Category Archives: Current Issue

The most recent issue of Frankly Speaking.

My Only Important Reflection On Olin

Posted on by

Over my time at Olin, I have loved the honest, community-focused criticisms, praises, ideas, jokes, and everything else that Frankly Speaking has contained. I also enjoy writing and reflecting, and through my four years, I have made it a practice to use the Frankly format to write out my reflections specifically pertinent to Olin. My Google Drive is littered with documents named “Potential Frankly:…” followed by titles of almost a dozen half-finished thoughts. Some I wrote in one-night rages and never revisited, others were thoroughly edited and peer-reviewed only to not be submitted at the last moment. 

I knew I wanted to write one more Frankly Speaking, but I didn’t know what would be actually valuable to focus upon in this “last shot.” I considered revisiting my reflections on creating change at Olin, maybe one about our approach to community building and buy-in. Finally, I thought I was honing into writing about the many reflections I have on the tensions created by Olin’s apoliticalness. 

But in looking through all of my reflections, it became clear that only one was actually important: where the best spots on campus are to birdwatch.

Okay, so it obviously depends what you’re trying to see and when you’re trying to see it, but just gonna go over a generalist tour:

  • Right out the gates, I’m going to lead with a hot take: the maintenance area right inside Parcel B by the soccer fields. You wouldn’t think it, but honestly, great-ass spot to see birds. Not only do you got the open area, a mix of coniferous and deciduous and dead and live trees, BUT you also are sat up on a bit of a hill so you get a better view of the whole tree.
  • Going off this idea, a good climbing tree…Get up there and sit a bit! You’ll see so much cool stuff around ya! Best climbing tree in Parcel B is yours to find, but as a hint, if you walk in a straight line from East Hall to the pond, you’ll walk right by it.
  • Shoot, I didn’t mean to put the cart before the horse here, ‘cause I know some of y’all don’t have a pair of binoculars/bird identification stuff. That’s a-okay! You can check out binoculars from the library (common Olin Library W), and Merlin Bird ID is a great free app for bird identification! If you don’t want all the hassle of identification, I respect though.
  • The whole pond area is just the absolute best. Y’all, I have seen Solitary Sandpipers out there cozy-as-can-be once the native wildflowers grow up over the summer. Isn’t that crazy at Olin?? Also, it’s just great seeing the swallows there along with larger water birds like ducks and herons! 
  • For rarer finds, deeper in the woods is always a good bet. There’s a roughly-beaten path back past the prairie and, for a special treat right now, there’s a pair of nesting Pileated Woodpeckers right along the path!
  • Lastly, the marsh area you pass when driving in is just a classic. There are always Red Tailed Hawks hanging around and the Red Winged Blackbirds make for an amazing sunset experience!

Reach out to me if you got any questions, but otherwise, happy birding and happy time at Olin! Make sure to reflect on the important things. And write your own Franklys too—the more we share as a community, the more we understand each other and grow together, and most importantly, the more birds we see.

My total Olin bird count (as of 4/30): 65 unique species. (Absolutely ROOKIE numbers by the way, other past Olin students have cracked 100 on campus before. Could be you!)

My Advice to Oliners: Do Less

Posted on by

So, you want to get the most out of college. That must mean taking as many classes as possible so that you don’t miss out on any content. Oh, and also be sure to join a project team, because you won’t have success finding a job if you don’t. Summer doesn’t mean a break from technical work; if you can’t get an internship, how are you ever going to be employed after graduation?

I was recently talking to my fellow seniors about what they wish they knew during our first year at Olin. The response that inspired me to write this article was “I wish I was aware of any seniors who weren’t dedicating their life to project teams and who were only taking 12-16 credits per semester finding good jobs after graduation.” I heard that and immediately thought, “Hey, that’s me. I’m a senior with a relatively empty calendar who found a good job in her field.” So now I’m here to tell you my experience and how I got the most out of college (as an E:C).

This right here is my simple advice for happiness: focus your energy on things you enjoy. If you are ever putting time and effort into a class or club and feel that you aren’t getting enough out of it, just stop. You don’t need to get an A in every class or be the most productive member of a project team if you aren’t enjoying it. Instead, choose 2-3 projects/courses/activities that you are most interested in and spend your time delving into those subjects. Next, commit to 1-2 other activities, and complete the minimum amount of work expected from you. This does not mean completely slacking off, but it means becoming less attached to producing quality work and more attached to your general well-being and happiness. If you are on a team, be sure to communicate the amount of time and effort you are able to contribute.

