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(11/29/07 12:00am)
Author: Kevin Redmon Your front page coverage of Middlebury's participation in Power Shift 2007 was encouraging to see ("Students aid D.C. green looby," Nov. 8). Despite being one of the smaller colleges represented, Middlebury sent nearly 80 students (in a bio-diesel bus, no less) to the conference - the largest representation from a single school. What concerned me was the dominant, eye-catching photograph that you chose to accompany the story. Of the 200 photos I took at Power Shift, the one that ended up above the fold in the Campus was perhaps the least representative of the events that transpired over the long weekend. The issue is not that the photo showed no Middlebury students. Instead, it showed a scene that I am afraid will reinforce common stereotypes and assumptions - however apparently harmless - about the climate change movement. In the photo, set against the Capitol, are a dozen raucous students, holding spray painted signs, flashing peace symbols and looking unruly. Someone is holding a sign displaying the American Indian Great Circle symbol, while a costumed, bipedal polar bear dances nearby. I fear that this is how Middlebury students - and society at large - view the climate change movement, and I would like to vehemently challenge that vision. The photograph in question was taken at a culminating outdoor rally, and represents about five percent of our time at Power Shift. Otherwise, the three-day weekend was essentially a long policy conference, where we attended seminars, workshops, speeches and panels alongside our peers. These classes were taught by some of the leading environmentalists, economists and politicians in the nation, all of whom volunteered their time and knowledge with the goal of empowering and educating students like us. Under the overarching topic of "climate change" there were classes concerned with legislation, biochemistry, media and messaging, race, environmental justice, journalism, political science and international relations. Whether you wanted to explore the evangelical Christians' efforts to mitigate climate change or understand the mechanical engineering behind carbon sequestration, the options were myriad and diverse. Further, they were representative of the true challenge we face when we speak of climate change. Climate change is no longer - if it was ever - an 'environmental' issue. In our rapidly shrinking world of globalized politics and economics, there can no longer be an issue that is exclusively environmental. To label a threat like climate change as such is to diminish and deny its importance. Recognize first that carbon emission is the definition of a market failure - it does not obey the fundamental rule of economics that the party deriving the benefit from an action is the same party bearing the cost. In the case of carbon emission, the developed and rapidly developing world derives the overwhelming majority of the benefit, but the entire global community bears the cost. What's more, lesser developed countries often pay a disproportionately higher cost. From there, understand that climate change is not about saving polar bears or Arctic glaciers, despite what the mainstream media might have you think. It can be - and is - partially about these issues, but it is equally about resource allocation and conflict, national security, a fundamentally new 'green' economy and market stability, climatology, the future of progressivism ≠≠- the list is virtually endless. Climate change is neither 'Weybridge House' nor 'the Sunday Night Group.' It is not about party politics, short term solutions or Kyoto. Climate change is about developing radically new and innovative technologies that rethink the way we understand energy. It is about integrating 'sustainability' into our lexicon, our built environment, and our consciousness. It is about economic revitalization through 'green jobs' and a rethinking of environmental and social justice. Mark this: climate change - and our approach to understanding and mitigating it - will be the largest single force in every one of our lifetimes. It will affect the politics, economics, and conflicts of our global generation and of the many generations that follow. A better picture for The Campus might have been one of Middlebury students sitting in a small group, engaged in discussion about the role of climate change in the 2008 elections, or the impact of China and India's carbon emissions on worldwide levels - we spent a lot of time thinking about these sorts of issues that weekend, and we intend on spending much more time engaged in similar discussions. The face of climate change does not resemble the WTO riots of Seattle, the ROTC burnings during Vietnam or race riots of the late 1960s. Climate change is not a chaotic, violent battle waiting to be won in the streets by marginalized and disillusioned youth. Rather, it is an issue that will be addressed in board rooms, on Wall Street, by Fortune 500 companies and on every level of scale from the grassroots to the transnational. It is time for all of us to recognize it as such. Kevin Redmon '09.5 is from Minneapolis, Minn.
(11/29/07 12:00am)
Author: Aviva Shen On Nov. 16, the Class of 2008 announced that it will fund the restoration of the Starr Library Reading Room at the Donald E. Axinn Center at Starr Library as its senior gift. The Reading Room restoration is part of a larger plan to restore historic library spaces in the new center.Other options suggested by students were a Global Community Scholarship, solar panels at the Hillcrest Environmental Center, landscaping the Axinn Center, a community service fund and a donation to the alumni fund. With 500 seniors voting on an online ballot, restoring the Reading Room won with 160 votes, followed closely by the Global Community Scholarship with 137 votes.The process of deciding the final six gift ideas was complicated. Gifts needed to be feasible in terms of funds and logistics. In addition, the gift could not cost the College any additional money to maintain it in the future. Ideas that did not meet the necessary criteria had to be axed. After substantial deliberation and many meetings, the ballot was prepared, and the majority of the votes went to the Reading Room restoration.The project includes restoring and refurbishing the early 20th century finishes on the coffered vault, grand fireplaces, dark woodwork and stenciled walls. The space will serve the College as a reading room and an atmospheric setting for smaller scale events.According to Senior Committee co-chair Sarah Carnabuci '08, this gift reflects "a desire among committee members, and I'm sure many students, to have something physical and tangible that our class could be remembered by."Remembering the past appears to be the theme of this particular gift. While the Class of 2008 never actually saw Starr Library in use during their time here, they appreciate the building's history."The Class of 2008 has been the first in 108 years to not see Starr Library in use, and will likely be the last for another century," said Senior Committee co-chair Philip Picotte '08. "It's important that seniors recognize the importance past Middlebury graduates affix to Starr Library, and how our Senior Class Gift supports restoration and future preservation of the College's architectural heritage."The gift of the Reading Room, therefore, holds a great deal of both historical and future significance for the senior class. For many, the gift is about recalling the College's beginnings as they conclude their time here.Gift Committee co-chair Liana Sideli '08.5 felt that "this gift is a way for the senior committee to acknowledge the historical roots of Middlebury College that are slowly disappearing from the built landscape as we create new buildings.""The idea of reconnecting with our historic past seems like a great legacy to leave for future classes, especially since evidence of our 200-plus years of history is lacking on campus in terms of architecture and physical reminders," said Carnabuci.Some students, however, had mixed feelings about the gift choice. According to Carnabuci, there were some concerns that the gift does not benefit the greater community. Others had different complaints."I had a difficult time choosing," wrote Picotte in an e-mail. "For some seniors, this historic preservation project is considered an egregious luxury item, and I understand their concerns."Despite scattered concerns, the gift choice was popular and most seniors felt that the restoration is in accordance with Middlebury's philosophy."The College's choice to restore this historic building rather than construct a brand new building is a testament to this institution's intelligent reuse of our existing architectural resources and wise use of our financial resources," Picotte wrote.Annual Giving Officer Heidi Webb estimates that the senior class will raise roughly $45,000 for the gift fund if they do not receive a match gift (which would match every student gift with an outside donation). Their goal is to beat last year's participation goal, which was a record 92 percent. However, Sideli wrote, "I don't think that the exact gift is as important as the idea that as a unified class we are giving back to our College."
