always, for more see sites.dartmouth.edu/west-house/

To add the West House calendar to your own calendar applications, you can use this iCal link.

·         WEST HOUSE NEWS

— We had an excellent House Professor’s Tea on Friday afternoon with Prof. Brendan Nyhan (Government) who led a fascinating discussion about the current political environment in the age of President Trump.

Our next House Professor’s Tea will be this Friday, Jan 27 at 4:30 with guest Prof. David Kotz (Computer Science Professor, former Associate Dean for the Sciences, and Dartmouth alum). Hope to see you there!

— The West House IM basketball team made a strong effort in their game against North Park (who had a team with a complement of varsity football players) and went down in a thriller 37-34. Their final game is against Allen House this Friday at 7pm.

 ·        Free HOP tickets

West House has available free tickets for House members to attend world-class performances at the Hopkins Center each term. Please see below the list of upcoming performances for this week; a full list of shows for upcoming term is available here. If you’d like tickets, please contact House Administrator Pamela Duffy at Pamela.K.Duffy@dartmouth.edu.

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s “Bird Calls”

Fri Jan 27 2017 – 8:00 PM

A fiery, forward-looking tribute to jazz icon Charlie “Bird” Parker by one of today’s most celebrated sax players.

·         Mini-Seminars in West House

This term we will have AVDF mini-seminars on exciting topics with our esteemed faculty. These are free, informal, and short! and a great way to connect with faculty and each other in the West House community. If interested, please contact Pamela at Pamela.K.Duffy@dartmouth.edu. 

·         West House Mugs

We have a few remaining West House travel mugs (with our House tree insignia that is an image of the iconic elm tree in between Fahey and Russell Sage). They’re great for enjoying the drinks at House Teas or taking advantage of the promotions at KAF. To get yours, stop by the House Office and pick one up from Pamela! We’ll be putting in another order soon. 

·        Dartmouth Posse Retreat

A note from Westians Karla Rosas ’20 and Natalie Freitas ’20:

We are two of the Posse veteran scholars on campus who are organizing a weekend retreat with all expenses paid to Lake Morey Resort. The event will take place February 24 at 4pm through February 26 at 12pm with transportation included to and from campus. The Posse Plus Retreat is a unique space where students, faculty, and staff come together to participate in a powerful discussion about a topic relevant to Dartmouth’s community. We will engage in dialogue on the topic of Division, Community and Identity in American Society. It is an incredible opportunity for students and faculty to voice their ideas and experience this important national conversation.

This invitation is extended to everyone in the Dartmouth community. The Facebook invite is here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1047689815359421/?active_tab=discussion

·        Relay For Life Winter Bazaar

 West House will be hosting a booth at the Relay for Life Winter Bazaar at Collis Common Ground, Friday, Jan 27 from 4:30 to 6:30pm. Come play bag toss (i.e. “cornhole”) on our own Dartmouth-themed set and win prizes!

 ·         STUDENT EXEC BOARD MEETING

The next Executive Board meeting will take place on Sunday, January 22 at 8pm in the McLane seminar room. Minutes to all Exec Board meetings are available here. All are welcome to participate!

West House Exec Agenda for Jan 22, 2017

1. Archive: Alexis

2. Cancer Carnival:

o 4:30-6:30 pm on Friday, Jan 27

o Shifts?

3. Café West

o Interest? Plan?

·        Communicate Science!

As the editor of your Westletter (and your House Professor) I’d like to take the opportunity to advertise an exciting opportunity for Dartmouth students later this term to develop and utilize their science communication skills:

A huge part of success in almost any career is strong communication skills. This term we are excited to announce an opportunity for Dartmouth students to develop your ability to connect with audiences and in particular to share your love of science with your peers and the public.

 In partnership with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and the National Science Foundation, we will be holding a workshop, consisting of five sessions over two weeks, to teach students skills in science communication.

 We’ll be using fun and engaging improv techniques developed from acting training to help you connect with audiences.

The five sessions will be held on the following dates:
Feb 21, 23, 28, Mar 2, 7 (precise times to be scheduled).

Students who complete the workshops will be eligible to apply for a program of astronomy outreach in Appalachian Mountain Club lodges and huts over summer 2017. This program has previously hosted a number of Dartmouth students and is a great way to spend the summer in the outdoors while staying engaged with science. 

