The Miscellany News | Oct. 7 2010

The Miscellany News Since 1866 | miscellanynews.com

October 7, 2010

Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY

Volume CXLIV | Issue 5

Council continues discussion on alcohol Molly Turpin

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Carlos Hernandez/ The Miscelllany News

Special section | A local travel guide for October Break

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Editor in Chief

he Vassar Student Association (VSA) continued its discussion of alcohol and campus culture at its meeting on Sunday, Oct. 3. The conversation followed a similar one held at the previous meeting on Sept. 26 in which the Council discussed alcohol-related incidents, like dorm damage and hospital visits, at length. In the week between meetings, student representatives took the dialogue to their respective VSA committees and brought thoughts and ideas back to Council on Oct. 3.

Vice President for Academics Laura Riker ’11 shared the ideas that came out of the VSA Academics committee, which included an emphasis on event advertising and a possible “Respect” campaign, though she added that there are no specific plans yet.

“The Academics committee discussion was focused largely on the power of word of mouth, and how talking to people can really

help address these types of situations,” wrote Riker later in an e-mailed statement. “Additionally, we talked about the importance of respect—respecting the school, respecting your fellow students (in particular, making people aware that Vassar College Emergency Medical Services are student volunteers), and respecting yourself.”

While much of the discussion focused on creating programs or spaces for students who preferred not to use substances, Riker and the Academics committee emphasized better advertising for the programming that already exists.

From the Student Life Committee, Vice President for Student Life Syed Samin Shehab ’11 said that many of the ideas focused on the roles of house teams and upperclassmen role models. “The Student Life Committee will be encouraging the House Presidents to take the EMS statistics to their house teams and presenting See ALCOHOL on page 5

Advising CIS makes secure network Network A String Theory weaves to go live mythic, modern yarn Joseph Rearick Guest Reporter

Caitlin Clevenger News Editor

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Vassar and the Civil War Angela Aiuto Senior Editor

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Students rehearse for their upcoming performance of String Theory, a comedy that weaves together several Greek myths, each related to string

The “Matthew Vassar.” pictured on the far right, prepares for an attack on New Orleans in April of 1862.The schooner was donated to the Union army by Matthew Vassar, Jr.

Inside this issue

5

FEATURES

Devin Leary/The Miscellany News

ith the Sesquicentennial quickly approaching, members of the Vassar community are taking the time to reflect upon and celebrate the storied history of the College. And what better place to start this journey than the very establishment of the College in 1861, which coincided with the start of one of the more tumultuous periods in American history: the Civil War. Perhaps the most spirited of the College’s war tales is that of the mortarschooner, the “Matthew Vassar,” which belonged to Matthew Vassar Jr., Vassar’s

nephew and a charter trustee of the College. Vassar Jr. had gifted the schooner, which had already been in his possession for some years, to the Union army at the start of the war; the small ship battled at the mouth of the Mississippi River and in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Vassar Encyclopedia, and had even been visited by former President of the United States Abraham Lincoln.

During the 1860s, however, Vassar was defined less by its involvement in the war than it was by the College’s growth; given that the College was founded at the Civil War’s start, much See CIVIL WAR on page 8

Courtesy of http://www.history.navy.mil

assar freshmen will soon have access to a student advisor in their area of interest as the Peer Advising Network now goes online. The Peer Advising Network will allow freshmen to choose a junior or senior majoring in a certain department and rely on that peer advisor as a supplement to their faculty premajor advisor.

The process of building this network began in the fall of 2009, when then Vassar Student Association (VSA) Vice President for Academics Stephanie Damon-Moore ’11 and 2009-2010 Strong House President Laura Riker ’11, who has since succeeded Damon-Moore as Vice President for Academics, considered solutions for issues students had been having with the pre-major advising system. Under the current system, students are assigned a pre-major faculty advisor who may not share their academic interest, but feel, in such instances, that it is too difficult to change advisors and therefore do not receive the guidance the advising system is meant to provide. The idea for a student-based advising system was fleshed out in discussions with the Academics Committee, President of the College Catharine Bond Hill and some of the Deans, and coordination from Damon-Moore and Riker.

According to an e-mailed statement from Damon-Moore, “We expect that this program will supplement the existing See ADVISING on page 3

n increasing number of Vassar students use hand-held wireless devices in addition to their personal computers to make use of Vassar’s wireless network. After years of waiting for technology accessible enough to meet these diverse needs, Computing and Information Services (CIS) has introduced two encrypted wireless networks that will provide a more secure means for the

campus community to use the Internet.

Called the “Student-Secure” and “Faculty-Secure” networks, the new systems protect the information Vassar’s Internet users send each day through an intricate coding process. “The new encrypted wireless networks increase the security of your data by encrypting that data as it travels to and from your computer or hand-held device to the Vassar network, thus reducing the risk of See NETWORK on page 5

A look at ads from yesteryear in The Miscellany News

5

FEATURES

Thornwillow Press founder on bookmaking

Rachael Borné

Assistant Arts Editor

“I

s it better to be part of a story or to make up a story?”

This, according to actor Daniel Rajunov ’12, is a question that looms behind “String Theory,” the Vassar Drama Department’s Experimental Theater’s new production. The play takes three Greek myths, each somehow relating to string, and weaves them together using, among other devices, the comedic flavor of modern cultural references. “The stories are all

23 SPORTS

weaving a tapestry which is the play or the world. These characters live on a gigantic loom.”

“String Theory” is the brainchild of visiting director and Vassar grad Michael Barakiva ’97, and was written with the help of Amy Boyce Holtcamp ’96 and Sarah Braunstein, both of whom Barakiva met during his time at Vassar (Braunstein attended Vassar for a year as a 12-College Exchange student). The play was initially written in response to a company of See PLAY on page 20

Men’s tennis coach resigns for DI post

The Miscellany News

Page 2

October 7, 2010

Editor in Chief Molly Turpin Senior Editors Angela Aiuto Matthew Brock

Contributing Editor Lillian Reuman Lila Teeters

Christie Chea/The Miscellany News

Photo of the Week: Asian Student Association held its Night Market on Oct. 1, offering food and games for students in the College Center’s North Atrium.

Miscellany News Staff Editorial

Increase in unhealthy drinking demonstrates need for substance-free weekend space A

recent and alarming upswing in the number of Vassar College Emergency Medical Services (VCEMS) calls due to consumption of alcohol, as reported by The Miscellany News last week (“Rise in EMS calls leads to concern over drinking,” 9.30.10)—a 41% increase in calls compared to the same time period last year—calls for an exploration of programming for students interested in abstaining from drinking on weekends that would also be enjoyable for any student.

To this end, the Committee on College Life (CCL), as well as the Vassar Student Association (VSA), have been discussing the implementation of substance-free spaces on campus designated for social activities outside of residential halls. The Miscellany News supports the creation of such a space as a major step towards recognizing the value of campus culture beyond that which is drinking-related.

The recent Audit of Campus Life and Learning released by the Committee on Inclusion and Excellence reported “there is concern with the paucity of on-campus, weekend night events that do not revolve around alcohol and drugs.” Even if students do not choose to drink, there is an underlying substance-based tenor to social life at Vassar. Furthermore, there is a plea from students to provide alternatives to this standard. We support the VSA’s work in recent weeks in seriously addressing alcohol culture at Vassar, and we are glad to hear of discussions between students and administrators in CCL. While the challenge of changing campus culture falls upon the student body, the issue nonetheless requires the recognition and support from all corners of the College.

The Office of Health Education’s Safer Drinking Guidelines maintain that students should consume alcohol a maximum of two nights per week. We believe that the College should acknowledge this guideline by educating and supporting students by offering spaces in which drinking or arriving intoxicated is not a focus. While campus events are not explicitly planned under the assumption that students will attend them under the influence of substances, the reality is that many often do.

We commend the house teams that consistently provide sober activities with small groups in the dorms on weekend nights in order to circumvent “pre-gaming,” or drinking heavily before an event so as to arrive intoxicated. However, students who choose to abstain from drinking, whether occasionally or consistently, should not have to remain in their houses on weekends as their only option. We would like to see this effort reflected in the activities of neighboring houses.

While alcohol-free programming should certainly be part of alleviating alcohol abuse on campus, a continuously available space would effectively balance the abundant availability of alcohol. Such an effort will move the non-drinking culture out of the dorms and into the public eye of campus, in turn encouraging others to join in and fostering an environment in which incoming freshmen see Vassar as a place where drinking and abstaining have comparable social value.

As members of CCL have proposed, with relatively minor changes, the second floor of the Student’s Building (often referred to as UpCDC) could be utilized as a space for

students not interested in consuming alcohol on weekend nights. If Java City were to keep its weekday hours through the weekend, remaining open until two a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, it could serve as a low-key hangout spot for students looking to grab a smoothie, chat and take it easy. If amenities such as a television or pool table were made available, UpCDC could function as a more inclusive and enticing alternative to hanging out in a dorm parlor or multi-purpose room. Establishing UpCDC as a weekend space would also be a way for the College to use resources it already has to address a cultural concern.

If this proposed change is not immediately feasible, we still believe that it is imperative for the College to actively work with students in designating on-campus spaces that will work as substance-free areas. Doing so will not only provide much-needed options for students who choose not to consume alcohol on a given night, but also will signal a desire on behalf of the school to adjust current attitudes in regards to drinking. We understand that these measures will not necessarily resolve the growing issues surrounding substance use on campus, but they will hopefully invite dialogue regarding drinking as an implicit part of Vassar life. As a community, Vassar must take this year’s increasing pattern of destructive drinking behaviors seriously and seize the opportunity to foster an environment for cultural growth.

—The Staff Editorial reflects the opinion of at least two-thirds of the 18-member Miscellany News Editorial Board.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

News Caitlin Clevenger Aashim Usgaonkar Features Mitchell Gilburne Opinions Joshua Rosen Juan Thompson Humor & Satire Alanna Okun Arts Erik Lorenzsonn Sports Andy Marmer Design Eric Estes Copy Gretchen Maslin Photography Juliana Halpert Online Carrie Hojnicki Social Media Marie Dugo

Assistant Features Matthew Bock Danielle Gensburg Assistant Arts Thea Ballard Rachael Borné Assistant Copy Sammy Creath Crossword Editor Jonathan Garfinkel Columnists Michael Mestitz Nik Trkulja Photographer Katie De Heras

LETTERS POLICY The Miscellany News is Vassar College’s weekly open forum for discussion of campus, local and national issues, and welcomes letters and opinions submissions from all readers. Letters to the Editor should not exceed 450 words, and they usually respond to a particular item or debate from the previous week’s issue. Opinions articles are longer pieces, up to 800 words, and take the form of a longer column. No letter or opinions article may be printed anonymously. If you are interested in contributing, e-mail misc@vassar.edu.

ADVERTISING POLICY The Miscellany News (1) reserves the right to reject or edit any advertising copy at any time; (2) will not accept advertisements that promote discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, sex or sexual orientation, nor will it accept advertisements of a political nature or advertisements that promote products or services illegal in the State of New York: (3) will print every advertisement with the word “advertisement” above it; (4) shall not be liable for failure to print, publish or circulate all or any portion of any issue if such a failure is the result of circumstances beyond the paper’s control.

The Editorial Board holds weekly meetings every Sunday at 9 p.m. in the Rose Parlor. All members of the Vassar community interested in joining the newspaper’s staff or in a critique of the current issue are welcome. The Miscellany News is not responsible for the views presented in the Opinions pages. The weekly staff editorial is the only article which reflects the opinion of the Editorial Board. The Miscellany News is published weekly by the students of Vassar College. The Miscellany News office is located in College Center Room 303, Vassar College.

NEWS

October 7, 2010

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Bridging the divide an MMiP theme VSA advisory group to increase student input

Caitlin Clevenger News Editor

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Caitlin Clevenger Courtesy of http://avantgardefreepress.blogspot.com/

he third annual Meet Me in Poughkeepsie will take place on Saturday, Oct. 9.

The event will involve Vassar students hosting and attending events located off campus to learn more about the surrounding area of the Mid-Hudson Valley. Vassar Student Association (VSA) Vice President for Activities Tanay Tatum ’12 sees Meet Me in Poughkeepsie as “an opportunity for Vassar students to engage with the community. Hopefully it will be the first steps for some students to get out.”

Though Vassar is a significant economic force in Dutchess County, ranking among the 10 largest employers in the county, often the perception is that there is a cultural divide between Dutchess County residents and members of the Vassar community. Meet Me in Poughkeepsie aims to narrow that gap.

To organize this event, the VSA began by considering the kind of events they wanted organized for Meet Me in Poughkeepsie. The current VSA Executive board decided that it wanted Meet Me in Poughkeepsie to consist of activities that would facilitate student work within the community and open communication between Poughkeepsie residents and Vassar residents. However, when the VSA sent out applications to host events to student organizations, professors and other groups on campus, the groups selected to host events were ultimately in charge of the creation, organization and execution of their respective activities. The VSA informed the groups that their primary goal was to bring students into the community to discover a local gem they might have missed.

The VSA also provided funding and transportation for the events. Out of the three years that Meet Me in Poughkeepsie has taken place, this year is looking to be the most successful yet, with over 1,200 students registered and 33 sponsored events, as opposed to the inaugural event’s attendance of 1,100 students at 31 events. This year’s event will have the highest number both of registrants and events that Meet Me in Poughkeepsie has ever had.

This year’s events encompass a wide range of activities which all seek to help Vassar students further explore the offerings of the MidHudson Valley. These activities include such

Frankenstein’s Fortress, above, is the destination for the Vassar College Filmmakers Meet Me in Poughkeepsie event, one out of 33 events being sponsored by the VSA this Saturday, Oct. 9. events as “Photo shoot at Storm King” coordinated by PHOCUS, and “Walkway Over the Hudson” co-coordinated by Noyes House and Wholistic.

Like PHOCUS, Several organizations are hosting trips that correspond to the group’s mission. The Vassar College Democrats, for example, will host a tour of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt mansion and presidential library. Thomas Enering ’12, the Vassar Democrats’ secretary, says that the event will “offer students a way to connect with and learn more about a liberal icon of the past and one of the most inspiring Democratic presidents.”

Other events, such as “Woodstock Farm” coordinated by Vassar Animal Rights Coalition and “Fun on the Farm” coordinated by Hunger Action, are more aimed at exposing Vassar students to different service projects within the Poughkeepsie community.

Some events, such as “Dinner at the Eveready” with by Lathrop House, “Cosmic Bowling” with Raymond House, and “Meet me at Mahoney’s” with the Senior Class Council, are merely aimed at taking students to go and discover fun activities offered in and around

the Poughkeepsie area.

Through participating in Meet Me in Poughkeepsie, Tatum hopes students will “develop a more meaningful relationship with Poughkeepsie, learn to appreciate the Mid-Hudson Valley a bit more, and continue to go out into the community after this event.”

Tatum herself can even be seen as proof of the lasting impact which the VSA hopes to make on Vassar students’ relationship to Poughkeepsie and the rest of the Mid-Hudson Valley. In her freshman year, Tatum participated in the first-ever Meet Me in Poughkeepsie by going to an indoor rock climbing event, which prompted her to do more hiking around the Poughkeepsie area as well as explore other activities offered in the Mid-Hudson Valley. “Thanks to Meet Me in Poughkeepsie I was more encouraged to try more activities within the Mid-Hudson Valley” remarked Tatum. Tatum hopes that this year’s Meet Me in Poughkeepsie will have the same positive effect on other students, and help facilitate a stronger relationship between the Vassar Community and its surrounding community of the Mid-Hudson Valley.

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News Editor

he Vassar Student Association (VSA) plans to represent the student body more accurately and inclusively by creating a VSA Advisory Council that will, according to the VSA’s “Guiding Principles and Priorities” document, “provide a multi-dimensional perspective to the VSA Executive Board.” Vice President for Student Life Samin Shehab ’11, who is spearheading the creation of the group, says that the Advisory Council will be a diverse group of students outside of the existing VSA Council structure whose input will help to ensure that “all of the projects that we’re working on, and also all of our documents such as resolutions, referendums and memorandums, are able to engage all of the voices across campus.”

According to its “Guiding Principles and Priorities” document endorsed in its Sept. 5 Council meeting, the VSA has made it a priority this academic year “to reunite the community, while reconnecting with our mission to represent the students’ voice.”

This goal comes in response to the perception that “VSA decisions in the recent past have not been able to take all voices from all across under consideration, and thus we have not necessarily been able to represent all of the voices” according to Shehab.

The proposal for the creation of an Advisory Council is still early in its draft stages. The VSA Student Life Committee is working with the Campus Life Office, as well as some students who are not on the VSA Council, to define more precisely who will be on the Advisory Council and how the Advisory Council will function. Said Shehab, “We are hoping to put something together soon and then discuss it with all the parties involved.” The proposal is expected to be presented at VSA Council sometime in the spring semester.

So far this year the Council has made progress in accomplishing its goals for 2010-2011 as outlined in its “Guiding Principles and Priorities” document by creating a Community Fund and launching the VSA Today blog. Once the Advisory Council comes to fruition, the VSA will be another step closer towards completing these goals. Said Shehab, “We felt that we needed to put something in so that we can be a more inclusive student government entity, so that we can truly say this is a representative student body that speaks for the majority of the students on campus. Hopefully by putting in an Advisory Council we’ll take a step in that direction.”

Room entry policy clarified, published Peer advising program readies for launch T Dave Rosenkranz Guest Reporter

he room entry policy that was the subject of much Vassar Student Associate (VSA) discussion last year has now been published with the hopes that it will be clear as well as protective of both students’ safety and privacy. The policy sets guidelines that representatives of the College, including house fellows, house advisors and Safety and Security officers, must follow before they can be allowed access to a student’s dorm room.

Both Associate Director for Residential Life Richard Horowitz and VSA Vice President for Student Life Syed Samin Shehab ’11 agreed that the new policy does not differ significantly from earlier versions of the same policy. “We changed one or two things, but the biggest idea was to clarify [the existing policy]” said Shehab. The portion of the policy that needed the most clarification fell under the category of Safety and Security. The new policy states that “Campus Security officers may enter a room if there is reason to believe that one or more College regulations are being violated within the room.”

This means that if there is smoke or a loud noise complaint, a Safety and Security officer has the right to ask for entrance. At this juncture, the student has the right to refuse entrance. Upon refusal, the Safety and Security officer will explain who he or she is, why he or she wants to enter and that an administrator will be brought up with a mas-

ter key. This option allows students a system of checks. “This is done so that Security can fully and responsibly address the situation at hand and ensure the safety of all students,” wrote Shehab in an e-mailed statement.

The VSA hopes that it has done its best to balance out students’ safety with their personal rights. Under this new version of the room-entry policy, the Office of Residential Life must notify students ahead of time when it conducts routine health and safety inspections. The inspector must also leave a detailed note behind if a student is absent. The note should fully describe all the reasons that prompted the search, who the inspector was and any violations that were found within the room after the inspection was carried out.

In the event of a medical emergency, however, the Residential Life staff does have the authority to immediately enter a dorm room without express permission from its student occupant.

The VSA, with the help of the Judicial Board, student-conduct administrators and Security, put together a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) in the spring of last year that outlines avenues students can take to defend themselves if they are accused of violating any of the College’s regulations. The FAQ , which can be found on the VSA’s website—vsa. vassar.edu—states that in a situation in which a Saftey and Security Officer asks to enter a room, “a judgment is made as to whether or not there is a preponderance of evidence that suggests that

someone was responsible [for violating Vassar College Regulations]” In most situations, students have the right to ask for a student conduct meeting or bring up witnesses. However, the FAQ stresses that this is an “educational process, not a legal process” and advocates or advisers cannot be used. The FAQ goes on to describe some consequences of being found guilty, as well as some extraneous situations (such as a student’s word against an officer’s).

The room entry policy was evaluated thoroughly before it was passed.

At the end of last year, it was brought up at a meeting of the VSA Executive Board. Then it was passed on to the board of House Presidents where it was thoroughly discussed by Shehab, who was the chair of the Board at the time, Horowitz, Dean of Students David “DB” Brown and Associate Director of Security Kim Squillace. Soon after, Horowitz and Shehab presented it to the Committee on College Life. Now, it will be posted online in the Vassar Student Handbook under the Student Rights and Responsibilities section.

Only a few segments of the room entry policy are new; they are only there to clarify old ideas. “There has been a lot of confusion about room entry at Vassar...but I think the new room entry policy clearly states what can and cannot be done in a situation,” commented Shehab. The room entry policy attempts to balance privacy with safety and to illustrate the VSA’s continued commitment to clarity.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

ADVISING continued from page 1 advising system by allowing first year students to contact upperclassmen involved with the academic areas that they’re interested in.” The nature of this system will be more flexible for freshmen exploring different areas of study, advisees can switch advisors easily or reach out to multiple advisors majoring in different departments. Student advisors will also be able to give advisees advice from the perspective of a student who has gone through the same experience.

Damon-Moore wrote, “One thing that we hope this network will provide is an opportunity for juniors and seniors to get to know freshmen outside of the Vassar party scene.” Members of the junior and senior classes will apply to be peer advisors online through the Peer Advising Network’s website. Once approved, they will be searchable to anyone who has access to Ask Banner. Freshmen choosing an advisor can search the database by department and view profiles that will also include information on potential advisor’s experience with studying abroad, correlate sequences and

varsity athletics. In addition to providing support for freshmen as they explore their options for choosing majors, the Peer Advising Network aims to be a formalized system for academic dialogue outside of classrooms and faculty offices. “We hope to foster academic conversations among students at Vassar,” wrote Damon-Moore.

The program’s success this year will shape its future.

In a VSA Council Meeting on Sep. 12, Council discussed adding extracurricular interests as a searchable feature as one possible change for the future. Advisors and advisees will be surveyed at the close of the year as a way to evaluate the program and find avenues for improvement.

Computing and Information Services (CIS) has created an online database framework to host the Peer Advising Network.

Though CIS continues to make adjustments to the system, www. vassar.edu/peeradvising is expected to open before October Break, at which time current freshmen, with help from their student fellows, will explore the database and choose a peer advisor.

NEWS

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October 7, 2010

Siebers to focus To Forman, America not yet post-racial on aesthetics of “A disability in talk Breanna Amorde Guest Reporter

Adam Newman Guest Reporter

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n an effort to begin more conversations about disability issues both inside and outside of the classroom, the Committee on Disability Issues has organized a lecture

by University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Professor of English Language and Literature and of Art and Design Tobin Siebers, a noted disability studies scholar. The aim of the lecture is to raise awareness of disability issues in general, but more specifically towards thinking of disability as an academic subject.

In addition to the Committee on Disability Issues, this lecture is being co-sponsored

by ACCESS—a student group that aims to raise awareness of disability issues; the Office of Disability and Support Services; the Learning, Teaching and Research Center; the Education Department; the English Department; The Sociology Department; the American Culture Program; the Media Studies Program; and the Women’s Studies Program. The lecture will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Students’ Building on Friday, Oct. 8.

Siebers’ two most recent books, Disability Theory and Disability Aesthetics, published in 2009 and 2010 respectively, are considered landmark works in the field.

Siebers has been teaching for the past 27 years at the University of Michigan. In addition to his academic writings, research and teaching, Siebers is the chair of the Steering Committee of the University of Michigan Initiative on Disability Studies, which aims to broaden diversity at the University of Michigan by integrating the study of disability into the research, scholarship and teaching that already exists in the University’s curriculum.

Siebers’ lecture, “The Mad Women Project: Disability and the Aesthetics of Human Disqualification” will focus on a photographic project by feminist Korean artist Park Young-Sook­—in which she photographed women in postures meant to imply “madness”—as the basis for an examination of the ways in which people attempt to find physical echoes of mental, cognitive and intellectual disability.

In particular, Siebers will examine how aesthetic sensibilities about what disability “looks like” plays a major role in the continued stigmatization and disqualification of people with disabilities. Siebers will also draw parallels between Park Young-Sook’s work and the innovative photographic selfportraiture of photographer and filmmaker Cindy Sherman, and discuss the gendered nature of these projects through the application of feminist theory.

According to an e-mailed statement from Assistant Professor of English Tyrone Simpson, one of the members of the lecture’s planning committee, “Professor Siebers is one of the most audacious and adventuresome thinkers in cultural studies. His insights as to how our culture ‘produces’ the disabled body speaks to the core of what the nation is and hopes and hates to be. His thoughts on photography, mental illness and Korean women is certain to point to a lunacy that is not theirs alone.”

On Friday, Oct. 8, Siebers will continue the conversations that his lecture is sure to initiate by hosting a faculty workshop entitled Disability Studies and the Curriculum, in which he will discuss how professors here at Vassar can incorporate issues of disability into their teaching and research.

The lecture is made possible by the Margaret Reese Langdon ’27 Fund for Students with Disabilities, which was endowed by Langdon with the hope of encouraging Vassar students, with and without disabilities, to consider employment opportunities that reduce the structural and architectural barriers for people with disabilities.

re we there yet?” asked Tyrone Forman ’92. Did the election of Barack Obama in 2008 result in a post racial America? Did the election produce a color blind United States? In other words has America reached a point, after the election of Barack Obama, where race is no longer a problem and racial equality has been reached?