(11/15/07 12:00am)
Author: Chi Zhang Blogger responds to Midd relationship debateThe College's recent discussion regarding a student-faculty relationship policy has made an appearance in DankProfessor, a blog by Barry Dank, emeritus professor of Sociology at California State University, Long Beach. With an academic specialization in sexual politics, in particular student-faculty relationships, Dank is devoted to "protecting the values of freedom of association and privacy on university campuses and beyond," and has "openly engaged in propinquitous dating" himself, according to his blog.In an entry dated Nov. 9, Dank responded to Tracy Himmel-Isham and Jon Isham's The Middlebury Campus op-ed ("Professor-student relationship policy needed at Middlebury"). Besides dismissing such policy attempts as over-protective, meddling and lacking in trust and respect, Dank also uses empirical evidence to counter the stereotypical stigma against student-faculty relationships."In the real world, many parents are delighted that their daughter has affiliated with a university professor," wrote Dank. "I personally have never met a parent who disapproved of my dating their daughter - being welcomed into their family was the norm."Junior wins prestigious Pickering fellowshipAlexander Hall '08.5 has been selected as a Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow, awarded by the United States Department of State. As a fellow, Hall will complete a Summer Institute Program in public policy and international affair, two summer internships and a master's degree in international studies, culminating in four-and-a-half years of service as a Foreign Service officer. The fellowship will also provide full funding for Hall's last two years at Middlebury College. An International Politics and Economics major from Stillwater, Minn., Hall is one of 20 new Pickering fellows for 2007. He was selected from more than 500 applicants, according to the Woodrow Wilson Institute, which administers the program for the State Department.Pickering fellows receive their foreign service assignments on completion of their master's programs. Hall said he is open to just about any assignment, but would be especially interested in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia or Central America.Library debuts fresh checkout technologyOccupying a prominent position on the circulation desk of the New Library, the silver device with infrared laser scanner, otherwise known as the self-service checkout machine, has become a familiar sight to most library-goers over the past few weeks. With instructions in English, German and Spanish, this recently-acquired device allows users to scan and desensitize library materials, and produces a receipt at the end of a transaction stating the due date of the checked-out items. The $15,000 addition to the routine circulation service is meant to provide library users with an alternative means of checking out library items. "It is an alternative for people who are in a hurry or who wish to maintain privacy in this small community," said Elin Waagen, circulation services manager. "But above all we just want to give people a choice."
(11/15/07 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] SkiingOver Thanksgiving recess, members of Middlebury's cross country ski team will go across the country to find snow, stopping in West Yellowstone, Mont., like it has in years past, to train alongside other top collegiate teams as well as the U.S. national team.This year, the focus of coach Andrew Gardner's team will not only be on northern notables UVM and Dartmouth - it will be on a national scope. "We have our sight set not just on the East, but on schools out West, like UD [University of Denver], schools we haven't beaten," said Gardner. While the Nordic skiers are training in Montana, the alpine team will be carving turns up Colorado mountain roads and then down the Copper Mountain and Loveland ski areas.With Andrew Wagner '09, co-captains Alec Tarberry '08 and Zeke Davisson '08 on the men's roster and Mattie Ford '09 and Dorothy Muirhead '08 returning for the women, both teams have retained their top-finishers from the NCAAs last year. "We have a large returning class of veterans and a lot of talent in the years below us," said Davisson. "We also have a promising freshman class, namely Jake Lund '11, coming right off the U.S. Ski team."-Jeff Patterson, Sports EditorIndoor TrackLed by Alexandra Krieg '09, the strongest suit of the women's indoor track team may be the long and middle distances, as Krieg returns as the NESCAC champion in the 10,000 meters. Kate Hirschboeck '08 (800m, 1500m) and Simone Weisman '09 (400m, 800m) provide veteran middle-distance depth that is supported by, among others, first-year phenom Kaitlynn Saldanha."She's coming in as one of our fastest 800 meter runners ever," said head coach Martin Beatty. He hopes Saldanhya can transition quickly to college competition, because the Panthers enter this year without last year's 800 meter national qualifier and NESCAC champion Beth Butler '07.Jen Brenes '09 and Anjuli Demers '10 are both multi-talented sprinters, Emer Feighery '09 is in the NESCAC's upper echelon in the pole vault and former All-NESCAC hammer thrower Jen Currie '08 returns from abroad to anchor the throwers.The men are also strongest in the distance events, and the key piece of that puzzle is yet again Jimmy Butcher '08, who will run the 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m."He's really our main guy this year," said Beatty, "and right behind him is Ian O'Reilly ['08]." O'Reilly earned his captainship last year through consistent leadership and significant drops in his times, as he became one of the conference's top-flight 800m runners.Labeling the class of 2011 "one of our most potential-laden ever," Beatty was very optimistic about the prospects of Kristoffer Williams '11, who joins a pole vaulting squad led by Pat Sedney '08. Darren Small '11, coming off a breakout first-year season as a football running back, will attempt to parlay that success into points in the sprinting events (100m, 200m), and Matt Engel '11 will do the same in the jumps (high jump, long jump).While every team wants to be competitive during the winter, Middlebury's group is firmly focused on reaching its peak in May, in time for the NESCAC outdoor championships and NCAA national meets. -Livingston Burgess, Staff WriterMen's HockeyFor the first time in four years, the Panthers finished their season last year with a loss and without a NCAA championship ring, but the expectations and goals are unchanged. "Winning a national championship is never really our ultimate goal," said head coach Bill Beaney. "We are more focused on becoming the best team we can be