the
Herald By and for the students of Hobart and William Smith Colleges
VOLUME CXXXIV ISSUE 4
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
GENEVA, NY
Remembering the Japanese Tsunami: An Update One Year Later By Morgan Gilbard ’15 Opiniond Co-Editor After 19,000 deaths, 3,000 missing people the plant was significantly damaged by the think the people of Fukushima are fools.” and $4.9 billion in relief efforts, March 11 quake and subsequent flooding, resulting Skepticism regarding the Japanese marked the anniversary of the devastating in an eventual meltdown of equipment and government’s approach to the situation tsunami that struck Japan last year. Memorial subsequent explosion that released massive continued to rise after the appointed health services were held across the country, and a amounts of radiation. official for the Fukushima case, Shunichi minute’s silence was observed at the local time Worldwide concern followed, but subsided Yamashita, repeatedly stated that exposure of 2:46 p.m. “I hope all Photo Courtesy of thaiphong.wordpress.com to 100 millisieverts of the people will keep the radiation a year was safe. victims in their hearts,” However, studies have said Japan’s Emperor found that cancer risks Akhito at the gathering in substantially increase Tokyo, according to BBC after annual exposure News. Prime Minister to 100 millisieverts of Noda concluded the radiation, and that lower ceremony with promises levels can still have to rebuild so that Japan cacogenic effects, but just can be reborn “as an even cannot be proven. better place.” “Government officials Over the past year, the should all come live in Japanese government has Fukushima for several proposed several plans years and bring their of reconstruction, but families. They’re all with adamant opposition staying in places where from both local branches it’s safe,” said Fukushima and people, the nation resident Kouta Miyazaki, remains in ruins and who had to abandon his universally unsatisfied farm after the nuclear with the lack of progress. disaster, in an interview Tadateru Konoe, with the Huffington Post. President of the Japanese Offering his regards, a Buddhist monk remembers and prays over “We’re being told to get Red Cross, even accuses debris from the 2011 tsunami that changed Japan forever. radiated and drop dead.” the government of Despite positive contributing to the “mental sufferings” of after scientific analysis concluded that risks comments that the Fukushima radiation is victims by failing to execute an adequate plan of radiation were quite low for anyone living less than the 1988’s Chernobyl disaster in for the future. In a statement to the Telegraph, beyond a 12-mile radius of the plant. However, Ukraine, the Japanese are still transitioning to Konoe said, “I think that should be the very even those living beyond that “no-go” zone in a way of life that is less reliant on the central start of everything. So one year has been wasted Fukushima are encouraged to take precautions, government and taking matters into their own in that sense because they haven’t been able to such as refraining from going outside, eating hands. According to the Huffington Post, Shouji reach any consensus.” locally grown food, or drinking tap water. Nishida, the mayor of Date, a city adjacent to In addition to the burden of rebuilding “The government spokesman keeps saying Fukushima, argues that the Japanese must a nation, many Japanese still live in fear over there are no immediate health effects,” Yoshiko adjust their expectations regarding radiation the future effects of radiation emitted by the Ota, a nursery school worker and resident of levels in the coming years. “We are defining Fukushima nuclear power plant after the Fukushima, said to the Huffington Post. “He’s policies to live and coexist with radiation,” said earthquake and tsunami. Machinery within not talking about 10 or 20 years later. He must Nishida.
Hobart Senior Joins Local Music Scene By Jolyne Kane ’14 Herald Contributor When asked how songwriter played for an he got into performing, audience of students and Nate Ginnetty, a Hobart locals alike on March 8. senior English major and The set list included covers Russian Area Studies such as Ignition Remix by minor explained, “I grew R. Kelly and Passion Pit’s up with a very musical Sleepyhead. family. There was constant Ginnetty explains he music playing in our house doesn’t have a favorite and I think even while I genre of music, although was in utero.” he is partial to bluegrass Ginnetty has been as well as 90s hits, which singing for most of his life, explains the different including at church with songs he chooses to his family which he claims, perform. When asked “really made me want to how he chooses which learn to play and perform.” songs to play during a Years later, Ginnetty and show, Ginnetty replied by his brothers still sit down explaining, “I have a core and play together for hours Photo Courtesy of Christian Scully of originals and covers on end. Coming from such that I like to perform, Senior Nate Ginnetty ’12 performs at Eddie O’Briens on March a musical family, Nate but every night I try out taught himself to play the 8. A musician since his young childhood years, Ginnetty still a few additional tunes guitar as well as the banjo, enjoys playing music along with other family members. and gauge how they are which he recently inherited received.” from his “Banjoist Supreme” grandfather. Ginnetty will perform on March 30 at Rochester Brewing Although Ginnetty has been playing the guitar and banjo for Co. For more information on other upcoming performances like his just seven and four years each, respectively, the local music scene has facebook page “Nate Ginnetty” or follow him at www.purevolume.com/ been abuzz about the Hobart senior. Ginnetty has recently performed NateGinnetty. at several local spots including Eddie O’Brien’s, where the singer-
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FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
The Herald Established 1879
By and for the Students of Hobart and William Smith Colleges Annie Mandart, Editor-in-Chief Kristyna Bronner, News Editor Emma Stratigos, Campus Happenings Editor Laura Alexander, Arts and Entertainment Editor Morgan Gilbard and Jessica Lynn, Opinions Editors Meghan Goucher, Health and Sports Editor Lillie Forman, Web Co-Editor Kat Frabotta, Web Co-Editor
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FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
The Stewardson Society’s:
“Why I Give”
“Although money can be tight as a college student, I felt obligated to make a contribution to the Stewardson Society. Not only does my gift help the school that I currently attend, it increases the status of my degree by raising the level of participation. Even though there are other places I’d rather spend $20, I know that my participation will inevitably pay off when I find a job with a larger salary due to the higher standing of the Colleges.” -Lauren Brunofer ’12, Member of the Stewardson Society
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News Syrian Internal Conflict: A Year of Bloodshed By Nicholas Altmann ’13 Herald Contributor
Seniors Urged to Give By Kristyna Bronner ’14 News Editor Every year, the Alumni House calls on members of the graduating class to donate to the Stewardson Society. This year’s seniors are asked to donate $20.12. This donation grants seniors admission to various events throughout the year including speakers and parties. The Colleges’ senior class giving initiative began in the late 1980s and was formally named The Stewardson Society during the 2006-2007 academic year. Each year since its inception, it has increased in number of dollars raised as well as in participation. More than just granting seniors access into events, the Alumni House hopes that donating will instill a sense of giving in graduating students. Donations to the Stewardson Society go to the Annual Fund, which covers the Colleges’ greatest needs including costs of Student Life, Scholarships and Financial Aid, Faculty resources, campus heritage, technology, and HWS Goes Green. “Everyone on campus, from student to faculty to staff needs donor support in order to have the resources and opportunities we have,” says Matt Fratto, Assistant Director of Annual and Parent Appeals. “Our seniors are on the verge of becoming Alums and our goal is to educate them on the importance of philanthropy so when they graduate they understand why we need their support and want to give back.” So far, 58 percent of seniors have donated, short of the goal of 75 percent. If this goal is met,
David Deming, Chair of the Board of Trustees, will double the amount raised. If 85 percent of the class participates, he will triple the amount. The Alumni House is urging a twoyear post-graduate commitment from seniors as well. The Alumni House will be sponsoring events for the rest of the year, including Donor Day on March 30. March 30 marks the end of revenue generated by tuition, when the Colleges rely on donor support to fund costs for the remainder of the year. The events of Donor day will give thanks to all donors and educate students on the importance of Alumni giving. Events for the day will include golf cart trivia, signing of the “Thank You banner” in the Scandling Center, and a student photo opportunity on the stairs of Coxe Hall at 12:30pm. All students are invited to participate in the photo and signing of the banner. Stewardson members will also be able to wear their pride of giving at the Hobart VS Syracuse lacrosse game on April 17. There will be free t-shirts distributed to seniors who have donated and made a 2 year post graduation commitment. Pick up of the tee shirts will take place at The Scandling center April 10-13, April 16-17 and at the Hobart VS Syracuse lacrosse game on April 17. Seniors can also make their two-year postgraduate commitment, they can do so during these dates.
