the
Herald By and for the students of Hobart and William Smith Colleges
GENEVA, NY
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009
VOLUME CXXX ISSUE 26
Answers Withheld District Attorney’s Office Delays Arraignment and Release of Autopsy Results
Holes in Budget Readout Leave Students in the Dark
By Shena Vagliano ’09 Editor in Chief It has been four months since our campus was shaken by the unthinkable tragedy of a student’s death. Questions surrounding the cause of Warren “Kim” Kimber’s passing have abounded as the police have continued to investigate the case and the release of initial autopsy results were delayed without explanation. However, for a brief moment this week it seemed as if those questions were finally going to be answered. The New Jersey Star Ledger reported on Tuesday April 28th that Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo said in an email statement that criminal charges in the Kimber case would be announced at an arraignment—a reading of criminal complaints against a defendant during which time they enter a plea of guilty or not guilty—on Thursday April 30th at 9:30 a.m. at the Geneva City Court. The toxicology and autopsy results were to be made public during the arraignment; however, Tantillo would not specify who or how many people would be brought up on charges. However, the District Attorney’s office announced on Wednesday that the arraignment would not be taking place. The Finger Lakes Daily News reported that Ontario County Assistant District Attorney William J. Hart said via email on Wednesday that “Upon further review of the file, our office has determined that further consideration must be given to conducting a grand jury presentation relative to this matter.” In a phone conversation with The Herald Tantillo stated that the Kimber case will likely go to a grand jury in May. For clarification, a case goes to a grand jury in order to determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial.
By Tim Hollinger ’11 Opinions Editor
Kim Kimber ’11 was found dead in an off-campus house on January 31st of this year.
Earth Week 2009 a Success By Stacey Rice ’11 Herald Contributor Earth Week 2009 was a tremendous success. Campus Greens, the Environmental Studies and Geoscience departments, FLI, the HWS Goes Green Program, and many other groups and individuals put together a week’s worth of heavily attended events. The events, which ranged in focus, touched on a variety of issues pertaining to environmental sustainability and, most importantly, provided the HWS community with an outlet to “Take the World in [their] Hands”—the goal and catch phrase of EW 2009. The real and measurable impact of EW 2009 was achieved through the participation of the HWS community, who seized this opportunity to decrease their environmental impact. Participants saved 4,275 gallons of water during the 3 days of going trayless. Over 2,000 disposable plastic bottles were collected and recycled during the water bottle exchange, and 400 students, faculty and staff committed to not consuming water from disposable plastic bottles. Literally thousands ate low impact local foods from Saga and during the sustainable picnic on Sunday. All of these efforts contributed to an exceptional Earth Week that ultimately reduced the Colleges’ impact on the environment. The measurable impact reduction achieved during EW 2009 was supplemented by a series of presentations: a Q&A between the audience and Climate Task Force (with guest Sustainability Guru from Ithaca College, Jason Hamilton) about the HWS Sustainability Program kicked off the week; an incredibly competitive sustainability focused Jeopardy event, featuring a dancing Professor (you missed something special if you didn’t make it to this event), capped
Campus Happenings
a busy Tuesday; Wednesday, Earth Day, featured a local food discussion led by a panel of community members, an HWS student, and an alum (big thanks to Professor McNally for her inspiring performance); Thursday was marked by an exceptional lecture on climate change, by a world authority, Stephen Schneider. These presentations contributed an invaluable educational component to Earth Week that addressed environmental sustainability from a variety of different approaches and perspectives. EW 2009 culminated on Sunday, April 26 with the solar cookie bake off. Participants designed “off the grid” baking devices that were capable of baking cookies. Three highly qualified and esteemed cookie tasters judged the cookies and solar ovens. The competition was fierce, but in the end Julie Freier took the prize for best cookie, and Claire Brown, Kerry O’Neill and Tess Wiggins won for the most creative oven. Tess Wiggins was also the overall winner of the stamp card Earth Week raffle! Along with baking, students also enjoyed a delicious “sustainable” lunch which featured organic and local foods from Red Jacket, Normal Bread, Stony Brook Cookies and many other local vendors and utilized compostable plates, utensils and napkins. The lunch was accompanied by great music from Revision (a local band from Ithaca) and several student acts, such as the Scope and Brad Hester. A big thanks on behalf of the Climate Task Force to all who lent a hand in making Earth Week 2009 a huge success, including those who attended the events!
Without students, there would as they have in the past for tuition be no Hobart and William Smith should go to the finical aid office Colleges. Student tuition accounts for as soon as possible. The school’s around 75% of the school’s income. top priority will be to keep students Yet, despite assurances that things enrolled. are changing, students still are not Tuition will be going up 3.5% being given all the details of our within the next year. This sounds current financial situation. like a large increase, and it is, but it The administration has been is also the lowest in the past 44 years. working hard to become transparent The budget team has been preparing with regard to the budget by for every scenario and is thinking presenting a readout to members of realistically about how bad things both student governments. However, are financially for many students’ during the readout to students the families. We have a $1.2 million presenters failed to mention that deficit. Our endowment is down 27%. the Colleges lost $700,000 to fees Discretionary spending has been refinancing a halted, as well as variable rate major building The budget team has bond, and projects. Our been preparing for ever y spent last staff may not see scenario and is thinking summer and salary increases. fall scrambling realistically about how bad Donations are to find the down 8-10% and things are financially for cash. When are not as big. many students’ families. the budget President Gearan readout was has said that he given to faculty is nervous about and staff members, almost half an the next few years, but is confident hour was spent discussing the bond and knows that HWS has weathered and what had happened to it. Why worse situations. were students not informed of this? Yes, the state of affairs is bad, HWS is doing much better and may get worse, but the Colleges financially than most colleges in are doing everything they can to help America as of late. The deftness of ensure that students, faculty, and staff the staff and trustees in dealing with will be okay. Additionally, they are the ongoing economic meltdown working hard to maintain traditions, should be applauded. The school has events, and student programming. moved to free up more money for It appears that they are doing a finical aid to the tune of $2.6 million; good job, so why are they not telling additionally, administrators have students the entire financial story? stressed that any student who is at BUDGET continued on Page 2 risk of not being able to pay as much
HWS’ EMS Celebrates One-Year Anniversar y By Karissa Seeberger ’12 Arts and Entertainment When asked what message Gibson McCullagh ’11, the captain of the HWS EMS team, would most like to relay to the student body regarding emergencies, he answered, “I want them to realize that we are there purely for their health and wellbeing; we are not involved in any form of disciplinary action.” Gibson works four nights a week on call and has to juggle all the responsibilities that his job demands including budgeting and the EMT class, as he is now certified to teach. The heroes of the night are undoubtedly the EMTs, who are truly devoted volunteers. They dedicate much time and effort to being an EMT, with little outward incentives. Sometimes they even end up using out-of-pocket money to pay for gas. Though most would assume that it is a stressful job working a 12-hour shift every two weeks, especially on the weekends with the most urgent calls, the one-year-old EMS support network is one of the best and the members really look out for one another. They are sensitive to signs of students being burned out and are understanding of any personal
problems that may be affecting them. On the average weekend there are three calls and over the academic year the calls will total around 70. The process of becoming an EMT is lengthy and time-consuming, as the application alone for HWS EMS is nine pages, when compared to most other universities that only ask for a one page application. One hundred and twenty hours of EMT training in the semester are mandatory. They require classroom sessions, readings from a hefty text book, and practical medical training. The EMTs also need to shadow those who are already certified as part of their training. It is essentially as though they are taking a fifth class. It is far from an easy process, and we have 12 new EMTs who have recently been trained. According to Gibson, “All the students are fantastic academically and in good social standing.” It is a major commitment and they keep our school safe. Aspirations for next year include forming a stronger relationship with the Geneva community and providing the city with mutual aid response.
