The Miscellany News
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Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
Volume CL | Issue 5
October 5, 2017
VC routed in field hockey
Comedy conjured from HEL
Kelly Pushie
Matt Stein
Guest Reporter
Arts Editor
he women’s field hockey team put up a valiant effort against their Liberty League foe, the University of Rochester, but fell short in a 2-0 loss this past Saturday, Sept. 30. Rochester (7-2) moves to 2-0, while this loss puts Vassar (6-4) at 1-1 in the Liberty League. The University of Rochester’s Claire Dickerson scored on a cross from teammate Jennifer Lee within the first five minutes of the game. Dickerson almost had a second goal in the 14th minute, but first-year Nikki Pallotta made a defensive save after the ball passed sophomore goalkeeper Liz Rotolo. The Brewers struck back with 15 minutes remaining in the first half but were unable to find the back of the net. Junior midfielder Alyssa More released a hard shot off a pass from fellow junior Megan Caveny, but the shot flew wide. At the half, the Brewers were trailing in both shots and corners. The University of Rochester took five shots and had three corners in the first half. The Brewers took just one shot, which came from More, and had no corners. See FIELD HOCKEY on page 18
Laurel Hennen Vigil/The Miscellany News
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On Tuesday, Sept. 26, the ACDC served an all-local meal featuring turkey, husk cherry chutney, potatoes, zucchini, young ginger, garlic, squash, broccoli rabe, cheese curds, apple crisp, ice cream, cider and donuts.
One meal’s path from farm to fork Laurel Hennen Vigil News Editor
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he average American meal travels roughly 1,500 miles before reaching your plate, criss-crossing the nation’s innumerable highways and railroads to be processed, packaged, distributed and sold. That means the corn you had for dinner last night could have sprouted in the sunny fields of western Nebraska, the beans for the coffee you rely on to get through that 9 a.m. class might have been harvested on the slopes of Jamai-
ca’s misty Blue Mountains and the cod in your fish and chips pulled, perhaps, from the icy Atlantic waters off the shores of Newfoundland. Now, however, Vassar is endeavoring to source some of its food from closer to home. In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint and improve food quality, Vassar recently changed dining service providers from Aramark to Bon Appétit, which prides itself on its Farm-to-Fork initiative, an effort to source 20 percent of ingredients from within a 150-mile ra-
dius. Last Tuesday, Sept. 26, lunch at the All Campus Dining Center (ACDC) celebrated a Bon Appétit Farm-to-Fork tradition—the Eat Local Challenge, an entire meal made from local ingredients. “You don’t want a plastic tomato,” said ACDC Executive Chef Carmen Allen. “If you can keep food on the vine [or on the tree or in the ground] until it’s ripened, it’s got much better flavor and more nutritional value.” “Increasing the use of local food is See FARM on page 6
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esignated splash zones are commonly found at attractions such as Splash Mountain at Disney World or the Big Kahuna at Hurricane Harbor. Last Saturday, you could find this amusement-park staple at Happily Ever Laughter’s (HEL’s) first sketch show of the semester.. In their fall show in the Susan Stein Shiva Theater, titled “HEL: Now in 4D!,” the comedy group presented a wide variety of sketches that included the likes of losing chess games with toad spirits, Sprite as a laundry detergent and a French chain-smoking character à la “Dora the Explorer.” As well as being their first sketch comedy show of the semester, this was also the debut performance for HEL’s new members, Jeff Montoya ’21, Breanna Piercy ’21 and Tino Valentino ’21. Besides differentiating in form (sketch, stand-up and improv), each comedy group has its own general aesthetic that makes their ensemble unique. Explaining what drew him to audition specifically to HEL this year, Valentino said, “Everyone was just so funny and entertaining; I didn’t know it was possible to laugh for an See COMEDY on page 14
Fall Fest unites student orgs, music Candidates for county legislature visit VC T Sasha Gopalakrishnan Assistant Arts Editor
This past weekend, students and house fellows attended Fall Fest, Main House team’s annual event celebrating the beginning of the season.
Inside this issue
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NEWS
Braham ’20 [Full Disclosure: Braham is a columnist for The Miscellany News] further described the vibe: “We wanted the orgs to present interactive, engaging activities and games, so that the different stalls, the live music and the bouncy house all kind of fell in line with what a carnival or a fest is supposed to feel like.” This was certainly the case, with stalls like Magic the Gathering offering card games, and student groups related to Religious and Spiritual Life such as See FALL FEST on page 14
Courtesy of Hannah Benton
he leaves are starting to take on an orange tint, and everyone’s switching to warm amber sweaters and cozy denim jackets. In the space of a day, the temperature has dropped drastically, and there’s a fresh chill in the air. It’s October, and fall is finally here. And what better way to inaugurate the onset of New England’s quintessential season than Fall Fest? Held on Oct. 1 this year, Fall Fest is Main House’s signature all-campus event. Last Sunday, the Library Lawn was teeming with flannel-clad students as they lounged on picnic blankets and munched on popcorn, watched a string of musical performances, hovered between tables set up by several different student orgs and delved into the depths of the colossal Batman bouncy house. Fall Fest is a long-standing Vassar tradition that is intended to bring people together as autumn rolls around. Main House President Simone Karuga ’20 explained, “We wanted to emphasize the feeling of amicability and ease at this event. We really liked that people were able to sit, talk, eat and just have a good time with their friends. It was great to see people use it as a space for community building.” This year, Main House invited an eclectic mix of student groups and organizations from a variety of areas of interest to participate in the event. From mini-pumpkin decorating by Lathrop House Team to Vassar International Students Association’s (VISA) bake
sale offering delectable student-made treats like cheesecake and brownies, several orgs contributed to the festive fall theme. Davison House Team had a free popcorn bar that was a major attractor, while Main House provided free apple cider donuts, 600 of them no less. This, combined with the “Flannel Fest” dress code of the event, ensured that everyone was in high spirits over the commencement of this cinnamon-scented time of year. Main House Team member Izzy
West Point prof reflects on Charlottesville response and effects
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Climate change movement requires holistic OPINIONS improvements
Clark Xu
Assistant News Editor
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n preparation for the general elections in New York State on Nov. 7, candidates for state and local offices initiated door-to-door campaigns to increase voter participation rates from a historical average of 60 percent on election day. The Democratic Party candidates for the Dutchess County legislature, which includes Professor of History Rebecca Edwards for District 6, contest the Republican majority with strong objections to recent social and financial policies. Edwards, along with Giancarlo Llaverias for District 1 and Craig Brendli for District 8, formed a panel discussion titled Meet the Candidates hosted in Rockefeller Hall by the Vassar Democrats on Sept. 25. As the number of jobs and residents in Dutchess County continued to fall from last year’s levels, Democratic candidates for the county legislature pointed out loopholes and design flaws in recent legislation. Edwards explained, “I disagree with what the county is doing for economic development. They’re trying to create jobs by giving big tax breaks to big corporations, and they aren’t even creating drawback provisions. So when the companies don’t do that, they keep the tax break for 30 years. They gave a 10 million dollar tax break to IBM two years ago.”
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In the absence of a drawback provision, IBM may retain the tax break without any obligation to increase or keep employees at the Poughkeepsie campus. The number of employees at the Poughkeepsie and East Fishkill campuses has steadily declined from a combined total of 13,800 staff in 1993 to 6,105 staff in 2014, when GlobalFoundries acquired the East Fishkill campus from IBM and continued the job cuts. On a related aspect of financial policy, Brendli elaborated, “Dutchess County is in a situation where the job growth isn’t happening. We can start by addressing sales taxes.” Brendli went on to suggest that shifting the emphasis from tax breaks for large corporations to a lower sales tax rate would encourage local business to provide more services and set up shop in the area. The primary focus of financial policy proposed by Democratic candidates is economic growth and revival at the local level. Edwards outlined, “I believe in a model of economic development called community wealth building, articulated by the Democracy Collaborative, among other groups. One of its strategies is anchor-based procurement: asking anchor institutions—colleges, hospitals—to take the lead on buying local and supporting nearby See CANDIDATES on page 3
“Take a Knee” demonstration challenges our unjust nation
The Miscellany News
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October 5, 2017
Editor-in-Chief
Charlotte Varcoe-Wolfson
Senior Editor Noah Purdy
Contributing Editors Sarah Dolan Eilís Donohue Rhys Johnson Anika Lanser
News Laurel Hennen Vigil Humor and Satire Leah Cates Yesenia Garcia Arts Matt Stein Patrick Tanella Sports Mack Liederman Robert Pinataro Design Yoav Yaron Copy Tanya Kotru Gode Sumiko Neary Assistant News Clark Xu Assistant Features Laila Volpe Assistant Arts Sasha Gopalakrishnan Assistant Online Kayla Holliday Jackson Ingram Abby Lass Assistant Copy Claire Baker Assistant Social Media Hannah Nice Web Master & Technical Advisor George Witteman Courtesy of Tyler Boyle
Tyler Boyle ’19 took a photo of the bikes that lined a street in Amsterdam, not far from a metro stop. It’s the preferred method of travel in the city. To read more about Tyler’s exciting JYA experience and about other students’ travels, visit farandaway.miscellanynews.org!
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October
Thursday
Green Infrastructure Public Forum 8:00am | The Environmental Cooperative Barn Multi-Purpose Room | The Environmental Cooperative
Weekender_ 6
October
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Friday
October
Rugby Practice M/W
Saturday
Field Hockey (W) vs. William Smith
2:00pm | Rugby Field | Athletics
1:00pm | Weinberg Field | Athletics
Soccer (M) vs. Skidmore College
2:00pm | Gordon Competition Field | Athletics
Improv!
9:00pm | RH 300 | Improv
Volleyball (W) vs. Union College 4:00pm | Kenyon Hall Gym| Athletics
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October
Lacrosse (M) Showcase
8:00am | Weinberg Field | Athletics
Rugby (M) vs. Bard College
11:00am | Rugby Field | Athletics
Rugby (W) vs. University of Albany 2:00pm | Rugby Field | Athletics
Paper Critique
9:00pm | Rose Parlor | The Miscellany News Courtesy of Vassar College
Courtesy of Vassar College
Support the Environmental Cooperative by sharing your thoughts and engaging in a discussion on green infrastructure this Thursday at 8 a.m.
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Reporters Talya Phelps Kaitlin Prado Dylan Smith Columnists Izzy Braham Jimmy Christon Jesser Horowitz Steven Park Sylvan Perlmutter Andrew Solender Design Maya Sterling Copy Isabel Bielat Natalie Bober James Bonanno Gabriela Calderon Teddy Chmyz Jillian Frechette Anna Wiley Andrea Yang
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MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
CORRECTION POLICY The Miscellany News will only accept corrections for any misquotes, misrepresentations or factual errors for an article within the semester it is printed.
The Miscellany News is not responsible for the views presented within its Opinions pages. The weekly staff editorial is the only article which reflects the opinion of the Editorial Board.
October 5, 2017
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Democratic candidates call for change to local government CANDIDATES continued from page 1
Courtesy of Vassar College via Flickr
businesses. That’s a promising approach, and Vassar is well prepared to take a leading role.” Llaverias, a local paralegal, believes that social policies have been less prominent under the direction of Republican Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro and the two-thirds Republican majority in the county legislature. He reflected, “The reason that got me involved in politics was my community. I lost 23 friends to drugs. Being the kid who went to college, they came to me for answers and I didn’t have any. I’m very committed to my community. My brother is 10 years younger than I[am] and he’s losing friends as well ... The opiate epidemic, the drug epidemic is huge.” Putting everything in perspective, Edwards agreed, “Dutchess has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, with over 220 deaths in the past five years.” Rather than choosing community-based approaches to social problems, the local government has tended to focus on centralized institutional responses. For example, plans to expand correctional facilities have worried Democratic candidates like Brendli, a Poughkeepsie schoolteacher who described, “We have a very strong message on that. One of the things we [Democratic legislators] tried to do last term was reduce the size of the Dutchess County Jail. Because we represent seven Democrats in a group of 25, we didn’t win that battle, but we did look to right-size that discussion. We can’t stop construction, but we want to stop at state-mandated beds and nothing more. We don’t want to turn this into incarceration central.” Edwards considered other social concerns overlooked by local government and further explained, “We have a crisis in lack of affordable housing. The Republican county government has, in recent years, eliminated the consumer protection office and slashed youth programs, mental health support and other services. So it
Professor of History Rebecca Edwards is running for the District 6 seat in the Dutchess County legislature. Vassar students will vote in Districts 1, 6 and 8, depending on their dorm location. looks like there’s a great deal more local government could do.” In addition to policy, voter participation is a particular worry for elections this year. New York State already ranks 41st in terms of voter participation, and rates are typically even lower for off-years when state and local elections do not coincide with national elections. Carlos Espina ’20 arguedin an interview, “Voting in local elections is important because the reality is that many of the important decisions that affect us and daily lives are made at the local level.” Espina continued, “One way to convince your friends to vote is to inform them regarding what is at stake during elections and make sure they fully understand that if they do not vote then
they are essentially giving up their voice and lose their power in the process.” On Election Day, students in the Town Houses will vote as District 8; the Terrace Apartments, Cushing, Noyes and Ferry will vote as District 6; and the other residences will vote as District 1. The campus community at Vassar has both a political and an economic influence in local affairs. On the economic side, Edwards noted, “Vassar is a major local employer, and I think the College should strive to be the best employer it can be. We should make sure students, employees and alums continue to give back to the local community in all the ways we do and keep working to build stronger ties and better understanding between the college and the community.”
Edward’s decision to run for office emerged from the same spirit of engagement and active participation in building community. She observed, “I’ve been active in community organizations for a long time, and as many students know, that helps you learn what works and what doesn’t about local government ... Seeking ways to get involved, after the Women’s March, I heard over and over that what the Democrats need is candidates: people willing to step up and work hard. So after conversation with my family, that seemed to be the most effective way to make a difference.” Edwards added, “It’s been amazing to have students volunteer to get involved in the campaign, and it’s an honor to represent Vassar in the community. I hope also to share some of what I’m learning here on campus. Being a ‘newbie’ in politics at age 51 is humbling and also wonderfully educational.” From the perspective of a student volunteer in political campaigns, Espina agreed, “Back in Texas I helped with multiple campaigns ranging from presidential all the way down to city council. Going door-to-door and speaking with all kinds of people, you come to realize that it is hard to generalize and that every person has their own beliefs and interests when choosing who to vote for. This forces you to see voters, especially those who don’t agree with you, as individuals with real concerns that are often similar to yours.” Local politics for this reason can be highly complex. Commenting on the political balance in Dutchess County, Espina concluded, “In fact, it might come as a surprise to many that in the 2016 presidential election Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by only 464 votes in Dutchess County. 132,288 people voted in total ... Given that the elections for the County Legislator and other local positions are often decided by double-digit—and even single-digit—margins, it is important to realize that your vote will truly matter here.”
Students present summer research at URSI symposium Dylan Smith Reporter
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Courtesy of Elizabeth Bradley
n Wednesday, Sept. 27, Vassar students presented their faculty-advised research projects at the 2017 Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI) Symposium, the 22nd annual of its kind. It featured undergraduate research in fields such as anthropology, computer science and mathematics, as well as lab sciences like chemistry and biology. On Wednesday, students, parents and faculty crowded the Villard Room for the afternoon’s program to see the 45 projects on display. Dean of the Faculty Jon Chenette and Director of URSI David T. Carreon Bradley gave opening remarks. Next were three oral presentations from student researchers. URSI student-researchers worked for 10 weeks over the summer on their respective projects. Each individual or group of researchers teamed up with a member of Vassar faculty who oversaw their work, either in a science lab, in their office or in the field. Many of the student-researchers worked tirelessly, spending eight hours a day in the lab or field fine-tuning their hypotheses, expanding their theories or authoring academic papers. A few students presented their research to the entire audience. Kaya Deuser ’20 went first. Titled “Navigation Strategies of Autonomous Agents: How to Choose Your New Vacuum Cleaner,” Deuser’s research tackled issues of automation. In her presentation, she focused on the issues of automated vacuum cleaners, examining two distinct strategies of automation. Deuser worked closely with Professor of Computer Science Pavel Naumov on her research. Deuser and Naumov’s project was purely theoretical; unlike most URSI researchers, Deuser spent no time in the lab. “Rather than doing a standard nine-to-five shift, we spent about four hours a day just talking about the theory one-onone,” she said. “You can’t think about this stuff much longer than that.” Deuser added that staying focused was one of her biggest challenges. Deuser, however, had passion on her side. “I had no idea I had this interest before starting my research,” she said. “I wasn’t even a computer science major.” Deuser elaborated on how she fell
into her project, becoming Professor Naumov’s research assistant her first year at Vassar. Researching with Naumov helped her discover what turned out to be an incredible passion. “It feels so good to be working to solve a big problem ... It makes me feel good about the way I think and work.” Deuser and Naumov have since authored two papers together. She continues her research nine hours a week with Professor Naumov this semester and hopes to apply for summer research again next year. “URSI’s a great experience—you get to work on something you’re passionate about.” Kendal Foster ’18, Deanna Havey ’18 and Kamakshi Kanojia ’19 collaborated with Professor Benjamin Morin on their research project, “Investigation of the Transmission of Cholera through Water Networks.” Applying mathematical modeling to epidemiology, this project modeled the spread of cholera through water supplies in Kanojia’s native Nepal. Foster, Havey and Kanojia gave the second of the symposium’s formal presentations Wednesday. Havey, a biology major, was new to mathematical modelling when the project began. She was fortunate enough, however, to meet a professor whose passions intersected with her own. Professor Morin is a mathematician whose research focuses on modeling biological ecosystems. A mathematical framework was perfect for what the team wanted to study. Havey explained that they were interested in modeling the spread of cholera after Konjia told them about the devastating effects of cholera in her own country, Nepal, where outbreaks occur annually during monsoon season. “We examined the existing models and saw that there was a lot missing,” Havey said. Professor Morin taught them how to use the Susceptible, Infected and Recovered (SIR) modeling he specializes in. From there, they expanded the existing models, refining them into a series of equations, which helped them further understand the factors that help spread the disease. In addition to the research skills she learned through URSI, Havey spoke about the professional skills she garnered through her research as well. She said that URSI, over the last few years,
A student presents a poster on their summer research at the URSI Symposium. Forty-five students made posters, and several presented before the whole audience. has worked to build workshops into the program designed to teach student researchers how to better write and present their work. Havey, who also participated in URSI last summer, said she would definitely do it again if she could. “It’s a great place to build professional skills and do meaningful research,” she reflected. The third formal presentation of the evening was given by Cali Corbett ’18, Samarah Cook ’18, Eric Lee ’18 and Kenneth Lee ’18. Their presentation was called “Comparative Analysis of Steroid Mediated Neuroprotection,” and they undertook their research with the supervision of Assistant Professor of Biology Kelli Duncan and Professor of Psychology Kevin Holloway. The group’s research examined the effectiveness of steroids, such as estrogen, in mitigating brain cell death in the period following a penetrative brain injury. Following the formal research presentations, Michigan State University professor Robert T. Pennock gave his keynote address: “Curiosity and the Moral Character of Science.” Pennock reflect-
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
ed on five V’s—Vocation, Virtue, Veracity, Verification and Values—as essential to moral science. Pennock remarked that conversations regarding science have consciously shifted to take account of the essential process, rather than just the results of science. He acknowledged, however, that more should be done. “There’s one other piece,” Pennock said Wednesday. “We must consider not just product, or process, but the values [of science].” These values, Pennock argued, are often missing from STEM education. He emphasized the importance of teaching the more virtuous or philosophical aspects of science. Following Pennock’s address, attendees were given the opportunity to learn about the rest of the URSI projects through informal presentations and corresponding posters, which were set up throughout the second floor of the College Center. After the symposium, faculty, family and guests gathered in the Aula for dinner to celebrate the rigorous research and incredible accomplishment of Vassar’s student researchers.