Photo Courtesy of Jcunews.com
As violence increases across Syria, so too do death tolls related to crime and attacks. March 15, 2012 marked the one year anniversary of the incessant killings of Syrian civilians by the Syrian government. The violence within the state is only increasing as the Syrian government continues to occupy cities, and bombard civilians, while attempting to squash resistance. Syria is on the brink of civil war. A native of Homs, Syria, professor Mohammed Kadalah, explained that on March 15 school children wrote anti-government/ pro-freedom terms on the wall of their school. The government found these words abhorring, and tortured the boys. Various government interference escaladed to killings which continue today. To Kadalah, “the police are terrorist to the people.” The violence in Syria is ever increasing. What started out as bullets has progressed to tanks and bombs all being fired and dropped on populated cities. The death toll is already in the thousands, according to Aljazeera. com. The military isn’t showing any restraint
and is killing women and children. Mosques and churches are also being destroyed in the military’s attempts to slaughter civilians. It is difficult to get accurate information because of the unreliable media that is being released by Syrian media sources. Pro-government Syrian media is being misconstrued to portray a false story. Through the government’s exploitation of the media, ideas of terrorist like Al-Qaeda, and other foreign influence have emerged as being the problem in Syria, not the oppressive Assad regime that’s currently taken a grip over the country. Like the revolution in Egypt, social networks such as Facebook and Youtube have been the main reliable news sources for Syrian civilians and others following the conflict. However, these news sources are in Arabic which inhibits these reliable news outlets from spreading in the West. These social media news outlets have worked to expose the lies the
340-Ton Boulder Meets Final Destination
Syrian government media has put out. Distinct to the internal conflict in Syria is the minority killing the majority. According to Kadalah, the Alawites, of whom Assad, the current president ordering the slayings is, make up about seven percent of the Syrian population. These Alawites seem to be the only ones receiving protection. Assad is not stepping down, similar to Gaddafi in Libya, and it’s unlikely that he will until he meets more violent ends. “The resistance in Syria needs a no fly zone and more weapons,” said Kadalah. “It’s your right to defend yourself.” Others agree with this. Leaders of the resistance and army defectors that make up the Free Syrian Army both claim that more weapons are needed for the movement, according to Aljazeera.com. Kadalah ended saying, “it’s the people who preserve the peace, not the government.” The violence in Syria is only getting worse as scores of people are being massacred daily. Photo Courtesy of Nytimes.com
By Katie Levenstein ’12 Herald Contributor
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At an early 4:35 a.m. on March 10, a block- photo shoot took place allowing onlookers to long transporter carrying a 340-ton, 21-foot capture the moment. high boulder arrived in front of the Los Angeles Nagourney reported that many people County Museum of Art (L.A.C.M.A.). The followed the boulder on its route, eager to see boulder will soon be the latest addition to the it make sharp turns. “More than a few people museum’s art collection. talked about multiple excursions to see the More than 1,000 people of all ages watched boulder, which became easier as museum the boulder in awe as it rolled on 196 wheels officials, constantly adjusting to changing up to the museum, Photo Courtesy of 1x57.com regulations and protected in shrinkbureaucracies, wrap, lighted with shifted and string lights and lengthened their resting on a steel route,” he said. sling affixed to a The team of custom transporter. transporters faced a According to reporter few problems along Adam Nagourney the way. “[There with the New York were] multiple holdTimes, the convoy ups due to illegally had traveled on 100 parked cars along miles of road to cover Wilshire Boulevard 600 miles of distance. that needed to L.A.’s big big boulder move took lots be towed away,” The route required roads wide and strong of equipment and helping hands. reported the LA enough to carry the Times. “The first tow enormous load. of the evening brought a degree of levity: As the At its final resting place at the centerpiece silver Dodge Avenger was carted off, the crowd of the museum’s permanent art installation, cheered wildly.” the boulder will be called “Levitated Mass.” It Initially some eyebrows had been raised “at will take about a month for the work, created such a time of austerity,” reported Nagourney. by California sculptor Michael Heizer, to be But people were pleased at how it brought the placed over a cut trench and then revealed to community together. “Look around you, look the public. how this brings out people,” said Tom LaBonge, People from varied locations woke from a Los Angeles City Council member. “This will their beds to welcome the boulder with cheers, be a big magnet here at L.A.C.M.A.” applause and flashing cameras. Alex Rose, The LA Times reported that it took 11 cold, a resident of Venice, drove all the way to see grueling nights of travel to navigate the boulder the spectacle. “I’ve been really fixated by this, from a Riverside quarry to its final location that something like this can get so many people on Fairfax Avenue, where it arrived at 5 a.m. out here.” Police officers kept the crowd on the after pictures with crowd members. Emment sidewalk while they waiting for the work to engineer Mark Voss, who designed the boulder’s reach its final destination. When the transporter transporter, was disappointed at the thought of arrived and idled under the spotlights of the city destroying his “masterpiece,” reported the LA streets, crowds poured from the sidewalk to see Times. “I’m kind sad to take it apart,” he said. the boulder. The LA Times reported that a short “Yeah. It was a really cool transporter.”
