Basic Answers for Claremont McKenna Freshmen

Believe it or not, I've actually started to receive emails from the Claremont McKenna Class of 2012. I'm just as shocked as you are, but there you have it.

I'll address the questions in the order in which I've received them.

"Should I get the 12 or the 16 meal plan?"

Unless you plan to eat every single meal in the dining halls -- a mission even I'm incapable of doing-- don't bother getting the

I got the 12 meal plan this year and it was more than enough. Next year, I'll be getting the 8 meal plan.

Remember it's all you can eat. I usually just go in at lunch or dinner and just eat enough for the whole day.

"What should I put on the housing form?"

My advice to anyone filling out the housing form is to be as brutally honest as possible.

I knew that I really didn't want to live in a building without air conditioning and so I made that very clear.

If you are very much opposed to drinking and want to live somewhere clean, I whole heartedly recommend Stark.

"Is Claremont McKenna a party school?"

Despite how much I rail about how the student fees go to parties that I never attend, I must confess that C.M.C.'s party culture is highly overrated. Yes, we did have a lot of visits to the emergency room this year, but on balance, I think many students overstate how often they drink.

There's a sizable chunk of the population that goes to all the parties, but as with all colleges there's also a bunch of folks that never go. Many of us happen to live in Stark Hall.

"What's the workload like?"

C.M.C. is as hard as you want to make it.

I think it's entirely possible to use Ratemyprofessors.com to find out which teachers are the easiest and scoot by. I wouldn't recommend it, but it does happen to be true.

We aren't particularly competitive, but you can find a friendly competition if you are looking for it.

"Where do you get take out from?"

Mixed Bowl, Dominoes, and Round Table Pizza. I wouldn't eat any of them more than once a week if you want to live to graduate.

"Is Claremont McKenna Israel-friendly?"

I'm not even sure I know entirely what that means. If by Israel friendly, you mean that we don't constantly hate on the Holy Land like some other schools, than the answer is "yes."

There are a lot of Jewish students at the 5-Cs, many of whom are pro-Israel. There are also a lot of moderates and conservatives who are pro-Israel. We generally have a lot of pro-Israel speakers come to the Athenaeum, although we do have a vocal minority that is anti-Israel.

TSL Sex Columnist Says We Hurt Her Social Standing

The TSL: Representing "Professional" Journalism Since 1889

What's the difference between the TSL's sex columnist and a prostitute?

A prostitute doesn't have to write up her encounters before she gets paid.

It appears the oldest newspaper in Southern California continues to support the oldest profession.

Zoe Yang, who now holds that venerable position at that venerable paper, has rebuffed Charles's defense of her freedom of speech, complaining on her blog recently that "those bloggers are conceivably the only people on campus whose support of my First Amendment rights does more damage to my social standing than good."

Of Charles's support, she said, "I need it like I need an asshole on my elbow."

Don't be surprised if she's being genuinely grateful. After all, I'm sure by now she could use a new orifice.