Off The Wall

Winter

Week Seven

18. Feb. 09

COA Students Victoriously Hit the Slopes Febuary 7th and 8th marked the 19th annual Toboggan National Championships located in Camden, ME. With great gusto, seven brave teams bared the cold and intimidating veteran tobogganers for a great representation of CoA. Ingrid Lindstrom had a few insightful comments after participating on two teams, and returning (fairly victorious) to the campus. “We all womped at the Toboggan Championships this weekend. No other college had more teams entered than our beloved College of the Atlantic. A fierce rival from previous championships, Unity College, was nowhere to be seen this year. Cowbells were rung for extra COA students at the Toboggan National Championships oomph by fans in the grandstand as photo courtesy of Ingrid Lindstrom we whooshed down the 400-foot 3 “Razed by Squirrels”***QUALIFIED FOR icy chute with only a few layers of FINALS*** clothing, a healthy dose of OMG-are-we-really-doingthis? Nervous adrenaline, a ten-foot toboggan (“The Alice Anderson, Anne Aviles, Samuli Sinisalo, Ingrid Big Katona”), the pursuit of fun and a BURNING DE- Lindstrom SIRE TO WIN.” 4“Ludicrous Speed”***QUALFIED FOR FINALS*** 1 “Rapid Approach of Big Trees” Marshall Aberle, Alex Carpenter, Stuart Weymouth, Will Korzennik, Kate Christian, Dylan Pugh, Neil Jason Barton Oculi 5 “Amazing Kids in Tights” 2 “Hairy Pits”***QUALIFIED FOR FINALS*** Jeanee Dudley, Abbey Bowen, Yoko Bowen, Justine Meg Barry, Sam Miller-McDonald, Jordan Motzkin, Geena Berry Ortolf

Sections A. Inside the Bubble B. Outside of the Bubble C. Op-Ed D. Events E. Wellness Corner G. Arts & Literature H. Sound Docket

6 “De Berries”***QUALIFIED FOR FINALS*** Clo Collins, Laura Howes, Dominique Walk, Linda Mejia ***fastest COA four-person team first trial run***

7 “The Black Flies” ***QUALIFIED FOR FINALS*** Ingrid Lindstrom, Philip Kunhardt (Day 2: Ingrid Lindstrom, Solomon Spigel) Finals result: 14th Place in 2-man division

Inside the Bubble

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A Letter from David Hales With great joy for the State of Maine and for Maine Audubon, and some sadness at losing (in a way) one of the treasured members of our COA family, I am writing to let you all know that Ted Koffman will become the new Executive Director of Maine Audubon.

After 32 years at COA, and thirty OOPs trips, Ted will assume the Executive Director job at the Maine Audubon Society on May 1, on the anniversary of his first day of work at COA. His time with us has paralleled the maturation of COA, and it will seem strange when he starts reporting to work somewhere else.

I’m certain that all of you join in recognizing his service to COA, and expressing our best wishes for his continued success.

Because many of you have come to know Ted only recently, perhaps a bit of history would be of interest.

Ted Koffman In 1976, Ted was hired as the admission director by Ed Kaelphoto courtesy of COA ber, COA’s founding president. The college’s enrollment at the time numbered 80. Campus housing included Cottage and Peach. By 1978, the Turrets annex was renovated to add 8 more beds and Sea Fox was purchased adding 15 bedrooms. Ted then assumed the financial aid and housing roles, and coordinated the OOPs program. His job description expanded in 1980 when Ed assigned Ted the task of reorganizing the summer program. Summer courses for K-12 teachers, Elderhostel, and occasional small conferences filled the dorms each summer. In July, 1983, as the firefighters extinguished the last embers in the basement of Kaelber Hall, the summer program food service shifted to Sea Fox to maintain the summer meal program. Soon the first floor of Turrets was converted to the college dining room. What is now the Turrets photocopy room had served a very small college kitchen. Yet the staff churned out great meals for many years served on the round oak tables now found in TAB. In 1984 COA President Rabineau assigned Ted to prepare a United States Deptartment of Education “Institutional Development” proposal” (Title III). At the time COA had one computer that was kept in a closet. While the first attempt failed, a re-write yielded a $600,000 three year grant 1986-89. Among other advancements, COA was equipped with desktops. Two additional Title III grants over the next eight years generated another $2.3 million to help build academic programs, hire new faculty, network the college, and acquire software, vans, canoes, and other items. Other grants boosted library systems and the GIS lab.

