The Vermont
CYNIC
Dobra expands page 5
The University of Vermont’s independent voice since 1883
Burlington bridged to the Bronx
T h u r s d a y, A p r i l 4 , 2 0 1 3 – Vo l u m e 1 2 9 I s s u e 2 3 | B u r l i n g t o n , Ve r m o n t
Kiley Falcone Staff Writer In another effort to diversify UVM’s predominantly white student body, the University has given students from some of New York City’s poorest and most multiethnic boroughs the opportunity to expand their college options through the Urban Partnership program. The program was created as a collaboration between the University and three schools in the Bronx and one in Manhattan in order to give collegeplanning support to inner-city students from New York. These high school students are given opportunities to visit UVM and then are encouraged to apply to the University during their senior year, said Director of Admissions Beth Wiser. “From the perspective of the schools, we are providing an opportunity for students to become familiar with a college option outside of New York State,” said Deborah Gale, assistant director for UVM admissions in the Manhattan region. While UVM has made some progress in increasing its overall multiethnic population—UVM’s minority undergraduate has increased from about 4.6 percent in 2011 to approximately 10.4 percent today— the reality is that Burlington and the Bronx could not be more different. Burlington’s population is one of the least diverse in the country, with only 22.3 percent of its population reporting itself as belonging to any race besides Caucasian. By contrast, the Bronx county has a minority population of 50.8 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau reports from 2011. gram, staff from the University is sent to work with students in the ninth grade for about two days, Gale said. “The schools identify areas they want us to cover with their students when we visit,” Gale said. The staff then works with these students each year, teaching them about the apand time management. Students get the chance to visit the University in ninth, 11th and 12th grades.
See Bronx on page 3
“Some emcees don’t like to leave the stage. They don’t want to be touched or brush against people, but fuck all that, that’s not what hip hop is about.” -GZA Page 8
Coming soon: Waterman’s sidewalk Senior Staff Writer Students who have wondered where the sidewalk went may be glad to know that ongoing renovations to the Waterman building are nearing completion. Since February, construction crews have worked on that have caused the building’s in the past, Vice President of Finance and Administration Richard Cate said. With a $781,521 price tag according to budget estimates provided by Cate, the project is not cheap. But he said he is optimistic it will be well worth the investment. “We’ll have an indestructible surface, we’ll catch the water, and it’ll look a lot better,” he said. During a tour of the construction site last week, Cate said Waterman’s porous stone foundation— unlike the concrete foundations that many newer buildings have—is to blame for the problem. Previously, storm water runoff falling from the roof would saturate the ground and seep through the cracks of Water-
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man’s foundation. A new drainage system has been designed to capture this excess water. The current project also includes a cosmetic upgrade to the front of the building. “Students had learned their geometry, and knew that the shortest distance between the two points was a straight line,” Cate said, referring to the dirt paths that cut diagonally across the lawn area. “So, we decided that if that’s the way that everyone wants to walk, then that’s were we would put the sidewalks,” Cate said. Architectural blueprints of the new design show two walkways extending diagonally from the South Prospect Street sidewalk toward the concrete patio in front of the building. Although Cate said the projstudents, some feel like the construction has been an inconvenience that has taken too long. “It’s annoying to not have sidewalks and needing to walk on the road,” sophomore Alexandra Desenzo said. “But the good part is it’s always a good excuse for being late to class.” Cate said he expects the project to be completed in time for commencement events scheduled for mid-May.
NATALIE WILLIAMS The Vermont Cynic Worker Richard Munson carries sandbags while renovating the Waterman building April 4. The project is expected to be completed by May.
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