Updates from PSAC

The PSAC Communications Committee has worked very hard this quarter to collect anecdotes and stories from students to give ASC members an idea of the daily lives of Chicago students.

Johanna Magin
Class of 2008
Mundelein, IL
Undecided major

I'm in Shorey House and am particularly fond of a wacky tradition that just came into being this year, compliments of our inimitable R.A. Let me be the first to introduce you to "E-C-N-A-D." That is, our TOP-SECRET, pre-planned, gloriously refined house dance. We break it out every finals week on the A-Level of the Regenstein Library. When the library is packed to the gills with last-minute studiers on the Sunday before each week of final exams, our house (decked out in appropriate costumes and all) performs a painstakingly choreographed and theatrical version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It." Why, you ask? Because in a matter of minutes, there's not a body there that's not falling out of its chair laughing. (But shhhhh...let's keep it undercover for the time being!)

Alexandra Squitieri
Class of 2007
Miami, FL
English major

After my second year, I decided to move out of housing and into an apartment. I also decided not to get a meal plan so that I would have an incentive to cook for myself. Well, that didn't work out as well as I had hoped, so I signed up for the Free Food listhost, which sends you an email every time there is an event on campus that has free food. Last week, I got an email telling me that the Renaissance Society (which is a modern art gallery with revolving exhibits on the fourth floor of Cobb) was having an open house. I'd never been there so I decided that now was as good a time as any. When I took a look around, I was very glad that I had come. There were about 15 large screens showing people performing an interpretive dance, but the best part was the live component of it. At first I thought that a few of the spectators had just become so inspired by the art that they felt compelled to dance in front of the screens, but then I realized that these dancers who walked around stoically before twirling in front of the screens were part of the exhibit. I was highly amused, and promised myself that I'd return to see the next exhibit.

RSO Spotlight: Archery Club
Yelena McElwain '08

Students stare off into the distance, focusing on a small yellow circle surrounded by red, then by blue, black, and finally white. Their backs straight, bows taut, they release, hoping the arrow will hit the golden yellow center.
I first joined the Archery Club just over a year ago. Coming in with no knowledge of archery, never having held a bow before, I was instructed by friendly students and quickly taught the basics. Now I am quite happy to help others put together a bow or show them how to shoot.
The Archery Club, founded around five years ago, provides the members with bows and other supplies necessary for beginning archery. The club is open to anyone from archery professionals to those interested in trying out bow and arrows. As members become better at shooting, they can begin going to competitions if they are interested. But regardless of one's skill and interest, archery is a fantastic way for all the members to take a break and relax after a long day of classes.

Roger Fierro
Class of 2007
Chicago, IL
International Studies major

I envy Chicago students who aren't from Chicago. They have the luxury of discovering what a great city it is for the first time and can get excited about places like Navy Pier. Some students even get to experience their first snowfall while at school. Non-locals don't have to really choose sides on the whole Sox/Cubs thing, and they even have an excuse for not handling the cold well.
Actually, now that I think about it, most of the time my friends from out of state are Sox fans, and they generally battle the cold better that I ever do. Some pay tribute to the city by calling it home. This is pretty heartwarming, especially when it comes from a New Yorker. Chicago is my home, and in the end home to those who can bear what it dishes out in winter.

Jim Marrone
Class of 2008
Ridgefield, CT
Physics/Math Major

I think one of the moments that will be forever stuck in my head was a brief conversation at the beginning of my first year. I was talking to someone I had just met, and they asked what I was studying. "Physics," I said.
"Really? You don't dress like a physics major!"
I suppose this was meant as a compliment, and I took it as one. This person must have been referring to the fact that I don't wear pajamas to class, and that I brush my hair. But in truth, even my physics friends tease me because I prefer hanging out with English majors and because I am "always doing something besides studying." As far as I'm concerned, I am not at college to learn everything about (only) one subject or to become absorbed in one group of people. And I didn't come to the city of Chicago in order to pretend it isn't there. A person's major doesn't define who they are, even if there are certain general stereotypes about what someone in a given discipline should be like.

Emily Rowe
Class of 2008
Hartford, CT
History major

My roommate is transferring at the end of this quarter. It's probably a really bad topic to bring in to my admissions work, but it's a huge part of my life right now. I'm in the midst of moving to a new apartment, finding people to take over our old lease, and saying goodbye to my best friend. As a result, there have been a couple of tours where it's just accidentally slipped out. The first time I felt really awkward about it, but with time I've decided that I don't think it's a terrible thing to mention. As students working with the admissions office, PSAC members are in a unique position: Obviously we want our school to look good, to be competitive, to attract the best students-but more than anyone else in the admissions process we know how amazing our current students are. And in no uncertain terms we know what it means to be "U of C' in the adjectival sense. Whether it's the tendency to apply Platonic thought to Elimi-date, or the Scav Hunt attitude that nothing is impossible for a Chicagoan, there is an indelible quality to our students. In my work with PSAC I find that I don't need to recruit the students who should be going here. I just need to introduce the school to them, and they'll understand and come. Comparably, if they're just not U of C, it doesn't mean they're stupid or bad people (remember that we're talking about my best friend here). But they shouldn't go to a school that doesn't suit them. There's no need for the school to be presented as all things to all people, because for some of us, it's all things just as it is.