the
Herald By and for the students of Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Drifting Away
The Unused Technology
Global Education’s Away Cafe Is a Hit
By Belinda Littlefield ‘11 Managing Editor When students arrived back on campus for the first time since the renovations, they were shocked to see the library renovations because the first floor in no way resembled its former self. Instead, students were confronted with rows of Apple computers and a learning lab that had replaced the old twentyfour hour study room. Unknown, or at least unacknowledged, for the most part, is the technological face-lift that the library received. In addition to the sleek, new Apple computers and learning lab there is a new I.T. office, an office for Technology Resources, as well as other improvements meant to make students lives easier. One of the more obvious additions is the large, flat panel screens that have been placed above curved tables on the first floor. These screens provide students with the ability to broadcast their laptop screen so that a group can work together on a project without having to crowd around a single person’s laptop. In addition, the more compact PC computers that sit on waist high tables are a response to students’ desire to have computers simply for the purpose of quickly checking email and printing. The service is labeled Quick Print due to the accessibility of the computers. Although these upgrades have been used by some,
their purpose was not necessarily broadcast to the student body. However, one resource that is being neglected is the CopyCams, which are meant to be used for large group projects. The large white boards located on the back wall at the far end of the libraries first floor can be suspended in the metal “rooms” that are built in the middle of the library. The boards can be hung at two levels around the entire structure of the “room” so that students can use several boards at once. These boards bring functionality to the idea of working in groups and brainstorming Shena Vagliano/Editor in Chief on an erasable surface because students no longer have to copy things down twice. Instead, students can bring their whiteboards over to the camera hanging on the wall next to the Technology Resource center and take a picture of it. Then, depending on their preference, the students can do any, or all, of the following: there are three buttons on the CopyCam, one sends the image immediately to print while another option LIBRARY continued on Page 2
By Karissa Seeberger ’12 Arts and Entertainment Editor On Sunday night, instead of the Cellar Pub doors being shut to the public, students were invited in, not only for a complementary drink and sushi, but to revel in stories of abroad experiences that had really impacted them. The atmosphere of the pub was altered and it resembled an off-thebeaten-path café, known as the Away Café. The lights were dimmed and soft bossa nova-esque music flooded the scene as the attendees, approximately fifty, awaited the start of the event.
whether or not it was the sixth Away Café. But in a non-intimidating fashion the host offered up his Cossack style hat for students to put their name on a piece of paper, to be called up to the open mic. The program coordinator of Center of Global Education, Doug Reilly, and his student programming assistant, Oliver Meeker, were the master minds behind the event. In Away Café’s past, originating in the fall of 2005, an average of 35 students
Doug Reilly/ Dandelion Empire
Those present were carried away to foreign lands and had the opportunity to partake in international adventures. Initially, there was some debate as to
showed, but this time they exceeded expectations and peaked at fifty. AWAY continued on Page 3
Lynn Pelkey Joins the SAGA Team
To Shield and Blunder
A Contemporary Debate on the Global Missile Shield
By Shena Vagliano ’09 Editor in Chief
By Hunter LaCroix ’12 Herald Contributor On March 23 1983, President Ronald Reagan addressed While the various elements are each designed to the nation in a speech regarding the security of the United check the failures of the systems, it is evident that the States; Reagan argued, “Consistent with our obligations of system itself misses several key issues facing today’s the ABM treaty … a comprehensive and intensive effort to military tacticians. The first is that the mobile assets of the define a long-term research and development program to Missile Shield can be destroyed by an enemy force. The begin to achieve our ultimate goal of eliminating the threat other mobile assets, the Naval ships equipped with the Sposed by strategic nuclear missiles. This could pave the 3 Aegis system are harder to intercept because an enemy way for arms control measures to eliminate the weapons would not be able to pinpoint which ships actually carried themselves. We seek them. The Naval assets, neither military superiority however, have to be in the nor political advantage. Our right place at the right time only purpose--one all people and within range to actually share--is to search for ways intercept the missile. to reduce the danger of Long-range ground nuclear war.” based intercept missiles And yet over 25 years poise a separate set of later, the United States problems. In order to is still threatened by actually intercept and track Intercontinental Ballistic incoming ICBM’s Ground Missiles or as they are based Interceptors have to more commonly known rely on ground based early as ICBM’s. Did Reagan’s warning radars to accurately original intentions die target incoming ICBM’s. with the Strategic Defense This opens up international Initiative, the horrifically disputes over where the faulty “ Star Wars” promise; facilities are actually going or does it exist today as the to be based; such a dispute is Missile Defense Agency? ongoing between the US and What similarities exist the Russians over proposed Courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US-MissileDefenseAgency-Seal.svg between the defunct SDI early warning systems that and the hotly contested missile shield that the American would eventually be placed in Eastern Europe. Government is championing today; is there one? In addition to the problems poised by the systems Contrary to mainstream belief the missile shield is themselves, the delivery methods of our enemies present a complex 8-layer intercept system that is maintained by another set of issues. Developed Nations that have the the United States Army, Navy, and Air force. According capabilities to arm their ICBM’s with MRV’s (Multiple to the Missile Defense Agency the System is based Reentry Vehicles) can launch up to eight separate targets around the concept of several intercept systems working per missile. The ability for each ICBM to target 8 separate in tangent to safeguard the United States and its allies targets makes an interception extremely difficult. into the future. The system itself is broken up into five independent systems that all operate under the American MISSILE continued on Page 3 military’s early warning radar system.
Campus Happenings
GENEVA, NY
FRIDAY, February 13, 2009
VOLUME CXXX ISSUE 21
With the recent retirement of Paul Zaroogian, General Manager of Dining Services, Hobart and William Smith Colleges have welcomed his replacement Lynn Pelkey with open arms. Having worked with Sodexo for the past ten years, Pelkey comes to the Colleges with significant experience and an infectious enthusiasm. Pelkey arrived Geneva after spending a year and a half as the General Manager at
opportunity to create new initiatives. In the past few years Sodexo has taken up several initiatives in an attempt to make their business greener such as switching from bottled condiments to large dispensers, purchasing unbleached napkins, and recycling the used cooking oil. Pelkey hopes to continue to push the company as well as the College’s to keep going green and has already joined in the effort to
Shena Vagliano/Editor in Chief
Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA. While she succeeded immensely at her previous job, gaining the title of Employer of the Year for a job training program she established for the developmentally disabled in the area, she longed to return to New York where she had lived years before. Coming from a campus with few recycling initiatives, Pelkey is excited to be here where she has the
make Tuesday’s in SAGA trayless. The most important thing to her throughout any process of change is keeping the students informed and making sure they understand that “it should be a personal choice.” Education is the key, she states, “students need to know how everything works and why it is important.” PELKEY continued on Page 2
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