2008 Woodie Awards
The foundation of the C.V. Starr-Middlebury School Abroad in the Middle East marks the first such language school to be opened by any American institution, the College announced on Jan. 18. The school, located in Alexandria, Egypt and affiliated with Alexandria University, will offer courses to an estimated 15-20 students per semester beginning in the fall of 2007.
Faculty members in the Department of History recently passed a resolution forbidding students from using online interactive encyclopedia Wikipedia for academic assignments. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote in the wake of students citing the open encyclopedia on essays and final exams.
Less than a day after students learned of Former President Bill Clinton's commitment to deliver the 2007 commencement address, rumors were flying as to how the College landed such a big name. Some speculated there was a cozy golf match between Clinton and College trustees at a posh country club. Others thought there had to be a hefty speaker's fee that the College had committed to pay.
On Sunday afternoon, a peculiar chant echoed throughout McCardell Bicentennial Hall. "It's too hot in here! Carbon action, lets get some satisfaction!" The chant was the closing flourish of the Carbon Neutrality Summit, which ended Sunday, leaving its excited participants informed about the problems of global climate change.
Renovations to Proctor Dining Hall will be delayed for at least one year while the College reconsiders whether to invest in updating the building or start over with a new facility. Though planners ultimately balked at the $10 million price tag of the "bare bones" design developed last summer, they promised the delay would represent only a short pause in a planning process that has been revisited many times over the past fifteen years.
During the latest meeting of the Student Government Association (SGA), President Alex Stanton '07 stated that this winter term has been a busy period, as meetings pave the way for spring projects. The SGA's highest priority, Stanton said, was "the reformation of the budget to create 'flex funds'" to address unexpected needs.
College in battle to save oldest tree on campus Efforts are being made to prolong the life of a Norway spruce believed to have been struck by lightning this past summer. Located in front of the new library, the tree is the oldest on campus, with a plaque attesting to its origin circa 1860.
Faculty, students voice protest to Bush library Plans to build a George W. Bush presidential library at Southern Methodist University (SMU) have been met by opposition from students and professors critical of the Bush administration. According to the Associated Press, some faculty members are protesting the library's construction, citing disagreements with Bush's policies concerning foreign policy, civil liberties and education.