The University of Oregon announced that Thomas Jacobson, the interim dean of the School of Media and Communication, has been chosen as a finalist for the dean of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication.
Jacobson joins Michael Evans, the interim dean of Indiana University’s School of Journalism, as the two finalists at Oregon, according to Oregon’s website. Jacobson has been the interim dean of SMC since 2009.
About one hour ago, around 2:54 p.m. EST, I was walking back to my apartment after work. I was nearing an intersection on Main Campus when a car pulled up at a stop sign not far from me. The driver side window was down. The driver made eye contact. He pointed out the window directly at me. He opened his mouth decisively.
“[Bundle of sticks]!” he yelled with fierce determination.
Obviously, his actual word choice was not what lies inside those above brackets, but something that rhymes with traggot. Additionally, even though I just made that word up, I assure you it has a much friendlier connotation when used in that context.
This situation is made even more peculiar when it’s included that I had never seen that man before in my life.
I keep running the event back in my head, but I still just don’t understand. Did I miss something? Did his gross neckbeard imbue him with the power to decide my sexual preference or was he offering me a cigarette and just lacked any form of vocal control?
Frankly, I’ve decided that neither whom I chose to love or if I am a tobacco product are any of his business. But I have decided that it is my right as an American to try and overanalyze this event and assign it deeper meaning.
What inspires a man to yell such a word at a complete stranger? Is it frustration? Stupidity? Repression? Poor vocabulary? All of the above? I don’t know yet. But I do know the fact that I was a little taken aback but not fully surprised says something is wrong here. Whether it is indicative of something wrong on Main Campus, in Philadelphia or within the human condition in general is something I’ll need more time – like maybe another hour or so – to decide with anything I can even joke about as certainty. To rule out the possibility of that neckbeard growing roots to the brain could take days.
While I ponder these events, I think it only right that I attempt to placate myself by demanding a three part apology. First, to me personally, because seriously dude what the hell? Second, to Grant Hill and Jared Dudley, who apparently wasted their time combatting the use of the word “gay” in those GLSEN ads because there are bigger fish to respect as individuals regardless of their preferences. Third, to himself, preferably in the form of shaving off that neckbeard.
I eagerly await a reply.
David Unruh, the senior vice president for institutional advancement, resigned Friday in preparation for the shift of university presidency to Neil Theobald on Jan. 1, according to an email sent by the Executive Office of the President.
Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Tilghman Moyer will take over immediately for Unruh, who has been at the university for three years.
“It is not uncommon for a new president to put his own advancement team in place,” current President Richard Englert said in the email. “[Unruh] has been a terrific colleague and a great advocate for Temple and we wish him well as he pursues new opportunities.”
The university will begin the search for a new vice president in 2013.
John Moritz can be reached at john.moritz@temple.edu or on Twitter @JCMoritzTU.
A federal lawsuit challenging the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act set to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court was filed by a Temple alumna, the New York Times reports.
Edith Windsor, an 83-year-old alumna, has challenged the federal law, specifically a section that prohibits same-sex spouses from receiving a number of benefits. That section has caused its fair share of costly problems for Windsor, whose wife, Thea Spyer, died in 2009 (because she wasn’t considered a spouse by the IRS, she’s paid more than $600,000 in taxes).
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case last week.
Experts in the Times report seem to think Windsor’s story – specifically the emphasis on a perhaps-unequal tax level – will resonate with members of the highest court. How do you think the Supreme Court will stand on the issue?
Tyler School of Art hosted a closing reception Sunday, Dec. 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., for student teachers to showcase artwork they have done with their respective K-12 students during the semester.
Student teachers showed off their students’ work, including hand-crafted jewelry, ceramic creations, paintings, sculptures and even strategically designed cardboard chairs.
The final show was put together by the faculty of the art education department and the student art teachers.
According to an email Art Education Program Head Jo-Anna Moore sent out to the art teachers, K-12 students and their families after the event, approximately 400 people were in attendance.
Amid the final days of classes and the stress over approaching final exams, Temple Student Government held their final General Assembly meeting on Monday.
The meeting provided a summation of the work TSG had accomplished during the fall semester and a small preview into spring semester.
Student Body President David Lopez first thanked his administration and all students who served on TSG committees and then provided a summary by the numbers of the work accomplished this semester.