Pro tip: you can take 12 total Olin credits as pass/no credit throughout all your semesters. These can only be applied to courses that aren’t being used for major requirements. However, if there is a non-required elective that you feel is taking up too much of your time, you can apply for pass/no credit, which will remove the stress of maintaining your GPA, if that’s something that’s important to you.

Finally, I want to talk about my experiences with internships. Mainly, the fact that I never did one (although I did do a summer of research at Olin). Internships are important for gaining professional experience and connections, and I recommend pursuing at least one throughout your time at Olin. However, it is not the end of your prospects if you do not manage to get one. They create connections and improve your resume, but are not necessary to get a job after college. Again, I never got an internship, and I feel that it didn’t negatively impact my job search.

*Insert conclusion here* Moral of the story: Marie Kondo your iCal and keep only the commitments that spark joy.

Exploitation, Music, & Beauty in Cinderella

Posted on by

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella revels in its seemingly blunt and simple naivete. It’s so bold as to make a scene where its lead preaches about kindness and everyone clapped for it. But as I worked on this show, and found insight from other actors about how they see this world, Cinderella transformed into anything but a plain country bumpkin. R&H’s Cinderella was adapted from a much shorter animated story, well-renowned for its poignant simplicity. Plenty of other simple stories have followed this trajectory into the modern day, but as Cinderella is given space to grow, to reflect on its place in a changing world, the contribution to its own conversation has matured. We are treated to a story of love, and class, and family, and with new messages that call to be heard. 

Part 1: Beauty 

If I were to ask you what Disney’s first adaptation of Cinderella was about on a thematic level, what would you say? You might think of hard work, or inheritance, or staying true to yourself. For now, think about how Disney’s Cinderella spends its energy asking about who is beautiful. Not a beautiful spirit, but external, aesthetic beauty. The stepfamily wears beautiful clothes, but they have ugly faces. The mice are externally ugly, but are capable of creating beautiful things. Cinderella starts out disheveled, but is made the most gorgeous character in the movie with the flick of a wand by the Fairy Godmother, who in this movie is a godly embodiment of beauty. The prince, who is less of a person, is the arbiter of beauty. Not only does he exercise this authority during his ball, but his quest to fit the glass slipper on every woman in the kingdom is a reinforcement of the power to decide who is and is not beautiful. And on the condition that Cinderella is beautiful, and through no other standard, she gets to live happily ever after. 

When we look at the events of the story, we can draw a conclusion about what Disney’s Cinderella might be trying to say. Why was Cinderella the most beautiful? Well, her dress was perfectly molded against her body. People who tried the slipper could not fit it because they were trying to fit a form that was not theirs. In this way, the story suggests that everyone has their own unique form of beauty tailored to them, and happiness lies in discovering that specific and unique style. While there are many ways to read this story, you will see this may offer insight to what future iterations have to say. 

The new 2013 musical is undeniably invested in beauty as well. Cinderella once again dawns her gown as the prettiest woman at the ball. There are new songs dedicated to how beautiful the prince is. Most notably however, the show opens with a chorus about how beautiful the world is, with a closing remark, “It makes you wish the world could be as lovely as it looks”. This is our first clue suggesting how the musical expands on the ideas of its source material. Right from the beginning, there is a relationship between beauty and goodness. And as the show begins, it’s implied they do not coincide.

Part 2: Exploitation 

The largest plot change in R&H’s Cinderella can be explained through the introduction of Sebastian and Jean-Michel. Sebastian lies and misrepresents, aiming to convince everyone that what he asks of his companions is not worth the trouble of understanding. Jean-Michel, by contrast, is fervent with his transparency about the work and sacrifice that is required of serving others. Not only does he run a soup kitchen, but the source of his food is from those who donate. These two characters contrast each other because both of them know how to—or not to—exploit others for their own gain. 

Everything about the world of Cinderella warps itself around the relationship each character has toward the power to exploit others. Sebastian believes it is natural and worth rewarding to use other people as stepping stones in pursuit of opulence. Those who agree with him participate most readily in the ridicule competition. Jean-Michel believes that exploitation is a useless tool when everyone around you is willing to serve the community. It is why he scavenges, and begs, and rallies, and inspires. When we choose not to exploit, we are granted something greater—loyalty.  

