Crisis in Haiti
A successful performance!
Page 2 March 5, 2004
Page 3 Wilson College
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Vol. 35, No 3
THE
WILSON BILLBOARD April Abernethy Staff Writer Last semester WCGA put together a list of student concerns because WCGA representatives said they felt morale on campus was plummeting. After doing so, they began to address these issues with senior administrators. At the beginning of this semester several students reported to WCGA that they observed that the morale of the faculty was low this semester and rumors were circulating. Interviews of more than over twenty percent of the faculty, both tenured and junior, suggest that if low morale exists on campus the majority of those interviewed spoke of communication issues, rate of change, tenure changes and lastly salary issues. “No one would argue salaries are a priority, but not at the expense of academics and student services”, says Dr. Brad Engle. Some faculty said they worry we are moving towards comprehensive education and away from liberal arts. Other faculty said that the central tenets of Wilson’s long-standing
mission remains strong. Engle said, “We are trying to strengthen and build a traditional liberal arts education.” Much of the challenge lies in how to go about the process of betterment, he said. Several faculty asked: How do you grow and restore facilities with limited resources while supporting academic programs? The process of developing a strategic plan can be unnerving, Engle said. Members of the community can usually come together to create a list of what needs to be included in the plan. Where the discord often occurs is in the assignment of priorities to those items. Who gets to select the priority? In 2001 the board of trustees began reviewing its governance documents to make sure the language was clear and supported Wilson’s plan to move forward. According to faculty, the board of trustees revised and reformatted their bylaws and then began to reformat the faculty bylaws. The faculty bylaws had been revised under Dr. Jensen’s administration; some of the language changes had been voted on by the board, other changes made it through faculty but not
W HAT ’ S I NSIDE News.............................................Page 1 Features.......................................Page 3 Sports..........................................Page 4
the board. The board of trustees transitioned from reformatting the faculty bylaws to rewriting the bylaws. The language regarding tenure caps had been removed under the previous administration. When the new administration and board reviewed the language change, they wanted to know why the faculty had made the changes. Instead of accepting the changes, the board of trustees wanted to rewrite the tenure language adding the tenure cap back in. Faculty members questioned policy being imposed upon them and many are unclear what will be gained. Freya Burnett said, “I’m worried about the incentive for junior faculty to stay”. The tenure cap would allow for fifty percent of faculty to be tenured. Once fifty percent was reached, if a professor came up for tenure they would be placed on a rolling contract until a tenure position opened up. Not all faculty appointments are tenure track; non-tenure appointments already exist, but formal provisions were not written in the bylaws. Faculty members see tenure as a way of maintaining a certain level of stability for the college. “Wilson’s tenure ratio is currently just under fifty percent”, said Dr. Ray Shively. The rate of change has also contributed to the low morale, said a senior professor. Not only have we had changes in trustees, the President and the Dean of the College, but also changes in faculty leadership. The professor stated, “The way Beate left was Continued Page 2
Rachel Ward/Billboard
Faculty members share views
The Board of Trustees signed the Wilson Honor Principle at a brief ceremony held Feb. 27.
Kerry to receive nomination Kate Adams Co-News Editor In a sweeping Super Tuesday victory the Junior Senator John Kerry from Massachusetts is to receive the democratic presidential nomination winning more than half of the delegates needed to receive the nomination. Kerry’s major opponent, Senator John Edwards of North Carolina announced his withdrawal and plans to support Kerry in the general election. Kerry’s election themes of change for America and fighting President Bush with political experience and popular concerns have united the Democratic Party under one canadite early in the primary season. In his speech on Tuesday March 2nd he complimented his fellow rivals former Vermont Governor Howard Dean and Senator John Edwards.
A Vietnam vet, former prosecutor, and Lt. Governor of Massachusetts. He was elected to the senate in 1984. In his televised speech on CNN March 2nd he stated his goals for his campaign “Now, today, many Americans are once again wondering if they can trust and believe the leadership of our country. My campaign is about restoring that faith, about speaking plainly and honestly to the American people. About leading America in a new direction, guided by the enduring values that this nation has held to for the last 200 years,”. In a CNN/USA Today Gallop Poll of likely voters Kerry leads 53% to Bush’s 48%, and in a Newsweek Poll Kerry leads Bush 48% to 46% among registered voters. While still very early this is expected to be as close an election as 2000 was between Gore and Bush.