Students in the program will also be encouraged to build and execute their own public outreach program using the skills they’ve developed.

If interested or if you have any questions, please email Prof. Hickox at ryan.c.hickox@dartmouth.edu.

The Westletter: Week of 1/15/17

THE WESTLETTER for the week of 1/15/17

as always, for more see sites.dartmouth.edu/west-house/

To add the West House calendar to your own calendar applications, you can use this iCal link.

  • WEST HOUSE NEWS

— Our first West House Community Dinner on Tuesday was a lot of fun, as we filled the Fahey Lounge for a night of Thai food and conversation. The next Community Dinner will be on Tuesday, February 14 at 6pm; we’ll have 3 Guys BBQ (and the return of the famous chocolate fountain!)

— Congrats to the West House IM basketball team for great turnout and effort in their first game against East Wheelock. Despite a slow start, the team rebounded strongly in the second half but couldn’t come away with the W. The next game is against North Park this Friday at 7pm.

— Thanks to the Exec Board for organizing a successful trip to the Ice Castles on Friday night!

— We had an enjoyable House Tea on Friday afternoon with yours truly, including a great discussion about the nature of black holes. Our next House Tea will be this Friday, Jan 20 at 4:30 with Prof. Brendan Nyhan (Govt. Professor, contributor to the NY Times’s Upshot, and West House faculty affiliate) for a discussion about politics on the day of the Inauguration of President Trump.

 

— Last Sunday we had a screening of Sherlock on the West House big screen. Tonight we’ll be heading to McLaughlin Cluster for a screening of the season finale at 7pm organized by the LLCs.

  • Mini-Seminars in West House

Please see here the flyer for this term’s AVDF mini-seminars on exciting topics with our esteemed faculty. These are free, informal, and short! and a great way to connect with faculty and each other in the West House community. If interested, please contact Pamela at Pamela.K.Duffy@dartmouth.edu by Monday, January 16.

 

  • Screening of Selma for MLK Day

At 1:30pm on Monday we’ll get together at the House Professor’s Residence for a screening of Selma, along with some lunch and a group discussion. If you’d like lunch, please RSVP to Prof. Hickox (Ryan.C.Hickox@dartmouth.edu) by the end of the day Sunday.

  • West House Mugs

We now have lovely West House travel mugs (with our House tree insignia that is an image of the iconic elm tree in between Fahey and Russell Sage). They’re great for enjoying the drinks at House Teas or taking advantage of the promotions at KAF. To get yours, stop by the House Office and pick one up from Pamela!

  • STUDENT EXEC BOARD MEETING AND AGENDA

The next Executive Board meeting will take place on Monday, January 16 at 6pm in the McLane seminar room. All our welcome to participate! The agenda is below.

West House Exec Agenda

January 16, 2017

  1. Feedback on Ice Castle Trip:

o How did Ice Castle Trip work?

o What should be improved?

  1. Towels/Warm Up Station for Winter Carnival
  1. Dartmouth College Against Cancer:

o Relay for Life is hosting a Winter Bazaar on January 27th from 4:30 – 6:30 pm to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.  Student organizations will be hosting a booth with some sort of activity or game (like a fair). West House Participation?

  1. Other business

 

Shows at the Hop 17S

West House has available free tickets for House members to attend a number of world-class performances at the Hopkins Center each term. Please see below the list of upcoming performances for the current term. If you’d like tickets, please contact House Administrator Pamela Duffy at Pamela.K.Duffy@dartmouth.edu.
SPRING TERM 2017
Fri Mar 31 2017 – 8:00 PM
Grammy-winning violinist plays probing interpretations of Bach, Mozart, Schubert and more.
Tue Apr 04 2017 – 7:00 PM
Supremely expressive jazz pianist blends diverse influences—from classical to pop—into shapely impromptu musical creations.
Fri Apr 21 2017 – 8:00 PM
Transatlantic supergroup takes Celtic music to breathtaking new heights while staying true to its roots.
Tue Apr 25 2017 – 7:00 PM
Singers and instrumentalists from the 11 Nile countries play danceable, life-affirming music.
Sat Apr 29 2017 – 2:00 PM
Spring program for this uplifting ensemble of multi-faith student vocalists to be announced soon.
Sat May 06 2017 – 8:00 PM
Winds of Change, Part III: Contemporary Creators. Works by William Schuman, Vincent Persichetti, Karel Husa and David Maslanka.
Sun May 07 2017 – 2:00 PM
The spring program for this 40-voice student ensemble—whose repertory spans four centuries—will be announced soon.
Sat May 13 2017 – 8:00 PM
Senior Feature Concert! In this annual celebration, graduating players shape the program for an evening of eclectic, high-energy fun.
Sat May 20 2017 – 8:00 PM
Celebrating the town-gown choral society’s 210th anniversary with Dvořák’s poignant Stabat Mater, Op. 58.
Wed May 24 2017 – 7:00 PM
Spring program for this full band with drums at its center to be announced soon.
Fri May 26 2017 – 8:00 PM
Serious dancers of varied backgrounds collaborate in a creative environment that showcases exciting new choreography.
Sat May 27 2017 – 8:00 PM
Program includes Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (with soloist Jessica Tong ’17), Debussy’s La Mer and Ravel’s Bolero.