BP Settles for 2012 Oil Spill By Sophia Skaff ’15 Herald Contributor BP agrees to pay the multibilliondollar lawsuit in reparation of the 2010 oil spill. In this settlement BP will expend for the economic damages, as well as medical compensation and services for the individuals and businesses affected by the accident. The spill occurred in April 2010 when BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig burst, gushing out barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This eruption was extremely detrimental to the environment, animals and economies of the states affected. BP is estimated to pay a total of $7.8 billion for all the claims but it is likely that the number may rise. Those making claims do have the option to not agree with the settlement and sue BP separately; the aim is to get them to accept the offer. Previously, in accord with the Obama administration, BP has been using a $20 billion fund, controlled by Kenneth Feinberg to repay victims such as shrimpers and motel owners. Now the court will take over a new fund for BP, using the assets from the previous. By settling BP is able to avoid a long and uncomfortable trial. This however, is not the end of repayments for BP. In the near future they may also face claims from the U.S. Federal government for disobeying environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act, the fines for which, are likely to be even greater than the current lawsuit.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
News
News
Saints Face Consequences for Bounty System
Invisible Children Brings Awareness to “KONY2012”
By Meghan Gaucher ’14 Sports Editor The New Orleans Saints, the 2009 Super the game and a sum of 1,000 dollars if victim Bowl Champions, have maintained a whispered was carted off the field. The total money in the bounty system in which players are paid pool amounted to 50,000 dollars during the for injuring opponents. According to N.F.L. 2009 play-off season, according to the N.F.L. investigations, the league is under serious investigation. For this reason, many fans and reconstruction in terms of the safety and the responsibility of the players. Financed by playersall 27 of them- including Head Defense Coach Gregg Williams and the General Manager Mickey Loomis, the bounty system continued under the supervision of the Saint’s coaching staff, a violation of N.F.L. rules. Head Coach Sean Peyton and Loomis did nothing when league investigation began in 2009 when an unknown player suspected Saints of targeting opponents. Until Wednesday, Mar. 7, neither Peyton nor Loomis apologized or acknowledged that the bounty system existed. Williams, a Photo Courtesy of Splicetoday.com contributor and organizer of the backdoor system announced in a statement spectators questioned the viability of the Saint’s made on Wednesday: “It was a terrible mistake, Super Bowl win in 2009. and we knew it was wrong while we were doing Bounties are highly acknowledged in the it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should N.F.L. Every season, coaches and players are have stopped it.” given memos and warnings regarding the Led by N.F.L. Vice President of Security, violation of rules and punishents if bounties Jeffrey Miller, who retired from the Police are used to lure players to hit harder. In 1989 Force in the early 2000’s, the bounty system Coach Buddy Ryan was accused of putting investigation was later revived in the 2011 bounties on Cowboy players in a famous case season when more credible information was called the “Bounty Bowl Games”. The Saints, found to investigate the case further. The bounty one of the league’s most successful teams, and system consisted of players’ contributions into a their involvement with the bounty system has pool of money in which they received cash upon brought a bad reputation to the N.F.L. and injury of opponents. Payments were also given has caused serious concern about safety and for plays such as fumbles and interceptions concussion concerns in the N.F.L. since 2009. to encourage turnovers. Players were given Currently, the N.F.L faces dozens of lawsuits 1,500 dollars if they knocked a player out of involving concussions and serious injury.
N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell has made player’s safety a focus of revision in the league. One N.F.L. fan, Brad L. from Greeley, CO said in a blog post: “. We love the NFL because of the fair play and respect for the rules and the referees… The consequent of that will be that most of us middle class and upper middle class people will stop our kids from watching the NFL like we have the thuggery of the NBA.” “The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for ‘performance,’ but also for injuring opposing players,” Goodell said in a statement. “The bounty rule promotes two key elements of N.F.L. football: player safety and competitive integrity. It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game.” The Saints face serious consequences, which will be finalized by the end of the month. Coaches and players who participated in violation of the safety and health of other league players face half-season suspension, serious fines, and forfeit of draft picks, according to N.F.L . investigations. After the Saint’s bounty system investigation was made public, Shawne Merriman, a Saints linebacker wrote in his Twitter feed, “Why big deal now? Bounties been going on forever”. The N.F.L. Players Association (NFLPA) said on Wednesday that it would do its own investigation of the Saints and interview coaches, players, and the front office staff. The union vowed on Wednesday that they would “vigorously protect the rights of all players.”
Katznelson Analyzes Social Security By David Luna ’14 Herald Contributor Ira Katznelson’s book When Affirmative Action Was White examines how New Deal policy decisions methodically excluded African Americans, resulting in a broad gap between blacks and whites. This led to Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society,” which has become the modern day affirmative action. Katznelson disputes the idea that in order to fully understand affirmative action policies and to create a viable premise for affirmative action, one must examine past American policies that prevented blacks from collecting the benefits. Proponents of affirmative action cite the continued need for such programs because of the nation’s long history of discrimination. Katznelson’s application of this policy is to say that rograms that give an extra boost to traditionally disadvantaged groups offer the only sure way to overcome structural inequality and do not guarantee educational success. They simply assure that individuals from disadvantaged groups have a opportunity to succeed, an idea for most Americans to support;
after all, aren’t we the land of opportunity? Opponents of affirmative action argue that such programs do more harm than good. The belief that persons who gain employment or college admission from such programs did not earn their positions stigmatizes those who are supposed to benefit. In the realm of education, they argue that students admitted to colleges under these special programs have lower graduation rates. Affirmative action also violates the fundamental American value of equality of opportunity. Katznelson recognizes that many believe Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal has been hailed for helping the under-privileged and he tries to disprove this while making a case for a stronger affirmative action plan today. He shows that the New Deal lengthened unemployment for millions and argues that the New Deal system had agendas that hindered progress in order to save political interests. Katznelson provides three mechanisms in which they carried their race influenced agenda:
one, “whenever the nature of the legislation permitted, they sought to leave out as many African Americans as they could”; two, “they successfully insisted that the administration of these and other laws…be placed in the hands of local officials who were deeply hostile to black aspirations”; and third, “they prevented Congress from attaching any sort of antidiscrimination provisions to a wide array of social welfare programs.” Katznelson’s solution consists of having more effective affirmative action measures with concrete policy initiatives. I believe Katznelson’s recommendations are admirable, but question whether society is ready to accept such drastic methods of reparations. The process of accurately finding the afflicted and determining whether or not they deserve compensation would not only be a time consuming process but also a fiscally burdensome one. Does America have time to spare to right a wrong? I find it would be difficult to garner enough public support to implement these recommendations. Racial tensions
still exist in a more discrete and clever manner and citizens are more worried about the Country’s direction more than ever. In today’s political atmosphere, if you were to ask any politically engaged and knowledgeable citizen to identify the issue they want assuaged, the chances are slim that affirmative action would be in their response. Studies present a lukewarm view. A 2008 Gallup study “…finds most Americans saying racism is widespread against blacks in the United States. This includes a slim majority of whites (51%), a slightly higher 59% of Hispanics, and the vast majority of blacks (78%).” Ironically however, Gallup also “…finds 50% of Americans favor “affirmative action programs for racial minorities,” while 42% oppose such programs.” Despite all the sentiments toward it, affirmative action will continue to exist. Katznelson realizes this and urges us to push for a more stringent application. He must recognize however that a growing number of Americans favor the abandonment of race based preference programs. A balance must be struck.
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By Leslie Fox-Humphreys ’15 Herald Contributor
Photo Courtesy of Exposemittromney.com
Romney Gains Advantage On Super Tuesday By Kyle Zaverton ’15 Herald Contributor “Super Tuesday” refers to the Tuesday, usually in February or March, on which a large number of states hold their primary election during an election year. This year’s “Super Tuesday” fell on March 6, as voters in 11 different states voiced their opinions in hopes of narrowing the Republican candidate field down to a single front runner. As expected, Mitt Romney finished with an advantage over fellow Republican hopefuls Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul. Romney won seven of the 11 states voting on “Super Tuesday,” while Santorum claimed three, and Gingrich was only able to muster a win in Georgia. Many analysts have mentioned that Romney’s performance failed to a “knockout punch” that would have effectively put him in the driver’s seat for the Republican nomination. As the results stand now, according to the New York Times, none of the Republicans seeking the nomination have even reached half of the 1,144 delegates needed to win the
nomination. As the Republican race continues, questions about the larger picture begin to formulate. Will the Republican nominee be able to pressure President Obama in the general election after having such difficulty distinguishing himself for the Republican nominee? How do the Republican candidates plan on dealing with the Iranian nuclear situation? Republican responses to the Iranian nuclear situation have already drawn large amount of criticism, especially from President Obama who emphasizes the importance of this issue as one that cannot be casually tossed around in primary debates. There are still many primaries scheduled to take place in the future, however many Republicans hope the race for the nomination can come to a close quickly so that the party can organize support for its presidential candidate. New York’s Republican primary is tentatively set for April 24.