These were the questions that Forman, an associate professor of sociology at Emory University, sought to answer during his lecture, entitled “Is America Post Racial? Racial Apathy in the Age of Obama,” on Oct. 5. Forman’s answer is no: America is not quite there yet.

According to Forman, the supposed demise of the racial divide that the Obama election caused, was actually the result of a super majority of votes from Asian and Hispanic voters and a hyper majority of African American voters. In contrast, whites voted in a minority for Obama.

However, Forman does not not deny that racial inequality has greatly improved over the past several decades. Forman stated that the “…significance of race has changed but racism is not disappearing but rather becoming a more subtle and complex problem.”

Over the past six decades, white voters have

increased their support of African American candidates, and the number of African Americans attending high school and college have significantly increased by almost 300 percent, while life expectancy has also increased.

There has also been a drop in poverty rates and high school drop out rates.

However, these statistics do not indicate greater equality. They are merely indicative of an overall trend towards increase in the standard of living that has affected people of all races equally.

So although disparities between African Americans and whites have improved, some disparities still persist. Even more troublesome, according to Forman is that most Americans are unaware that these disparities still exist.

In a recent survey, when asked if they believed race equality had been achieved in the United States, one third of all whites surveyed responded positively, while only six percent of African Americans responded as such. As Forman stated, racial inequality is not a relic of the past, and is very much still a part of our world.

Froman defines traditional racism as rational, dynamic, covert, actions that took place in the past, but continue take place in the present in a new form. Ths new model of rac-

ism results from various institutional arrangements, as opposed to the traditional view of racism as overt actions.

In his opinion, racism has morphed. It is no longer seen in overt acts but in the failure to acknowledge and work to fix the disparities that exist between races.

Forman used two concepts to further illustrate his point that racism persists in a modern form: colorblind racism and racial apathy.

Colorblindness is the refusal to acknowledge social castes. It is the belief that most people do not notice race, believe that racial parity has been achieved and therefore, there is no need for institutional remedies.

The definition Forman uses for racial apathy, meanwhile, is the indifference towards societal racial and ethnic inequality and lack of engagement with race related issues.

Dr. Froman ended his lecture with assuring the audience that the election of Barack Obama was not insignificant.

He admitted that it holds significant symbolic importance, but “it’s easy to overstate the importance.” Post-racial America is not quite here yet, but its not an impossibility either.

Ending on a note of hope, encouraged those in attendance to persevere: “Be well.

Stay strong.”

Committee looks at Bookstore merchandise Aashim Usgaonkar News Editor

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ext year, the College will break ground at the site of Juliet Café to house Vassar’s new bookstore.The Bookstore’s “physical transition also accompanies a transition, or a minor tweak, in the kind of merchandise that the bookstore will offer for sale,” according to Vassar Student Association Vice President for Operations Ruby Cramer ’12.

While the current store sells clothes and amenities that are “terrific, and that a lot of people buy,” Cramer says that “there was a feeling that [the Bookstore] could do more to improve its merchandising.” To bring about this improvement, Cramer, in partnership with Assistant Vice President for Budget and Planning David English and Manager of College Bookstore Paul Maggio, has put together a Bookstore Merchandising Focus Group that will “travel through the bookstore together” and make comments on “everything from form, color and font” of the clothing available, said Cramer. The

Bookstore Merchandising Focus Group— consisting of Vassar students who e-mailed applications expressing interest to Cramer earlier this month—will meet before October Break to provide their opinions on the available merchandise in the bookstore.

“Most of my friends and I don’t own much Vassar merchandise as of now,” said Class of 2012 President and a member of the Bookstore Merchandising Focus Group Pamela Vogel ’12. She feels that “the supplies in the bookstore do not reflect the average Vassar student’s aesthetic.” Vogel suggested that the bookstore should sell goods that are “more like [the Class of 2010] sweatshirts,” which she considers “classier.” Vogel also felt that the “traditional maroon color scheme of the clothing” is something “students are bored of,” and that part of the appeal of the Class of 2010 sweatshirts was the creative use of pink in its color scheme, as well the fact that the sweatshirts “embraced the traditional rose and gray more than the current bookstore merchandise seems to

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MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

do.” Using the Vassar College seal in the clothing is also something Vogel thinks will encourage students to purchase the Bookstore’s merchandise.

Based on the feedback from the Focus Group, Cramer, English and Maggio will deliberate on “subtle changes to the existing merchandise.”

In addition to the new merchandise that will arise as a result of the Bookstore Merchandising Focus Group’s collective responses, Vassar will also introduce a new line of Sesquicentennial-themed items, including clothes, key chains and other amenities. This new line will be made available in the spring.

While Cramer stressed that the current bookstore adequately catered to the need of Vassar students, she felt that more could be done to “make the Bookstore a kind of hub of the campus” before its final move. The Focus Group and changes to the Bookstore’s goods are all methods of achieving this end, said Cramer.

NEWS

October 7, 2010

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Alcohol debate focuses on safety, education for 2014 ALCOHOL continued from page 1 [them] to them, then asking the student fellows to have a conversation with the freshmen about what the statistics imply for us as a community and what is shows in terms of the change in our drinking culture,” wrote Shehab in an e-mailed statement. “We feel that if this message comes from someone that the freshmen know and respect and someone that they share their immediate community with, it will cause it to resonate more.”

Though many ideas seem to focus on the safety and education of the freshman class, Shehab emphasized shared responsibility. “Thus we are also asking the junior and sophomore [representatives] of the houses to communicate the statistics to their constituents,” he wrote. “We are also asking them to be mindful if they are purchasing alcohol for the underclassmen.”

Many members of the Student Life Committee are house presidents and therefore sit on the Board of House Presidents (BHP) as well.

Main House President and Chair of BHP Boyd Gardner ’12 also emphasized the role of student fellows and echoed Shehab’s interest in shared responsibility. According to Gardner, “It should be noted that the problem isn’t confined to the freshman class, but that BHP believes a grassroots approach will spread throughout the student body in an effective manner, and that freshmen are some of the most vulnerable students to alcohol poisoning due to their relative lack of experience with alcohol.”

The relationship between underclassmen and upperclassmen was later expanded as Council members came up with ideas that would bring the two together outside of a drinking context. For example, President of Town Students Maya Aceveda ’11 suggested that seniors host dinners for fellow groups in their houses to give younger students a model of out-of-dorm living that did not revolve around weekend parties.

The Council continued to press the idea that upperclassmen should be better role models for freshmen. Gardner added that House Teams might designate some weekend nights to stay in. House teams, he said, could also provide additional support by assigning a sober House Team member on call over weekend, an idea which he credited to Raymond and Strong Houses. “It would complement the Administrator On Call (AOC) system operated

by Safety and Security and ResLife, and would also allow other students in the house to see and interact with a house team member on nights that can be problematic for many students,” he wrote.

Class of 2014 President Michael Moore, who was attending VSA Council for the first time as a student representative, had the unique ability on Council to speak from the freshman perspective. He voiced some of the points that his Class Council discussed, including some 2014 representatives’ surprise at how early in the year parties were held and how Safety and Security was relatively absent from hallways.

The balance of Safety and Security’s presence within and outside of the houses was a significant point raised by both Moore and Gardner. While in the past two years students have requested that Security move their patrols more to campus perimeters, especially after an incident of armed robbery. The recent rise in alcohol-related hospitalizations, however, have made some student representatives wonder if Safety and Security’s presence is more necessary within the houses.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the Safety and Security Department in the first place for taking the incidents on Vassar’s periphery (and on the Terrace Appartments road) seriously,” wrote Gardner. “Two years ago, the armed robbery that occurred near Chicago Hall prompted an outcry from the student body, and [led to] a subsequent initiative by [Safety and Security] to re-shuffle staff resources to boost their presence in peripheral areas of the campus. This necessitated a certain drawdown of resources from the houses, and it’s with great consternation that BHP is considering asking Security to once-again redraw their strategies to put more resources back into the house patrols.”

Gardner hoped that Safety and Security would look in places such as bathrooms as they walked hallways in order to keep an eye out for students in need of help.

The Council also discussed how a lack of weekend activities where drinking is not ex-

New network to protect personal information NETWORK continued from page 1 someone eavesdropping on your wireless communications,” explained Vice President for Computing and Information Services Bret Ingerman. Should any unwanted third party intercept data sent from computers using the encrypted network, the content of that data will appear as scrambled information rather than clearly discernible text, leaving third parties unable to access sensitive information that is sent through Vassar’s network.

“As more information travels wirelessly, it’s incumbent upon us to make sure that information is secure,” said Ingerman. “The best way to do that is to encrypt.” Encryption software uses an algorithm, or cipher, to transform data such that it cannot be recovered without a key.

Ingerman referenced the importance of shielding students’ personal information, like credit card numbers, from those who might seize upon a vulnerable, open network. “We would have preferred to do this from the moment we put up a wireless network,” he said.

Prior to the encrypted network’s existence, no such protections were in place. Although computing will definitely become more secure after the implementation of the encrypted network, it will not eliminate the possibilty of every Internet threat. Ingerman urges the Vassar

community to “still follow the best practices with respect to safe computing on the Internet, and in general.”

Finding a technology that would not burden students with extremely complicated procedures for connecting to the Internet took time, however. Only recently has CIS been able to find an accessible solution. “We were experimenting with it two years ago, and we were banging our heads against the wall,” said CIS Associate Director and Web Manager David Susman. “It was too complicated to ask students to try to use.”

But the new network—which uses a stateof–the-art encryption called “802.1X”—is relatively simple to access. Susman said, “It’s matured to the point where it’s easier,” noting the straightforward procedures for accessing the network outlined on the CIS website. Indeed, some aspects of the new network will make life easier for students and faculty; for example, one won’t need to provide a username and password each time one uses the new secure network, as is the case with the current network. Ingerman estimates that students will only need to provide that information once or twice a semester, though he is not yet sure about the specifics of the policy CIS will use.

Still, the ease with which the Vassar community will utilize the network does not com-

promise its security. “This is the best tech we can use,” said Ingerman, who noted that many businesses use the same system to protect their information. “With its ease, it’s a bestpractice solution.” Part of that solution was taking into account what Ingerman calls “the heterogeneous community” at Vassar. From smart-phones to iPads, hundreds of diverse devices need Internet access. Fortunately, says Ingerman, “all devices on campus understand how to work with 802.1X innately.” The CIS website has specific instructions for accessing the encrypted network from several hand-held devices, as well as instructions for Mac and PC users. In all cases, users are asked to go to the CIS control panel and create a new, encrypted password to use when accessing the secure network. After that, students can connect to the network by providing that password and their Webmail username. Students must complete this process soon; after October break, the non-encrypted network will be phased out of use, leaving Student-Secure as the sole source of Internet access for students.

Ingerman hopes that this change will encourage Vassar students to secure their networks wherever they connect. “Hopefully this will give people the awareness to encrypt their networks and protect their information at home,” he said.

This Week in New york

by Caitlin Clevenger, news editor Times Square bomber sentenced to life in prison On Tuesday, Oct. 5 a Pakistani immigrant Faisal Shahzad—who tried to set off a bomb in Times Square—was sentenced to life in prison U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum. Defending the decision, Goldman commented that it was important “to protect the public from further crimes of this defendant and others who would seek to follow him.” The police arrested Shahzad after a street vendor alerted them upon seeing a minor explosion in the back of a sports utility vehicle in New York City.

Polls in for mid-term elections The latest polls by Rasmussen Reports indicate that Democrats have the upper hand in the upcoming gubernatorial and senatorial

elections. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo holds a 54 percent share in the polls, with Republican Carl Paladino garnering 38 percent of the vote. Incumbent Democratic Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer hold 49 percent and 58 percent of the vote respectively, both with larger shares than their Republican opposition.

NY public schools adopt Google Apps On Tuesday, the New York public school system officially began its use of Google Apps as an educational tool. Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sites and a calendar, all with a customized filter safe for children, will be used to allow students to work together on projects and use technology as a learning tool. New York is the fifth state to adopt the Google Apps system in public schools.

Hudson Valley unemployment rate falling The Marist College Bureau of Economics Research said on Oct. 5 that employment prospects for residents of the Hudson Valley have improved since last year. From the for first quarter of the fiscal year, the unemployment rate fell from 8.2 percent to 7.25 percent. The Bureau cites the fact that the number of jobs in the region grew by 1.8 percent in the last quarter as the cause of this improvement in unemployment. Although these figures seem to hark back to a time when the economy was healthier than it is now, Director of the Bureau of Economics Reserch Christy Huebner Caridi noted that “it will take several years for the economy to re-employ the labor force that existed before the December 2007 onset of the recession,” reported The Poughkeepsie Journal.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

pected have influenced the rise in problematic drinking habits. These conversations have taken place on and off of VSA Council, and VSA President Mat Leonard ’11 reported that the Committee on College Life has recently discussed this issue at length. “The main concern with non-drinking options was that they didn’t exist. A question was posed to the students: ‘If you wanted to go out, stay on campus and not feel pressured to drink or party, where would you go?’ We all just sat there in silence,” Leonard wrote in an e-mailed statement.

“The closest that anyone could think of was UpC, which has the feel of a study space, not a place to hang out,” he added. According to Leonard, the committee considered ideas for how to transform the space into a place where students might go on weekend nights without feeling the need to drink. “Some of the very preliminary ideas were basic cosmetic makeovers on weekend nights: addition of pool tables, ping pong tables, board games, a screen for movies or video games and small scattered tables à la off campus coffee shops.”

Shehab added, “More importantly, we don’t want to give off the impression that this is a big drinking school, because it is not! There are a lot of ways to have a great time at Vassar that do not require alcohol and we need to publicize that more and bring those programs into the lime light.”

The Council plans on hosting a forum on campus alcohol culture with administrators in their next meeting on Oct. 10.

News Briefs The Main event “September was a record-breaking month” for numbers of security reports, says Associate Director of Security Kim Squillace. The final report of the month took place at 10:12 p.m. on Sept. 30 when an officer in Main Building heard loud music and smelled beer. Inside the room, the officer discovered a beer pong game set up with nine underage students. ­—Caitlin Clevenger, News Editor

With no power comes no responsibility Due to a rain storm, most of campus lost power on the morning of Oct. 1 at 6:55 a.m. Classes were placed on a delay, not beginning until 10:30 a.m. The Emergency Notification System sent a text message to all registered cell phones. The Safety and Security Office recommends that all students register their contact information with Computing and Information Services. ­—CC

Caution: Caution tape On Oct. 2 at 12:11 a.m., a Security officer saw a door on the fourth floor of Lathrop House covered with yellow caution tape that also wrapped around sprinkler pipes.

The tape was deemed a safety hazard and removed.

—CC

Give me a sign On the morning of Oct. 1 many of the new street signs on campus were misplaced or damaged: The sign for new Observatory Road was removed and found by the Earth Circle, signs for Doubleday Lane and Sunset Lake Drive were removed, and the sign for Swift Passage was damaged.

On Oct. 3 the sign for the ALANA Center was found uprooted from the ground and lying face down.

—CC

Vassar dorms, complete with doormen The V-Card reading system went down campus-wide from 3:05 a.m. to 4:25 a.m. on Oct. 3, making students unable to swipe into residence halls. Safety and Security officers were placed by all residence halls to allow students in.

—CC

Pulling out all the stops A stop sign was found leaning against one of the Town Houses on Oct. 3. Since all stop signs in the Town House Circle were still in place, it was assumed to have been removed from Main Campus and was returned to the College.

—CC

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October 7, 2010

Miscellany advertisements distill Vassar College history Danielle Bukowski Guest Reporter

I

n The Miscellany News’ 144-year run, the advertisements featured among its pages have varied widely to exemplify the vast cultural changes our society has experienced.

From the cigarette and Coca-cola filled days of the ’50s through to the present day, one can tell a great deal about an era from its advertisements.

Ron Patkus, the head of Special Collections in the Thompson Memorial Library, explains, “The advertisements in The Miscellany News form part of the history of advertising, specifically newspaper advertising, in America during the 20th and 21st centuries. During this time period, there have been a number of significant changes in the presentation of ads. But at all times ads provide a window on socio-economic issues at work in the culture, as they play out on the Vassar campus. By examining ads of a particular period, or comparing them over time, we can learn much about the world occupied by students, faculty and staff.”

In the glamour of the 1950s, movie stars and professional athletes endorsed their preferred brand of cigarette with full photos and canned slogans. Ads for where to buy the latest cotton circle skirts and how to apply to secretarial school were also popular. Into the 1960s, as technology developed, one could find out where to “Buy 2 LPs and get one Free,” and learn about the “‘Exciting New Way to Procrastinate’: call home on New York Telephone.” Ad companies competed for advertising space next to sales for typewriters and floral arrangements. It is clear that ads still performed a functional service, bringing the potentially remote touch of the outside world into students’ lives.

American society in the 1960s changed dramatically. Beginning with a health-risk warning accompanying ads for cigarettes in 1964 followed by the banning of all such advertising in 1965, the winds of change were beginning to howl.

For Vassar, 1969 saw the beginning of coeducation. In the preceding

years, advertising was still clearly focused on the woman who attended Vassar in hopes of snagging a Yale man. In 1963 there ran an ad featuring a large picture of a fork with the caption, “Something you may never learn in school”: It advertised the silverware cleaner every proper woman must own. Ads for engagement rings were just as commonplace as ads for Raymond Avenue restaurants and the Three Arts bookstore.

In 1969 the Miscellany ran an ad for stereo repairs next to how to order Modern Bride. In the months surrounding the admittance of men, articles in the Miscellany dealt with the changing attitudes of students and the girls’ responses to men on campus. It was the topic dominating the Opinions page and responses from other schools—notably Yale—made front-page news. The ads, however, stayed much the same as they were when Vassar was a women’s college, likely due to advertisers wariness of the scope and permanence of such a development.

By the early 1970s, with more men on campus and feminism on the rise, the advertisements began to err towards the gender neutral. Ads for Tampax, stockings and fashionable hats were gone, and ads for law school rather than secretarial school were in. Though the advertisements for diamond engagement rings ran well into the 1980s, capitalism began to take on an egalitarian flair in The Miscellany News.

During the 1970s, with the legal drinking age in New York at 18 years old, advertisements for liquor were popular. One restaurant in 1972 announced its grand opening with halfprice highballs and free champagne all day, starting at 11 a.m.

Aside from the arrival of men, the greatest change to advertising during the 1970s was the sexual revolution.

A 1972 advertisement pitched: “For a pizza the action… come over to Pizza Town,” with a sketch of two students more interested in each other than pizza. Along with photographs of political leaders, photos of nude students were prevalent, and advertisements for clothing boutiques had

Ads for diamond engagement rings and cigarettes were popular during the 1950s and 1960s, demonstrating not only the expectations placed on women at the time, but also the prevailing attitudes towards modern public-health concerns. photos of young people wearing little clothing. The image of Vassar as a place for open sexuality and experimentation was reflected in the articles and advertisement humorously represented by an ad for a “Streaker T-shirt,” with a screen-print of a student wearing only sneakers. Despite the proliferation of promiscuity, a rise in awareness of sex crimes saw advertisements describing why one should purchase a rape whistle.

Regardless of their content, advertisement space in the 1970s was smaller, as more space was devoted to photographs and articles, a decision likely influenced by an abundance of

protests over Vietnam. Furthermore, the dwindling amount of ad space in The Miscellany News could also be attributed to the rise of television as a source of news and an outlet for consumerism. With students tuning in to bemoan the latest horrors of Vietnam, the pages of the Miscellany no longer were the primary means of communication between Vassar and the world beyond.

By 1980, the advertisements in the Miscellany reflected what college students across the country were really interested in: hair. The 1980s issues of The Miscellany News ran advertisements for unique haircuts

and nearby salons on every other page. Advertisements were large and colorful, announcing where students could buy albums, alcohol and makeup. Into the 1990s, advertisements focused on the technology boom.

However it is likely that said boom grossly limited the usefulness of print advertising.

While each decade has seen significant trend changes in advertisements certain advertisements reflect the perennial interest of Vassar students. We want the latest electronics, we want to listen to interesting music, and, no matter how late it is, we want pizza.

Statistics from Vassar Factbook to go online for first time Molly Turpin

Editor in Chief

T

he Office of Institutional Research has just finished the annual Vassar Factbook, a compilation of statistical data on virtually every aspect of the College, which has been published since 1999. With a limited circulation, each edition has gone relatively unnoticed by the general Vassar population. That may change this year, however, when the Factbook is put online in its entirety for the first time.

This is big news, said Director of Institutional Research David Davis Van Atta, “besides its existence, which is news to a lot of people on campus that we do annually compile a lot of descriptive statistics about the College, and we’ve done this for over a decade.”

Though Davis Van Atta has just put the finishing touches on the Factbook in anticipation of the upcoming Board of Trustees meeting, the document will likely not go online until the spring semester when College web designers will be available for the project. Despite the fact that the finished book cannot go online just yet, Davis Van Atta emphasized that it is still public and available to those who ask.

He elaborated on the amount of quantitative data the Vassar Factbook contains. “There’s development in there, there’s admissions, there’s a lot on academics, there are faculty, there are finances, there’s retention and graduation, numbers on the library, computing and information … It’s a pretty rich source,” said Davis Van Atta.

“It covers a lot of aspects of the College, and we

will all have equal access to that information.”

In previous years, the Factbook was distributed primarily among trustees and senior officers. “The idea was that it would be information for decision support, at least nominally,” said Davis Van Atta.

Davis Van Atta has only taken over the project of creating the Vassar Factbook in the last two years. Registrar Dan Giannini compiled the first editions of the Factbook beginning in 1999 after the then president and vice president for finance and administration encountered the idea at a conference and requested that Vassar make one of its own. At the time, Giannini held the dual role of Registrar and Director of Institutional Research, so the task fell to him.

“I went to each office on campus, talked to the head of each office and said ‘what kind of data do you produce on a regular basis that might be useful to the College?’ I spent a few months doing that and then I got copies of the data and put it into chart format,” said Giannini.

“The original intention for the Factbook, and it sort of is now too, is really to be a book for the trustees kind of a summary of where we are.”

While both Davis Van Atta and Giannini said that the kind and amount of data collected has not changed drastically over time, data has accumulated over time, which adds depth to the information. “Much of the data is historical,” said Van Atta. “So there is a nice sense of catchup about this that we can provide not only the annual snapshot, but you can see some trends.”

The Factbook also contains information about Vassar’s peer institutions, which has also posed a

challenge to making the document public. While federally collected data is public, groups of colleges and universities often share comparative data with an understanding of discretion. Davis Van Atta said that this problem will be avoided by peer data anonymous where necessary. Readers will still be able to tell where Vassar falls in the group, but the identities of the other institutions will be obscured.

Vassar will not be alone in posting data online.

“It’s not exactly the Wild West,” said Davis Van Atta. “It is a common practice to put your factbook online. One never knows when you go to a peer x and look at their factbook, whether you’re seeing something that is really the complete thing or something that is more of a selection,” said Davis Van Atta. “Vassar’s was a selection; some of the others may be too. They may have an internal version and a more public version.”

Giannini noted that in previous years, Vassar made about 30 to 40 percent of its factbook available online. This information included items that he noted were of interest to the general public, like admissions statistics.

Current resources available through the Office of Institutional Research website include the Common Data set and links to other external sources of information about Vassar and other institutions.

Giannini explained that the Common Data set was the result of collaboration and agreement between institutions of higher education and producers of college guidebooks to compile a general source of statistical information. He noted, however, that it is hardly comprehensive. “It’s kind of like a mini-

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

factbook,” said Giannini. “It’s so generic that I don’t think it’s as useful as the Factbook. It’s certainly not to the detail that the Factbook is, but it provides [common data] and gets rid of some of the ambiguities of terms.”

Davis Van Atta hopes that the Factbook will inform future dialogue about the College. He reflected on the discussions last year and disparities in the data access. “The way I think of this, and I’ve said this before, is it’s not only okay, it’s a good thing if we all have our own opinions, views, even interpretations of factual information,” he said.

“What we should not and cannot have and still have good discussion is all have our own facts.”

While Institutional Research reports to the President and senior officers, the office maintains independence in its research and depends on all areas of the College to contribute data. This balance both dependence and independence is why Davis Van Atta hopes that the data in the Factbook can be a source for all sides in a debate. “That is one of the functions that institutional research does for a College,” said Davis Van Atta. “[Institutional research] should provide us all with a basis for discussion, and [institutional research] should stop right there. If it looks like I have a policy ax to grind on a particular decision or something like that then that’s obviously not a good thing for me or for this office because then the work becomes suspect.”

“I think the bigger thing that it means for Vassar is that all of us will have access to a sizeable set of information that covers all—maybe not absolutely all—of the College’s major organs,” said Davis Van Atta.