In the meantime, in 1989, COA’s board launched the Eco-Eco initiative (stands for ecology and economics) aimed at sustaining a conversation among leaders from business, environmental, government, and academic sectors exploring the relationship of economics and ecology in Maine’s future. With the involvement of COA board members, Eco-Eco originated the four-year landmark Maine Environmental Priorities Project, co-chaired by Sherry Huber and Ted. The project completed an environmental risk evaluation report that concluded, in part, that sprawling development patterns and associated air pollution, water degradation, and forest fragmentation, posed a high threat to Maine’s habitat, quality of life, and public health. For another four years the Eco-Eco Smart Growth forum stimulated state-wide policy discussions about the “paradox of sprawl.”

The issue of development sprawl and limited affordable housing on MDI was also one of several focus areas of the MDI Tomorrow initiative coordinated by COA trustee Ron Beard for several years. Ted co-chaired the land use and community design MDI sub-committee.

These and other activities prepared Ted for eight years of legislative service that concluded in November. His record as a public servant, especially with regard to protecting Maine’s future by preserving our environment, is without parallel.

We are proud of Ted and our association with him, and look forward to working closely with him in this wonderful new chapter of his life.

A2 A Letter from Rae Barter Dear COA Community, I am writing with some news that is for me both exciting and sad: I have accepted a position as International Advisor at the University of Connecticut, starting March 23rd. This position will allow me to dramatically develop my immigration/regulatory experience and work within the context of a collaborative international office, something that I have been longing to do for some time. And while I am thrilled for the professional opportunity this presents, I am also deeply saddened to leave COA and the many people I have come to know in the past few years.

I know that I will probably never have the chance to work within a community like COA, which in my experience has been uniquely supportive of its staff, both personally and professionally. I fully appreciate the opportunities I have been given here to work not only in the capacity of international student advising, but also to explore other areas like student life, study abroad, language programs, Projects for Peace, committees, and much, much more.

I have learned more through my work here than I can possibly articulate, thanks largely to the stellar supervision of Sarah Luke, as well as from other staff and faculty and of course the COA students with whom I have worked.

I know I have several projects underway and I hope that I will be able to work with those involved to keep those projects going in my absence. I just want to thank everyone who has supported me and Victor in the past two years; I will miss COA dearly and hope you will all keep in touch. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I will be here through the end of winter term and the beginning of spring break. Student Life is putting together a plan to make sure that critical international student needs will continue to be met during the interim period.

Warmest regards, Rae Rae Barter Coordinator of International Student Services College of the Atlantic 105 Eden Street Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 +1(207) 288-5015, ext. 285 rbarter@coa.edu

A3 COA BUILDS LOCAL, INTERNATIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS PROGRAM - Donna Gold

College hires new farm manager and Trans-Atlantic ny College in Pennsylvania and has worked on farms in Denver, Colorado; Cornwall, England and coastal OrProgram administrator egon, managing production and community vegetable To further COA’s commitment to local and global stud- gardens. ies in food systems and organic With the farm under nearly agriculture, the college has retwo feet of snow, the growcently completed two hires. ing season seems somewhat Heather Albert-Knopp will conceptual, but greenhouse administer the college’s new planting begins next month.

Sustainable Food Systems ProShe says she doesn’t plan to gram. Alyssa Mack is the new change things too much from farm manager at the Beech Hill what COA alumna Lara JudFarm near Somesville. son and Diane Lokocz did as farm co-managers over the Heather, a 1999 graduate, will past few years. (Both have be working part-time to coordileft to pursue other educanate the Food Systems Program, tional opportunities in farm which includes the Trans-Atlanmanagement.) tic Partnership in Sustainable Food Systems. This partnership Says Alyssa, “The health links COA with two European of our communities, enviinstitutions in organic agriculronment and people as inture, the University of Kassel dividuals go hand in hand in Germany and the Organic with agriculture. I also just Research Center (ORC) at Elm love physical, outside work Farm in the United Kingdom.

Alyssa Mack that results in solid and real photo courtesy, COA products.”

The program has been funded by a $3.5 million donation from As part of the innovative the Partridge Foundation, and Trans-Atlantic Partnership, includes a new faculty Chair COA faculty member Suin Sustainable Agriculture and zanne Morse, along with facFood Systems. A search for ulty from ORC and Kassel, this position is currently in will teach Our Daily Bread: process.

Grains through the Food Systems, a field-based course in Heather has worked on sevEurope. Also, there are a limeral area farms and has a decade of experience as an orited number of fellowships for ganizer, most recently as the graduates who wish to obtain Farm to School coordinator in a master’s degree in InternaHancock County, connecting tional Organic Agriculture or school cooks with local farmInternational Food Business ers through Healthy Acadia. and Consumer Studies at the The success of this program at University of Kassel. ORC the Mount Desert Elementary also is providing internship School, which obtains some of possibilities. its local produce from Beech Hill Farm, caught the eye of Martha Stewart, who recently featured the program on her show (www.marthastewart. com/article/mount-desert-el- Heather Alber-Knopp ementary-school). Heather is photo courtesy, COA also on the Board of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).