Make Kony famous, or rather, infamous. This was the bipartisan message that Jason Russell of Invisible Children, and a dedicated film crew, tried to spread through their documentary that went viral last week. The film documents the Invisible Children of Uganda, and the atrocious criminal acts of Joseph Kony as the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). This 30-minute video became an instant social media trend that has caught the attention of many young supporters. It portrayed the LRA’s illegal abduction and training of children into soldiers and the unimaginable actions the children are forced to do. Killing their own parents and family members, mutilating the faces of prisoners, drug intoxication, and brainwashing are just a few of the assaults to humanity the LRA has forced children into over the past 26 years. This movement to find one of the most dangerous and high profile war criminals is an important , but despite its growing support system and funding from college students, celebrities, and a wide array of young people across the country, there are a few questions that have raised suspicion in critics who are hesitant to join the
mob mentality. Due to the group’s refusal to have its funds audited, Charity Navigator has only given Invisible Children two out of four stars in accountability. The documentary is also insufficient in providing the exact beneficiaries of the donations. The audience is left inspired, but do not know precisely where their money is going. This brings to mind the other fraudulent NGO’s and organizations that have used charitable donations for personal use, and have lied to the public about just how successful they really are to gather more support, and more money. Greg Mortenson, the author of Three Cups of Tea is among those who have cast an apprehensive shadow on the intent of NGO’s. Hints of colonialism, and the “white man’s burden” are brought up when assessing a majority of the film that is based on the cofounder, Jason Russell, himself and all his accomplishments in this struggle. People come away learning more of the narrator’s life, than of the details to his “admirable program,” says Catherine Price, a William Smith first-year. For more information on Kony2012 and future Invisible Children events go to their website http://www.kony2012.com/.
Photo Courtesy of Cnn.com
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Number of College Graduates Increases By Laura Alexander ’14 Arts and Entertainment Editor “For many people, education is a sure path to a prosperous life. The more education people have the more likely they are to have a job and earn more money, particularly for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree,” U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves told CNN. This is a concrete fact: studies have long shown the power of a diploma. What is remarkable, however, is just how many people are harnessing this power in today’s society. In a recently released report entitled “Educational Attainment in the United States: 2011,” for the first time, more than 30 percent of adults over age 25 have a college degree. This is up from 25 percent of Americans over 25 holding a degree in 1998, reports the U.S. Census Bureau. “This is an important moment in our history,” Director Groves said. Beyond the educational advancements that come with obtaining a college degree, the most significant advantage is in terms of annual income. In 2009, the median annual earnings for a
male with a bachelor’s degree were $51,000 per year and $41,000 per year for a female. With only a high school diploma or GED equivalent, however, the figures were significantly less: $32,900 for a male and $25,000 for a female. Because a college diploma increases not only earnings, but also standard of living so significantly, it is no wonder that the increase in Americans earning a diploma is so remarkable. These figures, however, do not show that for some regions, races, and ethnicities, educational progress has eclipsed them. For instance, in many small towns in Tennessee, the number of residents with a degree has increased only marginally in relation to the growth of the towns’ whole population. Many minorities are also left out of the growing number of Americans with college degrees. For instance, it is estimated that in 2009 of all the Americans with four-year degrees, only 17 percent were African Americans and only 13 percent were Hispanics.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
Campus Happenings
Spring Break Preview By Xiaochuang “Ivy” Zhao ’13 Herald Contributor As the weather gets warmer, X-ELHA Water Park, the spring break is finally coming biggest natural aquatic park in along. A lot of us started the world. In the park, you can planning our vacation a long dive with all kinds of beautiful time ago. However, if you don’t fishes. The park provide Spring have any plan yet, here are some Break Special promotion. cool places to go and cool things Tulum Ruins, an important to do during the spring break. coastal trade city in the Mundo Places to go: Maya, is built on a high cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea New York City: and creates a stunning view at The Metropolitan Museum of sunrise. Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Cost: Approximately with Museum, The Museum of everything included: $900. Modern Art, Paley Center for Media, Madame Tussauds Wax If You’re Staying Home: Museum. If you’re not planning to go on Shopping: vacation, going home is also a Time Square, SOHO, 5th nice idea. Home is a place to be Avenue. totally relaxed, lie on the couch, Food: read a good book or watch a nice China town, 155 West 51st movie, not to mention spend Street; Junior’s 1515 Broadway, some quality time with the Theater District. (Best cheese family. Here are some book and cake place); Blue Fin at W New movie recommendations. York. 1567 Broadway, Theater Distric. (A modern, sophisticated Movies: seafood restaurant located in The Hunger Games, out on 23 the heart of Times Square. The March 12. setting is unique and gives you The Hunger Games series a true feel of Times Square and is very hot this year. The story is the hustle and bustle of New about in the near future twelve York City.) boys and twelve girls are forced Cost: Approximate cost: hotel: to appear in a live event called $80/day. Transportation in The Hunger Games. There is NYC: $20 only one rule: kill or be killed. A sixteen-year-old girl takes Florida her younger sister’s place in Miami, Florida is one of the the games. Since she has been hottest spring break and close to death before, survival is summer vacation destinations second nature. in the United States. Known for One Day. You can rent it from being a place where tired college Netflix, Redbox. students can have some fun in The story is about a young the sun. boy, Dixon and a young girl, Places to go: Emma who met each other at Clear water Beach, Tampa; their college graduation. And Southern Beach, Miami. after that night, they became Cost: Flight tickets from best friends. They made a plan Rochester to Miami: $270. that they see each other once a year. After divorcing with his Cancun, Mexico wife, Dixon finally realized that Cancun is a perfect place for his true love is actually Emma, a short term spring break his best friend… vacation. Only 4 hours flight from Rochester. And the Books: perfect tropical weather can The Help is a story about give us an amazing pre-summer African American maids’ work experience. in white households in Jackson, Places to go: Mississippi, during the early Chichen Itza Ruins, In the 1960s. jungles of Yucatan lies one of The Hunger Games, for those the largest and best preserved who might prefer to read the archeological sites in Mexico, series before the big movie Chichen Itza. premier!