A&E
Opinions
Sports
N a lg ene: Secr et of the Bottle
Gr e e n D a y : “Know Your E ne my ”
B e i n g a B AC M e m b e r
G r e at H e r o n R o ad R ace
N ic a ra g ua : Alt. Br eak T rip
Gi rl Ta l k Conc e r t R e v i e w
Is l am : A C l o s e r L o o k
Fi r s t An n u al Q u ad O l y m p i cs
R us s ian Olympics
F ol k F e s t a N o-Show
I T h i n k I C an = I C an
H o b ar t Te n n i s Tak e s Fo u r t h
F ina ls Sur vival T ips
M M W Conc e r t R e v i e w
H e r al d C l as s i c
H e r o n s U n d e f e at e d at H o m e
2
FRIDAY, may 1, 2009
The Herald
Established 1879 By and for the Students of Hobart and William Smith Colleges Shena Vagliano, Editor-in-Chief Belinda Littlefield, Managing Editor Francesca Antonucci, Campus Happenings Editor Tim Hollinger, Opinions Editor Karissa Seeberger, A&E Editor Carrie Stevens, Sports Editor Amy Nimon, Photography Editor Contributors Karissa Seeberger Tim Hollinger Erin Meehan Carrie Stevens Jennifer Hollander Shena Vagliano
Nicholas Petros Chiniqua Coggins Lauren Wells William McConnell Stacey Rice
Distribution Annica Crouse Karissa Seeberger
Layout Belinda Littlefield Shena Vagliano Francesca Antonucci
Interested In Writing or Taking Pictures For The Herald? Email us at Herald@hws.edu! We Are Looking Forward To Hearing From You!
BUDGET continued from page 1 It seems that the bond losses were embarrassing for the school. It appears the rate on the bond skyrocketed to 8% before the insurance company that backed it collapsed last October. HWS was forced to refinance, and now the bond is held by Case-Morgan and is being repaid at .4%. This process cost the school $700,000 it had not planned on spending. However, the situation has been fixed and there is no reason to hide it from students. Furthermore, it is imperative the school follow through on assurances that it will open the budget and suggestions pages of the HWS website to students. In an article published by Communications on April 15th, a link to the pages was offered with the following preface: “You
Gift Income
The Fund for Hobart and William Smith $
2,185,485 to date
$2,426,092
$
last year at this time
2008
2008 $1.75M
$2.12M
$2.50M
$0M
Down $240,607
$16M
Down $3.7M
E-mail submissions must be made via file attachment. If criteria are not met The Herald may not be able to print the submission.
This week the Hobart student Resident Assistant elect and send government finished a semester of a representative to HSG meetings. hard work by unanimously passing a The elections would be held at the new constitution. The document will beginning of the year among each now move forward to a school-wide RA’s student groups, and the hope vote. It must be ratified by the Hobart is that every part of Hobart will be student body before it takes affect. represented. The old constitution is a mosaic of Other new measures introduced ad-hock amendments, and contains include the use of paper ballots, and defunct rules. A committee of a monthly joint meeting with the Hobart students (all underclassmen) William Smith Student Government. consisting of Ross Also added Hicks, Brian Horn, Ineffective policies were was the Hunter LaCroix, stripped from the old position of Thomas Luly, John Sergeant Monaghan, Joshua constitution and nonsensical in Arms to Boreishe Reynolds, semantics were clarified. m a i n t a i n Syed A.H. Zaidi order at each and Zachary Zayac meeting. composed the document. Input was The roll of the executive board is offered by the HSG quorum and clarified in the new document, along outside sources. with other procedural guidelines Ineffective policies were that were lacking. stripped from the old constitution Members of HSG have been and nonsensical semantics were working to improve the constitution clarified. With the new constitution for years, and the newly elected comes a major change in the executive board made it a major goal. composition of the quorum. In If ratified, the new constitution will addition to being open to any go into effect on August 1st. Copies interested Hobart student, if ratified, of the document will be circulated the new constitution stipulates that before the campus-wide Hobart every group of students under a vote.
this time
2009
Submission Guidelines
Hobart Student Government Ratifies New Constitution
12.6M to date
$16.3M last year at
2009
The Herald is currently accepting submissions for our upcoming issue. The deadline for this issue is Monday at 5 pm. Must include the: 1. Name and Class Year 2. Individual phone number or e-mail
may also wish to visit the budget Web site that contains graphs and charts covering institutional advancement, admissions, and finance, as well as frequently asked questions, links to relevant articles, and a form that allows members of the Colleges’ community to make suggestions for cost savings or ask questions.” The link was, and remains, only open to faculty and staff. The people who make the hard choices concerning our school truly care about the ramifications of their decisions. That being said, students have the right to hear what is being done with their tuition money. Students should be utilized to help make decisions – and at the very least, deserve to be let out of the dark.
Charter Day 2009 On April 18th, Hobart College held its annual Charter Day ceremony. Charter Day celebrates the establishment of Hobart’s harter as a college, and it together with the Benjamin Hale Dinner is used to recognize Hobart students’ achievements. While the academic achievement awards, some department awards, and the announcement of the Phi Beta Kappa inductees are done at the Benjamin Hale Dinner, Charter Day recognizes the non-academic achievements of Hobart students and announces the new Orange Key, Chimera, and Druid Honor Societies members.
At the Charter Day, the keynote speaker was David Lenihan ’72, P’12, a member of the Board of Directors of Hx Technologies, Inc., and Performance Health Technologies, Inc. He spoke about how Hobart College influenced his life after graduation and of the current economic status of the country. Joining him was Anthony Hobaica ‘09, president of the senior class and a history major with a European history concentration and a double minor in education and American studies, who spoke about the importance of character during his time as a student at the Colleges.
Kevin Colton/ Photographer
The Hobart Druid Society welcomes its newest members on Charter Day
A Spirited Review The Original Drink of the Week Since 2006
The Aunt Jemima We first heard about this drink at Around the World down in Odell’s. People were serving maple syrup and vodka shots which were disgusting but we found the real recipe, which sounds delicious
Ingredients 1/3 shot brandy 1/3 shot of creme de cacao white 1/3 shot Benedictine
The Herald reminds you to enjoy the drink of the week safely and at the appropriate time and location, as long as you are of age…
3
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009
Campus Happenings Professor Accompanies Student Group on Alternative Spring Break in Nicaragua ByErin Meehan ’10 Herald Contributor Most Spring Breaks involve the beach, relaxation, sports or pretty much anything non-academic. However, for nine Hobart and William Smith students the week-long vacation in March 2009 was about more than just personal rest. Instead these young men and women ventured to Nicaragua on Alternative Spring Break. While there, they built homes, worked with young children, and learned about Latin America and themselves. Professor Molina, head of the Intercultural Affairs house and a teacher on campus, accompanied the students who worked with the organization “Bridges to Community.” This nonprofit group was ideal because, unlike other charities, “Bridges to Community” worked with the community of Papayal to decide what they needed. Molina regards this as one of the main reasons HWS chose this association. Instead of enforcing America’s idealist attitudes on the people of Nicaragua, the organization consults the residents and together they devise a plan of what can be done to improve their living situation. There is a strong cultural respect between the people at “Bridges” and the community where they work. The location of the trip was also ideal for Molina, who grew up in Central America and visited Nicaragua in 1979 as a young adult herself. She works at the Colleges with students through classes, advising, and the Intercultural Affairs House, but she had never traveled with them. The experience of facilitating young adults through the program to a country she had visited at the same tender age of twenty was remarkable for the professor. The nine students from all different classes had read a book on the country and met to discuss the culture and tasks they would be performing while in Central America. The group built two houses in the town of Guanacastillo. A participant on the trip describes the work: “For the next five days we worked together with the families and the masons in order to construct the two houses. It is a very different
experience building a house without electricity; all the cement is mixed by hand—it redefines manual labor,” says Hobart student Carl Ranieri. However, the most rewarding aspect of the program was the student’s opportunity to work with the preschoolers. Together they participated in a “Garden Project.” The lack of wealth in the country prevents the residents from learning proper nourishment. The children filled old tires with potting soil and planted seeds. They then were able to bring the plants home and care for them, gaining a new perspective on responsibility a n d nourishment. They were also able to do some traveling on the trip, and they visited Esteli in the Northern tip of Nicaragua and saw the sights. Fortunately, the students from HWS were able to gain some extra money for funding with the help of different organizations on campus. This included William Smith Congress, the Young Memorial Trust Fund, faculty and a charity ball held by The Black Collegian. However, each participant had to pay roughly six hundred dollars to attend. Professor Molina hopes that if the program is available for people in the future, the price will not be as steep, and hopefully a Reader’s College will be attached as well. So far, some of the students have given presentations on the experiences in Nicaragua. One was given at the West St. School in Geneva to educate American children on youngsters of the world. They are also hoping to create a documentary through the filming they did while there, which can be used to promote the trip in the future. There is no doubt that the trip was beneficial and extremely influential, not only for the children and two families for whom the HWS students built the houses, but also the students themselves. Ranieri states, “This was actually my third trip to Nicaragua with ‘Bridges to Community,’ and I enjoyed every aspect of the trip.”
Attention William Smith Students! Don’t forget to take part in the classic William Smith tradition of Moving Up Day on Friday, May 1!
