Wiz Khalifa (via hypetrak.com)

We know you’re more preoccupied right now with either (1) resting up before the sheer length and intensity of this House- and Lawnparties-filled weekend or (2) going bonkers about whether or not someone is wearing the same dress as you (!!!).

While you’re gearing up, though, here at The Ink we figured we’d catch you up to speed with some of the musical acts for this weekend. First up, we decided to spotlight Lawnparties’ headliners, because Yaro & Co. absolutely killed it this year and brought a pair of rap’s up-and-coming stars for the bright, sunny, and much-venerated prep-fest of day-drinking and carousing. (And seriously, what is up with Princeton attracting such fresh rap talent? El-P, Jedi Mind Tricks, Ghostface Killah kind-of, Das Racist, and now Wiz Khalifa and Big K.R.I.T.? Are we the hippest Ivy?)

First, I have to admit I was really surprised but even more excited to hear opener and Mississippi native Big K.R.I.T. would be joining Wiz on stage this Sunday. His career’s been on the up-and-up since releasing his debut mixtape K.R.I.T. Wuz Here this time last year, and the press has been buzzing with his name. You can download his newest (and seriously great) mixtape Return of 4eva free/legally here.

And the music? If you’re at all a fan of Southern rap kings UGK, Atlanta duo Outkast, or even up-and-coming Curren$y, you’ll find something to love in K.R.I.T.’s deep South, country-fried sound. Check out “Country Shit,” a straight banger from K.R.I.T.’s first mixtape that hit so hard Southern veterans Ludacris and Bun B decided to hop on the beat for a remix.

Intrigued? Check out “Sookie Now” — if this doesn’t have you bobbing your head and smiling, reconsider your Lawnparties schedule.

If you’re feeling this, check out “Glass House” for a smoother cut featuring Curren$y and Khalifa, and “Return of 4eva” for a heavier selection that’ll keep up the Lawnparties pace.

Moving on to the headliner himself, though, Wiz Khalifa’s been something of a one-huge-hit wonder with his smash “Black and Yellow,” but trust me, there’s way more to be excited about for this Sunday. A look at some of his best cuts after the jump.

If you’re big into bumping the young Khalifa while you’re out, check out “On My Level,” a track with bass so deep your next-door neighbor’s bound to feel it during your next pregame.

But let’s be honest: there’s probably going to be a haze over the crowd on Sunday, whether from the performers themselves or the audience. If you’re considering participating in the activities, check out “Mesmerized,” a track smooth enough to, in Wiz’s words, “fall asleep to.” But, obviously in a good way.

If you’re feelin’ that, check out “The Kid Frankie” and “Never Been” — both cuts off his Kush & O.J. mixtape, one of 2010’s best and available for free/legal download here.

There you have it — your Lawnparties 2011 headliners. Hope you’re as excited as we are. See you out at Quad!

I should say that The Ink started as an effort to expand the Press Club’s presence online in the midst of a changing media landscape, but it quickly became something more than just an extension of our work with publications. Yeah, I guess we became “bloggers,” but even more than that, I think we became a voice. Over the past year or so UPC has emerged as a campus institution students can count on for news, commentary, and the occasional laugh. I’m glad to have had a part in shaping that and UPC history.

But my time’s up now. Yes, after writing north of a hundred posts of varying wit and quality, editing countless others, and losing a bit of my sanity the whole time, I’m hanging up the ol’ keyboard and getting kicked out. Good riddance, right?

At any rate, a round of thanks are in order for making The Ink what it is today. So, I want to acknowledge the newsmakers, the personalities, and the ridiculous that make Princeton great: Sabra hummus, Four Loko, Jane Randall, Connor Diemand-Yauman, freshmen, alumni who make bad decisions, Bros Icing Bros, campus printers, Firestone, PrincetonFML (and The Mod), The Economy, Princeton Reunions, USG, long walks to Forbes, Chatroulette, senior theses, Cannon Club, Dean’s Date, Shirley Tilghman, Nancy Malkiel, Yale, the Prince, the cold, IvyGate, the U-Store, Small World, Rap Music, and of course, the Princeton Masturbator.

