January 5, 2009

From the Office of the Resident Dean:
Carlos E. Díaz Rosillo

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome back from the Holiday break! I hope that you are all rested and that the New Year brings many blessings. I know that reading and exam period is a stressful time for most of you. Take my recommendation to heart and get perspective on this period. You are meant to study during this time, review information, and finish papers and other writing commitments, which adds up to a lot of work. But please, remember to take care of yourselves both physically and emotionally. If you are feeling unnaturally stressed and want to talk to someone, your tutors and I will be around for emotional support. There are also many University resources --from peer counseling groups to UHS and the Bureau of Study Counsel-- counselors, psychologists and other trained staff whom can help you deal with the stresses of the time or even longer-term issues.

And of course, take a moment to step outside and enjoy life, even in the midst of your busy work lives.

Remember, that no private or suite parties are allowed during reading or exam period, and that music rooms have reduced hours of use. The tutors will be enforcing this policy. Thanks for your cooperation in making Dunster a studious space!

Academic Matters

Final Exams
Double-check your exam schedule, which is available on line at the registrar’s web page at www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu, so that you don’t miss an exam. It’s not true that you can miss an exam with no questions asked! If you are likely to be late to an exam, go anyway. If you miss an exam, you should talk to me ASAP.

Extensions
Professors and TFs may grant extensions for papers up until the end of exam period, so it is important that you finish your written assignments by this time. After that date, ONLY the Administrative Board may grant extensions of time for undergraduates to complete course work. This rule also applies to students who are cross-registered in courses elsewhere.

Illness During Exams

If illness prevents you from taking one of your exams on schedule, you may ask the Administrative Board for permission to take a makeup exam in the spring. To do this, you must be seen by a UHS physician or nurse practitioner within the 24-hour period before the exam. In addition, in some cases the Registrar’s staff can administer examinations to students who have been admitted to Stillman Infirmary and who feel ready to take their exam within the 24-hour period following the scheduled time. If you are ill as an exam approaches, call me to talk through the best course of action.

CARLOS’ OFFICE HOURS

I’m happy to meet with you any day! Appointments for Office Hours this week can be arranged by calling 495-2263 or e-mailing dn-abrd@fas.harvard.edu.

Tutors On Call: P.K. Agarwalla is on call the week of January 5th and can be located at J-23, and reached at 493-2287.

Important Dates
January 2 – 12
Reading Period

January 13 – 22
Exam Period

January 19, Monday
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, University Holiday. House Offices Closed

January 23, Friday
On-line registration opens at the Registrar’s website www.registrar@fas.harvard.edu.

January 28, Wednesday
• All students returning after a leave of absence or requirement to withdraw are required to register in person at the Registrar’s Office, at 20 Garden Street.
• Spring Term begins. First meeting of spring term classes.

February 4, Wednesday
Study Card Day. Completed study cards may be turned in between 9 am and 5 pm in the Small Dining Room.
Any study card filed after this date requires the instructor’s signature for each course listed.

Any study card filed after this date requires the instructor’s signature for each course listed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
House Office News

House Office, J-38, News

Interhouse Transfer Applications for Spring Term 2009 are available outside of Nora’s office, J-38 and at Harvard College Office of Residential Life’s web site at http://www.orl.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do. You must have lived in the House for two complete terms (intercollegiate transfer students may apply after 1 term) and have guaranteed housing for the spring term to be eligible to apply for a transfer. Transfers are always dependent on spaces available in the House to which you are applying. Applications are due in the Undergraduate Housing Office, University Hall, 1st Floor South, complete with signatures, by 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 8th. Decisions will be made on Thursday, January 15.

Fall Term Vacate Date: Students not returning to the House for spring term (i.e., taking a leave of absence, moving off-campus, or graduating) must move out of their rooms no later than NOON on Thursday, January 22nd.

From the Dining Hall
Dunster dining hall will remain open during inter-session .

Tutor News

Campus News

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, January 8 Applications for spring term inter-House transfer due

January 13-January 22 Examination Period

Monday, January 19 Martin Luther King Day

______________________________________________

Deadline for Dunster House newsletter submissions is Thursday at 3:00 pm
for Monday publication. Submit concise notices with a brief headline in
writing to Nora Dahl, Asst. to the Masters, either at the House Office
(J-38), by fax at 496-3850, or preferably by e-mail at
ndahl@fas.harvard.edu

December 8, 2008

From the Office of the Senior Tutor
Carlos E. Díaz Rosillo

A Note About Open Hours

Since open hours can be a wee bit oversubscribed at times, if you have something that requires a long discussion or you do not have time to wait, please sign up for a designated time to see me. If these times absolutely do not work for you, let me know and we can arrange another time to meet.