and making sure we enjoy the journey of the season. If you can focus on that aspect, you can become a pretty good team. The more you worry about the final game, the less likely you are to get there."With even more parity expected in the NESCAC this season, it will be imperative to embrace a one-game-at-a-time approach and not overlook any opponents, because league games will have major playoff implications. "Last year we learned that wins won't just come to us because we are wearing the Middlebury shirt," said co-captain Scott Bartlett '08.The graduating class of 2007 tallied 393 career points, won 96 of 121 games and captured three national championships, but losing talent and experience is a common experience for Middlebury hockey - in fact, it seems to be a consistent, yearly occurrence for one of the most dominant athletic teams in all of Division III athletics. Just as the team loses impact players each year, the Panthers bring in fresh legs and plenty of talent. This year, five new first-years will replace the successful class of 2007-Trevor Dodds '11 will wear Eric LaFreniere's '07 #19, Chaz Svoboda '11 will use #22 Evgeny Saidachev '07 old "sweater", Ken Suchoski '11 will try and fill the big skates and jersey (#28) of savvy defender Brett Shirreffs '07, Bryan Curran '11will try and match #29 John Sales' '07 offensive production and Michael Kretschmer '11 will take over Richie Fuld's '07 #34. "We're very excited about the freshman class," said Beaney. "They will add a lot of skill up front, and fill in some key positions in the back. Even though it's a small class, they will all play a significant role this year." They will be contributors, but only with the help of experienced players returning to the team. Middlebury has not one, but two of the best goalies in all of Division III who combined to make 1,570 saves last season. Additionally, both of last season's top scorers - captains Mickey Gilchrist '08 and Tom Maldonado '08 - return to the lineup joined by a host of terrific players with an extra year of experience now under their belt. Game to Watch: Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Bowdoin - a rematch of last year's NESCAC final.-James Kerrigan, Sports EditorWomen's HockeyAfter suffering a disappointing end to the season last year, the women's hockey team is "back with a vengeance," said forward Ashley Bairos '10, who scored nine goals in the 2006-2007 season, her first year on the team. Although Middlebury had won back-to-back NESCAC and back-to-back-to-back NCAA titles going into last year, head coach Bill Mandigo's squad fell just short in both championships last winter in devastating defeats to Amherst and then Plattsburgh State. This year, however, the women are determined to keep victory from slipping through their fingers again.While graduation took along with it the hockey team's two All-American athletes and six seniors total, the returning players are confident that this year's team will bring glory back to the women's hockey program.This year, Karen Levin '08, Margaret MacDonald '08 and Annmarie Cellino '09 will take over the captains' responsibilities. All three have the experience and leadership qualities for the job. In light of last year's unfortunate culmination, the spirit of competition has been particularly elevated this season as the players are itching to avenge their losses. With the cannot-get-much-closer scores of 2-1 in triple-overtime against the Lord Jeffs at last year's NESCAC championship and another 2-1 loss to the perennial rival Cardinals in the NCAA finals, the women are determined to reverse their luck."We're ready for both those games," said Bairos looking forward to the times the Panthers will face off against these opponents. Bairos believes that this year's eight promising first-year skaters, two of whom are goaltenders, will help revive the team and propel Middlebury to success.Defeat is almost unacceptable for a program as storied as Middebury, one that has become accustomed to its longstanding reputation as the best in Division III women's hockey. Accordingly, these players in the white-and-blue jerseys refuse to consider a potent
ial repeat of last season's disappointments this time around. Aware of their immense potential both as players and as a team, the women have been committed to making an impressive comeback, running extra laps around Kenyon Arena. Considering the fervor with which the women are entering the 2007-2008 season, students will not want to miss what promises to be an exciting winter for women's hockey.Games to Watch: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18 vs. Elmira and Plattsburgh State/Williams - Middlebury hosts the Panther Classic and may have a chance to get revenge on the Cardinals.-Emma Gardner, Staff WriterWomen's BasketballExperience is the word on everyone's mind as the 2007-2008 Middlebury women's basketball team returns to the court. Last year, the Panthers graduated only two seniors, and all five starters are returning to action this year. Leading scorer Emily Johnson '09 returns as a junior coming off an impressive sophomore year. Middlebury's three captains also return after getting extensive playing time last year. No doubt about it, Nelson Gymnasium will be alive with excitement if the Panthers meet expectations. "I am very excited about the upcoming season and have high expectations for this team," said head coach Noreen Pescock. "Not only do we return all five starters, we have six other returnees." The Panthers finished 12-13 after losing in the first round of the NESCAC tournament as the seventh seed. "Ask anyone on the team," said tri-captain Katie Fisher '08, "year after year we have talent and a solid work ethic - yet we always seem to under perform. Frustrated and tired of this outcome, we are ready for a different kind of women's basketball here at Middlebury." Fisher said the team has been working on its full court press extensively in practice. With 11 experienced players returning for action, Middlebury should be able to run with anyone in the conference."We definitely have strength in the depth of our bench this year," said tri-captain Lani Young '08. "We have a core group of returnees, as well as five new players, and we are in a position to sub a lot more than we have in years past. This will allow us to use our press and run the floor more, without worrying about people tiring out too quickly." Although the Panthers record was a game under .500, the team was close to breaking into the top echelon of NESCAC teams. The Panthers lost six games by six points or less last year and are looking to improve on handling themselves late in the game."A lot of our losses, particularly within the NESCAC, were within five or so points," said