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5 March 2004
NEWS Haitian rebellion The Nation in Brief
continues Kate Adams Co-News Editor The President of Haiti, JeanBertrand Aristide, left the country on Sunday February 29th amid growing danger for his life. There are disputed reports as to whether President Aristide was escorted by the U.S. military or removed. He has been granted asylum in the Central African Republic. President Bush has sent 2,000 Marines for up to 90 days to keep the country’s key facilities operating and prevent more violence. The main objective is to prepare the way for a U.N. led force. The United Nations voted Sunday, February 20th that the Haitian crisis “constitutes a threat to international peace and security and to stability in the Caribbean, especially through the potential
outflow of people to other states in the subregion”. The Associated Press also reports that the force should be there no more than three months to restore order and support the constitutional process. Haiti’s Chief Justice Boniface Alexandre has taken over as the interim president while armed rebels still control much of the country. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was quoted in the Associated Press describing his goals for the mission to Haiti.” “I hope the international community is not going to put a Band-Aid on, and that we are not only going to help stabilize the current situation, but assist the Haitians over the long haul and really help them pick up the pieces and build a stable country.”
Faculty views Con’t from page 1 difficult, unsettling and added to mistrust”. A junior faculty said, “You can feel the mistrust.” Other faculty spoke of concerns for hidden agendas or leadership styles. “The board gives directives, but how those directives are carried out is the individual leader’s own style,” said a veteran professor. Faculty agreed open communication is critical to overcome these concerns and bring all the members of Wilson together for the continued improvement of the college. To improve communication, Cabinet and the board “must respect the opinions and knowledge of those who’ve been here. See the value in seeking out voices of institutional history,” said Dr. Shively, who also stated after this weekend’s board meetings, “Progress is being made.” Engle said, “We need to have a personal, respectful discussion that is where Wilson is the best”. Faculty members interviewed seemed to agree that we can find constructive ways to deal with these issues. Engle concluded, “Don’t be so quick to take action, have discussion with faculty and students first, you’d be surprised what people can do if they understand why. With discussion and dialogue, we can move Wilson forward without sacrificing the needs of the students!” April Abernethy was the 2003 president of Wilson College Government Association. The Billboard periodically runs news analyses by informed observers as part of an effort to keep the campus community informed.
Upcoming Events
Oklahoma Bomber Trial The trail begins for Terry Nicholas who is accused of being an accomplice to Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh was convicted and executed in 2001for the bombing of the Oklahoman federal building in 1995. Nicholas is charged with 161 counts of first degree murder.
changed forever, our nation must enact a constitutional amendment to protect marriage in America.” The announcement came after 3,300 same-sex marriages in San Francisco were processed when the mayor determined that gays and lesbians were being discriminated against under California law. Worldcom CEO Indicted
Bush for Gay Marriage Ban President Bush announced that he is in favor of a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman He said in an Associated Press article “If we are to prevent the meaning of marriage from being
Bernard Ebbers was head of a telecommunications company now known as MCI. The company was the 2nd largest in it’s market before it’s bankruptcy in 2002. Ebbers is accused of falsifying accounts and creating a false picture of the company’s
The World in Brief European Union to Increase Tax on US Exports The World Trade Organization ruled that tax break for American exporters like Microsoft and Boeing have been given an illegal unfair advantage. The European Union believes it unfair Washington helps certain firms and not others. An additional 5% tax is slated to begin this week unless the US Congress and Senate change the law. Without changes, the duty is expected to reach 17% by March of 2005 according to Stephen Evans, BBC North American business correspondent. IBM Spain to Build Supercomputer The first supercomputer for general use will be built over the
next four years in Catalonia Spain. This system will be able to process 40 trillion calculations per second, equal to18,000 PC’s.Top research priorities are Alzheimer’s and Mad Cow Diseases, and climate change. Final say in research programs will come from an independent scientific board. Venezuela Riots Continue A petition for a vote to recall Preesident Chavez was rejected after the courts found that the petitions did not have enough signatures. The country’s capital Caracas has erupted with violent protests and vandalism. “The United States continues to urge the Venezuelan National Electoral Council to finish its work in a timely and fully transparent manner,” said White House
Kate Adams Co-News Editor status. This is one of the first of many corporate scandal trials so many are looking for precedents for the future. Church Abuse Reports Two reports have been issued on the growing sex-abuse scandal in the American Catholic Church. USA Today reports that there were 4,392 priests accused between 1950-2002. The Catholic church currently maintains a zero-tolerance policy and has 700 allegedly abusive priests. The goal of the report was to define the entire scope of the problem for the Church and help promote change.