BloomFest: A Festival for Everyone By Caley Goldblatt ’12 Herald Contributor This spring HWS will be each workshop. Some of the in Bloom. Artfest, the single disciplines will include dance, day art extravaganza that took studio art and architecture. place in 2011, has undergone Students will have the a metamorphous and will be opportunity to sign up online returning in April as BloomFest. when the event gets closer. The This new and improved three process will be similar to the day festival, April 27-29, will way Day of Service organizes be a celebration of the arts and their sign ups. the creative ideas of students Saturday night will be a here at HWS. BloomFest is a concert put on by HWS live. collaboration of Arts Collective, They have found new talent and HWS Live, Architecture Society, the concert will showcase bands Koshare, as well as many art back to back. This event will driven departments. take place outside on the Stern The first event, Friday, lawn and is free for everyone. April 27, will take place at a The festival will wrap up renovated gallery downtown with the Alice in Wonderland across the street from Red tea party. It will take place in the Dove. Architecture Society will sunken gardens by Houghton spend the week leading up to house, where the creations from the festival stripping the interior the workshops will be displayed. and creating a gallery space. There will also be a mini fashion On Friday night, the walls will show of recycled clothing, fresh be covered with art that will be cookies and treats, compliments auctioned off to raise money of culinary house, croquet for charity. There will also be with plastic flamingos and, of live music, food catered by Leaf course, some tea sipping (with Kitchen, and tons of people the pinkies up!). The goal of flowing in and out throughout BloomFest is to encourage all the night. students on campus to enjoy and On Saturday morning, participate in the arts. Whether there will be workshops that it is looking at paintings in the all students can participate in. renovated gallery on Friday or One student working alongside leading a workshop on Saturday; a faculty member will conduct everyone is welcome to bloom.
Arts and Entertainment
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Ask Doctor Blackwell Have a question that you need answered? Can’t ask anyone else? Write me at Herald@hws.edu
Photo Courtesy of Hws.edu
Trias Reading Series Features Norman Rush By Emma Stratigos ’12 Campus Happenings Editor
On Tuesday, March 13, Hobart and William Smith welcomed acclaimed fiction writer Norman Rush to campus. He gave a reading as part of the Trias Reader Series, curated by the campus’s own writer in residence, Tom Piazza. Norman Rush was born in 1933 in the San Francisco area. He studied European history and philosophy at Swarthmore College and graduated in 1956. His novels and short stories, including “Whites” and “Mortals,” take place in Botswana, where Rush and his wife, Elsa, co-directed the Peace Corps. in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Rush’s first novel, “Mating,” was the winner of the National Book Award. Identifying herself as the opener for the opener, Professor Melanie Conroy-Goldman expressed her excitement for Rush’s reading. She dubbed him a fiction writer with “the power to ignite.” “[Introductions] should be short,” said writer in residence Tom Piazza as he took the podium, “except I’m introducing Norman Rush.” Piazza voiced his appreciation for the Trias program and the endowment from Peter Trais that makes the fellowship and the readings possible. He praised Rush’s writing style, saying that “he writes about really smart people, usually too smart for their own good, but not for [the readers’].” He also labeled Rush’s “Whites” as “one of the greatest short story collections of the last 30 years, at least.” Norman rush read selections from his work in progress, “Subtle Bodies,” due to be released in the spring of 2013, which, according to Piazza, is “generating intolerable impatience” among his fans. It is the first of Rush’s works to be set in the United States. He first discussed the act of writing about serious
issues while living among them. “Literature can be looked at as the art of complaint,” he said, “and there is, in human life, always something to complain about.” The sections he read alternated between the voices of the two main characters, Ned and Nina. The excerpts featured Nina’s journey across the country in pursuit of Ned who left suddenly for the trip in order to attend the funeral of a close friend from college. During a short question and answer session following the reading, Rush discussed some of his writing techniques. “I don’t write sequentially, in fact, I write chapters at various points in the trajectory of the book…it’s not the best way to do it… I would like to write the way other writers do… but I don’t, I’m a terrible person,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience. When asked about his treatment of the political themes in his writing, Rush explained, “I want [politics] to be in fiction the way it is in most people’s lives; you’re not a prime mover…we’re working at forces greater than we are.” Rush also talked about his use of a manual typewriter to produce his work. “I write on a manual typewriter…I’m going to outlive my sources.” The manual process has required a fair amount of maintenance on Rush’s part and he explained that he is working on procuring a few new parts through a young fan in California. In reference to the idea of transitioning to a computer keyboard, Rush said, “I will never go there.” Later in the semester, the Trais program will feature a reading by the highly acclaimed poet, Yusef Komunyakaa. For more information visit www.hws.edu/trias.
Dear Dr. Blackwell, I’m having trouble deciding who to live with next year. My current roommate really wants to live together again, and she’s great, but I also really want to live with my best friend! I would suggest that we get a triple, but they don’t get along. What should I do? -Torn Between Two Besties
Dear “Torn Between Two Besties,” I know this is hard because you want to please both of these girls by being their roommate. Who do YOU want to live with? If you really can’t decide between the two girls, why don’t you try to get a suite? Gather a bigger group of girls and try to all live together, so even if you do have a roommate, the three of you will all be in the same suite. If this seems reasonable, act fast, though, as the deadline is fast- approaching! Best of luck to you in deciding what to do; I am sure you will make the right decision. - E. Blackwell
GREEN continued from page 6 sign that people are interested in learning about the impact that their electricity and energy use has on the environment. Says Landi, “The Dashboard site has been a great success! It was our first year using the Dashboard system, and its use in the buildings entered in the Campus Conservation Nationals really helped drive our electricity and energy reduction accomplishments.” Now that the competition is over, the Dashboard
site is a permanent feature and will be available to students as a continuing reference to keep track of, and hopefully reduce, energy consumption in residence halls. Keep checking out HWS’s Dashboard site at either http:// buildingdashboard.net/hws/#/hws/ or http://buildingdashboard.com/ clients/hws/ as the colleges continue to go green.
MOVIE TIMES
By Helen Hunsinger ’12 Herald Contributor Congratulations HWS! In the inaugural year participating in the Campus Conservation Nationals energy reduction competition, Hobart and William Smith Colleges reduced our electricity consumption the most out of five other New York State colleges. During the past few weeks, residence halls Caird, Decordova, Emerson, Hale, Durfee, and Bartlett, were monitored on the HWS Dashboard website to reduce their electricity use. HWS’s participation in Campus Conservation Nationals concluded with a 5.5% reduction in electricity consumption. Residents of Caird reduced their electricity consumption the most with a 7.5% reduction. Decordova reduced consumption by 3.3% while Emerson had a 3.9% reduction. In the miniquad residences, Hale decreased electricity use by 3.6%,
Durfee by 7.0%, and Bartlett reduced electricity use by 1.4%. The other competitors in the program finished as follows: Hamilton College reduced electricity use by 3.4%, Skidmore by 2.9%, St. Lawrence by 1.4%, and Colgate University increased electricity consumption by 5.8%. While the success in the Campus Conservation Nationals competition is commendable, the real victory, according to Sustainability Coordinator Jams Landi, is the new Dashboard website. During the weeks spent competing in the CCN, the Dashboard website provided a useful resource for students to see how much electricity was being used in their building at various times during the day. The site logged over 400 hits during the past 3 weeks, a GREEN continued on page 7
MOVIE REVIEW: The Lorax By Meghan Gaucher ’14 Sports Editor
HWS Reduces Electricity Use
Photo Courtesy of Dauntlessmedia.net
Expecting a witty, encapsulating tale of another one of Dr. Seuss’s lovable furry creatures, I sat in the middle of the giant, near-empty theatre, my recycled 3D glasses propped up on my nose, ready to experience the supposed fluffy, fun, free world of The Lorax. However, I opened my mouth in shock, awed by the directed message at the audience through contrasting images of barren tree-less land and an artificial, wholesome world: capitalism and the values of preservation. In a rubbery pre-made animation directed by Chris Renaud, a hopeful story is told of a young boy, Ted, voiced by Zac Efron, who goes on a quest to find and retrieve the only remaining tree left to win over the heart of his schoolboy crush, Audrey, voiced by Taylor Swift. Fatefully, Ted winds up in the hands of the Oncle-ler, (the voice of Ed Helms) the once young, ambitious boy with large dreams who set out to make it big. Ted learns of the destruction of the Truffulla Trees whose feathery leaves feed the growing market of his invention, the Thneed. And so, the colorful, creative story entails a plot based on “saving the trees”, a heroic deed that must be done in order to bring an end to the artificiality of Thneedville and germinate the one Truffula seed that remains. However, without the spirit-like, chubby orange lorax (voiced by Danny DeVito) who speaks on behalf of the trees, the story wouldn’t have had a moral edge. The lorax is a mystical creature that voices the whispered morals behind the storyline. By hitting the audience over the head with the powerful environmental message, the movie leaves the viewer feeling uncomfortable and guilty, which cannot help but reflect on the extent of interference with nature that exists in reality. The sensuous and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss is portrayed through the computer-generated animation that lights up the characters and the environment in The Lorax. The short, orange lorax is present in the scenes of destruction when the Once-ler chops down the trees when his family comes to the land of Truffula trees to create the booming business of thneeds. The stereotypical southern family is portrayed as dumb and incompetent. These generic characters carry the film by creating bad constructions of capitalism and emphasizing the beauty and importance of nature. The ending may leave the viewer feeling distressed, but the larger than life message is balanced by the funny, animated branding that exemplifies Dr. Seuss’s words: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not”.