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October 5, 2017
Charlottesville panel features West Point professor Laila Volpe
Assistant Features Editor
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West Point Professor of History Ty Seidule spoke at Vassar last Thursday on Charlottesville. flags surrounded him; he started his service in the U.S. Army surrounded by enemy flags. Seidule stated, “Ironically, that oath that I took... is an anti-Confederate oath written in 1863 at a time when Confederate spies and sympathizers worried Congress. That oath has been a guiding force in my life.” He discussed a crowning idea he believed as a child, the “lost cause of the Confederacy” myth. He explained how the South seceded and started a war to protect the institution of slavery but, after failing, the South spread the “Lost Cause” myth. Now, according to him, possibly as many as 40 percent of Americans don’t believe that the secession was a result of white supremacy and a desire to protect slavery. Seidule picked some common arguments and knocked them down. For example, “Slavery would have died out naturally in a few years. No. The price of slaves was at an all-time high in 1860.” The one theorythat held the most weight for him was that Robert E. Lee was a gentleman
and the greatest military commander in history. However, Lee left West Point to fight for the Confederacy, and he even wrote to oppose Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Seidule referenced a previous cadet, stating, “[David Blythe said] the Civil War is like a sleeping dragon. If you poke it hard enough it will raise its head and breathe fire.” He discussed the Confederate monuments at West Point, explaining, “Confederate monuments at West Point had two purposes: One, bring white America back together again, and two, protest against integration and equal rights.” For example, the year the only African-American cadet, Benjamin O’Davis, graduated from West Point in the 20th century, West Point named a major road, gate and housing area after Lee. Seidule also referenced 1971, when President Richard Nixon came to visit. Nixon asked the superintendent why there were no Confederate monuments, and the superintendent responded that at West Point they memorialize only those who fight for the country, not those who fight against it. Nixon demanded that a Confederate monument be built, and the superintendent notified a group of Black cadets, who organized to create a manifesto and protest the White House, which finally caved and voted to stop the production of the monument. Seidule impressed, “America’s great chain, slavery and segregation, demand a reckoning. Not only at West Point but from sea to shining sea. And the only way to do that is to confront the past as you are doing here at Vassar, confront it head on. We must discover our personal history, our institutional history, our American history.” There will be two other lectures taking place on Oct. 17 and Nov. 9 that will discuss the history and memory in the United States, as well as other countries, as a result of the unrest in Charlottesville. As Siedule concluded, “A true education demands that you challenge your myths, your identity. Go find your dangerous history. Go tell the ruthless truth. Go slay some dragons.”
Border Wall, Look to California,” 09.27.17). The State Department withdrew staffers from the American Embassy in Havana on Sept. 29 after suspected attacks, possibly with some kind of sonic weapon, caused mysterious symptoms in 21 diplomats (The New York Times, “Illnesses at U.S. Embassy in Havana Prompt Evacuation of More Diplomats,” 09.29.17). Health Secretary Tom Price resigned on Sept. 29 amid outrage over bills of at least $400,000 for chartered flights, for which he had offered to partially reimburse the government (The New York Times, “Health Secretary Tom Price Resigns After Drawing Ire for Chartered Flights,” 09.29.17). In our backyard... The Poughkeepsie City School District was named one of 26 recipients of the Empire State After-School Program grant, consisting of $1.4 million for the district spread out over five years. The grant comes after the district’s loss of a $1.2 million annual 21st-Century Community Learning Centers grant that funded out-ofschool programming for students. Applications for the Empire grant were open to any district with a child poverty rate over 30 percent; Poughkeepsie’s rate was 75 percent. The district’s proposed after-school programming will serve 1,000 students and 145 parents (Poughkeepsie Journal, “73 Poughkeepsie schools to get $1.4 million grant,” 09.29.17). Dutchess County legislator Joe Incoronato is temporarily safe from censure prompted by his controversial remarks this summer on sexual assault. After receiving a letter of apology from Incoronato, Legislature Chairman Dale Borchert canceled the October vote but acknowledged that the legislature could choose to censure in the future (Poughkeepsie Journal, “Dutchess County: Legislature won’t vote on Incoronato censure in October,” 09.29.17). A report from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on Sept. 26 found that Poughkeepsie ranks ninth out of 27 New York communities identified as being fiscally stressed, based on financial indicators including cash on hand, operating deficits (Poughkeepsie’s deficit is around $12.5 million) and local
Courtesy of Wikipedia
In this week’s headlines... On Sept. 27, pointing to goals of economic growth, the Trump administration unveiled its proposed tax overhaul, which would slash corporate tax rates, implement a lower rate for “pass-through” businesses that are now taxed at the rate of their owners and benefit the wealthy by eliminating the estate tax and alternative minimum tax (The New York Times, “Trump Proposes the Most Sweeping Tax Overhaul in Decades,” 09.27.17). The Senate Budget Committee put forth a budget resolution on Sept. 29 that opens the door for Republicans to approve Trump’s tax bill using special budget rules that prevent a Democratic filibuster (The New York Times, “Senate Unveils Budget Blueprint Allowing $1.5 Trillion in Tax Cuts,” 09.29.17). “We’re dying here,” said Mayor of San Juan Carmen Yulín Cruz, who appeared on CNN on Sept. 29 and criticized Trump’s slow response to the devastation in Puerto Rico caused by Hurricane Maria. Trump fired back on Twitter, condemning Cruz for “poor leadership” (The New York Times, “Trump Lashes Out at Puerto Rico Mayor Who Criticized Storm Response,” 09.30.17). Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson admitted on Sept. 30 that the U.S. is in direct conversation with the North Korean government, citing a long-term goal of complete denuclearization (The New York Times, “U.S. in Direct Communication With North Korea, Says Tillerson,” 09.30.17). Work has begun on eight prototypes for Trump’s proposed border wall in San Diego, CA (The New York Times, “For a Preview of the
Courtesy of Hannah Benton
he name “Charlottesville” still prompts memories of racism, the Confederacy and the alt-right. On Saturday, Aug. 11, a group of white nationalists banded together for a “Unite the Right” march in Charlottesville, VA, to protest the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue, the Confederate general. During counterprotests, a car drove into the crowd, killing one woman and injuring others. On Thursday, Sept. 28, Vassar’s Black Students Union (BSU) held the first of three events intended to start a dialogue. As the press for the event stated, “‘History and Memory after Charlottesville’ is a series of informative and engaging conversations which will explore the ways that the U.S. and other countries are dealing with or are failing to address past injustices, wars, and conflicts in the wake of recent events in Charlottesville, VA.” BSU invited West Point Professor and Head of History Department Colonel Ty Seidule to speak about his experience with the issue of the Confederacy and his take on it as a historian. Students and citizens of Poughkeepsie and the larger Mid-Hudson area came to hear him. Livia Bartels ’20 heard about the event through a Vassar History Department email and had heard great things about the West Point colonel. BSU member Amanda Herring ’21 went to learn about the topic and hear from Seidule, stating, “I just want to be better informed and know more about what he has to say.” Senior History Department academic intern and BSU Vice President Maya Sudarkasa ’18, the event organizer, introduced the topic of the lecture, stating, “History and memory after Charlottesville is, as its name suggests, a number of important and pressing conversations related to the recent racist display of hatred in Charlottesville.” She went on to discuss how having difficult conversations such as these allow reflection, adding, “Thinking about the nature of history with a capital H, sometimes topics and issues
fall through the cracks, stories are left untold and moments fall into silence, and so [in] bringing this issue to light, we are doing justice to a much more larger encompassing subject that ultimately affects all of us in our understanding of national identity.” Sudarkasa then presented Colonel Seidule, who has been coming to Vassar for years as part of the Vassar-West Point Initiative, an effort to bridge the gap between the military and civilians. Seidule opened with lighthearted banter, urging all first-years to major in history, stating that the skills historians learn can be used in any field, and describing how his lecture would be equal parts autobiography and history. He repeated the words of a colleague, asking, “Why would a southern, middle aged, white army officer who is not an academy graduate write about [Confederate memory and African-American history]? It turns out [people] care.” Seidule outlined the themes of his talk, stating that we should address myths and identity, that the truth is ruthless and that we can confront the past honestly, survive and thrive. He explained how he had three different identities, as a southerner, as a soldier and as a scholar. As a writer who covers the Confederacy and African-American history as well as a citizen of Virginia, Seidule’s life is intertwined with this subject and, more specifically, with General Robert E. Lee. Seidule was born in Alexandria, VA 99 years after Lee ordered the attack on Cemetery Hill and grew up learning about war hero Robert E. Lee. He attended Robert E. Lee Elementary School and later went to Washington and Lee University. He explained how strange occurrences happened around him, yet he didn’t notice; he cited the last mass lynching in 1946, which took place in Georgia, his university state, and a lynching carried out by the KKK during his spring break. When Seidule took the oath of office as an army officer in 1984 pledging to serve and defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, in Lee Chapel, confederate
Many liberals hope that Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), an outspoken critic of Trump, might run for president in 2020, but thus far she’s denied such rumors economies (Poughkeepsie Journal, “Poughkeepsie ranks high for fiscal stress,” 09.27.17). Spotlight on 2020 hopefuls... Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) The first member of her family to graduate college, Warren began her political career in 1995 as chief advisor of the National Bankruptcy Review Commission, where she used her research and career experience in bankruptcy law to testify against congressional efforts to limit consumers’ ability to file for bankruptcy. In 2008, Warren became chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel, which monitored bank bailouts. Under President Barack Obama, she helped creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as part of the Dodd-Frank financial reform, aiming to improve financial transparency and protect consumers from the kind of risky loans that precipitated the 2008 mortgage crisis. Since becoming the first female senator from
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Massachusetts, Warren has continued her work with Dodd-Frank as a member of the Senate Banking Committee, advocated for financial transparency in government legal cases, steered her party as Strategic Advisor of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, pushed to fill the empty Supreme Court seat left by the late Antonin Scalia and supported Hillary Clinton on the 2016 campaign trail. An outspoken critic of Trump, Warren marched in the Boston Women’s March for America after his inauguration, decried his travel ban and spoke out against his Cabinet nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) (Biography, “Elizabeth Warren”). Asked recently about the possibility of a 2020 Presidential bid, Warren opined, “We need to focus on the fights in front of us,” adding, “I am not running for president, I’m doing my work” (CBS Boston, “Sen. Warren: ‘I Am Not Running For President,’” 08.04.17).
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News Briefs Saudi women gain the right to drive
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n Sept. 26, the government of Saudi Arabia publicly announced that women in the kingdom will soon be allowed to drive. The gender-based driving ban will officially be lifted by June 24, 2018 (BBC, “Saudi Arabia: Why weren’t women allowed to drive?,” 09.27.2017). While there was no official law that prohibited women from driving, only men could be issued licenses and thus drive legally. Saudi Arabian women have been publicly asking for the right to drive since 1990, the year of the first protest against the gender-based ban. This first demonstration included 47 women who protested by driving around the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Multiple women were arrested and lost their jobs as a result. In response to the new ruling, Fawziah al-Bakr, a female university professor who participated in the first protest 27 years ago, stated, “[S]ince that day, Saudi women have been asking for the right to drive, and finally it arrived” (New York Times, “Saudi Arabia Agrees to Let Women Drive,” 09.26.2017). While the new ruling is a step toward increasing women’s rights, the primary reason for lifting the ban was economic. Saudi Arabian officials believe that permitting women to drive might increase their participation in the workforce, thus benefitting the economy. Women currently spend a large portion of their salaries on drivers to and from their jobs, limiting their involvement in the workforce. The driving ban is intertwined with Wahhabism, a very strict form of Islam prominent in Saudi Arabia, which states that men and women should be separate and that women must keep themselves covered. Multiple explanations for the ban have been offered by government officials and Saudi clergy, such as that allowing women to drive would lead to promiscuity and thus greatly harm the traditional family structure. Additionally, the driving ban may have resulted from an extension of the law that forced every woman to have a male guardian, often her husband. Some argued that women did not need to drive because she was not allowed to travel without permission from her guardian, who would drive her (The New York Times, “Saudi Arabia Agrees to Let Women Drive,” 09.26.2017). Up to this point, Saudi Arabia was the only nation that still barred women from driving. Despite the new legislation, the conservative culture continues to dominate the kingdom, and there remain many other restrictions on Saudi women. Perhaps most notably, women in the nation are still required to have male guardians to make critical decisions for them. These include granting permission to leave prison, travel, get married or divorced, open a bank account, work or even have certain surgeries. In many cases, women must also pay their male guardians for traveling or working privileges (Human Rights Watch, “Boxed In: Women and Saudi Arabia’s Male Guardianship System,” 07.16.2016). It is not yet certain how the right to drive will impact these restrictions. —Pazit Schrecker, Guest Reporter
Trump proposes new tax plan
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ast Wednesday, Sept. 27, President Trump announced a new tax plan focusing on slashing tax rates for the wealthy. Republicans believe the change on tax policy would bring an economic growth, while experts are doubtful and want more clarifications. The major changes in tax plan are: 1) There will be no estate tax and alternative minimum tax. 2) Corporate tax will be reduced from 35 percent to 20 percent. 3) Top individual income tax will decrease from 39.5 percent to 35 percent. 4) Taxes on invested income will be cut down. Through these changes, Trump is looking forward to more investment, economic growth and prosperity (The New York Times, “Trump Tax Plan Benefits Wealthy, Including Trump,” 09.27.2017). The White House and the GOP are planning to pass the new tax policy by the end of the year. In order to pass the legislation, they need to obtain at least 60 votes for consent from the Senate (The Washington Post, “GOP Proposes Deep Tax Cuts, Provides Few Details on How to Pay for Them,” 09.27.2017). However, the negotiation between Republicans and Democrats does not seem easy. Indeed, a lot of experts, including many Democrats, are skeptical about the new tax plan. The one big concern they all express is that President Trump has left so many unanswered questions and failed to assure the credibility of the plan. First, it is evident that the new policy would benefit only the top one percent of the wealth and give nothing to the bottom 99 percent. All the taxes which will be reduced—estate tax, alternative minimum tax, and corporate tax, etc.—are relevant only to the wealthy. Moreover, the research reveals that, with the new tax plan, the top one percent would receive 50 percent more on total tax benefit, while the bottom 95 percent would only get a tax cut of average 0.5 to 1.2 percent (Reuters, “Rich Would Benefit Most from Trump Tax Cut Plan: Policy Group,” 09.29.2017). Trump did not even propose a tax relief such as payroll tax and earned income tax credit for low income families. (The New York Times, “Trump Tax Plan Benefits Wealthy, Including Trump,” 09.27.2017) Experts warned that this uneven tax relief would exacerbate the gap between the rich and poor. Law professor at New York University and deputy director of President Obama’s National Economic Council Lily Batchelder said, “In broad brush strokes they’re doing nothing for the bottom 35 percent, they’re doing very little and possibly raising taxes on the middle class, and they’ve specified tax cuts for the wealthy” (The New York Times, “Trump Tax Plan Benefits Wealthy, Including Trump,” 9.27.2017). Robert C. Packard trustee chair in law and professor of law, economics, and political science at the University of Southern California Edward J. McCaffery asked, “Is it really fair that millions of working parents, single and otherwise, should see their taxes increase to help finance a massive tax cut for hundreds of
multi-millionaire morons?” (CNN, “Trump’s Massive Tax Cut—For the Rich,” 09.27.2017). The second argument against Trump’s new policy is that its uncertainty makes estimating impacts on the middle class difficult. Even though Trump proposed new tax brackets, he did not designate income thresholds. He also suggested substituting the current tax deduction for each dependent with a child tax credit. However, the administration did not clarify a dollar amount for that new credit. Therefore, all these ambiguities on the tax plan for the middle class imply an imperfection of the Trump’s new tax plan. (The New York Times, “Trump Tax Plan Benefits Wealthy, Including Trump,” 09.27.2017). Finally, Trump did not clearly explain how he is going to offset the loss of federal revenues caused by a tax deduction. The new tax plan would create $5.99 trillion in tax cuts, which eventually will reduce $2.4 trillion of federal revenues in the next 10 years. The reduction of federal revenues, experts believe, cannot avoid the growth of federal deficit which hampers the economic growth (Reuters, “Rich Would Benefit Most from Trump Tax Cut Plan: Policy Group,” 09.29.2017). Indeed, it would be a significant task for Trump and the Republicans to clarify the new tax plan in order to convince not only Democrats and experts but also all the people who will be under the new policy. —Youngju Chang, Guest Reporter EU summit agenda shifts
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two-day summit of the heads of state and governments of the European Union (EU) member states started with an informal dinner last Friday, Sept. 29, in Tallinn, Estonia. The EU Summit is a yearly meeting of the European Council, where the heads of state or government of each of the Member States come together. The central theme of the so-called Tallinn Digital Summit 2017 was digitalization, without which it is impossible to imagine the future of the EU. At least this was the official agenda for the summit created by Estonia, who is right now presiding over the EU Council. However, the past week has seen the unfolding of the two big events, which have a possibility of strongly influencing future of EU. This will decisively shift the discussion of the Tallinn summit. It might happen that in the end the digitalization, supposedly to be at the center of a debate, will present only a framework for the wider discussion of the future of EU. Reportedly, even before the summit, European Council President Donald Tusk tried to set at least an approximate framework for debate. The central topics of last year’s summit in Bratislava, which was also the first summit without the UK, were migration, security and economic and social issues (Consilium, “Letter from President Donald Tusk to EU leaders ahead of their informal dinner in Tallinn,” 09.21.2017) However, due to the events of the past week, we can expect drastically different looking agenda. The first event that will shape the debate at
the EU Summit is the recent German federal parliamentary elections. Many European leaders are wondering how the German Chancellor Angela Merkel intends to form a new government and how will this new power equilibrium in one of the most powerful EU countries will influence the future of Europe. Although Merkel won Sunday’s Bundestag elections, her conservative union lost a lot of votes at the expense of the nationalist party Alternative for Germany. These will be the hardest negotiations yet on building a new government and on EU policy for the German chancellor. The only real possibility for the future coalition is the liberal FDP (Freie Demokraten), which rejects any measures that could be understood as a transfer of budget money into the eurozone. Especially worrying is also the relatively rapid rise of the far-right party Alternative for Germany and the allocation of nearly 100 seats to its members in the German Federal Parliament. That the rise of the far right party has caused a wave of worry all across Europe is evident from a number of letters received by German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, which urged him for an explanation of the recent events. Many find it very worrying that in Germany, which is the leading EU country, and where its dark nationalistic past still hasn’t been forgotten, the third strongest political force coming out of elections is a party whose leader said between other controversial comments that “Germans should be proud of what their soldiers achieved during the first and second world wars” (The Guardian, “AfD co-founder says Germans should be proud of its second world war soldiers,” 09.24.2017). The second event influencing the debate in Tallinn is a set of reforms proposed by French president Emanuel Macron. In a speech at the Sorbonne in Paris last Tuesday, the French president outlined a list of European reforms that would lead to closer European integration and with that more connected and in all respects a more efficient and stronger European Union. According to The New York Times, his proposals included common European asylum agency and border police and a eurozone finance minister responsible to the European Parliament and a European Monetary Fund to aid member states facing financial trouble. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s only response was through her spokesman, who said on Thursday that “the chancellor welcomes the French president delivering a speech with so much verve and passion for Europe,” but that it was “too early for a detailed appraisal of the proposals” (The New York Times, “Emmanuel Macron’s Lofty Vision for Europe Gets Mixed Reviews,” 09.28.2017). With the newfound anti-EU political climate in Germany and suddenly increased French leadership in EU integration, the issue of the German reaction to President Macron’s reforms will certainly overshadow the initial agenda of digitalization that was set by Estonian leadership for the Tallinn 2017 Summit. —Marusa Rus, Guest Reporter
Updates from the VSA Committees — The Organizations Committee will start compiling a list of possible orgs to audit (about 10 percent of the orgs on campus). They will begin by looking at orgs that have been “dead” and have no budgets or contact info and those that have not been complying with expectations (SAVP training, treasurer training, etc.). — The Concert Committee interest meeting happened last week. This will likely be held every Wednesday. They talked about possible artists to bring and divided the group into: Music, Logistics, and Publicity. They hope to have a lot of outreach to surrounding colleges and community.