Young. "I think given our experience and the amount of talent we have returning, we should win more of the close games." The Panthers are anxious to get started with such hig expectations. The season gets underway on Nov. 17, but the first Panthers' home game is Nov. 27 against Castleton State.Game to watch: Friday, Feb. 8 vs. Tufts - the Jumbos beat Middlebury twice last season, the second coming in the NESCAC tournament. -Dan Stevens, Staff WriterMen's BasketballComing off its first winning season since 2002-03, the men's basketball team is looking to make it a habit. Coach Jeff Brown has taken the program from having a losing season (6-18) in 2004-05 to a .500 season (12-12) in 2005-06 to a winning season (15-10) in 2006-07, and is looking to continue the upward trend. The expectations are high for this year's team since only four players - only one of whom was a starter - graduated from last year's team. However, these losses will be felt by the team. "We will miss Evan [Thompson '07] most," co-captain Andrew Harris '08 said, "but Wil [Hyatt '07], Chris [Dowd '07] and Bobby [Marcoux '07] were important role players on our team. Wil was a good shooter, played good defense and moved really well without the ball. Chris took over at the point. And Bobby played good defense and rebounded well." Certainly, these four will be missed and the team will need some of the younger players to step up and contribute. Kyle Dudley '09 will be looking at a lot more playing time at the one and the two while Kevin Kelleher '10 will be doing the same at the three or four.More importantly, co-captain Mike Walsh '08 will need to step up and fill Evan's starting spot."We are looking to Walsh to come up big this year," said Harris. He plays good defense, guards the post players well and dishes out of the double team well. He will surely be making a major contribution."This year's team has the potential to have a good season. Ben Rudin '09 runs the point well and has another year of experience under his belt. Tim Edwards '9.5 is the defensive stopper who always plays the opponent's best perimeter player. Aaron Smith '09 is a strong post presence. Lastly, Harris will be playing the two and looking to score.Rudin, Edwards, Walsh, Harris and Smith will be a strong starting line-up. But there is also more depth on this team than the Panthers have had in the past. For these reasons, the Panthers should have an even better season than last year. Game to Watch: Friday, Jan. 25 vs. Amherst - the Lord Jeffs ended Middlebury's nine-game winning streak last season, and finished runner-up in the conference. -Andrew Schlegel, Staff WriterSquashMiddlebury squash welcomes new head coach John Illig to the women's and men's programs, bringing fresh enthusiasm and seeing "great potential for a very strong program" at Middlebury. Sally Hatfield '09, one of six returners, steps into the number one spot leading the women's team with co-captains Brooke Farquhar '08 and Eleanor Buechner '08. Currently abroad are juniors Caroline Woodworth and Avery Tilney who will join Brooke Beatt '10, Lee McKenna '10, Ashley Manicelli '10 and Abby Hoeschler '10 on the ladder. Both teams will feature talented first-years. Virginia Shannon and Brian Cady will likely play two for their respective teams. For the men, John Paul Sardi '09 will assume the top spot. Anchoring the group are senior co-captains Will Carroll '07.5 and Jesse Davidson '08. Gordon McMorris '08.5 will step into the number three spot upon return in January. The ladder will also feature Eliot Jia '10, Simon Keyes '10, Micah Wood '10 and Jack Lysohir '08.5.Game to watch: Monday, Jan. 14 vs. St. Lawrence - the Saints (17th) are the highest-ranked men's team to ever come to Middlebury.- Lise Rosenberger, Staff WriterSwimming & DivingAfter a successful 2006-2007 season, the Middlebury swim team seems ready to improve on last year's finish. Despite the loss of three perennial national competitors to graduation - Rob Collier '07, Tim Lux '07 and John Rayburn '07 - several first-year recruits are prepared to fill their shoes. Ryan Marklewitz '11 complements Guillermo Garcia '08 in the distance swimming department, adding to an already potent core of swimmers. The other new face is Matt Vulkich '11, a breaststroker whose performance in high school makes him an already-feared threat throughout the NESCAC. Two veterans expected to have big seasons are Schulyer Beeman '10, who placed 12th in last season's NESCAC championships and Kevin O'Rourke '09, who made nationals and has put up impressive preseason times. Peter Bell '08 had a very impressive performance in last year's conference championship, helping Middlebury secure a fourth place finish.On the women's team, an obvious superstar is the perennial power house Marika Ross '08. Last year, she was the national champion in the 200-yard Butterfly and was a major factor in the team's eighth-place national ranking. Additionally, she won three separate events at the NESCAC championships, breaking school, pool and NESCAC records in the 200 fly, the first leg of the 800-
yard freestyle relay and the 50-yard fly. Co-captain Sara Cowie '08 has traditionally been one of the hardest workers on the team and she will continue to lead by example. With seven first-years, her leadership abilities will have a profound impact on the future of the team. Katie Remington '10 finished off strong last season in NESCACs as well, with two individual second-place finishes and a first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Meet to watch: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8 and 9: Middlebury Invitational at the Natatorium.-Jake Cohen, Staff Writer
(11/15/07 12:00am)
Author: Rachael Jennings Middlebury students pay a hefty price - $46,910 a year, to be exact - for the privilege of their elite education. But does this initial investment actually appreciate in the long run?Steven Woodbury '75 addressed this concern last Thursday, Nov. 8, before an eager crowd of students and faculty that spilled into the aisles of the Warner Hemicycle. A Professor of Economics who earned his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, Woodbury utilized graphs, statistics and empirical evidence to answer the title question of his lecture: "Does it Pay to Attend an Elite College or University?"The speech was structured around three main sections. In the first, Woodbury used specific data to analyze trends in earnings among college graduates. One particularly telling graph plotted earnings against age, and revealed that the age-earnings profiles of American men in 2001 were much steeper and higher for those who were educated at more prestigious institutions. This is by no means a recent trend: in 1969, there existed a fifteen to twenty