The Miscellany News
Since 1866 | miscellanynews.org
Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
Volume CLI | Issue 13
January 31, 2019
Institution Jones to speak at Commencement JYA-ers critiques face room Title IX S troubles Jessica Moss
Assistant News Editor
ocial advocacy, political awareness and activism thread students of Vassar’s Class of 2019 together, connecting them and characterizing their time at VasLucy Leonard sar as they prepare for life outside Copy Staffer of its hallowed gates. The Comn late December, Education Sec- mencement Ceremony will serve retary Betsy DeVos sent a 161- as a moment for students to reflect page document to every college upon their college experiences, inand university that receives federal spiring them as they are thrust into funding. The document contains their futures. Possessing similar the Department of Education’s qualities to the graduating class, proposed changes to Title IX, a political commentator, author and law that forbids discrimination on social justice leader Van Jones will Courtesy of Center for American Progress via Flickr the basis of sex. Each institute of deliver this year’s Commencement higher learning—whether a public address. Van Jones is slated to speak at Vassar’s 155th Commencement school funded by the government Jones is an active CNN political Ceremony. Jones is a CNN political commentator, activist and author. or a private school that receives contributor, the host of “The Van Pell and professorial grants—must Jones Show” on CNN and the au- istration in 2009 (Van Jones). dance of awards he has received, send back its opinion on the pro- thor of three books on The New Today, Jones serves on the Board some of which are spotlighted on posed changes by Jan. 30. The De- York Times Best Sellers list. A for Dream Corps, a platform he his website. These include the partment of Education will review social and environmental justice founded in 2015 that unites com- World Economic Forum’s “Young these suggestions before putting leader, Jones has founded and led peting communities to overcome Global Leader” designation; Rollthe revised law into effect. The Ella Baker Center for Human social challenges by reforming the ing Stone’s 2012 “12 Leaders Who Upon learning of the deadline, Rights, Color of Change, Rebuild criminal justice system, increasing- Get Things Done”; TIME’s 2009 members of the Student Title IX The Dream think tank, The Dream ing opportunity in the tech sector, “100 Most Influential People in Advisory committee began taking Corps and Magic Labs Media (Van building an inclusive green econo- The World”; and the Root’s 2014 action as early as Jan. 2. Under the Jones, “About Van Jones”). He was my and reducing intolerance (“Our “The Root 100” (Van Jones). guidance of Director of Equal Op- the main advocate for the Green Mission,” The Dream Corps). Vassar’s 155th Commencement portunity & Affirmative Action and Jobs Act signed by George W. Bush Jones’ accomplishments as a Ceremony will take place on SunTitle IX Officer Dr. Rachel Perei- in 2007, and he worked as the green political leader and social entre- day, May 26 at 10:00 a.m. in the outSee TITLE IX on page 4 jobs advisor for the Obama admin- preneur are reflected in the abun- door amphitheater.
I
Talya Phelps
Contributing Editor
A
lex Azuelos ’20 saw the warning signs right away when he went to retrieve his key to Raymond 518 from the Residential Operations Center. He related, “I told the guy my name and everything, and he’s looking through the keys, and his face looked a little concerned...he said, ‘So I don’t mean to alarm you,’ so I’m like, ‘Okay, this is going to be bad.’” Azuelos, who was returning from his semester abroad in Paris, learned that there was a chance the previous occupant had not moved out; indeed, when he arrived at the room, it was clearly occupied. In response, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct and Housing Rich Horowitz reassigned Azuelos to Raymond 411, an empty double, but with a catch: He was to refrain from unpacking, with the expectation that he could move into 518 See DOUBLE-BOOKED on page 5
Student showcases Southern Spain Gillian Redstone Abby Tarwater/The Miscellany News The Palmer Gallery’s “Flip Side” debuted with an opening reception on Jan. 24., displaying some unexpected talent in the Vassar community.
Abby Tarwater
Assistant Arts Editor
F
or those who are not professional artists, the busyness of everyday life often leaves little time for creative endeavors. The Palmer Gallery’s second Flip Side exhibition, which commenced with an opening reception on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 5-7 p.m., provided an opportunity for
Inside this issue
14
Government shutdown exacerbates OPINIONS abuse of U.S. prisoners
members of the Vassar community to display their artistic abilities. The 10 featured artists hold varied positions on campus, including administrative assistants, faculty family members and web designers. Associate Director of the Palmer Gallery Monica Church articulated the purpose of the event See FLIP SIDE on page 7
17 HUMOR
hat comes to mind when you think of visiting Spain? Probably tapas, flamenco, sangria and the cities most well known to tourists: central Madrid and to the north, Barcelona. But oft-forgotten by one-time travelers are the wonders of Southern Spain— the towering Moorish castles of Granada, the architectural treasures of Cordoba and the blended cultures of Seville. These cities may be further south and require more time staring out the train window, but they are worth every minute. Granada is 260 miles due south of Madrid in the region of Andalusia, but visitors can also fly into Malaga airport nearby. Upon entering the city, I remember feeling overwhelmed, but in the best way. Driving down the tiny, cobblestoned streets in a stick-shift in search of the hotel was quite the experience, but even more exciting adventures awaited. The undisputed crown jewel of Granada is the Alhambra, the Moor’s last stronghold in Spain before the Inquisition in 1478. I definitely recommend (as with the majority of sites in Spain and
Vassar becomes giant puddle, campus now in muddle
Europe in general) that visitors book a tour or reserve tickets of some kind in advance. The site, although massive, is the one that everyone comes to see, and it can become crowded very quickly. Despite the logistics and crowds of tourists, the Alhambra is truly magical. The detail in the palace is mind-boggling—nearly every wall, floor and ceiling is
covered in beautiful Arabic calligraphy relief, colorful tile work or geometric designs. The gardens are lined with cypress trees, and the courtyards are full of perfectly trimmed hedges and serene fountains that create a scene rightfully fit for royalty. Also be sure to look out for the different views of the entire city and of the palace See SPAIN on page 10
Gillian Redstone/The Miscellany News
Palmer features community artists
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Copy Staffer
Featured above is the architectural detail of Spain’s Great Mosque of Cordoba, renowned for these seemingly infinite striped arches.
19 SPORTS
Team cohesion reigns supreme as women’s basketball wins fourteen