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The Miscellany News

Volume CXLVIII | Issue 20

April 28, 2016

Since 1866 | miscellanynews.org

Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY

Destruction of Mudd opens space for new campus green Clark Xu Reporter

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Ashley Pecorelli/The Miscellany News

s part of a broader plan to renew the infrastructure supporting the natural sciences at Vassar College, contractors from Daniel O’Connell’s Sons proceeded to demolish Mudd Chemistry. Welders and workers finished dismantling the steel frame of Mudd Chemistry on Friday, April 22 and have begun clearing the site to make room for a new green located to the north of Olmstead Hall and the Bridge. Drawing on contractor expertise, the demolition has continued without major incidents. Project Manager Jeffrey Weinman explained, “The demo plan involved carefully stripping away the non-structural elements, such as the masonry façade, interior walls, windows, so that the structural members can be cut off and removed selectively, without de-

stabilizing the remaining frame.” He continued, “The greatest safety risk is any unplanned structural failure or collapse. This is why a competent professional is brought in to assess the structure and assist in planning the demo sequence.” The Chemistry Department, which has been housed in Mudd Chemistry since 1982, reports that the transition to the Science Bridge exhausted their support staff. Associate Professor of Chemistry Christopher Smart reflected, “The transition was incredibly complex and difficult. [At the same time], the transition was extremely smooth, due to our fantastic staff in the Chem Department who helped the faculty way, way above and beyond the call of duty.” Noting that the transition began over the summer, Associate ProfesSee CHEM on page 4

The rubble of Mudd Chemistry Building lies in a mound between the Center for Drama and Film and Main building. For the Chemistry Department at Vassar, the building represented more than 30 years of team work and innovation.

Rwandan Genocide #BlackLivesMatter the movement adressed on campus K Kaitlynn Vo Reporter

Stoddard Meigs Guest Reporter

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f you were born in the 1980s, you may have a recollection of what happened in Rwanda in 1994. From April 7 to mid-July of that year, the Hutu committed a mass genocide against the Tutsi, an ethnic minority in the country, killing approximately

800,000 people. The result was international condemnation and the creation of the International Criminal Court for those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. This Wednesday, Vassar hosted Burundian diplomat for the UN in See UN on page 6

eeanga-Yamahtta Taylor came to Vassar on Tuesday, April 19 with the aim of sparking a discussion of the pressing issues of police brutality and racial discrimination ongoing in the #BlackLivesMatter movement. A race and public policy expert, Associate Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and academic studying Black poli-

tics, the Black radical tradition and social movements holistically in the United States, Taylor was brought to campus to discuss her forthcoming book “From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation.” For Savannah Smith ’19, Taylor’s lecture provided a fresh perspective on life as a Black American. “This enables us to have a wider lens through which to analyze, but through this, I have been extremely critical of what

it means to be Black in America,” she said. “The thought of what true equality would look like always leads to me to see it as an impossibility under the current political and economic system in America. Keeanga Taylor’s book and lecture essentially answered my questions and enabled me to have the language to articulate

these thoughts and views of mine.” See BLACKNESS on page 7

Historic literary journal returns Polston named NFC Fencer of the Year I Elena Schultz Reporter

n his sophomore year, Alex Raz ’16, joined earlier this year by Palak Patel ’16, resolved to revive Vassar’s longstanding literary journal, the Vassar Review. This journal was originally published from 1927 to 1993, featured nationally acclaimed writers and is now celebrating its long-awaited return. Unlike the Vassar Student Review, the Vassar Review primarily features submissions from writers

outside of Vassar and aims to have an international audience. However, the process of reinstating the Vassar Review was ambitious. Advisory board member and Professor of English Paul Kane remarked, “When Alex Raz first approached me about his idea to revive the Vassar Review, I was a little skeptical because I knew, from experience, that such a scheme required an immense amount of diligent work to organize and execute.” He continued, “But Alex had had experi-

ence with all of this already and I have to admit that he surprised me in how effective and determined he turned out to be.” Arts Faculty Editor and Loeb Curator and Assistant Director MaryKay Lombino agreed. She wrote in an emailed statement, “When Alex Raz first told me he was reviving the Vassar Review I saw that it was a great idea and that he would be able to get it off the ground, but I had no idea how amSee REVIEW on page 15

Ashley Pecorelli/The Miscellany News

After nearly 20 years, The Vassar Review will return to print. Palak Patel ’16 and Alex Raz ’16 teamed up to bring the publication back. It will feature faculty, student and outside voices and will be available to academics nationwide.

Inside this issue

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Nap Map provides relief FEATURES from finals

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Bueller and Caulfield face off HUMOR in rap battle

Olivia O’Loughlin Guest Reporter

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tandout sophomore fencers Eli Polston, Jonathan Alperstein, Annie Innes-Gold and Kirsten Denman have had remarkable success and shown strong leadership this season. These four athletes have proved their athletic prowess and earned conference acclaim. The team’s young talent gives them hope for even more success in the future. Polston was named the Northeast Fencing Conference Male Fencer of the Year and was also awarded NFC First Team All-Star. Polston’s Fencer of the Year title is Vassar’s first in program history. Denman was also crowned NFC First Team All-Star due to her stunning 89.39 percent winning percentage. Both Alperstein and Innes-Gold were titled NFC Second Team All-Stars for their strong conference performances throughout the season. Coach Bruce Gillman shared, “We had a very successful season and Eli, Jonathan, Kirsten and Annie were a big part of it.” Both Polston and Alperstein led the men’s team to an impressive season with a 25-14 record, while Annie and Kirsten led the Brewers to a victorious record of 24-23.” Gillman continued, “Eli had a great Northeast Conference season this year. He had the best record of all men’s fencers in the conference

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across all weapons. He was especially strong at Boston College this past January, beating Fencers from BC, Brandeis, MIT and Brown.” Leading the sabre team, Polston won numerous bouts against fierce competition and posted many undefeated wins along the way. In the beginning of the season, Polston posted 13 wins in the first Northeast Conference meet, going undefeated against Boston College with a record of 3-0. His contribution led the Brewers to victory against Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston College and Tufts University. Then, on Feb. 7, Polston had an untarnished finish as he posted 12 wins and led the sabre team to a 38-7 victory. In this conference match, Polston swept the competition with three wins against New Hampshire, two against Dartmouth College, two against Boston College and three victories against Sacred Heart University. His victories over Sacred Heart led Vassar to its first win over the Pioneers since 2009. Other notable achievements of Polston’s include earning both of Vassar’s wins against New York University, finishing 2-1 against nationally ranked Columbia University and helping the sabre team earn second place at the New England Intercollegiate Fencing Championship. To See FENCING on page 18

Revived nautical club sets sail for SPORTS spring sea-son


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