Religious Life
aker Meeting for Sundays @ 9:30am Qu marest De in ip Worsh Catholic Mass n ma Ro m 4p Sundays @ ge Chapel lle Sundays @ 5:30pm Co ddhist Bu m 0p 6:3 Mondays @ Meditation in IC Night Prayer Tuesdays @ 10:15pm Pasta Night @ m 0p Wednesdays @ 6:0 Chaplains nter Shabbat in Abbe Ce m 6p @ Fridays apel services offerred at Ch
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Upcoming Events Friday 4/17 Fieldhouse • 12:20pm “No Sweat” @ g Room Dinner @ Comstock Dinin • 6:15pm Benjamin Hale Man” @ Sanford • 8:00pm Friday Flix “Yes era House n And Wood @ Smith Op • 8:00pm Medeski Marti Saturday 4/18 • Charter Day anza @ Vandervort • 5:00pm LAO Extravag Bartlett Tale of San Francisco” @ • 7:00pm “McTeague: A Sunday 4/19 al • 11:00am Classics Festiv b Pu @ fe Ca • 7:00pm Away Monday 4/20 Fieldhouse • 12:20pm “No Sweat” @ koff @ Scandling Kic ek • 11:00am Earth We Tuesday 4/21 @ Fieldhouse • 7:00pm 30 Minute Abs ordy @ Geneva Room op Je • 7:30pm Earth Week Wednesday 4/22 in Saga • Farm to Fork Meal served ouse ldh Fie • 7:00pm Yoga-Lates @ g Concert @ Chapel rin Sp le • 8:00pm Colleges Chora Thursday 4/23 d Sculpt @ Fieldhouse • 6:00pm Cardio Step an Vandervort well Award Ceremony @ • 7:30pm Elizabeth Black t @ Cafe • 9:00pm Open Mic Nigh
Nalgene: The Secret Behind the Bottle Name Withheld Herald Contributor
http://www.rmad.org/nalgene.html
One of the highlights of this past Earth Week was the HWS Water Bottle Exchange Program. Students could bring in five recyclable plastic bottles, and in exchange they would receive a green, BPA-free Nalgene sport water bottle. At first glance, this was an incredibly clever idea that was developed from the Green Dream Competition, and hundreds of students participated. An aspect of the exchange program that failed to be mentioned during Earth Week was the fact that Nalge Nunc International, the corporation that owns Nalgene, also sells animal testing products. Items that are carried in the corporation’s catalogue range from simple vials and flasks, to restraining devices that are used as a means of detaining rabbits during medical procedures. Nalge Nunc supports their position on animal testing in the following statement, directly from their website: “Nalge Nunc International realizes that animal research is essential to medical research. There is no laboratory procedure or computer simulation that can reproduce the complex systems of a living organism. There is nothing short of controlled animal research that can prove the safety and efficacy of a drug or surgical procedure. Without animal research, there would be no polio vaccine, no heart by-pass surgery, no chemotherapy and no insulin. Without animal research, we will
never be able to cure AIDS, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s.” This pro-animal research statement is misleading. Many of the medical procedures cited within the comment, as they are known today, were developed without animal research. Also, while Nalge Nunc claims that “animal research should be conducted only within the guidelines of the federal Animal Welfare Act”, the corporation does not mention that only ten percent of animals used in research fall under the protection of this Act. The Animal Welfare Act also has inadequate standards for those animals that are included: animals do not have to be given pain killers before being tested, for example. Earth Week was supposed to be a time devoted to appreciation for the Earth and the life on it; however, giving away merchandise that is produced by a corporation that promotes animal research goes against the very purpose of Earth Week. There are many other places that water bottles could have been purchased, such as from a company in Geneva in order to support local business, or SIGG water bottles, which are not only proud to be ecofriendly, but animal-friendly as well. Instead, the decision was made to give away Nalgene water bottles. In the future, campus students and officials should reflect on whether their actions are truly promoting their mission at the Colleges.
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FRIDAY, May 1, 2009
Campus Happenings WS Students Secure Second and Third Place at the Russian Olympics By Carrie Stevens ’12 Herald Contributor Before competing in the Olympic Games, an athlete can usually be spotted warming up and mentally preparing for the biggest competition of their life. The annual Russian Olympiada, held on April 25, is no different. As Russian cartoons play in the background, competitors from Binghamton, Syracuse, the US Military Academy at West Point, and our own HWS quietly recite poems, mumble through monologues, and even play Scrabble – with Cyrillic letters – before the games begin. Julie Boardman-Brann, Chelsea Hudson, Belinda Littlefield, and Tom Luly traveled to SUNY Binghamton for the annual competition representing Hobart and William Smith in the Olympiada. Competitors were required to memorize a poem and prepare a three to four minute monologue, in addition to sight-reading a Russian passage. The first-year students, Hudson and Luly, also took a ten-minute grammar test. “I prepared for the monologue portion of the competition by speaking with one of my Russian friends on the phone for thirtyminutes once a week of so.” Luly said. He confessed that, out of all the components of the competition, he was the most concerned about the monologue. “The test is just a piece of paper, and as far as the reading goes, you really can’t study for that. My heart was pounding before reciting my monologue, but I think I did a good job.” Luly took fourth in his division of the monologue competition. Littlefield, too, believed the monologue was the toughest part of the games. “At the second level, you get four potential topics that you may have to speak about for 3-4 minutes in front of two judges. The topics were free time, when I was little, Russia and I, and travel.” she stated. Although Littlefield was presented with the tough topic of free time, she still finished second. At the reading portion of the competition, Hudson and Luly finished first and third, respectively, in their divisions; Littlefield and Boardman-Brann took second
and fifth. “I was really worried that the stresses wouldn’t be marked,” Boardman-Brann started. In the Russian language, emphasizing specific syllables is a crucial component of correct pronunciation. “ Luckily, they were, which was a huge relief.” Russian Area Studies Professor David Galloway served as one of the two judges of the reading competition. “The text the students had to read was comprised of a narrative, followed by a dialogue. As a whole, this part was the hardest for students; most didn’t make it through the narrative in the allotted time (of two minutes). Chelsea read the passage first (in the lower-level division), and her flow was great. It really set the bar for the rest of the competitors. And Tom’s pronunciation was near perfect.” As first-year competitors, Hudson and Luly, were expected to recite poem consisting of twenty-lines, while Boardman-Brann and Littlefield’s required line count was thirtysix. With help from Alla Sadovaya, the Russian Fulbright Scholar, Littlefield took second in the poem recitation. “I met with her here on campus twice a week outside of class for about an hour each time. We went over readings and I recited the poem.” The final event was the grammar test, deemed the “easiest part,” by one of the students from West Carrie Stevens/Photographer Point. Seated in a classroom with the other participants, the competitors had ten minutes to correctly put phrases into the present tense, past tense, genitive, dative, and accusative cases. Although there was no penalty for leaving questions unanswered, students were encouraged to complete as much of the test as possible. Hudson scored the highest on the test in the lower-level division. In the overall competition, Hudson won third place while Littlefield secured second. Littlefield attributes her success to Sadovaya’s help. “She has been amazing and helped me correct my American pronunciation as well as enabled me to have more confidence in my speaking ability.”
