the
Herald By and for the students of Hobart and William Smith Colleges
GENEVA, NY
FRIDAY, January 30, 2009
VOLUME CXXX ISSUE 19
Barack Obama Sworn in as Nation’s 44th President
HWS: Hot on the Market Admissions Reports Steady Increase in Applicants
By Andrew Donovan ’12 Herald Contributer
By Melissa Backus ’10 Herald Contributor College is an expensive investment, and Hobart and school guidance counselors from the area. The number William Smith Colleges are no exception. Tuition alone of applications from schools that participated in the has reached almost $38,000 and students who cannot conference is up 57 percent. HWS has also participated in afford this outright most turn to student loans. And those the Finger Lakes tours and summer receptions in order to can be hard to come promote interest in the by, especially during Colleges. Furthermore, the current economic Admissions has changed recession. Despite this its communication great financial burden, strategies designed students are still to engage prospective choosing the Colleges students. New for their undergraduate publications focus on the education. The total school’s message: worlds number of prospective of experience, lives of applicants is up 27 consequence. The Office percent just from of Communications was last year. John employed to redesign Young, Director of the academic Web sites Admissions, was in order to relay more pleased to announce information to interested vast increases, students as well as specifically in the increase navigational number of foreign and ease. So far, the Biology multicultural students. and Environmental Regionally, the office Studies departments has seen increases in have switched to the the number of students new layout, with the Art from New York and the and Media & Society Northeast, as well as departments to follow Photo courtesy of http://blog.filife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/pile-of-papers.JPG states in the Mid and soon.The admissions Far West. Even with the process has also changed sudden influx of applications, the office hopes to maintain since we were admitted a few years ago. Test scores are no the size of the colleges by welcoming the class of 2013 with longer required, with 65 percent of admitted students still roughly 565 students. choosing to submit their SAT or ACT scores. Last year, the The Office of Admissions is finally seeing the pay-off of entire application could be submitted online, and this year a number of outreach programs implemented three years supplements are no longer being required. ago. Two summers ago, the Colleges hosted the New York ADMISSIONS continued on Page 2 State Counselors Conference in order to connect with high
Campus Renovations Put on Hold Due to Economy’s Instability It was another cold, gray mid-January weekend at preserving the legacy of the campus, and providing cuttingthe Colleges, when the HWS Board of Trustees gathered edge Information Technology services.” for their annual winter session. It is fair to assume that the The school is currently in the beginning phase of the economic struggles we are experiencing currently have performing arts initiative and trying to decide on an architect. had an impact on most people and institutions around Another $65 million will go towards endowment funds the country. Many have lost their jobs and/or significant which are used “to ensure scholarships and internships investments. for students, With the stock e n d o w e d market in professorships such dismal for faculty conditions, members, and to one wonders secure the future what significant of programs concerns the like global board has for the education” said future of Hobart Button. The and William remaining $30 Smith. million will go It is to The Fund impossible not for Hobart and to notice the William Smith, constr uction which consists present across of “unrestricted campus. The annual giving.” renovations at HWS students, the Scandling The finishing touches on the Scandling Center renovations is one of the projects that has faculty, staff, been temporarily halted Center’s café parents, alumnae, and post office have been the latest and most significant alumni and friends of the Colleges, and the Campaign alterations to HWS. However, it still has yet to be completed. Steering Committee will decide upon the priority of the Questions have surfaced in the recent months about how projects. the Colleges are going to continue to grow and improve The question still remains of how the Campaign their facilities when money becomes tight and families for the Colleges has been affected by the economic status begin having greater struggles when it comes to paying currently. Mr. Button was proud to state that HWS is doing tuition bills. very well and has received $146 million from gifts and In an interview conducted after the Trustee pledges making it extremely close it its goal of $160 million. meetings, the Senior Project Manager of the Buildings and He also extended his greatest appreciation to the “alumni, Grounds department, Christopher Button, explained that alumnae, faculty, staff, parents, students and friends – who the Colleges’ goal over the past seven years has been to have kept the Colleges a philanthropic priority during this raise $160 million to be used for a variety of projects. Mr. economic downturn.” Fundraising will continue specifically Button stated, “Sixty-five million dollars are for on-campus for the athletics project and performing arts initiative. improvements including a Performing Arts Center, the RENOVATIONS continued on Page 2 renovation of the Scandling Center and athletics facilities,
A&E
H WS Student s on Local Boar ds
Ro Lohin in Houghton House
Calendar of Events
Music Review: Thriving Ivor y
The Gr een Zone
M o v i e R e v i e w : G r a n To r i n o
Wher e Does Our Money Go?
Hot TV Show: 30 Rock
Hirshson Exhibit
Crossword & Sudoku
comments as President of the United States in his inaugural address. Millions of people gathered on the Mall in Washington to hear the address and it is now being called the largest gathering in the city’s history. A tradition following the Inaugural Ceremony is the parade that goes down Pennsylvania Avenue. In a high-security operation, the President and his wife, Michelle, got out of the limousine and walked part of the parade route on two separate instances. Millions more gathered to watch the first family head to their new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. OBAMA continued on Page 2
Aid In Times of Crisis
By Erin Meehan ’11 Herald Contributor
Campus Happenings
Photo courtesy of http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f75/basilsblog/inauguration2009b.jpg
Barack Obama is now the 44th President of the United States. On an Inauguration Day full of patriotism and unity, Obama was sworn-in on the steps of the U.S. Capital to take the reins of the one of the world’s most powerful positions. Becoming the first African American president in the United States, he will take hold of America at a time of economic crisis and in the middle of two wars. He officially became president at noon and was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts. The Chief Justice decided not to use any notes and ended up messing up the wording of the oath of office. In a must smaller and private ceremony the next day, they re-administered the oath to be safe. Obama then made his first
The Colleges Work to Increase Monetary Aid to Students By Karissa Seeberger ’12 Arts and Entertainment Editor The poor economic climate is an more monetary aid. Beth Turner inescapable, reoccurring theme as of mentioned that, “Personally talking late. Due to the recession, students to the parents and students is my nationwide are seeking relief from favorite and, it is an amazing part of the strain of tuition. Although my job to help families and students college may be considered the most realize their Hobart and William important investment of life, it can Smith educational goals.” be very taxing to find a way to afford Students who are at their it. That is why many Hobart and wit’s end trying to formulate a plan William Smith students have sought to save money should access outside out more resources; there financial aid One-hundred and forty-two students are many Web this year. have requested more financial aid sites and boards One-hundred designed to and have been granted it and forty-two inform college students have students of their requested more financial aid and have economic options. Currently, more been granted it; an additional twenty- than 200 HWS students are receiving four are now receiving financial aid outside awards that accumulate to who previously were not. about $700,000. There are numerous “The word is out that if a outside scholarships that are just student is facing financial difficulties waiting to be taken advantage of. or their financial situation has Seek information as Beth Turner changed due to the economic said: “There is a lot of money out climate, their names are sent my there; go out there and find it.” way, and I am in contact with them,” As for incoming first years, reiterated Beth Turner, the Director there are no new financial strategies of Financial Aid. She reassuringly outlined yet, because it would mentioned that no one is on registry be dependent on whether or not hold as of now, meaning that all were our economy makes a comeback. able to continue their education at Admissions is completely inundated The Colleges, despite our country’s with applications as our colleges are financial crisis. Oftentimes, students particularly competitive regarding do not know the precise details of financial aid packages. On Feb. 15, their financial situation, which is why they will sit down and work out the students and parents are encouraged specifics of their financial plan for to contact the financial aid offices for next year’s students. a formal appeal if they are seeking
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