The purge of nearly 100 employees from the District of Columbia Public Schools’ central office shows that Chancellor Michelle Rhee is developing a habit of coupling good instincts with god-awful implementation. Her focus on rehabilitating the dysfunctional central office is much needed: DCPS’ administrative hub has devolved into a bloated bureaucracy incapable of providing students, teachers and principals with the resources they need.
By Juliana Brint March 13, 2008
After being officially sworn in at Monday night’s GUSA senate meeting as the new GUSA President and Vice President, Pat Dowd (SFS ’09) and James Kelly (COL ’09) laid out an ambitious timeline for accomplishing their three major initiatives: a “GUSA Summer Fellows” program, a take-your-professors-to-lunch program and a modification of the alcohol policy.
By Juliana Brint March 13, 2008
As of 5:36 p.m. last night, 2,437 votes had been cast in the run-off election for GUSA President, nine more than the 2,428 cast in the first election. Voting will continue until noon today. The election is a the result of a GUSA Senate vote not to certify last week’s elections, based on the recommendation of Election Commissioner Maura Cassidy (COL ’08).
By Juliana Brint February 28, 2008
Next time you complain about the dismal options at Leo’s, take comfort in the fact that you’re not an elementary school student in one of the District of Columbia’s Public Schools. Students who are currently subjected to pre-plated meals like fish fillet on Fridays and meatloaf on Mondays might prefer their school system to spend a little less time on alliteration and a little more time providing them with better quality food.
By Juliana Brint February 21, 2008
When Adam Briscoe came to Georgetown in 2003, he took on the ambitious courseload typical of many SFS students, “Chinese and all that.” During high school he had been informally diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder by his psychiatrist, but chose to forego expensive and time-consuming diagnostic testing. Instead, he developed coping mechanisms to help him succeed academically. But by the end of his freshman year, he had “hit it like a brick wall” and was asked to withdraw from the University.
By Juliana Brint February 14, 2008
“The main reason [I’m running] is [that] the same type of person wins every year,” Tom Karwacki (MSB ‘09) said, adding that he sees most past GUSA presidents as buttoned-down government majors with their sights set on the White House.
By Juliana Brint February 7, 2008
The City Council may curtail free speech rights by passing the “Noise Control Protection Amendment Act” on February 19th. And while I sympathize with those D.C. residents who can’t sleep past 8 a.m. or enjoy a peaceful evening at home due to neighborhood noise, the act—sponsored by councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6)—assaults the First Amendment and the Council should not pass it.
By Juliana Brint February 7, 2008
The GUSA Senate passed a resolution expressing support for the Hoya’s independence movement by a vote of 15 to 9 with 2 abstentions during their Monday meeting, two days before the Hoya leadership had its first meeting with University administrators to discuss the possibility of becoming independent and leasing the name. The University is in the process of filing a trademark application for the paper’s name and masthead, which continues to be the sticking point in the Hoya’s quest for independence
By Juliana Brint January 31, 2008
The past few months have been quite an emotional rollercoaster for the District’s taxi riders—and the Taxicab Industry Group’s latest call for strikes ensures that it won’t end any time soon. With Mayor Adrian Fenty’s decision to switch to metered fares to be instituted April 6, the strike is largely for show. And what it shows is that the first priority for many cab drivers is preserving their ability to rip off their customers.
By Juliana Brint January 24, 2008
Anthony Bonna (MSB ’09) met Mike Huckabee a few years ago, back when the former Arkansas governor was better known for his rapid slim-down than his underdog victory in the Iowa caucuses. Bonna attended the event where Huckabee first announced his candidacy.
By Juliana Brint January 17, 2008