October 7, 2010

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Islam at Vassar a growing, diverse community of students Mary Huber

Guest Reporter

T

he traditions of Islam are often shrouded by misconception and ignorance. While Vassar students are expected to be held to a higher standard of cultural inquisitiveness, the fact remains that Islam is at the center of much of contemporary discourse. Though some of the members of the Vassar Islamic Society (VIS) were initially wary to speak with The Miscellany News due to past concerns regarding misrepresentation, those interviewed were clear that this wariness does not transfer to the Vassar student body at large. “Vassar students are generally very knowledgeable [about Islam] compared to people I’ve met outside the College, and they’re usually really accepting and welcoming,” says Zoheyr Doctor ’13, “A lot of people aren’t religious here, but they’re spiritual, and they can respect those interested in religion.”

Natasha Mir ’11, the president of VIS and its co-founder, agrees, “A lot of people at Vassar might not know a lot about Islam, but they’re definitely curious about it, and they ask a lot of good questions. We have some great conversations about Islam.”

Khadija Fritsch-Al Alaoui, a professor of American studies with a focus on U.S.-Middle East relations who doubles as the VIS’s faculty advisor, admits, “I might have irritated some students with my political or religious views, but I feel that is part of a liberal arts education, that we will not always agree with each other,” she says, “The topics I work on—like the war in Afghanistan and U.S. involvement in the Middle East—are controversial, and the people who take classes in these subjects often have something at stake.”

Most Muslim students seem to feel comfortable at Vassar and say that most other students

respect their beliefs. “The amount of support we’ve received—from the RSL [Office of Religious and spiritual Life], teachers, students, the VSA [Vassar Student Assosiation]—has been tremendous,” asserts Mir. However, one cannot ignore the fact that being Muslim in America has its own challenges, no matter how welcoming a college might be. “I learn from African-American politics, especially the W.E.B. DuBois idea of double consciousness.

Often as a Muslim in the United States you feel you are looking at yourself through the lens of the dominant culture as well as from your own perspective,” says Fritsch-Al Alaoui. Fritsch-Al Alaoui also points out that Muslims and those from Western tradition often view institutions like religion and politics in very different ways.

“Religion and politics can’t really be divided— if you practice your religion then that’s a way of politically interacting with the world...I can theoretically understand the divide, but it is a Western idea, this separation.”

According to Mir, “The VIS started my freshman year when I met a kid named Ali [Jamil ’10]. I thought the VIS already existed because it was listed on College materials...but when I went to this Open House for religious organizations it was just [Jamil],” Mir explains, “So we formed a community and started meeting in the Chapel.” Progress has been slow but steady for the group. “For us, our first year was just getting a basis, you know, praying together. Then we began doing campus outreach. We’ve had lectures and panels, my sophomore year we had an end of Ramadan dinner open to the public that about 80 people attended.” Mir is proud of the progress that the VIS has made. “Our group membership has increased and grown stronger, even though the make-up changes from year to year as new students join and others graduate.

We share a real sense of community,” she says.

In terms of the group’s goals and objectives, Mir said, “We try to provide a safe, welcoming place for Muslim students to practice their religion and to continue outreach programs ... We have members who aren’t Muslim and not all Muslims on campus participate. We realize everyone expresses their faith in different ways, and that there are a lot of different ways to be involved.”

The general agenda of a VIS meeting resembles that of any other organization on campus.

“We usually talk about issues surrounding Islam, including the political. Last week we read a specific portion of the Quran and discussed what we noticed about it, what we found interesting,” says Doctor. He is also enthusiastic about the diversity of the VIS: “There’s always a discussion between liberalism and conservatism in Islam, and the VIS has people on both sides, so we can share our ideas and perspectives. The conservative people can hear what the more liberal people have to say and the liberal people can hear what more conservative people have to say.” Mir agrees: “We have a very diverse membership, but at the end of the day we’re united.” The VIS attends Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Mutakabbir in Poughkeepsie, and the imam and his wife from Masjid Al-Ikhlas have spoken at Vassar. “We’ve been pretty involved in the Poughkeepsie and Hudson Valley Muslim community. We have close relationships with several mosques and their imams, plus other Muslim Students’ Associations, like those at Bard and SUNY New Paltz…

We actually had a panel on growing up Muslim with SUNY New Paltz and Bard that a lot of people from various schools attended and participated in.”

Muslims on campus follow a wide range of traditions and come from many different backgrounds, and Mir’s presents its own unique

challenges as her parents are from outside of the United States. “My parents are from Kashmir and coming to America was a big culture shock for them. It was always very important to them that their children were a part of the Kashmiri and Muslim traditions.” Mir sees her own progress reflected in her parents’ journey.

“Coming to Vassar and starting the VIS was kind of like my parents’ journey. When they moved here there wasn’t a mosque on Long Island, so they helped found the mosque that I grew up with. It was something my siblings and I talked about. We were the only Muslim kids at school, but at the end of the day we always came back to our parents’ house. Vassar was a difficult transition, but it made me get involved in creating the kind of space I had growing up,” Mir says. Still, Vassar life was sometimes difficult to adjust to. “Some aspects of Vassar culture are...interesting, like drinking and some of the relations between girls and boys, which we’ve talked about within VIS and with other religious groups on campus,” Mir says, “Not just as a Muslim student, but as a religiously observant student you can feel marginalized.”

Doctor doesn’t express the same concerns about Vassar and takes a somewhat more casual approach to his faith. When asked about religion, Doctor says, “It’s definitely something I’m interested in. On a scale of one to 10 I’m probably a four or five...It’s difficult [to remain religious] at Vassar because my parents aren’t here and I’m the only student from my sect, so I don’t have anyone else to keep me religious.”

This, however, does not mean he doesn’t practice. Doctor explains: “I think It’s important to step back sometimes and examine your beliefs, and that’s what I’m doing now. Hopefully when I’m older I’ll have a better perspective of my faith and what I want as a person because I’ve done that.”

Noyes House: Vassar’s youngest dorm has rich history Vee Benard

N

Guest Reporter

Juliana Halpert/The Miscellany News

oyes House is arguably the most unusual of Vassar’s residence halls. With its semicircular shape and triangular windows, the four-story brick building sends a futuristic signal that sets it apart from the other Victorian-style dorms. Regardless of one’s aesthetic preferences, Noyes House represents a touch of modernity among the otherwise historically rooted architecture on campus.

Completed in 1958, Noyes was designed under the presidency of Sarah Blanding by Finnish architect Eero Saarine who, a husband of a Vassar alumna, who proposed designs for the north end of campus in response to the need to accommodate more students after a postwar spike in enrollment.

Saarien, who went on to design the TWA Terminal at Kennedy Airport, the CBS Building in New York City and the St. Louis Arch, proposed plans that included two crescent-shaped residential buildings on historic Noyes Circle which, until that point, was an expanse of grass used for exercise and recreational purposes.

According to Vassar historian Elizabeth Daniels ’41, a combination of factors led to a modification of Saarien’s plans. “Before they built Noyes,” she explained, “they had been trying to beautify the area on the north end of campus, which had deteriorated over time. Financial constraints led to the College’s failure to go through with the plans to build a second building, so they built the Town Houses and Terrace Apartments instead.”

Daniels added that Yale University’s attempt to merge with Vassar in the late 1960s effectively put an end to any hope of the project being continued. “There had been discussion of continuing work during [Vassar President Alan] Simpson’s time,” Daniels said, “but the VassarYale crisis and the coed issue erupted around Christmas 1966, and the issue was closed.”

Despite the fact that Saarien’s original vision for twin buildings was never actualized, he succeeded in constructing a building that simultaneously complemented and accentuated Noyes Circle, a historic landmark itself. In addition to being used for horseback riding and tennis lessons and countless Founder’s Day picnics,

A model of the original plans for Noyes Circle, which intended for two identical, curved buildings to hug half of the field, was put on display last year at the Francis Lehman Loeb Art Center.

Noyes Circle was the site of the first field day for women in America in November 1895, as well as a “nude-in” in the mid-1970s.

“Back then,” Daniels said, referring to the time before Noyes House was built, “the circle was a more contained space. There were hedges surrounding the perimeter, and it was used for events and exercise. There was also a flower garden, and studentswouldspendtheirsparetimetendingtoit.”

“The grounds,” she continued, “got destroyed and some pathways were altered, all at the same time as the increase in enrollment. That’s where the idea was born. They had an architect [Saarien] and they decided to change things around.”

Saarien designed Noyes so that it hugs the circle, while the angular protruding bay windows are intended to incorporate the uneven façade into the outdoor site.

One of the most popular features of Noyes House is the “Jetsons’ Lounge,” the ground floor parlor where, along with Saarinen’s modernistic single-legged chairs and a Steinway piano, visitors will find the famous “Passion Pit,”

a sunken seating area now used for relaxation and homework. The Passion Pit is so-called because it was there that female students would entertain their male guests in Vassar’s pre-coeducational days.

“The notoriety surrounding the ‘Pit,’” remarked Daniels, “was definitely a student invention, but it became true. But it was primarily a place where students could entertain nighttime visitors.”

Daniels added that Vassar students took advantage of the lounge’s unique design in other ways as well, using it for both poetry readings and theatre in the round performances.

Noyes was built to accommodate 160 students, as well as two house fellows—now Professor of Psychology Abigail Baird and Professor of English Hiram Perez—and their families.

The dorm is now home to the majority of Vassar’s international student population. It is the only residential house on campus that stays open during school breaks. Though it contains features that are similar to those of the other

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

dorms, including vending machines, a laundry room and a computer cluster, Noyes has the advantage of overlooking the circle, which plays host to many student organizations, such as the Vassar Ultimate Frisbee Team.

“Noyes just happens to be the coolest-looking building ever. It looks like a big hug. And, you know, real dorms have curves,” wrote Noyes House President Jenna Konstantine ‘13 in an e-mailed statement.

The dorm’s central location on campus provides Noyesians with easy access to academic buildings and other dorms. “[Noyes is] far away enough to be quiet and serene without being remote,” shared resident Gus Wheeler ’13, “The hallways are curved which gives a sense of hominess—you can’t see the whole hallway at once so you have this big space without it seeming dorm-like.”

Though most easily remembered for its distinctive design, Noyes is also famous for its strong sense of community. “There’s a real community on every floor,” Wheeler asserted.

According to Konstantine, “Noyes is full of beautiful, talented, classy people...I haven’t met a single resident I don’t love to pieces.” Noyes’ population, an eclectic mixture of freshmen, upperclassmen, and international students, is highly involved with campus affairs, providing a resppectable crew of victors in the recent freshman class elections, for example, Michael Moore ’14 was elected president of the Class of 2014, Lily Choi ’14 was elected secretary of the Class of 2014, Alex Schlesinger ’14 was elected Noyes freshman representative, and Asia Bryant ’14 was elected Judicial Board representative.

In addition, Noyes won this year’s House Team end-of-training-week Lip Sync Contest, which, according to Konstantine, “gave us a big surge of house pride.” This victory was complimented by a similar yet more grandified triumph at this year’s serenading competition during which the aforementioned Noyes freshmen proved their mettle and won the hearts of the senior class.

Though the youngest of Vassar’s residence halls, Noyes is without doubt keeping up with the other dorms in both spirit and vivacity.

—This article is the first in a series on the history of Vassar’s residential houses.

FEATURES

Page 8

MacDonald guards Mug with a smile Meg Mielke

Guest Reporter

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ince March of this year, upperclassmen will have noticed a new face guarding the stairwell going down to Matthew’s Mug. The general knowledge is that this person checks to make sure that students have their respective V-Cards, such is the role of the “mug lady”, a role last filled by the beloved Betty Daniels.

Vassar students have a long and complex relationship with the mug, and as such the individuals associated with such a space are going to fall under scrutiny. Betty had become a fixture of fun, and the influx of Aramark personnel altered the Weekend landscape that students had become accustomed to.

Lisa McDonald, current holder of the ubiquitous “mug lady” title, lives in nearby Staatsburgh. Though many were wary of McDonald’s ability to replace her predecessor, she has proven to be both devoted to her job and to Vassar students.

Her official job position at Vassar is as a security personnel as well as a bartender for miscellaneous campus events throughout the year. “I’ve done parties on campus. For example, at the President’s House, I’ve done bartending there.” McDonald said.

On Mug nights, her hours start at 9:30 p.m. when she begins to make sure that no one sneaks in; other duties including opening the doors for student musicians in need a practice space. McDonald is also responsible for keeping the occupancy of the Mug under the official limit of 150 persons. Another job requirement is to assure that attendees don’t sneak alcohol into the space and to guarantee that students entering aren’t already intoxicated. If the latter is obviously the case, then McDonald won’t hesitate to call security to protect the interests of the students.

“I do 15-minute checks to make sure that everyone is okay and that violators aren’t coming through the backdoors. It’s for your safety.” McDonald stated.

When asked if she had ever held a security position before, McDonald responded that she, “[was] bartending for 20 years. Doing that, you have to have a sense of security.

Checking IDs at the door, it’s kind of old hat.”

After being asked how her Vassar job compares to other jobs she’s held before, McDonald replied, “That’s a tough one. I mean, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the bartending, that’s really what I do best.”

While entering the Mug, it is very common to spot a novel on McDonald’s table, which keeps her entertained during the time that she begins work before the Mug is officially open to students as well as during the occasional lulls in students’ entrances. “Suspense novels are my favorite, so feel free to drop one by me,” McDonald added.

When she is not guarding the doors of the Mug, McDonald enjoys spending time with her 20-year-old son. She has also picked up a talent for juggling over the year.

McDonald believes that she is adjusting well to life at Vassar College, finding the beauty of the campus to be one of the highlights of her job, she is steadily building friendships with Vassar students.

“I try not to be the ‘bad guy’ type of thing,” says McDonald, “and becoming friends with a few students has made it easier for me to work with the other students.”

When asked about both her favorite and least favorite parts of her job, McDonald offered a sentiment shared by many Vassar students who regularly frequent the Mug, “I love Jazz Night, I love the live music, I have to say.”

She then went on to proclaim that she didn’t have any immediate dislikes toward her new occupation but conceded, “The toughest part was definitely filling Betty’s shoes. I’m not her, and the kids are so used to it being her.”

McDonald ended the interview with a smile and an invitation for students to, “come and enjoy the Mug, it’s for you guys.”

Matthews’s Mug is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

October 7, 2010

Exploring Transfer provides tools for students Danielle Gensburg

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Assistant Features Editor

assar was founded, historically and according to the College’s website, in defiance of conventional wisdom. It provided women with an opportunity for higher education; an opportunity to receive the same excellent liberal arts education that was easily offered to men of status. In 1969, Vassar also led the way as the first of the seven sister colleges to become co-educational.

Such innovation and leadership remain to this day. Vassar’s Exploring Transfer Program, known as ET (not relating to our favorite extra-terrestrial), is the perfect representation of the College’s willingness to act and not just embody this openness to unconventional wisdom. ET, which has been in use for over 20 years, provides community college students with the possibility to transfer to a range of four-year colleges and universities, including Vassar.

Professor of Sociology, Diane Harriford, director of the program, explained, “Vassar is holding the torch for liberal arts education.

With regards to ET, it provides individuals with opportunities and shows them another option beyond that of a community college education.”

ET students, who come from populations that are underrepresented in higher education and many of whom are the first of their generation to attend college, are introduced to a five-week intensive study of the liberal arts environment during the summer. Vassar offers three to five specifically outlined courses that are the equivalent of one unit of coursework at the 100-level during the normal academic year. Each course is taught by a Vassar and community college professor.

ET students also live on campus in a single residence hall, simulating the true liberal arts college experience by promoting an intellectual and close-knit community. And to make the experience all the more tempting, Vassar offers each student a scholarship covering room, board, and tuition.

Harriford clarified that although the program provides these students with the possibility of attending an institution like Vassar, it does not require it: “Vassar usually has 30-

45 students (this past summer 34 students) who participate in the program annually. It’s not a backdoor to Vassar. We don’t require that they attend the institution, we just provide them with the opportunity to explore,” she said.

Not only are there ET students, but ET counselors as well. These counselors, either former ET students or Vassar students, apply for the position. For the summer of 2010, 60 students applied for the position. The counselors act as both academic tutors and a liaison to the faculty and staff, enhancing students’ lives outside the classroom. Brandon Logans ’12, described the duties of an ET counselor, from attending one class with ET students to holding office hours throughout the week to assist them with difficult material or papers. Yet, Logans stressed, “A good counselor goes beyond this understanding of our jobs. Counselors care about the success of the students. It’s about a holistic approach to academia. All the counselors would agree, you have to put a lot more effort then what is in your job description and its worth every moment,” adding, “Actually, I think a part of the job description is that dedication and that passion and that understanding.”

Logans expressed his overall satisfaction with the program, specifically the students involved: “My favorite aspect was working with the ET students. These students, covering a range of personalities, from ages 1840, are what the program is about. You are constantly engaging with the students and challenging them (being challenged yourself),” he explained, adding “My day to day interactions with my ET family made the five weeks, though stressful at times, a fun, amazing experience!”

Both students and the administration at Vassar cherish ET. Harriford said, “ET is an institution at Vassar. Our past President of the College, Virginia B. Smith, was concerned with maintaining the program. She had been at the College since the program was founded.” In fact, Dean of Planning and Academic Affairs Rachel Kitzinger, and other members of the administration have made a great effort to ensure ET’s continued existence.

The program, which is endowed by an

alumnus, has high expectations for the students involved and therefore requires high performance on their part. The application process for the program is just as rigorous.

Students, having been selected by their professors based off of academic achievement at their institution, are required to submit two letters of recommendation, a transcript, an essay, and must have a GPA above a 3.5 average.

“The goal of this application process is to familiarize students with the process of what it’s like to apply to an institution such as Vassar,” Harriford explained, adding, “Vassar gives these students what they need.”

According to Harriford, many of Vassar’s ET transfer students, who continued to pursue their education and thrive in Ph.D. programs, have gone on to become lawyers, physicians and teachers themselves.

Harriford, who demonstrates great passion for the program, said “I cannot teach here at Vassar about inequalities without doing something to promote change,” she continues, “I want to live the life I sing about in my song.”

Vassar is an institution that stands upon a history of providing the underrepresented with an education. Today, it continues that tradition by reaching out, through programs such as ET, to high-achieving and highly-motivated individuals, regardless of their economic or social background. Vassar provides these students with the opportunity to have a high quality liberal arts education: “The education you receive at Vassar is the kind of education everyone should have access to. Vassar demonstrates that its mission is not just a statement, but an action,” Harriford explained.

Logans agreed, “Vassar is a place where multiple individuals come together to challenge the intellectually varying institutions America holds onto, while simultaneously forming a safe community for all identities to be expressed and lived. That is the ideal education Vassar attempt to provide.” “The education you receive at Vassar is the kind of education everyone should have access to.

Vassar demonstrates that its mission is not just a statement, but an action,” Harriford explained.

War causes dispute over College opening CIVIL WAR continued from page 1 of the war years were spent preparing for its eventual opening. Central to this story is the dispute between the founder and Milo Jewett, Vassar’s first president, over the opening date of the College. According to [Matthew] Vassar’s Autobiography and Letters, edited

by Elizabeth Hazelton Haight of the Class of 1894, Jewett pressed the trustees to open the College’s doors by 1864. Vassar, however, felt that opening the College while the nation was still in the throes of war could be potentially ruinous.

Dean Emeritus of the College and College Historian Colton Johnson explained Jewett’s anxiety over an early opening as the result of a need to solidify plans for a women’s college in which he had become deeply invested. Jewett himself had founded a women’s seminary school in Marion, Ala.; he spent 15 years there before moving to Poughkeepsie. Moreover, while Lydia Booth, Vassar’s step-niece, had first proposed that the founder establish a women’s college, it was Jewett who prevailed upon Vassar to follow through with the suggestion. “Jewett had been in it longer than anybody, including Vassar himself,” he said in a telephone interview.

“I also think [Jewett] may have felt increasingly insecure with some of the trustees,” Johnson posited, observing that some trustees saw the creation of a college for women as too risky of an endeavor, advocating instead for a school that was closer to educational opportunities that were already available to women at the time. In particular, Johnson noted, “[Jewett] felt that [Vassar’s] nephews were never fully on board until quite well into the actual founding of the College.” Jewett had developed a particularly intense rivalry with Matthew Jr., who was outspoken in his oppo-

sition to the founding of a women’s college.

Matthew Jr. made persistent attempts to limit the project, first suggesting that Vassar build a hospital, and later proposing plans for a boy’s and girl’s high school and a public library.

Despite Jewett’s concerns, Vassar’s apprehension about opening the College before the end of the Civil War was understandable. “Well into ’63 and ’64 it was unclear how the Civil War would settle out,” Johnson said. “And that made the financial markets very volatile.” Vassar makes reference to this volatility in his personal letters from the time. A particular difficulty the College faced was the loss of wealth that occurred as a result of inflation.

“The College fund ($408,000) has suffered quite a reduction by the depreciation of its assets consequent upon the war of full 33 percent of its Capital,” Vassar lamented in a February 1862 letter to trustee George T. Pierce. The difficulties presented by depreciating assets were compounded by rising prices. Opening the College during wartime, Vassar estimated in a January 1864 letter to trustee Martin Anderson, would be accomplished “at the Sacrifice of 30 to 40 percent advance for war prices on all its interior equipments, beds and bedding, furniture, Kitchen & culinary appendages.”

Johnson stressed that these financial considerations were accompanied by a social volatility that Vassar found threatening to the longevity of the College. “It was in many quarters thought of as a risky and dangerous idea to try and radically alter American culture with the thesis that women could and should go to college like men,” he explained, noting that those objections remained strong even 30 to 40 years after the College’s founding. “I think [Vassar] partly had been motivated by the fact that he wanted the culture to be as

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

calm as possible when he was springing this experiment on them.”

This dispute ultimately culminated in the top hat scandal of February 1864, when Jewett, frustrated over his differences with Vassar and seeking to garner support for his plan, sent a letter to five of his fellow trustees. The letter levied personal attacks against Vassar, claiming that he had grown “fickle and childish.”

Vassar later learned of the letter when trustee Reverend William Hague placed his hat, with Jewett’s letter stuck in the brim, on the desk of fellow trustee Cyrus Swan while he used the restroom following a Board of Trustees meeting. It is unclear whether Hague intended for Swan to read the letter; regardless, Swan did, and later divulged its contents to Vassar. The founder called for the president’s resignation, a request to which Jewett assented in April of 1864.

Vassar’s pain over the incident is evident in a May 1864 letter he wrote to Sarah Hale, the editress of Godey’s Lady Book and public advocate for the College. “[Jewett] was certainly not the personal friend to me that his conduct in my presence had led me to believe. He had labored [diligently] to undermine my influence & that of my confidential Committee in the opinions of the Trustees.” In yet another letter addressed to Hale, he noted, “I prefer to leave the past only to forgive altho’ I cannot forget [the] ‘intercepted letter’ under his signature...”

Yet regardless of their differences during the war, it is clear that both Vassar and Jewett cared deeply about providing women with equal opportunities for higher education. One can take comfort in the idea that, despite their falling out, each man would be pleased to see that the College has grown into such a strong and established institution.

FEATURES

October 7, 2010

Page 9

Make Grandma proud with Raymond kitchen ragu Stephen Platz

Guest Columnist

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Laura Smith/The Miscellany News

ith midterms just around the corner, and readings beginning to pile up, I decided to cook in the relative comfort of my own Raymond House kitchen. Sure, it is not the most functional kitchen on campus, but there is some reassurance in knowing all the ins and outs of a space before you try to prepare a meal there. Comfort is what this week’s article is all about. The dish featured, a beef shank and Italian sausage ragù over rigatoni, is basically an updated version of my Italian grandmother’s spaghetti a la Bolognesa It’s reminiscent of the homey cooking that is often missed on a college campus, which was just what the doctor ordered this week, during which my i-Cal rivaled the great Henri Matisse in its bold, unadulterated display of color.

The recipe below was adapted from the May 2009 issue of Bon Appétit Magazine. Since it requires minimal knife work and uses a no-fuss cooking method, the dish is perfectly suited to being prepared in the dorm kitchens. You do not have to worry about whether the meal will come together at precisely the right moment or agonize over whether your cooking skills will be up to par; all you have to do is make a few rough chops, put everything in a pot and return a few hours later to reap the rewards.

Granted, the process is a little more involved than that, but I guarantee you that what you end up with will be worth far more than the labor that you put in. The final dish is, in a word, delicious. The components of the ragù blend together to form a rich, herbal sauce that provides a sharp contrast to the fresh, clean flavors of the basil and olive oil that coat the pasta.

Though the list of ingredients may seem inaccessible for those cooking without a pantry, many of them can be obtained for no additional cost at places that many students frequent as part of their college dining experience. Packets of dried oregano and crushed red pepper are available with a purchase at Bacio’s, and the garlic and Parmesan cheese can easily be taken from the All Campus Dining Center (ACDC) as part of a to-go meal. All other ingredients are available at My Market II on Raymond Avenue, excluding the beef shanks, which can easily be substituted with ground beef or cube steak.