Have a Happy Holiday Season!

CARLOS’S OFFICE HOURS
December 8 - 12

Monday, 12/8: 2-4 open hours, 4-5 by appointment
Wednesday, 12/10: 2-4 open hours, 4-5 by appointment
Friday, 12/12: 2-3 by appointment, 4-5 open hours

If you have an appointment or want to chat, stop by Melanie’s office first (J-35), so that if I am with a student or on the phone I may have a heads-up about you being there. Thanks!

Other appointments by arrangement: Call 5-2263 or e-mail dn-abrd@fas.harvard.edu

Tutor On-Call: The tutors on call for the week of December 8 are Mike and Elli Lobach, who in case of emergency are reachable at home (H-51) and by phone (5-2273)

Important Dates
December 16, Tuesday
Last day of classes for the fall term

December 17 - January 1
Winter recess

January 2 – 12
Reading Period

January 13 – 22
Exam Period

See the Office of the Registrar’s website, www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu, for exam times and locations.

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday season!

House News

37th ANNUAL DUNSTER HOUSE MESSIAH SING:
Everybody is invited to join us in this year's Messiah Sing on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8:00 pm in the Dunster dining hall with the Mozart Society Orchestra and splendid undergraduate soloists. You, the audience members, sing the choir parts, or you can just sit and listen. Scores and refreshments will be provided. It's a great event and always a lot of fun. Don't miss it!!

Biology Discussion Group
7-8:30pm, Tuesday, Dec. 9
Small Dining Room, Dunster House

Ms. Maude Baldwin will present research she is conducting in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. Maude is a 2nd-year graduate student who is currently collecting data on the evolution of taste receptors in birds. She is combining novel phylogenetic methods with traditional chromatography to study the evolution of chemical signals and signal reception. Tomorrow night, she will describe her hypotheses and research methods. She will also describe her experience as a graduate student and field scientist. Maude's talk will be the last talk of this discussion series. We hope you can join us. Coffee and cake will be served.

Contact Dan Janes (djanes@oeb.harvard.edu) with questions or comments.

From The Building Manager’s office
Fire exits to corridor doors between suites should always be kept clear. Do not use the corridors or small hallways that exist between some suites for storage.
Holiday Decoration Etiquette
All decorations must be of fireproof material, attached in compliance with Student Handbook guidelines for decorating your suite and arranged so as not to be hazardous in any manner.
Do not hang or attach any decorations to the sprinkler pipes. If a head breaks off or a leak develops in the line, this system is designed to expel water at 30-40 gallons per minute. If it takes 10 minutes or more to secure the shut-off well ...do the math !
Do not block, hide, or camouflage any exit.
All trees 9except synthetic trees) must be anchored in a container of water and checked daily.
Electrical decorations should be inspected for wear and damage BEFORE plugging in. If you suspect a problem or are unsure of the integrity of any decorations, take the time to elicit the advice of the Superintendent.
Candles are dangerous as lovely as their light may be. (there have been at least three fires in Houses caused by candles in the past couple of years.) Candles may not be used in student rooms even for religious purposes!
All Christmas trees must be disposed of by occupants before leaving for the holiday recess. Check with the Superintendent to find out what area of Dunster has been designated for this purpose.

HOUSE OFFICE NEWS

DINING HALL NEWS
Winter Recess Dining Hall Closings and Re-openings

Dunster House will close after dinner on Tuesday, Dec 16 and re-open for dinner on Friday, January 2, 2009

To check other dining halls openings and closings go to http://www.dining.harvard.edu/about_HUDS/index.html

Tutor News

Campus News

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, December 11 SCR Reception, 5:30-6:15 PM, Masters’ Residence
SCR Dinner, 6:30-7:30, JCR
37th Annual Messiah Sing, 8 PM, Dining Hall