When Marie, the fairy godmother, enters stage, she unifies these seemingly separate ideas around beauty and exploitation. If Ella is the most virtuous, she is now too made the most beautiful. This is what it looks like when the world is as lovely as it looks. With a flick of her wand, Marie makes the world as we wish it, so long as the pieces are already there to make it so.

Marie tells us that Ella is the first person to show generosity, charity, and kindness, and that because of this, Marie is willing to grant her gifts throughout the show. Ella becomes beautiful in this moment, but there are other canonically beautiful characters such as Prince Topher (for the details are explained throughout the song aptly named “He is Tall”). And what’s Jean-Michel, chopped liver? He’s clearly friends with Crazy Marie, so surely there is a reason she sticks around him. Surely he doesn’t not-know who Marie really is. Is he, too, not worthy of this gift of beauty? If we are left with these questions, we are forced to ask: if these characters are also beautiful, then why? What do they represent, if not generosity, charity, and kindness, that they are so closely aligned with these symbols? 

If according to Disney’s Cinderella, beauty is only achievable by those who align their style with who they are, and in this show, beauty is equivalent to virtue, then we have an answer. Everyone has their own unique way of demonstrating virtue, and in doing so, expressing their inner beauty. For Jean-Michel, his righteous anger drives him to do justice. The Prince demonstrates his best virtue by listening, and seeking out the voices that must be heard. By doing so, he finds himself. Through righteousness, we make the world beautiful. Through listening to others, we hear the music inside ourselves and others.

Part 3: Music 

In “The Prince is Giving a Ball”, Jean-Michel attempts to sing in concert with the town, but is shouted over by Lord Pinkleton. In Topher’s first number, “Me, Who Am I”, the lyrics are discordant. He sings out of sync with the knights, who contradict his words. But as the show continues, there is more harmony. There is more conversation and camaraderie. By the conclusion, everyone sings together for they achieved the unity sought from the beginning of the show. 

To truly harmonize within a chorus, you must listen diligently to the people around you. You must align with their tune, their volume, and their rhythm. It demands care for the people around you. If we can listen, show kindness, generosity, and charity, then we may move in harmony with the rest of the world.

You may wish the world could be as lovely as it looks. But the world is complicated. It’s impossible to find such beauty. So much of life seeks to tell us there is nothing worth hearing besides the rhythm by which we walk this planet, and when we believe that to be so, we become jaded, and we resort to ridicule and exploitation. But if there is ever a doubt in your mind, just remember—that impossible things happen every day.

Nap Time: A Tier List

Posted on by

Hello everyone! If you don’t know me, my name’s Meagan, I’m a senior, and I’m an avid lover of naps. In this article, I’m going to rank all the places I’ve napped on campus. My qualifications are that I’ve been here for four years and was a deeply sleep-deprived Formula PM. Enjoy :) 

S-Tier

  • Shop Bean Bags
    • PEAK in between waterjetting shifts.
  • Eduspace
    • A CLASSIC, centrally located and very comfy. Tragic that it’s not open anymore.
  • Waterfall Bean Bags
    • SOO GOOD; deeply underutilized.
  • NEW EH suite couches
    • *Chef’s Kiss* 
  • Couches in the O
    • THERE USED TO BE A COUCH. I literally zonked out for like a whole hour here. Best nap of my life <3

A-Tier

  • The PARC (MAC 3rd floor couches)
    • I napped here during a Power E all-nighter and was awoken by the loudest thunder and lightning I’ve ever experienced. The couch was comfy though; would do again. 
  • Memorial Lounge
    • Helpful if you don’t want to be disturbed.
  • Quiet Reading Room Green Chairs
    • Trust these are so good; a little public though.
  • The Common
    • Good couch, a little too firm.
  • My First Year Room Floor
    • Many a nap was taken here, not just by me. Long live Mealin. 
  • WH 4th Floor Bean Bags
    • Great, but you may get some strange looks.
  • OLD suite couches
    • Comfy but hella old, like who knows what has been there?
  • Hammocks outside Milas 
  • Great Lawn 
  • The Grass in the O