percent difference in wages between alumni from schools ranking in the lower quintiles and those from schools in the top quintile. Another major factor in wage earnings, Woodbury argued, is the degree of education that an individual's parents have received. Those who attend elite schools are often born to more educated parents than those who do not. Conclusively, the status and/or wealth of a person's parents can wield powerful influence over his or her ability to climb the rungs of elite institutions.??Woodbury explored possible explanations for these statistics in the second part of his lecture. He illustrated two main theories ≠- the Human Capital Theory and Spence's Signaling or Screening Hypothesis. The former suggests that education and training are investments that directly improve a worker's productivity. While the latter explains how education and training increase a person's productive capacity, which in turn increases his or her earnings. However, because it is almost impossible for a potential employer to evaluate the "productive capacity" of an applicant based solely on his or her academic credentials, the Signaling or Screening Hypothesis proposes that education actually adds nothing to productivity, but merely serves as a signal that a worker is innately more productive to a prospective boss.??Spence's model assumes that there are two varieties of workers ≠- the more productive worker, and the less productive. If no indication of this disparity exists, the employer pays them both the same wage of 1.5, an average of one (the deserved rate of the less productive worker) and two (that of the more productive worker).According to the model, the more "productive" worker (as determined by his or her elite college degree) might earn lifetime wages totaling two. However, one must subtract the cost (0.5) of his elitist education to determine his true wage of 1.5 - the same earnings he would have accumulated without his Ivy degree. The Spence model proves that he is no better off than his colleague.During the final phase of Woodbury's presentation, he offered counterevidence to support that graduates of elite schools do, in fact, earn more than those of lower-tiered schools, presenting research conducted by a number of noted economists. Dan Black and Jeffrey Kermit Danier have concluded that alumni from "competitive" schools earn about 15 percent more than those graduating from "less competitive" institutions, while those studying at the colleges deemed "most competitive" earn 22 percent more. Still, as researchers Dale and Krueger of Princeton University have deduced, there is little reward for attending an expensive and selective college. "It's not the school that has the magic touch," Krueger wrote. "It's the students."??Woodbury then referenced Carol Hymowitz of The Wall Street Journal who, in her article "Any College Will Do," reported that while 10 percent of the CEOs who lead the top 500 companies received undergraduate degrees from Ivy League colleges, more received their B.A.s from the University of Wisconsin than from Harvard.In the end, Woodbury established that what matters most is the work a student produces while in college - not the particular insignia on his or her diploma. He noted that graduates of elite schools do earn more, but they would have most likely earned the same amount without attending such a costly school. Prestigious colleges may help a student grow, but, they cannot, in the words of Woodbury, "turn a slug into a rabbit."??Furthermore, evidence actually shows that students matriculating to elite schools may have already developed a sufficiently high level of productivity to attain success in the working world. This data would suggest that a student's tuition would be put to equally good use if invested in a business venture, but Woodbury cautioned against chucking those bookbags just yet."Sounds like pretty dull stuff," Woodbury said. "I'll take four years of college. The social life is great!"??Many student listeners may have found Woodbury's message to be depressing and not fully appreciative of the intellectual and cultural benefits offered by a school like Middlebury, and he did acknowledge that those upsides cannot be properly reflected by scientific evidence. "Perhaps," he concluded, "we aren't asking the right questions."???????
(11/15/07 12:00am)
Author: Bryant Cobb GW student caught with swastikas in dorm room George Washington University first-year Sarah Marshak faces expulsion after being caught writing swastikas on her dorm door. University officials claim that Marshak was "dishonest" in statements she made to the University Police regarding the incident.Marshak's acts were captured on tape by a camera that had been placed near her dorm room by University police. Officials claim that the tape shows Marshak drawing five swastikas on her door. However, Marshak remains adamant that she only drew three.Marshak said that she drew the swastikas in order to highlight the University's slow response in dealing with a prior incident in which other students drew a swastika on her door."This was a definite cry for help on [Marshak's] part," said Robert Fishman, director of the University's Hillel society. "I can't imagine why anyone would do anything like this."-The GW HatchetProfessor considers run for Czech presidencyIn February, University of Michigan Professor Jan Svejnar could take a leave of absence to assume the presidency of the Czech Republic. Svejnar is the Everett E. Berg Professor of Business Administration and Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the university.Svejnar, who remains a Czech citizen and has continued to advise Czech politicians on economic issues, was asked to run by the centrist Green Party, which holds 2.5 percent of the seats in parliament. Svejnar is also supported by the leftist Social Democratic Party which controls 30 percent of the seats in parliament. In the Czech Republic, the president is elected by the parliament and not by direct election. But incumbent president Vaclav Klaus already has support from 40 senators, only one away from the margin needed for election. "As president of the Czech republic, [Svejnar's] main goal would be to enlist a team of people and to mobilize a consensus on returning the Czech Republic to being a leader of liberal democracy and economic power in Central Europe," said Middlebury College Frederick C. Dirks Professor of Political Science Michael Kraus.-The Michigan DailyBeer distributors cry foul over keg recyclingA Louisiana State University fraternity's efforts to help the environment by recycling beer kegs has come under fire. Beer distributers claim that the fraternity violated stolen property laws by selling the kegs to a scrap yard instead of giving the kegs back to wholesalers.Chuck Carr, vice president of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, explained the beer distributors' claims to the university's student newspaper."The keg remains the property of the brewer throughout," said Carr to The Daily Reville. According to Cody Brightwell, a member of the fraternity's recycling committee, the fraternity had made over $500 by selling the kegs to scrap yards. The fraternity initially found out about the beer distributor's objections to their practice when they went to the scrap yard and were told by the yard's owner that the beer distributor had told him not to purchase any used kegs from the fraternity.The fraternity believes that its actions caused more good than harm. However, the beer distribution industry loses an estimated $50 million a year due to the illegal selling and buying of kegs.-The Daily Reveille