Alyssa comes to COA with a varied experience working on farms across the United States and in Europe.

She holds a BS in environmental science from Alleghe-

OTW Sartorialist, Eli Mellen “a comment on campus fashion”

shoes in TAB

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Outside the Bubble Study Pinpoints Pollution Effects - Paul T. Smith Jr.

BAR HARBOR — Non-point source pollution is contributing to the coho salmon population’s decline on the pacific coast. During a talk at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory on Feb. 13, Dr. David Baldwin, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency and the Northwestern Fisheries Science Center toxicologist, presented data illustrating the biological effects of these pollutants.

Dr. Baldwin approached his question by researching the effects of copper, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides. Brake pads remain the largest source of copper contamination in streams, while PAHs are released from fossil fuel combustion.

Pesticides are used on crops to prevent insect damage.

Copper is released onto roadways in the form of dust from vehicle brake pads. It then finds its way into streams in runoff. The contaminant harms an organism’s sense of smell and ability to detect vibrations and movement in the water. Biological impact was quantified by exposing coho salmon to varied concentrations of copper.

Contaminated organism’s were tested for their ability to avoid predators. Dr. Baldwin found that increased copper exposure made it harder for fish to avoid predators.

PAHs collect on the bottom of many rivers. PAHs directly impact fish health and survival by mutating gene expression and causing developmental irregularities.

To test these effects, zebra fish were exposed to oil concentrations that mimic those in the wild. Oil was weathered to show how PAHs affect habitats over time.

Collected data revealed that more than thirty percent of fish perished when exposed to PAHs that had been weathered for two months. Survivors were cultivated for a year then tested for swimming performance and cardiac activity. Dr. Baldwin found that cardiac activity was greatly degraded, further impacting swimming ability.

Pesticides are found in more than eighty percent of urban streams. Fish exposed to pesticides were found to have inhibited brain function. This reduction caused a reduction in feeding. Dr. Baldwin assumed that reduced feeding would affect organism growth, which would directly impact fish survival. Decreased survival directly correlates to a decrease in the population.

Overall, non-point source pollutants have been found to cause growth deficiencies, decrease predator evasion and organism survival in zebrafish and coho salmon.

Given this data, Dr. Baldwin has concluded that contaminants are having widespread impacts and he believes regulation must be passed to protect marine environments.

Op-Ed

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off-campus community, and ensuring the health of our food, our bodies, and our ecosystem. I love COA’s food (most of the time) and the kitchen staff who prepare the - Josh Howard meals (not often enough). But I wish they would take a Somehow, the conversation always turns to shit. Sure, few more steps to live up to COA’s vision and creating we try to start off our conversations about nice topics their own vision that we can all be proud of. “http:// like the weather that turns a trip to Turrets into treach- www.coa.edu/html/facildininghall.htm” erous travel, and why nobody told us about Lynn’s Time Is On My Mind abrupt departure. But eventually, community dinners - Amelia Eshleman always turn to talks of turds. “Why won’t Andrew stir My mom has always told me, the greatest gift you can my poo?” “I think that fly just bit me!” “What was that give someone is your time. The funny thing about time noise?” “So, how does this whole composting toilet however, is that there never seems to be enough of it. work?” “I see the light!” “Is it just one duct through How can you give something you do not have? We are the second floor?” “You would need catlike reflexes always trying to slow time down or accomplish more in when you hear someone start upstairs!” And we all what little amount of it we have. laugh, shamefully amused by our lack of dinner graces, wondering why the fascination with feces never fails to There are people who specialize in time management, they tell us how to plan our lives when we can not do it find its way into our speech. ourselves. Then there are those of us who manage our I, for one, feel empowered by the composting toilets. It time like nobody’s business. We have multiple calengives us an excuse to talk about what we never would dars and “To Do” lists, yet still seem to be floundering. otherwise, to learn about our own bodies, how they Maybe it is a matter of taking on too much, but who work, or don’t, and why. It’s the digestive revolution: decides what is “too much,” and for that matter how free your bowels from shame! Maybe it’s just boyish do you decide what is of least importance and therefore fascination with the dirtier side of life, or a reductionist okay to cut out? I am always telling myself “Tomorrow scientific desire to learn more about what’s brewing in won’t be so busy. I will have more time then,” or “Once this brown beaker. Either way, I’m glad I know more week seven is over,” yet it never seems to hold true. I about myself, and what comes out (or at least where it guess the reason that time is the greatest gift is because goes). we all seem to have so little of it. It is a hard balance to strike and I for one am not even close to accomplishing The thing is, I know more about what goes out of my it; it is going to take more time that I don’t have. Yet I body than what goes in and where it comes from. Takeam try, and that has to count for something.