BOOK REVIEW: The Hunger Games By Jessica Lynn ’14 Opinions Editor I know I’m late on jumping on The Hunger Games bandwagon, but I like to think I’m not the only one previously clueless to this phenomenon. With the long anticipated movie premier this Friday, I figured I should see what all the hype was about. I was not disappointed. Suzanne Collins has created a post-apocalyptic world made of twelve industrial districts designed to serve the dictatorial Capitol. Every year the Capitol hosts two teenagers from each district to compete in the Hunger Games, a competition where the “tributes” must murder one another in cold blood until there is only one tribute left standing. This tribute is allowed to remain alive and return home. Katniss, a strong willed tribute from District Twelve, along with her fellow District Twelve tribute Peeta, falls into a clunky romance during the Hunger Games. While Collins skillfully crafts most other elements in the story, this aspect of romance leaves the reader feeling awkward and reliving their teenage romantic trysts. Without any real precedence, Katniss and Peeta stumble into random embraces, and the intent behind this is unclear. Collins could be crafting this uncomfortable romance to reflect the awkward nature of teenage relationships, but I’m leaning towards the conclusion that Collins is simply unable to craft a realistic romance due to lack of experience in writing romance. Even so, Collins creates two main characters, Katniss and Peeta, that are incredible easy to grow attached to. Katniss is a completely selfless provider for her family, hunting and gathering for survival from the young age of twelve. Peeta is a kind, hopelessly sensitive baker’s son that has been in love with Katniss from the first moment her saw her at age five. The dynamic between these two characters is so engrossing and captivating that I found myself rooting for them to murder the other tributes, something completely shocking in the context of the real world. In creating this emotional tie between the reader and the main characters, Collins poignantly comments on our society’s insatiable desire for entertainment. Collins also criticizes the insensitivity our society as grown to embody, and how, unabated, this insensitivity may grow into a feral, disgusting festival of murder, like the Hunger Games. Despite the young adult genre of this novel, the underlying message of the story is an extremely sophisticated criticism of humanity, making The Hunger Games appropriate for an adult audience. The Hunger Games is proving to be a young adult series that bridges generation gaps, providing immense entertainment for all ages. I highly recommend it.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
Opinions
Opinions
Spread the Word to End the Word: What the “R-word” Means to Me
Photo Courtesy of gurl.com
A Life of Happiness Begins With A Positive Body Image
By Kristyna Bronner ‘14 News Editor Photo Courtesy of Kristyna Bronner
Like most people, I’m usually in a rush when I’m in Scandling. Whether on my way to SAGA, the café or my mailbox, more often than not, I ignore the groups tabling. Realistically, if I were to stop at every table and hear every spiel, I would never make it to where I’m going. But last week, there was a table in Scandling that I was proud to take some time to stop at. The College Experience Outreach club was tabling to “Spread the Word to End the Word” as part of the “R-Word Campaign.” For two days, students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to sign the pledge to stop using the R-word in a demeaning way. The word retard, as defined in Merriam-Webster, can be used as a verb meaning, “to slow up
especially by preventing or hindering advance; impede” or as a noun meaning “a holding back or slowing down.” In music, retard is short for the Italian, ritardando, which signals to musicians a slowing in tempo. Reading these definitions, you may be as confused as I am as to why this word is used synonymously with the word stupid and other words that have negative connotations. Any single day, you can hear a number of people refer to something or someone as “retarded.” I made the personal choice to not use the word retard in a demeaning manner when I was 13-years-old. Not only was this the age when a lot of my peers began to use the word in conversation, but it was also the year that my Uncle Ralph passed away at age 52 from a heart attack during a grand mal seizure. My Uncle Ralph was disabled—something my family feels could have been prevented at his birth. When my Grandma was in labor, the doctor had not yet arrived, so the nurses made her “cross her legs” to prevent the birth from happening until the doctor was present. This is something that would never happen today, but at the time it was not seen as problematic. However, the decision
to postpone the labor impacted my uncle’s life and the lives of all of my family members. By the time that the doctor arrived, my uncle was stuck in the birth canal and had to be pulled out using forceps—a surgical instrument resembling tongs—resulting in large bruises on his head that didn’t go away for weeks. By nine months old, he suffered from grand mal seizures and was diagnosed with Epilepsy. My Uncle’s childhood was harder than that of many others. At the time, society was even less understanding than it is now of people who are different, especially those with mental disabilities. My uncle’s seizures kept him out of school and often caused him to further injure his head. My family dealt a lot with my Uncle Ralph being bullied—even by adults. Several adults told my Grandma that they didn’t want him around their own kids because he was an “animal.” My aunts and uncles would get into fights with other kids at school to defend him from both verbal and physical abuse. Both adults and children used the word retard in a derogatory way to describe him. When my Uncle Ralph died at age 52, he was testing at a third grade reading level and a first grade math level. He could tell time on the hour and half hour, add and subtract whole numbers, count money and tie his own shoes. Skills that most of us learn early on in grade-school took him
an entire lifetime to accomplish. Even so, he accomplished much more than many people do. He taught my whole family a lesson of tolerance—no matter how different someone is from you, everyone deserves to be treated with respect. He taught us perseverance— even with his hindrances, he was passionate about many causes and would write papers about them in an effort to advocate for the rights of everyone. He was always trying to better himself, and constantly set new goals. I only got to know him for such a short time, and I regret not taking more advantage of the time we had together. For most of the time that he was in my life, I was too young to even understand his disability. At a young age, I was entertained by the fact that we shared common interests; as I got older, I was perplexed as to why I had surpassed him when he was an adult and I was a child. I love to hear stories about all of the positive things he did and the people he touched, but I cannot help but wonder how different a person I would be if he were still here to influence my life. My uncle went through so much, but remained one of the most caring and positive people that I have ever encountered. Those who are different from us have so much to teach us. We just have to be open-minded and accepting. So please, think twice before you use the “R-word.”.