B-Tier

  • DesNat/CD Couches
    • Just don’t think about what else has happened on these couches. I have napped here during classes and CD meetings. 
  • Downstairs Team Room with Couch
    • RIP this couch. It was kinda dingy though. 
  • Library Floor
    • First year after 4E shenanigans. 
  • Therapy Room
    • Also, RIP that this doesn’t exist anymore.
  • Jam Room
    • While my friends were actively practicing for their band. 
  • WH Antelounge Benches
    • Surprisingly good.
  • WH Lounge Couches
    • Classic, happened more times than I can remember lol 
  • The Stone Wall in the O
  • The Aderondak Chairs in the O
  • The Parcel B Web
    • This one was brief but full of whimsy 
  • Formula Car
    • Ok, technicallyyy, maybe this wasn’t a full nap, but it was aspirational.

C-Tier

  • E-Proto Room
    • Lowkey could’ve been worse?
  • SNORD
    • C’mon, this is a classic. It’s uncomfy though, and I feel bad for the professors. 
  • Crescent Room
    • Sometimes it’s the only space open. 
  • Armchairs Outside of the Board Room
    • Yes, there are chairs there. No, they’re not very comfortable to sleep in. 
  • Pool Room Window Cubbies
    • Yes, this is for real. It was a tad embarrassing…
  • West Hall Nooks – Usually 3rd or 4th floor
    • Usually, while doing Circuits or ESA. :(
  • Floor While Doing “ASMR” 30-Second Videos
    • You’ll have to watch the 30-second video. Yes, I actually slept through that. In the same room. On the floor.

D-Tier

  • Random MAC Classrooms
    • These naps SUCK and only happen out of desperation.
  • Normal Team Rooms
    • Meh, I feel like the other people in the library are judging me. 
  • Outside IT
    • Doing the “head nod” while waiting for them to fix my computer. 
  • LPB Workbench
    • Very bad, no good.
  • Dave’s Pool
    • JK, this didn’t happen.

That’s it, folks! Consider this a warning to get some sleep and not overcommit. Or, if not, think of it as a helpful guide? Whatever floats your boat.

  • Meagan “I promise I get enough sleep now” Lipsman

You should donate to the SERV Auction RIGHT NOW!

Posted on by

Whether big or small, please take 3 minutes to donate an item (or five). Your donations will support the Palestine Red Crescent Society deliver critical humanitarian aid. The auction is also a great way to meet new people, showcase your skills, and come together as a community.

For inspiration, here are a few awesome items that have been donated in the past:

  • Bake you cookies
  • Wooden bowl 
  • Help designing your portfolio
  • Free coffee at Caffe Nero
  • Pickup from a Green Line or Commuter Rail stop
  • Custom art piece
  • Free haircut 
  • Video call with farm animals
  • Small plant
  • Take you hiking
  • Nail painting session
  • Skating lesson
  • Polar plunge, 1 second for every dollar

Please Please Please Donate!!!

I am hoping to close the donations at the end of the day Wednesday (3/4) so get your donations in now! The auction will run for one week from Thursday 3/5 until Wednesday night 3/11.

Are Oliners Okay? 

Posted on by

Trigger warning: suicidal ideation  

When I came to Olin, I found a community that supported me in ways I had never been able to find before. For the first time, I felt that most of my peers, faculty, and staff saw me as a whole person and genuinely cared about my wellbeing. However, it has become clear to me that here, unlike at other schools I’ve attended, everyone is sick. Many students I’ve talked to have struggled with their mental health and school related issues like I have. Olin’s productivity and overachievement culture often means we often feel pressured to sacrifice healthy priorities and lifestyle, which makes it harder for us to make healthy choices as individuals. 

I felt the pressure to succeed since before I can remember. I’ve continuously been fed the idea that self-worth and quality of future are measured by academic achievement, fancy jobs, and sheer productivity. I wasn’t allowed to relax or have fun until I finished all of my homework. I felt guilty for enjoying myself when there was work I could be doing. 

I found writing particularly difficult, but no one believed me. No matter how much I cried and said I couldn’t do it, I was told that if I didn’t do all of my homework perfectly and on time, then I would never get good grades, would never get into a good college, would never get a good job, and would forever be broke and miserable.  