Alice Gudgeon Staff Writer spokesman Scott McClellan. Researchers Find Darwin’s Ship A team in the UK may have found the remains of HMS Beagle; the very ship Darwin gathered his natural specimens from and used to develop his theory of evolution. The Beagle Ship Research Group was developed in 2000, headed by Dr. Robert Prescott of the University of St. Andrews. What became of the 27-m long Navy brig after its sale for scrap in 1870 (purchaser unknown). Those parts, still below the water line may hold information that could be important to research today; pollen and other biological material coul0d be anaylyzed to learn more about the ship’s voyages.
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Editor-in-Chief Rachel Ward ‘06
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5 March 2004
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FEATURES Bogigian Gallery hosts Irene Chan Amanda Cochran Staff Writer The Bogigian Gallery of Wilson College has had increased popularity this semester. Two exhibitions are hosted each semester from a wide range of creativity of traditional and nontraditional art. Participants in the gallery can submit any style of artwork, including drawings, paintings, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and even film and video. An artist typically has to fill out an application to exhibit their work in the Bogigian Gallery. These artists may have regional or national reputations, and are very serious about their artwork. “They make work because they have to, not necessarily because they want to. Something inside drives them to create, which they then cultivate,” says Phillip Lindsey, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts. Currently on view through March 27 is Irene Chan’s Ephemeral Texts. Her work is a collection of books, prints, and installation of environmentally aware art that address a variety of materials that come in contact
with her body such as lipstick, lotion, ink, cigarette smoke, graphite, and water. The prints are photo-etchings which deal with natural materials, and the installation is a statement on consumer waste and philosophical maps. The next show will be the Student Art Exhibition which opens April 7 and continues through April 30. The opening reception will be held on Arts Day, April 14, from 10 a.m. to noon. Any currently enrolled Wilson College student is eligible to participate in the exhibition. They will be looking for photographers, painters, potters, drawers, printers, designers, sculptors, and artists of any kind. May 5 through May 21 will be the Senior Show for Nancy Groove. All Fine Arts Studio majors must mount an exhibit of their work as part of the requirement for graduation. “My expectations are high for all of the shows, especially those mounted by professional artists,” said Lindsey. “I hold my students to a very high standard in the studio, and expect them to give me strong work. The same level of expectation holds for the Student Show.”
Drama club is big hit for Wilson Jamie McCauley Staff Writer All of a sudden, something strange has happened on campus— drama. According to many students, faculty, and staff, the Kittochtinny Players (KP) made a great impression on campus after performing three one act plays, “Trifles,” “Love is Hell”and “GRRLZ in Space” on February 20 and 21. Laird Hall was filled with excited audience members who came to support the drama club on this well-anticipated performance. There was no doubt that laughter would echo throughout both night’s performances. The overall response from the Wilson community was positive and hopeful. Dr. Larry Shillock remarked that he was “struck by the quality of student acting and directing” and many students seem to agree with this. He also hopes to see more club
members write plays, direct plays, and star in their own creations. Students were equally struck by the effort the club put into these performances. Jennifer Chilcoat stated, “I thought it was a very entertaining show. The club seems very committed to making a name for themselves on campus.” With a great deal of hard work and effort, the drama club entertained on various levels showing the Wilson community that the drama club is fighting full force to get theatre back into the spotlight. With the successful profit of the weekend performance, the drama club hopes to use their earnings to put on an even better production next year. Drama club advisor Michael Cornelius states, “I hope we can build on this. Theater is quite a time commitment for the average Wilson student, but the rewards and the applause can be great. I encour-
age everyone who wants to join the Drama Club and be a part of it all, on-stage or off.” With rekindled hope, the drama club feels prepared to face whatever challenges come next. They look forward to future performances and are excited about the changes they have made since becoming an active club. Drama is about collaboration between the actual performers and the audience. They compliment each other to make any performance a success. Cornelius states, “I was very pleased at the Wilson community’s response to what we are trying to do. We cannot create art and theater in a vacuum, and the support of the community has been wonderful.” No matter what the future holds in store for this club, the students, faculty, and staff are cheering them forward and the possibilities seem endless.