— Kevin Arce ’20 is working on the FirstYear Programming Committee and is coming up with a meeting time and ideas for programming. If you are a first-year and are interested in being on the committee email: karce[at]vassar.edu Reaccreditation — Vassar is currently going through the reaccreditation process, which includes a structured self-study around four outcomes, include to analyze the quality and effectiveness of programs that support the success of a diverse student body and develop recommendations to integrate effective practices around the College, to identify ways to integrate the
new open learning option curriculum and cross-interdisciplinary programs and to analyze whether current organizational structure and development of financial resources aligns with Vassar’s goals. Are we using things responsibly? Forum with Dean Roellke — The VSA had a forum with Dean of the College Chris Roellke in Senate on Sunday. Some of the topics discussed were: - Dining Working conditions: Six chef helpers and one assistant chef full-time positions have been posted. The response by Human Resources to concerns has been acceptable and uniforms by Bon Appétit have been improved, as they were previously uncomfort-
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able. - Search for new head of Transitions - Issues with and possible solutions for the Office of Accessibility - Official statement on affinity spaces, coming soon from President Bradley - Bias incident reports, what determines when they get sent out to the students Miscellaneous Updates — Gender neutral bathroom signs are up in the ACDC! — Workday training will be held after October break! —Sarah Jane Muder, General VSA Intern
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Getting the dirt on what ‘locally sourced’ truly means FARM continued from page 1
absolutely a goal. Particularly if we want to be carbon neutral by 2030, we think this is a big piece of the puzzle,” said Dean of the College Chris Roellke. “[Renovating the dining hall and switching food service providers] is the single greatest investment we’ve made to improve college life on campus, and we are really excited about it.” Though most students agree that the food quality has improved, the changes at the ACDC were not well-regarded by everyone. As The Miscellany News has previously reported, there have been numerous accounts of understaffing and mistreatment of workers. On Sept. 15, Student/Labor Dialogue led hundreds of students in a rally at the ACDC and requested a plan for improving these conditions from the College administration and Bon Appétit managers by Sept. 22—a request that so far has gone unanswered. “I know we’ve got stuff to work on,” Roellke acknowledged. “But we are really headed toward something special.” And, at least in terms of the Eat Local Challenge, special it was. Each year, the challenge focuses on a different goal. This year’s was to highlight an ingredient—young ginger, in Vassar’s case—that most people don’t know is grown nearby. Aside from a few non-local staples such as sugar, salt and flour, the meal featured roast turkey with husk cherry chutney, sautéed zucchini and roasted gold and purple potatoes, a patty pan and broccoli rabe sauté with young ginger, field garlic and herbs, sundried-tomato-and-chive and basil-garlic cheese curds, vanilla ice cream, apple crisp, apple cider and apple cider donuts. The 16 local ingredients from 11 different farms traveled an average of 47 miles to reach the ACDC kitchen. For most of human history, the vast majority of food had to be sourced locally. But with the rise of fuel-powered transportation, refrigeration and preservatives, we became distanced from our food’s origins, both physically and mentally. The modern farm-to-fork movement, also known as farm-to-table, began in the 1970s, with legendary Berkeley, CA eatery Chez Panisse becoming one of the first restaurants to champion local ingredients on its menu. Aside from enjoying better-tasting products and supporting smaller, family-run farms, farm-totable proponents point out that eating food that’s produced locally helps the environment; conventional food distribution emits five to 17 times the amount of carbon dioxide that local or regional food distribution does (Worldwatch Institute, “Is Local Food Better?,” 06.2009). But as farm-to-table has become increasingly popular—even ubiquitous—over the last decade, critics have asserted that it’s overblown, now little more than an inauthentic marketing ploy. “Don’t be fooled by the word ‘local,’” cautioned Martin Stosiek, who co-owns Hillsdale, NY’s Markristo Farm, which supplied the meal’s broccoli rabe. “Know exactly where it’s coming from because everybody uses ‘local’ now, and they can actually mean 500 miles or 1,000 miles. Don’t just think that the farm’s down the road, because it’s probably not.” In this case, however, several of the meal’s ingredients, including the young ginger, did come from down the road. They were grown by the Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP), to be exact. The PFP is located at the Vassar Farm and Ecological Preserve just one mile from the ACDC, where food was originally sourced for the dining hall over a century ago. At the Farm Vassar has had a farm for the entirety of its existence. It was previously located at the southern end of the main campus, but the College purchased several hundred additional acres and moved the enterprise across Hooker Avenue to its current location at the turn of the 20th century, so the cows’ mooing would not disturb services at the newly constructed Chapel (Vassar College Encyclopedia, “The Vassar Farm and Ecological Preserve,” 2008). For the next half-century, the Farm would produce a good deal of the vegetables and dairy students here ate. During World War I, student “farmerettes” milked cows and plowed fields for 17.5 cents an hour (about $3.34 today). However, in the 1950s, the College ceased its farming operation and started purchasing all food commercially, believing that the Farm was diverting resources from classroom education. The land sat fallow for the next several decades, though 275 acres—today 416—were set aside in 1976 as an ecological pre-
serve. (Vassar College Encyclopedia, “The Vassar Farm and Ecological Preserve,” 2008). A CSA Grows In 1999, the nonprofit Poughkeepsie Farm Project was established, leasing three acres from Vassar to start a community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm. A CSA is largely financed by community members who pay a subscription fee for a weekly share of seasonal produce. Since its inception, the PFP CSA has grown from about 70 members to 500, including many Vassar faculty and staff. A century after the farmerettes, many Vassar students still work at the Farm, earning field work credit for their labor. “I do everything from farming to working with [local] schools and teaching the kids about cooking and healthy eating,” said PFP Education Intern Sevine Clarey ’20. The land the PFP cultivates has grown as well, now encompassing about 15 acres, with a 25-year lease negotiated in 2015. “A farm our size could be much more profitable if we chose to grow just one or two crops and sell those to a larger distributor,” said PFP Wholesale Coordinator Lauren Kaplan, continuing, “But it’s not as healthy for the soil, and it doesn’t involve the community the way a diversified farm and CSA model does.” Though the PFP considers its CSA members its main responsibility, it hopes to strengthen its partnership with Vassar and is open to growing specific crops that Bon Appétit wants to use. “We know that Chef Carmen and the team at Bon Appétit are very dedicated to trying to source as much locally as possible,” said Kaplan. “We are optimistic that we’ll be providing a significant amount of produce to Vassar in the coming months.” In order to provide a variety of products for its members, the PFP grows dozens of crops, including kale, spinach, arugula, lettuce, bok choy, tomatoes, eggplants, cucumber, zucchini, popping corn, potatoes, carrots, beets, watermelon, raspberries, radishes, Swiss chard, turnips and flowers. Across the street from Vassar’s South Parking Lot, beyond a field of tall grasses and wildflowers ringed by woods, past Casperkill Creek and several old-fashioned red wooden barns, these crops grow, with neat rows of golden corn stalks and burgundy and emerald salad greens interspersed with cheerful flower patches. The Farm, along with Vassar’s adjacent rugby field, is surrounded by the untamed forests of the Ecological Preserve. This is the first year the PFP has grown ginger, which, in New York’s climate, can only be cultivated in the Farm’s greenhouse-like “hoop houses,” which Vassar paid for about a year ago in preparation for the new dining plan. A slow-growing, low-yield root plant that the PFP imported from Hawaii, ginger is an extremely expensive crop and is often only economically feasible with a guaranteed buyer. While mature ginger is fibrous and is usually dried for tea or seasoning, young ginger, which is frequently pickled and served with sushi, has a mild, fresh taste. Local Farms, Cultivated Flavor For the Eat Local Challenge, the ginger was sautéed with broccoli rabe, patty pan squash and field garlic, the latter two of which were grown at Hepworth Farms, 10 miles away on the western banks of the Hudson. Originally founded in 1818, the 400-acre farm has been family-owned for seven generations. For almost 200 years, it grew mostly apples, until current owner Amy Hepworth took over in 1982 and decided to diversify. Today, Hepworth Farms grows over 400 crops and is a favorite of the Brooklyn food co-op scene. Patty pan is a variety of summer squash. It grows in a range of hues, from ghostly white to bright yellow to deep green and is round and flat, resembling a saucer with scalloped edges. The squash is harvested when it’s still quite small and so is grown four or five times each season at Hepworth Farms, according to Paul Alward, co-founder of Hudson Valley Harvest, a local food distributor through which Vassar purchases Hepworth produce. Field garlic is a type of wild garlic that grows in small bunches. Like all crops at Hepworth Farms—and the vast majority used in this meal—both the squash and garlic are organic. The broccoli rabe came from Markristo Farm, about 50 miles northeast, near the New York-Massachusetts border. The farm—actually two plots of land, the nine acre “home farm” and 28 leased acres three miles away—is surrounded by forests, rolling hills and pasturelands, much of which is used by the many dairy farms in the area. Both tracts of land run along the Roeliff Jansen Kill creek, a major tributary of the Hudson. The farm
From top to bottom: a hoop house and crops at the Poughkeepsie Farm Project, turkey roasting in the ACDC oven and husk cherry chutney in the ACDC tilt skillet. grows various greens for cooking and salad, which benefit from being cultivated near a natural water source for easy irrigation. Broccoli rabe, or rapini, is related to the broccoli you’re used to seeing at the supermarket, but doesn’t have many similarities. It’s a slightly bitter cooking green often used in Italian, Portuguese and Spanish cuisine. Rabe is a fairly labor-intensive crop, as it’s frequently attacked by flea beetles in the spring and summer and so has to be covered with reemay cloth, a polyester fabric used in farming to protect crops from insects, cold and wind. Despite this, Stosiek said, the time from seed to harvest is only about six weeks, fast-growing enough to offset the cost of its labor intensity. The meal’s main dish, roasted turkey breast, was purchased from Murray’s Chicken, 65 miles west of Vassar in South Fallsburg, NY. But the turkeys were actually raised at one of the family farms for which Murray’s acts as a distributor, Koch’s Turkey Farm, located 150 miles southwest of Poughkeepsie in the Lewistown Valley borough of Tamaqua, PA on the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains. Three generations ago, in 1939, Roscoe and Emma Koch began raising turkeys on their land, and their son Lowell and daughter-in-law Elizabeth officially founded Koch’s Turkey Farm in
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
1953. In the ensuing 64 years, the operation has grown from two turkey houses to 45, as well as a hatchery and an all-natural feed mill, and it now raises over 800,000 turkeys annually. The farm remains family-run and is Certified Humane and free range. “We are proud to be the only turkey processor of this size to be Certified Humane,” said Operations Manager Matthew Andescavage. Soon after the turkeys hatch, they’re moved from the hatchery to the turkey houses, where they grow to adulthood, freely roaming the barns and venturing outside when the weather allows. The turkeys are fed an antibiotic- and growth hormone-free vegetarian diet of corn and soybeans. The husk cherries used in the chutney that accompanied the turkey were grown at Black Horse Farms, about 55 miles upriver from Vassar in Athens, NY. The farm was started in the early 1970s by the parents of the current owners, Chellie Zimmermann Apa and Lisa Zimmermann Buhrmaster. Off of Route 9W, the farm is centered around two ponds, one for irrigation and one by the elder Zimmermanns’ house, as well as an old cow barn, a warehouse and 38 greenhouses, all surrounded by hundreds of acres of fields. Like the Poughkeepsie Farm Project, Black Horse Farms is a CSA and grows a variety of produce. Right now, it’s focusing on fall crops, such as
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*All photos taken by Laurel Hennen Vigil/The Miscellany News
From top to bottom: young ginger growing in a Poughkeepsie Farm Project hoop house, a basket of husk cherries and an ACDC table decorated for the Eat Local Challenge. gourds, pumpkins, corn and green beans. The husk cherries are grown at Zimmermann Buhrmaster’s husband’s farm down the road from the main farm, which produces much of the company’s fruit. Husk cherries are closely related to the tomatillo, also known as the Mexican husk tomato, and they are similarly covered by a paper-like husk that must be sloughed off before cooking. They grow on vines like tomatoes, rather than in trees like true cherries, and they fall to the ground when ripe, giving the crop its other name, ground cherry. They’re known among farmers and chefs to be a polarizing crop—“It’s one of those things you either love or hate,” Zimmermann Buhrmaster explained—and can thus be difficult to sell if a customer isn’t familiar with them. The chutney was also made with onions from the Poughkeepsie Farm Project. The dish’s accompanying zucchini came from Hepworth Farms, and the purple and gold potatoes from the PFP. One hundred and thirty miles north of Vassar, in the foothills at the base of the rugged Adirondack Mountains, sits Argyle Cheese Farmer, from which the ACDC procured the Eat Local Challenge’s cheese curds. Co-owner Dave Randles’ family has farmed on the same land—now 225 acres—for four generations, since 1860. For most of that time, the farm produced milk, but about 14
years ago Randles and his wife Marge began looking for ways to make the dairy farm more profitable and settled on cheese making. With their 60 cows, they now also produce yogurt and buttermilk, but no longer sell regular milk. “When we started making cheese curds, we discovered that we had a lot of education to do,” said Marge Randles. Though cheese curds have an extensive history in the northeast and are a staple in Quebec, they’re much better known (and frequently consumed) in the Midwest. The curds are essentially a form of fresh, non-aged cheddar cheese, she explained. They take about 16 hours to make, from milk collection through pasteurization, curdling, salting and seasoning. The Randleses produce curds in five flavors, two of which—basil-garlic and sundried-tomato-and-chive—were featured at the Eat Local meal last Tuesday. For dessert, the ACDC served vanilla ice cream from Ronnybrook Farm Dairy, a longtime Vassar vendor that has provided much of the dining hall’s milk for the last decade. Situated on 750 acres of rolling hills 30 miles northeast of Poughkeepsie in Ancramdale, NY, the farm was started by the current owners’ grandfather. After solely producing milk for several decades, in 1991 it began making other dairy products like ice cream, butter and yogurt and selling them at Manhattan’s Union
Square Greenmarket. “[This] area had changed so much,” said co-owner Ronald “Ronny” Osofsky. “All these people were moving up from the city and buying up the land. Farms were going out of business, so we wanted to do something to take advantage of the nostalgia [for old-fashioned, simple dairy products] and the fact that we’re close enough to New York City to have a good market.” 26 years later, Ronnybrook continues to sell its wares in Union Square several times a week and at the Chelsea Market store Creamline. Back at the farm, the rich, smooth Hudson Valley Vanilla ice cream is made in small batches with whole milk, cream and skim milk from Ronnybrook’s 100 cows, as well as vanilla extract and guar gum and carrageenan, thickening and stabilizing agents. Accompanying the ice cream was warm apple crisp made with Paula red apples from Yonder Farms, a 600-acre orchard 60 miles north of Vassar in Valatie, NY. Paula reds are an early variety of McIntosh apples that are quite versatile and suitable for cooking, baking or simply eating, according to owner Susan Chiaro. In the Catskill Mountains, 65 miles northwest of Poughkeepsie, in a valley sandwiched between Slide Mountain Wilderness and Big Indian Wilderness, sits Oliverea Schoolhouse Maple, which produced the syrup baked with the apples in the crisp. Owner Herb Van Baren began selling maple syrup in 1994, originally tapping just 50 or 60 trees, and now tapping over 5,000. “Every year I keep making more maple syrup and every year I keep selling out,” he said with a laugh. “Which is a fine problem to have.” Though Van Baren sells his syrup year-round, it’s all produced between January and April. Each January, he walks through the steep wooded terrain of his property—2,000 acres, though it’s not all currently in use—with a portable electric drill. He drills a 5/16” hole an inch and a half into the maple trunks and uses a hammer to tap in a plastic spiel. For the next four months—or at least on the 30 or so days during that period that have the right combination of warmer days and freezing nights—maple sap pours out of the spiels and runs through a miles-long system of tubing to central collection points. Most of the days when there’s sap flow, he collects about a gallon of sap per tree, and maybe two or three on a really good day. After that, Van Baren drives the sap to his main processing building. During processing, he runs it through a reverse-osmosis machine, in which water can pass through a semi-permeable membrane, but sugar can’t, removing about 80 percent of the sap’s water content. The concentrated sap, which is then 10 percent sugar, is put into an evaporator and boiled until it’s 66 percent sugar—the legal requirement for maple syrup. The evaporator produces about 10 to 15 gallons of syrup each hour, which, once it reaches 218 degrees, is transferred to a 25-gallon stainless steel pot. Diatomaceous earth, a filtering aid, is mixed in, and the syrup is run through a filter press and stored in a 40-gallon steel drum. Throughout the year, Van Baren takes the syrup out of the drums, checks the sugar content and tastes it again, heats it to 180 degrees and finally bottles it for sale. Tuesday’s main course was augmented by a cider and donut station. The apple cider travelled 50 miles upstate from the Orchards of Concklin in Pomona, NY. “[This] is one of the oldest continuously family-run orchards in the country,” said Orchards of Concklin farm store manager Deborah Sweet. “It’s been in existence since 1712, and it’s been passed down in the same family since that time.” She explained that the Concklins emigrated from England 300 years ago, settled in Massachusetts, moved to Long Island and eventually took a king’s grant to settle the land where the Orchards stands today. Now comprising about 100 acres, the Orchards is currently owned by Richard Concklin and his nephew Scott Concklin Hill. The farm store sits at the corner of Route 45 and South Mountain Road, a narrow, winding country lane. Orchards and cornfields extend a half mile on either side of the store, and the property stretches far back from the road into a valley. From the back of the store the Ramapo Mountains are visible across the valley, in which double rainbows are a frequent sight. The cider is produced using a mix of apple varieties, usually fruit that is too small to sell on its own. The apples are put through a cider press, then strained to remove the seeds and skin. Next, the cider is run through an ultraviolet light filter,
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
which kills more germs than pasteurization and doesn’t affect flavor the way heat treatment does, according to Sweet. Unlike some other cider recipes, the Orchards uses only apples in its cider, with no additional ingredients. The accompanying apple cider donuts were baked right here in Poughkeepsie, about five miles from Vassar, at the Barton Orchards Farm Market and Bakery on Noxon Road (the orchard itself is located 15 miles from the College, in Poughquag, NY). Apple cider donuts, an autumn staple in the northeast, are cake donuts flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg and apple cider and rolled in sugar. The donuts, along with other treats, including more than a dozen kinds of pie, are made onsite at the bakery and market, a small storefront reminiscent of a rustic wooden barn, which also carries a selection of produce and groceries. In the Kitchen Back at the ACDC, preparation for the meal began on Monday, Sept. 25. Each husk cherry—11 large cardboard flats in all—had to be husked by hand. In between the lunch and dinner rushes, five or six cooks shared the task in the sweltering main kitchen behind the dining hall’s “Home” station. Even the cashiers pitched in, working their way through a container behind the front desk when they weren’t swiping students’ ID cards. While the cherry’s husks were removed, another cook used a Wedgemaster to slice 150 pounds of purple and gold potatoes and blanched the two varieties in different tubs of water, since purple potatoes’ bright violet interiors can inadvertently dye other foods. Cooking began shortly after dawn the next day. Not long after 7 a.m., while the rest of the campus was just stirring to life, the ACDC kitchen was already a blur of activity. Though the cooks say it’s small by commercial standards, to an outside observer, the stainless steel-outfitted room can seem daunting and chaotic, a dizzying, cacophonic whirl of hot steam and banging utensils and rushing people. No one moves slowly there. First, the 250 pounds of turkey breast—50 five-pounders—were removed from the walk-in refrigerator, seasoned and loaded into several industrial combination ovens, which use both steam and heat. The turkey was cooked at 300 degrees for a little over an hour, and then the temperature was cranked up to about 400 degrees for the last 15 to 20 minutes to ensure crispy, golden skin, while the steam kept the meat inside tender and juicy. The chutney was cooked in a 40-gallon tilt skillet, a large rectangular vat used in commercial cooking for braising, sautéing, broiling, roasting, boiling or frying. The cook, Mike, emptied two bottles of apple cider vinegar into the skillet, followed by diced onions, sugar, water, husk cherries and several handfuls of salt. The mixture was then cooked down for about 15 minutes and crushed with a potato masher. Once the chutney was almost ready, a pan of whole husk cherries was added for garnish. The vegetables—the potatoes, zucchini, squash, ginger, garlic and broccoli rabe—then took a turn in the tilt skillet to be sautéed, and several cases of the Paula red apples were peeled, cored, sliced, tossed with corn starch and maple syrup and baked with a crisp topping made from flour, sugar, cinnamon and butter. The cheese curds, ice cream, apple cider and donuts arrived at the ACDC ready made and simply had to be set out with the other food when lunchtime came. One of the dining tables was decorated with crates of apples, zucchini, ginger, tomatoes, leafy greens, empty cherry husks and flowers, as well as green paper cards with information on the ingredients used in the meal. Executive Chef Allen and other ACDC staff members stood by to answer questions. “I like that there’s a lot of variety and that it’s pretty balanced,” said Merrick Rubinstein ’21, as he dug into the roasted potatoes. “It’s a great initiative and a valiant effort to source more food locally for our meals.” All around him, students sat eating their lunch, perhaps considering its array of flavors or the general idea of localness, but largely unaware of the exact journey the elements of their meal had undergone. A journey of one mile, or 150, a voyage that may have begun weeks, or months or even years ago, from seed—or turkey egg or newborn calf—to field or barn, to truck, to loading dock, to kitchen, to serving counter and finally, to the plate in front of them. To see a map of farm locations and more photos, visit MiscellanyNews.org.