Ignorance Equates Birth Control With “Sluts”
By Avery Share ’15 Herald Contributor So many of us spend hours in front of the mirror everyday applying makeup, picking out our outfits, and criticizing our bodies – but does any of it even matter? In 20 years, or for that matter next month, are we going to remember who’s makeup looked the best? Chances are, no. We’re going to remember the crazy nights, the Saga sits, and the hours we spent laboring over homework-- not what we looked like while we did it. So why do we care? In light of “National Eating Disorder Awareness Week,” which occurred from Feb. 26 to Mar. 3, it’s time that we take a look at these questions and reevaluate our priorities; it’s time to put an end to the dissatisfaction with our body image that drives millions to suffer from eating disorders, depression, and a number of other mental illnesses every year. Society puts such a high value and emphasis on this elite
group of people that we all strive to look like them – tall, skinny, with flawless makeup and hair. We all know deep down, however, that they have access to the best personal trainers and dietitians available, that photographs are edited, and that make up is professionally applied. How do we stop people from trying to emulate these models and celebrities when they know it’s impossible? Many of us have already seen the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty videos and know the impossibility of Barbie’s proportions, yet they have no effect on us. How can we make the reality sink in and convince people to be happy with their appearance and embrace their bodies? If we can promote women in the media who are healthy, normal sized, and may sometimes even walk the runway without makeup (unlikely), then societies definition of beauty will change to
Dearest Oreos, Happy 100th Birthday!
Infamous for his controversial rants, talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh has once again entered the spotlight for calling Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke a “slut.” Responding to Fluke’s advocacy for insurance-covered birth control and the responsibility of employers to provide it regardless of religious affiliations, Limbaugh said, “What does it say about the college cohort Susan [meaning Sandra] Fluke, who goes before Congressional Committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute.” He went on to say that she is asking for people to pay her money to have sex because she advocates birth control. This derogatory language is not necessary in any circumstance, let alone in a context having nothing to do with the original intent of the testimony given. This statement also begs the question, did Limbaugh see Fluke’s speech before commenting on it? Not once in her speech did Fluke discuss women using birth control solely as a contraceptive. This speech was entirely about the financial stress of women in need of this contraceptive for other medical purposes, such as Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Protecting women’s rights to medical care does not make her a slut or a prostitute. She is not asking anyone to pay her to have sex, as Limbaugh claims. In an apology to Sandra Fluke on Mar. 4, 2012, Limbaugh stated, “For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.” He then goes on to say, “It is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone’s bedroom, nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a presidential level.” He defends himself by saying that he makes absurd statements, but what he said about Fluke- calling her a slut and a prostitute- goes far beyond merely the absurd. And again- has he seen her speech yet? She didn’t talk about the bedroom at all. She did not talk about sex. She discussed women’s medical rights. Limbaugh needs to be informed about the subject matter he is arguing against before making false claims and calling people derogatory names they do not, nor will they ever deserve.
moment about 45% of women in America are on a diet. What’s even worse is that dieting is starting earlier, and the number of girls in elementary and middle schools who diet because they are unhappy with their appearance is rapidly increasing. This epidemic needs to be stopped before it’s too late. The key to happiness begins with being comfortable with who you are, both on the inside and the outside. My hope is that people will take the two or three hours a week they spend in front of the mirror and use it for self betterment or the betterment of society. Take those hours and go for a run, spend it with friends and family, volunteer, or even just watch your favorite show – anything that makes you happy. So stop worrying about your clothes, your hair and makeup, and most of all your body, and be happy with who you are.
By Jacqueline Paolino ’14 Herald Contributor Photo Courtesy of sheknows.com
Rush Limbaugh released an apology on March 4.
embody real people; there will be less emphasis on being skinny and looking flawless and more on being physically and mentally healthy, two of the keys to happiness. Fashion industries in other countries are already taking steps to change the appearance of their models. The Madrid Fashion Show in 2006 banned overly thin models, saying it wanted to “project beauty and health,” according to USA Today. The fashion industry in America needs to take similar steps to prevent negative body images and eating disorders that stem from our desire to embody the features of models. I do not know one girl who looks in the mirror and says “I like the way my body looks today,” instead it’s “my thighs look fat” or “my nose is huge.” In response to the negative features, we try to change using, most commonly, dieting. According to www. inch-aweigh.com, at any given
A Letter to the Administration and Student Body
By Nora Burd ’15 Herald Contributor
Photo Courtesy of theblaze.com
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In honor of the milestone, I would like to confess that you hold my heart in a special way. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. You’re always there for me, whether I am studying at 3 AM and need motivation to continue, or sobbing while watching The Notebook and need comfort. You know how to keep things interesting-- taking shape in the form of a McFlurry, doubling up on stuffing, or going “gold”; that’s what I called well rounded. You’re also really thoughtful. That peel-and-seal flap on top of the packaging now? That’s nice. You’re so different from any other cookie I’ve ever met before. Remember the time that Nora and I ate an entire package of you while singing ‘90s music? I still think of you whenever I hear Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” That’s our song now. So happy birthday, and cheers to a hundred more years, my love. Always and Forever, Morgan Gilbard ’15 Oreo Fun Facts: -As the best-selling cookie of the 20th and 21st centuries, Oreo has sold over 491 billion cookies. -No one is 100% sure where the name originates from; “or” and “oreo” mean various things in many different languages, all of which can relate to the cookie, and speculation has even circulated around the “O” shape of the cookie or a misheard sentence as being the inspirations for the name. -Weird Al wrote a song about Oreos called “The White Stuff,” a parody of a New Kids on the Block tune. -Over 34 flavors and variations have been sold in the past 100 years, including Oreo green tea ice cream in China. -Oreos are sold in over 100 countries. -50% of Oreo eaters pull the chocolate sides apart before eating, with women doing it more than men.
