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Week in Review: Rabbit, Rabbit

Ali Lincoln

Happy December! My dad and grandmother are big fans of saying “Rabbit, Rabbit” first thing in the morning on the first day of a new month. If you’re not familiar with the tradition and superstition, apparently it’s supposed to bring good luck, and if you forget, you’re doomed to a month of bad luck. I rarely remembered to say it right when I wake up, and most months I cringe after the first word from my mouth is something other than rabbit. December 2017 will be no different: This morning, I woke up to my cat attacking me, so my first words may or may not have been expletives and too NSFW to repeat here…hopefully that won’t bring me double bad luck.

If you’re looking for the latest in higher ed happenings, then you’re in luck! Scroll down for more.

What’s new this week:

College of the Holy Cross Professor Daina Harvey discussed beer and its relationship the environment in an Academic Minute segment.

In a piece for the History News Network, Holy Cross Professor Munya Munochiveyi examined why the political activities in Zimbabwe constitute a coup.

Professor Andrew Hwang of Holy Cross explained how to make sense of big numbers. His article, which originally ran in The Conversation, also appeared on Slate and PBS Newshour.

Should we really be surprised to hear about sexual harassment on Capitol Hill? According to Grinnell College Professor Daniel Reynolds in an essay for Fortune, not at all—our culture of sexual harassment and predation crosses every line.

In a Chronicle of Higher Education roundup of unique winter break activities, student Lillie Heder from Holy Cross shared her experience with the college’s Non-Profits Career Conference.

An Associated Press article on the Georgia-Auburn rematch featured insight and expertise from Will Freeman, Grinnell College’s track coach and sports psychology professor. The article ran in many outlets, including USA Today, Washington Post, New York Times, FOX Sports, and San Francisco Chronicle.

What we’ve been talking about:

If you’re feeling jaded by the news media these days, you’re not alone. Kristine shared some thoughts on what’s changed in media relations and what PR pros can do about it on Inside Higher Ed’s Call to Action blog.

Apparently Ali’s envelope stuffing requires supervision. Coming soon to a mailbox near you!

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 What’s next on our calendars:

On Dec. 7, Erin will conduct media training for participants in the American Council on Education’s National Women’s Leadership Forum in Herndon, VA.

Teresa will lead a crisis communications session and case study review for the Dean’s Section of the American Association of Law Schools in San Diego, CA on January 6, 2018.

On Feb. 9, 2018, Erin will present “Finding—and Using—Your Voice: A Communications Toolkit for Advocates,” part of Mount Holyoke College’s Advocacy in the Public Domain event series.

Teresa will be at the National Conference on Trusteeship for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in San Francisco. She will run the Crisis Management: What is the Role of the Board? Workshop on April 22, as well as facilitate the master class Fake News, Social Media, and Your Institution’s Reputation on April 23.

What we’re recommending:

Cristal Steuer
If you haven’t read this powerful piece by Elizabeth Brico, a former addict turned writer, take a moment to do so. She writes about the stigma associated with addiction, while many mothers (and others) want to get help, they are afraid of losing their children or getting put behind bars. She explains that addiction isn’t treated as a disease, and those who come forward get treated like criminals. She writes, “We created the opioid epidemic not by focusing too little on drug supply and sales, but by focusing on them too much, instead of fighting the stigma that leaves addicted populations feeling hopeless, helpless and afraid.”

Kylie Lacey
Thanksgiving break was a great time for me to catch up on some neglected blogs.; an absolute favorite is Ask a Manager. People write to ask for advice from “The Manager” about a variety of workplace topics—everything from applying to jobs and interviewing to navigating tricky office politics. Buzzfeed recently posted a roundup of 23 of the most bizarre (I wracked up $20,000 in personal debt on my company credit card) and horrifying (my boss shows up while I’m having chemotherapy to talk about work) write-ins, and all of them are worth a read. The Manger always gives honest and practical advice, and the comment section is pure gold. Sadly, nothing from the past two weeks was as entertaining to read as any of the stories in the roundup, but this blog is still great for both sound advice and hilarity, even if you’re not looking for a job nor work in a dysfunctional office.

Ali Lincoln
I realize I’m a little late to the game here, but I’ve been fascinating by pan banging this week. I saw something on Instagram about the best thing to happen to chocolate chip cookies, and I thought it was quite a bold claim—how can you really improve a chocolate chip cookie? Plus, I’m always a little leery of new baking hacks and trends, all potential Pinterest fails. However, after further research, it looks like it may be a valid claim. Made popular by the Vanilla Bean Blog, banging the pan while baking cookies alters their texture and apparently it’s noteworthy enough for the New York Times. It is the season for baking, so I’m kicking off the weekend with a test batch of these bad boys.

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