FEATURES
Page 8
October 5, 2017
To manage stress effectively, make health a priority. Abby Lass
(if you were wondering, those awkward minutes will take up less than one percent of your busy ctober break is just around the corner, and, day). for many of us, it seems that the transitionWith that being said, there is a difference al phase of the school year is just about over. between broadening your comfort zone and igSchedules are all but sorted out, auditions for noring your personal boundaries. Trying new various plays and musical groups have been things is always encouraged, but I promise that held and ostensibly everyone has settled into all our grandmas were right—you don’t have to their little niche of humanity. change who you are in order to find people to Except for the people who haven’t. have fun with. Whether you’re a first-year, a transfer student So go to a party even if you’re an introvert, or even a senior who is just trying for a fresh but don’t shame yourself for leaving after an start, a lot of us assumed that we’d have our lives hour so that you can illegally stream a Disney figured out by this time in the year—and a fair movie with your housemates. If you listen to portion were wrong. your needs and respect them as best you can, Our first tests did not go how we’d hoped you’ll be in a better mental, physical and emothey would, the circle of friends we made tional space to bond with others and get your during orientation is rapidly deteriorating and work done. we’re still unsure about how often to respond to The goal is always for you to find your own our moms’ texts. personal happiness, and your way of achieving If you’re in this position, even if you don’t it might change multiple times in a day, or even want to admit it, there’s something I’d like to say in the span of an hour. Don’t shame yourself for If you feel stressed out, try taking a study break to spend time with friends and be to you: it’s okay. Really. Because however long partying too much (or not enough) and ignore social. Bonding with others can improve your mental, emotional and physical health. the past month may have felt, it will, in the end, the little voice inside your head calling you a comprise a little less than four percent of your dork when you choose to spend an evening in years at Vassar (yes, I did the math). your room eating pasta and watching “Parks and So however hard or corny it might be, I hope Rec” before promptly falling asleep at the reaI Smell Ahour Ratof 9 p.m. Ben Costa that we can all use these moments of insecurity sonable as an exercise in self-kindness. I hope that we There will be plenty of nights to be wild and can remind ourselves and each other that we are sociable, so don’t be afraid to give yourself a not alone, however much we may feel like it, and pass every once in awhile. Spending time withDOWN 27. A watery castle wall ACROSS that sometimes these things just take time. yourself is worth it. 28. Wait for awhile 1. A magic number Now, I acknowledge that wishes and sentiI’m sorry if your first months of college, or1. Three tsp. mental platitudes can only get you so far, so I your first months back, were not everything 29. Sets up a program anew 6. Short-term office worker 2. Native American group from also have some challenges for you. For starters, you’d hoped they would be. I’m sorry if your 34. Aided by the rats of NIMH 10. Tortoise's runner-up look up. Take notice of the people around you, friends’ Instagram accounts make you feel likeArizona interact with them and then let those experiencyou’re doing something wrong, or if your fam36. King of the savannah 3. Colored and white hairs, on 14. Oafs es guide your decisions about your next step. ily’s academic expectations are causing you 37. A ballerina's skirt horses 15. Stepmothers, in fairy tales It can be a healthy exercise simply to notice stress. that no, you’re really not the only one sitting Know that you are strong and smart and4. A sea eagle 38. Choking mist 16. Prayer leader, in Islam alone at the Deece during breakfast; even so, loved, and that you will eventually find your 40. Hiddleston's alter ego 17. Wing I dare you to close that gap and ask if you can balance lengths and your bliss. Don’t worry, you got5. A paper for a class join someone new for a meal, even if you end 18. up Shiny this—youmineral just mightflakes need to put in a little extra6. Sometimes decidingsays to spend the night in snacks and binging Netflix, or 42.eating Angry, agitated "SOME RAT", Charlotte sitting there in awkward silence for 15 minutes effort to get there. simply taking a nap during the day to recharge, can improve your mood and health. Assistant Online Editor
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OPINIONS
Page 9
The Miscellany News Staff Editorial
U.S. response to Maria exemplifies neocolonial neglect
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n the past month, Hurricanes Irma and Maria have devastated Puerto Rico, leaving the island’s infrastructure in peril. The U.S. federal government and President Trump have perpetuated dangerous conditions in Puerto Rico by not adequately helping the island deal with the aftermath of the hurricane. Their response to the widespread damage exemplifies the neocolonial relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth under the 1950 Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, meaning that Puerto Ricans are American citizens but do not vote in presidential elections. Puerto Ricans have one representative in the House who can vote and serve on committees, but cannot vote on the House floor (The New York Times, “Puerto Rico: What Other Americans Should Know,” 09.25.2017). Yearly federal taxes from Puerto Rico add up to about $3 billion. The structural inequalities present in these laws likely do not weigh heavily on the minds of many Americans. This neocolonial relationship has provided justification for Trump to blame the 3.4 million Americans in Puerto Rico for the hurricanes’ damage while simultaneously providing aid more quickly and in greater amounts to the recent devastation in Texas and Florida. Instead, Trump criticized and reminded Puerto Rico of its outstanding debt of $115 billion dollars (Washington Post, “Puerto Rico is being treated like a colony after Hurricane Maria,” 09.26.2017). The current state of infrastructure, particularly electricity and water, is dire. The entire island relies on one government-owned power company, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). PREPA filed for bankruptcy in July with a debt of $9 billion, and admitted its infrastructure was “degraded and unsafe” (Reuters, “Puerto Rico power grid faces generational threat in Hurricane Maria,” 09.19.2017). PREPA charges far higher rates than power companies on the mainland United States, and its reluctance to increase already steep rates means that infrastructure fell into disrepair. After Hurricane
Irma, 70 percent of the population was without power (The New York Times, “Hurricane Maria Updates: In Puerto Rico, the Storm ‘Destroyed Us,’” 09.21.2017). After Hurricane Maria, 80 percent of the transmission grid is offline, meaning it will likely be four to six months before power is fully restored for the island (The New York Times, “Facing months in the dark, ordinary life in Puerto Rico is ‘beyond reach,’” 09.22.2017). More than one-third of wastewater treatment plants have been rendered useless by the hurricane, and raw sewage has entered the waterways (Environmental Protection Agency, “EPA Hurricane Maria Updates for Monday, October 2,” 10.02.2017). To make matters worse, most of the island’s water supply relies on electricity, and there is a scant supply of fuel to power generators (CNN, “Getting drinking water to more in Puerto Rico brings challenges,” 09.28.2017). The effects of a power loss are compounded by the water shortage and the decreased ability of overburdened hospitals to treat patients. Currently, around 44 percent of Puerto Ricans don’t have access to clean drinking water (The Guardian, “Hurricane Maria pushes Puerto Rico’s struggling hospitals to crisis point,” 09.27.2017). The impact of the hurricanes in Puerto Rico exemplifies the hypocrisy of climate change. Though exacerbated and largely driven by countries with economic and political power, the effects of climate change will be felt by those already vulnerable and lacking the means to protect themselves from and recover after natural disasters. As the strength and frequency of natural disasters continues to increase due to our unwillingness to address climate change as a real threat to lives and livelihoods, those who suffer most will be those who are least equipped to deal with the environmental crisis. Trump, meanwhile, has received criticism for his appalling response to the crisis in Puerto Rico. While companies and nonprofit organizations have donated generously, Mayor of San Juan Carmen Yulín Cruz criticized the federal government for not sending enough food and
water (NBC News, “Puerto Rico Crisis: San Juan Mayor Pleads for Federal Aid, Trump Hits Back,” 09.30.2017). In turn, Trump criticized government officials in Puerto Rico, saying “they want everything done for them” (Huffington Post, “Trump Downplays Puerto Rico’s Suffering,” 10.03.2017). Others have condemned the imbalance of military response to hurricanes in Texas and Florida as compared to in Puerto Rico, from where Trump withdrew military presence before Maria hit, despite knowing the storm would directly cross the island (Politico, “The Military Was Ready in Texas and Florida. What Went Wrong in Puerto Rico?” 10.02.2017). In his delayed visit to Puerto Rico, Trump compared Maria to Hurricane Katrina, insinuating that the damage to Puerto Rico was not “a real catastrophe” like Katrina was because the death toll is currently lower (Huffington Post). He should instead be pledging greater amounts of aid to the island and addressing the historical inequality of Puerto Ricans. Trump’s response to Hurricane Maria makes it more than clear that he does not see contributing aid that could save the lives of Puerto Ricans as a priority. Despite the inadequate federal response, there are ways for we as the American public to contribute relief to our fellow citizens’ plight. If you want to help, it is best to donate money to relief agencies as opposed to sending purchased goods, according to the USAID Center for International Disaster Information’s “Guidelines for Giving.” Relief agencies are better able to purchase goods tailored to the needs of disaster survivors and distribute those supplies as quickly as possible. The following are a few charitable organizations with campaigns exclusively dedicated to hurricane relief in Puerto Rico: The One America Appeal for hurricane relief is accepting donations for hurricane relief in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, the funds will go to United for Puerto Rico/Unidos por Puerto Rico: Donate directly to United for Puerto Rico here: UnidosPorPuertoRico.com/en.
The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce is matching every dollar donated: NPRchamber.org/disaster-relief. Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico has set up a to provide food, water and other aid to Puerto Rico: fcpr.org/haz-tu-donativo. ConPRmetidos, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and improving the power grid and building safer, more stable homes in Puerto Rico, has also set up a real-time relief fund: generosity.com/emergencies-fundraising/ maria-puerto-rico-real-time-recovery-fund. Puerto Ricans in Action is a Los Angeles-based working group of partnered businesses, organizations and people with a goal of unifying Puerto Ricans in the area. They are currently raising funds for hurricane relief: PuertoRicansInAction.com. Sending aid to disaster-stricken areas in the form of funds, food and basic household and medical supplies is not unhelpful, but it cannot be the only form of aid we offer. It is essential to back verbal and metaphorical statements of solidarity with concrete action. We must see this disaster as one of both national and personal importance. Furthermore, we need to support members of our community who have been affected. In order not to further burden people directly affected by Hurricane Maria with the unfair responsibility of educating about its impact, we must actively keep ourselves up to date in developing news about the situation so as. Given the current political relationship between Puerto Rico and the federal government, as well as the inevitability of more frequent and intense natural disasters spurred by climate change, this is not a one-time issue or one that will go away on its own. We will need to be active, aware and vigilant in order to effect the political changes necessary to lessen the impact of natural disasters in the not-too-distant future. —The Staff Editorial expresses the opinion of at least 2/3 of The Miscellany News Editorial Board.
Further action essential after success of ACDC rally Andrew Solender Columnist
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hen, in a given system of governance, constituents petition their representatives to make a change and receive no response or reaction to their petition, what is their recourse? They could continue to have faith in the very system that failed them and try time and again to achieve incremental success. They could, miraculously, achieve total victory after a long, drawn-out battle. Or they could work outside the system and try to disrupt the status quo in their favor and send a strong message to those in charge. This latter approach consists of protesting, and it is precisely the tactic that the Student/Labor Dialogue (SLD) has employed to combat the alleged mistreatment of campus dining workers, the supposed result of significant mismanagement and ignorance by the College and by Bon Appétit, Vassar’s new food provider. In this week’s column, as with many of my past columns and as I laid out in my first article of this year, I feel I have no choice but to scrutinize my own side on this issue. I ask the scores of progressive readers who have already begun formulating their angry comments to hold off on that for just a moment and hear me out. Here is why: About three weeks ago, I was extremely concerned both about the financial feasibility of a more labor-friendly budget—given the hits that the endowment has taken in recent years—as well as about the actual ability of this less-than-flashy protest movement to gain the support of the Vassar community. While I recognize that these concerns came from a vantage point of significant privilege, they were legitimate thoughts about the movement all the same, and I believe it is incredibly important that anything and everything in the public sphere be scrutinized appropriately. That being said, I no longer have those concerns. They were resolved for me at the Student/Labor Dialogue protest at the Deece on Friday, Sept. 15. Two things about that protest stood out to me and caused me to abandon my preconceived notions. For one thing, the turnout of hundreds of
students representing a diverse range of student groups who were quite earnestly and passionately fighting against the disrespectful treatment of Vassar’s kitchen workers showed me that this issue does indeed resonate with a significant number of students. What really shook me, however, was the passionate and powerful testimonial given by Cathy Bradford, an ACDC worker and a Service Employees International Union (SEIU) representative. Her speech at the rally was, quite simply, spectacular. She talked about a serious problem in a straightforward manner and with a very simple diagnosis, illustrating a stark and sensible correlation-causation relationship between the advent of Bon Appétit at Vassar and the consequent woes of the kitchen staff. She gave real, human examples of the hardships that Vassar employees have been facing and continue to face every day. She presented solid facts in support of her argument, gave reasonable context to the issues she was attempting to tackle and laid out both a pragmatic and concise agenda on just what needs to be done. All this was achieved, no less, while giving a speech that the crowd and I found deeply moving. Nevertheless, I felt I had to take a deeper look not at the intentions or ideology of SLD or Bradford, which are, to be sure, clear and admirable, but rather the effectiveness of their tactics in influencing Vassar’s power structures. Their demands of the administration and of Bon Appétit are as follows: 1) that they ensure safe, stable working conditions, 2) that they post organized and regular work schedules and 3) that they maintain fair and transparent hiring processes. The Vassar administration has said, more or less, that it feels unmotivated to take action on this issue. Thus it appears that the SLD rally, despite its strong student turnout, has failed to sway them. According to a Miscellany News article about SLD and the rally, “Dean of College Christopher Roellke explained: ‘We have been working diligently on these issues and will continue to work on them in earnest, in good faith and in alignment with
our collective bargaining agreement’” (“Students, staff rally for better ACDC working conditions,” The Miscellany News, 09.20.2017). While the language in that statement may sound supportive and promising, I sense a strong feeling of complacency in it. Nowhere does Roellke state that he has been moved or swayed by the protests in any way, nor does he make any mention of SLD’s very reasonable demands. Roellke even went as far as to dismiss the act of protesting altogether saying, “My advice for students and workers is to continue to allow the dialogue to proceed as it should via the processes outlined in the collective bargaining agreement” (Miscellany News). It was clear from the outset that the administration’s position on the SLD platform was simultaneously adversarial and complacent, and the protest does not seem to have changed that in any substantive way. Now, I should concede that I am about as much in the dark about precisely what has been going on with negotiations between dining staff and the administration as everybody else. The administration’s comment, while somewhat off topic, was pretty edifying. I was informed that the administration’s current position is that negotiations will only involve the administration, the workers and their representatives. Third-party involvement has not only been discouraged, but dismissed outright. There is no saying whether or not the ACDC workers will get their demands met in these closed-door meetings, but I find it unlikely. So what might change the administration’s mind? To explore that question, we must consider how the administration is typically persuaded to change their stance on an issue. Why do administrations push back so hard against environmental and political divestment movements? Why does Vassar spend an exorbitant amount of money on frivolous alumnae/i amenities and events? Why do colleges across the country have such a difficult time bringing in student bodies from a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds? Simply put, it’s because of money. Colleges tend to make their most unpopular decisions in order to secure their endowments and to
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
keep the constant flow of alumnae/i money coming. After all, without an endowment, how can you fund a school? As the administration reiterates to donors, tuition alone doesn’t come close to funding the school’s operations. Of course, there are other factors that influence college administrators, but arguably none more so than money. Given this, the best strategy (and perhaps the only viable strategy) for SLD is to use their most valuable bargaining chip. Protests do not on their own sufficiently demonstrate that the cause will result in lost revenue for the school. The student organizers have to use their power to demonstrate to the school a threat to their funding by, for example, circulating a petition in which signers pledge to withhold donations to Vassar until SLD’s demands are met. This would not only work from a strategic perspective, but would also bring a more principled approach to what has thus far been primarily a symbolic movement. Although the turnout for SLD’s protest at the ACDC was surprising indeed, the methods have not been particularly effective—at least to date. Marching and chanting can be much more like checking the box and being contented with participation credit than creating actual change. Students at the ACDC protest clearly had the drive and enthusiasm necessary to effect change. The cause fits well into the narratives of long-overlooked and marginalized members of society that so strongly resonate with the Vassar community. There is much more that can be done to harness this energy, however. As was said at the protest, the fight is not over. Far from it, in fact. Without constant and persistent organizing, a protest movement might as well be dead. Only through the support of an impassioned movement can all the demands of SLD be guaranteed to workers on campus. That is exactly why SLD must take the steps outlined in this column. The way to have an effective protest is for the protesters to exercise power. They have the power; now it’s simply a question of whether or not they will use it.
OPINIONS
Page 10
October 5, 2017
Renewable energy, while urgent, necessitates skepticism Columnist
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Courtesy of The World Nuclear Industry Status Report
uring these troubling times of environmental turmoil, in which dangerous levels of carbon dioxide emissions threaten to destabilize the global climate, it’s no surprise that a lot of people are pushing vehemently for greater investment in renewable energy. In fact, despite the childish clamoring of several anti-science government officials, the idea of renewable energy, especially solar and wind energy, is incredibly popular among the vast majority of Americans. In 2016, the Pew Research Center reported that 89 percent of Americans favor building more solar panel farms and 83 percent favor constructing more wind turbine farms (Pew Research Center, “Americans Strongly Favor Expanding Solar Power to Help Address Costs and Environmental Concerns,” 10.05.2016). In contrast, only about 41 percent of Americans wanted to expand the coal mining sector, and these numbers aren’t meaningless, either. According to the Renewables 2016 Global Status Report (GSR), renewable energy saw its largest annual increase in energy contribution ever in 2015, despite low prices for fossil fuels (Forbes, “A Record Year for Renewable Energy,” 06.03.2016). It’s pretty clear that a large majority of people hold solar and wind energy in high regard. I’d even go as far to say that in this modern, socially conscious age, there isn’t a term more associated with pure good than renewable energy. However, this blind infatuation may just end up jeopardizing our entire fight against climate change. But how in the world can renewable energy possibly lead to a bad thing? To better illustrate my point, consider the incredible amount of attention and fanfare that the Idaho-based startup company Solar Roadways Inc. got for its idea to replace all the roads in America with structurally engineered solar panels that could generate backup electricity while withstanding vehicle traffic. Founded in 2006, this startup presented a vision of a world in which solar panel roadways not only use LED lights to light up the streets and change the road design, but also power entire cities to create a cleaner, greener world. When people heard about this revolutionary new idea, they fell madly in love with the concept of solar roadways. During the crowdfunding drive at Indiegogo, more than 50,000 backers supported the project and the startup raised more than $2 million, making it the most popular Indiegogo campaign ever (Indiegogo, Solar Roadways). But it wasn’t just green-energy enthusiasts who contributed financially to this enterprise. Even the Department of Transportation stepped in and invested more than $1.6 million into the project (The Daily Caller, “Scientists Hate Solar Roadways, But Gov’t Keeps Funding Them,” 11.28.2016). Unfortunately, all of it turned out to be a bust. When 30 solar roadway panels were finally installed on a public walkway in 2016, 25 of them broke down within a week, and more malfunctions appeared once it rained (Wireless Design & Development, “Idaho Solar-Powered Roadway a ‘Total and Epic Failure,’” 04.05.2017). But even more disappointing was that the highly anticipated solar roadway, even when fully operational, generated an average of 0.62 kilowatt hours of electricity per day—not even enough energy to power a hairdryer, much less an entire city. But solar roadways aren’t the only inventions that took advantage of people’s infatuation with renewable energy. In February, a startup company raised more than $350,000 on Indiegogo when it promoted the Fontus water bottle, a self-filling water bottle that uses solar energy
to extract water from the air (Hydration Anywhere, “It Looks Like the Fontus Self-Filling Water Bottle Was a Scam,” 03.06.2017). According to the campaign video, Fontus is designed to draw air into the bottle and capture moisture through condensation as the air cools. Not only that, the device would be powered by a small, mousepad-sized solar panel, making the Fontus perfect for backpackers and bikers going on a trip. Again, problems appeared when scientists pointed out that a solar panel that small is never going to produce the amount of energy needed to make the whole thing work. In fact, it would require a huge, 250-watt, 16-square-foot solar panel working at 100 percent efficiency under ideal circumstances for the Fontus to even come close to fulfilling its promise (Hydration Anywhere). It’s not just solar energy, either. In 2016, the startup VICI Labs made headlines when it promoted the Waterseer, a device that used the wind to “provide up to 11 gallons of safe drinking water” from the air every day (Inhabitat, “Wind-powered Waterseer Pulls 11 Gallons of Clean Drinking Water From Thin Air,” 10.15.2016). Raising more than $330,000 on Indiegogo, the inventors behind the Waterseer made it seem as if their invention could end all water shortages thanks to the clean power of wind energy, managing to persuade UC Berkeley and the National Peace Corps Association to help contribute to its development. Once again, the power of green energy was overestimated and several thermodynamicists have pointed that the Waterseer wouldn’t work in dry, arid areas— places that need water the most (Popular Science, “This Device May Pull Water Out of Thin Air, But Not as Well as We Hoped,” 03.13.2017). The reason why all these bogus crowdfunding campaigns made so much money despite being scientifically dubious is because so many people were willing to believe that renewable energy sources could accomplish anything, even the impossible. They had such a positive outlook on solar panels and wind turbines that they didn’t even stop to consider the possible limitations of those technology. Of course, this overly optimistic mindset is a natural product of today’s society, in which the increasingly alarming news of the humanity’s pollutant-ridden path towards ruin make it seem as if renewable energy is our only hope for survival. But no matter how beneficial it may be, renewable energy should not be placed on a pedestal. We can’t afford to treat it like some kind of magical energy source that provides unlimited free electricity without any restrictions or drawbacks. For example, many people tend to think solar panels can provide unlimited energy because they get their power from the sunlight, which should be infinite, right? In reality, however, a typical solar panel can only absorb about 20 percent of the energy that the sun produces (Interesting Engineering, “Solar Roadways: An Engineering Failure,” 05.18.2017). In addition, unless it is specifically designed to track the movement of the sun, the solar panel can lose up to 60 percent of the sun’s energy on top of the lackluster 20 percent energy absorption. Not only that, the hotter the solar panel gets, the less energy it absorbs. It may sound counterintuitive, but for every degree above 25 degrees Celsius a typical solar panel becomes, its maximum power drops by about 0.5 percent (CivicSolar, “How Solar Panel Temperature Affects Efficiency”). This isn’t to say that renewable energy is terrible or that we should give up on it. While not entirely efficient, solar and wind power still produce electricity without consuming any limited resources. Yet we can’t delude ourselves into thinking that solving climate change is as simple as building more solar farms and wind turbines.
