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The Miscellany News

Volume CXLVII | Issue 10

December 4, 2014

Since 1866 | miscellanynews.com

Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY

Report finds serious Vassar, community unite to protest flaws in Security Dept. Ferguson decision in local rallies Failing to prove racial profiling, study advises institutional changes Bethan Johnson

Contributing Editor with additional reporting by

Marie Solis

Editor-in-Chief

e are extremely concerned about the state of the Vassar College Safety and Security Department,” read the opening page of a recently released security evaluation conducted by Margolis Healy and Associates. Roughly after retaining their services, the Vassar College Administration released the firm’s preliminary report regarding its security policies to students and staff. The review, entitled “Vassar College Public Safety Management Study,” though declining to definitively state if racial profiling occurred at Vassar, wrote that certain Security officers responded inappropriately to incidents commonly referenced as moments of racial profiling. Of the 38 suggestions in the report, most speak to combating perceived structural inefficiencies. Along with strongly advising the College to write clearer operating procedures for officers and to update the Security Department Officer’s Manual, the report also advised the College to launch diversity and inclusion training to address perceptions

with additional reporting by

Marie Solis and Chris Brown

Editor-in-Chief and Opinions Editor

O

n Nov. 25, in the wake of the nighttime announcement that a grand jury refused to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for fatally shooting Michael Brown, hundreds of members of the Vassar community engaged in peaceful protests both around Main Building and outside of the Dutchess County Jail. Utilizing various forms of social media and working in conjunction with such local activist organizations as Community Voices Heard and End the New Jim Crow, students rallied with Poughkeepsie residents and in unison with nationwide actions. Despite the substantial showing of students and staff at the events, some in both the See RACIAL JUSTICE on page 4

Sam Pianello/The Miscellany News

“W

of racial profiling. Representatives from Margolis Healy, a college security review firm comprised largely of former law enforcement officers, asked faculty, staff, alumnae/i and students for their thoughts on the Safety and Security Department and on their perceived level of safety on campus. For five days in September, associates from Margolis Healy conducted forums and one-on-one interviews with a variety of community members before withdrawing to review their findings and draft recommendations. Among the main concerns of the report are the serious issues within the Safety and Security Department. It stated, “It was readily apparent during our time on campus that the Department does not have an appropriate infrastructure for effective strategic and operational management.” The report continued, “It is this lack of up-to-date, effective policies, combined with several other factors, that likely contributes to wide variation in performance and conduct amongst patrol officers.” The report enumerates the lack of a defined standard for written directives that would govern the actions of See HEALY on page 4

Bethan Johnson

Contributing Editor

Vassar students hold up signs reading “Hands up don’t shoot,” a popular phrase associate with the recent death of Michael Brown, at a night rally on Nov. 25.

VSA looks to improve structure Rhys Johnson

T

Assistant News Editor

he Vassar Student Association (VSA) is currently undergoing an external review of its structure, policies and activities by an outside specialist firm, the SG Consulting Group. They will comment on issues that should be addressed and offer

suggestions as to how the VSA can operate as a more effective body. The SG Consulting Group has worked with dozens of campuses across the country, specializing in revising student constitutions and bylaws, training in parliamentary procedures and development of solutions for problems facing student governments.

The decision to pursue an external review arose from a common feeling of alienation between student groups and the VSA as well as a perception of stagnancy and lack of transparency on the part of the VSA. Vice President for Activities Ramy Abbady ’16 commented, “I want this See VSA REVIEW on page 7

Carpenter carves up record book Cushing, Greens unite in arts activism event W Amreen Bhasin Reporter

omen’s cross-country has had a successful season this semester, but one runner in particular has drunk deeply from the chalice of success. Senior cross-country run-

ner Cassidy Carpenter is proud of the team she was a part of this fall, as she explained in an emailed statement. “This year was the best the team has done since my freshman year three years ago [in 2011]. And I think that this is really indicative

of the supportive, inclusive and kind atmosphere we have on the team. But in addition to the positive atmosphere, everyone is really motivated, competitive and willing to work hard to reach our team goals and to See CROSS COUNTRY on page 18

Sam Pianello/The Miscellany News

Senior cross-country runner Cassidy Carpenter has plenty of reason to be smiling, as her hard work and dedication over her four years as a Brewer culminated in her senior year when she ran at the NCAA National Championships in Ohio.

Inside this issue

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Retiring workers recount times at FEATURES VC post office

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Healy report must be acted upon by OPINIONS administration

Emma Rosenthal

Assistant Arts Editor

E

ach residence house on campus holds different events throughout the year and they are as diverse as the houses themselves. This year, Cushing House is holding “Effecting Change Through Art” in the Villard Room on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in collaboration with the Vassar Greens. Beyond providing a forum for students’ and community members’ artistic talent, the organizers hope to reclaim the Villard Room as a space for expression. Esin Asan ’17, Cushing House President, has been preparing for the event and planning to make the importance of art unmistakable to the guests. She wrote in an emailed statement, “...We are collaborating with the Vassar Greens to make this event happen. Basically, we are transforming the Villard Room into an art gallery and performance space for students. We want the event to focus on how art is a tool is to create change in the society.” To make this a night full of the arts in every dimension, Asan and the Vassar Greens are planning to incorporate many different genres of art into the space. “The Vassar Greens invited two folk singers

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who will be performing. We have digital and physical submissions from many students, and many students signed up to perform. There will be lots of yummy food and a ton of talent, fun and good company,” Asan commented. Gabrielle Pollack ’17, Co-President of the Vassar Greens, joined Asan in the preparation for “Effecting Change Through Art” and adds another perspective to the event. She wrote in an emailed statement, “The Cushing House/Vassar Greens event is a collaborative effort to reclaim the Villard Room as a space of art, activism, and student work. Art is a really powerful form of expression and through this event we wanted to encourage students at Vassar to share their work, posters, videos, songs, etc. with us.” The arts-centric event will be open to everyone in the Vassar community and features not only a broad array of art styles but also contributions from a range of organizations on campus. Asan commented on who she reached out to in preparation for the event, “I’ve been sending emails to all the campus organizations whose general body members See ART ACTIVISM on page 16

Manhattan artist examines machines through modernism


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