(11/08/07 12:00am)
Author: H. Kay Merriman The preliminary groundwork on the new $11 million biomass facility on Old Chapel Road behind the Service Building has begun, according to project manager Tom McGinn. The biomass facility's construction has redirected both pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns, yet many students seem to be unaware as to what is being constructed."I thought they were just redoing the roads," said Emily Jones '10.Campus Sustainability Coordinator Jack Byrne acknowledged that publicity concerning the facility has waned significantly since the project's inception. "There was a flurry of news coverage, both local and national, for a few weeks after the decision was announced," said Byrne. "[The declining coverage] is probably due to the project shifting from a planning and design phase to construction start-up. Now that groundbreaking has occurred, it is much more visible."Despite the large presence of the construction work, many students seem generally uninformed about the facility."I had no idea what they were doing," said Will James '10.5."I feel like they didn't really inform the student body," said Molly Brister '10.5.According to Assistant Treasurer Thomas Corbin, the faculty-, staff- and student-comprised Carbon Reduction Working Group developed the idea for the biomass facility after examining the student-researched inventory of the College's carbon footprint and discovering that the College's biggest source of carbon emissions was generated by space heating. Construction began on the facility in July and much progress has been made since then, but the original completion goal of fall 2008 has been pushed back until December 2008. "We have started the underground utility work for the project and will be starting foundation work soon," said McGinn. "We are constructing an addition to the central heating and cooling plant to house the biomass boiler and related equipment." The goal of the biomass facility is to use an alternative process to produce energy. "The biomass plant will convert wood chips to a gas and burn the gas to make steam to produce electricity and heat the campus," Corbin said.Environmental groups on campus applauded the initiative. "The general opinion in Sunday Night Group (SNG) is supportive and excited, so long as the sourcing of wood chips is done in a responsible way," said SNG member Dan Kane '09.The College has hired a woodchip provider, but is still determining the best method for obtaining the wood."We have contracted with Cousineau Forest Products to provide us with our 20,000 tons of woodchips per year," said Byrne. "They will find suppliers for us within a 75-mile radius from a variety of suppliers in the region. We have discussed with them our preference for suppliers that incorporate sustainability practices in their management of the forests from which they are getting the wood." "We are also experimenting with growing our own fuel with short rotation crops of willows," said Corbin. This pilot project has obtained a 10-acre test plot of unused agricultural land and plans to plant willow shrubs there in the spring. If all goes well, the use of wood chips will generate employment and other economic opportunities in Addison County, as well as throughout Vermont in the renewable energy and agroforestry sectors. Currently, the College uses two million gallons of oil a year to heat buildings. The creation of the biomass facility in order to use an alternative energy source is projected to cut oil consumption in half. The Carbon Reduction Working Group sees many benefits to the reduction of oil use. Firstly, the global oil market as of late has been unreliable and oil prices have been unstable. The less dependent the College is on oil, the less subject it is to the changes and troubles in the oil market, according to the Group. Also, in order to use oil, the College must pay to transport the oil to Vermont, which is not only expensive, but also releases additional carbon emissions. Lastly, the College recognizes that oil is a nonrenewable resource that cannot be depended upon forever.The biomass facility project is intended to shift the dependence on foreign oil to a dependence on domestic, renewable wood. By using local wood, the College hopes to cut both shipping costs and carbon emissions. It is estimated that the use of the facility will reduce the College's carbon emissions by 12,500 metric tons a year. The College suspects that additional carbon dioxide levels will be reduced because of its initiative to expand wood chip use by planting more trees.The idea of burning wood chips to reduce carbon emissions may sound counterintuitive, but the gasification process, supplied by Chiptech, Inc. of Bristol and Williston, Vt., actually produces less pollution than the use of number six oil."The biomass facility will be cleaner than the current oil-based system," wrote SNG member Emily May '10 in an e-mail, "collecting the particulate matter from the burning of the fuel internally, and it will not release any SOx or NOx emissions."In addition to the apparent student support from SNG and other sources, the College administration has supported this initiative since its inception. "The trustees are very supportive of the sustainability effort here on campus and saw the need to be more diverse with our fuel supply," Corbin said. "Once the cost of wood chips and the cost of oil were comparable the plant was not hard to sell."The students that do know of the project and its goals also seem to be in favor of the additional steps in the overall trustee-approved plan which aims to make Middlebury carbon neutral by 2016. "It's an expensive initial investment that can eventually pay for itself," said Pier LaFarge '10.5. "A lot of big cities are going to biomass power.""All of the feedback I have received has been positive," Corbin said.