Courtesy of The World Nuclear Industry Status Report
Steven Park
In fact, doing so without proper planning might do more harm than good. One major consequence of our infatuation with green energy is the rapid decline of nuclear power, the main source of zero-carbon electricity in the United States (The New York Times, “How Renewable Energy Is Blowing Climate Change Efforts Off Course,” 07.19.2016). Thanks to the popularity of solar and wind farms, nuclear power plants all across the world are on the verge of shutting down for good, which could severely damage our efforts in fighting climate change.
“[W]e can’t delude ourselves into thinking that solving climate change is as simple as building more solar farms and wind turbines.”
Courtesy of WHO
First of all, despite the negative press that it gets, nuclear energy remains quite possibly the cleanest and most viable form of energy that we currently possess. No matter what sort of Greenpeace propaganda you may have heard, nuclear energy is the safest way of producing reliable energy, a statement backed by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and the National Academy of Science (The Motley Fool, “Why the Safest Form of Power is Also the Most Feared,” 09.14.2014). In fact, a 2010 study by those three organizations have found that nuclear power is 40 percent less deadly than the next safest form of energy, wind power. Nuclear energy is also tied for having the lowest carbon footprint, and unlike solar and wind energy, nuclear energy actually stands a chance against the natural gas and coal industries. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, although solar and wind power made up a combined seven percent of U.S. electricity generation in 2016, nuclear energy provided 20 percent of the U.S.’s electricity (EIA, “Electricity in the United States,” 05.10.2017). But if the problem is that renewable energy isn’t contributing as much as nuclear energy, then can’t we solve this issue by building more solar and wind farms? No, it’s not that simple. One of the biggest problems with solar and wind energy is that they are entirely dependent on the current weather. When the sun doesn’t shine or the winds stop blowing, energy production plummets. Of course, this wouldn’t be an issue if one could store the excess energy generated on an especially sunny or windy day, but as of right now, a large-scale method of storing the elec-
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
tricity generated by solar and wind farms does not exist (NPR, “Solar and Wind Energy May Be Nice, But How Can We Store It?,” 04.05.2016). As a result, whenever the weather is unfavorable, state governments must find an alternative energy source. What do they turn to now that many of the expensive nuclear plants are shut down? Answer: natural gas and fossil fuels. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario. In Southern Australia, a region in which wind energy makes up more than a quarter of its total energy, the government had to switch back on a gas-fired plant that had been shut down when prices of electricity spiked during a period of light wind (NYT). Meanwhile, despite investing heavily in green energy, the German government is supposedly paying billions to keep coal generators in reserve in case the weather suddenly becomes unfavorable. This could be why carbon emissions are still rising in Germany, even though Germans pay the most expensive electricity rates in Europe (NYT). The loss of nuclear energy is serious. According to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance analysis, reactors that produce up to 56 percent of America’s nuclear power may shut down and eventually end up becoming replaced by the much cheaper gas-fired generators (NYT). If that were to happen, the report estimates, an additional 200 million tons of carbon dioxide would be spewed into the atmosphere annually. But even if nuclear plants weren’t shutting down, we still lack the infrastructure required to actually utilize green energy generated in the first place. We may spend heavily on building countless wind and solar farms, but most of it is wasted if we don’t have a way to distribute that electricity, especially since most farms are hundreds of miles away from the nearest city. Even worse, some estimates posit that constructing all the high-voltage lines needed to transport the electricity could take several decades (Slate, “Why Renewable Power Can Still Be Wasteful,” 06.29.2016). This is a huge problem with solar and wind farms right now. Since there is no infrastructure in place to distribute the power and no way to store the energy generated, solar farms and wind farms across the United States from Texas to California are often turned off or left idling by, leading to massive energy waste (Slate). Again, despite everything that was mentioned, renewable energy is not a bad thing. It is much more favorable to take advantage of solar and wind energy as soon as possible than to wait and do nothing with it. But mindlessly building more and more solar and wind farms simply because solar and wind energy are “objectively good,” will only drag us further away from our goal of a cleaner future. It is undeniable that renewable energy can save the Earth, but that doesn’t mean we should worship it blindly.
October 5, 2017
OPINIONS
U.S. must address broken ‘PROMESA’ Sylvan Perlmutter Columnist
W
e still do not know how many people in Puerto Rico have died as a result of Hurricane Maria. The sheer devastation on the island has made surveying the extent of the damage exceedingly difficult, especially in isolated mountainous municipalities. We must remember that people have not only been ravaged by the hurricane, but also by the the unavailability of vital utilities and services and the shamefully slow response of the Trump administration to the growing humanitarian crisis. Much of the island is expected to be without electricity for six months, and according to the Washington Post, “Doctors across Puerto Rico say that many patients...are arriving at hospitals in deteriorating condition because they waited too long to seek treatment, in many cases because they couldn’t find the gas to drive” (Washington Post, “Puerto Rico’s humanitarian crisis nowhere more obvious than at hospitals,” 09.28.2017). This begs the question: How many people waited too long to seek treatment and never made it to the hospital? While this remains unclear, there is one thing we know with crushing certainty: Puerto Rico was already in a state of profound economic and social crisis before violent waves pummeled its shores. A deadly confluence of U.S. colonial policy, corrupt dealings between local elites and U.S. corporations, the end of a construction boom, the Great Recession and deindustrialization has left an island of 3.4 million with an unpayable debt—roughly $74 billion—that is estimated to be above 107 percent of GDP next year. This number looks all the worse when additional figures are considered: an unemployment rate of 12 to 13 percent, a labor force participation rate of 40 percent, the firing of 30,000 government employees in 2009 and cuts to the University of Puerto Rico’s budget of $900 million ranging from $241 million to $512 million by 2026. In 2015, Puerto Rico attempted to restructure its unsustainable debt burden by passing the “Debt Enforcement and Recovery Act,” which would have allowed eligible public entities to directly negotiate with their creditors. However, the U.S. government struck this down because federal bankruptcy law does not confer upon Puerto Rican municipalities the same right to declare bankruptcy and restructure debt that U.S. cities and towns
have. Any remaining illusions of Puerto Rican sovereignty were dispelled by this act of imperialism, and Puerto Rico was at the mercy of Wall Street. Ruling out the possibility of the Puerto Rican government addressing its financial crisis as a sovereign democratic body, the federal government instead imposed upon the island a technocratic regime of austerity through the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) in 2016. An unelected, seven-member board of four Republicans and three Democrats— the majority with ties to the financial sector and/ or the Puerto Rican right wing—now lords over the island’s economy. The board may intervene in Puerto Rican financial affairs and direct negotiations with creditors. Its self-defined goal is to lead Puerto Rico to “fiscal responsibility and access to the capital markets,” while its policies contain cuts to education, healthcare and more—with no promise of federal money to ease the debt burden. PROMESA has only served to exacerbate the economic crisis because the long-term fiscal health of Puerto Rico rests not only on adequately servicing depth, but also in making the necessary investments for long-term growth. Adequate healthcare, wages and education are essential. Furthermore, Keynesian-style spending has a far more successful record of stimulating economies and expanding opportunity than does austerity. Today, Portugal has seen successes through a rejection of austerity, while Greece, which accepted austerity, continues to flounder. By further entrenching austerity in Puerto Rico, PROMESA has provoked social and economic dislocation in a society where the young increasingly move to the mainland because they cannot find opportunity at home and the old live in fear that they will not be taken care of. If this was ever a case for an end to austerity before Hurricane Maria, it is doubly strong now. There is no way that Puerto Rico can recover without substantial public spending and debt relief. The potential for providing Puerto Ricans with work through rebuilding their home bolsters the case for a Keynesian solution. Already the mainland is set to receive thousands of families seeking refuge. Continuing a policy of austerity will ensure that they reluctantly stay there and that ever-increasing numbers of young people will leave the island for good, leading to a diminished tax base
for the island government, which will make it even more difficult to address the financial situation. Unsurprisingly, it does not appear that the Trump administration will take the proper steps to aid Puerto Rico. Donald Trump, in predictable fashion, has displayed a disgusting lack of sympathy for the Puerto Rican people. Addressing Puerto Rico’s economy, he tweeted, “Texas & Florida are doing great but Puerto Rico, which was already suffering from broken infrastructure & massive debt, is in deep trouble” (Twitter, 09.25.2017). During his first press conference in Puerto Rico, he callously said, “You’ve thrown our budget a little out of whack. We’ve spent a lot of money on Puerto Rico” (The Hill, “Trump: Puerto Rico has ‘thrown our budget a little out of whack,’” 10.3.2017). All of this disregard for Puerto Rico’s dire circumstances at the same time as his tax reform proposal would increase the deficit by $2 trillion over 10 years and disproportionately favor the wealthy. There is enough money to make the rich richer but no money to bail out Puerto Rico. The Republican-led Congress, with its anti-social safety net and anti-Latinx stances, will not adequately address the island’s existing structural issues, and the Democrats cannot be counted on without substantial pressure from the grassroots. It must be remembered that the Obama administration passed PROMESA with little resistance from the Democrats. In the face of government inaction, it is up to progressives to center Puerto Ricans and their demands. I have seen Puerto Ricans protesting austerity and la junta during marches in Poughkeepsie and New York City, but have rarely seen such demands from non-Puerto Ricans. If non-Latinxs and non-Muslims can chant “no ban, no wall,” why not “no ban, no wall, no PROMESA?” Such an approach can shift the Democratic Party towards an anti-PROMESA stance just as a similar grassroots push has made single-payer health care more widely accepted within the party. All these efforts must be informed and strengthened by deepening solidarity with ongoing social and political movements in Puerto Rico, such as the student groups that shut down the University of Puerto Rico for two months in an anti-austerity strike and the Citizen Front for Auditing the Debt. We must seize upon the awareness created by Hurricane Maria or forever regret our inaction.
Gun violence rhetoric stigmatizes disability Jesser Horowitz Columnist
[Content warning: This article makes references to gun violence.]
S
unday night, as the nation slept, Stephen Craig Paddock entered the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and fired upon a crowd of more than 20,000 people. At least 59 were killed and 500 more were injured. It is, so far, the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States. The news coming out of Las Vegas—the ever-increasing death count, the videos and pictures of the people who died—is all too horrible to put into words. Even more horrible, however, is the stark reality that this will most likely not be the most deadly mass shooting in my lifetime. Its record-breaker could come this very year, next year or the year after. Who knows? And it will continue as long as the American government refuses to act to prevent shootings and as long as the public continues to accept such violence as an inevitable fact of life. The time has come for us to stop politicizing tragedy and to try to prevent it instead. These horrific displays of violence ought to be considered worthy of immediate response from the government, the same way it is in the event of a train accident or a natural disaster. Unfortunately, however, while this attack will surely reignite a national conversation about gun control, it will not ultimately put policy into effect. If it couldn’t be done with the Democrats in the White House, it can’t be done with the Republicans controlling both Congress and the presidency. The initial push for reform will be met with significant backlash from the National Rifle Association and, in a few weeks, all this suffering shall be rendered meaningless—a mere footnote of history—long before the next mass shooting comes around. In the meantime, we will be treated to the usual scapegoats as the media continues to avoid addressing substantive issues. I, for one, am not looking forward to the endless barrage of mainstream
coverage crying that the true culprit behind such tragedies as these is not guns but mental illness. I resent the commonly held belief that mass shootings can only ever be committed by mentally ill people. It seems to stem from a bizarre assumption that a “healthy” person would never commit acts of violence. I have met numerous people who have claimed that you cannot be both mentally healthy and voluntarily kill even one other person, let alone conduct a mass act of violence on this scale. This distorts the reality that people with mental illnesses are statistically no more likely than any other person to commit acts of violence. Only three to five percent of acts of violence in the United States can be attributed to someone with a significant mental illness. Moreover, people with mental health disabilities are 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than those without. The idea that mentally ill people are more dangerous than the rest of the population is farcical. Still, mental illness is an easy scapegoat. Politicians face steeper consequences for speaking out against guns than they do for speaking out against disabled people. Instead, it is disabled people who face the repercussions of these actions in the form of increased stigma, social isolation and self-loathing. The media witch hunt against disabled people in the aftermath of mass shootings has its own casualties, and it makes the world no safer. Even in the wake of this most recent tragedy, the media has begun blaming mental illness. The BBC claims that “there was reason to believe Paddock had a history of psychological problems” and emphasized that his father, bank robber Patrick Benjamin Paddock, had been “diagnosed as psychopathic.” His neighbors told the BBC that he was quiet and “weird” (BBC, “Stephen Paddock: Vegas suspect a gambler and ex-accountant,” 10.2.2017). I understand, of course, that there is a journalistic duty to report the facts, and I am not so naive as to suggest that a possible mental illness could never be relevant in a case such as this. Yet, the constant barrage of baseless speculation, coupled with ill-advised and doomed policy recommendations,
neither solves the problem of mass shootings nor ensures that those with mental health disabilities will receive the help they need. The mental health system in the United States is certainly broken, but the problem isn’t that we’re not locking enough people up. I’m concerned that this kind of coverage leads to legislation that makes it easier to force people into institutions against their will under the guise of protecting the public. And yet, this, as established earlier, is ludicrous. For the entirety of human civilization, perfectly rational people have been committing horrible acts of violence on a massive scale. From the Crusades to the Vietnam War, from the Cambodian genocide to the Holocaust, humanity has always found reasons to commit atrocious acts of violence in increasingly brutal ways. To view these mass shootings as a symptom of untreated mental illness is to dismiss thousands upon thousands of years of world history in favor of an easy answer, to ignore problems within our own culture in favor of an issue that feels easier to resolve. I do not, for the record, accept that those who view mental illness as the cause of this violence have an unrealistically positive perspective on human nature. I believe that this viewpoint is inherently selfish, allowing us to blame others rather than be determine what societal issues cause these issues. Moreover, this perspective not only distracts from real solutions, but also causes significant unnecessary harm. There is no reason to give this viewpoint a pass because those who share it “mean well” when it causes harm to this extent. I don’t believe that any good will come out of this tragedy. We won’t pass common-sense gun legislation, and in the process we’ll be put through a tiresome, protracted national debate that will ultimately leave the public disinterested in gun control until the next mass shooting. In the meantime, we will be further stigmatizing and isolating disabled people while ignoring the cultural issues that lead to these tragedies. It’s time for us as a society to stop blaming disabled people and to start working towards a solution.
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
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Word on the street How are you feeling about midterms?
“I only have a paper; That’s it” — Gabriel Burns ’21
“Really stressed; I personally feel like it’s so much ... I’m drowning in it” — Olav O Peterson Langeland ’21
“I’m just really tired” — Victorien Jakobsen ’19
“I just threw a Froot Loop at my friend” — Larissa Archondo ’20
“I just think I failed one” — Wenfang Zhou ’18
“Relieved that mine are done” — Christian Kulp ’21
Leah Cates, Humor & Satire Yesenia Garcia, Humor & Satire
HUMOR & SATIRE
Page 12
October 5, 2017
Breaking News From the desk of Leah Cates and Yesenia Garcia, Humor & Satire Editors CRC tired of rescuing ‘lost’ students, plans to offer handheld GPS devices upon entry into Blodgett Hall Excitable expatriate shares Hero student accidentally tips for paranoid travelers pays for washer, not dryer Talya Phelps
Head of Lost Luggage Search Party
A
fter nearly two decades as a self-proclaimed raging pessimist, I wasn’t about to make a fundamental change in my outlook just because I was heading to a different country. So I packed up my irrational neuroses and sense of certain doom with the rest of my emotional baggage and stowed it on my flight to Prague. Shockingly, I haven’t managed to get lost in the middle of the night with a dead cell phone or stabbed over a cultural misunderstanding (yet), but I have been able to compile a list of tips, based on my own experience, for navigating travel like an expert—albeit an expert who’s constantly an anxious mess. 1. Double-, triple-, quadruple-check your luggage Two months before departure, Google “how to avoid losing luggage on flight.” Book a seven-hour layover in Amsterdam to avoid an overly quick connection (one of the top causes of magically disappearing luggage). Two weeks before departure, read reviews of prospective airlines, searching for ones in which the reviewer never had their bags returned and is now burning effigies of Delta luggage handlers. Two days before departure, tie decorative scarves to your bags so that no one accidentally takes them, and make sure to print detailed travel itineraries to pack inside. Experience existential dread as you watch helplessly as all of your prized possessions drift slowly away on the conveyor belt. Two minutes before boarding, decide to Google whether you’re allowed to check Bic lighters. Realize you are in violation of Terrifying Important Luggage Laws. Call your boyfriend. Ignore his reassurances that Delta immediately incinerating your entire bag would create a customer service nightmare. Refuse to believe the check-in attendant when they tell you your lighter was probably just confiscated. At the carousel, indulge in horrible visions of your illegally packed luggage up in flames in a giant bonfire, with Delta employees dancing around it and laughing at your naïveté. Retrieve your bags from the carousel and find the lighter inside, untouched. 2. Make sure that there’s a doctor on board the aircraft Once you’re settled in your cozy window seat, restlessly watch the first five minutes of three movies, pick at your food, read two pages of your novel and then decide to give up on productivity and go to sleep. Wake up in the middle
of the night, shivering and headachey beneath your blanket. Remember something you read ages ago about how cabin pressure changes can lead to deadly blood clots. Cast about for anyone who looks like they could save your life if it turns out that your vague symptoms are indeed something sinister. Realize you are the only passenger awake in sight, and begin considering all the possible flight-related illnesses you could be coming down with. Try to ascertain if your ankles are swollen yet. Wonder if health insurance covers you if you’re over international waters. Vow to stop obsessing over WebMD articles so much. 3. Prepare for bad hair days Begin dying your hair in high school and become convinced you were meant to be born a ginger. Consider doing the job at home from a drugstore brand while you’re abroad, but be too terrified of searing off your scalp. A month into your travels, notice that your roots are growing out and allow panic to set in. Entertain visions of making an appointment with a hairdresser who only speaks Czech, failing to explain what you want done and leaving the salon with chemical burns, Crayola-orange locks and an unexpected bill of $500. Curse the pressure that the beauty industry exerts on the youth of today and resign yourself to life as a half-redhead, half-brunette until December, at which time you return to the safety of your hometown hairdresser. 4. Pack however many credit cards you can cram into your wallet Go to the ATM around the corner one evening, and find that you are unable to complete your withdrawal. Immediately message your mom and ask her to call your bank and your credit card company. Start planning your new life as a victim of identity theft and credit card fraud. Realize your one other card doesn’t work in the Czech Republic. Feel lucky that you brought your recorder in case you have to busk on the street for cash until your parents can wire you money. Wonder if “wiring money” has been an actual thing since poodle skirts were in and Eisenhower was president. Return to the ATM. Try and fail to breathe deeply as you attempt another withdrawal. Collect your cash. Sheepishly message your mom, who is already on hold with Visa. Apologize and ask her if maybe she can come pick you up now. Return to your flat, exhausted from your fourth breakdown that week, and get ready for bed, where visions of your luggage flying away and leaving you stranded in Amsterdam will dance in your head ’til morning.
