Homecoming, one of the best weekends at camp trin, is quickly approaching!  Here is a schedule for the events going on throughout the weekend:

Friday 10/31

• 3:00 Men’s and Women’s Soccer versus Amherst at the soccer fields
• 5:00 Field Hockey versus Amherst at the field hockey field
• 6:00 Shabbat service and dinner at Hillel (74 Vernon st)
• 8:00 Accidental’s a capella  concert in the chapel crypt
• 8:00-10:00 Public skating at the Koeppel Community Sports Center (175 New Britain Ave)

Saturday 11/1

• 11:00 Long Walk renovation: A talk with college historian Peter Knapp ‘65 in the Watkinson Library

• 11:00 Student a capella concert in Hamlin Hall
• 12:00 LGBT Open house at 114 Crescent St
• 1:00  The Trinity College Bantams face Amherst in the 2008 Homecoming Football Game, followed by receptions at the Vernon St cultural houses
• 8:00-10:00 Public skating at the Koeppel Community Sports Center (175 New Britain Ave)

Sunday 11/2

• 3:00-4:00 Family skate time at the Koeppel Community Sports Center (175 New Britain Ave)

On Friday, October 31, President Jones is scheduled to give an all-campus address, regarding the recent happenings in the economy, and what kinds of implications they have on our beloved Trin.  Scheduled to speak are Trinity College CFO Paul Mutone, and CAO Ronald Joyce.  The meeting is slated to start at 12 noon, and will be held in the Washington Room, on the second floor of Mather Hall.

In related news, this morning the Bureau of Economic Analysis released its figures regarding our country’s Gross Domestic Product.  In the third quarter, the BEA’s findings show a decrease of 0.3% in the GDP, attributing it mainly to “negative contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), and  residential fixed investment.”  The impact of negative contributions from residential fixed investments comes as no surprise, following the recent subprime mortgage crisis.

Unfortunately, this can’t mean anything good for Trinity, due to the school’s endowment being composed primarily of a multitude of investments that feel the impact of the downward-spiraling stock market. Stay tuned for more news regarding President Jones’s meeting tomorrow afternoon.

—-UPDATE—-

President Jones has sent out another campus-wide email detailing the fiscal state of the school at this point, quoting numerous figures.  Evidently, as of September 30, “the College’s endowment has lost 14.9% of its value for the present calendar year.”  This does not bode well for the endowment, since such a substantial decrease in value can only lead to more financial hardship.

President Jones has outlined a course of action for the coming months, including cutting all non-compensation discretionary budgets by 5%, as well as ceasing the hiring of new campus staff, withholding essential positions.  Additionally, Jones plans to freeze all non-critical campus projects, as well as restricting the hiring of outside contractors for said projects.  This is a risky decision, especially given the number of campus renovation projects currently underway, including the still unfinished Jarvis, and Seabury Halls.

Keep checking back for more updates on the College’s financial status.

Katie wrote in asking us to remind everyone that in Connecticut voter registratin ends on October 21st, and registration information can be picked up in both the FACES Lounge or the Community Service Office (both of which are located downstairs in Mather, to the left of the bookstore).

Someone on the ACB posted a link to a very nice article that appeared in Friday’s New York Times. The article outlines the renovations done by the school and quotes Katie Marinello ‘11 and Sophie Starchman ‘11 about their experiences so far living in the newly renovated Jarvis. It’s a great piece and a short read.

Like many colleges on the East Coast, with long histories and traditional buildings that no longer suit the needs of 21st-century students, Trinity College knew it had to modernize some of its student housing and classroom buildings to stay current. So it spent $33 million to renovate three connected brownstone buildings from the early 1870s that make up what is known as “the Long Walk.” The project was funded through long-term debt that will be offset by fund-raising, officials said.

See the whole article here.

What more could you want at Tropical? There will be sand, a pool, tons of people and… the Ying Yang Twins. No, that’s not a typo, the Ying Yang Twins have officially been scheduled for Psi Upsilon’s Tropical this year. The crunk rap duo hails from Atlanta, Georgia and have had hits such as “Wait (The Whisper Song),” “Badd,” “Shake,” and “Dangerous,” and have collaberated with Lil Jon, Mike Jones, Pitbull and others.

Tickets are still $20 a piece can can be purchased from Psi U pledges and outside Mather Dining Hall during all lunches and dinners up until Tropical on Saturday, October 11th. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $30.

What? Psi Upsilon’s Tropical with the Ying Yang Twins performing.

When? Saturday, October 11th (the Saturday of Family Weekend)

Where? Psi Upsilon patio

Cost? $20 in advance, $30 at the door.

Visit the TrinTalk Tropical page and the Tropical Facebook Event for more information, and feel free to send questions via the contact form.

Do you or anyone you know want two dogs? They were found by a Psi U brother who is looking to keep them from being put down by Animal Control. If you happen to know of a good rescue in the area help would be appreciated.

I had been eagerly awaiting the arrival if Cyote Jack’s since the first time I mentioned it a few weeks ago.

After checking the Chartwells website daily with no updates I asked around and was told last week that today would be the fateful day.

Alas, I’ve been let down again. Unfortunately, according to an unnamed Chartwells worker, they are running into issues with ventalation and the roof above the proposed grill and deep fryers - this pushes the opening date back to the end of the month.

See you in late September or early October Cyote Jack.

Many of you may have seen firetrucks and other emergancy response crews on campus around 7:00 P.M. last night. As it turns out, one of our custodians walked into a chemistry lab in Clement last night to find a chemical reaction ensuing in the chemical waste containers. It created a small explosion from which he later felt irritation in his eyes, and some difficulty breathing. Spokesperson for Trinity College, Michelle Jackman, said that he was taken to an area hospital as a precaution, but it’s not believed that his injuries are anything serious.

For more information visit the WFSB news page, who broke the story. Also thanks to Stephanie for sending the link via the contact form!

SGA President Nathan Kirschbaum sent a global e-mail out linking everyone to the current SGA election. You have until 11:59 P.M. to vote for your class’ Senators, President, Vice-President, Secretary and appoint members of the class to the Budget Committee.

Good luck to everyone that’s running, if you haven’t voted yet you can do so here.

Girltalk is set to perform at this year’s fall concert on September 26th at the music-themed house, The Mill. TCAC announced Sunday the 7th that Girltalk would be visiting campus, although I seemed to miss it until now.

This concert will definitely be a lot of fun as Girltalk is notorious for having very fun, energetic shows that end up with the crowd on stage more often than not, and to the displeasure of many concert organizers.

For those of you looking to see what a Girltalk concert will look like before going on the 26th, check this YouTube video out.