(11/01/07 12:00am)
Author: Melissa Marshall Dressed in a cozy fleece and exuding an even warmer demeanor, Kelsey Eichhorn '08 does not fit the picture of a hot shot director, but she has the credentials. Her film, "What I Do Has to be Great" won Best Documentary by a Student and Overall Best Student Film at this year's Vermont Film Festival in Burlington. The senior Film and Media Culture major was supposed to do a cultural documentary based on her semester abroad in Norway but changed her topic completely on her return, allowing herself only two months to come up with a new project. Eichhorn spoke with The Middlebury Campus about the challenges and rewards of creating her 500 level independent film work on dairy farmer John Putnam '79. The Middlebury Campus: What do you hope viewers will take away from "What I Do Has to be Great?" Did you have a specific message in mind during filming?Kelsey Eichhorn: The story really struck me because it's off the beaten path. John Putnam was originally a lawyer, but one day he looked at his boss, and was like, "That's not what I want to be when I'm 65." So he went to Switzerland, got a copper vat custom-made, bought a farm in Vermont and started making cheese. This theme of an alternative route is one that's emerging in my film work. There's this whole societal plan where people expect you to do certain things with an education from somewhere like Middlebury, and the idea of forsaking that and doing what you have to do to be happy is really interesting to me. When I start making a film, I definitely have a target audience in mind - someone that I'm speaking to. And that doesn't mean that the film won't appeal to someone outside of that, but there's always some kind of message that I'm trying to get through. I don't want to beat people over the head with it - it's not supposed to be didactic, but it is supposed to make people think. If I can have people leave the theater thinking, then I've done my job.TC: What was the biggest obstacle in terms of the creation of the film? Did you struggle more with the productional aspects or with the construction of thematic elements?KE: The weather didn't really cooperate last spring - it snowed late into the season, and I had to drive an hour and half through the Green Mountains. Travel and all the logistics of production were difficult, and I ended up having a lot less time to edit than I would have liked. But at the same time, the biggest challenge, if I had to choose one, was getting that message across. I knew why I was attracted to the story. It was because of the idea of being strong enough to make the choices that will make you happy, and not judging your own success against outside influences. It's about making success a personal thing rather than a public thing. And that really appealed to me, but it took me a long time to be able to articulate that. I was having difficulty structuring the film to convey that message. I ended up actually adding an inter-monologue piece to it. It's a biographical documentary in its simplest form, but then it's broken up by an inter-monologue poem of sorts. It tries to take the topic of cheese making and those decisions that John made throughout his life and really present them as decisions that we can all make as well. We can all say that we don't have to do what's expected, we can go our own way if it makes us happy. TC: How do students get their work to film festivals? KE: It's usually instigated by the professors. In terms of film festivals in general, the film department has a whole book of places where you can send your films too. I just got an e-mail from one of the professors asking me to send a copy of my work from last year. I actually didn't get to go to the festival - it was family weekend, my family was here, and I was taking them on a tour. I was just kinda like, "I probably won't win - my film's probably just filler." I just put it on the backburner. And then I got an e-mail Saturday morning, and I was absolutely floored. TC: What were the greatest challenges that you faced as a student director?KE: In terms of challenges and insecurities, doing film at a liberal arts school is always difficult - applying for internships over the summer is especially difficult. You're competing with students who are going to NYU film school - students who are graduating from Tisch School for the Arts. Those are the places where major Hollywood directors and producers come from. And we're in the middle of Vermont with a department that has roughly 22 senior majors and minors. We're small, we take an alternative route and I love it. I think it gives me a really good, rounded view of the industry, but at the same time I don't feel as comfortable in the production, technical aspects of it. For me, I make the films because I want them to be good, I want to send a message across, I want to do justice to my subjects, but at the same time it's more of an exercise for myself because I need the experience to be able to go out into the film industry. That's why I never really expected to win - I looked at it more as a learning process for me. TC: So is this a career path you would like to continue? KE: Definitely. I did an internship this summer with Barbara Kopple. She just did the Dixie Chicks documentary a couple of years ago and she's won a couple of Oscars - she's really well known. I did some editing stuff for her, and I actually was assistant editor for a documentary that's on the Disney Channel right now titled "The Music in You." It documents a bunch of kids in Texas doing "High School Musical" as their high school musical. I am going back to Cabin Creek Film in New York City after I graduate, I think. It's really difficult to get into the industry right now, and the fact that I got an offer to get back there is amazing. It's really nice security. Even though I don't have all the technical knowledge that someone from NYU may have, I can talk comfortably about film and directors - I know the history, I know the philosophy behind it.
(11/01/07 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] Open Mic Night at Carol's Hungry MindItching to hear some new music? Something that has not even hit Pitchfork.com or iTunes? Come check out Middlebury's own up-and-comers on the music scene at Carol's Hungry Mind, located at 94 Main St., on Thursday, Nov. 1, 7-9 p.m. Local teens in grades 7-12 will be performing everything from covers to their own compositions. The event, which is held in the basement of the cafÈ, is free and open to the public. For more information call 388-3910.Rummage Sales GaloreFor all those in the market for some savvy early holiday shopping, the Frog Hollow Craft School has you covered on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with their Seconds Sale and Garage Sale in Middlebury. The event ≠- which will feature pottery demonstrations, as well as the opportunity for visitors to try their hand on the wheel themselves - will benefit Frog Hollow's education program. Should this be insufficient to quench your thirst for bargains, follow it up with a trip to New Haven United Reformed Church on Route 7 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Nov. 1-3 for a so-called "Classy Rummage Sale," brimming with overstock from the Your Turn Consignment Shop. Repeats Nov. 2 and Nov. 3. Proceeds will benfit the Champlain Valley Christian School.Green Mountain Club HikeTime to lace up the ol' hiking boots! The Green Mountain Club will offer a moderate, five-mile round trip hike in the Bristol watershed area on Saturday, Nov. 3. The event is one of many in a continual flurry of backpacking adventure, hike-a-thons and bike tours staged to yank the daring into the throes of nature. Enjoy stunning scenic views as you support the 9,500+ member club in their pursuit to preserve the beauty of the Long Trail System for generations to come. McCardell at Marble WorksOn Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6:30-8 p.m., President Emeritus John M. McCardell, Jr. will host "A Response to Underage Drinking" at the Turningpoint Center in the Marble Works complex in Middlebury. The discussion is part of McCardell's "Choose Responsibility," a non-profit organization described on its Web site as intended "to stimulate informed and dispassionate public discussion about the presence of alcohol in American culture and to consider policies that will effectively empower young adults age 18 to 20 to make mature decisions about the place of alcohol in their own lives." (Presumably non-alcoholic) refreshments will be provided.