Jilian Burcar: The Woman Behind the Final Fisher Center Presentation By Erin Meehan ’12 Herald Contributor Most students on campus have heard of the Fisher Center’s “Animation” lecture series for Spring 2009. On Wednesday April 22nd the Fisher Center predoctoral fellow Jillian Burcar gave the final presentation entitled “(Re) Animating The Cyborg”. In her piece she posed numerous questions about what animates the narrative of a cyborg and how does this relate to gender and reproduction. The topic is as interesting and unique as the woman herself. Burcar earned her B.A. in English with a focus on literature and an extended writing minor from University of Southern California. Just last week she was awarded the Continuing Fellowship for Literature and Creative Writing at University of Southern California for 2009-2010. Her other honors include: The Mildred Fox Hanson Award in 2007 and 2008, the 2006 Virginia Middleton Summer Award, the 2003 and 2004 Maryland State Academic Excellence Award and others. The past few years she has traveled the country discussing her passion for monsters in comics, manga, and anime. Leading talks and giving speeches has made her an ideal candidate to work the 2012 HWS Freshman Class. Her Freshman Seminar entitled, “Zombies, Witches and Cyborgs: Animating Gender and Monstrosity”, was a big factor in her decision to work at the colleges. One of Burcar’s greater overall goals in her work is to help, “bridge the gap between the popular culture consciousness and critical theory”. She believes the study of monsters, gender, comics and film can extend beyond just the world of academics. Burcar describes one of her most unique experiences thus far, “I was singled out of an audience of about 2000 people at Comic-Con International San Diego last year to make the appearance. I attended the Scream Like a Girl panel in a costume of Chi from Chobits I made, and the producers of the Scream Awards liked my style. My award was to present the Mastermind Award
Trophy alongside Neve Campbell to Wes Craven, one of my personal heroes.” It is safe to say that the producers were more than thrilled when they learned of Burcar’s interests and extensive knowledge. Burcar’s plans for the summer include giving a talk for Comic-Con International in San Diego entitled “(Dis) Memebering the Body: Dissecting Gender in The Walking as part of Confrence”. She is even more excited about this endeavor because she is going to be involved in the “programming” of Comic-Con as well. However, the rest of the year will be spent using her fellowship to finish her critical and creative dissertations. When asked about her feelings towards HWS and her time spent here she replies, “I think of this year as a stew”. The pinnacle of which she says was her Fisher Center presentation. The success she has been blessed with this year would not have been possible without the help of the faculty and students at the Colleges. Burcar exclaims, “This year I was blessed with top quality ingredients for my stew, such as the intellectual generosity of Professor Betty Bayer. I was also blessed by my students this year, both in FSCT 201 and FSCT 301. In addition to the colorful and lively class discussions, the quality of the work produced in both classes has been phenomenal. Betty and my students have given me a lot to think about and to chew on as I set out to write my two dissertations.” Burcar has been an amazing contribution to the campus this year and will be greatly missed once she moves on. When asked about her own feelings towards the direction her life has taken she decided to answer with a haiku: “Sing a song for the cyborg, she smiles just for you: answer in space.”
Finals Sur vival Tips By Erin Meehan ‘11 Herald Contributor Exam period is fast approaching, or for some of you it has already begun! At times it can be hard to focus while thinking about going home and sunning yourself at the beach, or working 9-5 at a minimum wage job of your choice! For those of you who struggle with time management and procrastination, here are ten tips to help you reach the end of the year, and if you’re a senior, these will help bring you that much closer to graduation and saying farewell to Geneva winters for good.
1. GO TO CLASS!
It sounds simple but for many of us it is harder than you might believe. Especially when the sun is shining and your favorite new jam is blasting at the quad. Seriously, attendance is half the battle when it comes to being successful in class. The only way to know what is going to be on the exam or paper topic is to pay attention when the professor is reviewing. Many times they also will drop hints as to what may be on the exam and if you’re not there to hear them, you’re already behind.
2.
Maintain normal eating habits.
Do not skip meals or snack on junk food all day. Instead, eat three solid meals a day and feel free to have snacks in between. A well nourished body and mind is more likely to perform better.
3. Go to office hours.
If you do not understand a certain topic or just need clarification, the best way to receive help is one on one with a professor. Most likely you will also receive brownie points for seeking a teacher outside of the classroom as well!
4. Take breaks.
If you study or write 3-4 hours each day, there is no doubt on Friday and Saturday nights you will be able to spend time with your friends! Even throughout studying, take a break every hour and half to get something to eat or be in the sun. Spending time away from your work will help you concentrate when studying.
5. Exercise.
While keeping your mind fit in the library, do not forget your body. You will sleep better at night and be able to focus when working if your body is properly worked as well.
6. Do not procrastinate.
Studying or writing long papers seems much less terrifying if you break it up into small sections each day. Make flash cards for one chapter a day, or commit yourself to writing 2-3 pages a day. Taking anything step by step is a great way to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed, and it enables you to focus on the task at hand.
7. Drink water NOT caffeine.
Although everyone seems to think that all-nighters are only achieved through cups of coffee and cans of Red Bull these substances can make you nauseous or jittery, making it difficult to concentrate. Instead, stay hydrated throughout day by carrying a water bottle with you at all times.
8. Study in groups.
One of the best ways to obtain information you may have missed in class is by meeting with your fellow students. Reviewing or just discussing with your peers is also an easy and fairly painless way to study.
9. Relax.
When the time comes for the exam remember to just breathe in deep and take each question one-by-one. Most teachers allow more than enough time to complete a test. Thus, take it slow, and do not try to be the first one done. Instead check over your answers… maybe even twice!
10. CELEBRATE!
You deserve it! Go to Ports, go to the chicken barbeque in the parking lot of Staples, jump in the lake! You worked hard and your great grades are just icing on the cake! Plus if you can see the light at the end of the exam tunnel it will make it much easier to work and make it to summmmerrrrrr!!
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FRIDAY, May 1, 2009
Opinions The Trials and Tribulations of Being a BAC Member By Jennifer Hollander ’10 Herald Contributor (Disclaimer: This piece only often gives money to a group that seeing the clubs or club sports, the reflects the author’s viewpoint after it shouldn’t have; rather it does its members are bound to confidentiality 1.5 years of being on the BAC and 0.5 best with the eight members on it about how much was awarded and year as Treasurer of WSC) to decide as objectively as possible. where. During November and April Those in charge work hard to Interrogating an individual clubs and club sports anxiously make sure as many of the members after the meeting is also disrespectful sign up for fifteen minute slots in can attend the meeting and make as that individual did not decide for hopes of proposing for money for enough slots to see everyone as well the club by him/herself. Rather it the next semester (or year is everyone who is involved; if a club sport). As the club insulting or harping on one representatives are usually person causes the BAC to view only there for those allotted that student group unfavorably fifteen minutes, they tend to in the future. Insulting the not realize the amount of work BAC as a whole is not wise the BAC does. either, because it will reflect Deciding budgets for badly on the club in the future. clubs does not only take a A final problem that the minute; the BAC can deliberate BAC must face every year is much longer for one club. the budget to allocate money Added to that is the members from does not change, but on the Committee arrive at the amount of student groups 8:30 a.m. in the morning and asking for money increases. http://www.piperreport.com/archives/images/Early%20Look%20at%20FY%202008%20Budget.jpg often leave no sooner than 5:30 Thus clubs who received more p.m, making the process draining. as a few extras. Making add-ons is money in the past are shortchanged, Oftentimes the Committee will see problematic, especially when there even if they are a well-respected various clubs in a row for hours were open slots some other day or and active group. Everyone wants before being able to decide on any of time. It is also disrespectful to the money for their student organization. the clubs that have already proposed. people who spend nine to ten hours However, not everyone can be Clubs that present mediocre a day listening and overviewing accommodated. As a result the explanations on their paper budget budgets. members on the BAC are lambasted are at a risk as it is difficult to properly If there were slots available at for something that is beyond their understand small details hours after another time, the members or the control. It is also assumed that the the club has proposed. For clubs that treasurers are not obligated to hold BAC needs specialized training (there have put together arbitrary numbers clubs’ hands and sign up for them. was training) for cultural clubs or other and shoddily created a budget, they Student groups need to take some specific clubs that have recently been indirectly insult the BAC, implying responsibility themselves. If in the formed or are older, long-standing that there exists the expectation instance there were clubs that were clubs. The problem isn’t a necessity to give away arbitrary amounts of sincerely missed and no slots were of training; the problem is an inability money when others could have used available, the BAC does their best to to give older clubs all the attention it. This is not to imply the BAC see them as soon as possible. After and money they used to have.
I Think I Can=I Can By Nicholas Petros ’09 Herald Contributor Part one: sometimes being a critic gets boring. One of my favorite movies of all time is High Fidelity with John Cusack. In the movie his character owns and operates an antique vinyl store along with Barry, played by Jack Black. Black’s character is the epitome of a music snob. While Cusack doesn’t thrust his opinions in other’s faces, he does undergo a major transformation when he decides to bring something new into the world of music by producing a hip-hop album. The line goes something like “isn’t it great that you, the critic, are now bringing something new into the world?” I’m not a great actor, or in a fabulous movie, but I have been feigning the role of a critic the past few months, and am in fact a part of producing a hip-hop album. Why is this relevant? Because there are many things we can get away with as college students that quickly become taboo after graduation. As a senior at HWS heading into one of the worst job markets since the great depression, I’ve found myself literally losing my mind on a regular basis. This happens when the news focuses on nothing other than the economy, and parents who desperately miss their children strive to undermine their professional aspirations in an effort to bring them home once again. Nevertheless, a year and a half long job search and countless visits to Career Services, will assure anyone that no matter where you want to wind up, or what job you hope to land one day, it is completely possible. As liberal arts graduates, we are eager to learn and ready to absorb just about anything. Optimism is the key to finding a job. Countless professionals in residence have told me that, and I am now at least half-confident that someone will hire me. This is relevant, because the really important part of college is happening right now. For students of all ages, and especially seniors, the coming weeks are our last chance to make complete fools of ourselves. I’m not saying the party’s over when we graduate; instead I’m emphasizing the importance of enjoying everything that is going on right now.