Note that if you plan on making this substitution, I strongly urge you to use low-sodium beef broth to give the sauce the same flavor provided by the shanks.

If you plan to prepare this meal in the Raymond kitchen, you will need to bring in two large pots from other dorms. I borrowed pots belonging to the Davison and Josselyn kitchens. The heatproof container and necessary kitchen utensils are available in the Raymond kitchen. Furthermore, students should be aware that the stove is a bit of a mess, and currently only the two smaller burners work. This can make bringing a large pot of water to a boil problematic.

If you have an electric water heater, by all means, use it. Otherwise salt the water very liberally, and be prepared to wait a while.

Beef Shank and Italian Sausage Ragù over Rigatoni Serves Two For the ragù »» 1 tablespoon olive oil »» 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed »» 2 pounds beef shank »» 2 large onions, coarsely chopped »» 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes »» 4 celery ribs, leafy tops only »» 4 garlic cloves »» 1 teaspoon dried oregano »» 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper »» 1 dried bay leaf »» 1/2 cup wine (optional) »» water or low-sodium broth For the pasta »» 1 pound rigatoni »» 2 tablespoons olive oil »» 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese »» 3 tablespoons basil, finely chopped 1. Put the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sausage to the pot

and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned (about fifteen minutes).

Transfer the sausage to a heatproof container, and set aside. While the sausage is cooking, chop the onions and garlic and set aside.

2. Season the beef shanks on both sides with salt and pepper. Add them to the pot and cook until browned on both sides (about six minutes per side).

Remove the shanks from the pot and transfer to the same heatproof container.

3. Add the onions to the pot, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned.

4. When the onions have finished cooking, return the sausage and shanks to the pot, add the tomatoes, garlic, oregano, crushed red pepper and wine. If the shanks are not completely submerged in the cooking liquid, add enough water or broth to just cover them. Bring to a boil, and reduce the heat to low. Let

simmer, covered, for two hours.

5. After simmering for two hours, remove the shanks and transfer to a clean work surface. Using two forks, pull the meat away from the bone and shred it, making sure to remove any excess fat in the process.

6. Before returning the meat to the pot, skim off any fat from the surface of the liquid. Return the meat to the pot, and boil until the liquid evenly coats the back of a spoon (about fifteen minutes).

7. While the ragù is reducing, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Boil, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through.

Strain out the liquid, and toss the pasta with the olive oil, parmesan cheese and basil.

8. To serve, divide the pasta into the desired number of servings and spoon a generous portion of the ragù over each plate.

ACDC Chef Conlin demonstrates dining hall potential Ruth Bolster

Guest Reporter

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t is no secret that for many people, the mere mention of the All Campus Dining Center (ACDC) evokes enough groans and complaints to discourage even the most ravenous of college students from wanting to dine there. The lines are long and the atmosphere certainly cannot compare to that of a five star restaurant, but this is to be expected of most college dining facilities. However, from a culinary standpoint, students are particularly vocal, especially as it relates to the absence of choices.

“It lacks anything unique,” says Travis Hungreder ’13. “Occasionally they do something right, but variety has never been their strong point and I do not expect that to change much.”

In light of such criticism, Head Chef Mike Conlin would beg to differ. With almost 30 years of experience working at the ACDC and harboring an obvious passion for food, Conlin ascended to the role of Head

Chef in 1991 and has been committed to bring this much desired variety to the dining center ever since. Whether it includes the addition of a new dessert or a different entrée, he takes pride in the fact that meals are rarely repeated on the ACDC’s menu.

“People are amazed when I tell them that kids complain about the food,” he insists. “There are just so many choices that everyone is bound to find something to eat.”

And with a variety of stations ranging from “International” to “A Taste of Home,” it is virtually impossible to refute the fact that there are options. However, if students are to break the cycle of culinary sameness and optimize their ACDC dining experience, they must not be afraid to mix up ingredients and get creative.

Vegan chickpea casserole with a side of cheese covered chicken anyone?

Conlin notes that in order to add a little spice to the average ACDCgoer’s diet, he and the food staff plan periodic “monotony breakers,” resulting in themed meals such as last

month’s feast based upon Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. A meal incorporating the delicate flavors of New England cuisine is scheduled for Oct. 13 and it is highly recommended that students try it.

While the occasional themed menu is all well and good, how can one disperse the ACDC doldrums on a typical evening?

To this, Chef Conlin recommends a garlic noodle stir fry garnished with sautéed tomato, broccoli, and onion. Hopefully this will inspire you to make the most of your ACDC options.

Let’s put it to the test, shall we?

This will require you to monopolize a pan at stir-fry station for at least five minutes, so when following this recipe please refrain from nibbling on the raw mushrooms in the vegetable bin next to your hot plate. Your stomach (and everyone else who uses the stir-fry station and does not appreciate your germy hands contaminating the food supply) will thank you for it later.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

Garlic Noodle Stir-Fry 1. Over medium heat, pour a half-cup of olive oil into the pan.

Eyeballing an approximate amount is fine—it is not like Bobby Flay is standing over your shoulder and scrutinizing your every move with the glaring eyes of an Iron Chef.

2. Add to this one scoop of minced garlic. Allow this to simmer for a minute and a half, stirring occasionally.

3. Incorporate two scoops of tomato, one scoop of broccoli, and one scoop of chopped red onion. Allow this to simmer for an additional minute and a half.

4. Lower the heat and toss a handful of pasta into the mixture.

And by handful, I do not actually mean sticking your hand into the pasta and literally grabbing noodles; please keep in mind that it is almost tflu season and we do not need you killing us all with your diseases.

Keep the pasta mixture over the heat for another minute.

5. Pour onto your plate and chow down on this prime example of noodle-y stir-fry goodness.

OPINIONS

Page 10

October 7, 2010

Freshman need VSA, BHP working to curb toxic drinking to monitor their V own behavior Boyd Gardner guest columnist

Michael Moore

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Guest Columnist

hen you bring 666 young adults, most of whom have seen the American Pie movies, into a diverse, liberal and expressive community, there is bound to be what my grandmother would call “shenanigans.” I don’t think that anybody doubts that and I don’t think that it’s necessarily a bad thing. But when multiple freshmen blow 0.4 percent blood alcohol content and wake up to an EKG machine and a three-digit hospital bill, that’s something else.

I don’t think my grandmother had a word for stuff like that.

The freshman experience so far has involved the early development of a drinking culture and a few disturbing patterns. The Class of 2011 has also been labeled a heavy drinking class, and it is possible that their control of the senior housing has caused a “ripple effect” of drinking for the freshman. Many freshmen will recall that as early as the first weekend in orientation, parties were being held at the Town Houses where freshmen were permitted, if not encouraged, to come. I must say that the events I saw involved less partying and more literal hordes of freshmen engulfing the Town Houses like a biblical plague of locusts. A bad thing?

Perhaps. It is possible that this early introduction to drinking set a tone for freshman about the party culture at Vassar. Personally, I think it’s great that seniors under a lot of stress and with a lot to celebrate have a place to relax and have a good time. However, it is a little much when the freshmen start stockpiling Svedka as if Sweden is about to go out of business.

The lack of dorm security was another thing that surprised me. I expected more frequent nightly rounds and a more visible presence of Safety and Secutiry in the dorms on weekends and party nights, but that was not at all the case. Apparently previous classes have pushed for Security to move out of the dorms and to focus more on grounds patrol and monitoring of dorms and houses from the outside. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but it may have had unintended consequences. Now freshman party with their doors open, openly carry alcohol in public, and seem to be worried little by security. The solution to the problem is somewhere in between doing nothing and declaring martial law. But where exactly on that spectrum? Many look to the Vassar Student Association and administration to set the balance right again.

Lastly, there are still gaps in alcohol education for freshman. The alcoholic drink Four Loko can be particularly harmful. For those of you who don’t know, Four Loko is a combination of an energy drink and malt liquor that contains the equivalent of about five to six drinks in every can. The combination of stimulant and depressant ensures that after one Four Loko you don’t know where your pants are and after three you find yourself praying to the porcelain god. Many freshmen do not know their own drinking tolerance from lack of experience and often they learn the hard way.

Much of the time this ends up being relatively harmless: an embarrassing make-out session, an absolute giggle-fest or a bad headache in the morning. However, more and more the consequences of excess are tending towards serious danger. So what is the solution?

The VSA is working diligently to educate students on the dangers of toxic drinking and Four Loko. However I feel that this must be a peer movement first and foremost. Want an opinion on the benefits of binging? Why don’t you ask one of the hospitalized students? I say that the answer lies in moderation. Honestly, drinking beyond a certain point just isn’t fun anymore.

Instead of going out to party every night, why not call me up and we can watch a Disney movie together? If individuals as well as groups set their own limits, then everybody can have a good time and nobody gets hurt. We can show maturity and solve this problem ourselves, or we can wait for the administration to crack down in whichever way they see fit. I vote for the first option.

—Michael Moore ’14 is the president of the Class of 2014.

assar is witnessing a dangerous and little-understood phenomenon this semester. Both the college administration and our student-run Vassar College Emergency Medical Service (VCEMS) volunteers have reported a disturbing increase in both the volume and the severity of the alcohol-related cases that VCEMS has responded to this year. As of Sept. 2, VCEMS reported a 33 percent yearover-year increase in alcohol-related calls, as well as a 37 percent increase in hospitalizations. Many students are also, according to VCEMS Captain Sam Black ’11, at a noticeably higher level of intoxication than has previously been seen. A multitude of theories exist to explain this change in behavior, but student groups and leaders are already at work developing solutions. The Board of House Presidents (BHP), of which I am co-chair, has already put in place several initiatives to target dangerous drinking in residence halls, and continues to develop more.

The centerpiece of BHP’s approach has been to stress peer-to-peer education about safe drinking, especially as it relates to the recent rise in popularity of caffeinated alcoholic beverages. While the Class of 2014 is by no means the only population on campus that drinks dangerously, BHP has begun a concerted effort to use the student fellow system to inform freshmen of how to avoid a late-night trip to Vassar Brothers. We’re pleased to report that we’ve already received positive feedback from this approach; student fellows have told us that many of their fellowees (and they themselves!) were not aware that “Four Loko,” a caffeinated malt liquor beverage that contains the equivalent amount of alcohol as four standard beers in a

single can, and has the effect of six standard drinks due to the caffeine content of the beverage, is so incredibly potent and is so little understood. We’ve already heard anecdotes of students swearing off the drink now that they know just how dangerous it is.

Aside from the information-sharing approach, house presidents have also asked their house teams to abide by certain codes of conduct, with the end goal of emphasizing either abstinence from alcohol or responsible drinking habits. Those house team members who do choose to drink have been reminded of their status as student leaders, and to avoid at all costs the unfortunate spectacle of being “the” student leader who is wheeled out of their house on a stretcher. An emphasis on modeling responsible behavior is expected to echo through all classes in the houses, with the end goal being an overall reduction in dangerous drinking behavior.

The next strategy that the house presidents have discussed targets the phenomenon of upperclassmen providing alcohol to their younger peers. While we understand that this practice is to a certain extent timehonored, we intend to use sophomore and junior representatives, as well as the Senior Class Council, to issue a “call to responsibility” to the upperclassmen on campus.

We’re going to be asking those who choose to engage in the practice to keep in mind the safety of the alcohol that they provide other students, drawing on their own experience to inform their purchasing decisions. We’re also asking students to keep in mind that they accept a high degree of responsibility for the safety of the students they choose to provide alcohol for, and how awful it would feel to know that the alcohol they provided

caused one of their friends to have a nearoverdose experience.

The last piece of BHP’s current strategy involves boosting the number of house team and administrative resources in the houses on weekend nights. Strong House and Raymond House have taken the lead in developing a “house team on-call” system, in which members of house team volunteer to be the designated point-person for in-house troubleshooting on weekend nights. This person will be sober, will remain in or near the house until after midnight, and their “oncall” status will be made known to the entire house team before the weekend begins.

BHP believes that such a system will allow the house team to have a productive and beneficial presence in the house on nights that are often rather trying for students, without forcing the house teams to sacrifice their social lives. BHP is also considering asking the Safety and Security department, which has appropriately responded to crime on campus by moving more of its staff resources out of the houses, to consider adding more patrols within the houses again, with an emphasis on checking common areas and bathrooms for incapacitated students.

Let’s make no mistake here: If this trend of increased severity of inebriation is not curbed, we’ll be running the risk of further and possibly more severe hospitalizations.

The VSA has, in no uncertain terms, issued a call to students to be informed, responsible and above all careful, and every member of Council is hard at work developing strategies to help students drink more safely.

—Boyd Gardner ’12 is the president of Main House and co-chair of the Board of House Presidents.

Moore, commenters misunderstand the meaning of meaningful social activity Kris Yim

Guest Columnist

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ean of the College Christopher Roellke’s campus-wide e-mail urging responsible decisions in light of increased binge drinking sparked a number of related articles. Even before this notice, in the Miscellany News article “Alcohol, drugs detrimental to campus culture” (9.23.10), I argued that drinking serves an empty purpose as a “gimmicky social substitute for true substantive interactions.”

This elicited negative feedback, including Hal Moore’s “Yim misunderstands role of drinking on campus” (9.30.10), as well as a considerable number of lengthy comments. Many reacted as if my opinion somehow forced them to abstain from drinking, as if I were a parent scolding a child. No, people should reasonably be able to choose what to do with themselves, but only after careful and informed consideration of their decisions.

In his response, Hal Moore describes my article’s “most serious problem” as the explicit “judgment of the ‘should,’” calling it “profoundly undemocratic.” I could not disagree more. In presenting my viewpoint, I put myself on a fair playing ground to be refuted. The opinions section exists to share and converge ideas; the audience reads it to evaluate arguments and discern between accurate and inaccurate. By offering one stance in a forum of discussion, right or wrong, I contribute to the promotion of critical thought in the decision making process of students on an important subject matter.

Is this not democratic?

While I argued against any amount of drinking, I must first disagree with Joshua Rosen’s column “Vassar drinking culture is low-risk, binging overstated” (9.30.10) to establish excessive drinking as indeed a prominent aspect of the drinking issue, even if a bit overplayed by the recent attention. It seems to be a priority to vomit in the bathroom every weekend. I concede that much of the alcohol consumed is not done in dangerous excess, but the unmistakable presence of binge drinking tells us that the situation

is far from perfect. The alleged “low-risk” status of the“drinking culture” is not, as Rosen implies, defined by comparison “to other colleges.” The article considers one cause of drinking to be conformity, and argues that overstating the drinking issue may fortify these social norms. I disagree. I will, however, give Vassar students the benefit of the doubt of carefully considering the decision to drink, and what excessive drinking does exists must be addressed so students will clearly understand the implications of drinking.

How must we tackle this issue? Certainly not by imposing stricter regulations, as Andy Marmer suggests in “College must hold binge drinkers accountable” (9.30.10).

The degree to which the College’s policy is enforced is not the concern. This approach is misguided in depriving people of any option, sidestepping the source of the problem completely. The problem is that people are still going to want to drink no matter how strict the regulation because students will reason that the negative consequences of drinking matter less than the pleasure it brings. As a virtue ethicist, no solution is more ideal to me than behavioral maturity through understanding and consideration of what’s right. If people take to heart a genuine understanding of what an action entails, severe regulations would simply be unnecessary.

However, many people take issue with the necessary entertainment of what “should” be. As I mentioned, Moore describes it as “undemocratic,” while others, responding with online comments, demonstrated a similar aversion to “value judgments.” That many people gag at the sight of a normative opinion perplexes me to no end. There is nothing in a judgment that makes it right other than its reasoning, so this juvenile fear of debate falsely and hypocritically classifies the expression of an opinion as smug.

Suppose someone in “this great country” might choose to pursue happiness by being a danger to themselves. Is Roellke’s e-mail

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

undemocratic in telling us we “should” be safe? Denouncing others for judging values ultimately means one of two things: being so childish as to fear being refuted, or being so arrogant as to dismiss my opinions.

Allow me to redirect the subject matter from binge drinking to drinking in general.

I maintain, as in “Alcohol, drugs detrimental to campus culture,” that people should ideally abstain from alcohol.

I feel like many took my criticism personally, thinking that I ignored that the majority of drinking falls between the extremes of “abstinence” and “blackout.” In actuality, I merely attack drinking as a fundamentally irresponsible action. For example, someone might describe potato chips as fundamentally unhealthy. This is not to say that everyone who occasionally consumes potato chips is unhealthy if done in a less irresponsible manner.

Let me briefly reiterate: Forget binge drinking. Suppose alcohol had no harmful effects on the body; would there still be reason to drink? The answer is no. The more someone drinks, from a reasonable buzz to complete obliteration, the more drunkenness inherently sacrifices rationality for pleasure, clouding Moore’s “rational costbenefit analysis” with a fixation on fleeting immediate pleasures.

As rationality is replaced with intoxication, meaningfulness—enjoying what is enjoyable—is diminished. On meaningfulness, Mario Kart, a comparable pastime, might not seem meaningful, but actually is insofar as the enjoyment derived can be logically discerned by perceptions. Being even mildly drunk generates an illusion that makes the uninteresting seem interesting.

That so many resort to this empty substitute is, to me, disheartening. Perhaps now this stance can be considered on its basis; I only encourage that we reflect on our decisions, not rationalize after the fact.

—Kris Yim ’14 is a student at Vassar College.

October 7, 2010

OPINIONS

Page 11

Legacy admission privilege for the privileged Learning about John Kenney

Guest Columnist

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he recently released book Affirmative Action for the Rich, edited by Richard D. Kahlenberg, raises evidence against an issue which has long been a source of debate regarding the college admissions process: That the children of alumnae/i are treated preferentially in the application process.

This issue is no hidden secret. Schools are known to acknowledge in discussions with alumnae/i that their children will be given a slight boost in the application process.

Of course, colleges try to maintain that this will only help those candidates who are already well-qualified. But can this really be the case? Or is the truth more along the lines of the worst imagined stereotype, in which a rich donor’s paycheck allows for a child with mediocre credentials to sail through school for a degree?

Kahlenberg’s book alleges that the truth leans more towards the stereotype. While associations such as the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education dispute the findings and suggestions of Kahlenberg’s book, arguing that it may ignore the many children of alumnae/i that got in because they were well qualified or applied early decision, they also acknowledge that “institutions that believe these programs contribute [to the wellbeing of the institution] should have a sincere and thoughtful discussion.”

There are both positive and negative effects of legacy bias. Colleges certainly have a valid claim that admitting the well-qualified offspring of alumnae/i helps to build the

sense of community of the institution. On the seedier side of the policy’s benefits, it seems that the policy will keep the institution financially well endowed by facilitating a steady cash flow from alumnae/i who want to see their children admitted.

I believe that this policy goes against the commitment made by educational institutions to strive for diversity while admitting only the best and brightest. Legacy bias obviously has the potential to allow for the admittance of inferior candidates over many other well-qualified but less financially fortunate students. Of course, there should be an acknowledgement that not all children of alumnae/i are academically inferior; however, this policy may increase the chance of the average child of fortune getting accepted based on name alone.

It is that single chance that makes this system seriously flawed. Colleges derive their prestige in no small part from the relative academic competitiveness of their student bodies.

Given this, if one well-qualified prospective student is not accepted into a school because the good ol’ boys made sure to continue scratching each other’s backs, the system at the very least must be examined, and at most must be reformed into one which is more equitable.

The idea that colleges show preferential treatment to less qualified legacies is disgusting; as Kahlenberg’s book alleges, however, that is exactly what is occurring in our country’s universities and colleges. This problem also isn’t relegated to the private school, but

is rather present in the sphere of public universities, as well.

The idea that one class of people could be given such an inherent advantage defies the American dream, discrediting the ideals of the egalitarian system we are told we live in from the day we enter into our educations. A policy of legacy bias when so abused will only serve to create disillusionment and cynicism, undermining not only what colleges claim to be important to them in the ideal student, but also instilling the idea that egalitarianism only applies when one is compared to others of the same socioeconomic status. It is my opinion that no amount of financial gain is worth trampling on the ideal of equality in opportunity.

Colleges try to present an image of fairness in their application process, and if financial donations from wealthy alumnae/i will be enough to ensure their children’s admittance, then the colleges should at least be open about that fact.

There should be no vague hints at a slight boost; rather, it should just be laid out in fine print that financial donation will ensure an added weight to the applicant in question.

If this were to be done, it would at least allow the public to engage in a more truthful debate over whether such a policy is fair or even worth having in place. We would no longer be left shaking our heads and cursing a system in which we can only wonder how much preference the rich are shown over the poor.

Opinions Editor

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ccording to a recent article in Newsweek entitled “The Case Against College Athletic Recruiting,” College athletic recruitment began as a discriminatory scheme to keep down the number of Jewish students enrolled at Harvard University. The article explains how Harvard had begun using the College Entrance Examination Board exams in their admissions process in 1905, which in turn caused Jewish enrollment to skyrocket.

Knowing that middle class Jews and other non-whites couldn’t and didn’t play “obscure pretty sports,” which weren’t often available in their public schools, Harvard began using athletics in its admission criteria as a way to limit the enrollment of unwanted demographic groups. That system evolved into the modern athletic recruiting practices that are now employed at universities and colleges across the nation. It is a system born with harmful intentions that continues to damage institutions of higher education, except in a different fashion.

The case espoused by proponents of college athletic recruitment is an interesting one. The argument goes that college sports is a big money maker for schools, partially through ticket sales and television contracts generated by athletic events, and partly because alumnae/i supposedly increase their donations when their alma maters develop strong athletic programs.

But as the recent Newsweek story claimed, “the overwhelming majority of sports programs are net revenue losers.” Division I football and basketball present the best chance to

rake in the cash, but because of the exorbitant costs associated with huge stadiums, topnotch coaches and so on, even most of the Division I programs fail to turn a profit. And the contention that strong athletics programs result in increased alumnae/i donations was also disproven in a study written by former Princeton President William Bowen, which “found no increase in alumni giving the year after an improved performance in high profile sports.”

The case against athletic recruitment is multi-faceted. Recruited athletes, especially those at the Division I schools, often attend college to play sports, not to earn an education. According to the Bowen study highlighted in Newsweek, they also represent a disproportionate number of majors in economics, and are primarily responsible for the overcrowding in economics–related courses.

The study also concludes that these Division I student athletes cheat and plagiarize at higher levels while also receiving lower grades and test scores than their peers, which Bowen suggests is a result of the obscene amount of time they spend practicing.

Some institutions of higher education also defer to sports in a manner that is inappropriate. There are no classes after 4 p.m. at some colleges because that is the time set aside for team practice. Furthermore, sports teams— particularly those at the Division I schools— benefit from disproportionate funding allocation because, contrary to the popular assumption, athletics departments don’t pay for themselves. Of course, both of these factors negatively impact academic prorams.

There was a point when America produced

Emile Ostrovski Guest Columnist

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the largest number of college graduates in the world. Today, according to Newsweek, America is ranked 12th in terms of total college graduates. The reasons behind that statistic are complicated, but it is clear that European and Asian universities do not place nearly the same emphasis as American universities on athletics. Again, this is especially true for Division I schools, which often recruit athletes because they’re athletes, sometimes downplaying or even completely ignoring a lessthan-competitive academic record. It can be argued that these schools are thereby taking away financial aid and academic resources from students who want to attend college with the hope of actually receiving an education, giving those funds instead to those who see college merely as a stepping-stone to a sports career.

In addition to meeting students’ educational needs, today’s colleges and universities are also appropriately concerned with promoting diversity; however, athletic recruiting isn’t the way to go about it. The Bowen study also claims that athletic recruitment only accounts for a small uptick in minority enrollment.

College should not be a place where athletes go to merely play sports, choosing to attend class only when they see fit. If athletes want to attend colleges centered around sports, then perhaps someone, somewhere should create a sports college. That would allow academic insitutions to do the work they were created to do: teaching, not fostering the next NBA or NFL most valuable player.

hat is the use of the work we do here?

Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. I remember as a freshman, my student fellow mentioned he felt like the only thing he’d learned at Vassar was how to write an academic paper, and that the moment he steps out of Vassar, he’ll never really make use of that skill again. Thinking about it now, as a junior myself, I might even go a step further. I already knew how to write an academic paper before coming to Vassar, more or less, so I might say the only thing I’ve done at Vassar is get a lot of practice doing something I already know how to do.

So is that it, then? End of story? Well, not quite. I’d like to posit that if exposure to new material and synthesis of said new material via a process we already know how to do is all we’ve managed to accomplish in our time here, then maybe we, ourselves, are at least partly to blame. How many essays do you treat as a means to an end? As just something that needs to be done in order to get a good grade in this class, in order to get credit for your major, in order to graduate on time, in order to not have additional loans and so on. I know the majority of mine were like that—especially the ones done at last minute.

But something interesting happened near the end of last year. I was taking a class on ethics, and for the majority of it, I’d been treating it in very much a means-to-an-end manner. We had weekly Blackboard posts, which were supposed to ensure we did the readings. All they insured was that I skimmed, in the loose sense of the word.