And of course, we’re thankful for you — our readers. A lot of times people come up to me and say they’ve been reading The Ink and love it, or that something we posted was kind of insulting, or that it was spot on, or that your blog isn’t funny bro, or that it’s really just pretty asinine, et cetera. And honestly, we take that to heart and try to make our site better for you guys since, well, we’re not writing it for ourselves. Please keep the (constructive?) criticism coming; we really do listen.

So before I overstay my welcome (and before, honestly, I lose any more time remaining to scrounge up a thesis), I’ll hand the mic over to Giri Nathan ‘13, your new Editorial Director. He’s a fine individual. Address any and all hatred/criticism/concern to him now; I’ll still be accepting praise.

And with that, I’ll be taking my leave. It’s been fun, and I’m glad to have been along for the ride. Here’s to another 100 years of crazy things happening at Princeton, to the imminent repeal of grade deflation, and our enjoying it all together in some gaudy orange and black. See you at Reunions.

Some guys on the third floor of Frist rolled up a very, very long rope thing through the roof this afternoon. In case you’re wondering, there was a ladder.

Valerie Smith (via princeton.edu)

Dean of the college Nancy Malkiel, known to many students as the architect of Princeton’s grade deflation policy, will step down from her position and be replaced by Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature Valerie Smith.

Smith, who expanded the University’s interdisciplinary Center for African-American Studies, will take charge of the University’s undergraduate academic program on July 1, 2011. Malkiel will have been the longest-serving dean of the college.

The Office of the Dean of the College is responsible for the development of undergraduate students, including the supervision of the residential college system, admissions, and financial aid offices.

The search committee charged with finding Malkiel’s replacement included Provost Christopher Eisgruber, six other faculty members, and two undergraduates, Sachs Scholar Veronica Shi ‘11 and USG chair of the Undergraduate Life Committee, Mike Weinberg ‘11.

More on this story as it develops.

Not sure if you realized, but it is really, really cold right now. If you don’t believe me, check this. Yep.

In the interest of your health, your warmth, and your extremities, we’ve decided to outline a few places on campus not to go because they entail enduring way too much cold.

McCosh Courtyard/Firestone Plaza

Christ on a cracker, this has got to be the worst place; right in the center of campus Princeton’s architects managed to create two of the strongest wind tunnels I’ve yet to experience, and every time the wind blows through there I question the very existence of God. If you aren’t wearing earmuffs, or a face-mask, expect minor burns while you thaw in Firestone lobby.

Dorm basements

Wear this to the Street, spark a campus lockdown (via Wikipedia)

I might just have bad luck in this department, but the basements I’ve worked in throughout campus during winters have been consistently ranging in the sub-zero department. I’m not sure if it’s a heating thing, or a bad luck thing, but I know that heat rises, so, uh, maybe that’s a theory.

Class

That one guy will go.

The Wa

Ask yourself: Just how bad are those munchies? How thick is that alcohol blanket?

Forbes/Charter

At this point? Not worth the walk.

A valuable lesson for some intrepid student: never go for the Mexican food encased in the U-Store’s old, old roaster.

A sign in 48 University Place begs the question: Why so serious?

First up, sophomore Catherine Ettman faces off against junior Austin Lewis Hollimon in the runoff for USG vice-president. Second on the ticket, the ballot introduces a referendum, presented by the Princeton Committee on Palestine, that reads as follows:

On behalf of the student body, the USG will make a formal recommendation to University Dining Services that it offers an alternative to Sabra Hummus in all University retail locations.

If you haven’t been following the debate surrounding the hummus referendum, you can read up on it here.

Cast your votes here and read candidate statements here; elections run through Wednesday.

You’ll be voting for USG President, Vice-President, Treasurer; Academics, Undergraduate Life, and Campus and Community Chairs; and your class senators.

For some reason, the Helios interface is vaguely satisfying to click through.

The Star-Ledger adds that police and canine units are on the scene and a bomb squad is on its way.

We’ll update this post as we find out more about the ongoing situation.