Part two: my party has been a little different than most. I came to HWS hoping to race with the sailing team and start a band that lit up some of these cold winter nights. However, as a freshman I lacked both the capacity and the motivation to wake up before 10:30am to exercise with a team. Therefore sailing was a no-go; now what about this band? During my freshman year, everyone, and their roommate, and their roommate’s friends had an acoustic guitar and attempted to play it. However, of these hundreds of nominal musicians, none that I came across had any sense of rhythm, or knowledge of how to play with another musician. I myself toyed with a guitar from time to time, however the bass was always my true calling (that in no way means I’m good, rather that I am obsessed.) Sophomore year introduced a new chapter to music at HWS. In Sherrill, I arguably lived near two of the best male singers on campus. William Smith has always brandished a plethora of breathtaking voices; however they all got sucked into 3 Miles Lost, destined for the purity of A-capella. However, these two guys I happened to know were certainly going places. So I made myself available, and we wound up getting the ball rolling, enough to produce a two song EP, and perform at open mic… once. This was a shuffle in the right direction, but nowhere near what I was looking for. Junior year moved a little quicker. After a fall term abroad, I was ready to play, and the newly improved six-piece band was equally eager. After the first month of school we were invited to perform at Chi Phi, and with zero promotion we were still able to fill up the house in a half an hour. For the time being, we protected our originals and put together a set of covers; strictly sing-along, strictly fun. This was great, everybody loved it, and I was happy. Senior year began with high hopes. The band, freshly rested from an entire summer without practice and little communication, was destined to ‘get signed.’ I’m not talking Drive Thru records signed; no, nothing short of the big time. We were going
to get picked up by Sony BMG. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this name, think Kings of Leon, think Pink. I personally hate Pink, but she’s sold quite a few records, and these people work for her. Needless to say, that was a pipe dream, and after a semester of tweaking our sound and one live performance, we went our separate ways. No more rock, no more originals, no more shows. Now I’m part of something new, something so ridiculously interesting that you, the reader, may have already heard about it. As I am writing this on Monday the 20th, our inaugural performance will have already happened by the time you get to read this. Nevertheless, our sound is fun-ish, it is new-ish, and it is so college that missing our show would be historically devastating. So again, why is this relevant? Because graduating into a terrible economy is not the end of the world, it is the end of this wonderful chapter of our lives. See how old I sound now that I’m a senior? I’ve never said wonderful before out loud, unless I was talking to a senior citizen. I guess now I am one… That terrible joke made me laugh out loud. This is not the end or the beginning of anything; it is a change into something new, the emergence of another opportunity. This is precisely why I am going to take advantage of my time now, and let it rock this coming Thursday nightthat has already happened by the time you get this paper. Don’t worry about getting a job; you will. Right now, what is important is that our grades are almost in, the heat has finally found Geneva, and for some of us this is our last chance to live one minute’s walk away from 1000 other twenty-year-olds. I’ve spent the past four years learning how to be a college musician. It’s been great, and the music wouldn’t have been nearly so well-received had the audience been more mature and less drunk. In college it’s very easy to bring something new into the world. Our social economy is never suffering, and almost always at a record high. My point is, our dream jobs will come one way or another, so why the hell shouldn’t I produce a hip-hop album now?
Herald Classic By P.T. Penn Jr. Retrospection June 3, 1914 Once more moving up day has been and gone. The erstwhile seniors are now looking back on the four year period of their college course and are perhaps wondering what they have accomplished, what they have left undone. College life is not unlike an ant-heap. We see ourselves scurrying madly about, hither and thither, fearfully busy about nothing at all. The things which we thought so important a few weeks ago now sink into insignificance beside the larger problems which we are called upon to face—the vital problem of existence in the mad contest for bread and butter, and later, the problem to society and the family as we think of these things, we look back on our ant-heap and smile a tolerating smile o the other ants who have not yet caught the larger vision, and who are yet scurrying madly about, linking their very happiness to those things which we have found to be so picayune. And yet, does all that scurrying accomplish nothing? It accomplishes the molding of our manhood. No man can lose by pitting his strength against other men. He may fail to win
what he was striving for, but he has gained manly strength. Strife only can develop character. And this is what a man takes away with him –a character good, bad, indifferent, but himself. And this is the excuse that our follow ants have for their being fearfully busy about nothing at all/ But there is this difference between them and us; we know that it is nothing at all, and they don’t. So now we are going out into a larger ant-heap to do some more striving, and probably it, too, will be about nothing at all but we shall keep on. If we had suspected this one, two years ago, we could not have stopped. Where will it end? We don’t know, and if we did, we should be awfully busy. We shall start out at once to be busy, and shall keep going as hard as we can until we are through forever. We will be content if, at the end, we have amassed enough good character to user safely into the Life Eternal the spirit which we have so madly driven about, all these years. Editor’s note: The following article was first printed June 3, 1914. It is chauvinist and carries an overtly religious theme; however, it provides an interesting perspective from a senior about to leave the academic world. The article also shows how much HWS has progressed over the years while keeping its core values.
Islam: A Closer Look By Chiniqua Coggins ’09 Herald Contributor In Islam moral codes and religious laws exist; these laws are called Shari’ah. Sufis observe these laws and are brought one step closer to being a true follower of Islam. Sufis acknowledge the importance of intuitive mystical experience of God (ma’rifa). Sufism searches for a direct mystical knowledge of God and His love. Its goal is to progress beyond mere intellectual knowledge, and to reach a mystical (existential) experience that submerges limited man in the infinity of God. In order to gain a better understanding of Islam, many Sufi followers desire an inner and personal experience (Iman) through mediation and remembrance (dhkir). Sufi followers consider this experience to be very mystical. I believe that becoming a part of the Sufi movement takes much perseverance and discipline. Being a Sufi takes more than reciting the six articles of Islam—it is dedication. As stated in Early Islamic Mysticism by Michael Sells, “Sufis view their thought and way of life as Qur’anic in every sense.” The experience is deemed mystical because Sufis renounce the world (Zuhd). Sufis encouraged the rejection of wealth and class distinctions, and based themselves on the simpler lives, as led by Muhammad, the first caliphs, and poor wandering faqirs. Other mystical experiences included ecstatic dancing, communal recitations, and chanting of divine phrases. I believe that the Sufi experience is valid; it is a way of life. There are many parallels between the Prophet Muhammad’s life and Sufi members. It is said that Muhammad did not often laugh, he once said “if you knew what I know you would cry much and laugh little.” Muhammad such as Junayd believed that being a Sufi included trial, suffering and torment, Junayd also said, “fear grips me. Hope unfolds me. Reality draws me together. The real sets me apart. When he seizes me with fear, he annihilates me from myself through my existence, and then preserves me from myself.” Many Sufis believe that Muhammad holds a unique position because he preached the word of God and believed that there were many truths to uncover as a messenger of God. Sufis interpret the ethical view of the Quran and Hadith (Malamatiyya) while Sufi chivalry emphasizes altruism and brotherhood (futuwwa). Sufi’s and Muhammad share many of the same characteristics which is the principle and practice of unselfish concern for the devotion of others’
welfare and being. Many Sufi leaders devote their lives to the teachings of Islam and Muhammad, who devoted his life to spreading the word of God. There are some instances in Islam when some followers are excluded, such as women. Aisha, one of the wives of Muhammad, is an example; where women are concerned they are not always received well. Many people ask, “Can a woman be a leader of Islam?” I believe the answer is yes. These women have committed their lives to teaching the truths of Islam to their counterparts, who led great nations of Islam without great recognition. These women of Islam share similar experiences as the men. Abdusa, embraced poverty (faqr) and preached: “do not sell your soul for unworldly displays”; Unayza preached: “be there for God today as you want him there tomorrow.” Surayra preached: “adversity and good fortune are both from a single source...the truthful person is revealed by his fortitude when adversity befalls him” while Fatima dedicated herself to the care of Sufis and strangers. These women proudly preach the teachings of Islam that have influenced many great male Sufi leaders throughout history, fostering the growth of Islam around the world. Many of these women have asked for guidance and annihilation of the self (fana). The veneration of the prophet is great amongst the men and women of Islam, and they all exhibit knowledge of God (Arif). In understanding Sufism, I greatly appreciate the teachings of Islam. The definition of being a Sufi Muslim is the belief in Allah, belief in judgment, belief in the books of Allah, belief in Angels, belief in the Prophet of Allah, and belief in the Divine Laws. Western society should not criticize or reprimand Islam in order to correct Muslim’s beliefs. It is their adjudication to govern themselves by religious laws and live by their beliefs in God in the Sufi way. Christian Westerners must have some recollection of the admonition of living by the word of the Bible. The Quran is also a set of laws created for people to follow. The persistence of Islamic and Muslim misconceptions is well established despite the availability of information on Middle Eastern cultures. The power and dedication of Sufism is very intriguing to me; personally divine texts such as the Quran, Sunna, and Hadith have great impacts on the way we choose to lead our lives in this ever-changing world.