Julia Roberts: College Professor? Jamie McCauley Staff Writer Finally, a film worth watching that some Wilson women can relate to, “Mona Lisa Smile.” This film, set in the early 1950’s tells the story of art history professor, Katherine Watson, played by Julia
Thank You from Admissions The Admissions Staff would like to personally thank the Faculty, Students, Administrators and Staff who participated in the Winter Open House & Wilson Weekend events. Your presence was a huge part of our successful weekend! We couldn’ couldn’tt have done it without you! Many thanks! ~Kathie, Linda, Heather, Amy, A.P., Kelly, Annette & Debbie
Roberts who takes a job at Wellesley College; a prominent, very conventional women’s college where students ideally study and spend a great deal of time in their search for future husbands. Watson encourages her students to strive for a more liberal way of thinking and possess an independent attitude. This eventually gets her into trouble with the school’s administration. “Mona Lisa Smile” is more of a film on the feminine perspectives of what it was like to go to college in the 50’s and to be a woman fighting for that right; a gender switch film to the well known film “Dead Poet’s Society” where the male professor tries to make a difference at an all male high school. The film
definitely leaves the expected behind and delivers something a bit more unique. It does not present any easy answers to any of the more difficult questions in a woman’s life and sometimes even takes the safer route by avoiding some issues all together. “Mona Lisa Smile” is directed by Mike Newell and written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal and stars Julia Roberts (Katherine Watson), Kirsten Dunst (Betty Warren), Julia Stiles (Joan Brandwyn), and Maggie Gyllenhaal (Giselle Levy). The film’s set is representative of the times, the acting is exceptional, and the story line is the flip side of the traditional theme. This film is a daring film for everyone and is a must see for any Wilson woman.
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5 March 2004
SPORTS Spring is coming, so is softball season Liz Hicks Sports Editor This year the Wilson College softball team has fifteen players. As a NCAA Division III team and an AWCC team, they will play… Cedar Crest College Villa Julie College Mary Baldwin College Immaculata University Chatham College Philadelphia Biblical University Wells College Hood College Gallaudet University Baptist Bible College Chestnut Hill College Trinity College The team has games from early March until late April. Practices began for the softball team in February. It would be a great thing to win the AWCC Championships. If they do so, they will advance to the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships. This year is a special year for the Wilson College Softball Team. They will be playing all of their home games on their own field, located next
to the soccer field. The team is coached by Brett Cline with assistant Geary Carey. This is Coach Cline’s fourth year coaching softball at Wilson and Coach Carey’s second year. According to the Wilson College Athletics website, “Coach Cline’s goal is to maintain Wilson’s softball program and level of excellence and the tradition of winning that Wilson College has experienced in the last few years. He also believes fundamentals, unity and fun are very important to the program.” Softball is a vehicle that takes us to our goals in life but should not be confused with being the actual goal itself… hard work and a good education should be the goal of all collegiate players.” Those are the words that Coach Carey has on the Wilson website. With all of the talent, hard work, and dedication of both the players and their coaches it looks like there might be a winning year in store for the Wilson College Softball Team. However, to find out for sure you should go to the games! The Wilson Softball Team takes to their new field for the first time in a home match-up on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 3pm versus Cedar Crest College.
Equestrienne team home show Becky Hartman-Berrier Creative Page Editor On Sunday, February 22, The Wilson Equestrienne Team hosted an intercollegiate horse show here at the Penn Hall Equestrian Center. High Point Team for the day was the University of Pittsburgh, but Wilson followed by just a few points, earning a reserve. “Everyone’s excellent riding helped the team be awarded as Reserve High Point Team,” said team captain Kaitlin Klotz, who went on to express that “everyone rode well, regardless of how they were placed.” Kaitlin Klotz (intermediate on the flat) placed first in her division. Gina Tranquillo (open over fences), and Lisa Haviland (open on the flat B) both brought home a second place ribbon. In third place were Melissa Landinger
(novice over fences), Gina Tranquillo (open on the flat A), and Appb Culp (novice on the flat). For the team, Tanya Diehl (advanced walk/trot/canter) brought a fourth place scoring, and Carrie Moats (beginner walk/trot/canter) a sixth place scoring. Andrea Shultz (advanced walk/trot/canter A) and Alicia Smith (intermediate over fences); both also showed, but did not place. Several team members are just a few points from qualifying for regionals on March 28, and Haviland has already qualifyed. Wilson is currently in fifth place in Region III, and team member Tranquillo is in fourth place currently for the Cacchione Cup. On March 7, the team will be competing at Allegheny College. Good luck to the Hunt Seat Team!
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