Then, when the end of the class came along, we were given a list of topics to choose from for our final papers. One of them was, “What is morality, and why should we be moral?” As far as I was concerned, that was the only question on the list. I mean, if you’re taking a course on ethics, why bother writing your final paper on anything else?

I wrote the paper over the course of two weeks. I mean this in a literal sense. The assignment specified 10-12 pages. I ended up with 19, and that’s after cutting a few. During those two weeks, when I wasn’t writing the paper, I was thinking about the paper. Because I realized, finally, what was at stake here. If there’s no objective morality, then there’s no objective reason that I should not get up from my chair in the middle of class, and stab the guy next to me with my pen. I realized that I wanted very much for there to be a reason, and for this reason to not be rooted in my own self-interest. And so, all of a sudden, I wasn’t writing this paper for a grade. Or a class. Or a professor. I was writing this paper, because I thought it, in itself, was important.

It was not a perfect paper. But it was the only paper like that I’ve written at Vassar where I felt I was doing work that exceeded the confines of our academic environment. I don’t want to suggest all papers should be like this, but if we’re only looking for the grade, then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy—that’s all we’ll ever get, because we’ll lose sight of what’s really at stake.

—Juan Thompson ’13 is Opinions Editor of The Miscellany News.

—Emil Ostrovski ’12 is a philosophy major at Vassar College.

—John Kenney ’14 is a student at Vassar College.

Athletic recruitment harmful to academics Juan Thompson

more than just getting a grade

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TRAVEL

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October 7, 2010

PHOTOGRAPHY

October Break

Travel Guide F

or October break, most Vassar students readily seize the brief opportunity to return home or take a weeklong excursion elsewhere. However, a substantial number of our college’s students stay on the premises, for one reason or another, and are left to entertain themselves despite vacated dorms and an empty events calendar. For those staying in Poughkeepsie over break with a little cash and a modest sense of adventure, several areas in the Hudson Valley region can offer a refreshing change of scenery, as well as a appealing assortment of cafes, shops, performances and even spooky events perfect for the end of October. Between the legendary and eclectic record stores of New Paltz and the haunted walks at the infamous village of Sleepy Hollow, a week off in October can lend itself to countless new opportunities in the area, most just a quick train ride or a cab trip away. Here are a few suggestions, presented by The Miscellany News.

Photographs by Devin Leary, Carlos Hernandez, Eric Schuman and Dallas Robinson.

--Juliana Halpert, Photography Editor

Autumnal options in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Distance: Just a few stops down from Poughkeepsie on Metro-North, Tarrytown is ideal for day-trippers without a car. A short walk up the hill from its train station leads right to Main Street, and a short cab drive can transport travelers to the nearby village of Sleepy Hollow.

What to do: Downtown Tarrytown has no fewer than six antique stores—small, winsome shops like Pretty Funny Vintage on South Broadway St. and Timeless Seasons on Main Street. Three art galleries also sit in the center of town, as does the beautiful Tarrytown Music Hall. One can also take tours of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, known as the setting for Washington Irvine’s short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Where to eat: Coffee Labs on Main Street is a quintessential small-town shop, and the Striped Bass down the road serves reasonably priced seafood. For sweet-tooth satiation, Main Street Sweets offers a wide selection of treats.

October opportunities: On October 19th, the Tarrytown Music Hall will show Rupert Julian’s 1925 film, The Phantom of the Opera.

Cost of trip: Round-trip train tickets cost $18, cab fare to the village of Sleepy Hollow are under $10. Cemetery tours are $15-$20, with advanced reservations required.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

October 7, 2010

TRAVEL

Page 13

PHOTOGRAPHY

New Paltz a creative day trip in an artistic haven

Distance: Just under 15 miles west of Vassar, New Paltz is roughly a 20-minute drive across the Hudson and onto the scenic Route 299.

What to do: New Paltz is a small, artsy town filled with college students and an assortment of charming stores and cafes to suit them. Right on Main Street, Jack’s Rhythms is a perfect incarnation of the increasingly hard-to-find indie music store, and is packed with a unique collection of new and used CDs, vinyl, and used books. Rhino Records, on the corner of Main and Church Streets, is a music store that boasts an enormous vinyl LP collection and a loyal following across the region.

Where to eat: The Guilded Otter on Lower Main Street, though one of the bigger budget-stretchers, is widely known as the best brewpub in Hudson Valley.

October opportunities: A sizeable farmers’ market every Sunday, multiple “spooky walks,” and the annual Haunted Huguenot Street festival.

Cost of trip: Depending on shopping stamina and appetite, a day trip can cost anywhere from $20 to $50.

Breakneck Ridge for the outdoor set Distance: The train ride to Beacon takes under 20 minutes, and a cab ride to Breakneck Ridge is roughly ten. Our traveler recommended Jessie James Williams’ taxi service (845-401-0227) for its fair price and knowledge of how to access the Ridge trail. On weekends and holidays, select Metro-North trains also offer a flag stop right to the bottom of the mountain.

What to do: Despite its ominous name, the Breakneck Ridge hiking trails offers several routes to the 1,260-foot summit, most of which are relatively easy and very scenic climbs. A few of the trails begin right off the road on Route 9D, and a directory stand offers information about the various routes.

Cost of trip: Round-trip tickets from Poughkeepsie to Beacon cost $5.70, with a $15 cab ride. Roundtrip tickets from Poughkeepsie to flag stop Breakneck Ridge are roughly $9.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

OPINIONS

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October 7, 2010

Immigration not just issue of security, but economic patterns Erendira Rueda

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Guest Columnist

quick scan of various news media indicates that words like “border protection,” “counter-terrorism,” “illegal aliens,” “human trafficking,” “anchor babies” and the latest sensationalist hybrid, “terror babies,” are at the forefront of the national imagination when it comes to current discussions about immigration. Counter-terrorism and immigration enforcement have become synonymous since the creation of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency in 2003, whose task it is to prevent terrorists and their weapons, criminals, drug smugglers and illegal immigrants from entering the country.

Increases in Congressional antiterrorism spending since Sept. 11 and the expansion of Border Patrol jurisdiction, particularly along the Canadian border, have facilitated the connection between the two issues and have raised many concerns.

The budget for CBP has grown significantly since its inception. By 2009 it reached $11 billion, almost double what it was in 2004. This year, Congress passed a $600 million bordersecurity bill, which President of the United States Barack Obama signed immediately. Since 2001, the number of border patrol agents handling the 5,525 miles of border that the United States shares with Canada more than quadrupled from 340 to over 1,500. (Note that the U.S.Mexico border is less than half as long—about 2,000 miles—and is protected by over 17,000 border patrol agents.)

The U.S. Border Patrol can now also set up roadblocks, board passenger buses and trains, and patrol transportation hubs that are within 100 miles from the Canadian border. States like Washington, Vermont, New York and Maine have seen an increasing number of checkpoints further and further away from the Canadian border. Closer to home, Border Patrol agents

have acted on their federal mandate to catch terrorists by routinely boarding trains like the Lake Shore Limited—which runs between Chicago and New York City without crossing the Canadian border—to interrogate passengers about their citizenship status and detain those who are unable to produce satisfactory documentation. Agents have detained hundreds of passengers from domestic trains and buses every year. Although efforts to tighten security along the northern border have received significantly less attention than the efforts to secure the border in the southwest—which has become even more militarized lately, now that CBP began flying a Predator B unmanned aerial vehicle out of Corpus Christi, Texas on Sept.

1, 2010 in order to extend the agency’s surveillance over the southern border—these transportation checks are the result of a post-Sept.

11 concern over securing a vulnerable northern border.

The increasing power and range of CBP raises a number of concerns. As the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has pointed out, this 100-mile belt of jurisdiction is essentially a “Constitution-free zone” that is occupied by two-thirds of the country’s population. Although individuals aren’t legally required to answer the queries of border patrol agents, most individuals have no idea that they’re well within their constitutional rights to remain silent and that answering agents’ questions is considered part of a consensual and nonintrusive conversation. Racial profiling is also an issue. Who do border patrol agents choose to question and on what grounds?

Reasonable suspicion seems to be the key operating term at the federal level as it is in Arizona, since border patrol agents say they act on “suspicion” when prompted by a passenger’s “demeanor.” Needless to say, there have been numerous cases of racial and ethnic minority individuals feeling targeted during

these searches, apparently because they don’t “look” American.

But what I find particularly disturbing about the fact that the national conversation about immigration is so intertwined with the threat of terrorism is that undocumented immigrants—and often immigrants in general—are so thoroughly individualized and demonized in the process, while the attention is shifted away from far more systemic factors that contribute to immigration patterns. The discussion about undocumented immigrants often centers on their lack of respect for the law, but what of the thousands of large and small businesses, as well as individual families, who seek out cheap immigrant labor in order to build homes, pick fruit, tend lawns, clean houses and care for children? Where is the discussion about the responsibility that American companies and citizens have to bear for the immigration patterns that we see? While border patrol agents are boarding trains heading to the northeast and detaining Taiwanese Ph.D. candidates, international students from the University of Rochester and students on expired visitor’s visas—all in the name of cracking down on terrorism, human trafficking and drug smuggling—American contracting companies like Global Horizons Manpower are abusing the federal guest worker program by luring workers from places like Thailand with the promise of steady work at decent pay and then holding them in virtual slavery on farms in Hawaii and Washington state. The fact that this last recession has seen a decline in unauthorized immigration by at least a million over the past two years points to the economic pull that contributes to undocumented migration. The states with the steepest declines in undocumented immigrants—like Florida, Virginia and Nevada—are those that have experienced significant declines in the kinds of jobs that

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are heavily supported by undocumented immigrant labor, such as home construction.

The United States is a long way from figuring out the love-hate relationship that it has with its immigrant origins and populations, and the issues are clearly far more complicated than I’ve presented here. But I often wonder if the national discourse would be different if citizens and businesses acknowledged their responsibility for creating the patterns that they fear. Would we then go online and find a very different national approach to immigration and a different set of key words linked to immigration issues, like the ones that my students proposed when I asked them, “What positive things do you think about when you hear the word ‘immigration?’” Those words were: hope, sacrifice, courage, enrichment, exchange, learning, legacy. And as one student so descriptively wrote, “When I hear the word ‘immigration’ all I can think of is my hometown, Queens. I think of the all the bright colored saris lining 74th street and the smell of cardamom ice cream and sizzling samosas. I think of the loud Latin music blasting out of cars and storefronts and of mothers shopping on Roosevelt with their children.

I think of schools full of children from all around the world. I think of JFK airport and of all the hopes and dreams that begin there.

I think of the 7 train rumbling above it all connecting a world of culture to a world of opportunities. I think of families buying their first Christmas trees and making bad Thanksgiving dinners. I think of coming home and Telemundo is on. I think of the whole world concentrated into once city. I think of everything the rest of America is missing out on.”

—Erendia Rueda is an assistant professor of sociology at Vassar College.

October 7, 2010

OPINIONS

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U.S. must invest in long-term growth Josh Rosen

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Opinions Editor

he Great Recession has been over since June 2009, but it’s not yet “morning in America,” as the immortal 1984 Reagan campaign commercial proclaimed, championing the economic growth achieved under the free market policies of the first four years of the Reagan Administration. Today, the United States is experiencing slow growth—1.6 percent in the second quarter of 2010, down from a 3.7 percent increase in the first quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis—and there does not appear to be many signs of a turn towards higher growth rates. With unemployment rates stuck above nine percent, too, it appears that the economy has yet to rebound, and the policies of President of the United States Barack Obama and the Democratic Party are to blame.

Obama and the Democrats chose to try and resolve the economic crisis with two policies: Keynesian stimulus and quantitative easing— a practice where the Federal Reserve borrows from the Treasury to purchase Treasury bonds to try and keep long-term interest rates low.

The Administration’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), better known as the stimulus package, consisted of $814 billion in expenditures, according to The Washington Post . This stimulus package was targeted at creating jobs and preventing a substantial drop in consumer spending and investment. However, Obama’s Keynesian plan failed: When the ARRA was passed, the president told the American people that unemployment would not exceed eight percent. Today, unemployment rates are 9.6 percent, and have been above nine percent for 16 months.

Even the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) acknowledges that the impact of the ARRA is minimal, claiming that it was responsible for between 1.4 and 3.3 million jobs being saved or created, while the Administration solely cites the higher estimate. In comparison to a loss of nearly 10 million workers due to the Great Recession, much of which happened under Obama’s watch, even 3.3

million jobs saved or created is just not going to cut it. Moreover, each saved or created job cost the government an estimated $92,000, according to Jared Bernstein, an economist who advises Vice President Joseph Biden .

Generally speaking, the growth and recovery the president and Congressional Democrats promised is not present. More government spending—especially on work-discouraging practices like high long-term unemployment benefits that the ARRA added—has not resolved unemployment, and seems unlikely to do so in the coming months, even with the additional $180 billion stimulus that the Obama administration hopes to pass.

Quantitative easing, too, did not prove beneficial to the recovery. Between September 2008 and the middle of 2009, the Federal Reserve borrowed money from banks and from the Department of the Treasury, so as to purchase Treasury bonds. This was done with the hope that the increase in the money supply will keep long term interest rates low, and thus work to stimulate the ec0nomy by encouraging lending and liquidity. However, this practice is unlikely to prove effective, as economist Ricardo Caballero of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said, for “If [quantitative easing] does affect rates, it is probably not just the consequence of the direct, ‘quantitative’ intervention, but also of the signaling that the Fed will do whatever it takes to keep rates low until the economy is out of the woods” . As such, it appears unlikely that quantitative easing will impact the economy on its own—both the Bush and Obama administrations are at fault, here, for encouraging it—and, even in concert with the stimulus, it seems unlikely that broad based recovery can be achieved through increased government intervention.

The answer to the eternal question—how do we recover?—is fairly straightforward: growth. Economic growth results in the proverbial “larger pie.” This means increased employment, higher earnings, lower debt and, generally, a stronger nation. As economist Paul Romer of Stanford University, perhaps one of the most influential experts on economic growth, said, growth is vital because making decisions about it amounts to

determining “whether income doubles with every generation, or instead with every other generation,” perhaps the most vital question that concerns economic policy .

Such growth could best be achieved through phasing out or reforming the bloated entitlement programs of America’s past—many of which, like Social Security, are outmoded, unsustainable relics of the New Deal—and preventing reversion to the higher tax rates of the mid-20th century. The United States must also work towards reducing the disincentives to invest in long term growth. Today, capital gains and dividends taxes disincentivize both individual and corporate investment, which, in the long run, reduces growth, because it limits the ability of businesses to purchase needed capital and hire workers.

And the political power to move towards pro-growth policies appears to be forthcoming. With the midterm elections projected to result in substantial gains in Republican Party representation in both the House and Senate—including a substantial GOP majority in the House—it appears that the government spending recovery plans ought to come to an end. The GOP takeover of the House may even allow passage of pro-growth legislation. Hopefully, the Obama administration will recognize the views of the American people and permit this: Americans believe that growth comes from hard work, not the government. In fact, in a 2009 Zogby poll, Americans were asked whether a number of different groups—including small businesses, science leaders, and government—would contribute to a better future for the United States, 62 percent said that small businesses and entrepreneurs would do so, but only 31 percent said that government would contribute to a better future. As Karl Rove writes in The Wall Street Journal, “The administration’s current policies make it unlikely the economy will grow at the rate of between eight percent and nine percent per quarter it did in the runup to Ronald Reagan’s 1984 reelection.” The numbers show, though, that the dawn is coming, and there will soon be economic growth and broad-based recovery.

EU cap-and-trade a burden on refineries Zach Zeilman

Guest Columnist

T

he European Union’s cap-and-trade program, regulated by the European Commission in Brussels, is by far the world’s largest, covering nearly 12,000 installations and producers. It has been implemented as an attempt to reduce carbon emissions this decade to 20 percent of 1990 levels. Although the industry has been curbing emissions for the past two decades, refiners are facing their most challenging target yet.

The cap-and-trade system allows companies such as power plants, oil refineries, producers of steel and other polluting industries, to purchase an allowance for each ton of carbon dioxide that is emitted. Those companies that emit less than their allowance may sell their surplus, while those that emit more than their allowance permits must purchase more.

The European Union will begin to phase out the carbon-free emission allowance in 2013 to the least-efficient companies, meaning that many utilities supplying power to the European Union and its manufacturers will no longer receive any free allowances.

If applied immediately, purchasing permits for the utilities will be a huge burden.

The new, third phase of the cap-andtrade system, which lasts from 2013 to 2020, seeks to balance the reduction of the number of allowances allocated with the limitation of cost-increases for energy-intensive industries. In an effort to replace inefficient utilities, only those emitters in the top 10 percent for carbon efficiency will still get most of their allowances for free.

Refiners are expected to receive 25 percent fewer free permits because of this. This plan supposedly provides a competitive industrial atmosphere while maintaining an accessible target.

Extra costs being imposed for high counts of pollution by utilities may easily be passed down to the consumers, but refiners are competing globally for oil and therefore cannot displace their cost to consumers. If refiners were to increase costs in the EU, members may buy the same oil elsewhere for less, whereas utilities, such as electricity, cannot be imported. Therefore, they must absorb the extra costs in order to keep their prices consistent with other global prices. If a price opportunity is created because of higher costs, crude oil and other products from around the world will be attracted to Europe since transport costs and carbon dioxide costs will be relatively the same.

The European Petroleum Industry Association (Europia) has estimated that operating costs for refiners will likely increase nearly 13 percent with the application of the new benchmark that will force polluters to buy more allowances. This price hike will come after the petroleum industry saw a sevenyear low in profits for three months through Sept. 23. Profit from processing crude oil fell to $2.48 a barrel in the last quarter.

Additionally, industry emissions are expected to rise 2.4 percent in 2011, adding to concerns at a financially and politically difficult time. Europe was deeply affected by the 2008 recession, and, much like the United States, has not yet recovered; threatening refining profits at this time could be very detrimental to economic recovery.

There is also concern that the phasing out of free emission allowances will induce a migration of companies to countries without a cap, called “carbon leakage”. Europia, Business Europe and a few other lobby groups supported a request to delay the process and to extend the free allowances, which may keep companies from migrating.

However, their request has been refused by the European Union.

Part of the reasoning for the refusal to their request is that the petroleum industry is effectively the largest polluter, and given their record, they want more time to do nothing while others are bearing the burden of higher costs. Additionally, because nations such as China and India are building their own plants, Europe has excess refining capacity, and it is therefore not as beneficial to migrate as it would be otherwise. The competitive advantage for refineries would remain in the EU because of the high demand for oil, as long as the carbon dioxide price is affordable or there are still some possible free allowances. But, despite these allocations of permits and cheap carbon credits from developing nations, such inventions are only temporary subsidies. At some point in the future, refining in Europe will become too expensive with this system.

Nearly six billion free allowances will be issued during phase three. However, in 2008 the EU nations had approved the plan to auction most of them, rather than give them away. The auction revenue will be accrued to member states and used to mitigate or adapt to climate change. While environmental concerns need to be addressed, concerns relating to the economy must also be weighed heavily. Unfortunately, we are faced with a difficult decision: repair the economy or repair the environment, when neither can responsibly be ignored. However, perhaps the European Union should reconsider this change in policy until next year, when hopefully economic times are better, or otherwise consider a new program altogether.

—Zach Zeilman ’12 is president of the Vassar Business Club.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

What’s Vassar’s best-kept secret?

“The secret stalls of Joss’ bathrooms”

Martin Couch ’13

“Straight black males”

Ocasio Wilson ’13

“The Meditation Room”

Kendall Coleman ’11

“WVKR”

Rachel Vogel ’13

“Mari Hamashima”

Laura Kinter ’13

“The fact that I had to learn the 62 counties of New York for geography class.”

Meghan Smith ’12 —Juan Thompson, Opinions Editor

OPINIONS

Page 12

October 7, 2010

GOP, Tea Party candidates damaging to the U.S. if elected Steve Keller

Guest Columnist

I

remember when I used to think the Republican Party was finished. I thought that there was no possible way that the internally contradictory ideology of the Republican Party could ever be taken seriously again. I saw Republicans go into the wilderness after the 2008 trouncing, and I assumed that when they came back, they would have a new perspective and fresh new ideas for America.

So when, on Sept. 22, Speaker-in-Waiting John Boehner actually decided to buck up and explain what the new GOP was going to be about, I was ridiculously excited. Unfortunately, it turned out a big middle finger to the country. No, really, read it for yourself.

The beginning is especially hilarious, as the GOP writes of the danger of “an unchecked executive, a compliant legislature and an overreaching judiciary.” If my friends told me in 2001 that in nine years’ time the GOP would be the party fighting against unchecked government power, I’d have written it off as a side effect of the massive celebrations my friends were having in anticipation of the capture of Osama bin Laden.

Given these new concerns, it’s strange that the GOP isn’t fighting against wiretapping and other infringements of civil liberties that have unfortunately continued under the Obama administration. But then again, it is hard for me to be on the level with most Republicans these days. After all, does it make any sense for a person to ignore the ‘overreaching judiciary’ that handed George Bush the Presidency in 2000, while simultaneously holding the belief that ACORN stole the election for Barack Obama in 2008? No, seriously, 52 percent of Republicans believe that happened. Believe it or not, 23 percent of Republicans believe that ACORN is going to pull the same shenanigans this year—despite ACORN no longer existing.

You might say, though, that there are still three-quarters of Republicans who do not believe ACORN is going to steal the election.

And, of course, that same Public Policy Polling poll said that 20 percent of Democrats believe ACORN is going to help their own party this year. The difference is that unlike the conventional wisdom from the right—you

know, that Obama’s got a “socialist,” “Kenyan [and] anti-colonial” mindset—the radicals on the left-wing of the Democratic Party do not hold actual power. The Code Pinkers, the PETA protestors and the Greenpeacers could only dream of getting a word in with “socialist, anti-colonial” President Obama.

On the other hand, as evidenced by the Tea Party takeover of the Republican Party, the right-wing has no trouble getting its voice heard. See New York gubernatorial hopeful Carl Paladino, who forwards bestiality emails to co-workers while saying he’s going to go to the state capital with a “baseball bat” to “take out the trash.” Or take Senate hopeful Joe Miller in Alaska, who claims that jobless benefits are “unconstitutional.” How about Representative Rand Paul of Kentucky? He says he would not have voted for certain parts of the Civil Rights Act because he doesn’t like restricting private business. (I suppose Paul thinks it’s better to allow restaurants to make blacks sit at a separate counter than it is to have government infringe on small business rights.) Or take Republican candidate for Senate from Nevada, Sharron Angle, who believes if you get raped and get pregnant, you should “make a lemon situation into lemonade” .

Then again, is it really that hard to believe that a party in which, according to a TIME poll, a majority believes that Barack Obama “definitely” or “probably” wants to implement Islamic law across the world would nominate such candidates?

Look at the Pledge for further details of this shift to the right and off the cliff. Skip the 44 full-color photos, including that of a man on a horseback, wildly lassoing into the sunset, ostensibly to herd back the unconscionable bailouts of Wall Street—you know, the ones that John Boehner and Eric Cantor voted for under the Bush administration. You know, the ones that have been mostly paid back and will likely net the U.S. treasury a profit. You know, the bailouts that stopped the invisible hand from wildly spanking us after the Wall Street meltdown.

You should check out the pledge to reduce the federal deficit by $4 trillion by 2020. You should then read the pledge to add $700 billion to the deficit by renewing the Bush tax

cuts for the super-rich. You should then read their pledge to increase missile defense funding. You should also read their pledge to repeal deficit-reducing health care reform. You should watch videos of Republican leaders in Congress being unable to name a single program they would cut from the budget.

The Republican Party is hoping that the ditch they drove us into will be deep enough that we’ll forget who put us there in the first place. As the Obama recovery accelerates over the next two years, they’ll institute tax cuts for the rich and claim trickle-down economics was what solved the economic crisis.

Then, the economy will tank.

In a recent statistical survey, Americans were asked about the gap in income inequality in the United States. Respondents believed

that the top 20 percent of the country owned 59 percent of the wealth, a number they felt should be reduced to 32 percent. The actual amount of wealth the top 20 percent possesses is 84 percent.

Such income inequality reminds me of an image from the Great Depression. You know that photograph of the Migrant Mother that epitomized the 1930s? The one where the mother of seven looks longingly into space, wistfully wondering why businessmen played such dangerous games with the market that now her family has to hunt birds for a living? Republicans are not the remedy to that woman’s troubles, nor are they the remedy for this country’s.

—Steve Keller ’11 is a political science ma-

ADVERTISEMENT

Crossword by Jack Mullan ACROSS 1. Swiss peak 4. What “it” plays 7. With “The”, “Pictures of You” group 11. “Va-va-va-___!”

13. Wonderment 14. Train track part 15. Offshore 16. Mjollnir’s wielder 17. Some #2’s 18. Puts a price on

freedom 20. Catch a few Z’s 21. Small coin 22. “Gimme a moment!”