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FRIDAY, May 1, 2009
Arts and Entertainment Girl Talk Comes to HWS By Lauren Wells ‘12 Herald Contributor After eight months of planning and preparing for the show of a lifetime, first-year class presidents Colleen O’Hara and Will Gore, along with the Campus Activities Board, Hobart Student Government, and William Smith Congress, finally saw their efforts put into action on Monday at the Bristol Field House. Girl Talk (also known as Gregg Gillis) was the main act of the night, while The Scope opened the show. With crowdpleasing covers such as “The Seed,” The Scope got people in the mood for a fun-filled night. As students shuffled in donning headbands, neon shirts, and Ray Bans, they heard The Scope’s original songs as well, including an amped-up version of “Born in the Soul.” After their final song, the audience was thoroughly revved up and ready for Girl Talk. Audience members pushed to the front of the stage while the stage crew removed The Scope’s equipment and replaced it with everything necessary for the next set, including a leafblower contraption that played a very significant role in the show. O’Hara says that the main reason Girl Talk was chosen is because he is overwhelmingly popular with the majority of students on campus;
she also states, “He is revolutionizing the way we listen to music, by taking an underlying beat of a popular song that all of us college students dance to, and putting it to lyrics of another
the stage. The coveted few with the lime green wrist bands were brought to the side of the stage and allowed up the steps after Girl Talk made his entrance. These people remained on stage for the remainder of the night, dancing with Gregg Gillis himself. After the show, these sweaty, euphoric people were rushed off the stage and left to tell their fun-filled stories to friends via FaceBook. While these people updated their statuses and jumped into cold showers to remove the confetti and bits of toilet Greg Cotterill/ WEOS paper, a select few were brought backstage to meet popular song. From the 1960’s hit the man behind the laptop. “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane, The people backstage earned classic hits by Journey, to today’s hip their way back there, since they hop and R&B culture, these songs made the show happen. From EMT are brilliantly used from all different personnel to press, these few had their genres.” His live show involves many photos taken with Mr. Gillis. As he aspects that keep people on their feet signed posters in his boxers, I noticed and always entertained, since Girl the smiles on the faces of all of those Talk does not require a full band. people in the room. A job well done He uses black lights, strobe lights, by our first-year presidents; Bristol hazers, and giant balloons filled with Field House: athletic sanctuary by confetti, among other equipment. Girl day, hoppin’ party by night. Talk has two masked assistants that To get more information and shoot toilet paper into the crowd using listen to some awesome music, check a paint roller attached to a leaf blower. out Girl Talk’s official MySpace page: The leaf blowers are also used for www.myspace.com/girltalk. Be sure to dispersing confetti, as well as cooling visit www.myspace.com/thescope09 down the people on the stage. Yes, on to hear more from The Scope!
Green Day: “Know Your Enemy” By Nicholas Petros ‘09 Herald Contributor Sometimes artists have band’s tracks. It is like a drug, a harder time impressing their transmitted through the air and fans than they do attracting smoothed out by distortion, that new listeners. Loyal fans have induces an optimistically stressful expectations, and hold select few state amongst its audience, and groups to standards new groups encourages… something. “Good are able to avoid. However, riddance,” “Wake me up when sometimes a loyal fan will soak up September ends,” and “Boulevard a band’s music regardless of the of broken dreams” seem to have song’s quality; an unconditional this contagious effect as well. listener. With Green Day, However, their popularity can be after nearly twenty years of accredited to their ‘prettiness’ as touring, the band has formed an well as their energy. This is not a immeasurably enormous fanuniversal thing with Green Day, base, and has somehow been able thus it cannot be considered as a to produce more hits than any true ‘formula for greatness.’ other pop-rock group I can think The problem with all of of. Nevertheless, what interests this greatness scheming is that www.greenday.com me about their music is that they it disproves the hypothesis I of suburbia” all possess this mythical seem to have discovered a formula proposed in the first review I energy that transcends stereos around wrote for the Herald: namely that for greatness. Yes, pop-punk tends to be a the globe, and keeps this band’s record ‘beats’ are all a song needs to become rather uniform genre. Green Day demand alive. Sure, individually these popular today. It is fairly obvious that has been able to maintain their own songs won’t win Grammys or technical there is no “Boom boom pow” involved untouchable ‘oldin any of Green Day’s school-esque-ish’ arrangements. (On style over the years; a side-note, that but within their niche terrible song was lays a recognizable number one on the conformity to the billboards yesterday. pop-rock style. That only solidifies Their new single the notion that our “Know your enemy,” cultural economy the first single from is not safe from the their latest album 21st dangers of a failing Century Breakdown, financial system.) So, (scheduled to release because rhythm is not on May 15, 2009) the hook employed does not break the by this group, and mold. The song is their popularity is fast, energetic, loud, one unmatched by and you want to sing the vast majority of http://www.myradio929blog.com/image.axd?picture=2009%2F4%2Fgreen-day.jpg it hours after you’ve pop musicians today, heard it. Then you I can sadly say I was want to surgically remove it from acclaim, but Green Day was originally wrong. Nevertheless I maintain that your brain the next day because its a punk band; conformity, prestige, artists emerging in the 21st century, of appeal no longer makes sense. This and awards were never amongst their which Green Day has the breakdown, is precisely the phase I am entering aspirations. Thus their motivation, this frequently resort to catchy club beats into as I write this review. Thus my ‘formula for greatness’ is precisely the to get their tunes heard. question is: why are Green Day songs energy that keeps their music going. Finally, to dramatically conclude Every Green Day hit, no matter this exciting find, everyone should so catchy? I have concluded that their how much it may differ from their think back on the past twenty years ‘formula for greatness’ is more than other tracks possesses an energy that of his or her life. I think most will something derived from a producer leaves the listener excited and eager. find that they can easily recall at least or prior musical influence. It seems The word ‘eager’ sounds like a cliff- one exciting childhood memory that to me that the biggest impetus to the hanger here, but that was my intention. was sound-tracked by these resilient success of this deceivingly young After listening to a Green Day song, musicians. Green Day has been looking Old-band, is the energy they the listener does not know what he or performing on a main-stream level inject into their music, performances, she is eager for, simply that there is an since the beginning of the POG fad. and makeup. “Know your enemy” inexplicable energy inside of them that They’ve got to be doing something like “Basket Case,” “When I come wants to do something. Fortunately right. “Know your enemy” is certainly around,” “Brain stew,” “Walking for the band, momentary confusion another notch in the bedpost for this contradiction,” “Nice guys finish last,” will often channel this eagerness four-some, and I assure you, they are “Minority,” “Warning” and even “Jesus into a desire to hear another of the definitely not spent.