Because of the grueling writing assignments, the lack of support, and loneliness, I hated school. Since school was my whole life, I hated being alive. I didn’t understand that it wasn’t normal to want to die every day. I thought everyone did, that’s what it sounded like from others.   

I didn’t think I should be struggling or need help. I had a nice family, a nice house, a nice school; nothing “bad” had really happened to me. It didn’t seem like I had any valid reasons to be depressed.

Things continued to get worse throughout middle and high school, compounding with struggles I was navigating in other parts of my life. I contemplated every day if I could keep living. I wanted that happy life with a dream job, but it felt impossible for me to get there. Life was too painful and I couldn’t stand it anymore. I didn’t know if I would be strong enough to keep going. I felt like I could break at any moment and I would be gone. I questioned if it was even worth it to keep chasing my dreams. 

It was always frustrating to hear “it gets better” when I never had any proof. It wasn’t getting better. There wasn’t a clear way for it to get better. I’d never seen anyone else get better. I didn’t believe I would ever get better. 

No matter how miserable I was, maintaining good grades was still my top priority. I put everything I had into schoolwork, making myself more exhausted and depressed every day. I kept pushing to finish my homework, even though it was killing me. I knew I wasn’t ok, but I didn’t know how I could change. I was told I would get even more depressed and anxious if I got behind. There was never a good time for me to take time for myself. It got to the point where I was so depleted that I couldn’t process basic math. My future as an engineer felt completely hopeless. I finally realized that if I didn’t step back and take care of myself, then I couldn’t get good grades, get into my dream college, or do whatever comes after. That wonderful life I was working towards would never exist if I were dead.  

I left school and admitted myself to partial hospitalization. The program was a dumpster fire, but I eventually got what I needed to get better. Fast-forward a few years and I’m now going to my top choice college, on track to achieve those dreams I had always been chasing. I remember the first time I went a whole day without thinking I wanted to die. It was incredible. I enjoy my life now and genuinely like being alive. I didn’t know that was even possible. I am proud of how much I have overcome and am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I have so much to live for. Every day I am reminded how grateful I am to still be here. 

I don’t know just how many people here are hurting like I was, but I believe it’s a lot. I see parts of my old self in everyone around me. 

I’m concerned about how normal it is to be miserable here. I’m disappointed by how often I hear people talk about depression or wanting to kill themselves like it doesn’t mean anything. I hear it at dinner, office hours, or just walking through the halls. This environment makes it feel like severe mental illness and suicidal ideation is not the serious problem that it is. It sends the message that it doesn’t matter if someone is really struggling. It makes it hard to tell when people are in immediate danger when suicidal comments are so common.  

It hurts me when people say they want to kill themselves, even as a “joke”. I have flashbacks to the pain I was in during the darkest period of my life. It makes me feel alone here, or like people wouldn’t care if I hadn’t made it here. The words and questions swirl around in my head, and I get scared of going back to that dark place. It certainly does not create a space where I can learn and grow, which is what I hoped for at Olin. 

I’ve tried bringing up this pattern of students saying they want to kill themselves to StAR, but have not gotten much of a response. Many of the staff seemed more concerned about the comments being inappropriate than about student wellbeing. Some suggested I should call people out directly, which I think misses the point entirely. An unhealthy culture around mental health and suicide can’t be changed by simply avoiding certain kinds of jokes.

I wish I had specific mental health resources I would recommend at Olin, but they are really lacking currently. I’ve had a difficult time getting connected to adequate care, despite reaching out to multiple people. In my experience, most of these resources have been superficial or just crisis response with little in-between. I’ve heard promises of improvement but haven’t seen much yet. I’m hopeful new staff will build these programs effectively. 

I want to send the message that everyone here matters. You are an important, unique person that deserves care, support, and to live a full, happy, healthy life. Your wellbeing is more important than any schoolwork; it’s more important than homework assignments, deadlines, grades, credit hours, project teams, or internship applications. Take the time to enjoy yourself. No matter how big or small (or compared to what others are facing), what you’re struggling with is enough to get support. If you need help, you need it. You are enough. Life is worth living. As long as you’re alive, it can get better.  

So please, 

Admin, provide better resources.  

Students, get the support you need—you do need it.  

Everyone, let’s be better as a community. 

Love, 

Concerned Student 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, connection to free, confidential support to people anywhere in the US. 

Call or text 988 

Or chat at 988lifeline.org 

R2s are available for additional support. 