Blair Webber
Refuses to Buy Own Wash Cycle
M
ost Vassar students dread laundry day. From scraping all of last week’s socks out from underneath the bed to having nowhere to put dirty clothes since the clean ones remain unfolded, routine clothes washing is an arduous, time-consuming slog. Yet, from among the wretched, huddled masses of students yearning to be free, one student will occasionally rise above. This exemplary citizen serves as a beacon of hope, a light in the dark and a symbol of what freedom could be. Every so often, a student mistakenly pays for a washer when they really meant to pay for a dryer. On Friday, none other than junior Fred Lazarus stepped into this role. “Wait, crap, what button did I push?” said Lazarus. Besides his incomparable altruism, Lazarus’s heroism can be attributed to his poor ability to navigate the card readers. “I pushed the button that said ‘dryer,’ I pushed number 3, I slid my card. Why isn’t this starting?” Lazarus wondered. As Lazarus pushed the “whites and colors” button one more time to see if it would work, the steady stream of his peers, ashen and flipflop clad, who had made the strenuous journey to the basement laundry room, slowed to a gradual stop. “Is it broken?” a faceless voice croaked from the wretched refuse. As the eyes of his tempest-tost housemates swiveled to him, wondering if another one of their comrades had fallen, Lazarus noticed the number on his dryer. “Wait... why is this number four? It said number three on the machine!” said Lazarus. Quietly, the line of other students, desperately hoping that whoever came before cleaned the lint trap, began to stand up straighter as they realized Lazarus’s mistake. “He paid for the wrong machine,” the tired, the poor chanted in one voice. “He paid for a washer when he meant to pay for a dryer.” It took Lazarus another minute or so to realize this himself. “What, no, look, I definitely hit... hmm, I know I hit dryer, but now it’s showing me numbers one, four and six. Earlier, I swear it was numbers two, three and five under dryer!” exclaimed a frustrated Lazarus. Moving closer in small, cautious steps that smacked “flip...flop” against the cold tile floor, the wretched masses shuffled toward washer
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number four. “Is it true?” one indistinguishable voice cried from amongst the others. “I cannot tell,” another responded. “Someone check the screen on the control panel!” yet a third chimed in. “It says ‘select cycle’!” the final voice shouted as, in unison, the other students attempting to do laundry lifted their hampers above their heads in ecstasy. “Select cycle! Select cycle! Select cycle!” they chanted together. Despite his incredible act of heroism, Lazarus attempted to remain humble. “What—I—hey! I paid for that! That’s not fair. Come on, guys. I made a mistake,” Lazarus pleaded with his peers not to use the washer. All of a sudden, an individual, sophomore Emma Auguste, stepped forward from the undifferentiated crowd. “You!” said Auguste, “We have you to thank for this! You have shown us a day when we will not have to pay a dollar thirty per load. You have given us hope. Brethren, let’s thank this hero!” Lazarus felt humbled by the sudden praise of his peers. “Well, I guess I’m pretty cool. Yeah, yeah, it’s not a big deal, go for it. Everyone can use it. I’m happy to help out,” said Lazarus. His peers responded with three cheers of “Hurrah!” before carrying Lazarus onto the quad atop their shoulders. They bore him down Raymond Avenue, paraded him around Sunset Lake and then carried him to the heart of campus where the whole school had congregated to cheer for this champion, this god among men. Lazarus took the opportunity to say a few words of encouragement to his captive audience. “I want this to prove that you can do anything. Especially with an education, you can overcome all obstacles,” said Lazarus. President Bradley presented him with the college’s first ever Laurel of Heroism: a woven crown of freshly mowed grass from outside the Old Observatory, plus one of the good cookies from The Deece. Meryl Streep was unable to appear in person, but she sent a video expressing how students like Lazarus rekindle her pride in the Vassar community. After the ceremony concluded, Lazarus remembered he had yet to move his clothes from the washer to the dryer. Upon returning to the basement of Cushing, however, Lazarus found all the machines taken, and his wet clothes piled in a corner on the floor.
Now that it’s October, buy your Valentine’s Day essentials from us!
We beat your local superstore. They’re only selling New Year’s-themed, dorm-cluttering pieces of plastic and semi-edible artificial colors. MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
HUMOR & SATIRE
October 5, 2017
Page 13
LinkedIn master imparts sage wisdom on Vassar youths Steven Park
Enlightened Leader
L
Courtesy of Flickr
ast Thursday, the Career Development Office (CDO) hosted what many believe to be their best workshop in the past decade. They invited business expert and LinkedIn superstar Xavier Foust to come speak on campus. Widely known as “the man who mastered LinkedIn,” Foust is famous for traveling the country and swaying the hearts of countless students with his deeply inspirational life lessons, so it was a surprise to discover that the CDO could even afford to bring him to Vassar. But everything was paid off, and the workshop became the most heavily attended event of the semester. “When I got to Rocky 200, the entire place was packed, and everyone was dressed in their best attire. You could tell that all the students were excited to meet him and maybe even get a chance to add him on LinkedIn,” said one enthusiastic junior. He was sporting a sharp-looking Louis Vuitton blazer with matching cufflinks and a clean pair of khakis, which he insisted was his “casual attire.” When Foust finally walked into the packed lecture hall, the entire room quieted down and gazed earnestly toward their well-dressed speaker. It was at that moment when he calmly walked up to the blackboard, picked up a piece of chalk and wrote the word “LEADERSHIP” in huge, bold letters. “Leadership!” he exclaimed, which he punctuated by underlining the word with one quick stroke of his arm. The entire crowd immediately fell silent. Seeing the word written out and hearing it simultaneously had a chilling effect that instantly gripped the audience. “It was just so powerful. It really spoke to me, both mentally and spiritually. At that moment, I think everyone understood why people call him the ‘LinkedIn Master,’”recounted one student.
According to sources, Foust let his message linger for a few moments, allowing it to sink in. He smiled, knowing he had his listeners’ complete attention. “Leadership...It’s such an important word. It is impossible to even quantify how important it is. Now, I have been on LinkedIn for 10 years, and countless people have asked me how they too can be successful in everything they do. I’ll tell you the same answer I told them: If there’s anything I’ve learned from browsing LinkedIn, it’s that leadership is the key to success. It’s what separates the truly successful individual from the average person. ‘What are the signs of good leadership, and how can I become a better leader?’ These are the questions I ask myself every morning, and if you also want to be successful, they’re what you should think about on a daily basis.” Foust proceeded to write “LEADERSHIP” two more times on the board. He then turned and tapped all three words with the chalk. “Remember the three L’s: Leadership, Leadership, Leadership. I promise you that if you do, you’ll go far in life.” Some members of the audience nodded solemnly as they took his words to heart, while others took out their iPhones to take pictures. Most of the students in the room had pulled out their notebooks and were furiously writing down what was on the board. Foust continued, “Like I mentioned earlier, it’s a very powerful word. You’ll find that whenever you’re stuck in a situation, the answer is almost always leadership. Writing a resumé? Emphasize all the different leadership roles you’ve had. Want to do well in a job interview? Talk about how your natural leadership skills make you the perfect candidate. Failing an exam? Write down ‘leadership’ in the blanks. As long as you understand how important leadership is, know that you’re on the right path. Take charge of the sit-
Foust points to the top, which, according to him, is where leaders with leadership skills go. uation, and be a leader instead of a passive follower. If you don’t, then no matter what you do, you’ll miss your chance at happiness and success. Live life without regrets. Make a difference in the world. Be a leader. Buy my Deluxe Signed Limited-Edition copy of ‘How to Succeed in Literally Everything: A LinkedIn Master’s Guide to Leadership.’ Thank you.” When Foust finally set down his chalk, the entire audience gave him a standing ovation, and many of the students couldn’t help but tear up at his words. “It’s all so inspirational. I’ve had troubles with grades and making friends all my life, but I never realized that it was because I wasn’t acting like a leader. I’m buying 10 copies of that book,” asserted one teary-eyed Vassar student.
HOROSCOPES
During the Q&A session, students finally got the chance to ask questions to which they were dying to know the answers. “Mr. Foust, thank you so much for coming to our campus. Could you tell us specifically what we can do to be a great leader just like you?” asked one student. Foust nodded and looked directly at the student. “Leadership.” The audience burst into another round of applause, and the student sat down, fairly satisfied with the answer. Another student stood up to ask another question. “Mr. Foust, who are some of the leaders in society that we should try to emulate? I mean, besides you, of course.” she asked with a smile. The audience members laughed, and even Foust himself let out a chuckle. “You raise up a good point. One of the best ways to be a great leader is to study what they do and integrate their actions into your own life. For instance, Mark Zuckerberg is a fantastic leader. And if you look at his daily schedule, you’ll discover that he spends roughly nine hours a day on Facebook. So, if you want to be a great leader like Mark Zuckerberg, you should spend nine hours on Facebook every day, too. Likewise, I also consider Elon Musk to be a great leader. That’s why I make sure to do whatever I can to bankrupt my business and make outlandish promises that I can’t keep.” At the event’s conclusion, the audience members left after one final round of deafening applause. For some, it felt as if they had attended a rock concert. For many, it was a turning point in their lives. As one enlightened student aptly stated, “All these years, I thought people who spend time on LinkedIn were all pretentious fakers who pandered to strangers in order to fake their way to success. Xavier Foust taught me that I was wrong all along.”
Theresa Law and Natasha Sanchez amateur astrologists
ARIES
March 21 | April 19
TAURUS
April 20 | May 20
GEMINI
May 21 | June 20
CANCER
June 21 | July 22
LEO
July 23 | August 22
VIRGO
August 23 | September 22
You may not realize it, but you’ve been preventing certain relationships from forming. This may be due to unspoken feelings. Maybe it’s time to express those feelings. Or maybe it’s time to let go and realize you don’t have claims over other people. It’s tough, but you have to let things happen naturally.
LIBRA
Let loose. Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself in the pursuit of happiness. But maybe next time don’t send any 1 a.m. drunk texts to someone who went home with someone else after a Villard Room party.
SCORPIO
Work on communicating your emotions better. When people approach you with conversations you don’t want to have, explain how you’re feeling about that conversation instead of shutting down. Work on journaling and being honest with yourself about your feelings, and transfer that to your relationships with others.
SAGITTARIUS
Mead. Ever heard of it? You may only associate this fermented honey beverage with period television—and we may only have discovered its beauty because of the New York Renaissance Fair—but its taste is timeless. With valid ID, you can grab some at Arlington Wine and Liquor.
September 23 | October 22
October 23 | November 21
November 22 | December 21
CAPRICORN
December 22 | January 19
You’ve been feeling restless, and it might be from stagnation in your career path. Leos need creative, rewarding jobs where their performance is validated. For untapped job opportunities, look no further than Renaissance fairs. You will meet a great array of people and travel to many places!
AQUARIUS
People have just been lusting after you these days, which is very validating. However, you may be experiencing trouble balancing all of your suitors. Use your organizational skills and aesthetically pleasing planners to control these flames before they turn into hazardous fires.
PISCES
January 20 | February 18
February 19 | March 20
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
You’re in a transformational period in your life. You’ve been feeling more independent as of late, but that may come with a feeling of loneliness and detachment from your old life and friends. The way to get around this is to actively be the person who reaches out to their companions because that love is still there. Recently, the prospect of a new romantic and/or sexual relationship has excited you. Unfortunately, a certain obstacle is preventing your pursuit. Don’t let anything or anyone get in the way of your happiness. Now is the time to make the move that you want to make. TH people, go visit your TA friends. You cannot keep expecting people to trek out to you every time. TA people are cool, too, and they want to show off their DIY bottle cap decor. So put in the effort and walk up that hill. In addition to beautiful friendship, you’ll get a lot out of the open floor plan.
You’ve been working at expanding your music library lately, and do we have the next sonic sensation for you! Vince Conaway, renowned master of the hammered dulcimer (a snazzy-looking string instrument), is available for download on Spotify. His albums are a great mix of medieval classics and original compositions. The problems you’ve been having with people lately may be traced back to communication issues. Try as best as you can to see the situation from their side. If a conversation doesn’t work out, challenge them to a joust. The winner’s point of view is the correct one.
Recently you’ve been getting to know a certain new someone, and you’ve been vibing. They’re struggling a bit on how to approach you for some one-on-one time. So if you’re interested, you may have to put in a little more effort. Idleness will not get you far.
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October 5, 2017
Annual event promotes community building, support FALL FEST continued from page 1
Wholistic offering interactive demos regarding holistic healing. In addition, Fall Fest offered student artists a platform to sell their work. “This was a new addition,” suggested by Karuga, put in place in order to promote the wide range of artistic talent that we have on this campus. It turned out to be an extremely successful venture that hopefully persists in many more Fall Fests to come. An air of social consciousness surrounded the
Courtesy of Hannah Benton
Courtesy of Hannah Benton
Fall Fest featured many student musicians, including the recently added jazz combo Dijon Balm, who attracted quite a crowd.
event as they extensively stressed support for Hurricane Irma Relief. Main House, orgs like Vassar Haiti Project (VHP) and student artists worked for the cause in different capacities. Main House held a raffle that offered exciting food vouchers and gift cards from venues in Arlington in order to collect donations. They managed to raise over 300 hundred dollars, the proceeds of which will all go to the Caribbean Students Association as they continue to work towards relief. VHP also raised funds for Haiti hurricane relief by selling art and merchandise that was handcrafted by Haitian artists. Further, while the students making sales had the option to keep the profits, many of them decided to donate their proceeds towards this vital issue. This emphasis on social responsibility and campus responsiveness was heartwarming. It seems likely that it could help steer the tradition of Fall Fest in a direction that focuses not only community building but also community support. Karuga also commented on how the event was more family oriented and therefore inclusive, this year: “Lots of House Fellows felt comfortable coming to Fall Fest this year too. They came as families, with picnic blankets and everything. The Batman bouncy house was a real delight for their kids.” That being said, the bouncy house was by no means available only for little children; it was a form of therapeutic stress-relief for numerous students, as we find ourselves caught in the thick of midterms. The laughter of fully grown college students as they leapt and bounced inside Batman wafted through the air and added an additional dimension of warmth to the atmosphere. The musical entertainment was pleasant and relaxing, as a string of various student a cappella groups performed festive favorites Many groups gave their new first-year members the opportunity to perform their first solo, for which a lot of their friends came out to support them. Vassar International Students Association (VISA) member Arjun Singh ’20 remarked, “It was exciting to see so many of the a cappella groups perform together, something we don’t see very often. It was also
Main House Team was proud of the unity that was displayed at this year’s event, with students and organizations coming together to raise funds for hurricane relief. a very lively atmosphere, especially since new students are always happy to participate in any event.” One of Vassar’s jazz combos Dijon Balm also performed for an hour at the event. Main House Secretary, Maya Goodwin ’20, elucidated, “It was really wonderful to have the jazz band playing because it fostered the sense of community we wanted, by creating relaxing, background music which everyone just enjoyed while they basked in the pleasant weather outdoors. Even people who were inside Main Building could hear the music and they decided to come out and be a part of the event. It quite literally brought people together.” In the same vein, Karuga added, “In general, we were really happy that people came out and just chilled for a decent amount of time rather than simply coming for 15 minutes to see an a cappel-
la group and then leaving, as has happened in the past. We also wanted to move away from the focus on rides, and more towards a focus on people–on a cohesive community. I think there was a little something for everyone.” The event came to a close as the sun set and the popcorn ran out, but people milled about until the very end, cozying up on the grass, finishing the last of their meals from the food truck and enjoying each other’s company against the backdrop of the majestic Library, just as the tireless Main House team had intended. As an attendee of Fall Fest, Samantha Hodes ’20 concisely elucidated, “It was a much needed break from the stress of midterm week, and it made me feel all happy and warm inside. I liked that we got to just sit on the grass and listen to ambient music and just hang out. It was a wholesome event.”
‘HEL: Now in 4D!’ makes a big splash in the Shiva COMEDY continued from page 1
Courtesy of HEL Sketch Comedy via Facebook
hour straight, but that’s exactly what happened. I think my favorite sketch so far was the strep throat sketch, with the giant toad spirit. It was really hard not to laugh at that one, no matter how many times I saw it being rehearsed. In reality, I loved every sketch that made it into the show, and even quite a few that didn’t make it in (that I hope will be included in later shows). Everyone just writes such witty and funny sketches; it’s so hard to just choose one.” On Sept. 2, all of the comedy groups hosted a preview show in Sanders Classroom. Over the following weekend, the groups held auditions and callbacks in Rockefeller Hall. Since then, each group has been meeting and preparing for shows later this semester. Indecent Exposure, Vassar’s all-femme comedy group, already hosted a stand-up show, “The Mandela Effect,” on Sept. 16, featuring new members. On Thursday, Oct. 5, Vassar College Vassar Improv will be performing their show “Inaugarate This!” in Rocky 300. The Limit will also be having a show shortly after October break. The HEL show began with a video that acted as an introduction to the members of the group. In a game of hide and seek, the different members scattered as President of HEL Becca Slotkin ’18 chased them while dressed as Pennywise from “It.” For his first show, Montoya wrote a sketch called “Angels,” which had an angel designating new saints with unexceptional patronages. Montoya succinctly described the process for getting this show together: “Terrifying. I auditioned three, maybe four weeks ago. Then we came together twice with a bunch of our sketches either half-written or fully written. And we just read them out loud with characters randomly assigned. We would workshop, take notes, critique, offer advice or go back and forth with what we thought could be possible jokes. And then we met again for a third time and voted on what sketches we all wanted to do as a group.” Montoya continued, “The vote was a week and a half before the show. For the week of the show, we practiced and rehearsed from Sunday to Saturday. It was more work than I expected in
On Sept. 30, HEL doused their audience with water in their fall show in the Susan Stein Shiva Theater. The group’s new members got both to perform and have their own sketches performed. a compact schedule.” To designate where the splash zone was, at the beginning of the show the group projected a warning that those sitting in the first two rows might get wet. Leaving trash bags for audiences to use as makeshift ponchos, audience members were squirted with water throughout various sketches. In one particular scene, “Triple Mike,” two contestants are at a spelling bee. While one gives mostly correct answers, the other character, Triple Mike, gives absurd and often unintelligible responses. As punishment for wrong answers, the first contestant—and in the act the audience—gets doused with water guns. A member of HEL for the last three years, Ray Cagnetta ’19 has frequently had her sketches featured in their shows and performed an assortment of roles. Discussing what she’s loved about being in the group, she said, “My favorite part of HEL is the week of the show. It’s a stressful time,
but you get to see the sketches you wrote go from ideas to performances. A lot of the time during the rehearsal process, one person will improv part of a sketch and make us laugh so hard that we decide to keep it. Sometimes sketches kind of evolve and turn out way funnier than you could have ever dreamed.” One of HEL’s recurring sketches, which are also called runners, features one character constantly losing chess games to a giant toad spirit. With each loss, the character makes even more bizarre wagers, such as always wondering if they have strep throat at a certain time of day or having to peck at their food three times before actually taking a bite. Even though this show followed HEL’s traditional rehearsal process, the incorporation of the splash zone added on to the already rigorous schedule. Slotkin and other members developed the concept for the splash zone last semester, gener-
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
ating sketches that would allow them to incorporate this innovation. When the opportunity arose for them to be in the Shiva, their traditional venue for the fall show, it became an opportunity not to be overlooked. Slotkin explained why the Shiva show was the perfect opportunity to have a splash zone: “There was still a little bit of controversy in doing the splash zone this time, but we ultimately agreed that that was part of why we were doing the show. We always do our first show in the Shiva, but I figured that if we have the Shiva, that’s the only space we could feasibly do the splash zone, since Sanders [Classroom] wouldn’t be okay with that. Slotkin elaborated on the positive and negative circumstances for incorporating the water element in their rehearsals, “The Shiva is the best space for doing that weird-different thing. I guess rehearsing it was a bit difficult because it was an additional tech aspect of working in the water.” Cagnetta added, “‘HEL: Now in 4D!’ started out as a joke about having a splash zone in one of our shows, and then we ended up actually doing it. I think the hardest part was figuring out the logistics of how to throw water on people during a sketch. We had fun with it. I hope the audience did, too.” HEL’s last show, “April Thirst,” was on April 1 in Sanders Auditorium. Other members of HEL include Joseph Beaty ’19, Isaac Kohl ’19, Jacob Liss ’20, Daniel Rosen ’20 and Patrice Scott ’19. Traditionally, the group will have a another show either later this semester or after winter break and, they will also have a third show after spring break. Piercy had her first sketch appear in this “HEL: Now in 4D!” “Chad” follows a teenage boy playing “Wonderwall” by Oasis on guitar while discussing his family’s drug business and where he is secretly hiding heroin. Expressing her goal to write more for future shows, Piercy commented, “I want to improve my writing. I’ve always enjoyed writing but I’ve never had the chance to do anything with what I’d written before or write as scripts. I want to learn about how comedy works and how to make people laugh. It’s fun. I enjoy it.”