26. Site of Hearst Castle 29. Alt-rock genre 30. TiVo forerunners 31. Italian hothead?

32. Gluttony is one 33. Dave Eggers novel surrounding a Sudanese refugee

Answers to last week’s puzzle

37. Place for a “stat”, briefly 38. Robert of “The Sopranos” 39. Overactors 40. Org. for Mex. and Can. 41. A “frozen rope” 44. “Little Mermaid” sea witch 46. “It must be something ____...”

47. Actor Beatty 48. Classic Brubeck piece in quintuple time 52. Low point 55. Trick 56. Hawaiian string 57. Author Easton Ellis, author of “American Psycho” 58. WSW’s opposite 59. German denial 60. Tough problem to face?

61. Suffix with slogan 62. See 28-down DOWN 1. Actress Gardner and others

2. Blow it 3. Shakespeare, e.g.

4. “Omoo” setting 5. Mil. no-show 6. Berlin’s land: Abbr.

7. Parisian pancake 8. Mideast inits.

9. Tear 10. Ernie on a green 12. It may run in the rain 16. What people may bring back from the beach 17. Letter revealer, on TV 19. “Meet the Parents” actor 20. Nary a soul 23. “Open ____” 24. Gives off 25. Negative aspect 26. Ski run 27. British yard?

28. With 62-across, C2H6 30. A bug, perhaps 34. Work that begins “Sing, goddess, the wrath of Peleus’ son...”

35. D.C. bigwig 36. “Enjoy yourself!”

37. Debt certificate,

briefly 42. It’s placed on the bottom 43. Leaves-collector 45. Come together

48. Fix a flat?

49. Furniture chain 50. Way to a man’s heart?

51. Feudal laborer, old style

52. “Where amazing happens” org.

53. Rainbow 54. Man-cave, perhaps 55. Sub-stellar mark

Do you want to make crosswords or any other kind of puzzle? Email jogarfinkel@vassar.edu to get your work published in The Miscellany News.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

HUMOR & SATIRE

October 7, 2010

Page 13

OPINIONS

How to be the cool kid at Vassar Live Blogging: My new Tips to improving your social status plants not what I expected Brittany Hunt

Guest Columnist

I

’m severely uncool and I always have been. I got taunted all through third grade for wearing matching velour track suits (way ahead of my time) and having impeccable posture. I fit into mainstream society a bit better now, but I still feel like everyone around me sees me for what I really am: a weird weirdo. I think most of this lack of cool stems from my intense sincerity and enthusiasm in wanting to share my interests with others. My interests are “The Bad Girls’ Club,” breakfast sandwiches, Rhode Island state history and folk music. I guess it doesn’t help that my interests are about as interesting as a front page Miscellany News article (ZING!). So now that I’m a junior and have moved past my days as a pathetic underclassman who doesn’t know what time UpC closes,* I am ready to move on to being cool. Or at least trying to appear to be cool, because let’s face it: At Vassar, appearances are everything.

Step 1: Ride a bicycle without holding the handlebars.

I did not believe that this feat was possible until I saw some unbearably cool person doing it, looking like a chill bro to the max. I guess first I have to learn how to ride a bike. Whatevs, how hard can it be?

gaining interesting knowledge and talents! A gay is definitely the must-have accessory for this fall. OMG kidding! Gays are people too! See how tolerant I am?

Step 3: Skinny jeans.

The only issue here is my fat legs.

Step 4: Join a band.

Joining a band is the ultimate cool factor. Look at the average Vassar band member. Most are skinny guys with jew-fros and glasses, yet they still manage to be totally funky and get tons of ladies (or something).

All you need to do is pick up an obscure instrument, or better yet, some sort of hip synthesizer doo-dad, and go to town! Extra points if you’re a girl. Except maybe not, because girls are never cool.

Step 5: I shouldn’t even tell you, because you won’t understand anyway...

Obscurity= ObsCOOLity**. All I need to do is start acting like I listen to electroindiegrungepop or something equally nonsensical, instead of Simon and Garfunkel, and I will gain instant street cred.

What am I reading right now, you ask? The latest from Mary Jo Putney. You’ve probably never heard of her. Don’t even ask about my favorite movies (films, I call them), or your mind will be blown.

Step 2: Get in with the gays.

Once you’re in with the gays, it’s straight sailing to cool-town. Alright, I’m generalizing right now and reinforcing trite stereotypes, but the gays are fashionable! They know all the latest Lady Gaga songs!

They were picked on in middle school and had to find ways to compensate for their torment through

I feel cooler already. BBM me, betch!*** *Actually, what time does UpC close? Is it even open yet? Who knows. ** That wasn’t cool at all. Crap. *** Convincing?

Dear clumps of hair stuck in the drains of the Joss showers Alanna Okun

O

Humor & Satire Editor

livia Josselyn House is, as you may have heard, boss. Do you want to know what isn’t boss? Stumbling, bleary-eyed and smelly, to your morning shower only to find an amorphous mass of damp black hair staring up at you from the floor. I would classify that as “too horribly disgusting to comprehend.”

I understand that communal bathrooms are, by nature, a tad gross. Overall, I’m a fan of the whole system; I like that my friends all across the gender spectrum can cluster around a sink to talk about people we think are slutty, and I like being able to ogle boys’ butts while brushing my teeth. What I’m not into is you, clumps of hair, serving as a constant reminder

that someone else recently shaved their armpits/ legs/ohmygodshutupIdon’tevenwanttoknow in the exact same location where I shave mine*.

So let’s suspend disbelief, shall we? I’ll keep my clumps of hair to myself, and in return you’ll all stop lurking around my be-flip-flopped feet. That’s the only way I can ensure that I won’t snap one morning and shave my entire head in the handicap stall and leave the hennaed remains for some poor unsuspecting sophomore soccer player to trod upon.

With a blob of conditioner stuck in my ear, Alanna * Kidding, I’m naturally smooth and hairless, just like all ladies!

Tom Renjilian

Guest Columnist

I

adore babies. I’ve always known that one day I would adopt one of my own. Lately I’d been hearing that because of the whole “economy” thing it’s a “buyer’s market” right now (though that might just be for like houses). So I figured I might as well get one while they’re cheap. Unfortunately, my dream was crushed when the homophobes at the local orphanage told me I “wasn’t allowed” to adopt and then subsequently caught me trying to sneak one of their little critters out in my messenger bag.

“Gay adoptions are legal in New York State,” I argued.

“This is an elementary school, not an orphanage,” they claimed.

“You need to leave now,” they informed me.

Since I couldn’t get a baby I decided to move on to Plan B: plants. Plants, I realized, are just babies but better. They don’t cry, they don’t throw up, and you can put pictures of yourself feeding them on Facebook without obscenity charges. Everything seemed perfect. Little did I know, my new children would put me on an “emotional rollercoaster.” Like any good parent, I wanted to remember every detail of my little ones’ infancy and have also decided to share it with all of you to prove that hey, gay people can be good parents too.

Thursday, Sept. 16.

»» 4:02 p.m. - I arrive at “Lowes,” a locally owned vegan greenhouse in Poughkeepsie. »» 4:05 p.m. - I begin my search. “Wilting, ugly, ugly, fat, tastes bad…” »» 4:06 p.m. - I think, “Maybe it isn’t plant season.” »» 4:10 p.m. - Woman in red vest walks by. I ask her “Are these plants organic?” »» 4:11 p.m. - “I don’t work here,” she claims. »» 4:35 p.m. - My heart begins to race. I begin to salivate. From down the aisle, I see the perfect plant. »» 4:37 p.m. - I admire the first plant, a pudgy little guy whom I decide to call “Jade.” »» 4:40 p.m. - I find a second plant! I decide to call her Dieffenbachia maculata. Dieffenbachia for short. She is less perfect but will suffice. »» 4:45 p.m. - I purchase the plants from a gruff Marist grad for $12.39. He says, “Have a nice day.” I say, “I’m sorry.”

Weekly Calendar: 10/7 - 10/13

by Alanna Okun, Humor & Satire Editor

Thursday, 10/7

Saturday, 10/9

3 p.m. Tea. Four signs it’s time for October Break. Rose Parlor.

10 a.m. Meet Me in Poughkeepsie. Much more successful than its

predecessor, Please Don’t Abandon Me in Poughkeepsie. Errwhere.

5:30 p.m. Charles Griffin Memorial Lecture: “Rethinking the Cold War: Lessons for Today?” Lesson #1: There’s nothing

8 p.m. Vassar College Orchestra. Did you know that if you

sexier than perestroika. Sanders Auditorium.

play the Orchestra’s last concert recording backwards, you can hear a message from Satan urging you to overthrow the Vassar administration? Spoiler alert: I’m lying. Skinner.

6 p.m. “Healing the Trauma of Hebrew School.” I’ll tell you how I did it: lots of therapy, some hefty bat mitzvah checks and a couple bottles of cheap dessert wine. Talking to you, Jeremy Rosenblum. Davison MPR.

Friday, 10/8 3 p.m. Tea. One: You’ve run out of conditioner/razor blades/

benzoyl peroxide-based acne cream, so you’ve been steadily sneaking from the cubbies of your hallmates. Careful; it’s only a matter of time before one of the five-foot-ten field hockey players notices you smell like her rosemary mint body wash and beats you to a pulp. Rose Parlor.

3 p.m Medieval and Renaissance Studies Program Event.

Careful, ladies, if you get too uppity they might dunk you in the pool to see if you float. On the plus side: Hella flagons of mead will be served. Jade Parlor.

»» 5:00 p.m. - My plants and I arrive back at Vassar and we begin the campus tour. »» 5:01-5:30 p.m. - I introduce them to everyone. We discover that the tulips in front of Main are cliquey spoiled bitches, but the Shakespeare Garden is surprisingly unpretentious. »» 5:35 p.m. - We stop at the Retreat. “Nothing to see people, just a man and his plants!” I shout to the gawking fools. »» 5:40 p.m. - Suddenly the lights dim.

Angry hoards of Vegan Death Eaters swarm us, chanting spells, with their salad forks raised and pointed in our direction. »» 5:42 p.m. - “Not my plant, you bitch!” I yell as we scamper away. »» 6:00 p.m. - I go on Facebook. »» 6:05 p.m. - I become a fan of “Plants” »» 6:06 p.m. - I become a fan of “I love Plants” »» 6:07 p.m. - I become a fan of “Plants vs.

Zombies” (Team Plants!) »» 6:08 p.m. - I become a fan of “Each Girl has that one boy who they will never lose feelings for </3” (What? Do you expect my whole life to revolve around the damn plants? I have feelings too. Jesus.) »» 6:10-6:29 p.m. - We take Photo Booth pics together. We gossip about that miserable tree near Sanders. We share a glass of wine. I stroke their leaves. They absorb my CO2, and I breathe their oxygen. It’s true love. »» 6:30 p.m. - All of that stops. »» 6:40 p.m. - After 10 minutes of awkward silence, I realize my plants and I actually have very little in common. »» 6:42 p.m. - I grow angry at their existence. »» 6:43 p.m. - Why are they so obnoxiously shy, I wonder. »» 6:44 p.m. - Dieffenbachia won’t stop looking in the mirror. I move her away from the mirror. I hate her vanity. »» 6:45 p.m. - We sit in silence. »» 8:00 p.m. - I Google “How do I kill my plants?” “Is killing plants a sin?” and “Can you get postpartum depression from buying plants?” »» 8:01 p.m. - Google responds “No, be quiet.” »» 8:30 p.m. - I begrudgingly accept the choices I have made in my life and add Jade Plant and Dieffenbachia Plant as my children on Facebook. My life will never be the same.

10 p.m. Class of 2012 Mug Night. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if

Mug Nights were literally designated nights where unsuspecting students were held up for their money and valuables? No? Too soon? Okay. Mug.

Sunday, 10/10

Grandma Mimi used to say,” or “boner kill.” Rose Parlor.

Tuesday, 10/12 3 p.m. Tea. Three: You’ve caught some mysterious flu-like virus because that one girl in your fellow group just HAD to make out with half of the tenors in choir last weekend and then you, like an idiot, drank out of her Solo cup. All you want now is your mom’s chicken noodle soup and someone to listen to you whine. Rose Parlor.

5 p.m. Book Store Author Series: Amitava Kumar. My esteemed professor will be reading from his latest book, A Foreigner Carrying in the Crook of His Arm a Tiny Bomb. Or, in my case, An English Major Carrying in the Crook of Her Arm a Tiny 40,000-Word Writing Assignment.

1 p.m. Harvest Fair. Bring your roommate and watch as she

Wednesday, 10/13

struggles to eat a doughnut on a string. Perfect payback for sexiling you last weekend. (Note: I’m appalled that Microsoft Word doesn’t recognize “sexiling” as a word. It’s way more important than, like, “contextualize.”) Quad.

3 p.m. Tea. Four: The last time you went to the All Campus Dining Center, you seriously considered lying down on the floor in front of the stir-fry station and throwing a tantrum because you ju st. Couldn’t. Do it anymore. Rose Parlor.

Monday, 10/11

5:30 p.m. Feministing Editors’ Panel. Hey dudes, you should totally go and ask why we don’t have a Men’s Studies Department! Rocky 200.

3 p.m. Tea. Two: You submit a Moodle post that contains

the phrases “totally sucks,” “totally rocks,” “like my Great-

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

ARTS

Page 18

October 7, 2010

Pipe organs are an instrumental part of campus history Shruti Manian

V

Guest Reporter

Jared Saunders/The Miscellany News

assar’s history often manifests itself through artifacts that have been a witness to the College’s 149 years of existence. One such source that gives an unexpected glimpse into the College’s history is Vassar’s organ collection. Consisting of seven organs acquired over the years, Vassar boasts an enviable collection that has always been an inseparable part of the College’s musical tradition.

“Vassar has always had an organ and a college organist, ever since the College was founded,” said Merellyn Gallagher, a former music lecturer at Vassar for 33 years and former college organist for 25 years. “The organ was essential back in the day for chapel services and has always been an important part of Vassar’s music culture.”

Vassar’s oldest organ, built by organbuilder Thomas Hall in the 1820s, is located on the fourth floor of Skinner Hall of Music. It is supposed to be one of the only two remaining instruments ever built by Hall. The Hall organ was not in use for a stretch of time, a mere relic of Vassar’s beginnings. In 1994 the organ was restored to playing condition in an initiative taken up by the Music Department, and has been in use ever since.

As one walks into the Vassar Chapel, it is impossible to miss the magnificent organ that is today an inseparable part of the Chapel’s architecture. The Chapel houses the Gress-Miles organ, Vassar’s largest, built by the Gress-Miles Organ Company in 1967 to replace an older organ installed in 1904. It is often dubbed their “Magnum Opus,” as it is probably the grandest organ they ever created.

In alignment with the organ’s early Catholic Church associations, the Gress-Miles organ was used regularly for chapel services. But over the years the organ has emerged as a secular instrument. The organ in Vassar’s Chapel is no longer used for services, but is played during Fall and Spring Convocations, student recitals, and was used over the summer for a recording of a JS Bach chorale. Said Gallagher, “Of course the organ was in much greater use back when it was a part of chapel services, but now when students go for recitals, they no longer feel as if they are attending a religious ceremony. This makes the music much more accessible.”

Other organs in Vassar’s collection include the Paul Fritts organ in Skinner Hall of Music, an oak accompanying organ built by Bruce Shull, the Memling Portative (Vassar’s smallest organ), and the two practice organs in Skinner Hall. The most frequently used organs, the Gress-Miles and the Paul Fritts, are used for recitals as well as classes. Every organ has a keyboard that can be played with pedals (using the feet) or with manuals (using the hands).

The Paul Fritts organ has two manuals and a pedal with over 2,000 pipes, while the GressMiles organ in the Chapel has four manuals and a pedal, with over 5,000 pipes.

“They are all excellent instruments, and diverse,” said Gallagher. “I loved each of them in their own different way. It is almost impossible to pick a favorite.”

Students love the instrument just as much as the Music Department faculty. Vassar’s organ collection, apart from its tremendous historical value, has also been instrumental in enhancing the musical experience of the College’s music students. April Cha ’12, who has been playing the organ for the last three years, wrote in an e-mailed statement, “Having these organs at Vassar has definitely enhanced my music. The number of manuals and stops on each of the organs gives us an opportunity to create so many different sounds and also gives us the opportunity to learn and play the music the way the composer might have intended it.”

Gallagher can recollect numerous students who showed a dedication and flair for the instrument: “There were so many absolutely brilliant students,” said Gallagher. “I am not naming any names, because I am worried that I am bound to forget somebody.”

The organs have been part of a number of Vassar ceremonies over the years, from convocations, to recitals and even weddings and funerals for members of the community. The organs in all their grandeur embody Vassar’s old world charm in a tradition that is upheld to this day. Gallagher says one of her fondest memories of organ instruction at Vassar has been teaching two different generations of the same family. “A mother and daughter were my first and last students respectively, and I felt so glad to know that the love for the instrument had carried over the years and continued into the next generation of the family,” says Gallagher.

Every year there is a recital at Skinner Hall, which Gallagher describes as “simply magnificent.” She continues, “Students at the College must attend the recital to appreciate the diversity of organ music.” The organ has always been recognized as an important classical instrument, but it has also made its mark in a number of non-classical genres like jazz and blues over the years.

Ultimately, the organs of Vassar College continue to hold a historical, architectural and musical allure. ”I love the way the organ sounds,” said Cha. “Hearing the sounds of the organ just makes my heart flutter. You think it’s one instrument but its not; it’s an entire orchestra. You could be playing the violin part with your right hand, the trumpet part with your left hand, and the cellos with your feet. Its seriously one of the best instruments ever, but of course I’m only slightly biased.”

A student plays Vassar’s Gress-Miles organ, located in the Vassar Chapel, above. It is by far the largest out of Vassar’s collection of seven organs, containing over 5,000 pipes, and was installed in 1967.

College Bookstore part of ‘Poe-keepsie’ celebration Laura Fisher

Guest Reporter

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his October is all about Edgar Allan Poe. The leaves are turning and Halloween fast approaches as mystery and macabre settle in the air. What better a way to celebrate the arrival of fall and an opportunity for a good ole’ pun than with POEkeepsie?

For the past four years, the Poughkeepsie Library District has hosted The Big Read, a program designed to foster reading and discussion in Poughkeepsie’s schools, colleges and libraries. Each year has a specific theme: In 2007, for example, the month of October featured events centered on Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. This October’s program is centered on the work of Edgar Allan Poe, the prolific writer who is famous for his contributions to gothic horror literature, which also make him an appropriate choice for in light of Halloween’s proximity.

The Big Read has already kicked off on Sunday, Oct. 3, in The Auditorium on 105 Market Street, with a presentation by Poe scholar Dr. Elliot Engel, but there are plenty of events yet to come. Even better, a lot of the program will take place more close to home than The Auditorium: Of the 40 events happening as part of The Big Read, four will be hosted right here on campus. These events include individual readings by noted authors David Means, Heinz Insu

Fenkl and Vassar Professor of English Amitava Kumar. Also featured is a concert reading of the new musical adaptation of Poe’s “The TellTale Heart.”

But one of the most prominent POEkeepsie events will take place in the community.

A lecture that will take place on Sunday, Oct. 17 at The Auditorium, about “The Poughkeepsie Seer.” Andrew Jackson Davis was a famous clairvoyant in Poe’s time who is speculated to have inspired and influenced his work. Poe did in fact attend Davis’ séances in Poughkeepsie and was known to have visited him at least once. Guest speaker Mitch Horowitz, author of Occult America, will shed more light on this connection.

Visiting Associate Professor of English David Means will be reading from The Spot, his recent collection of short stories following such works as Assorted Fire Events, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for fiction, and The Secret Goldfish, shortlisted for a Frank O’Connor International Short Story Prize. Alan Cheuse, reviewing for The Chicago Tribune, stated that “Means is more than a conventionally accomplished realistic story writer…his fiction sometimes skitters up to the borderline of legend.” Means is part of the Big Read author series thanks to his specialization in writing thrillers, a genre that is heavily connected

with the work of Poe. He will be reading on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. in the Vassar College Bookstore.

Heinz Insu Fenkl ’82, State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz associate professor of English, will read from his books Korean Folktales and Memories of My Ghost Brother. Korean Folktales, a collection of stories, focuses on storytelling from Fenkl’s native Korea. Memories of My Ghost Brother was so successful that Fenkl was named a Barnes and Noble “Great New Writer” and PEN/Hemingway Award finalist. Not only is he an author, Fenkl is also a translator, editor, folklorist and director of The Interstitial Studies Institute (ISIS) at SUNY New Paltz.

Fenkl was selected to be part of the series thanks to the inclusion of ghosts in his novel, a motif that befits the spirit of Poe’s horror. However, Fenkl’s ghosts take on both a literal and figurative meaning. As he explains in a statement on his website, “Over the years I’ve come to believe that literal and figurative hauntings can be the same: Memories are ghosts of the past and ghosts are those memories embodied.”

He will further explain his conceptualization of ghosts and its connection with Poe in his reading on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. in the Vassar College Bookstore.

Amitava Kumar is a Vassar College profes-

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

sor of English as well as a novelist, poet and journalist. On Thursday, Oct. 12, at 5 p.m. in the Vassar College Bookstore, Professor Kumar will read from his new book A Foreigner Carrying in the Crook of His Arm a Tiny Bomb. The book was described by The New York Times as a “perceptive and soulful…meditation on the global war on terror and its cultural and human repercussions.” In an interview, Kumar stated “I’m really looking forward to reading at Vassar. You know, over the past few weeks, I have read from A Foreigner at several events in New York City and elsewhere. Yesterday, I read at Princeton. But it will be different to read to students here, especially those who have been in my own writing classes. It’s like I get to show them my game.”

Lastly, the Powerhouse Theater will be producing “The Tell-Tale Heart,” a musical adaptation by James Yates and Jess Glover. It will be directed by Tom Pacio, with musical direction

by Thomas Hochla ’13 and featuring Vassar students Ben Palacios ’11 as Mortimer, Matt Bourne ’11 as Terrance and Julia Anrather ’13 as Heart.

Yates is a 2007 alumnus of the Powerhouse Theater Apprentice Program from 2008-2010, while Pacio is in his fourth season as education director at Powerhouse Theater Training Program. It will be an exciting event on Monday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. in Taylor Hall room 102.

October 7, 2010

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Library houses Thornwillow collection Orchestra to Founder to give lecture on book-making raise bar with new repertoire Connor O’Neill Guest Reporter

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Arushi Raina

Guest Reporter

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Emily Kloppenburg/The Miscellany News

waths of ink are smoothed flat on presses as sheathes of paper file through, one by one, meticulously processed and then hand bound. The meticulous printing process of the Newburgh-based Thornwillow Press can be seen in a video accompanying the most recent Special Collections exhibit in the Thompson Memorial Library. Ars Omnia Tuetur is a retrospective of the exquisite collection of limited edition books bound and published by the press.

The exhibition commemorates both the silver anniversary of the press and the College’s recent acquisition of the entire Thornwillow collection. But the exhibition is only one facet of the festivities: On Saturday, Oct. 9, founder and publisher Luke Ives Pontifell will deliver a lecture on the importance of published books in an increasingly ephemeral digital age. The talk will take place at 3 p.m. in Taylor Hall 203, and will be followed by a tour of the collection led by Pontifell.

The day will also mark the publication of a volume on the history of Thornwillow Press, written by Vassar College Special Collections Director Ronald Patkus.

Patkus, who is the exhibit’s curator, acquired the first Thornwillow publication for the College in 2001 soon after taking the reins of Special Collections.

He describes Thornwillow’s production as “something special,” noting that they are recognized for their handmade processes. “Everything from the paper to the illustrations, the binding, it all enhances the quality and the experience of the book,” he explained.

This careful attention to detail has made Thornwillow one of the most acclaimed private presses in the country, and their eclectic library, which ranges from Walter Cronkite’s Remembering the Moon and Wendell Garrett’s The Legacy of John Adams to John Hutton’s Cinderella, can also be found in the White House, the Library of America and the Vatican.

The genesis of Thornwillow is a far cry from the worldwide acclaim it now boasts; rather, it was on Pontifell’s kitchen table in his parent’s home. As a 16-yearold, Pontifell took a course on book art and binding at the Center for Book Arts in New York City. When it was suggested that the bibliophile print an edition of a family friend’s poem, he took the suggestion to heart and ran with it all the way back to the Center in SoHo and personally handset the type. “I sewed the hundred copies with help from my mother on the kitchen table,” he wrote in a statement on the Thornwillow website. Having always possessed a love for books, Pontifell nurtured the fledgling press and now, a quarter century later, he has printed editions of 32 works and is preparing to open the company’s first retail store in the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan.

32 volumes might seem like a small number for a press that has been printing for such a long time, but the time, consideration and effort that is put into the printing of one book is substantial.

Each volume that makes its way onto the shelf bears the dedicated and artful attention of a press that is committed to crafting a product whose very materiality matches its artistic content. Describes Patkus, “They always want their books to be significant contributions to literature, to take a new angle.” To offset the cost of printing, each book has a substantial price tag, ranging from a copy of Barack Obama’s inauguration address for $65 to an anthology of Edgar Allan Poe short stories for $1,500. There is even a collection of John Updike stories being sold by the press for $2,500.