How to Help E:Bios: Cross-Registration with MassBay Community College

Posted on by

It is common knowledge that Olin’s biology and chemistry offerings alone are not sufficient for most students interested in designing a useful, marketable Biomedical Engineering (E:Bio) degree. For this reason, many students who wish to become E:Bios also try to take Wellesley biology and chemistry classes; these classes are extremely valuable because they offer training which Olin simply does not provide. Brandeis is also an option, but is much farther away and harder to get to, as there is no shuttle.

These E:Bio students face a major challenge: Wellesley science classes fill up very quickly, and the professors are often unable to offer additional slots for cross-registering students. Due to this scarcity, many E:Bio students take Olin technical classes, snap up a Wellesley science when they can, and call it a degree. It works, but barely – it’s always a scramble to find science courses which are relevant. These E:Bio students just don’t have access to the biology or chemistry courses they need. 

For this problem, I propose a solution: Cross-registration with MassBay Community College (MassBay). I have taken multiple classes there, and believe that it could help with this fundamental problem of E:Bios having trouble taking biology or chemistry. 

MassBay has the full traditional chemistry sequence for health professions (General Chemistry 1 & 2, Organic Chemistry 1 & 2, and Biochemistry), and also offers biology classes (Biology 1 & 2, Anatomy and Physiology, various Biotechnology offerings, etc.). An Olin student interested in E:Bio could take introductory science classes at MassBay and then go to advanced 200 or 300-level Wellesley science courses later; these more advanced courses at Wellesley tend to have more open spots. 

Massbay is not a nationally renowned institution like Wellesley, but it still provides an effective education. The class sizes are small (10-30 students), and the professors are there to teach, not do research or anything else. I have taken Chemistry 1 and 2, along with Organic Chemistry 1, at Massbay and have felt that I have gained a level of training which transfers well over to my Wellesley Organic Chemistry 2 class. 

As an institution which caters to both traditional students and working professionals, MassBay offers classes in a range of times which open up opportunities for many students. They have night classes, summer classes, and others, meaning that Olin students who often struggle with fitting Wellesley courses into their schedules may have more flexibility with MassBay ones. 

While there are clear benefits that cross-registration with MassBay could have for Olin E:Bio students, such a partnership could also have benefits for students beyond E:Bios. (Two of Massbay’s offerings which I noted as personally interesting were their EMT course and their car mechanic training progression: if you understand how to fix something, you will have better knowledge of how to design it in the future.) This cross-registration would also have distinct benefits for Massbay students. 

First off, Olin’s unique application-based classes (SoftDes, Collaborative Design, Mech Proto, Comp Arch, Fun Robo, etc.) could offer an opportunity to these students to take courses beyond the scope of their MassBay curriculum.

Additionally, the unusual contexts of both institutions could be expanded to enable Massbay students to transfer to Olin without starting again in freshman year. Transfer students are required to start again in freshman year because Olin’s educational system is too distinct from traditional institutions for someone to just jump in midway. However, a MassBay student who has taken a good number of Olin classes might be able to transfer into second or third year right out of the gate. Olin typically loses a student or two in freshman year (99% retention rate still means one person leaves!), so this transfer student could take their place. 

Here are my thoughts around how a cross-registration agreement with MassBay could be reasonably arranged: 

Olin students would be allowed to take MassBay courses after the completion of their first year at Olin. Similarly, MassBay pre-engineering and pre-biology/chemistry/biotechnology students would be allowed to take Olin classes in their second year of enrollment as an upper-level elective. This way, both MassBay and Olin students would be incentivized to explore the offerings of their own institutions before branching out. 

Oliner credit distribution for courses taken at MassBay would be decided exactly the same as it is for other cross-registered courses. Olin classes taken by MassBay students would count for engineering or science elective credit. 

Olin students would have to arrange their own transportation to MassBay, and vice versa. This would be considerably simpler than with Brandeis—MassBay already supports its students in getting to the institution through Ubers and a shuttle, and it is also a reasonable-ish (20-30 minute) bike ride away. 

Olin would follow a compensation agreement for coursework similar to that which it has with the other members of the BBOW group.

I believe that an arrangement following these guidelines could absolutely be actionable and would enable students from both institutions to reap benefits. 