October 5, 2017
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Wordsmiths provides platform to develop poets’ voices Kaitlin Prado Reporter
T
Courtesy of Jordan Pollack via Facebook
his past week, on Friday, Sept. 28, Vassar College’s spoken word poetry group Wordsmiths put on the first of many open mic poetry nights in Rocky 300. While the group promises to hold one open mic event each month, they’re also known for hosting slam poetry competitions and bringing wonderful speakers to Vassar in cooperation with other students orgs. The first event of the year is big for any org, and this open mic night was no exception to this unwritten rule for Wordsmiths. Upon being interviewed it would seem that everyone ranging from Wordsmiths’ president to its general body members has high hopes for the rest of the year as they continue to provide a space for poets and aspiring writers alike. The Miscellany News: How did you first hear about this group and what is your current role on Wordsmiths? Helen Magowan ’20: I found out about Wordsmiths at the activities fair last year, and am on exec now...I’m pretty sure I’m down as president, whatever that means to the VSA, but it’s a non-hierarchical/open executive board. Emmett Weiss ’18: I heard about Wordsmiths my freshman year, joined the exec board last year (I dropped it this year because of other commitments), and now am a general body member. I also perform at Wordsmiths’ open mics. Max Wagh ’20: Well, I first found out about Wordsmiths because my stufel, Vanessa Rosensweet, was a member! She talked about it a little bit during orientation week, and I got more info by signing up for the email list at the activities fair. Even though I got the emails all year, I didn’t actually get involved in Wordsmiths until halfway through spring semester! And even after all that, I didn’t share any of my poems to the group until one of the last meetings. Currently, my official role in the org is treasurer. However, because we’re non-hierarchical, I mostly just hold the PCard and buy things when we need them. All of exec (which is open to everyone) helps to organize our events and to make decisions as a collective!
The Misc: Could you describe your impressions of this past Friday’s open mic event and your involvement with it? Magowan: We’re going to be having monthly open mics this year (the last Thursday of every month, hopefully!!), so our event last week was the first of those. (It was co-hosted, by the way, as are all of our events, with Verse, our sister org which is an affinity space for poets of color.) Open mics are pretty self-explanatory, there’s an open sign-up list when you get there and a microphone, and anyone can read/perform if they have anything they’d like to share. It’s just a way for students to gain more confidence and comfort sharing in front of crowds, and for them and their art to gain visibility on campus. None of our events are exclusive to Wordsmiths members, people who actively attend GB, etc. Weiss: Last week, I performed a poem. One poem I particularly liked was one of Helen’s. Helen is so talented. I always look forward to hearing Helen’s poems at open mic nights! Wagh: This past week we hosted our first monthly open mic, where any student (regardless of involvement) could come to perform their work, be it poetry or short prose! We bought pizza and some snacks and some cider, and then the floor was opened up. I helped to pick the time and date, as well as what food we were going to have. On top of that, I also performed some of my work (a piece that I’ve been workshopping for a year—one that I think everyone who attends meetings regularly has heard way too many times). The Misc: What about this new year with the Wordsmiths excites you? Magowan: I am SO excited this year about the new members of Wordsmiths. Obviously all our returning members are incredible people and very dear to my heart as well, but I am truly just stunned by the amount of talent and passion I’ve seen amongst the first-years who’ve been coming to meetings. I so admire their willingness to engage with each others’ work, and their vulnerability in sharing their own poetry. I’m really looking forward to getting to know all the members of Wordsmiths better personally, and being able to spend time with them outside of our org meetings and events. Weiss: Wordsmiths inspires me to continue writ-
On Sept. 28, Wordsmiths and Verse hosted an open mic poetry night. Wordsmiths is a spoken word poetry group that meets every Monday night in various locations on campus. ing, and I’m excited to attend their speaker events, writing workshops and performances. Wagh: I’m super excited about all the new faces attending meetings, from first-years to seniors who are finally able to make it. Also, I’m looking forward to all the events we’re planning. Currently, we’re working on bringing some fantastic poets (I can’t say more) to come give talks and run some workshops. Along with that, we’re planning on having regular workshops for students (some with themes, some as affinity spaces), as well as monthly open mics. So if you missed September’s open mic and you’ve got a poem you’re burning to share, stay tuned for our next one this month! The Misc: Are you hoping to make any changes with the group? Magowan: I think that the social factor is some-
thing that was missing from my experience in the org last year. I think poetry spaces tend to draw like people, or at least they have in my experience, and it’s so obvious to see at our meetings that we really enjoy each other’s company, and grow from exposure to how others in the group see and interact with the world. I think that’s something we should do more to celebrate and act on. I would absolutely love to make Wordsmiths a bigger part of my life and a part of my life that extended beyond our Monday meetings. If anyone wishes to get involved with Wordsmiths, they can email Helen Magowan at hmagowan@vassar. edu. Additionally, Wordsmiths holds weekly meetings in various locations around campus on Monday nights at 8:30pm. Members of all different experiences are welcome to attend a Wordsmiths meeting.
Old Taylor Swift dead, out for ‘Retribution’ in new song Eloudia Odamy Guest Columnist
Look What You Made Me Do
Taylor Swift Big Machine
“I
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
’m sorry. The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now / Why? Oh, cause she’s dead.” Taylor Swift has once again proven that she has the ability to send her fans into a frenzy. On the anniversary of the release of“Shake It Off,” she completely cleared all of her social media accounts and a few days later posted cryptic videos of what seemed to be a snake on her Instagram. Her fans, myself included, proceeded to wonder, what exactly is up Taylor’s sleeves? Then came the bombshell reveal of a new single called “Look What You Made Me Do” and her sixth studio album, “Reputation.” “Look What You Made Me Do” is an anthem for all the people who have ever wronged Taylor. People like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, especially. “Yo, Taylor,” said Kanye. “I’m really happy for you and I’ma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time.” Most people will instantly know this well-known quote. If you do not, then let me introduce you to arguably one of the fiercest music feuds. The story of the Taylor Swift-Kanye West drama starts at the 2009 MTV Music Awards. Kanye interrupted Taylor after she won the award for Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me.” Taylor beat out Beyoncé and he thought that Beyoncé deserved the award. I had the impression that he was bold and unjustified for storming on the stage to ruin her moment. Kanye went on to apologize and at the MTV Video Awards on Aug. 31, 2015, Taylor Swift presented Kanye with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Then, on Sept. 4, 2015, Kanye sent Taylor flowers from his own wedding and it seems everything was resolved between them. I believed they would end the drama there, but it was just the beginning. I was at home when I heard the song “Famous” by Kanye, and when I heard the lyrics
about Taylor being referred to as a bitch and Kanye claiming to have made her famous, I was surprised. “Famous” is a song on “The Life of Pablo,” Kanye’s album that he released last year. Controversy started swirling and Kim Kardashian defended Kanye, saying that Taylor Swift knew about the lyrics. Taylor shot back saying she did not consent. This saga is truly never ending. Then, on July 17, 2016, Kim released on her Snapchat the conversation between Kanye and Taylor. They were discussing the derogatory lyrics about Taylor and it seemed that Taylor went along with it. Immediately, everyone called Taylor a snake. The comments section of her Instagram was filled with the snake emoji. I thought she was a snake too because the video clearly showed her actually thinking the lyrics were “cheeky.” But Taylor refused to go down without a fight. She shot back claiming that the video did not show her agreeing to being called “the B word” in the song. As a result of all of this, Taylor was painted as a manipulative, lying snake. This slander created “Look What You Made Me Do”. It took me a while to get used to the song because it is choppy and it did not flow right to my ears. However, after listening to it two or three times, I warmed up to the song and came to like it. She starts off by singing, “I don’t like your little games / Don’t like your tilted stage.” This immediately takes a jab at Kanye West. To Taylor, the feud is just a series of back-and-forth arguments which are games to Kanye. During his Saint Pablo tour, Kanye had a tilted stage suspended in the air. This is not an awesome clap-back, but it is something. “But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time / Honey I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time.” This is one of my favorite lines in the song. Taylor is trying to prove that with all the controversies that she has been involved with, it has not fazed her at all. She has the ability to bounce back. Another line that I love is “The world moves on, another day, another drama, drama / But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma.” I am positive that this is reference to the fact that she has been planning “Reputation” for a while. I always joke that this is the song I plan to play for my
Like her or hate her, Taylor Swift has been a mainstay in the pop music scene for years, and her new music is taking a shocking turn as she takes on her critics and those who have wronged her. enemies one day. On the other hand, the music video is amazing. From showing us the gravestone of her reputation to wearing snake rings to addressing every little thing ever said about her, it is clear that she wants everyone to know that there is a new Taylor Swift coming. But I especially love when she assembles all the old Taylors together at the end of the video. To me, it was a genius move because it emphasizes the irony of the video. She is making fun of herself, to show that in reality, she just does not care. No surprise here, her video has already caused controversy, including how most people believe that her lying in a bathtub filled with jewels is an allusion to the Kim Kardashian robbery situation. And her setup to the dancing scene towards the end copies Beyonce’s formation video. There are people who say they prefer the old Taylor Swift; I prefer the new Taylor. I’ll admit, I was not a huge fan of Taylor’s country songs and
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
frankly, I did not listen to her at all. It was when I heard “22” and “I Knew You Were Trouble” that drew me into her. Now, if I pick a Taylor Swift song, I will pick one of her pop songs, and not something from “Fearless” because it shows how she is evolving as an artist. But, no surprise, her pop music is always criticized. She is known as the artist who writes about her exes and heartbreaks, but I believe that “Reputation” is going to push back on this notion. She is exploring beyond what she usually puts out for her fans and it is no longer about everyone trying to figure out who the song is about. This is once again bound to continue the era of Taylor Swift, whether people like it or not. The“Look What You Made Me Do” video has already broken records, including reaching 43.2 million views on YouTube within 24 hours of its release, and now has 499 million views a month later. Nov. 10 is surely an anticipated date for me, as I cannot wait to see what Taylor has in store.
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October 5, 2017
Arcade Fire disappoints, laughable in new studio album Izzy Braham Columnist
Everything Now
Arcade Fire Sonovox Records
[Content warning: Mentions of suicide, body image issues] here is a recurring “Saturday Night Live” sketch where the cast is a high school improv group and all of their acts are supposed to make dramatic statements about “society,” but end up being straight-up absurd. Well, Arcade Fire’s new album, “Everything Now,” is essentially this skit in music form but without the intention of being funny. Upbeat and theatrical with pop and electronic elements, not only is the album a big departure musically from the band’s feisty indie roots, but the themes “Everything Now” touches on—such as insatiable consumerism, media over-stimulation and psychologically-ingrained societal expectations—are radically different for the band. While this new direction for Arcade Fire sounds pretentious but not particularly low-quality or laughable on paper, the way it was executed was lousy—the ideas are presented in very cliché and shallow ways in addition to the melodies of the songs being either too overwhelming or lacking charm. Arcade Fire has produced five albums since 2001, with the band’s 2010 album “The Suburbs” establishing them as a quintessential contemporary indie band. Before “Everything Now,” Arcade Fire’s collection consisted of darker songs with beautiful piano melodies and lyrics that were often relatable and down to earth. With “Reflektor” in 2015, their sound adopted a groovier edge with more electronic elements. While the band has changed over time, “Everything Now” is still vastly different from any of their prior albums and wholly unexpected in sounds and themes. The album begins with the song “Everything-
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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Now (continued),” a short 46-second electronic sound bite that has the lead singer singing, “I’m in the black again / Not coming back again / We can just pretend / We’ll make it home again / From everything now.” At first, the song sounds interesting—it harkens back to the band’s original darkness with a different musical approach. Not so fast, though —right after the lead singer says his last line, the song plummets into a cringe-worthy chaotic noise that irritatingly resurfaces throughout the album. The album then flows into the incredibly upbeat title song. The lead singer moans, “This happy family with everything now / We turn the speakers up till they break / ’Cause every time you smile it’s a fake! / Stop pretending, you’ve got... Everything now,” while backup singers repeat “Everything now!” The intensity of the first two songs with the repetition of the cheesy lyric of “Everything now!” makes the album seem like it’s a soundtrack to some sort of over-the-top trendy musical. However, the intended criticality of the lyrics is incredibly hard to take seriously. The band might as well have just repeated a clip of Cecily Strong saying “society” in a sassy tone for their chorus. Further, “Signs of Life” is equally over-dramatic and ridiculous as it starts with some police sirens. Trying to promote the idea that no one is truly living in this day and age, the song then becomes very theatrical with back-up singers and the cliché lyrics “Those cool kids / Stuck in the past / Apartments of cigarette ash.” The song is followed by the electronic “Creature Comfort,” which touches on topics of suicide, body image and self-hate. They begin the song with “Some boys hate themselves / Spend their lives resenting their fathers / Some girls hate their bodies / Stand in the mirror and wait for the feedback.” While these are very serious topics, I felt like they weren’t discussed in the song with any type of ingenuity or depth. In fact, the song sounded as if the band was just shouting out thoughtless lines that just merely mentioned the issues in which they were suppose to analyze which made the song’s critical edge utterly weak.
The newest studio album by alternative band Arcade Fire purposefully deconstructs the sound the group has created over the years, and not for the better. Original fans beware. The one song that could be considered somewhat interesting is “Electric Blue.” While it tries to make a statement that no one is truly an individual and that we don’t know what love is, it can still be appreciated for having a groovy beat. Although it is clear the album is over-the-top, and can come off a little ditzy in the lyric department, my main disappointment has to do with how it succumbed to a certain alt-pop that is so common in the alternative music genre these days. The album can’t really be considered indie or alternative—it is pop music. I’m not trying to say that there is no merit in pop music, but “Everything Now” wasn’t even well-done pop music and I was shocked that my beloved Arcade Fire, an indie bastion of my childhood, had completely changed its ways. What is even more infuriating is that this specific destruction of the Arcade Fire sound was
intentional. It is supposed to be a trashy pop album complete with moments of unpleasant noise and sickeningly hallow lyrics for it to make its full statement about “society.” The band even created a whole marketing campaign for the album before it was released to embrace the album’s themes. They created a website called www.everythingnow.com that is decorated with intense flashing visuals and large graphic text including a sign that says “Your computer may have infinite content” to emphasize the album’s brand of media over-stimulation. They even wrote a review of their own album and created fake news articles and products to endorse this media-entangled, hyper-consumerist theme. With this pretentiousness, it’s really hard to not laugh at this album. The moral of the story is, do yourself a favor and skip “Everything Now,” especially if you are an original fan.
Remake of ‘It’ feels unfinished, lacks horror element Jimmy Christon Columnist
It
Andrés Muschietti Warner Bros. Pictures
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Courtesy of Gage Skidmore via Flickr
can’t think of a movie better suited for the transition from summer into autumn (read Halloween) than “It.” “It” is, in my opinion, aimed more at capturing the feeling of summertime for a bunch of white children than it is a horror movie. In other films, this sort of supernatural aspect would normally be dropped in favor of acting as a sort of symbol for the summer as a whole. But with “It,” the supernatural is all too real, and I think it is the movie’s most damaging aspect in that it throws off the equilibrium of what we expect this movie to be: It’s not a horror movie and it’s not an adventure movie, it’s somewhere in between. My biggest complaint with this movie is that it just feels incomplete. Stephen King’s Pennywise saga has been split into two parts, and it is apparent to the viewer. I’m fine with sequels, but when the second movie is going to be so far removed from the first in terms of character and setting, the first film should strive to leave the audience in a place where it is satisfying to rest. I think that “It” tries to do this, but there’s still this feeling that I didn’t get the entire picture with the first film installation. This incompleteness is particularly troubling for the viewer. The movie concludes, and the story “It” tells is fulfilled satisfyingly—the summer ends, the friends say temporary goodbyes—but something still feels off about this movie as a whole that has just sat in my mind and festered ever since I saw the movie. I think the nature of this effect has its source with Pennywise. Much like director Andy Muschietti’s previous film “Mama,” I just wasn’t really sure how I was supposed to feel about Pennywise, the story’s antagonist. Like sure, he’s definitely off and undeniably a monster, but I just feel like he didn’t leave an impression on me. Is he supposed to be a source of dread for the gang of kids, or is he supposed to be a physical threat? Or is he
Pictured here is Bill Skarsgøard, who plays the horrifying clown Pennywise in the remake of Stephen King’s “It.” The first part of the series leaves the viewer wanting more horror. supposed to be a threat to children everywhere in their town of Derry? The answer is a combination of all three, and I feel like the movie doesn’t pull any of them off particularly well. Pennywise is good at morphing into each child’s fear, sure, but these fears never get to any of the kids. Yes, they’re scared by the manifestations, but we never see any of these kids die from their fears—something we read a lot about in the books and in other horror films. And again, we only see Pennywise kill a couple kids. I never got the sense that Pennywise was this ominous menace to this society of kids. One thing that would have better helped establish this is if we had seen Pennywise kill more. As it stands, Pennywise feels like all bark and no bite. For an R-rated horror movie, “It” is definitely on the more conservative side when it comes to violence, which is a real shame in my book, and my feeling is that they’re saving the dying children factor for the next movie when the main characters
have their own children. Another problem I had with the horror in this movie was that it didn’t differ from horror norms. Pennywise is a really cool supernatural figure because of his ability to morph into the fears of children. Children are very imaginative people, and their fears reflect this. What this means is that there was the opportunity to include some pretty cool monsters that embodied the fears of these children. But instead of that, we got kids being chased by zombies, blood, hair and a woman. Like I get that these are tied to the individual fears of the children, but they just felt so generic (especially when compared to Pennywise’s developed clown persona) that it was hard to feel anything more than indifferent when these monsters came on screen. The filmmakers also missed an opportunity to develop the kids’ characters with these embodiments. Seeing their fears is a good way to see the real character, and with one of the kids we sorta get
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this. But for the rest of them, we just know they’re scared of these things because...I don’t know, the movie never gave me a reason so I can’t give you one either. But the movie isn’t bad. It just isn’t really a horror movie. It’s more akin to “Stranger Things,” “Super 8” and, of course, “The Goonies.” It’s a bunch of boys palling around over the summer dealing with friendships, bullies and just growing up in general. I particularly liked how the lives of these boys intersected with one another at the beginning of this movie and I liked how the parents had a small yet very noticeable presence in the movie. But even in this department the movie feels more generic than it does fresh. It’s still fun to watch, and the kids are all great actors and have great chemistry when it comes to comedy (Finn Wolfhard from “Stranger Things” and Jack Dylan Grazer are absolutely hilarious), but it’s not the best way this type of movie has been done before. And the more “adventury” side of this movie is where the dumbest part of this movie resides. I’m referring to when the solo female member of The Losers Club is taken hostage by Pennywise. I was expecting some sort of satirical edge to help liven up such a stupid cliché. But no, she has to be rescued by a team of bad-talking misfit boys. This has all been done before, and it’s been done better in other movies. But “It” isn’t bad. It would be unfair to label it as anything, especially considering that it’s not complete. We’ll get the second half in a couple years and I’ll go and see that one as well. I’d be especially happy if the second movie makes up for the missteps of the first; the opportunity for improvement is there and that’s more than most movies can say. This movie did have its moments as well. It made me laugh, it made me a little grossed out sometimes and, most importantly, I was invested for the entire movie. This wasn’t like 2013’s “Mama,” where I tuned out halfway through and fell asleep. I was excited to see how this movie ended and how it would wrap up its plot points. And it did that. But I’m finding that the more I think about this movie, the more I’m realizing that there’s a bit of a funky taste left in my mouth. I am hopeful that the second installation can do more justice to the story.
October 5, 2017
Campus Canvas
ARTS A weekly space highlighting the creative pursuits of student-artists
Page 17 submit to misc@vassar.edu
Excuse me, What do you want your tombstone to say?
“Here lies Liz. You’re welcome for blessing your life. I’ll miss you” — Liz Rotolo ’20
“It’s just another day in paradise” — Alyssa More ’19
“Overdosed on cheese sticks” — Dea Oviedo ’20
“Woah, that’s a big shark” — Elliot Kleinman ’21
“My biggest ups ever” — Teo Hedigan ’21
Derek Bishop ’19 (he, him, his) Biochemistry Major Derek loves to take photos, especially of his friends and his surroundings. They let him capture a moment in time, and to share them on social media sites. These photos are from his experiences studying abroad in Stockholm this semester.