A-Break gives me a few hints: what they call their dish, if its vegetarian or vegan or organic, or if I might be A Positive Outlook? allergic to it. I even know where it comes from – some- - Matt Shaw times, mainly if it’s from Beech Hill Farm or Sammy COA has the ability to teach democratic decision makthe Seaman via the dock downtown. But other than ing in a way that practically no other school can. Are these nuggets of information, I feel mostly in the dark we capitalizing on this effectively? Is the college delibabout what I’m eating. Who grew my green beans? erately asking or demanding student involvement? Is How healthy is this cheese? Were the factory workers it legitimate for the college to argue that the initiative who made my vegetarian sausage paid a fair wage? I should lie so much in the student? don’t even know the first thing about the salt that just poured all over my eggs because some douche loosened I don’t want a half-assed undergraduate education. For this reason I take an active role in governance and wedge the cap. But I do know where it will end up. my way into decision making. While I grant that not evShouldn’t COA give us more information about what ery student has the same motivations, a school which we’re eating every day? Where it’s from? What’s in has the democratic form of governance that COA does, it? Is it nutritious? Delicious? Made by men? Vicious? and whose slogan is “Life Changing, World Changing” I don’t know, and don’t think the kitchen staff really must have its students involved in decision making so knows either. A few years ago, the Food Systems class that when they graduate they actually have the ability created a “Comprehensive Report on COA’s Food Sys- to change the world. So why don’t we get off our coltem” that’s on TAB’s website. They identified a lot of lective ass, dust off our financial woes (enfranchising issues that are important for improving our knowledge people doesn’t have to cost anything) and incite enabout and sustainability of the food we eat, but what has hanced participation from both the students and faculty. become of the process the class started? We deserve to Apathy is not something the college needs; instead it know more about what COA feeds us so we can make needs energy and enthusiasm. Especially in this time of better decisions about what we eat. This could be an financial and personnel woes. Getting people involved important issue for the Food Systems Chair to help in governance is something we can all feel good about with, but I don’t think the kitchen should wait to start at the end of the day (even if we spent the day arguing finding ways to get more information out for us to see. to a consensus). If there is passion then students will COA can make a statement for the future of sustainable come. We are currently having a hard time retaining food systems by engaging more with local producers, and replacing staff and faculty; which does not bode strengthening the local economy, reaching out to the well for a successful future.

On Shit: Where the Food’s From and Where it Goes

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Events LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, CONCERTS, DANCES Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.: UN International Mother Language Day, a celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism at College of the Atlantic’s Gates Center. Learn a language; hear songs, poems and tongue-twisters in various idioms; learn about the importance of language diversity. 207-288-5015 or lweitzman@ coa.edu.

Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.: “Overboard for Eddie,” a fundraiser with music, stories, humor, also an art and food sale, all to help Diver Ed, Eddie Monat ’88 purchase a new boat to continue offering his popular “Dive-In Theater” to the public. $10. In College of the Atlantic’s Gates Community Center, contact Robin Kuehn at rkuehn@ coa.edu, or call 288-5015.

Thursday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m.: Russell Libby of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will talk on “Politics of Food.” In College of the Atlantic’s Gates Community Center. Sponsored by Acadia Senior College.

288-9500.

Friday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m.: Concert: Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. The San Francisco Chronicle calls this band “eccentric but charismatic.” The New York Times speaks of the mystical stirrings of this lively quartet. College of the Atlantic’s Gates Center. $10. Tickets at the door. tkittelson@coa.edu or 207-2882944, ext. 335.

Saturday, Feb. 28: Contra Dance with Big Moose Band and caller Chrissy Fowler. Lessons at 7:30, dance at 8 p.m. College of the Atlantic’s Gates Center. $6. 207-288-5015.

Tuesday, March 3 at 4:10 p.m.: Humanitarian Work with a Post-Conflict Population, a slide talk for COA’s Human Ecology Forum by Linda Robinson, certified nurse midwife who worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country afflicted by war for more than 10 years. Robinson offers insights into the strength of human spirit and body; what humans are capable of inflicting and enduring. Robinson will also speak about her personal journey and the moral and ethical issues surrounding international aide. McCormick Lecture Hall. 288-2944 Ext. 411.

Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m.: An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen, an adaptation by College of the Atlantic’s Environmental Theatre Class, directed by Lee Rose as an investigation into the use of theatrical elements in politics and the use of theatre to advance political ends. Gates Community Center. 288-5015.

