Trumbull Notes 2-29-16

February 29, 2016

Leap-Day, February 29, 2016

Congratulations to Laurel Lehman and Caroline Powers on their very recent selections as members Whim n’ Rhythm for 2017.  And congratulations to Zak Kayal and Ben Paltiel for their selections as members of the Whiffenpoofs for 2017 just a bit earlier in time.  We’ve known how well you four sing for years – now many more people in many more places will know that as well.

Thanks (and congratulations) to Trumbullian Rose Bender for a magical Saturday evening in Nick Chapel.  She looked great in a red shirt and black bow tie and was terrific at fooling and entertaining us in Nick Chapel.

Thanks again to our Trumbull Final Cut Team Matt Chisholm, Sara Seymour, and Zachary Wilson combined their loyal supporters for winning for all of Trumbull a chicken tenders dinner from Dining for their good cheering and support. (This dinner will show up in the college as an extra study break for all of Trumbull.)

Finally thanks to our TCC for sponsoring Oscar Night in our dining hall last evening (and for all they do for us all year long.)

Today, Monday, Feb. 29th, 2016:  Tea at 4 p.m.  House

Come hear Ludwig Willisch, CEO of BMW North America who will speak about being a leader.  His Trum-Tea is sponsored by the Yale Leadership Institute as well as by Trumbull.  Mr. Willisch is responsible for BMW cards, motorcycles, MINI and Rolls Royce in North American.  Previously he managed BMW M in Germany.

His driver will park in front of the house and I’m watching to see what sort of car arrives. 

Tomorrow Evening, Tuesday, March 1st, House:  Desserts & socializing  for Freshman (and FroCos) first; then quiet studying for all in the House

How did March (and midterms along with March) arrive so quickly???? 

There will be a Freshman dessert reception in the house on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m.  Come, have some sweets and enjoy a break with your fellow freshmen.  This will last for an hour.

Then (because much work is upon us all) the reception will transition into a quiet no break-study-break from 10 p.m. until midnight (with a variety of types of food for all.)

I ask all to cooperate as we transition from socializing to quiet at 10 p.m.  We’ll just ring a bell at 10 and ask for quiet in the House (and know that it’s fine to take some food and run.)

A little swing space investigation and a not-so-satisfying answer for the moment.

One of our Trumbullians in Swing Space brought it to my attention that the gym in that space is in poor repair. Deb Bellmore (thank you Deb) and I looked into this.  Unfortunately the problem, while real, is a bit of a challenge to fix.  The space is shared between colleges (and also heavily used by summer programs).  The cost to fix or replace the machines is higher than any one college can afford.   This space will transition to Law School use soon (as the new colleges open) so that too presents a problem (in terms of the wisdom of the investing money in that space right now). 

We’ll continue to track this and I’ll update my Swing Space Trumbullians as we do.

Thanks to my Trumbullian who alerted me to this issue. 

Suggestions, advice etc. are welcome as our search for a Dean takes place

Our search for a new Dean is underway.  Many people have applied.  As we proceed, we welcome suggestions, ideas and thoughts from all members of our community. You may talk with me or with any member of the committee in this regard (see the list of members below.)  I’ll host an informal session in the FARR room to collect your thoughts as well. 

Know that the confidentiality of the search process is very important (especially to the candidates themselves) so as we work on this we’ll not be able to talk about specific candidates, etc.  Yet I really do want to hear from you all about what you personally most need and want in a Dean or, perhaps, what questions you would like to see us ask of candidates whom we interview.  The job is a unique one and the candidates vary in many ways.  We want the best person for our particular community.

The Committee Members appointed by Dean Holloway are:  Risa Sodi (Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of Advising and Special Programing), John Williams (English Associate Professor and our resident fellow), William Massa (Librarian and Executive Fellow of Trumbull College, Frequent Freshman Advisor), Victoria Hernandez ’17, Laurel Lehman ’17, Shah Khan ’19, Mitchell Mares ’18. 

A special note to seniors.  The tradition is to include people on the search committee who will continue to be here at Yale going forward so you’ll note that  there are no seniors on the search committee.  But, seniors, you have had the most experience here in Trumbull.  Indeed you have had more experience here than I have had myself.  So know that your thoughts are most welcome.