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“Out with a bang!” — Diego Betancourt ’21
Leah Cates, Humor & Satire Yesenia Garcia, Humor & Satire
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October 5, 2017
Field hockey falls to Jackets, set to rebound against Herons FIELD HOCKEY continued from page 1
Courtesy of Carlisle Stockton
The University of Rochester started off the second half with their second and final goal of the game off an insert pass. Rochester’s Maya Haigis connected off an insert pass on a low hard shot that found the right side of the goal. The Brewers were unable to connect on any of their five corners during the second half. They took two back-to-back corners following the second goal from Rochester but were unable to get a shot off. Rochester’s Jennifer Lee took eight shots during the game, with one coming in the 55th minute that Rotolo kicked away to prevent Rochester from increasing their lead to three goals. The Brewers’ best opportunity to get back into the game came when junior Mikayla Young received a pass off a penalty corner attempt from the top of the circle, but the shot went wide. Senior Storm Sideleau took the last two shots of the game in the final minute but couldn’t sneak them past the goalkeeper. Although the Brewers did not come out with a win, Sideleau did not think that the outcome of the game on Saturday was illustrative of how the team performed. “Everyone played with great energy and gave 100 percent,” Sideleau commented. “Even though we didn’t win, the game against Rochester gave us an opportunity to see how we can improve and make our team a better unit. We had great energy, individual skill and hustle,” she explained. Even though the team played with tenacity, Sideleau believes there are still things the
Junior Gracie Tavakkol chases after a runaway ball in a match at Weinberg Field earlier this season. Tavakkol and the Brewers lost their matchup to Rochester this weekend, 2-0. Brewers need to focus on as they continue their season. “[We] can improve our spacing between the lines, stick to stick passing and press recovery,” said Sideleau. Sideleau explained that after every game, the team reconvenes to highlight areas of success and areas that need improvement. “After our game in Rochester, we decided that one of the key focuses for our upcoming practices will be
increasing the cohesiveness between our lines on the field. We’ll be keeping that in mind when deciding what skills to focus on during practice.” Junior Monica Feeley, a returning first-team All-Liberty League selection, has been a solid midfielder for the Brewers this season. Consistent with the feelings of Sideleau, Feeley thought that the team played with a lot of grit this past weekend. “Every single person would come off
the field exhausted from all the hard work they put in during their shift, which was awesome to see,” she commented. Sophomore Cristina Lopez remarked on some of the things the team has been focusing on and how these have translated into their games. “Some things that we’ve really been working on have been staying disciplined and working on our communication,” Lopez explained. She mentioned that the team has played a lot of close games that have come down to a few minor errors. “Staying disciplined throughout the entire 70 minutes of play is something we are really striving for so we can eliminate our small mistakes,” said Lopez. Additionally, Lopez observed how much better the team plays when there are open lines of communication on the field. “We all know that we play well when we are having fun and talking to each other the whole game,” she explained. “Direct communication has been key to working as a unit in games rather than as individuals.” The Brewers are determined to walk away from this loss with their heads held high and are ready to put in a great week of practice to prepare for their upcoming game. “We have a solid week of practice before William Smith, so we are looking for everyone to come to every practice focused and ready to give 100%,” Feeley noted. “We always have a competition practice on Friday, so we are hoping this energy will transfer over into the game on Saturday!” The Brewers will face off against the Herons of William Smith College in their next Liberty League game, Saturday, Oct. 7, on Weinberg Field.
Making sense of NFL players’ ‘Take a Knee’ protests Mack Liederman Sports Editor
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t was only 13 months ago when Colin Kaepernick decided to take a knee. It started out as a simple, passive and unnoticed gesture, with the 49ers quarterback choosing to sit by the Gatorade coolers during the national anthem of a meaningless preseason game. What Kaepernick’s protest would become in the weeks to follow, however, is one of the most polarizing and scrutinized gestures in American media history. For weeks, public figures, activists, analysts, all the way down to the typical football fan, debated Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the anthem, in what he declared a statement against police brutality. As news cycles turn over with lighting-quick speed now more than ever, Kaepernick’s protest had seemingly been forgotten in the central public forum, with its novelty finally running its course. The NFL, drawing pressure from its conservative image and fan base, had effectively blacklisted Kaepernick out of his job. The league seemed to have moved on and maneuvered out of yet another public relations crisis. However, the past two weeks of football have jolted new life into Kaepernick’s protest. There’s a lot of confusion around the leaguewide “Take a Knee” protest that has taken place. Why now? What exactly are the players protesting? Simply put, there is no easy answer, and there is a lot to unpack here. The protest seemed to have been spurred by comments made by President Donald Trump in one of his many trademarked, loud and provocative campaign rallies on Sept. 22 in Alabama. In his speech, Trump urged league owners to fire players that kneeled for the national anthem. Trump said: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. He’s fired!’” The following day Trump doubled down on his comments and tweeted, “If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the Nation Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do.” Further outrage was expressed over comments Trump made about Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and his decision to boycott the traditional NBA champion White House visit. Trump tweeted, “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
Empowered and frustrated by Trump’s comments, many players were quick to fire back on Twitter, with NBA star LeBron James going as far as calling Trump a “bum.” The biggest demonstration, however, came on the field for football Sunday. Going far beyond the scope and scale of Kaepernick’s protest, players from across the league broke out in protest with displays of team unity during the national anthem. Players from the Raiders, Bills, Broncos, Giants, Lions, Patriots, Saints and Falcons did not choose to stand for the anthem. The Dolphins, Buccaneers, Vikings, Eagles, Bears, Colts, Jets, Chargers, Packers and Redskins stood with arms locked, while some players chose to kneel as well. Overall, the Associated Press estimated that 204 players elected to kneel or sit during the anthem. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers decided not to come out of their locker room for the anthem prior to their game against the Chicago Bears. The Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans followed suit in their afternoon game (The New York Times, “After Trump Blasts N.F.L., Players Kneel and Lock Arms in Solidarity,” 09.42.2017). Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who served three tours of duty in the U.S. military, was the sole player to come out of the locker room to stand and pledge, for which he later said he felt “embarrassed” in a press conference after the game. Many military veterans like Villanueva have weighed in on the debate. Following the protests Sunday, four million social media posts have included #TakeAKnee (Adweek, “This Social Analytics Firm Says the 4 Million #TakeAKnee Tweets Are Just the Beginning,” 09.25.2017). An image of a 97-year-old WWII vet in Missouri taking a knee went viral. However, there has also been a lot of backlash to the player’s decision to kneel. Many have flockedto social media to utilize the image of Pat Tillman as a reason for NFL players to stand. Tillman was an NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals who enlisted in the military following the Sept. 11 attacks. Tillman died in the line of duty. In response, Tillman’s widow Marie Tillman asked that his service not be politicized. “Pat’s service, along with that of every man and woman’s service, should never be politicized in a way that divides us. We are too great of a country for that,” Tillman said in a statement released to CNN on Sept. 26. Probably the most surprising reaction to Trump’s comments have come from NFL owners. In this year’s annual London, England, game, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Raiders locked arms on their respective sidelines, while some players chose to kneel as well. In a pointed
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick takes a knee alongside safety Eric Reid during the national anthem last season. New protests took place this season in Week 3. refute of Trump’s call to fire players, Jags owner Shahid Khan locked arms with tight end Marcedes Lewis and linebacker Telvin Smith in a show of solidarity. Khan is a Republican who had made significant contributions to the Trump campaign during the election season (USA Today, “Jaguars owner Shahid Khan joins in on NFL’s national anthem protests,” 09.24.2017). Many other owners were not hesitant to fire back. Owners Stephen Ross (Dolphins), Martha Ford (Lions), Jeffrey Lurie (Eagles), Christopher Johnson (Jets) and Dean Spanos (Chargers) also joined their respective teams during the anthem. Owner of “America’s Team,” Jerry Jones, knelt alongside his Dallas Cowboys during the national anthem (NPR, “How Every NFL Team Responded To Trump’s National Anthem Protest Comments,” 09.25.2017). New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, a long-time friend of President Trump, released his own statement. “I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the President on Friday. I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities,” Kraft said on the Patriot’s website. “Their efforts, both on and off the field, help bring people together and make our community stronger.” 16 of Kraft’s Patriots took a knee during their
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game this Sunday, while quarterback Tom Brady, who has frequently dodged questions about his association with President Trump, locked arms with his teammates (The New York Times). “Yeah, I certainly disagree with what Trump said. I thought it was just divisive,” Brady said in a radio interview on “Kirk and Callahan.” “Like I said, I just want to support my teammates. I am never one to say, ‘Oh, that is wrong. That is right.’ I do believe in what I believe in. I believe in bringing people together and respect and love and trust.” Many analysts had commented that with all the focus on Trump, Kaepernick’s original message on police brutality has been lost in translation. Kaepernick remained mostly quiet throughout the protests, instead choosing to retweet images of players that wore “#IMWITHKap” shirts on Sunday, a subtle reminder of what his protests were supposed to be about. San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid, who was the first player to kneel alongside Kaepernick last season, offered his thoughts in a New York Times op-ed on Monday, Sept. 25. “I am nevertheless encouraged to see my colleagues and other public figures respond to the president’s remarks with solidarity with us,” Reid wrote. “It is paramount that we take control of the story behind our movement, which is that we seek equality for all Americans, no matter their race or gender.”
October 5, 2017
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FIFA neglects recognition Owners’ protest highlights of women, needs new award concerns about the anthem Desmond Curran Guest Columnist
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n the global scene of soccer this week, FIFA released the shortlist of nominees for the Puskás Award. This award is given annually to what is subjectively deemed the most aesthetically “beautiful” goal scored in the calendar year. Out of the 10 nominees, only one nominee is a woman. Here is the description from FIFA’s website of Deyna Castellanos’ goal: “Deyna Castellanos scores from the halfway line directly following Cameroon’s stoppage-time equaliser to secure all three points for her team. Castellanos’ strike was voted the goal of the tournament for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016.” Compare this description with another: “France forward Olivier Giroud scores with a scorpion kick to finish off a swift counter attack by the Gunners. Alexis Sanchez curls in a cross from outside the penalty area on the left wing for Giroud, whose audacious, acrobatic effort hits off the crossbar before bulging the inside of Wayne Hennessey’s net.” I encourage you to watch both goals, and if you desire, the rest of the nominees. At least to my eye, there is a significant gap in quality between the Deyna Castellanos goal and many of the other male nominees. There are other nominated goals scored by men that aren’t, in my opinion, top quality goals. There is a large gap in quality between the goal scored by Olivier Giroud and perhaps the goal scored by Moussa Dembele of Celtic. What I would like you, the reader, to imagine is that if there are nine nominees that are male and one female, and there is a subjective gap in quality between some of the male nominees, why aren’t there more nominees from women’s soccer? Deyna Castellanos’ goal is a phenomenal strike, and I do believe it deserves to be nominated for the Puskás. But I have a hard time believing that there aren’t other goals of similar quality that could also be nominated—as a matter of fact, I know that there are professional women’s players out there
who are scoring fantastic goals. Two weeks ago I recall seeing Alex Morgan strike a world-class goal, one that I subjectively see as worthy of a Puskás nomination, and also more technically accomplished than Castellanos’ goal. Alex Morgan’s goal cannot be nominated for the Puskás because of the timing of the award. But I am confident that there were other prolific goals scored by women in the past year. And yet, there is only one Puskás nominee who is a woman. There is no definite deficit in beautiful goals scored by women. But instead of recognizing more women, FIFA chooses to nominate goals like Moussa Dembele’s, which are arguably nothing more than above average. As a part of the description of the Puskás award, the criteria for a nominee includes this phrase: “It should be awarded ‘without distinction of championship, gender or nationality.’” Yet, after seeing the nomination list for 2017, and for all previous awards, there is a discernable trend where only one nominee is a woman every year. To me, it seems that FIFA is not making an actual effort to recognize beautiful goals that are scored by women. Deyna Castellanos’ goal, though impressive in its audacity, appears more as a token of recognition for women in soccer, to make the appearance of satisfying the criteria of the award itself. It is time for fans of the sport to recognize this indolent effort by FIFA. A possible solution is the creation of a separate award with the same intent as the Puskás, but to recognize women. It could be named after a prolific striker, like Abby Wambach, Elisabetta Vignotto or Christine Sinclair. FIFA already has a separate player of the year award for men and women, so would it not make sense to have a separate award for the most “beautiful” goal scored by both men and women? If FIFA were to create an award, beautiful goals scored by women would no longer be overshadowed by their male counterparts.
Jonathan Levi-Minzi Guest Columnist
When our land is illum’d with Liberty’s smile, If a foe from within strike a blow at her glory, Down, down, with the traitor that dares to defile The flag of her stars and the page of her story! By the millions unchain’d who our birthright have gained We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained! And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave While the land of the free is the home of the brave. he poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. thought these lines would be a good addition to the “Star-Spangled Banner,” a then widely popular patriotic hymn not yet sanctified as the nation’s anthem. He offered these extra verses in 1861, the year the Civil War began. Through my scouring of the Internet, I’ve come across a smattering of pieces that highly praise Holmes’ words and that suggest the latter quartet as a national anthem add-on which would render it more comprehensively reflective of the American ideal. Holmes Sr., though, is clearly more concerned here with “Liberty’s smile” and “the flag of her stars” than he is with “the millions unchain’d.” It is of utmost importance to the poet that “the traitor who dares to defile / The flag” be stopped in whatever way possible. Good for them, though, “the millions unchain’d who our birthright have gained,” he seems to be saying. That some writers argue for these revealingly indifferent verses as part of a better Star-Spangled Banner speaks to how glaringly far the actual, codified national anthem is from acceptably negotiating America’s racist, dehumanizing past. Sure, we only sing the innocent, inspiring verses of the Star-Spangled Banner as Francis Scott Key originally rendered them, but should we really be ignoring Scott Key’s intented meaning, and, more generally, the racist zeitgeist in which he wrote
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the song? “No refuge could save the hireling and slave / From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave,” he jokes in one of Star-Spangled Banner’s lesser-known verses, referring to slaves who, having escaped from colonial slave owners like Scott Key himself, joined the Redcoat army. It is within this damning context that observers should take measure of both the former San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest last season and the NFL owners’ own revealing indifference in their politically sterilizing adaptation of Kaepernick’s protest in this season’s Week 3. In fact, the NFL owner’s indifferent response is just another example of how we, as a nation, continue to justify the deeply concerning themes that underline our anthem. The justifiable player response to Trump’s comments last week was not good news for NFL owners, who by virtue of their moneyed interests want any politics that polarize their fan-base to stay far from the field. Ultimately, a few owners opted for putting into motion a clever sleight of hand,locking arms with their players in a display of unity. The president had criticized the players for protesting structural racism and police brutality, and the league responded...that they wouldn’t let Trump divide the players and their bosses. That NFL owners behaved opportunistically in obfuscating Kaepernick’s protest with a diversion message against divisiveness is not unexpected, but it is appallingly unsympathetic to the approximately 70 percent of NFL players who are Black. Kneeling during the anthem hits a nerve that brings necessary and egregiously belated awareness to structural racism. Black Americans are owed by their country real justice and humanity to massive, incalculable extents, that the national anthem so pointedly ignores. Protesting the flag and the national anthem, the symbols epitomizing the high ideals our country lays claim to, perfectly embodies that reality.
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October 5, 2017
Picks for the MLB postseason: Indians win World Series Robert Pinataro Sports Editor
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Vassar College 2, Union College 0
September 30, 2017
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This will be a close series, but the Indians’ superior pitching will wear down the Yankees’ offense, and the Indians will go on to face the Red Sox in the ALCS. Ace Corey Kluber and The Tribe will come out on top once again, and the Indians will go to the World Series. For the National League, the Rockies will beat the Diamondbacks and face the Dodgers in the NLDS. The Dodgers will take down the Rockies with ease. The Nationals will outhit the Cubs in a close series and go on to face the Dodgers in the NLCS. The Nationals will continue to swing the bats well and will take down the Dodgers in a huge upset. This will set the stage for a World Series showdown between the Indians and the Nationals. This series will likely last in excess of five games, but the Indians will ride out their superior pitching and end the 2017 MLB season as World Series Champions.
Vassar College 2, Union College 0
Walsh Alvarez Thayer DeBenedictis Chroscinski Coughlan Seper Lavelle McFarland Ferry Pillsbury Trasatti Deitch McMannon Chernet Saari Herrera-Ross Longo Cutler Moss Daley
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over .300 with 20 or more home runs. On the other hand, the Cubs have been less impressive in terms of batting average or power numbers. They have had to be somewhat scrappy in order to score as many runs as they have. Infielders Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant have been excellent to this point, though. Since both pitching staffs are somewhat equal, it really will come down to whichever team is hottest with the bats. The Nationals’ impressive power numbers is part of why they will probably emerge victorious from the NLDS. While the Cubs will be scraping together runs, the Nationals could put games out of reach in a hurry if their sluggers come ready to play. These postseason matchups are going to be thrilling to watch. The Yankees will take down the Twins and battle the Indians in the ALDS.
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This year’s MLB postseason is shaping up to be a competitive one, and the World Series will undoubtedly be a close race. With superior pitching, however, the Indians are poised to win.
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he 2017 MLB regular season is drawing to a close, and that can only mean one thing: postseason baseball. This year’s postseason climate is extremely competitive, and it feels like every team that made the playoffs has a good chance to win the World Series. Here are my picks for what should be an exciting month of October baseball. The American League is tough this year. The five teams that made the postseason are the Cleveland Indians (No. 1 seed), Houston Astros (2), Boston Red Sox (3), New York Yankees (4) and Minnesota Twins (5). As the first seed, the Indians will play the winner of the American League wild card matchup between the Yankees and Twins. In the one-game playoff, both teams will be put to the test. Each will have to put its very best foot forward, which can mean many different things. Most importantly, it means starting the pitcher that is most likely to win, rather than sticking with the usual rotation. For the Twins, Ervin Santana is their best pitcher and is first in the rotation. He is likely to start on the bump Oct. 3. The Yankees’ best pitcher this season has been Luis Severino, even though he is fourth in the rotation, according to the MLB’s website. It will be a good matchup, but it is hard to imagine the Bronx Bombers losing this one. Severino has had a much better year than Santana, and the Yankees offense has scored significantly more runs than that of the Twins. Whichever team wins is in for an extremely difficult series against the formidable Cleveland Indians and their unbelievable pitching staff. The American League Division Series (ALDS) matchup between the two and three seeds, the Astros and Red Sox, will be a battle until the very end. Houston is the best run-scoring team in Major League Baseball, but the Red Sox have the better pitching staff. Watch for Astros middle infielders Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve, as well as outfielder George Springer, to make a huge
impact on this series. All three have had strong seasons and will be the Astros’ best chance at taking down Boston’s pitching, which will be led by ace Chris Sale. Sale has put together an incredible season, with a 2.90 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP, and he is currently in second place in ESPN’s “Cy Young Predictor.” The battle between Sale and a lineup as productive as Houston’s is going to be a close one. In the past, teams with the best pitching have fared better in postseason play, which is why Boston will come out as the ALDS champion and face the winner of the Indians and the wildcard in the America League Championship Series (ALCS). On the National League’s side of the bracket are the Los Angeles Dodgers (No. 1 seed), Washington Nationals (2), Chicago Cubs (3), Arizona Diamondbacks (4) and Colorado Rockies (5). The wildcard game between the Diamondbacks and the Rockies will be a competitive one and one that is winnable for the lower-seeded Rockies. While the Diamondbacks have a better ace in Zach Greinke, the Rockies have been a high-performing offense all year and are capable of putting up big numbers against him. The Diamondbacks’ offense is also very strong, but the Rockies’ star-studded lineup has some intangibles that have made them electric to watch. Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon will need to be impact players in this game against a very tough Diamondbacks team. While it is hard to imagine them squeaking past the Dodgers in an National League Championship Series (NLCS) matchup, it is likely that they will get that opportunity by beating Arizona in the wildcard game. The National League Division Series (NLDS) between Bryce Harper and his Nationals (2) and Kris Bryant and the Cubs (3) will be perhaps the most competitive match of the entire postseason. Both teams are nearly identical in run-scoring ability and pitching, based on this year’s regular season statistics. The Nationals lineup has been outstanding this year, with outfielder Bryce Harper and infielders Anthony Rendon, Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman all batting
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Union College
Sh SOG G A 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 1
0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
19
11
2
1
POS M F D M F D F D D F GK S S S S S S S S S
Player
Vassar College
Sh SOG G A 1 1 0 1 5 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Supranowicz Hill Benedick Keane Giles Ferrelli Sherling Leahy Mraz Monahan Hartsoe Broadwell Dubay Sturno Dominick Stevenson Stevens Ashmen Russo Aasa
0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11
Totals.......
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0
0
POS GK D D M M D D F M D F S S S S S
Player
Union College
Sh SOG G A
Marment Sands Gilmore Smith Stansell Olsson Snider Novas Van Brewer Collins Mrlik Goldsmith Bow Baliat Heitmann Lukasik
Totals.......
0 1 6 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0
0 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
16
8
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 1
POS
Player
GK M M M F F D M M D M S S S S S
Weitzman Cowles Strauss Al-Homsi Cannon Lopez, Jr. Lobe Dombayci Leonard McGrath Willsie Malakian Mera Gomes Muther Smith
Sh SOG G
Totals.......
0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6
A
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0
0
GA
Saves
Goalie
Minutes
GA
Saves
Goalie
Minutes
GA
Saves
Goalie
Minutes
GA
Saves
0
5
Hartsoe
90:00
2
9
Marment
90:00
0
1
Weitzman
90:00
2
6
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