Monday, March 9 at 4 p.m.: Soren Hermansen: In 1997 the small Danish island of Samso won a contest sponsored by the Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy to become Denmark’s showcase for sustainable power, eventually going carbon-free. Soren Hermansen is the man who made this happen. Hear him speak at College of the Atlantic’s Gates Community Center. 207-288-5015.

Saturday, March 28: Contra Dance with Big Moose Band and caller Chrissy Fowler. Lessons at 7:30, dance at 8 p.m. College of the Atlantic’s Gates Center. 207-288-5015.

Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Earth Day: What on Earth are YOU Doing?, a day-long festival of the earth with booths, concerts, special speakers, children’s activities and information on living more harmoniously in the world. College of the Atlantic. 207-288-5015.

Overboard for Eddie

Whether by directing an independent study in underwater mapping, taking boatloads of marine biology students out on the water, or retrieving researchers stranded offshore, Eddie Monat, a.k.a. Diver Ed has made an impact on COA students.

Gandolf Murphy

Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams returns to Gates at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27. Variously described as “psychedelic folk-pop” and “HillbillyFloyd with a touch of David Bowie”, the special quality of Gandalf Murphy is the warmth and comfort of the music, once described as a mystical version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska.”

The students are giving back in the best way they can, offering a fundraiser to help Monat get a boat back in the water after his M/V Seal was destroyed in a storm The “circus” comes to Maine fresh from a tour of the last November. The fundraiser is planned as a lively United Kingdom and great reviews of its new album, “The Great Unravel,” on High Noon Records. But it’s Cont’d on D2 Cont’d on D2

Eddie, from D1

Gandolf, from D1 in the live shows where the real magic lies.

D2

combination of music by members of the COA community, augmented by a local band and by stories and humor about Monat’s legendary exploits. The fundrais- Guitar Magazine wrote, “One of the most charismatic er begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Gates. Doors talents to emerge from New York’s creative community.” The New York Times describes its efforts as enopen at 6:30 p.m. chanting, speaking of “Lively songs that are imbued The event, called “Overboard for Eddie,” is organized with mystical stirrings.” Recently, they’ve shared the by students who value the flair and community contri- stage with Emmylou Harris and Rufus Wainwright. bution of Monat and his partner Edna Martin. Due to the nature of many of the stories, it is intended for adult Formed in Sleepy Hollow, NY, in 1998, Gandalf Muraudiences—whether mature, or really immature, say phy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams uses traditional folk instruments, tasty electric guitar and the disthe students. tinctive singing and songwriting of Joziah Longo, who Among the performers will be Cora Rose and Banned describes the band’s music as a mental rollercoaster of from Eden, the local band. A sale of artwork, crafts and whimsical, thought-provoking songs.

Longo’s wife, Tink Lloyd, plays accordion. Sharkey food will also be part of the evening.

McEwen plays guitar, mandolin and keyboards, while Monat is a 1988 COA graduate and the former harbor- Tony Zuzulo plays drums. Longo’s sons sometimes master of Bar Harbor. The M/V Seal was a specially- also perform with the band, Chen on bass and Orien on equipped boat that Monat used to introduce people to synthesizer. the wonders of the ocean floor. His Dive-In Theater, geared to children of all ages, includes an ocean dive Musical references also include Longo’s home of Philby Monat, who then transmits live video to a large adelphia, where he was raised in a family of musician LCD video projector onboard. Surfacing from the dive, factory workers. Longo’s father and grandfather, says Monat retreives samples of sea creatures for the pas- Longo, “were at the center of a tribe in the Philadelphia sengers to examine. Despite the loss of his boat, Monat area, and every Friday all my aunts and uncles would expects to be able to run his Dive-In Theater from a get together and play ’til four in the morning. I think my vocabulary for old-time music, and for the British new vessel this summer.

Invasion, comes from then.”

Admission is $10. For more information about “Overboard for Eddie,” the Diver Ed fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 in College of the Atlantic’s Gates Community Center, contact Robin Kuehn at rkuehn@ coa.edu.

Diver Ed photo courtesy, Luka Negoita

D3COA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY - Donna Gold

YOUR ART HERE

BAR HARBOR-Extinction is not only a danger to ani- GOING ON RIGHT THIS INSTANT mals and plants. Languages also become extinct-and swiftly so. Today, about half of the 6,000 languages in You provided the artwork... the world are at risk of disappearing.

COA provided the space...

To encourage people to think about the value of language diversity, in 1999 UNESCO established an International Mother Language Day. At College of the Atlantic, this day is being celebrated on Feb. 20 with a festival of languages in Gates beginning at 7 p.m.

Your Art Here A COA Community Show February 17th-21st Blum Gallery And on Friday, Feb. 20th, from 4-6pm there will be an “opening” with singing and snacks and a performance piece

Learn bits of a new language. Hear stories, poems, music and amusing tongue-twisters in some of the multitude of languages spoken by COA students, including Afrikaans, Arabic and Spanish. Leave with a sheet of (this should probably happen every year, phrases in a host of languages. And begin to think about more than once) the importance of language differences.

