The most recent articles from the Editorial section of The Phillipian http://phillipian.net/article/7572 William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions at Harvard University, said it best: Early Decision advantages the advantaged. Last year, when Princeton and Yale elected to eliminate Early Decision, top-tier schools like Stanford and the University of Virginia were quick to follow suit. Yet the rest of the Ivies have maintained their Early Decision programs. The Phillipian condemns this decision. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:19:27 -0800 http://phillipian.net/article/7486 To recent alums – thanks for giving a damn.Here’s a statistic for you: According to Woody Allen, 80 percent of success is showing up. A lot of you seem to agree. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:59:50 -0800 http://phillipian.net/article/7485 We complain. We complain about complaining.
We complain about the library stoplights, the daily schedule and the lengthened school year. We demand an online sign-in system, a state-of-the-art student center, a renovated gym and a better Commons menu. We grumble about hard teachers, “unbearable” workloads and Assessment Week. We’re spoiled. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:59:50 -0800 http://phillipian.net/article/7444 They came in droves.They showed up. They returned to their school on the hill with discounted train tickets, a nostalgic camaraderie and outdated shirts, proclaiming ‘Senior’... of the Class of 2008 - or even 2007. The day, Andover/Exeter, was theirs in many ways. But it seems that recent graduates do little else - beyond making the trip and painting their faces - to show their affection for Phillips Academy. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:10:26 -0800 http://phillipian.net/article/7268 We’d heard it before. He used the same jokes three years ago, and he received the same resounding cheers and applause for suggesting that classes begin at 9 a.m. The sleep doctor was back.Three years ago and on this past Thursday, the student body received the exact same message from Cornell Professor James Maas: sleep deprivation leads to poor performance in all aspects of life (academic, athletic, social) and shorter life spans. In that time, nothing has changed at Phillips Academy. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:59:10 -0800 http://phillipian.net/article/7269 Thank You, Mr. Underwood.David Underwood ’54 has pledged $10 million to Andover’s current capital campaign, a gift made all the more significant by the current economic uncertainty. It is generosity like his that exemplifies the spirit of Non Sibi and that makes all of our Andover experiences possible. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:59:10 -0800 http://phillipian.net/article/7191 The youth vote is energized – and with good reason.Barack Obama should be the next president of the United States. Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:44:46 -0700 http://phillipian.net/article/7081 Dear Parents,No doubt as you walk with us today, you’re bemoaning the construction sites - eyesores on the normally picturesque campus. They’ve become part of the landscape. We’ve stopped noticing. Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:58:00 -0700 http://phillipian.net/article/7043 Just because someone needs help, that doesn’t mean that he or she will seek it.Last Tuesday’s arrest of three Phillips Academy students on charges of drug and alcohol possession was heartbreaking and sobering to us as a community. But it has also awakened us as a school. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:27:38 -0700 http://phillipian.net/article/6952 We are now treating prospective students like prospective customers. We have to market Andover to consumers, to Coca-Cola drinkers and Adidas wearers. We have to market our education and the experience that Andover offers as though it were any other product. The fancy redesign of our website, unveiled two weeks ago, is a step forward that will undoubtedly give Andover a leg up in catching the attention of the Red-Bull-fueled, YouTube-watching generation. It’s an unfortunate reflection on our time, however, that we have to spend so much energy and money crafting our image in order to compete in the market for the world’s best and brightest. If only it were all about substance. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:07:00 -0700 http://phillipian.net/article/6953 “In times like these, you want cash,” Phillips Academy’s Chief Investment officer Amy Falls ’82 told The Wall Street Journal last week.A year ago, long before the economic crisis currently sweeping the nation, Falls cashed out of Commonfund, an investment fund that ultimately failed last week and suddenly froze withdrawals. Thanks to her initiative – and that of the Academy’s other financial advisors – Andover’s endowment did not suffer from this occurrence. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:07:01 -0700 http://phillipian.net/article/6888 Monday night’s panel on the economy, organized by the History Department, was Andover at its best. It is a shame that students and faculty rarely interact on that level outside of the classroom. To the panelists – Ms. Sayall, Mr. Perry, Mr. Henningsen –, well done. The night was a testament to PA’s excellent faculty, who were engaging and insightful without condescending to the audience. Instead, they delivered comprehensive analysis in accessible language. Mr. Perry, summing up the answer to one question: “You don’t want the government rewarding bad guys willy-nilly. On the other hand, you want an economy.” On the behavior of rating agencies: “I don’t know how they missed this. The air must have been hallucinogenic.” Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:42:10 -0700 http://phillipian.net/article/6889 No student should have to choose between keeping a religious commitment and keeping up with his studies.Rabbi Swarttz said that “every effort” was made to accommodate Jewish students this Rosh Hashanah. Students who wished to celebrate Rosh Hashanah were excused for the days’ commitments. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:42:10 -0700 http://phillipian.net/article/6854 Kip Full-of-It can call himself an artist, poet, professor, world-class swimmer, identity expert, philosopher, rheumatologist, whatever (we’d add blowhard, though) - apparently his numerous job titles make him the ideal speaker to inform this generation of Andover students.Fulbeck, we imagine, did not disappoint those who brought him here - he was engaging and articulate and provoked quite a bit of discussion. And we would have been with him during Wednesday’s speech to the school, if he had stopped at telling students that they should sacrifice consumption of tabloid sleaze to follow more important issues. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:01:51 -0700 http://phillipian.net/article/6757 The Phillipian congratulates Chad Green, Alana Rush, Zach Hobbs and everyone at the Community Service Office on a successful Non Sibi Day. We have heard that staff members stayed at their offices late into the night last week to plan the day and we appreciate their tremendous hard work. It paid off. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:12:07 -0700