Reptilian Attack in My Suite

Ok, this is going to be awkward. As I sat down to relieve myself, my eyes fell on this menacing green reptilian creature. I remembered my suite-mate saying that he saw a lizard in his room. But I laughed thinking this was a prank and that his comment served merely to set up the plot. As I watched it closely, still unsure of whether it was a prank, yet maintaining a safe distance, it moved, and my heart stopped.

I finished my business as quietly as I could without disturbing this menacing creature. As soon as I got out of the toilet, I ran into my suite with a terrified face. I didn't need to explain. My suite-mate has reptilophobia , if  such word exists, but you got the point anyway. So I was left on my own. I thought of calling up the Crisis Management Team but then decided it was probably better to call up the RA on our hall. But then decided against it too. I geared up for the battle, armed with the plastic cup that the 'Sushi Place' in Mabee dining Hall provides. I'm glad I had rice today that came with that same black cup.

This was not the most fun to do, obviously. I had a strange feeling inside. My suite-mate was feeling worse (yes, due to his reptilophobia). It was a successful battle though. I had to chase it from the toilet to the bathroom but then successfully trapped it with the black cup from Sushi Place of Mabee Dining Hall. I hope the poor creature does not starve overnight till we hand it over to the Physical Plant to release it in its rightful habitat, maybe Tiger's Den. I'm being sarcastic here, you know that. Some left-over rice will probably keep it alive over the night.

I am curious to know though where this reptile came from though. Actually, it was a chameleon since it changed its color from green to brown as it moved.

Miller Fountain Showers with Tide

Miller Fountain, one of the most prized assets of Trinity is showering with Tide today. The water is full of lathers as you can see. The water reminisces of the milky water that you see in fast flowing rivers, reminding me of the river that flowed by my high school in Nepal.

Someone must have thought of this 'brilliant' idea but it is a prank that was mistimed since today was part of the Fall Family Weekend when almost 300 parents visited the Trinity to have a tour and decide whether or not Trinity is a good fit for their children. Also, the deafening thunder and dazzling lighting bolts that struck San Antonio yesterday must have given a different impression of San Antonio to those parents.

What ASR Expects From The New University President

Association of Student Representatives(ASR) and representatives of faculty of Trinity University had a general meeting with the new president elect Dr. Dennis A Ahlburg on Friday, Oct 2. Lot of relevant issues were discussed and opinions were passed on about what the students and faculty expects from the new University president.

I attended the ASR meeting with the president elect who will be assuming office in January 2010 and was very impressed with his personality and openness. I have shaken hands with the outgoing president Dr. Brazil one time during the International Student Dinner Reception at his house. Besides that, I haven't really had any chance to interact with him. Lack of personal interaction between students and the University President has been an issue talked often in students circles and the student columns in the Trinitonian. Many ASR senators mentioned that they would like to see the University President become a part of their experience at Trinity.

Since it was a 'student-only' interaction, students poured out their expectations in response to what they expect from the new University President. Some wanted a pro-athletic president to facilitate increased recognition for student athletes while others wanted sustained financial aid and increased student services to international students. The expectations continued with students desiring to see a sustainability supporting president and a president who would be part of their experience and also conduct capital campaigns to finance the institutional infrastructures for a better qualitative education. Others desired a president who would make sure that the campus bookstore and the dining services are affordable. Student expectations did not end there, it just went on and on, disrupted only by end of the devised one hour period.

Clearly, his vision and decisions will profoundly affect the course Trinity University will take in the next decade or so. Amid these endless expectations, as an economist he knows better than all of us about the limitation of resources. If Trinity had infinite resources, it could fulfill all or most of the student expectations raised but sadly that is not the case. It has to prioritize to make optimum use of resources. But the question is, what is that optimum use of resources then?

If I were to answer it candidly, the most important goal/mission for him should be to guide Trinity to become a better institution, a better liberal arts college and 'push it to the front ranks of the nation'. This is a broad mission that would automatically incorporate many student expectations such as 'better athletic facilities/recognition, sustained support for international students, large endowment funds' and so on. The response of the ASR president summarized this in saying that she would like to see the new President conducting capital campaigns and increasing recognition of Trinity University across the nation. Both of these are linked to making Trinity University a better educational institution. This should be his top priority over all others.

Becoming an ASR Senator

After running an unsuccessful campaign in Spring 2009, I was disappointed but not discouraged so I applied again for a vacant position with encouragement from friends and others. And the candidates had to present their issues before the elected members who would cast their votes and the decision would be made based on that.

Now, this one was even harder if you think about it. During the actual campaign, you were not judged or voted upon according to your speech or issues. Few candidates didn't even turn up for the public speak-out and those who did, guess what? There were few spectators (listeners or public) than the number of speakers themselves! And also, many people didn't even have a clear set of agenda or issues that they would work upon being elected.

So, anyway, I did fill out a small questionaire but, on the day when the candidates were supposed to speak out, I had a Electric Circuits Exam. Game Over. There was no way people would vote for me if I didn't show up. But things did work out in the end. One of my friends and current ASR Senator, Ryan offered to speak behalf on me. Also, I finished my exam early(and I aced it when I got the paper back:D I love Electric Circuits) and showed up for few minutes which turned out to be in my favor.

I was not expecting to deliver a speech let alone answer to the questions and queries. I had no notes, no mental preparation but I was asked to speak. I didn't really give my best speech but the content was pretty sturdy or so I like to believe. And now, I am an ASR Senator. But this is just the beginning as I like to believe it. It would be a tremendous disaster if I would not be able to achieve much as ASR Senator. It's not easy though. I can hardly find any time for anything these days. My double major in Electrical Engineering and International Affairs takes up all the time, the former one taking the lion's share.

Tomorrow, I am going to meet the new University President, Dr. Dennis A. Ahlburg on behalf of the Trinity students. No Trinity student has met him before so it definitely makes us (ASR) feel special even though we may not have been able to secure a special niche in Trinity students' hearts.

Dept of Campus Security gives out popcorn as goodwill

As I was walking towards Halsell Computer Building to get my Linux Password for my Electric Circuits Lab, I was caught by a rather very interesting scene. I saw Trinity's Campus Security Officials giving out some kind of food. At first, I thought it was a temporary general food stall but as I gained closer, I was offered a bag of popcorn. I was amazed.

I asked them very frankly why they were giving out those pocorns. And they candidly replied, "It is to show that we are glad you students are here." Wow, what a sign of goodwill, I thought. I replied back, "We are also glad that you guys are here."

I had never seen so many campus security officials all at once at one place. I really appreciated the goodwill shown by them. After walking few steps away smiling out of amusement and still finding it hard to believe, I realized I had forgotten to take their picture. I was in a hurry. But when I came back the same way, it was over and sadly I could not take their picture. My gratitude to the DCS people at Trinity University. If this is an initiative by new DCS chief, then it is a very positive sign.