According to UNESCO, “over the past three centuries, languages have died out and disappeared at a dramatic and steadily increasing pace, especially in the Americas and Australia. … Half of today’s languages have fewer than 10,000 speakers and a quarter have fewer than 1,000.”

Adds UNESCO’s D i r e c t o r- G e n e r a l Koichiro Matsuura, “Languages are at the heart of humanity’s intangible heritage.”

COA junior Lillian Weitzman is organizing the event as part of an independent study in language diversity.

“Languages are closely related to culture and history of culture,” she says. “There’s a lot of research on the connection between language and land. People who are bilingual often have different perspectives than those who are monolingual,” she adds.

At the event, Weitzman will speak about Yiddish, a language remaining in her family only as intriguing words and phrases. Similar language losses occur in families around the globe, she notes. Following UNESCO’s lead, Weitzman is hoping that an evening spent celebrating the rich pleasures of diverse verbal expression will enhance the understanding of its value-a first step in stemming the tide of loss. “Linguistic diversity represents and relates to cultural and biological diversity,” she says. “Celebrating these concepts reinforces the idea that there is more than one valid way to experience the world.”

photo by Philip Walter

Wellness Corner

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Are Questions the Way Forward?

Acquaintance Rape

Outside, the temperature is 10 above, the wind is kicking up and blues of Frenchmans Bay deeply call me to run and skip. Inside, Deering Common is warm and still. I read Off the Wall, Week 5 and Matt Shaw’s piece on the student lounge. The place is underused as he said, and that got me to thinking about open space in our COA world. An open space is not a vacuum. A vacuum with all its emptiness draws from its surrounding environment. It seeks equilibrium. Powerfully. Persistently.

A vacuum is dynamic. And that is what the Common is not, dynamic.

To be honest, I’ve been struggling with what to write for this installment of the ‘Wellness Corner’. What even falls under the realm of ‘Wellness’? Clearly I’m not going to write about light boxes and nutrition every other week, or how marijuana (here’s a shocker) is a depressant and therefore may contribute to a depressed mood.

- John Appleyard

- Heather Candon

It’s been on my mind for some time to discuss acquaintance rape, but I haven’t had the time to sit down and adequately address such a complex topic, nor do I feel I will adequately address it here. But fear of failure is Open spaces can make any of us feel edgy. Undefined not a valid reason for remaining silent on an issue that by familiar expectation and rhythms, we wander from undoubtedly affects the women and men of our comthe sheltering forest’s fringe into a clearing. What has munity. been cleared away? A clearing for what? Who is supposed to shape it? With activity, color and sound? I look I don’t know where to begin, or how. There’s the alarmup. I look around. I listen. ing fact that only a quarter of women whose sexual assault meets the legal definition of rape consider themA few use the Common for a nap or a quiet spot for selves rape victims. Every year, an estimated one in study; but one day I walked in and someone was play- eight college women will be raped; though many will ing an instrument. The room was filled with sound and never use that word to describe their experience. Why? the light filtering through the dust swirled in response. I Could it be that they don’t want to be perceived as ‘vicwas startled a bit. I watched my reaction to see how this tims’ because of the negative traits associated with what music would influence me, the relationships that I was it means to be a victim? Could it be that they really aware of and those created new. How do we coexist in didn’t think that their friend/classmate/boyfriend/cool a way that all flourish? guy from town would rape them? Maybe they didn’t want to cause any problems. Could it be that the maThe music charged space and conversation with long- jority of people who have been raped are ashamed, and ing. Matt’s words drifted back to me. How do we seek believe that it was their fault? (“I didn’t say ‘no’ loud meaning, purpose? Is there anything going on in Deer- enough.” “I was pretty wasted...” “I was pretty high...” ing Common, or in my heart of hearts? How can we be “I invited him over, we were fooling around, so I guess free to shape our own future and be so constrained?

I never should have had him over if I didn’t want to have sex...”)

As the COA pastoral counselor, I don’t pretend to have answers for these issues. I believe that it is our questions What is particularly damaging about rape is that it that open us to learn and grow. Understanding develops causes the person who experienced it, woman or man, when we face what we doubt and what we don’t know. to question his or her own judgment. It can devastatThat is where each of us enters broad and new spaces. ingly undermine one’s ability to trust: themselves, their We are part of a community that honors this adventure friends, anyone who shares the same gender as the perand trusts that the outcomes will be far greater than we son who raped them. could ask for or imagine. The results of our search are the stuff of dreams. They take time, exploration, com- The reality is that in eighty-five percent of reported munity, risk and clear vision. rape cases involving college students, the victim knew their “attacker.” These were not situations of walking In time, Deering will be a place that we fill with life, alone at night down a dark sidewalk and being held at and each of us is making our way there. It will become knifepoint. Much more likely, the situation seemed ina familiar haunt in which dreams are hatched. nocuous. Perhaps it was at a party, or just a few friends hanging out.