Saturday, December 13 Winter Formal, Dining Hall

Wednesday, December 17 Winter Recess Begins

Friday, January 2 Reading Period Begins

Thursday, January 8 Applications for spring term inter-House transfer due

January 13-22 Examination Period

Monday, January 19 Martin Luther King Day

Deadline for Dunster House newsletter submissions is Thursday at 3:00 pm
for Monday publication. Submit concise notices with a brief headline in
writing to Nora Dahl, House Administrator, either at the House Office
(J-38), by fax at 496-3850, or preferably by e-mail at
ndahl@fas.harvard.edu

November 24, 2008

From the Resident Dean: Carlos E. Díaz Rosillo

Issues for the Week: Thanksgiving Break

Enjoy the time off! Make sure to have a good meal (whether in the Adams Dining Hall if you are staying here, or with family and friends if you are going away), take some time to give thanks, and be safe! Also remember to keep your doors locked and stay warm. If you need any assistance during the break, please contact the tutor on-call.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Issues for Next Week: Noise, the LSATs, and Parties

The LSAT exam is being held on Saturday, December 6th , so no parties will be allowed on Friday, December 5th, and noise and gatherings will not be allowed in the House common areas, the courtyard, or in student suites.

Tutor On-Call: The tutors on call for the week of November 24 are Aaron and Grace Byrd , who in case of emergency are reachable at home (D-11) and by phone (3-2198).

CARLOS’S OFFICE HOURS

Monday, 11/24: 2-4 open hours, 4-5 by appointment
Wednesday, 11/26: 2-6, open hours

If you have an appointment or want to chat, stop by Melanie’s office first (J-35), so that if I am with a student or on the phone I may have a heads-up about you being there. Thanks!

Other appointments by arrangement at 5-2263 or e-mail at dn-abrd@fas.harvard.edu

Important Dates

November 24, Monday
Final applications for March 2009 degree candidates are due.

Last day to change concentrations for March 2009 degree candidates without Administrative Board approval.

Last day upon which March 2009 degree candidates may file a foreign language citation study plan.

Advanced Standing eligible students planning to graduate after six or seven terms in March 2009, or to begin a fourth year AM program in spring term 2009, must file an “Advanced Standing Activation Form” by this date.

November 27 – 30
Thanksgiving recess.

December 16, Tuesday
Last day of classes for the fall term

December 17 - January 1
Winter recess

January 2 – 12
Reading Period

January 13 – 22
Exam Period

House News

From House Office, J-38

Are you going to be here in the House for all or part of the holidays? As a
safety measure, if you are going to be here in the House between Wednesday, December 17 and Thursday, January 1, please e-mail me, ndahl@fas.harvard.edu, the following information, by December 12,
your name, room, and dates.

House News

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
Masters’ Dessert Party for Dining Hall and Custodial Staff The Masters are hosting a dessert party to honor the dining hall and custodial staff on Friday, December 5 at 2:30-4:30 PM in the Masters’ residence and JCR. Stop by and say hello.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

37th ANNUAL DUNSTER HOUSE MESSIAH SING:
Everybody is invited to join us in this year's Messiah Sing on Thursday,
Dec. 11 at 8:00 pm in the Dunster dining hall with the Mozart Society
Orchestra and splendid undergraduate soloists.
You, the audience members, sing the choir parts, or you can
just sit and listen. Scores and refreshments will be provided. It's a great
event and always a lot of fun. Don't miss it!!

From the Dining Hall

Dunster dining hall will close for winter recess after dinner on December 16 and re-open for dinner on January 2, 2009

From the Building Manager's Office

HOUSE OFFICE NEWS

DINING HALL NEWS
Dunster Dining Hall will close for the Thanksgiving holidays after dinner November 26 and will re-open for dinner on November 30. Adams House is open for the Thanksgiving holiday.

DELUXE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Extended Thanksgiving Meal - 12pm – 6:30pm

Openings

~Friday, November 28, 2008~
Currier & Leverett will re-open for breakfast.

Tutor News

Campus News

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day

Friday, December 5 House Staff Reception and Recognition, 2:30-4:30
Masters’ Residence and JCR

Thursday, December 11 SCR Reception, 5:30-6:15 PM, Masters’ Residence
SCR Dinner, 6:30-7:30, JCR
37th Annual Messiah Sing, 8 PM, Dining Hall

Wednesday, December 17 Winter Recess Begins

Deadline for Dunster House newsletter submissions is Thursday at 3:00 pm
for Monday publication. Submit concise notices with a brief headline in
writing to Nora Dahl, House Administrator, either at the House Office
(J-38), by fax at 496-3850, or preferably by e-mail at
ndahl@fas.harvard.edu

November 17, 2008

From the Allston Burr Resident Dean: Carlos E. Díaz Rosillo

Harvard-Yale Game

The Game is here! This should be a weekend of great football and responsible socializing. Please carry yourselves in a manner, and with a sober spirit, that will make us proud!