Shows at the Hop 16F

West House has available free tickets for House members to attend a number of world-class performances at the Hopkins Center each term. Please see below the list of upcoming performances for the current term. A sign-up system for expressing interest in shows will be made available soon; in the meantime please contact House Administrator Pamela Duffy at Pamela.K.Duffy@dartmouth.edu.
FALL TERM 2016
Sat Oct 08 2016 – 12:00 PM
Wagner’s romance about the beautiful Isolde (Nina Stemme), whose marriage to King Marke (René Pape) is threatened by her love for his nephew Tristan (Stuart Skelton).
Fri Oct 14 2016 – 8:00 PM
Musician-led orchestra performs Mozart, Schubert and the world premiere of a Hop commission by George Tsontakis.
Sat Oct 22 2016 – 8:00 PM
The Coast welcomes two stellar guest artists this fall: multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum (tenor saxophone, piano, drums) and flutist Nicole Mitchell.
Thu Oct 27 2016 – 7:00 PM
The reigning champs of bipartisan political mockery toast election season with amusing song parodies and groan-inducing puns.
Sat Oct 29 2016 – 8:00 PM
Dartmouth Sings! Join the DCGC and friends from Dartmouth’s thriving, diverse vocal community for a Homecoming Weekend celebration.
Fri Nov 04 2016 – 8:00 PM
Award-winning character study of an African American seamstress who creates dreamy undergarments that, she hopes, are her ticket to a more just and fulfilled life.
Sat Nov 05 2016 – 8:00 PM
Program includes Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, Nielsen’s Flute Concerto (with soloist Cheryl Chang ’18) and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.
Sun Nov 06 2016 – 2:00 PM

Program includes works by William Billings, Moses Hogan, Aaron Copland and the premiere of a choral version of Nolan Gasser’s Repast, based on a story from the Civil Rights struggle.

Fri Nov 11 2016 – 8:00 PM
Follow the wind band through 100 years of change, from 19th-century outdoor military bands and ragtag village groups, to the sleek, sophisticated concert-hall ensembles after World War II.
Sat Nov 12 2016 – 8:00 PM
Program inspired by the jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms of Dizzy Gillespie, Mongo Santamaria and Celia Cruz.
Tue Nov 15 2016 – 7:00 PM
Program includes Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, the world premiere of Dominic DiOrio’s I Tell the Story and works by Arvo Pärt.

Exec Board Minutes 1/16/17

  • Ice Castle Trip
    • Many people who said they were going to go to the Ice Castle Trip, did not show up
    • Before, there have been financial penalties for not showing to events, but very lenient
    • Will be followed up
  • Towels/Warm Up Station for Winter Carnival
    • Need to get ahead with ordering towels for polar plunge
    • Considering the time lag that has happened with the fleeces, we need to get ahead with ordering the towels
    • Need to decide on size of towel
    • Chair Noah will follow up with Prof. Hickox
  • Possibility of having a booth at Relay for Life event on January 27th
    • Can give out free mugs or gear
    • Ring toss game?
    • Most members expressed interest in running a booth at the event
    • Noah is following up with Relay for Life to confirm our commitment to running a booth
  • Posse Plus Retreat
    • Posse wants West Exec. Council to help advertise their retreat on Feb. 24
    • We will commit to support Posse
  • New storage room on first floor of Russell Sage
    • Darby is getting keys for executive members
    • Addition of coffee machine in West House office
    • Screen and projector are currently in West House office and will probably be kept there since UGA’s in Russell Stage on the first floor sometimes leave the door open

Exec Board Minutes 1/8/17

Minutes from 1/8/17

  1. We have a team for the IM Basketball group and we have a game on Friday night, either 6:15 or 7:30. Anyone who is not a varsity basketball player can join, and you can sign up throughout the term. Dinner group before a game? Before an IM basketball game and maybe Dartmouth College hockey game.
  2. Fleeces! Have been ordered already? In the black design.
  3. Dinners starting this Tuesday! Advertise!