Each Thornwillow release is an event unto itself. Those looking for a tangible

Books published by Thornwillow Press are on display at the Thompson Memorial Library in celebration of Thornwillow’s 25th anniversary and Vassar’s recent acquisition of its works. example of the press’s work need only to pick up a program for the current exhibit. The paper is heavy, of a high quality stock, the page bears an ornate border, the text is visibly embedded in the paper, the typeset is sharp and pleasing, and the color is subtle and artful. Every aspect of the sheet bears witness to the incredible detail and precision of the press.

The exhibition as a whole demonstrates the press’s dedication to quality book art and fits in with a larger project headed by Patkus and Special Collections. “We have a long history of documenting the book arts in the Hudson Valley,” explains Patkus.

Procuring work by Frederic Goudy, the famous type designer who lived in Marlboro, as well as work from the Woman’s Studio Workshop in Kingston, the only visual arts residency in the United States solely for women, the Thornwillow collection is right at home amongst notable book art from the region.

The title of the exhibit testifies to this connection. Ars Omnia Tueter, which translates roughly to “art collects all that needs to be,” is both a fitting description of the skillful aesthetic work of Thornwillow and also a sort of self-reflexive nod to the work that the Special Collections librarians do. The press and the library are kindred spirits in a way, both interested and heavily invested in timeless books that are themselves works of art. They are on different bookends of the same project.

The interactions between the two bibliophiles began last year when Patkus began research for his volume on the history of the press. Since that time, much

has flourished from the partnership. In addition to the acquisition of the entire Thornwillow collection, the publication of the history of the press, and now the exhibition, the two men are now taking applications for summer and fall internships with the hope of engaging students in the artisan endeavor.

The collaboration between these two could not come at a more pivotal time for printed media. In the wake of the introduction of Kindles and iPads to consumers, the role of tangible books is being rethought by some.

Pontifell, in a recent interview with the Poughkeepsie Journal, stressed the perennial importance of books, saying “An e-book cannot convey the same sensory pleasures—the feel of leather or cloth covering, the scent of paper and ink—as the printed book.” And Pontifell’s work embodies this notion like few others.

Patkus expounded on this, noting, “All of us partake in the digital revolution in some way, but Thornwillow is concerned with things that last. Their processes ensure their lasting value.”

One would be hard-pressed to find a more convincing argument for the need for physical media than what is currently on the display in Thompson Library. It seems as though the farther technology takes us away from printed words on a page, the more necessary it is for books to remind us just how important they are to the reading experience. The Special Collections exhibition and lecture celebrate the magnificent reminder that Thornwillow Press is, and will continue to be, a shining example of personal craft outshining technological innovation.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

racticing the octaves, double stops and harmonics in Antonin Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor has taken its toll on Janice Hwang ’11: “I’ve spent so much time practicing it,” wrote Hwang in an e-mailed statement. “My fingers are so calloused that my Macbook sensor can’t sense them.”

The concerto Hwang is practicing is one of the most difficult cello pieces ever written, replete with technical and emotional complexity. The challenges associated with the piece mean that it is a fitting addition to the Vassar College Orchestra’s program for their concert on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. From the Dvorak concerto to a complete four-movement symphony, the level of technical difficulty has been taken up a notch and then some. “It is one of the most daring programs we’ve put together for the first performance of the season,” said the orchestra’s long-time director, Eduardo Navega. “It is a program that is really meant for professional orchestras.”

Navega decided to set the bar high after noting the excellent quality of student auditions, and the impressiveness of Hwang’s performance at orchestra’s annual soloist competitions. The consequential process of selecting music that pushed the orchestra’s ability was difficult. “The choice of repertoire is the most difficult choice for a conductor to make,” said Navega. “It must not be too easy for [the orchestra] so they won’t get bored, but it must not be too challenging so they won’t get frustrated.”

The pieces for this Saturday’s concert are certainly on the challenging end of the spectrum. The entire second half of the concert will consist of Max Bruch’s Symphony No. 3, a 40-minute Romantic composition. It is not common for the orchestra to play a symphony in its entirety, much less this early in the year; the last entire symphony they played was Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7 for 2009’s winter concert.

The Bruch will be more challenging, and slightly longer: “It’s an endurance piece,” said Navega. “It is very demanding of the orchestra.”

Toru Momii ’11 is a violinist who has been with the orchestra for the past four years. This will mark the first time he has ever seen an entire symphony in the fall program. “[Navega] has really high expectations for us. But I guess the fact that he gave us such an intense piece right off the bat means he thinks we can do it well or something, right?” he joked.

The orchestra will begin the night with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Overture from the Marriage of Figaro. The piece is well-known, and contains themes that are familiar to non-classical enthusiasts. These melodies, interestingly enough, are not borrowed from the rest of the operatic score from The Marriage of Figaro.

“Unlike Romantic overtures, this piece contains no themes from the rest of the opera,” said Navega.

“It is very rich with orchestration; the dynamics were cleverly written.”

The other highlight of the evening’s performance will be Hwang’s performance of the Dvorak Cello Concerto, which was incorporated into the program after she won the soloist’s competition from earlier in the semester. The piece is grandiose and brooding, and is very emotionally demanding for the soloist. The intensity of the piece makes it a rare selection for younger cellists.

“The piece is full of powerful emotions including frustration, tranquility, and pain,” wrote Hwang. “I often find myself reliving some horrible times in my mind to feel the troubled emotions that Dvorak was trying to capture.”

Her performance of the piece left a mark on Navega. “She is just extraordinary,” he said. “She is a very talented young musician.”

The piece is also demanding of the orchestra. It was originally intended by Dvorak to be a symphony, which means that the themes of the concerto are spread out across different sections in the orchestra.

“It’s a really cool piece,” commented Marissa Gauthier ’11, a trombonist with the orchestra. “It’s interesting that themes of the cello’s come out in all the different orchestra groups.”

“Usually the parts for orchestra in a concerto are simple and bland, but this concerto is actually really cool for us,” added Momii.

To appreciate the concert’s scope, there is also a live webcast on the Music Department’s website.

Navega, however, is loathe to mention it: “I don’t want to encourage people not to come!”

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Experimental play written

by Vassar alum

Singer/songwriter Vogel totally twee Adam Buschbaum Guest Reporter

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achel Vogel ’13 has written many lyrics in her day, but her favorites are from her song “I’m Not Perfect”: “Don’t let me anywhere near/a stove, a grill, an oven/I always burn the mac and cheese or end up with charcoal muffins.” She likes them because of the way they jokingly point out her flaws: “Songwriters always have that cliche line where they talk about ‘being raw and putting themselves out there,’ and I’m sort of making fun of that while playing off of it,” said Vogel.

The rest of the singer-songwriter’s verses are just as quirky as those in “Things are Beautiful”: She is a devotee of twee, a musical genre that is all about being offbeat and sweet. The genre formed its roots in the early 1970s as a de-politicized and gentler form of the DIY (Do it Yourself) Punk. Vogel prefers twee to punk: “They’re so aggressive, and I just want to wear cardigans and sing sappy love songs.” Vogel’s set at the Vassar Student Bands Union (VSBU) concert Light up My Night on Friday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. on the quad, will showcase said sappy songs.

Vogel took an interest in music around the age of 13, taking lessons from a small guitar shop in her hometown of Houston, Texas. The teacher taught jazz and blues— not exactly Vogel’s interest.

“I stopped taking lessons, forgot everything I knew, and now I’m really bad at guitar. I don’t know any of the technical stuff when I first took lessons,” Vogel said. “So my music is musically not that complex. I play guitar and play ukelele. But it’s anywhere from three to five chords in any given song.”

This hasn’t stopped Vogel by any means: Even if her music is simply constructed, she is still a prolific songwriter with a wide variety of tunes to her name.

“I started writing music probably my sophomore or junior year in high school and didn’t really start playing shows until I got to Vassar,” Vogel said. Vogel played at a smattering of open-mic nights last year,

Juliana Halpert/The Miscellany News

PLAY continued from page 1 actors who approached Barakiva to direct them; when he decided to write a play for them, he called Boyce Holtcamp and Braunstein for help.

“We batted around a lot of ideas, and then we settled on Greek myths that each had string in them,” Barakiva explained. “We each took a story, we each dramatized a story, and then I cut and pasted them into an evening.” Though originally designed as a set of three one-act plays, “I realized it would be more interesting if the stories were woven together.”

The myths featured include those of Theseus, Arachne, and Penelope, but the role they play in String Theory is modern; no prior knowledge of Greek myths is required to enjoy the production. “[The classics] feel like this remote abstract intellectual thing,” said Barakiva, “but the more I delve into them, the more I realize that Shakespeare was the television of his time, commercial and crass and topical. And…the ancient Greek plays and myths were interpreted in a way that was modern at that time, so our attempt to pepper the script with modern allusion is our attempt to be faithful to the script. You have to desecrate to the text to remain faithful to its spirit.”

After a workshop and a downtown production of the show, the Vassar Drama Department’s Director of Theater Chris Grabowski contacted Barakiva and offered him a fall slot in the Department’s programming. Said Barakiva, “This project was created specifically for a collegiate atmosphere. There’s a rambunctiousness and a cheekiness to it.” The play acts as this semester’s Experimental Theater production in the Drama Department, meaning that students involved receive a half-credit for their work. Of the “experimental” distinction, Rajunov, who plays Telemachus and Asterion the minotaur, explained, “The point is to try things that we wouldn’t think are possible onstage…Instead of looking for something doable, we look for the impossible and try to materialize it onstage.”

Rajunov found that the opportunity to work with both the Drama Department and a professional director set the play apart from his past student theater experiences. “I love doing student theater because I’m very impressed always with what students produce,” he explained, “but it tends to get a little unprofessional, as far as people learning their lines and people being prepared. Don’t get me wrong, this also can be a little unprofessional. But because there’s that expectation, you need to have a little background in theater. It tends to be a little more like it would be in the real world.”

Barakiva’s switch from working with professionals to working with students was also fruitful. “It’s a real testament to the caliber of the students here that I often forget that they are indeed students,” he said. “What young actors or students lack in experience they more than compensate for in curiosity, exuberance and joy. And it’s a satisfying exchange.”

The production design, partially created by the students, drew on famous examples of abstract art.

“We can say, there’s this Picasso painting that reminded me of the story, and I think we can use it,” said Rajunov. “And sometimes the lighting or costume designer will use abstract things to say yeah, this is what we’re using as an inspiration for our costumes, our lighting, our set.”

Added Barakiva, “We used a plethora of other art, classical and modern, as inspiration for the production.” But if all goes according to plan, this won’t be immediately evident to theatergoers: “In an ideal world, an audience member doesn’t say, oh, I wonder if they used a Kandinsky painting,” he continued. “Ideally the product is seamless.”

Seamless in detail as the production may be, String Theory still embodies the creative process in the stories it tells. Rajunov sums this up when describing his favorite of the three myths, Barakiva’s “Ball of String,” which features Theseus unwinding his ball of string in a labyrinth. “It sort of tells the same story from three different perspectives, and you realize that there is a bias to who is the storyteller,” he said. “That it’s completely different when it’s told by a different person.”

“I think that’s just as true for plays and different directors, different actors playing the same roles,” Rajunov continued, “because you’re basically changing the person that’s telling the story, even though it’s the same story. I think that the creative process of putting on a play, we’re constantly asking the question, ‘How can we tell this story?’”

October 7, 2010

Singer/songwriter Rachel Vogel ’13, above, performs her twee folk music, an off-beat, humorous genre. Vogel will be featured in the upcoming Light up My Night concert on Oct. 8. including a Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE) After Hours showcase. She also found opportunities to do things she hadn’t done before, like play a twee-folk cover of the Spice Girls.

Vassar also gave Vogel a fertile environment to grow as a singer and songwriter.

She says that she has learned to add extra layers of depth into her songs:”I think that my lyrics have become more subtle,” she said. “They are still super-twee: They’re very simplistic, and humorous. I think that trying to be funny is the biggest thing with my music.”

She continued: “Twee and folk were such an important part of my youth that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to entirely get away from that. The nostalgia, the naiveté that we wish we still had, the innocence—even as I get older, it’s still very appealing to me.”

Vogel also run a radio show on WVKR that airs from 9 to 11 p.m. on Mondays and focuses on folk music. “It’s a big part of my music identity,” Vogel said. The show runs a wide breadth of subgenres, from anti-folk and punk folk to more traditional folk: “It’s a pretty diverse show.”

Vogel is also on the Executive Board for the Vassar Student Band Union (VSBU), the Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE) committee that has taken over for After Hours.

Said Vogel, “It’s grown and it’s gonna be better than ever,” Vogel said. VSBU’s Light Up Your Life, which will feature singersongwriters, with a focus on acoustic songs.

There will be about seven performers doing three to five short song sets, followed by an Open Mic. “We’re gonna have lots of Christmas lights around; it’s gonna be really pretty,” Vogel said.

An out-of-doors coffeehouse concert Emma Daniels Guest Reporter

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or a total sensory overload this Friday night, there’s no need to travel to the Poughkeepsie Galleria to see the newest 3-D phenomenon. Instead, Vassar students can just walk over to the quad, where, on Oct. 8 at 8 p.m., the newly formed Vassar Student Band Union (VSBU) will put on the Light Up My Night show, its first open mic event featuring student musicians.

Eight student musicians, including James Logue ’12, Rachel Vogel ’13 and Mara Connor ’13, are signed up to do three-song acoustic sets. Once they’re done, musicians who have signed up upon arrival—both new students and old—will be free to play whatever they want. “This event is an all-acoustic, coffee shop kind of thing, made up of mostly individual singers and songwriters,” commented Logue. Ricky Goldman ’12, an active member of the VSBU, wrote in an e-mailed statement, “We really want anyone who has a tune in their head to just come on up and sing it, play it to the rest of us.”

The event is taking place on the residential quad near Rockefeller Hall. The quad will be heavily-decorated, with luminaries and Christmas lights surrounding the performers. Despite the show being outside, the VSBU aims to create—with couches and warm lighting—a musical setting that evokes being inside, at a coffee shop or in the quaintness of someone’s home. Goldman described the event’s set-up: “There won’t be a raised stage, just a performance

spot to retain a more intimate feeling. We’ll have couches and free hot chocolate for all the beautiful people who stop on by, [and] a funky, sexy lighting design.”

One of the main purposes of the event is to spread awareness of the fledgling VSBU. The organization, now a Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE) committee, was formed last year to provide opportunities for student musicians of all types. “The VSBU is a collaboration between people who like to play music and people who like to plan events,” said Ben Conant ’12, co-founder and president of the VSBU. “Our goal is for singer-songwriters to have venues at Vassar that are more fun to play.”

The musicians playing on Friday have done similar shows in the past, having formerly participated in ViCE After Hours showcases. After Hours was the committee representing student singer-songwriters and their craft until it was merged with the then-independent VSBU last semester.

This revision to the ViCE committee system was not met without opposition from After Hours enthusiasts.

“The feedback we got from a lot of people was that the VSBU killed After Hours,” said Conant. “But events like this one­—our come out event—will show people that After Hours isn’t over; it’ll just be crazier.” Max Kutner ’11, the former chair of After Hours, expanded upon Ben’s comment in an emailed statement: “The Light Up My Night Show will establish VSBU as a prominent organization for campus musicians and will

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

hopefully encourage students to join.”

In addition to attracting new members, the VSBU hopes that the event will bring student musicians together in the same way that the After Hours performances did in the past. Said Sam Caravaglia ’12, another prominent member of the VSBU and a member of campus band the Bathtub Sailors, “There is a lot of good talent in the Vassar community. I really hope that musicians find each other [at the event], and go on to start bands and form beautiful, long term musical relationships.”

Both Caravaglia and Conant emphasized the purpose of the event as an opportunity for musicians to network amongst themselves and others. Both members mentioned that they want the show to attract a wide audience, more than just the friends of the musicians who will be performing. Said Logue, “The VSBU wants to put on shows where everyone feels welcome.”

“We want to coordinate the event so that people won’t have to know about it beforehand,” said Conant. “Instead it’ll be more like, ‘Whoa, we were going to go to the THs, but maybe we’ll stay here for a couple of hours instead.’” Accordingly, one of the VSBU’s many aims is to put on visually interesting shows that will appeal to the student body, especially on a Friday night. Said Caravaglia, “We’re all about partying and people discovering their bodies to music.

I hope that [at the event] people discover each other in new and exciting ways and learn to love their fellow man.”

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Nothing screams ’90s like American Pie American Pie Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz [Universal]

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assar College Entertainment (ViCE) could not have chosen a better time capsule of the 1990s than American Pie. The legendary teen sex comedy, which will be screened as part of ViCE Film League’s “Party Like It’s 1999” film marathon later tonight, Oct. 7, is pure turn-of-the-millennium zeitgeist. Harvey Danger, Third Eye Blind, Blink 182, Barenaked Ladies and Sugar Ray are mainstays on its soundtrack. The characters surf “the net,” meaning they use American Online dial-up service to access web 1.0 dating websites. The meaning of “MILF” is treated as a hilarious punchline in a party scene, as it hadn’t entered the common vernacular yet. Even more vintage than all of the above is the fact that Seann William Scott has a starring role in this movie. Yes, he had a career beyond the Ice Age movies once. How times have changed.

American Pie may not be the crème de la crème of tonight’s pool of movies, all of which were made in the excellent year of 1999. With 10 Things I Hate About You and The Matrix in the mix, general consensus would deem the craft of the Wachowski brothers as the superlative stuff, with 10 Things I Hate About You in second and American Pie as the weakest link.

And general consensus would be right: The Matrix is not as philosophically compelling and complex as enthusiasts make it out to be, but it’s still a well-constructed film that is more intelligent than 99 percent of what’s out there. And 10 Things I Hate About You is certainly the superior teen comedy to American Pie’s pie-humping, flute-masturbating juvenility. The film stars

Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Julia Stiles in the cute, rosy-cheeked fledgling stage of their careers. It’s downright adorable.

But they aren’t really representative of the ’90s. If anything, The Matrix was ahead of its time and 10 Things I Hate About You was all throwback, what with the Shakespearian references to the Frankie Valli ballads. But just in case I haven’t emphasized it enough, American Pie is 1999 to its very core.

It is a relic from the bygone days when chokers were hip, Sony walkmen players were plentiful, and Seann William Scott was in movies. Did I mention that he’s in this?

What is up with that? It’s like Dude, Where’s My Car all over again sans Ashton Kutcher, the pot-smoking dog and the hilarious ostrich attack scene.

Besides being a product of the times, it’s also a funny movie. I saw it for the first time this past Sunday and I totes laughed it up, especially for the scenes featuring Eugene Levy. He is frighteningly good at portraying someone who you would never want to hear give a talk about the birds and the bees, but who nevertheless awkwardly tries. The first scene of the movie, in which Levy catches his son masturbating, is especially golden, and sets a (somewhat unmatchable) standard for the rest of the film. If only the rest of the bathroom humor weren’t so banal.

And even though I would hardly call the movie meaningful, the more sentimental moments are actually refreshingly original.

Most teen comedies wind up with lovebirds getting together at the prom or the last big summer hoo-ha and implicitly carrying on a relationship in college (see Mean Girls, Superbad or Can’t Hardly Wait). But in American Pie, the lovebirds realize the complexities of long-distance relationships, and acknowledge that it won’t work out for them in the end. It’s a downer, but also a

dose of reality.

But that’s about where the realism and originality end, and the overwhelming triteness begins. Giant ragers are attended by hot babes, obnoxious jocks and awkward protagonists trying to get laid. Band geeks are left out of the party equation because they are uncool.

All of this stands in direct contrast with my high school experience, where band kids were the most popular folk around, and teen parties were more awkward than anything else. And I don’t care whether the characters in your film are teenagers, functioning adults, or ravenous chupacabras: you have no right to have your protagonist run across town, dodging traffic while backgrounded by triumphant music, in order to let someone know that you lurv them. Sigh, I guess at least American Pie isn’t guilty of that whole “running past airport security to declare one’s love” gag. I don’t care how cute the kid from Love Actually was; he just committed a fucking felony. Consequences need to follow.

But who cares about the silly clichés?

When it comes to American Pie, trite is might; All of the silly conventions are a given when you pop in a high school comedy like American Pie. And come on, the only movie that screams 1990s any more than this bad boy is Spice World, which does so pretty much by definition. How can it not make for a fun time? And seriously, Seann William Scott? The only thing that is more ridiculous than seeing him in a movie is the fact that he spells his first name with two n’s. American Pie, 10 Things I Hate About You, and The Matrix will be screened tonight at 9 p.m. in the second floor of the Students’ Building.

“Frank Sinatra and Depech Mode”

Bethlehem Habte ’13

“Some vinyl I bought by The Stray Cats”

Adam Russin ’11

“‘Money Dick Clements’ by Money Dick”

Sarah Warner ’11

—Erik Lorenzsonn ’12 is the Arts Editor of The Miscellany News.

Campus Canvas A bi-weekly space highlighting the creative pursuits of student artists

submit to misc@vassar.edu

“‘Tiger Lily’ by La Roux”

The Inherent Danger in Whistling

Brian Evans ’14

Emma Backe ’13 the men of our family make sounds. there have been thumbs run up dry windows, phonographs, in their limerence, that played when the furnace was too hot, freshly minted coins floating in glass tumblers. i am a child born to a father with a bandana always in his back pocket. my father, his is the drowner—lips pursed so that his breathing is like tea escaping from the sphincter of a kettle. the phantom fire engines, or the reverberations of cracking knuckles over sardines spring coils from recliners, discourage the hiding of persons, establish what is most at stake. i still get scratches from viriginia plaid wool and the hickory logs. most knees creak, some crescent moons and others jagged as stork’s feet. i could say nothing of smell but that of leather jackets and polish. my uncles merely bristle with mustaches, their mastication like driftwood dug out of a lake on an aluminum boat for ten dollars an hour and some beer. bears sometimes sing where they were, but i’ve learned not to count on their equinox. i stay silent and let the hatchet fall where it may.

The poem is largely a rumination on the men in my family, largely on my mother’s side apart from my father. Coming home, I was thinking a lot about how sonic my impressions are of my uncles and grandfather, how much of my memories revolve around the sounds they made, and how those sounds, in turn, were largely representative of who they were, or are, as people. My grandmother tells a lot of stories about them, often making the sounds herself in the retelling, and I see this as a continuation of her stories, picking up on the threads that run throughout the recollections.

Then, in the end, what part I play as the watchful storyteller.

—Emma Backe ‘13

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

“Yeasayert”

Carlos Hernandez ’14

“‘Not Afraid’ by Enimem ”

Julia Ding ’12 —Erik Lorenzsonn Arts Editor

SPORTS

Page 22

October 7, 2010

‘Shame games’ Taylor tears up Brewers’ rugby pitch disastrous for New Delhi F Mitchell Gilburne Features Editor

Nik Trkulja

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Columnist

Rachel Thompson/The Miscellany News

he opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games was held on Monday, Oct. 3, in the Indian capital of New Delhi amidst extreme controversy. In the weeks leading up to the games, reports had emerged that construction was well behind schedule and severely sub-par. The controversy reached a fever pitch when, with 12 days to go, a brand-new suspension bridge leading to the main Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium collapsed, injuring 27 workers. In the days that followed, questions were raised as to whether these “Shame Games” would even go ahead. Unfortunately, they did.

The Commonwealth Games have been dubbed the mini-Olympics. Held every four years, they were conceived in the late 1920s as a way to tie members of the waning British Empire together and counter the growing U.S. dominance in sports. 71 nations are represented with an estimated 7,000 athletes and officials expected to attend the events, which run through Oct. 14. This, though, is the first time in the games’ 90-year history that India is hosting the event, and so far the results have been anything but promising.

In the wake of the bridge collapse, numerous teams began to question whether the games were safe at all. Representatives from New Zealand even suggested cancelling the event entirely and moving it to their country, a seemingly extreme measure. However, they had every right to worry. The international media had picked up the scent of a good story, and sure enough the consequences were severe for India’s image. For instance, on Sept.

21 the BBC ran a story entitled “Hopes Fade for Success of Commonwealth Games in India,” which criticized Indian officials’ inability to finish construction of the venues on time.

Specifically, the article targeted the incomplete athletic village which was meant to house the athletes and officials, detailing how far behind construction was in late September on a venue slated to have been completed in March. While last-minute finishing of venues is nothing new for major sporting events—as we saw with the 2004 Athens Olympics and, more recently, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa—Delhi’s failure to complete its venues was on a whole new scale. In fact, as of Sept. 21 only 18 of the 34 residential towers at the village had been completed. Meanwhile, the local lake had still not been cleared of disease spreading mosquitoes, and sanitary conditions at the 2,300-seat cafeteria had also been called into question. As if that wasn’t enough, following Monday night’s $100 million opening extravaganza, a final blow was dealt to the games as reports of corruption began to emerge.