CARLOS’S OFFICE HOURS

Monday, 11/17: 3-4 open hours, 4-6 by appointment
Wednesday, 11/19: 3-4 open hours, 4-6 by appointment
Friday, 11/21: 3-5 open hours

If you have an appointment or want to chat, stop by Melanie’s office first (J-35), so that if I am with a student or on the phone I may have a heads-up about you being there. Thanks!

Other appointments by arrangement at 5-2263 or e-mail dn-abrd@fas.harvard.edu

Tutor On-Call: The tutor on call for the week of November 17 is Albert Yeh , who in case of emergency is reachable at home (B-42) and by phone (3-2169).

Important dates
November 24, Monday
• Final applications for March 2009 degree candidates are due.
• Last day to change concentrations for March 2009 degree candidates without Administrative Board approval.
• Last day upon which March 2009 degree candidates may file a foreign language citation study plan.

Advanced Standing eligible students planning to graduate after six or seven terms in March 2009, or to begin a fourth year AM program in spring term 2009, must file an “Advanced Standing Activation Form” by this date.

November 27, Thursday through November 30, Sunday
Thanksgiving recess.

December 16, Tuesday
Last day of classes for the fall term

December 17 through January 1
Winter recess

House News

UPDATING YOUR INFORMATION Online
You can (a) update your suite phone number (mainly intended for students who want to replace their suite no. with your cell phone no.) and (b) your directory privacy values by going to http://my.harvard.edu/directory/

Biology Discussion Group
7-8:30pm, Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Small Dining Room, Dunster House

Daniel Kohn is a painter who specializes in interiors and portraits. His work hangs in galleries in the United States, Columbia, France, and the Czech Republic. His piece titled "Seen from above, a place for contemplation" was hung in NYC's Grand Central Station. Currently, he is employed as the artist-in-residence at The Broad Institute in Cambridge. In itself, the fact that the Broad Institute employs an artist-in-residence is remarkable. The Broad is charged with generating data and interpreting information regarding the sequenced genomes of humans and other species. In their wisdom, the administrators of The Broad recognize that science is one of several ways in which information can be interpreted. Daniel Kohn is employed to interpret genomic research through his paintings. He is coming to Dunster House Tuesday night with a blank canvas. For his presentation titled "The Context of Knowledge," Mr. Kohn will create a novel piece and will discuss the relationship between art and science. Coffee and cake will be served. Please join us.

Contact Dan Janes (djanes@oeb.harvard.edu) with questions or comments.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

We host monthly dinners with members of our Dunster community (and sometimes the larger Harvard community) in order to get to know each other and engage in interesting dialogue.

This month, our special guests are own Dunsterites, sophomore Yoseph Ayele, and resident tutor of psychology, Fenna Krienen.

Ever wondered what life was like in Ethiopia or how it feels to be a Dutch transplant growing up in Florida?

Yoseph and Fenna have started reading spy thrillers in order to juice up their life stories for you, and should that should fail to impress you, they have promised to distract you with magic tricks and pictures of cute baby animals.

So, you won't want to miss it!

Dinner with Yoseph and Fenna, part of Dunster's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" series
Sunday, November 23rd
5pm
JCR

From the Building Manager's Office
IF YOU HAVE A CLOGGED SINK OR SHOWER DRAIN, REPORT IT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT. IN OFF HOURS (AFTER MIDNIGHT), PROBLEMS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE OPERATIONS CTR. AT 49(5-5560).

DO NOT INTRODUCE CAUSTICS, DRAIN CLEANERS OR ANY TYPES OF CHEMICALS INTO YOUR DRAIN. IN MOST CASES THESE ARE NOT EFFECTIVE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO PLUMBERS OR ANYONE CALLED IN TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR.

HOUSE OFFICE NEWS

DINING HALL NEWS
Dunster Dining Hall will close for the Thanksgiving holidays after dinner November 26 and will re-open for dinner on November 30. Adams House is open for the Thanksgiving holiday.