This article is something I’ve been mulling over for a few weeks, and I’d love to hear your opinions on it. If you have any thoughts about this idea, please feel free to find me around campus (I’m Sammy Socol; you can look me up in the student directory) or email me at ssocol@olin.edu.

*Two of Massbay’s offerings which I noted as personally interesting were their EMT course and their car mechanic training progression: if you understand how to fix something, you will have better knowledge of how to design it in the future. 

Escaping the Bubble

Posted on by

Hi friends! Do you not have a car? Do you struggle to convince your friends to get into Boston consistently? Do you hate Uber? Well worry not. As a senior, it’s my duty to tell you all about how to get off campus for cheap. These will primarily focus on getting into Boston, but most will get you to other places as well!

  • MWRTA Route 1 Bus – This bus runs 7 days a week and is free to ride! There’s a stop in Babson’s Knight Parking Lot that will take you to the Woodland Hills Green Line stop. It also goes to the Natick Mall and runs 5AM-9PM on weekdays and 8AM-5PM on weekends. You can find the schedule online.
  • Catch Connect – The Catch Connect is a shuttle that runs 7 days a week and will take you anywhere that’s local, including Trader Joe’s, the Woodland Hills Greenline stop, Commuter Rail stops, and more! It is also completely free to ride! It typically runs from 7AM-9PM on weekends, and 8AM-6PM on weekends (new this year!). You need to get the Catch App in order to call the Catch Connect.
  • Commuter Rails – The Commuter Rails are typically more expensive than the T ($7 vs. $2.40), but are faster and will take you directly into Boston. The best options are to bike to either the Wellesley Hills stop or the Needham Heights stop (or walk if you’re scared of biking like me). The Commuter Rail is typically open later than the two options above – you can find their schedules online.
  • The Senate Bus – This bus only runs Fridays and weekends, but it is much more convenient than the other options for getting into Boston. You can take the Senate Bus from Wellesley to Cambridge roundtrip for only $3 (cash only). Look up the Senate Bus schedule on Wellesley’s website. 
  • The Babson Shuttle Bus – This bus only runs Friday and Saturday afternoon/night. It goes from the Trim Lot directly to the Prudential Center and the Boston Common. It’s completely FREE, although it is technically for Babson students, so you need a one card (they’re checking this semester). The schedule can be found on the @babsonsga Instagram page.

Driving or Ubering to Eliot is always an option, but if you find yourself lacking in ways to get off-campus, hopefully this will help you get off Olin for cheap (or even free!). There are always plenty of things to do in Boston, but I enjoy doing work at the Boston Public Library, or walking around the Common and Cambridge when it’s nicer outside. It’s always a good idea to check if any interesting events are happening too! I’ve taken free dance classes at the Public Library, and use Joyraft (an app) to see if anything interesting is happening, including food festivals and vintage markets. Olin is awesome, but I encourage everyone to get out once in a while!

The Black Experience At Olin: One Year Review

Posted on by

Last February I made the difficult choice to share my pain and struggle with the Olin community through a Frankly Speaking article. While many people have seen the pain I’ve gone through for my writing, I am proud of my choice and proud that I continue to write and call attention to disgraceful behavior at my school.

After my first article, I was connected with other black Oliners who finally felt seen after all their time here. I have received emails from alumni thanking me for highlighting the racist shit they went through that no one would talk about. But there have been downsides—it is almost impossible for me to find people to team with me (‘cause who wants to work with the radical black girl?) Clubs at Olin now feel they can use me as their token black activist to “fix” their racism for them. 

Yet I still write, and I will continue writing this column until I graduate or Olin truly improves. Why do I do this despite the intense harm it does to my mental health and student career? 

Because I care about Olin.

This same thing happened in high school, but I never said anything because I saw that place as a stepping stone to greater things. I never said anything at past camps or jobs because those were temporary, and I didn’t like them that much anyway.

I love Olin. I love the professors who enjoy teaching and put so much care and effort into ensuring their students truly learn. I love the students who are endless bundles of intelligence, ingenuity, and creativity that give me hope for the future. I love the staff, from the shop assistants who never get mad at me for repeatedly needing help turning on machines, to the dining hall staff who smile at every student they see. I love the beautiful library where I always feel a sense of belonging due in large part to our kind and hardworking librarians. I love the project teams and the clubs and more. 