Lopez said that TSG registered over 3,500 students to vote, 1,500 students for Temple Advocates Legislative Outreach Network, completed 990 hours of community service through TSG sponsored events, and started the Adopt-a-block initiative.
Lopez said that he did not want to register more than 2,000 students for TALON, because he wanted to make a push for registration next semester.
“Our goal is 4,500 [students], so according to our timeline we are exactly where we need to be. We didn’t want to register more than 2,000 this semester because it is more important to register them second semester closer to Cherry and White day,” Lopez said.
TSG takes students to the state capital in Harrisburg on Cherry and White Day to both advocate for higher education funding and thank legislators that fight for funding for Temple. Cherry and White Day is scheduled for March 5.
Lopez and TSG also plan to organize a large volunteer initiative on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On Thursday, Dec. 6, TSG has a meeting with student activities, community relations, and alumni relations.
“[We will] talk about a coordinated effort towards something to do on MLK day. We want to make one coordinated effort to promote locations that are available and then assign student orgs and assign alumni groups to places and do community service on that day,” Lopez said.
The TSG administration is also in the preliminary phases in conjunction with university officials to create a class wait list in the self-service banner.
“We had a meeting with one of the vice-provosts and we talked to them about implanting the class wait list system into banner, so that students rather than registering for a class and trying to green card and finding out it is not available will [instead] be put on a waitlist and be notified when it becomes available, so that they can register,” Lopez said.
Lopez approximated that the wait-list will be implemented during the summer semesters, according to his discussions with university officials.
The TSG general assembly will reconvene in late January to begin work for the Spring 2013 semester.
Laura Detter can be reached at laura.detter@temple.edu.
Three Pennsylvania college students were injured while studying abroad in Rome on Nov. 21, according to media reports. The students, who attend Swarthmore College, were in Temple’s study abroad program in Rome when the incident occurred.
Nicholas Burnett, Nick Constantino and Zachary Schaffer were at The Drunken Ship, a bar in Rome’s Campo de’Fiori, when Italian soccer fans allegedly attacked fans of the visiting team, England’s Tottenham, the reports state.
Swarthmore College said Burnett, who was hospitalized with a back wound, remains hospitalized, but is in good condition. Constantino and Schaffer both sustained minor injuries, but did not require hospitalization.
“This terrible episode has been very difficult for those directly affected by it, as well as their close family and friends. We are deeply relieved and grateful that our students are all recovering well and we look forward to welcoming them back to campus next semester,” said Swarthmore Dean Liz Braun.
Philadelphia Police are looking for a man who they said took a 17-year-old girl’s phone at the Susquehanna-Dauphin stop on the Broad Street Line last week.
On Nov. 5, the girl entered the subway at the Olney stop and, after a short time, the man approached her, took the phone and fled the train, police said. The girl chased the man, but could not catch up to him.
The suspect is described by police as a black male of light complexion, wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Central Detective Division of the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-3093.
Philadelphia Police are investigating three robberies off campus between Sunday Nov. 11, and Monday Nov. 12, according to a TU Advisory. The robberies, involving students, took place west of Main Campus.
The first robbery was on Sunday at 8:45 a.m., on the 2000 block of North 18th Street. The suspect is described as a 30-year-old, black male, 5 feet 9 inches, wearing a black “beanie” cap, blue puffy coat and blue jeans, the advisory stated.
Nearly 12 hours later the next robbery was committed on the 1600 block of West Edgley Street. The advisory described that suspect as a black male, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with the hood covering his face.
On Monday at 6 p.m., the third robbery was committed on the 2100 block of North 16th Street by a suspect described as a black male, 6-foot-1-inch, of thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black baggy jeans, according to the advisory.
Police have stepped up patrols in the area and anyone with information is asked to contact Temple Police at 215-204-1234.
Philadelphia Police are investigating a cell phone theft took place on Oct. 9, at 9:10 a.m., on the 1700 block of Diamond Street.
The victim was walking along the block when three males allegedly snuck up behind the victim and snatched the cell phone from his possession. The victim chased the offenders for several blocks before stopping his pursuit around 18th and French streets. Video surveillance has also caught two males believed to be the suspects.
The first suspect is said to be a black male who is 20 to 30 years old, has a mustache, and was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. The second suspect is described as a black male in dark clothing. No description was provided for the third suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093.
-Cindy Stansbury