DELUXE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Extended Thanksgiving Meal - 12pm – 6:30pm

Openings

~Friday, November 28, 2008~
Currier & Leverett will re-open for breakfast.

Tutor News

Campus News

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day

Friday, December 5 House Staff Reception and Recognition, 2:30-4:30
Masters’ Residence and JCR

Thursday, December 11 SCR Reception, 5:30-6:15 PM, Masters’ Residence
SCR Dinner, 6:30-7:30, JCR
37th Annual Messiah Sing, 8 PM, Dining Hall

Deadline for Dunster House newsletter submissions is Thursday at 3:00 pm
for Monday publication. Submit concise notices with a brief headline in
writing to Nora Dahl, House Administrator, either at the House Office
(J-38), by fax at 496-3850, or preferably by e-mail at
ndahl@fas.harvard.edu

November 10, 2008

From the Office of the Resident Dean
Carlos E. Díaz Rosillo

Mid-Semester Blues

This is the time to take stock of where you are with your courses, and to rally if you feel like you are falling behind or are having problems with your schoolwork. Do not hesitate --nor be afraid-- to reach out to your professors, TFs, tutors, and myself to talk about your options.

CARLOS’S OFFICE HOURS
Week of November 10-14

Monday, 11/10: 3-4 open hours, 4-6 by appointment
Wednesday, 11/12: 3-4 open hours, 4-6 by appointment

If you have an appointment or want to chat, stop by Melanie’s office first (J-35), so that if I am with a student or on the phone I may have a heads-up about you being there. Thanks!

Other appointments by arrangement: call 5-2263 or e-mail dn-abrd@fas.harvard.edu.

Tutor On-Call: The tutor on call for the week of November 10 is Daniel Chen, who in case of emergency is reachable at home (G-21) and by phone (493-4685).

Important Dates

November 11, Tuesday
University holiday: Veteran’s Day. House Offices closed

November 24, Monday
Final applications for March 2009 degree candidates are due.

Last day to change concentrations for March 2009 degree candidates without Administrative Board approval.

Last day upon which March 2009 degree candidates may file a foreign language citation study plan.

Advanced Standing eligible students planning to graduate after six or seven terms in March 2009, or to begin a fourth year AM program in spring term 2009, must file an “Advanced Standing Activation Form” by this date.

November 27, Thursday through November 30, Sunday
Thanksgiving recess.

December 16, Tuesday
Last day of classes for the fall term

December 17 through January 1
Winter recess

House News

HOUSE OFFICE NEWS

DINING HALL NEWS
Dunster Dining Hall will close for the Thanksgiving holidays after dinner November 26 and will re-open for dinner on November 30. Adams House is open for the Thanksgiving holiday.

DELUXE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Extended Thanksgiving Meal - 12pm – 6:30pm

Openings

~Friday, November 28, 2008~
Currier & Leverett will re-open for breakfast.

From The Building Manager’s office

Tutor News

Campus News
Job Description Postering job (this is a non-work study job): temporary, short-term duration, very flexible. The Bureau of Study Counsel is looking for a student to do some postering on campus for our groups and workshops, and for our various Bureau activities. It pays $10.00 per hour for an approximate total of 5 hrs per week (2 sessions per week, 2.5 hrs each). Contact Bill Snebold at 617-495-2581 or bsnebold@bsc.harvard.edu.
Job Requirements Temporary, short-term duration: 5 hrs/week (2 sessions per week, 2.5 hrs each)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tuesday, November 11 Veteran’s Day

Thursday, November 13 Junior Class Reception, 5:30-6 PM, Masters’ Residence
Junior Class, 6:00 PM, Dining Hall

Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day

Friday, December 5 House Staff Reception and Recognition, 2:30-4:30
Masters’ Residence and JCR

Thursday, December 11 SCR Reception, 5:30-6:15 PM, Masters’ Residence
SCR Dinner, 6:30-7:30, JCR
37th Annual Messiah Sing, 8 PM, Dining Hal

Deadline for Dunster House newsletter submissions is Thursday at 3:00 pm
for Monday publication. Submit concise notices with a brief headline in
writing to Nora Dahl, House Administrator, either at the House Office
(J-38), by fax at 496-3850, or preferably by e-mail at
ndahl@fas.harvard.edu