Post things about dinners on the Vox Daily, Dartmouth Calendar, or the Dartmouth App! Try and get people from all around campus it’s a free meal.

Post events on Facebook for just about every event that way it shows students how much programming we are doing whether or not they actually show up.

Can Prof. Hickox host events at his home? –there isn’t enough space to have a large group in his home, also questionable if it is too out of the way and if students will actually be able to find it? Do a few events there just to give West House a more homey feel.

  1. Weekly Tea Guests

-Prof Hickox

-Prof Nyhan

-Prof Coates

-Dr. Lisa Adams

Noah (Reach out to Pamela to see if we can get posters for Tuesday’s dinner)

Try and make a full calendar/poster with most of the events we have for West House.

  1. Winter Carnival

Students think that Warm Up stations are a great way to have activities!

-Use the tent from Homecoming

-Warm Up Station for Polar Bear plunge and give out West House towels! (Maybe blankets?) Possibly have a polar bear on them? Say: “I did the Polar Bear Plunge” Say: “We did it” but have the “W” be the West house logo.

-Then have something at the Prof’s house because it’s so close to many of the events during Winter Carnival.

Maybe just do the ice sculptures rather than snow sculptures?

  1. Ice Castle Trip for this weekend since we would have another day with MLK Day?

-Could rent a mini-van (that’s only 7 people) so we would need a bus

-Programming board capped out at 100 in 2 minutes.

-So we are just getting one bus and capping the number of people we can bring there.

-50 people 16 bucks each 800 dollars

The Westletter: Week of 1/8/17

THE WESTLETTER for the week of 1/8/17

as always, for more see sites.dartmouth.edu/west-house/

  • WEST HOUSE WEEKLY CALENDAR FOR 17W TERM

We have an exciting list of events lined up for this winter — see links on each event for more details!

To add the West House calendar to your own calendar applications, you can use this iCal link.

— Sunday nightsStudent Exec Board meetings, 8pm, McLane ground floor seminar room. All are welcome to contribute and vote!

— Sunday nights (Jan 8 TONIGHT! and 15): TV night: Sherlock on the big screen, Fahey 1st-floor Lounge

— Tuesday nights: House Community Dinners, Fahey Lounge

Jan 10: TUK TUK Thai
Feb 14: 3 Guys BBQ
Mar 7: TBD

 Thursday nights: First-year floor dinners, 6pm, House Professor’s Residence

 Thursday nights (Jan 19 onward): TV night: Grey’s Anatomy/Scandal

— Friday afternoons: House Teas, 4:30-5:30pm, Fahey 1st floor Lounge

— Friday evenings: IM Basketball (Jan 13 – Feb 3): Contact ryan.r.monasch.19@dartmouth.edu if interested in playing!

— Other regular events:

Office Hours with Resident Fellows and Resident Experts

Mini-seminars with West House faculty, sponsored by the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation

  • MLK DAY PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITY

West House is looking for 2-4 passionate, committed students to coordinate a Social Justice Event in honor of MLK Day!

MLK day is coming up, and we’re still looking for students to lead our Social Justice Programming Team for MLK day!

Whatever the format of the event (art installation, small group discussions, poster sessions, plays, spoken word, dance, debate, or all of the above), the program should

  • 
Focus on social justice (in all its many forms and formats)
  • Be primarily student-produced
  • Be interactive and experiential in some way

Social justice Program Teams will be honored at a celebration dinner with noted Social Justice Advocate and senior administrators who will recognize the programs

– House participation rate
– Intellectual sophistication
– Creativity
– Impact on furthering social justice

The funding available is $1,000 per House so there are plenty of resources to make you vision a reality!

Please send your ideas to Ryan.C.Hickox@dartmouth.edu and Darby.L.Wiggins@dartmouth.edu