Smith Opera House Screens “Waltz with Bashir” Nominee for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award, and Golden Globe winner in the same category, “Waltz with Bashir” is a breathtaking animated documentary that provides a wholly innovative, original, and vital history lesson that delivers its message about the Middle East in a mesmerizing fashion. It screens at 7 p.m. on May 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m. on May 10 at the Smith Opera House, 82 Seneca St. Vicious dogs lunge toward the viewer in the opening moments of “Waltz With Bashir.” They’re a pack of animated
their own voices. But the urgent, sketchlike drawing style, devised in collaboration with art director David Polonsky and director of animation Yoni Goodman, allows Folman to creep up around the truth slowly, circuitously, exactly the way the mind has to when confronted in waking life with something so unreal. (Richard Linklater’s own fluid animated “Waking Life” also exerts its stylistic influence.) Just as a shell-shocked person confronts trauma with retreats to fantasy, so Folman’s fellow soldiers, now solidly in middle age, digress in order to lose themselves; one imagines himself saved by a giant, floating woman, half sexy Venus and half gentle mother, on whose belly he rests, while his ship is in flames in the water. Suspense mounts as the horrors and atrocities of the genocide are revealed and illustrated in shattering ways: a child’s curly head and a canines but no less disturbing little hand protrude from the rubble; for being 2-D. Israeli filmmaker women and children are lined up Ari Folman’s extraordinary and against walls and executed. Viewers painfully timely autobiographical will be emotionally wrenched by the documentary of remembered life final frame, which turns into actual during wartime uses animation images of wailing women amid the as a way to face memories that destruction of war. might otherwise be unbearable, The title derives from a searing, or even unretrievable. In its own evocative image of an Israeli soldier distinct way, the movie makes running out from his bunker and serious, political use of the freeing appearing to dance across the roof of possibilities of animation the way the a building while firing shots under a striking “Persepolis” did last year. To huge poster of Bashir Gemayel, the tell Folman’s story ‘’straight’’ would president-elect of Lebanon. be to miss the waking-nightmare Beautifully crafted and sensations of war. brutally honest, Folman’s shattering Folman was a soldier in the personal story provides not only a Israeli army during his country’s soul-scarring 1982 Lebanon war, on duty during the infamous massacre of Palestinians by Lebanese Christian Phalangist militia at the refugee camps called Sabra and Shatila. And the mad dogs are elements of a posttraumatic dream recounted to an animated version of ‘’Ari’’ by an old army buddy. This Ari claims not to remember very much at all about his war experience, to have no feelings about the carnage wrought (while broad perspective on the Lebanese Israel officially turned a blind eye) invasion but an unsympathetic selfto avenge the assassination of reflection the role he, himself played. recently elected Lebanese president It is a harrowing plea for the people of Bashir Gemayel. So to probe his own the world to stop dancing with death. detachment, the filmmaker visits It is rated R and has a running time others who were there with him, of 90 minutes. Tickets are $5 general or who might have the professional admission, $3 for students and senior expertise to explain the effect of citizens. Call 315-781-LIVE (5483) or horror on the psyche. toll-free 1-866-355-LIVE (5483) for His present-day encounters details or to order tickets. Tickets with the past are real — all but may also be purchased online at two of the participants supply www.TheSmith.org.
Folk Fest Is a No-Show By William McConnell ‘12 Herald Contributor Many students were disappointed to learn that Folk Fest, scheduled for this Spring, was recently cancelled. The event, a Hobart and William Smith institution, has not been held since 2005. During the Fest, live musical performances have always been coupled with fanfare and general hoopla to be enjoyed by students, faculty, and Geneva residents alike. The students spearheading the Fest’s return this year met opposition from the administration as the event loomed closer. Dean Baer writes: “… as soon as you book several bands and open the event to the community at large, a plethora of liability and logistics [issues] present themselves. The Office of Student Activities did what it could to make the Folk Fest happen this spring but found that – given the legal obligations of careful planning – time was too short.” While Dean Baer is careful to place the blame for the postponement on neither student organizers nor the Deans’ Office, the questions still looms large: “Why were preparations
not made before time ran out?” Students may recall a heated email sent out over Facebook several weeks ago. In said email, an angered student places the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Deans. The student went so far as to accuse them of being disorganized in their communications and entirely responsible for the difficulties. From this perspective, the tireless efforts of students simply could not surmount administrative bureaucracy. In response to these allegations, Dean Baer writes “[I do not think] that the Deans’ offices were disorganized. What I do believe is that we could have better communicated to the event-organizers the careful and time-consuming steps needed for the planning of a successful event that involves the hiring of a multitude of bands and includes not just the campus but the world at large.” Despite communicative troubles and an unfortunate postponement, students may nevertheless look forward to Folk Fest’s return next fall.
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FRIDAY, May 1, 2009
Arts and Entertainment Ask Doctor Blackwell Got a question about sex that you need answered? Can’t ask anyone else? Write me at herald@hws.edu
Dear Liz, Recently my boyfriend admitted to me that he prefers women who shave “down there”. I’ve never tried it before, but I don’t want to let him down. I have heard a couple methods of doing this, like waxing and shaving. Do you have any advice for a beginner? Sincerely, Beating around the Bush
Dear Beating around the Bush, You’re a very kind lady to want to sacrifice your pubic hairs for your significant other. However, I actually suggest not doing such a thing. There are compelling risks associated with shaving that area. These risks may be as minor as ingrown hairs, or as complex as infections. There have even been cases of herpes simplex linked to bikini waxes! If you insist on going bald, there are both positives and negatives to waxing and shaving. Waxing is the choice for you if you enjoy the idea of having molten hot liquid poured near your genitals and your hairs quickly ripped away. Shaving is the way to go if you want to spend hours in the bathroom, only to still be left with lots of hair and also lots of red bumps. Sounds like fun... make sure your man gets in on the action! HERALD COMPUCOPY Sincerely, GENEVA MOVIEPLEX 8 AD Doctor Blackwell
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Medeski, Martin, and Wood By Lauren Wells ‘12 Herald Contributor Medeski, Martin, and Wood, the contemporary jazz jam band trio from Brooklyn, New York, brought their musical prowess to the Smith Opera House on Friday, April 17, courtesy of the Live from Geneva Concert Committee. The trio consists of John Medeski (keyboards/ organ/piano), Billy Martin (drums/percussion), and Chris Wood (bass). Performing two sets and an encore, the band made the most of their time in Geneva.
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For MMW, presentation is key; their image and stage appearance is carefully constructed. Medeski created a barrier of keyboards and a piano to designate his section of the stage; Wood occupied the center of the stage, switching instruments at various times. Martin sat behind his drum set, which was resting on a carpet surrounded by cases full of percussion instruments. For added décor, framed antique paintings sat in front of each members’ instrumental barricade. When it came to the band’s actual technique and performance, they put as much effort into their music as they did for their stage
Garfield Minus Garfield Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb.
appearance. Ever since their start in 1991, MMW have made very relaxed and creative efforts regarding their music. On the band’s website, Wood says, “We [go] by gut instinct. We have a natural connection between us, as people and as musicians, and we just let things flow in whatever direction they went.” Not only are the three members able to effectively work together and connect with each other, but they are also able to connect with their audience. Those gathered at the Smith shared a musical experience like no other. Although MMW is a band of very few words during their live shows, their music does the talking. With melodic grooves, unparalleled improvisation, and a jazz-influenced sound, MMW put on a successful show. After the band’s second set, the crowd hollered and whistled for more music. Much to their delight, they were granted one final jam. Returning to the stage, Martin took his microphone and calmly said, “We like you, too” in response to the crowd’s affection; this caused various shouts of “We love you!” from many male audience members. The band prides themselves on their laid-back attitude and their ability to get along with one another after many years in the music industry and on the road; Martin says, “We have a certain chemistry between us, musically and in addition to that we have a strong friendship that goes beyond the music. Even when we have ups and downs, the music and our friendship carries us through.” To view upcoming tour dates, band discographies, and other information, check out the band’s website at www.mmw.net.
8
FRIDAY, May 1, 2009
Sports First Annual Quad Olympics a Success
The Herald staff would like to extend our thanks to Shena Vagliano for all of her hard work this year as Managing Editor (Fall 08) and Editor in Chief (Spring 09). We would further like to congratulate Shena on graduating one year early and wish her all the luck in her future endeavors. We not only have faith in her abilities; we know that she’ll succeed in whatever she does.