Unfortunately for India, the bar had been set a little too high by Beijing and South Africa. The successes of both the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 FIFA World Cup placed an unrealistic level of expectation on India’s Commonwealth Games, which are generally on a smaller scale than the Olympics and receive less worldwide attention than the World Cup. India was expected to stand toe-to-toe with these other countries, but was not utilizing the same budget. In the end, organizers were left to themselves, attempting to stage a show that only a few would praise if successful but the entire world would scorn if failed. Don’t get me wrong, though—India is not blameless here. At the end of the day, it tried too hard. It wanted to spend too much money, make too many useless venues and turn the Commonwealth Games into something their not, simply to sell an image of itself, that frankly, does not stack up to reality at all.

If anything, India’s mistakes serve as a lesson to the next developing economy slated to host major sporting events, Brazil. At the moment, Brazil has both the FIFA 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics on its slate. Ironically, it has to shoot for the stars to seem internationally viable, but in doing so it risks falling flat on its face just like its counterpart India.

or any athlete, the first time out on the field is an experience charged with adrenaline, anxiety and excitement. One’s debut game in a new sport is an open opportunity, free of expectations. O’Mara Taylor ’12 ripped onto the rugby field in her first game ever on Sept. 19 against Hofstra University, and in an astonishing display of athletic prowess she scored six tries, matching the Vassar record for most tries in a game. Now, Taylor has achieved ten tries in three games, another Vassar record, despite having never before played the sport.

Twisting, shoving, leaping and rucking her way through a throng of women with the allimportant advantage of experience, Taylor blew minds, and built a reputation for herself, which grew with a swiftness that rivals her speed on the field.

The kernels of Taylor’s entrance into rugby blossomed from friendships she held with members of the men’s rugby team. Taylor recalls watching one of the men’s games, cheering the Brewers onto victory when Head Coach Tony Brown approached her with an invitation to join the women’s team. Taylor, who postulates that her impassioned shouts were what drew her coach’s initial invitation, now finds herself off of the sidelines and in the game.

Although she had never found herself in the world of rugby, Taylor was no stranger to the world of athletics. In high school, she starred in crew and also competed on her school’s soccer team. In her first two years at Vassar, Taylor took a hiatus from the sporting world.

Recalling Taylor’s performance during the relatively brief period of pre-season training, Captain Keri Peacock ’11, remarks, “She was so fast and really seemed like she was a strong runner. She got on the field with the mindset that she was going to kick some butt and she has!” However such praise is not derived from her teammates alone as Brown offered in an emailed statement, “She is an excellent athlete with both speed and power. She has been able to break tackles and run around defenders.

She only took up the sport this semester but is a key player for the team this year.” Peacock continues, “She’s awesome, humble and really good at rugby and I’m really excited that she’s on the team!”

Taylor’s initial foray into the world of rugby was characterized by instinct. With no knowledge of her imminent glory, O’Mara Taylor took to the turf letting her natural athleticism and keen reflexes take control over her nerves. “I wasn’t nervous,” says Taylor, “You don’t even need to psych yourself up, it’s just the adrenaline of continuing to go forward as people try to pull you down.”

Following such a potent debut as Taylor’s would make a lesser athlete quiver; however, she met the ponderous expectations that accompanied her into her second match on September 26th against SUNY New Paltz in which she scored three impressive tries, two of which were earned off of nearly 60 yard charges. “I

O’Mara Taylor ’12, above, broke a string of Vassar records for the most tries during her first games after joining the rugby team this semester, thanks to her incredible speed and endurance. was nervous,” admits Taylor, “people expected a lot, but I was excited as well because I have so much more to learn and the potential to get better and better. Besides, once you’re on the field you don’t have time to worry, it’s all about tackling the next girl.” She concludes with a smirk.

Taylor is further encouraged by what she describes as an extremely steep learning curve in the sport. She treats her sores and bruises as a reminder of her progress. Peacock corroborates Taylor’s efforts crooning, “On the field O’Mara is a ridiculously strong presence.

She’s either moving the ball forward, or she’s in there rucking. She’s one of our attack players and obviously when your team’s up, you get more excited and she’s out there scoring a ridiculous number of tries.”

Despite her individual success, Taylor is quick to acknowledge that rugby is nothing if not a team sport. “I think that rugby requires the most team unit,” she asserts, “there’s a lot

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of sacrifice. It’s not like football where getting tackled is bad. You just want to move the ball forward, it’s a team thing, and you don’t want to let anyone down. Besides, if you’re going to scrum with people, you have to be their friends because you’re going to be intimately acquainted with them.”

Taylor’s attitude permeates her entire essence. She’s remarkably humble and is hesitant to make much out of already monumental achievements so early in the season. Taylor is a rookie, worthy of accolades a mere three games into her season and what is sure to be a promising rugby career ahead of her. She flies across the field with speed and a composure that allows her to channel her momentum into tackles that leave the earth shaking and the fans cheering. Though she may be hesitant to toot her own horn, it is clear that O’Mara Taylor is one to be watched. Her Captain, Peacock, puts it best concluding, “I wish I were as good a runner as O’Mara; she’s such a badass!”

October 7, 2010

SPORTS

Page 23

Men’s tennis coach Kroll leaving for D1 Fantasy football: It’s A real for me Corey Cohn

Guest Reporter

fter more than four momentous years, Ki Kroll will be stepping down from his position as head coach of the Vassar men’s tennis team next week. He will pursue a new path in the exclusive realm of Division I coaching upon being hired as the head coach for the University of Southern Mississippi men’s tennis team.

Kroll’s achievements during his time at Vassar are almost too numerous to list, but the highlights demonstrate his dual impact on both individual players and on the team as a whole. In 2007, Kroll’s second season, the Brewers won Vassar College’s first Liberty League title. The team followed that 12-5 season with an outstanding 15-6 record the next year, which was their best finish since 1998.

The 2008 season also marked the team’s first three straight NCAA Team Tournament bids.

The men’s team is currently ranked 11th in the Northeast Section of the NCAA. Those who have played under Kroll’s tutelage have accumulated an equally impressive resume. These individual accolades include 10 All-League Singles, seven All-League Doubles, two freshman All-Americans and two Liberty League Rookies of the Year.

But Kroll leaves a legacy that extends far beyond the results recorded in team statistics and in record books. He has served as a personal influence for all of his players during his tenure at Vassar. His effect is not only strong and long-lasting, but it proves to be immediate as well. Shane Donahue ’10, assistant Sports Information director for Vassar and a twotime Liberty League All-Academic selection under Kroll, reports in an e-mailed statement that the man he simply calls “Coach” made a strong first impression. “I knew when I first met him that he had great aspirations and lofty goals for the program,” he writes. Donahue also explains that he decided to come to Vassar partially because he was sure Kroll “would just coach me up and mold me into a much better player. He did and I grew with the program.”

As quoted in the April 1, 2010 issue of The Miscellany News, Kroll wrote in an e-mailed statement, “As a coach, I try to encourage performance goals, which are small in the overall picture, but help you to play your best.

Keeping each player focused on footwork, or watching the ball, or playing the ball to smart parts of the court, has a much bigger effect on the outcome of a match as opposed to an outcome goal like winning the Liberty League Championships or an individual match.”

In what ways has the program grown?

Kroll’s players say that he goes beyond instilling the importance of fundamentals and technical skills into his players; he sharpens their attitudes, emphasizes the proper mindset and evokes a sense of confidence. Senior Max Willner, who has played his entire collegiate career under Kroll, writes in an e-mailed statement that “the entire team philosophy has changed. When he started at Vassar, the players did not believe that they could even compete against the top schools, but now we have shown that we are one of the best teams in the nation.” Donahue adds to this sentiment, writing that Kroll “ushered in a culture of winning” and “fostered a warm team climate.”

The entire program has evolved significantly during Kroll’s time at Vassar, a remarkable realization considering his short tenure. Donahue flatly claims that “[Kroll] brought Vassar from obscurity to national prominence… he’s leaving the program in great shape.”

That may be true, but it doesn’t detract from the difficulty in seeing such a prominent figure make his exit. While Donahue and Willner both express confidence that the team will continue to play well, Willner admits the experience will have its obstacles. “It will not be an easy adjustment,” he says. “We have built a trust in Coach Kroll and his advice.” Willner notes, however, that the transition will be eased by the presence of Assistant Coach Mike Mattelson ’10. Mattelson, who graduated after four years of staring under Kroll, is the most decorated men’s tennis player in school history and knows the team dynamics quite well.

Mattelson will be staying on as the assistant coach to whomever is hired to take Kroll’s place. In an e-mailed statement, he reports he will do his part to make the adjustment easier for the team. He owes a lot to Kroll, he writes, because he “helped me vastly in my growth as a player.” Considering Mattelson’s long list of accomplishments, including becoming the program’s first-ever ITA/NCAA All-American and ITA Northeast Regional Singles Champion, that is saying a lot.

Mattelson adds that “it was a great honor” being appointed by Kroll to the assistant coach position. From the perspective of both player and coach, he has seen clearly the effect Kroll has had on the Brewers.

“He has turned this program completely around and has established a winning mentality throughout the team, where before no such mindset existed,” he writes. “A team that believes in itself and expects to win will have great success. That is what he has created here.”

Mattelson also ensures that whoever faces the tough task of filling Coach Kroll’s shoes will be up to the challenge. He writes that “there are already a few strong candidates” who will be interviewed for the job. As far as the move itself, Donahue completely understands it, writing that “the new position is an excellent opportunity…[Kroll] is doing what most coaches dream of.”

Kroll wrote in the (4.1.10) issue of The Miscellany News, “I believe if everyone works hard at playing their best, the rest will take care of itself. I get excited about every match we play. I always look forward to seeing my players compete, and especially watching their growth towards becoming better players.”

All interviewed players remain confident that Kroll’s presence will be felt even once he leaves. “We have learned to believe and that belief will stay with the team for years to come,” Willner writes. “I will never forget what he did for the school and the team and hopefully his legacy will stay for a long time.”

Cross country competes against D1 foes Kristine Olson Guest Reporter

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Courtesy of Sports Information

n preparation for the Paul Short Cross Country Invitational at Lehigh University on Friday, Oct. 1, Coach James McCowan had a simple message for the Vassar men and women: “Get out strong and keep good contact to help you get pulled to a good time.”

Since consistency, as well as speed and pace is key to successful cross country racing, McCowan reminded everyone that, “We’re not saying go out like you were shot out of a cannon. You have space and time to move up if you are alert enough to do so, but plan to run fast.” McCowan also noted many teams that Vassar should watch out for as direct competition.

Paul Short, featuring hundreds of Division I, II and III runners, was a unique experience for any DIII school used to smaller meets running against other DIII schools. Although every race, big or small, causes nerves, Elizabeth Forbes ’12 explained, “We weren’t intimidated because we were there for ourselves, and we knew it was meant to be a learning experience.”

For the nationally ranked women’s team, Paul Short provided the lesson that rankings don’t guarantee results, but form them. “We can’t coast on that success,” conceded Forbes.

“We have to maintain and get better. We’re all holding our breath, knowing we can maintain that status, but also knowing there’s going to be a lot of hard work ahead of us.” The team is naturally excited, yet “we’re hesitant to think about it because cross-country rankings are so tenuous because of how many variables there are, and they change from week to week,” said Forbes.

The deciding variable this week was raininduced mud. With no resistance from the soft ground, runners had to slog through their races, which were marked by slower times.

Despite this adversity, “Hannah [Ziobrowski

Zach Williams ’12 led the men’s cross country team at the Paul Short Meet hosted by Lehigh University on Oct. 1. Williams finished 67th out of 357, and the Brewers came in 20th place out of a field of 40 teams. ’12] went out fast, like James had told us to do.

The race went out at faster than a small meet, and she stuck with a fast pace the entire race.

She had guts,” says Forbes. In the women’s 6k race, Ziobrowksi finished no. 7 for Vassar and no. 174 out of 385 runners. Although they had anticipated a top 10 finish, the women’s team finished a respectable no. 17 out of 39 teams with a team score of 474. The other six of the Brewer’s top 7 were Johanna Spangler ’12, finishing in first for Vassar and a remarkable 17th overall in 22:26; Kelly Holmes ’13 came in 73rd (23:25), Aubree Piepmeier ’14 in 78th (23:26), Zoe Carpenter ’11 in 149th (24:03), Elizabeth Forbes ’12 in 157th (24:08) and Chloe Williams ’14 in 169th (24:16).

The Vassar men’s team, led by Zach Wil-

liams ’12, finished 20th (565 points) out of a field of 40 teams. Williams finished first for Vassar and 67th out of 357 runners with a 26:36 time. In the top seven scoring positions, Williams was followed closely by Sam Wagner ’13 in 70th place (26:40); and then Will Healy ’12 in 118th (27:05), Justin Rupert ’12 in 134th (27:12), Roni Teich ’13 in 176th (27:38) and Evan Russek ’12 in 187th (27:45). Returning from lingering injuries, Chris Lloyd ’13 ran his first race of the season (255th, 28:47).

The men’s and women’s team will next compete on Saturday, Oct. 9 at the James Early Invitational hosted by Westfield State (MA) College. The women’s team will then host their second meet of the season, the Seven Sisters Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 16.

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

Andy Sussman Guest Columnist

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ast Sunday, I ran over to Noyes MultiPurpose Room in my Ray Lewis jersey to watch some professional football. Of course, I was looking forward to my Baltimore Ravens playing their hated rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. That game was not on television, but that was fine: I cared about every game that was on last weekend. It’s not just that I care about what the score is in a San Francisco vs. Atlanta game, but what the implications are for fantasy football. Between my three teams, there was someone in every game that I wanted to follow, whether he was on my team or one of my opposing teams.

I am not alone in this fantasy craze. More than 15 million fans are estimated to play some form of fantasy sports each year, and about 85 percent of those people play fantasy football.

Personally, between football, baseball and basketball, I have at least one team to follow all year long. Recently I read an article by famed sportswriter Mitch Albom entitled “Take in a Real Game” which appeared in Parade Magazine, deriding fantasy sports. Albom remarked that by playing a fantasy sport, one cannot be a true fan or appreciate a live game. Albom claimed that fantasy players care more about individual player’s statistics than their favorite team’s performance. This notion is rather absurd to me, as I find myself following sports more than I ever did before thanks to fantasy, and I am not holed up in my mother’s basement, as the stereotype goes. Rather, I go to as many sporting events as I can, both at Vassar and at home. Albom assumes that an old-fashioned “take me out to the ballgame” mentality and following players and stats are mutually exclusive. In fact, they often feed into each other, with one activity directly leading to the next.

For instance, it was not until I started playing fantasy basketball that I began to really appreciate the NBA. I examined the box scores whenever I could and came to the realization that a great amount of information that can be gleaned through sports statistics. This gave me the motivation to start watching more professional basketball games, particularly the local Washington Wizards. I always half-considered them my team growing up, supporting them if they did well and then forgetting about the NBA if they did not. However, once I actually sat down to watch a game, I remembered that it is fun to actively support a team. Fantasy sports allow me to do that both in the virtual world and real life. I am not less of a fan of real live sports just because I have better access to statistics than Albom did in his childhood, when figures were merely stats on backs of trading cards.

Fantasy sports have become so popular that even many professional athletes themselves play fantasy sports, sometimes for money.

Now, I am not going to lie: As a pragmatist I have considered the threat of players intentionally messing up for the purpose of their fantasy teams, a system that would be akin to point shaving. However, there have been no reported incidents, and the leagues have not expressed concern or forbidden players from playing fantasy sports. Besides, a player would be risking his seven or eight-figure contract for however much money he could gain in fantasy.

Overall, the mainstream media has increasingly embraced fantasy sports, just as the blogs did before. Fantasy sports have been around for years, now though they are more accessible than ever. Years ago, fantasy players were forced to mail their weekly lineup to the commissioner of their league, and wait to receive a letter back with their player’s statistics, carefully combed from newspaper’s boxscores. Now, the system is both easier and more widespread, allowing me to set my lineups while listening to Ray Lewis make a game-saving interception. That was the best part of my day, and it had nothing to do with any of my fantasy teams.

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October 7, 2010

Women’s soccer earns regional ranking Andy Marmer Sports Editor

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Devin Leary/The Miscellany News

t 9-2, the Vassar women’s soccer team is off to its best start since the team was founded in 1978. The Brewers are also off to their best start ever in conference play, with a perfect 3-0 record.

Since 2000, the Brewers have competed in the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association, which in 2004 became the Liberty League.

This lofty start has earned Vassar the no. 10 ranking in the East region, the second such ranking in program history.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Vassar earned their regional ranking in the midst of a four-game winning streak. The previous weekend, Vassar had jumped out to a 2-0 Liberty League start, placing them in sole possession of first place in the Liberty League. This past week, the Brewers visited Bard College on Wednesday, Sept. 30, before hosting Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) this past Saturday, Oct. 2.

Against Bard, Vassar controlled the pace of the action for much of the game; despite their advantage, however, the Brewers could not break through for a goal. In the 81st minute, the Brewers’ fortunes changed; Keiko Kurita ’13 rocketed a shot past the Bard keeper, off an assist from co-Captain Carolyn Demougeot ’11. Kurita’s goal, combined with sophomore Alexandra Hutton’s shutout in the goal, led Vassar to a 1-0 win.

After extending their winning streak to five games, the Brewers welcomed RPI to Poughkeepsie for their third Liberty League game. In this Miscellany News Game of the Week, Vassar jumped to a 1-0 lead when Kurita snuck a pass through two defenders to Demougeot, who

Alex Grant ’12 tries to keep the ball away from players from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Oct. 2, helping take the team to a 2-1 victory against their Liberty League rival and their strongest season in team history. found herself one-on-one with the goalie on the left side of the box.

Demougeot calmly struck the ball off of the inside of the right post and into the back of the net.

After her first goal, Demougeot was not done. Aiming for the top of the box, senior Elyssa Greenberger lobbed a long pass that found Kurita’s head. As the RPI keeper came out to challenge for the loose ball, Kurita’s header found Demougeot’s foot. The senior promptly deposited the ball to give Vassar a 2-0 lead just minutes before the intermission. The goal, Demougeot’s 26th in her career, tied her with Andrea Johnson ’92 for fourth most goals in program history.

With a 2-0 halftime lead, the Vassar defense had all it needed to hold on. Despite an RPI goal with just over 14 minutes remain-

ing, which cut the Brewers lead to one, Hutton and the Vassar defense held firm, holding onto the 2-1 victory. Demougeot noted after the match, “Today shows how much we’ve grown in depth and maturity in being able to hold onto the win.”

After the victory over RPI, Vassar Head Coach Richard Moller noted, “We’ve never solidified our regional ranking before. We were ranked two years ago but then we lost our next game. This year we won our first two games after being ranked.”

While the ranking is a reward for the hard-work Vassar has put in, the team is not letting it distract them from their primary goal. Captain Rachel Shea ’11 noted, “I have always had the same goals: make the conference tournament and

then work our asses off from there.

I think that just what’s happened so far this season made that goal just seem so much more feasible.”

Fellow Captain Allison McManis ’11 continue with an anecdote of her own. “I’ve had one of my teachers this week be like, ‘So how long are you going to be playing soccer?

Is it almost done? How many more classes are you going to be missing?’ And I was like, ‘Well, typically I would answer you saying we’d be done by Halloween, but this year I might not be done ‘til the end of November.’” With three Liberty League wins, the women’s soccer team has already tied the program record for conference wins in a season. This immediate success has the Brewers alone in first place, a position they hope to maintain.

Guzick captures ITA Regional championship Andy Marmer Sports Editor

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Courtesy of Sports Information

ast weekend, men’s tennis player Andrew Guzick ’13 bested a field of 64 to win the ITA Northeast Regional championship. In victory, Guzick became the second Vassar men’s tennis player to win the singles tournament, and thereby earn a spot in the ITA National Small College Championships in Mobile, Ala. this Oct. 14 to 17.

Guzick’s victory comes one year after Mike Mattelson ’10, the current assistant coach of Vassar’s men’s tennis team, accomplished the same feat, winning himself a trip to Mobile. Mattelson swept the field as the no. 2 seed last year, while Guzick came into this tournament seeded no.

5-8.

In facing off against a talented field of players—in fact, the only top seed that Guzick did not face was the no. 2 seed, his brother Ben Guzick ’12—Andrew Guzick played hard to emerge victorious. In the quarterfinals, Guzick dropped the first set against no. 1 overall seed Luke Granger of Skidmore, ultimately winning in three sets (5-7, 7-5, 6-1). The semifinals saw him vanquish no. 4 seed Jeremy Eckhardt of The College of New Jersey in straight sets (7-6, 6-0), setting up a finals matchup against no. 3 seed Jeremy Rifkin of Ithaca.

Rifkin was a familiar foe for the younger Guzick. Last year, Guzick and Mattelson were eliminated

Andrew Guzick ’13, above, won the ITA Northeast Regional championship last weekend, which earned him a spot in the national championship next week. in the semi-finals of the doubles tournament by Rifkin and his partner, Taylor Borda.

In this year’s singles match, Guzick and Rifkin proved evenly matched in the early going, Guzick won the first set, 6-4, before losing the second set by the same margin.

Guzick wrote in an e-mailed statement, “Heading into the third set, I was definitely nervous, but still confident…I knew it was going to be only a few crucial points that would decide the last set, I just had to be ready to work when the opportunities arose.”

In the third and decisive set,

the two traded games, with Guzick holding a 4-3 lead on Rifkin’s serve. In the eighth game of the set, Guzick broke serve, raising his lead to 5-3 and giving himself an opportunity to serve for the match. Guzick ultimately won the match on his fourth match point, earning himself a 6-3 victory in the third set, and the tournament championship.

“I am really proud that I came through against all those good players. In my tennis experience, I’ve had a few wins I feel really good about, but to get good win after good win consecutively was

awesome,” wrote Guzick of his performance.

Mattelson summed up Guzick’s play in an e-mailed statement: “Andrew’s performance this past weekend was truly masterful. His focus and determination were unrivaled and his will to overcome every adversity was overwhelming. He executed his game plans perfectly and outfought every one of his opponents. I am so proud of the way he competed.”

Now that he has secured his spot in the National Small College Championships, Guzick has one week until he competes. The tournament in Mobile lasts four days and features 16 singles competitors. Wrote Guzick, “[Head] Coach [Ki] Kroll and Mike [Mattelson] already warned me that it is a very intimidating and competitive atmosphere at Nationals, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the moment. If I can keep my focus on playing my game just like I did this weekend, I’m hoping I can surprise some people down in Alabama.”

While Guzick is only a sophomore, Mattelson still believes he has the ability to compete. He writes, “As long as Andrew [Guzick] sticks to what he does best and trusts his abilities, he will have great success down there [in Mobile]. He is an incredible competitor and a superb tennis player. He can achieve anything he commits himself to.”

MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE

Miscellany talks with Coach Peck Wilson Platt

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Guest Reporter

n Saturday afternoon I trekked to Prentiss Field to interview the man behind the smile. That’s right, all you avid Miscellany News readers, Coach’s Corner is back. This week, we have Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Staunton Peck here to drop a little knowledge and tell us the ins and outs of the profession and provide some insight into the Vassar men’s basketball team.

Miscellany News: What is that transition from player to coach like?

Staunton Peck: It’s definitely difficult.

When you’re a player you feel like you have a sense of a control of what’s going on, whereas when you’re a coach you can only teach your guys. And when you lose as a player you have your whole team behind you—it’s a collective loss—but when you lose as a coach the weight of the loss is on your shoulders.

MN: So how and why did you end up here?

SP: I went to Hamilton College from my hometown in Chicago, and [then I] came home to Chicago and helped out with an AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] [basketball] program. I decided I missed college basketball, then coached at University of Wisconsin La Crosse as an assistant coach. But I really missed the small liberal arts feel, so when an assistant position came open at Vassar, I went for it. My head coach from college knew [Vassar Men’s Basketball Head Coach] Del [Harris], I think that might’ve helped me out a little.

MN: So, give me your idea of a perfect coach.

SP: I don’t think there is a perfect coach.

But there are many different ways of being an effective coach—patience, getting the most out of your players, and good time management. People don’t realize that 90 percent of coaching doesn’t happen during the game. Office, recruiting, practice [and] being punctual is very important too, like in any line of work. Organization, too, in that category.

I think you can be a really good practice coach, a really good recruiter, and only a mediocre game coach and still be extremely successful. Talent and preparation is a huge part. That’s the tough thing about coaching. You see a guy mess up at the end of the game and people think, “Oh that guy’s a terrible coach.” But that’s only one aspect; he may have built a great team and run a great organization, but then [had] weak game skills.

MN: What strengths do you think you bring to the table in specific?

SP: I’m a very hardworker, I’m pretty affable, I can be a [jerk], but i’m a pretty nice guy.

MN: What is the make up of the team this year? Do you have any ideas yet about style of play or identity?

SP: I’m not gonna give away any secrets but...we’re still very young, definitely better than last year. We’ll also be a half court oriented team to try and play to our strengths a little more. Overall...definitely better than last year.

MN: And of course, the loaded question, how do you think the team will do?

SP: ...Better than we did last year.