Jonathan meets with members of the COA community to listen and talk about meaning, life and relationships. Know this: He believes that questions and doubts lead us forward --Your body is your own. Nobody has the right to force to grow and to challenge. He is not on the faculty, nor you to do something you don’t want to. does he see himself as a problem solver. He is available --Rape occurs when someone is forced to have sex for individuals or small groups each week on Thursday, against their will, whether they fight back or not. from 1 to 4 pm in the Wellness Center.

--About ‘fighting back’: Many victims do not ‘fight back’, for a myriad of reasons, including shock, fear Cont’d on E2

E2Rape, from E1 for their physical safety, or an innate desire to not want to hurt their attacker’s feelings. I know this last reason may seem ridiculous. But it is real, and it is common.

--People who grew up in dysfunctional families are particularly vulnerable to sexual assault.

--Despite persistent myths that men are not victims of rape; they are. Men can be raped and sexually assaulted regardless of their size, strength, appearance, occupation, race or sexual orientation. Current statistics indicate that one in every thirty-three men are sexually assaulted or abused in their lifetime. Most sexual assaults that involve a male victim are gang assaults. It is not unusual for men to “freeze” during an assault as men rarely entertain the possibility of being sexually assaulted and are totally unprepared.

--In most reported cases of acquaintance rape both the man and woman had been drinking. Understand that using alcohol or other drugs will significantly impair your judgment, lower your inhibitions and interfere with rational thought. This does not mean that your substance use makes you responsible for any assault perpetrated against you. It does, however, mean that you are more vulnerable to assault because you are not as alert as you would be if you were sober.

--Both men and women may feel pressure to be sexually active. Communicate your limits. You do not have to apologize for not wanting to have sex. It’s okay to be direct and firm with someone who is pressuring you to have sex, don’t worry about hurting their feelings.

Think about it: they’re clearly not considering your feelings. Why should you respect theirs? This last bit of instruction may seem painfully obvious, but many people are programmed to automatically attend to other people’s feelings while negating their own. Even if they are being victimized.

This article has merely skimmed the top of the issue, and clearly there is much more that can and should be discussed. But it’s a start.

For Sexual Assault Information and Support: Downeast Sexual Assault Services: 1-800-228-2470, desas@downeasthealth.org Mental Health Help Line: 1-888-568-1112

Arts & Literature photo by Holly Krakowski

photo by Luke Madden

G1

G2 What to do with $1.75 - Alli Hicks

Sometimes I sit and watch the colors Spin to be sure that my green sock isn’t eaten by the washer Or that my guitar pajamas and blue jeans don’t fight Metal button banging on the glass door Trying to escape I like to think they enjoy the dryer ride An amusement park of sorts Tumbling A play-date for two scarves on Sunday Laundry day My clothes like to be cleaned Not folded My sweater attacks with electric blue bolts of lightning My socks have formed an army Static cling

Reflection on Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor - Paul T. Smith Jr.

forgotten not alone second hand smoke at the end of a heated double barrel pulsating rail-vibrations locomotion momentum fleeting hanging the next momentous event shadows fleeting carrying distrust momentariness being passing passing passing passing passing foretold and foreshadowed forewarned foregone forward recollected imaginations stories-down staring up momentous momentary-tyranny drudgingly connecting assembling coronary airwaves overwhelming a blank consciousness fleeting beyond staring but not starring crashing crunching crunching munching seeing is believing being beyond bought breaks bound beyond munching they make a killing on that shit you know

Onion

- Alli Hicks You would go along nicely with the carrot in my soup or omelette your papery outer layer crinkles and slips into the sink you aren’t really red I’d say more of a fuchsia deeper and deeper layer by layer your color fades to a sparkly white you make me cry uncontrollably

image by Alli Hicks

G3

G4 When Procrastination Becomes So Thick as to Take the Shape of a Man - JoAnna Cosgrove

~ Elmira, I can hear you stirring in your sleep and the weight of your feet on the floorboards of this sad apartment. I’ve noted the sound of water running in the bathroom; the sound of you waking yourself up just to wait a little more. And I’m sitting here, waiting. I turned on the lamp above the counter but its yellow light was swallowed whole by the sun when it fully rose and flooded the kitchen with a new day.

Maybe you need coffee. Some sake. Something to pep away the dull pain of late morning to mid-afternoon existence.

