Harvard Today: February 18, 2015

By Michelle M. Ng

Happy Hump Day! Thanks to the long weekend, today doesn’t feel nearly as grueling as most Hump Days do. You’re probably still bright-eyed and bushy-tailed from all the sleep you (almost) got this weekend. Do something fun and exciting today to celebrate this not-so-terrible quasi-Hump Day! Go on a waffle date with your DataMatch, go snowshoeing through the Yard, or give up on being fun and exciting and just hole up in your room or library of your choice with all the p-sets and essays you could’ve, should’ve, and just didn’t do over the weekend.

By Daniel N. Yue

IN THE ATMOSPHERE
It’s practically high summer today, with highs of 30 degrees and lows of 17 degrees. It’s also (supposedly) not going to snow today, so savor this precipitation-free day while you can, because it’s going to be pretty rare.

IN THE D-HALL
Lunch:
Baked Scallops with Lemon Parsley
Chicken and Swiss Melt on Whole Wheat Panini
Macaroni and Cheese

Dinner:
American Style Beef Stroganoff
Egg Twist Noodles
Blackened Arcadian Redfish (#goodbyeswai?) 
Scheherazade Casserole: Bulgar, Tomato, and Sobyean Casserole

ON FLYBY
1) BREAKING: Snow Update from the Dean of Student Life: A parody of an email we have been finding in our inboxes all too often.
2) The Quintessential Harvard Valentine’s Day: Experience Valentine’s Day through the eyes of an introspective (and single) Harvard student.

IN THE NEWS
1) Eight Students Elected to UC in Midterm Elections: “Eight students were elected to the Undergraduate Council after the voting period for midterm elections closed Friday. Out of those students, six are new to the Council.”
2) Harvard Monitors Meningitis Cases at Yale, Providence College: “With recently confirmed cases of meningococcal meningitis B at Yale and Providence College, Harvard administrators have contacted students about outbreak and prevention of the infection.”
3) HLS Student Groups Retract Honor from New York Public Defender: “The International Women’s Day exhibit at Harvard Law School will no longer honor Robin Steinberg, the executive director of the Bronx Defenders, a non-profit provider of public defense services in New York City. The annual Law School exhibit, which honors women in the legal profession, revoked its invitation to Steinberg following backlash for her link to the controversial YouTube video “Hands Up.”

EVENTS
The Tech & Innovation Policy Group is hosting a small Q&A discussion with Brian Forde, former senior advisor for mobile and data innovation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 8-9 a.m. in room L166 of the IOP.

IOP fellow Matt Lira, Deputy Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is having his study group, The Revolution Wasn't Televised: How Technology Has Transformed the American Democracy, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the FDR room at the Kennedy School. He will speak about how technology impacts campaign tactics, mass communication, and Washington’s power structure itself.

The Office of Career Services is hosting Pathways in Non-Profits and Foundations, featuring a panel of alums who have extensive experience working in non-profits or foundations. This event will be from 4-5 p.m. at 54 Dunster Street. Register here!

Senator Kay Hagan is having her study group, Money in Politics: How the New Norms Affect Campaigns and Political Life, today at 4 p.m. in room L166 of the IOP. She will be discussing the real-world effects of changes in the way money impacts modern campaigns post-Citizens United.

The IOP John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum is hosting an event, 50 Years After the Voting Rights Act: Strategies for Moving Forward, today at 6 p.m. at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Speakers include Robert C. Scott from the House of Representatives (D-VA), Penda D. Hair who is the co-founder and co-director of the Advancement Project, and Alex Keyssar who is the Matthew W. Stirling Jr. Professor of History and Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Today, stop by Insomnia Cookies (65 Mt. Auburn St.) or make an order online or over the phone to support the Relay/Insomnia Fundraiser! 20% of all Insomnia Cookies purchases will go to the American Cancer Society through Harvard Relay for Life. #Cookies4aCause

RESCHEDULED: The Harvard Political Union is presenting The HRC Debates the Future of the GOP today at 7 p.m. in Science Center D.

PHOTO OF THE DAY
Customers enjoy freshly prepared ramen on a cold Tuesday evening. Santouka has experienced a rush of excited new customers who want to try out the newest eatery in Harvard Square.