Because I love Olin, I will not allow it to be tarnished with prejudice and hate; for racist behaviors to fall through the cracks until they become truly engraved in the beliefs of this community. Olin was founded on the idea of “engineering for everyone,” and while we struggle to properly practice our promise, we can make sure that engineers with dark skin are included as respected and protected members of that “everyone.” So Oliners, you can avoid, hate me, call me hysterical, or choose to not believe me, but I am going to keep sharing stories, keep highlighting facts, and work to make Olin a better environment for all black people here, because I care. 

Ivy Reviews Olin Library Books #3

Posted on by

Fiction: A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, 2019

Ambassador Mahit Dzmare of the independent artificial planet Lsel Station has been summoned to the heart of the Teixcalaan Empire. Her predecessor Yskander is dead, her mission is sabotaged, and the Empire is on the brink of a succession crisis. Armed only with a 15-year-old copy of Yskander’s personality implanted in her brain, as well as a lifelong adoration for Teixcalaanli culture and language, Mahit must convince Teixcalaan’s upper echelons—including the Emperor himself—that Lsel Station is more valuable as an ally than an annexation. By presenting readers with an unflinchingly intimate view of Teixcalaan through an outsider’s eyes, author Arkady Martine explores the pain of falling in love with the culture that’s devouring your own.

 In the Teixcalaanli language, the word for “city”, “empire”, and “civilization” are all the same. The language reflects the Teixcalaanlitzlim’s all-encompassing worldview: to be Teixcalaanli, and to be in the Empire, is to be a part of civilization. As a Stationer, Mahit is casually referred to as a “barbarian”. The novel’s Teixcalaanlitzlim characters aren’t overtly xenophobic, yet their linguistic and cultural assumption of superiority permeates every exchange that Mahit has. Similarly, in our own society, white individuals frequently perpetuate cultural racism through constant, implicit assertions of white supremacy in everyday life. By choosing to demonstrate Teixcalaanli exceptionalism as an ever-present shadow rather than one-off instances of cartoonish discrimination (as many sci-fi stories choose to do), Martine creates a rich and accurate depiction of how empires build national supremacy into their cultures.

To make matters worse for Mahit, her imago-machine—the brain implant that allows her to access Yskander’s out-of-date memories—is damaged. Instead of full communication with Yskander, Mahit only gets occasional flashes of his past emotions. On Lsel Station, every individual receives an imago-machine, which connects them to a storied history of prior Stationers’ personalities, skills, and experiences. By losing her connection to Yskander, Mahit is literally severed from Stationer culture and identity. Already surrounded by Teixcalaanli exceptionalism, Mahit’s loneliness reflects the real-world isolationism of individuals who are forced to conform to the culture of an empire that does not want them.

Martine does not use the word empire lightly—in fact, she holds a PHD in the topic: her dissertation discussed Byzantine agents operating in the Empire’s borderlands. Her expertise is what sets this novel apart from other space operas, which often utilize an off-the-shelf galactic federation, evil empire, or corporation to menacingly loom over the plot without actually introducing any nuance to the story. Martine does not absolve her empire of its sins; instead, she is honest about its contradictions. Teixcalaan’s power is both awe-inspiring and terrifying; its culture is both beautiful and encroaching. Similarly, nationalist isolationism lurks below Lsel Station’s fight for independence, and undercuts the efforts of Mahit and others to stabilize diplomatic relations. This sentiment too is realistic to real-world efforts to stave off cultural devouring—territories located near empires like the Byzantine Empire, America, and others fight bitterly to keep their local traditions alive, even at the cost of greater political stability.

At its core, A Memory Called Empire is a story with no villains. Martine demonstrates masterful worldbuilding by forcing the reader to view the story through both Teixcalaanli and Stationer perspectives, including how they view each other and themselves. Teixcalaan’s history of conquest is inseparable from its rich culture of storytelling, and the Teixcalaanlitzlim themselves are unable to separate their identity from the concept of culture itself. Lsel Station, on the other hand, is fiercely protective of its independent thought—from underground comic books that compete with Teixcalaan literature in Lsel’s popular culture, to the carefully guarded imago-technology that could lead to annexation if revealed to the Empire. As a result, a novel masquerading a spacefaring political intrigue reveals fascinating dialogue surrounding cultural exchange, assimilation, and national identity.