~ I feel you, sun. I can feel you trying to burn holes in my eyelids and it simply will not work this time. I appreciate the encouragement. Really, I do, but people are people and people are allowed a certain amount of time I came here because you’ve saturated this space with to hide away from things. Who are you to care if I use yourself for too long. I wouldn’t be able to spell out up my allowance all at once? my motivation in being here, but I know full well that I have taken advantage of you and this life of yours. I And sheets, I thought I heard something through you... guess I’m feeling kind of guilty. I came here with very but it could’ve been dreams overflowing from these little idea of what sort of dialogue would take place, for towers of sleep. Like something hitting the countertop you have always kept a strange distance from predict- from far away. Too far to be on the other side of that ability. Perhaps this is why you intrigue me so. That wall. could very well be the reason why I am sitting in your kitchen at the break of dawn with nothing in particular Where did the quiet go? All I can hear now is everything I shouldn’t. Moira shuffling upstairs. The creeping of to say. my water bill dripping from the bathroom sink. So I roll. And end up with my feet on the floor. They take me ~ Elmira pulled herself from the wreckage of a night somewhere and all at once my limbs are bringing water that had been bloated with bizarre dreams, her stamina to my face and edges everywhere are instantly sharper. trailing somewhere behind. The heat of the bedroom Sharp enough for me to avoid contact with anything but was pressing with unusual force against the sleepy ex- the faucet and this towel. Sharp enough to send me into panse of her skin, but really, the only thing on her mind the kitchen for coffee. Maybe some sake too. was the pain that perpetually came with each new day.

It had no real source; mornings cultivated a silent layer of anguish and for the life of her, she couldn’t pinpoint where it came from.

The man in the kitchen was fiddling with a napkin ring against a Formica surface, noting each new sound of movement that came from the next room. His hair was overgrown and ended unevenly just below his earlobes. His face, a dull but handsome combination of Greek structure and the brown sugar skin of a Turk was mounted onto a body that carried a deep slouch. He simply waited patiently for the woman he’d come to see to emerge from the bathroom, where he could now hear the faucet drowning out her movements. ~ You wake up with a different kind of hunger. It’s sharp enough to sting a bit, but isn’t anything that a splash of water won’t rinse away. The sun’s been magnified since the last time your eyes were open, which was somewhere in the middle of yesterday when you fell asleep, and now you can tell. You know that you’ll never get anything done today, so the cycle starts again.

What was that noise? Came from the kitchen.... and you just roll back into a pillow and everything feels okay again. Sounded like a clatter on the counter top.

You’re thinking about it into your pillow. You’re irked just enough to pull yourself from the gravity of sleep and down onto the creaky floor of your bedroom. Onward to the bathroom, and a prompt dive into the cold running faucet for relief. The motions of waking up, you’ve let them become robotic. And this sleep schedule and avoiding the air outside is charming. Really.

Off the Wall has a Facebook page! If you haven’t checked it out…you should. Because it includes access to back issues of OTW on PDF! (for your viewing pleasure). We’d also like to hear your input on what’s working, what’s not, and a good ideas for stories that you’d like to hear about, but just can’t muster up the effort to write yourself (you lazy bum). Remember that a community newspaper is fed by the community; be active and vocal so that OTW can prosper. (also…all the cool kids are fans of Off the Wall on Facebook, and it’s a good way to find alumni and chat them up).

Sound Docket

H1

with Patrick Davis

What are my footsteps compared to your footsteps? Perhaps perfect. But most likely -- a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a fraction. What does rhythm matter, anyway? Ask your lover, they will certainly tell you. Or if that’s not your thing, sit in a room and try to understand white noise. Sometimes your computer hums at 480 rotations per minute, pushing out some air and maybe a hollow B Flat. Your keys are tapping slowly, in comparison, 120 times per minute; the pulse to the rhythm of the fan. Whether it is perfect in unison or awkward fractions of the whole, the impossibility of absolute silence isn’t all bad.

Feeling a little bummed out by your current music selection? Not sure what you want to listen to? Check out the underground Emerson Radio Station. It has an awesome feature on this <http://wecb.emerson.edu/> website that allows you to listen to Emerson Radio off of your iTunes. I have a friend at Emerson whose hip hop won’t disappoint, so be sure to check him out on Mondays, 4-6pm (eastern) “The best hip hop your ears can take—brought to you by Ken Glauber (KG) and Stuart White (BigStu)”

A. Anderson A. Eshelmen M. Shaw

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- Off the Wall is a community-wide publication that seeks within the broadest possible limits to express the complete spectrum of thought at the college. Although Off the Wall is the publication to list governance information, it does not reflect an official voice of any segment of the college population and relies on community input to achieve a well rounded voice.

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