There are no sororities at William Smith, even though Hobart recognizes a number of fraternities. It is important to examine this topic for several reasons. Personally, upon applying to William Smith, the fact that there were no sororities on campus impressed me. Some uncomfortable high school experiences with cliques and bullying by groups of girls made me think that sororities would simply be a perfect breeding ground for this same kind of bad behavior in college. The thought of pledging and the horror stories I had heard about hazing gave me a deep feeling of disgust for such institutions. My first few months here, however, made me wonder if perhaps I was wrong about the idea of sororities. I am not an athlete and I do not really have a strong affiliation with any particular social group. None of the clubs seemed to excite me enough to get involved. I really long for a group of friends; a place to feel a part of that would give me some personal identity on campus. A place that would, for example, give me a group of people that supports me during a painful break-up, the death of a friend or my first struggle with an academic course. The athletes and other students who have similar interests find their groups much more easily than students like me-the ones who are still finding themselves. I tried to get involved in some of these other groups but I felt that I was not good enough and just did not fit in. I know that I am not alone in this situation. There are many women and men on this campus who have this feeling. But, for the men, there is always the option of joining a fraternity. It gives them an instant group of friends and a place where they know they are welcome and belong. Greek life also offers organized opportunities for community service, social gatherings and great networking for opportunities once my college days are over. My two older sisters were members of sororities during their college years and I recall thinking that they were lame and quite frankly demeaning to women. Certainly, sororities and fraternities have had their share of trouble and some have reputations that are less that admirable. I strongly believe that the positive
benefits heavily outweigh the negatives. My sisters’ closest college friends are other members of their sororities. Oftentimes they were even able to visit other colleges and find a welcoming group of women. They had “sisters” there and a house to stay in. My sister has always had someone around for listening and support when they needed it. They were involved in many activities and projects through their sororities on both a local and national level. They never needed to find a group--the group was there and participation and support came easily. After graduation, the sorority became a wonderful source of information and networking as they pursued their own careers and enabled them to help other sisters. They both agree that they are significantly more active alums in their respective colleges because of their sorority connections. Fraternities benefit the men at Hobart College in many ways. I spoke with Phillip Fett, Hobart class of 1982, about his college experience as well as his experience in the Kappa Sigma fraternity. I asked him about Greek life and what difference it made for him while in school, and what made him choose to participate in Greek life to begin with. “I grew up without brothers, so, the idea of a group of close male friends was attractive to me. As time went on, I was able to gain an understanding and an appreciation for the tradition that comes with being part of a fraternity. I also had the opportunity to develop my leadership skills during my time as president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.” We discussed the claim that William Smith College is a sisterhood in and of itself. However, the population is still too large for real sisterhood and as Mr. Fett said, “I think that while we are all brothers as Hobart men, there is a big difference between being in a brotherhood of a thousand and a brotherhood of forty guys.” The same holds true for the sisterhood of the women at William Smith. He also mentions the advantage of travelling all over the country and always knowing he would find a place at any Kappa Sig house. “I was able to travel back then-we had trimesters. I would
go to different Kappa Sigma chapters at various schools all over the country.” Today, Mr. Fett works on Wall Street in finance. His strong ties with both the school and with the Kappa Sigma fraternity remain. He has also been in contact with other current Kappa Sigma brothers concerning their careers. Hobart has had the advantage of fraternities since it’s founding. The coordinate system of the schools is in my opinion, separate and unequal, due to the fact that William Smith students have never been given the opportunity to join a sorority and benefit from all of the wonderful advantages that go along with that membership. We are a unique place, full of talented, intelligent, powerful and creative women. It is time that the women of this system are given all the same advantages as the men. Sororities would gain notoriety for William Smith on a national and international scale. National sorority organizations are powerhouses for promoting and protecting their brands. If William Smith had sororities, the school would benefit through free PR and the retention rate would increase because the women on this campus would be given another venue for forming bonds. Tradition has stated that William Smith College does not have sororities. This inequality does not bode well for HWS. Sororities would help many students become proud, confident and involved. They are national organizations that are designed for success, not social clubs that help women prepare themselves for their MRS. The women on this campus would benefit from their own Greek system, but so would the men. On a final note, my mother was a member of the William Smith class of 1981. She loved the school, but found it difficult to find her place. To fit in, she and many others affiliated with one of the fraternities. While this allowed her to form a lasting group of friends, she wishes that there were sororities on campus that would have allowed the women to do their own thing without relying on men and fraternities to dictate much of what took place on campus.
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
Health & Sports
10
Herons Score Big In First Game Of 2012 Season William Smith Herons perform on the lacrosse field in their first game of the season versus Nazareth with a win 14-3. Rosie Schiebel ’13, Lucy Johnson ’12 and Kelly Frellinghuysen ’12 were some of the players who racked up goals for the kick off of their season. Photo Courtesy of HWS Athletics
Thompson ’13 and Pebole ’12 helped the Statesmen achieve title of National Association of Basketball Coaches and earn first ever NCAA tournament title.
Statesmen Basketball Team Rises to Success By Luke Lyons ’13 Herald Contributor The Hobart basketball team has been in season since last October, having it come to an end Mar. 3. Through out these five months, they have worked diligently and have made an impact on the school’s athletic history. Statistically speaking, this has been the best season the Hobart basketball team has ever had. They ended their season with an overall record of 23-6; the highest percentage winning season in the school’s history. With a conference record of 14-2, they are also the regular season Liberty League Champions. Although the Hobart basketball team has made it to the NCAA tournament once before in the past, the current players were able to procure the teams first ever NCAA tournament win. In a nailbiting game ending, the Statesmen ended their 2-11-2012
season with a nail biting game ending, loosing to Cabrini 8890 in overtime. J o s h Kalenderian ’12, who’s collegiate basketball career ended in a bittersweet manner, discusses his current feelings. “The fact is that it’s all over hasn’t really sunk in yet,” says Kalenderian, the Statesmen center forward. “It probably wont’ sink in until this summer.” Kalenderian does admit, however, that although his basketball days might be behind him, he’s taking much away from the experience. “I’ve been playing basketball since fifth grade and if it’s taught me anything throughout the years, it’s comraderie, time management, and how to pick your head up when things might not turn out the way you’d want them to.” Although collegiate basketball careers have ended for some, rising
Statesmen on the team are glad to have completed a productive season, but are ready for to get back after it. “It’ll be nice to relax,” says Rezin Davis’ 13, the Statesmen point guard. “It’s been a long season. Right now, we’re trying to rest our bodies for a bit and then we’ll hit the gym and get back at it”. These proud Statesmen don’t plan on becoming complacent just because they’ve set multiple records in one season. They plan on pushing the name of Hobart basketball further than it’s been taken in the past. They’re main goal for next year is to do even better. “We’ve been working towards this season for three years,” says Sean Peer ’13, the team’s forward. “We’re looking towards an even better season next year, and preparation for that starts now.”
Maggie McNair was selected as Performer of the Week for her career-high nine saves and incredible game with nine saves.
Hobart Lax Looks Ahead By Duncan Fox ’14 Herald Contributor
The Hobart College Lacrosse team has started this season 1-3 with their only win over Binghamton University. Even with this unsatisfactory start, the team has had other victories as the ECAC announced midfielder Bobby Dattilo ‘12 with the Specialist of the Week award and goalie Peter Zonino ’14 with the Defensive Player of the Week award. Zonino, the starting goalie for the Hobart Lacrosse Team, made his first collegiate debut verse Binghamton University with 16 saves that both helped Hobart give their home crowd it’s first victory, 15-10, and led him to receive the Defensive Player of the Week award. “I’m honored to receive this award but I can’t take all the credit,” Zonino says modestly. “I really owe my success to our defense.” Indeed, his first start was unforgettable to the fans and at the game. In the Statesman’s
last game verse the Bucknell University Bisons, they entered without five of their starting players due to injuries. With that said the Bison’s attackman Todd Heritage ‘14 tied a school record by scoring an impressive eight goals on their way to a 14-10 victory. Cam Stone ‘14 scored a team-high of six points for Hobart, all from assists. He thinks the team is moving in a positive direction with their “hardest and best practice of the year on Monday, which will help us perform better on game day.” As another tough game lies ahead this Saturday against Robert Morris, the Hobart team looks for a repeat of last year’s first game with a win. Looking forward Ryan Munnelly ’14 or so called “Munshow” exclaims, “The coaches are preparing good game plans and it’s up to us to follow them. If we stick to them, we should be good here on out.”
Photos Courtesy of Kevin Colton