The Miscellany News | November 3, 2011

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The Miscellany News Since 1866 | miscellanynews.com

November 3, 2011

Volume CXLV | Issue 7

Council commences VSA review

Troubling posts on SayAnything raise alarm

Dave Rosenkranz

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Ruth Bolster

Assistant Features Editor Mia Fermindoza/The Miscellany News

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tudents and administrators alike have noticed a number of postings on SayAnything, an anonymous Vassar blog, detailing feelings of hopelessness and depression. The College has taken notice that some posts on the site may demonstrate warning signs for serious depression or suicide. “There were a couple of things [written on SayAnything] that indicated that someone may be in trouble,” noted Dean of Students David “D.B.” Brown, “And that was worrisome because we really don’t have a way of knowing who is making these postings. But what it does do is heighten our awareness of taking care of each other.” A poster on Oct. 12 wrote: “I am depressed. I’ve been in therapy for years, am on medication, have a really good network of support here, and yet I feel like I keep asking way too much of them ... I could kill myself right now. Oh VC, you are such a beautiful place. You are full of life. I am struggling to keep up with you, to keep sane. I want to learn how to live.” The post, and others like it, have generated concern within the Vassar community; many commenters wrote to express See SUICIDE on page 8

Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY

Four students enjoy the unexpected preview of winter weather this past weekend, building a snow fort on the Library lawn. The heavy snow almost meant the cancellation of the scheduled Halloween programming.

Snow poses safety concerns, challenges for Halloween plans Joey Rearick News Editor

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ast Saturday, as the campus prepared to celebrate Halloween, a snowstorm swept over the Arlington area, caus-

ing Dutchess county officials to declare a state of emergency. As inclement weather continued throughout the day, causing periodic blackouts and dangerous conditions on campus, student organizers and administrators deliberated as to whether to cancel events scheduled for that night. Halloween programming has

long been a source of income for the senior class, which charges a fee for admission to the annual dance-party event held in the Villard Room. Class officers and other senior volunteers depend upon revenue from the party to raise money for class events, whose costs far outweigh the budget allocated to the class by See HALLOWEEN on page 4

News Editor

he Vassar Student Association (VSA) has begun discussing the possibility of reviewing and restructuring its governance. The topic came up for the first time this year on Oct. 23 , in a VSA Council meeting, and has since wound its way through several major VSA committees. Although this year’s conversation has only just begun, several Council members have already put together ideas about what the ideal student government can look like. VSA Vice President for Operations Jenna Konstantine ’13, whose job within the VSA is to oversee internal affairs, facilitate communication and maintain governing documents, thinks that the VSA, because of its structure, represents students poorly. “What can we do to make people as relevantly represented as possible?” asked Konstantine, highlighting her opinion that students who identify most strongly with something other than their house or their class aren’t well represented by a 23-person Council composed of 14 residential presidents and four class presidents. A student actor, for example, might not be heard because his or her concerns don’t fall neatly under either heading. “We’re always looking to make changes to improve representation,” said Konstantine. Class of 2015 President Benedict Nguyen ’15 agreed with Konstantine with regards to representation. He thinks that, although each class is about the same See RESTRUCTURE on page 4

Senior project to revisit classic ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’

Break policies restrict campus work hours Divya Pathak Reporter

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ith at least 60 percent of Vassar students receiving financial aid, on-campus employment is essential for many. However, with recent changes to the policies that govern when and how much students can work over October Break, some students have lost the opportunity to

Inside this issue

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FEATURES

Vassar Haiti Project 10 years later

earn extra money to put toward their tuition, books or VCash. Reasons for the changes include keeping hours in line with the amount of money apportioned for students’ income by limiting the number of hours students can log and giving those who started working late in the semester an opportunity to make up See BREAK on page 8

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FEATURES

Reporter

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dward Albee’s landmark play “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” shocked audiences in 1962 with its bawdy humor and irreverent language, its unflinching portrayal of dysfunctional marriage, and its stark depictions of sexual repression and longing. Although these elements may seem tame by today’s standards, the cast and director of the Drama Department’s upcoming production agree that Albee’s work still has the ability to alarm its viewers.“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” will be performed at the Powerhouse Theatre from Nov. 10 to 12 at 7 p.m. The production is a senior project for all four of the play’s cast members and its director, Molly Shoemaker ’12. “Virginia Woolf” has been a completely nonhierarchical collaborative effort between the cast, crew and director where all involved have a valued voice. As one cast member, Jake Levitt ’12, pointed out, “Molly has created an atmosphere of dialogue where there’s no division between actor and director; we’re talking through

Local farm on cheese and food education

Juliana Halpert/The Miscellany News

Juliana Halpert/The Miscellany News

A student employee mans the circulation desk at the Thompson Memorial Library. Changes to policy meant that some students could not work over October Break.

Matthew Hauptman

Jake Levitt ’12, center, along with Evan Glenn ’12 and Nicole Wood ’12, rehearse the Drama Department production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” it together.” Albee’s play tells the story of an unhappy married couple and takes place over the course of a single night. An associate history professor at a small New England college, George returns home from a faculty party with his intoxicated wife, Martha, the daughter of the college’s president. George and Martha invite a new biology professor and his timid wife, Nick and Honey, to their house after the party. Once at home, Martha and George continue drink-

14 ARTS

ing and engage in relentless verbal and sometimes physical abuse in front of the younger couple. Nick and Honey are simultaneously fascinated and embarrassed, but decide to stay in George and Martha’s home for the duration of the night. The abuse eventually escalades to the point that it targets the unexpectant young couple. The idea of bringing this play to Vassar began with a series of conversations between Shoemaker and See WOOLF on page 16

Jomama Jones to perform in concert


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