Misc 10.17.19

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The Miscellany News

Since 1866 | miscellanynews.org

Volume CLII | Issue 7

October 17, 2019

Two library thefts spark safety debate

Lawsuit threatens work visas Olivia Watson

Aena Khan

News Editor

recent lawsuit threatens to eliminate or substantially cut the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, an arrangement under which international students studying in the United States on F-1 visas can remain in the states for one year post-graduation in order to begin working. If working in a STEM-related sector, they can stay for up to three years. The Washington Alliance of Technology Workers Union (WashTech) filed a lawsuit against the OPT program, claiming that the program was unjust to their workers. (Forbes, “Latest On The Court Cases That Could Restrict Immigration, OPT And H-1B Spouses,” 06.10.19). Cutting or altering the OPT program could prove disastrous for international students who want to work in the United States after graduation. Director of InterSee OPT on page 4

News Editor

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n Wednesday, Oct. 2, Diego Betancourt ’21 returned from the bathroom to his seat in the library and found that his backpack had been stolen. Footage displayed the culprit: a man blending in as a college student, but little other information could be gathered regarding his identity. Betancourt reported the incident to Campus Safety and Security and contacted members of the College adminThe second annual Immigrant Youth Empowerment Conference, hosted in Rockefeller Hall, allowed istration. Moving past ineffective undocumented students, their friends and their families to connect in spite of ongoing political hostilities. formal action, the incident sparked conversation regarding theft on campus. The next week, Emily Potts ’22 was robbed while working in the Tiana Headley food and water, they were either now Mesoamerica and Latin Amer- basement of the library, a central Assistant News Editor forced off their land or into menial ica. Many others, such as Campion, study location that she had not er ancestors were murdered, labor for the Spanish Empire’s glo- have migrated to other lands, much used much before this semester. enslaved and robbed of their ry. to the disdain and abhorrence of Potts recalled working on her binative tongue and spiritual practicNow, 500 years later, Anita Mon- political administrations, including ology lab report due the next day es. One by one, those not slaugh- tero Campion and other descen- that of the United States. on her laptop in one of the cubicles tered endured the bodily terrorism dants of the colonized have been Campion, who was born and ed- on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 3:45 p.m. of foreign illnesses. Deprived of liberated, still residing in what is See CONFERENCE on page 3 See THEFTS on page 3 Yvette Hu/The Miscellany News

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Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY

Event supports immigrant youth H

Exhibit retraces photography’s past Young volleyball team lacks players, not heart Hindley Wang Guest Reporter

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Inside this issue

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Wanna go to law school? Alums give FEATURES us the insider scoop

graphs in the exhibition: “It impresses me how important it is to look at original photographs rather than photographs from reproduction.” On the screen were some photographs that defined their time, and some others that are lesser known, but fomented social inSee PHOTOGRAPHY on page 5

Yvette Hu/The Miscellany News

hen viewers enter “Shape of Light,” the new installation in the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, they are instantly struck by the familiar visual traditions on display: of Eadweard Muybridge’s locomotion; of compositional references to Manet’s Olympia in the vibrant reimagination of Mickalene Thomas; of Mapplethorpe’s illuminating depiction of implicit tensions; of Warhol’s polaroids… The exhibition “Shape of Light: Defining Photographs from the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center” displays no themes, but rather showcases the experimental possibilities of the medium, envisioned by photographers both well-known and unknown. This display is a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Vassar College Advisory Council for Photography—and of the impressive collection of photographs that the council has acquired throughout the years. The Loeb held the artist reception for the exhibition on Oct. 12, where curator and renowned author Carol Squiers followed the reception with a lecture.

In her presentation titled “Expanding the Canon: Photography in a New Century,” Squiers discussed the modern history of the medium, through stages of technological, social and political changes. She opened the lecture by congratulating curator MaryKay Lombino on the strikingly expansive collection of photo-

“The Shape of Light” is on display at the Frances Lehman Loeb through Dec. 15. While the exhibit has no concrete themes, it attempts to illuminate the vast possibilities of photography as an art form.

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A midterm misfortune: Hubby deadlifts HUMOR while wife actually works

Jackie Molloy, Alessandra Fable Guest Reporters

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ump! Set! Spike! Except this spike was blocked awry—ricocheting off a Vassar palm and heading rapidly towards the spectator stands. Sophomore Jamie Kesten quickly changed direction and sprinted for the stands, trying to save her team a much-needed point. But alas, the volleyball hit the bleachers first. Kesten stopped just short of the crowd—a second too late. Her grit wasn’t left unnoticed though, as fellow teammate and sophomore Claire Bialek rushed right behind her, pointing directly at Kesten yelling, “Nice hustle!” This scene perfectly captures the sphere of positivity and unity surrounding this year’s volleyball team, despite battling through a difficult offseason marked by the loss of talented seniors and the unexpected departure of several upperclassmen. Yet, this team embraces their humble numbers and overall youth. What was last year a group of 15 is now composed of just 11 student-athletes, nine of whom are underclassmen. Senior

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captain Jennifer Kerbs explained, “It’s one of those things I know is such an amazing experience for me personally … having this new dynamic and a lot of young people on the team. I think it’s really cool and different, unique experience.” Having fewer players on the squad does come with certain advantages. When asked about the dynamic of a smaller team and how it shifted the team’s focus, Head Coach Jonathan Penn said, “People tend to get more attention, your dynamics tend to be a little tighter, [and] you don’t have as many issues with playing time often.” Sophomore Sara Ehnstrom added, “It’s easier to have [a] really good, positive team dynamic and get to know each other really well and develop individual friendships.” However, there are clear negative effects as well: inability to scrimmage, added fatigue, heightened worries over injuries. Penn emphasized, “It can be hard in practice sometimes, and, of course, from a strategic standpoint, not having a lot of depth is sometimes limiting.” See VOLLEYBALL on page 14

Ellen and Bush remind us that celebs aren’t OPINIONS vulnerable like we are


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Misc 10.17.19 by The Miscellany News - Issuu