By Carrie Stevens ‘12 Sports Editor On Saturday, April 18, more than 200 people participated in HWS’s First Annual Quad Olympics. Starting at eleven in the morning and running until late afternoon, competitors showcased their skills in a variety of events, including wiffle ball, water balloon toss, and the wheelbarrow race. Chitty Chitty Gang Bang brought home the gold, while Miller’s Mad Men stole the silver, and the DudeStars secured third place. Will Schweitzer, organizer-extraordinaire, came up with the brilliant idea of the Olympics while relaxing, fittingly, on the quad. “I have always been a big fan of the outdoors, and therefore the Quad here at HWS has become a favorite spot to hang out and relax on warm weathered days,” he said. “So when I was out there that last weekend of March, it hit me. I was looking out at the quad, at all the different games being played, and turned to my friend and said, ‘What if there was, like, a Quad Olympics? Where you would play all these games we see before us and could like win a big prize or something.’” Schweitzer selected games for the Olympics based on the popular summer activities usually played on the Quad. There were also a couple of common relay races included in the competition. “These were all games I knew a lot of people knew how to play,” he said. “They would be really fun to compete in with a large team.” However, a few problems arose, the most difficult being the allocation of points. After a great deal of
deliberating, Schweitzer decided that each team would accumulate points based on its performance in every scheduled event. At the end of all the competitions, the team with the highest point total was proclaimed the winner. Unlike the real Olympic Games, Schweitzer decided that crowning
most entertaining parts of the day watching teams come up with all sorts of interesting ploys to persuade our referees into manipulating scores.” The First Annual Quad Olympics were an undisputed success, and Schweitzer hopes the Games will continue for many years to come. “A big part of creating the Quad Olympics for me was the idea that it would be carried on after I’m gone. When students get older here at HWS, they begin to think about how and if they will be remembered - what type of legacy they’ll leave behind. I know that this may all seem like a bunch of shenanigans to the Administration, but the Quad is commonly remembered by Kevin Colton/ Photographer alums as one of the best parts of HWS, and if I can give this one grand champion would be easier one thing to make those memories than awarding several medals for even better, that makes it worth it to each contest. Although this approach me.” decreased the number of medals Although it’s only been two awarded, Schweitzer believed this weeks since the conclusion of the scoring system was the best. “This competition, Schweitzer is already concept allowed for all teams to have planning for next year. During the a chance at winning because it wasn’t Second Annual Quad Olympics, necessarily about winning every participants can look forward to event, it was just about gathering as T-shirts, medals for the top three many points as you could from each teams, and one huge trophy, which will event.” be inscribed with the first place team’s For each scheduled event, there name. But, the goal of the Games will was a maximum number of points remain the same: “a chance for us all the winning team could receive. to come together one afternoon and However, Schweitzer added a twist: forget about the reading we have due bribery points. Freshmen football Monday, the interview Wednesday, players served as referees for the or the presentation Friday, and just day, but teams had the opportunity to enjoy our time here at HWS while we earn additional points through talking still have some.” and negotiating with the officials. “This turned out to be one of the
Last Week in Sports Hobart Lacrosse 4/25/2009
Loyola
Baltimore, MD
L 7 - 16
William Smith Lacrosse 4/25/2009 Union
Schenectady, NY
L 5 - 11
William Smith Tennis 4/25/2009 4/25/2009 4/26/2009
Union Vassar St. Lawrence
Poughkeepsie, NY Poughkeepsie, NY Poughkeepsie, NY
W9-0 L1-8 L3-6
HWS Sailing 4/25-26/2009 4/25-26/2009
MAISA Women’s Championship Admiral’s Cup
2nd of 11 5th of 17
The Great Heron Road Race By Carrie Stevens ‘12 Sports Editor
#14 Herons Remain Undefeated at Home By Carrie Stevens ‘12 Sports Editor Bombarding the Bombers with offensive firepower, the Herons won their third straight game, 1910, against Ithaca and finished the regular season with a perfect 5-0 record at home. Scoring a career-high four goals for William Smith, junior midfielder Brittany Callaghan propelled the Herons to a decisive victory. In addition to Callaghan, six Herons tallied three or more points. Firstyear midfielder Callie Frelinghuysen netted two goals and tossed out four assists for a career-best six points, while junior attack Sarah Goodkind scored three goals and ended the game with three assists. Cassie Findlay and Michaela Parnell, both
attacks, finished with three goals apiece. Lucy Johnson, a first-year midfielder, and Molly Fitzgerald, a junior attack, each added two goals. Although the Bombers jumped out to a quick, 1-0 lead, the Herons fought back, scoring their first two goals within four minutes of each other. Securing a solid 7-5 halftime lead, Johnson and Callaghan netted the final two goals of the first half. Carrying over the momentum from the closing minutes of the first period, the Herons wasted no time increasing their lead. Within a twominute span, William Smith scored six unanswered goals. While Ithaca was able to string together a series of two-goal runs, the Herons’ offensive
Kevin Colton/ Photographer
Carrie Stevens/ Photographer
threats proved to be unstoppable. Tying their season high, this is the fourth time the Herons have netted 19 goals. Last weekend, the team defeated Skidmore and lost to Union in the final two games before the Liberty League Championships begin.
Hobart Lax Falls at #14 Loyola Collin Finnerty led Loyola with four tallies, all in the first quarter, and a helper, while D.J. Corner and Derek Lusby each scored three times. The Greyhounds came out firing, outscoring the Statesmen 6-1 in the first quarter. Finnerty netted his first of the day just 38 Kevin Colton/ Photographer seconds into the contest. Colburn found the answer for Hobart a few minutes The Hobart College lacrosse team fell to 14th-ranked Loyola 16-7 later, putting away a pass from firstin its final ECAC Lacrosse League year Chris Pedersen (Ridgewood/ contest on Saturday, April 25. The Nyack, N.Y.), and evening the game Statesmen slipped to 7-6 on the season at 1-all at the 12:11 mark. Loyola went and 2-5 in the conference, while the on to net five more, including three Greyhounds improved to 9-4 overall from Finnerty, to end the frame. The Statesmen pulled within and 6-1 in the league. Senior Jeff Colburn (Cicero- four, 8-4, with 5:51 to play in the North Syracuse/Liverpool, N.Y.) second quarter, after sophomore Tim led Hobart’s offense with three Bigelow (Northfield Mt. Hermon/ goals, while junior Kevin Curtain Walpole, Mass.) set up consecutive (Corcoran/Syracuse, N.Y.) added a tallies for Colburn and junior Tyler Cassell (Salisbury School/Geneva, goal and an assist.
William Smith Tennis
N.Y.), but three in a row from the Greyhounds to start the third stanza would put the game out of reach. Curtain found senior Matt Smalley (Avon Old Farms/ Cumberland, R.I.) for Hobart’s only score of the third quarter, then netted his 19th goal of the season later in the fourth. Senior Tyler Hill (LaFayette/ Nedrow, N.Y.) added a score for the Statesmen with 44 seconds left in the game. Junior goalie Max Silberlicht (New Hartford/New Hartford, N.Y.) collected 11 saves for Hobart, while Jake Hagelin picked up eight stops for Loyola. Statesmen first-year Bobby Datillo (Pinkerton Academy/ Derry, N.H.) scooped up a game-high 10 ground balls. Hobart will close out the regular season on May 2, when the Statesmen visit Cornell. The 129th meeting between the two schools is scheduled to be played at 3 p.m. at Schoellkopf Field.
Overall: 11 - 3 Overall: 11 - 6 Streak: 1 Loss Streak: 2 Loss
Hobart Tennis
Greg Stowell, 31, finished the 3.1-mile run first, with a time of 16:35.8. Eric Moore (18:14.4), Michael Moulton (19:06.4), Justin Dotzman (19:14.5), Matt Geswell (19:35.3), and Nate Bechtold (19:38.3), all current Hobart students, finished in the overall Top 10. Katelyn Tyson was the first William Smith student to cross the finish line, with a time of 21:28.3. Taking second place in her division, Tempe Newson finished the race in 23:09.4, followed by Charlotte Scott (23:24.7), and Jessica Cook (23.25.1).
Hobart’s Tennis Team Takes 4th at Liberty League Tournament By Carrie Stevens ‘12 Sports Editor
Current Team Records William Smith Lacrosse
Battling the intense heat and unrelenting humidity on Saturday, April 25, more than 380 individuals participated in the Great Heron Road Race. Held annually, the 5-km course starts at the track around Boswell Field, and takes runners on a loop through Odell’s Village, St. Clair Street, Pulteney Street, Jay Street, Main Street, and Kings Lane. All proceeds from the race are donated to “Embrace Your Sisters,” an organization that provides emergency financial support to those fighting breast cancer.
Hobart Lacrosse
Overall: 5 -16 Overall: 7 - 6 Streak: 2 Loss Streak: 1 Loss
Coming off a two-win weekend with victories over St. John Fisher and Nazareth, the Hobart Tennis Team headed into Liberty League Championships with momentum. Hosts of the Championships, the Statesmen edged by Union in the opening round, 5-4, thanks to great contributions from the freshmen athletes. Doubles partners Walter Green and Kevin Bates, both first-years, demolished the Dutchmen, winning their match by a score of 8-6. Green, also competing in No. 6 singles, went on to win his match 6-3, 6-2, while fellow freshman Kevin Kent defeated Alex Katz at No. 1 singles. Sophomore Harry King and senior Adam Cohn prevailed in their matchups. Later in the afternoon, the
Kevin Colton/ Photographer Statesmen fell to the Thoroughbreds of Skidmore in the Liberty League Semifinals. King, again, came through for Hobart, defeating Yahia Imam in three sets. The following day, St. Lawrence defeated the Statesmen. Hobart captured 4th place in the Tournament, and finished the season with an overall record of 5-16.
This Weekend’s Games Friday, May 1, 2009 William Smith Lacrosse vs. Hamilton 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2009 Hobart Lacrosse at Cornell 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 2, 2009 William Smith Rowing at NYS Championships 10 a.m. Hobart Rowing at NYS Championships 12 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2009 HWS Sailing at ICSA National Semifinals