(10/18/07 12:00am)
Author: Tracy Himmel-Isham and Jon Isham In a recent article in The Campus, ("Council Weighs Relationship Ban"), Faculty Council member Amy Morsman reports, "Faculty Council has been crafting a policy which would prohibit professors from having amorous relationships with students."We say 'Bravo!' to Faculty Council for taking on this controversial issue, and we encourage them to take a strong stance. Hundreds of campuses across the United States have already adopted such a policy. Here's an example from University of Pennsylvania: "Consensual sexual relations between teacher and student can adversely affect the academic enterprise, distorting judgments or appearing to do so in the minds of others, and provide incentives or disincentives for student-faculty contact that are equally inappropriate. For these reasons, the University's policy prohibits sexual relations between a teacher and a student during the period of the teacher/student relationship." Furthermore, thousands of law firms, Fortune 500 companies and other organizations prohibit sexual relations between supervisor and supervisee. Like many members of our community, we believe Middlebury should adopt a comparable policy.Consider the negative effects when a professor and a student whom s/he supervises are engaged in a romantic and/or sexual relationship. Multiple conflicts are bound to arise because of the power differential. Fellow students are justified in questioning, "What has happened to the mutual trust in this classroom?" Departmental colleagues of the professor should ask: "How will this relationship affect our professional reputation?" And if the College turns a blind eye, parents of Middlebury students have the right to demand "What kind of a community is this?!" A good model for Middlebury is the "Statement on Consensual Relations" from Carleton College (adopted in 2002):The well-being of the learning and teaching community at Carleton College depends upon the existence of a relationship of trust, respect, and fairness between the faculty and the students. Romantic and/or sexual relations, even if consensual, between faculty members and their students (those whom they currently teach, advise, supervise, coach, or evaluate in any way) violate the integrity of the student/teacher relationship as described above. Such relations are therefore prohibited by the College and constitute grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.Because any romantic and/or sexual relationship between a faculty member and a student has the potential to jeopardize the quality of the academic or living environment of the community, the College strongly discourages such relations even if the faculty member does not currently hold a position of authority over the student. The College will therefore take appropriate disciplinary action (up to and including dismissal) should such a relationship be found to undermine the trust, respect, and fairness that are central to the success of Carleton's educational mission. This language gets it exactly right. Trusting, respectful and fair relationships between faculty and students are central to a college's academic mission. Indeed, the teacher-student relationship, as celebrated in the recent launch of the Middlebury Initiative, defines our community. Note that the Carleton policy does not - repeat, does not - forbid all sexual relationships between faculty member and student. Specifically, it acknowledges that some romantic and/or sexual relationships do not "undermine the trust, respect, and fairness that are central to the success of Carleton's educational mission." This is an essential part of such a policy. A respected colleague of ours recently told us: "I have been at Middlebury for a long time, and I have seen loving relationships develop between professors and students, relationships that have become strong, long-lasting marriages." At the same time, this colleague pulled no punches: "Of course, sexual relations between a faculty member and a student whom he or she currently supervises are indefensible."We wonder about those who might object to Middlebury adopting a version of Carleton's "Statement on Consensual Relations." Perhaps some might think that it violates a tenured faculty member's freedom of expression. But consider the following: if you are reading this article and somehow object to the Carleton Policy, then would you be willing to speak up for its converse?The well-being of the learning and teaching community at Middlebury College does not depend upon the existence of a relationship of trust, respect, and fairness between the faculty and the students.We encourage all members of our community ≠- students, faculty, staff, parents, alums, and trustees - to ask: "What kind of a community does Middlebury want to be?" Should our community dismiss sexual relationships between faculty and students as just one more privileged expression of academic freedom? Or, just as Carleton College did five years ago, should we declare support for "trust, respect and fairness" and therefore prohibit sexual relations between a professor and a student whom s/he supervises? Faculty council not only needs to take this issue seriously: they should recommend a policy that reflects the aspirations and moral integrity of our community.Tracy Himmel-Isham is the Assistant Director of Career Services. Jon Isham is the Luce Professor of International Environmental Economics.
(10/18/07 12:00am)
Author: Nicole Wyndham Stanford protests new Rumsfeld appointmentStudents and faculty at Stanford University have protested the appointment of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to a university think tank, the Hoover Institution. Professor Pamela Lee began an online petition after Rumsfeld's appointment this fall. The petition has so far gathered over 3,500 signatures, nearly 300 of which belong to professors across the disciplines. "Many of us believe," said Dr. Philip Zimbardo, professor emeritus of psychology, "that Donald Rumsfeld, in his role as Secretary of Defense, has behaved in ways that are dishonorable, disgraceful and always disingenuous.""We view the appointment as fundamentally incompatible with the ethical values of truthfulness, tolerance, disinterested inquiry, respect for national and international laws, and care for the opinions, property and lives of others to which Stanford is inalienably committed," read the petition.The University officially claims the appointment is within the rights of the Hoover Institution in spite of the controversy. Hoover's one-year appointment places Rumsfeld on a task force on terrorism and ideology as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow.-CNN.comAnger boils after noose discovered at Columbia Columbia University students found themselves enraged after a noose was discovered hanging on Teachers' College Professor Madonna Constantine's office door on Oct. 8.Students considered the incident a blatant act of racism against Constantine, who is African-American. In a meeting with University President Lee Bollinger, many of the school's student leaders accused the University of taking a weak stance against discrimination. One student said it is time to stop "placating us with statements or whatever silly things like that Ö [and to] reevaluate these past initiatives because they clearly have not prevented the events of this month."As police continued to search for a suspect, the University came together to protest such prejudiced sentiments by marching through the campus last Wednesday."I would like us to stay strong," Constantine told supporters at the Wednesday rally. "I would like the perpetrator to know that I will not be silent. Hanging a noose on my door reeks of cowardice on many, many levels."-Columbia Daily SpectatorFootball player to face rape charges at Penn St.Austin Scott, Pennsylvania State University running back, has been suspended after being charged with the rape of a female student. The incident has been connected to an event that occurred early in the morning on Oct. 5.Scott, 22, was charged with one felony count of both rape and sexual assault as well as two felony counts of aggravated indecent assault. Additionally, Scott was charged with three misdemeanors, including one count of simple assault and two counts of indecent assault.The incident was reported at 4:00 p.m. on Oct. 12 to University police. The report came a day before the University's game against Iowa State. Scott was prohibited from playing in both the Iowa State game as well as a game against the University of Wisconsin, due to an unspecified violation.Scott was released on $50,000 unsecured bail. Scott's hearing has been set for 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 17. -The Daily Collegian
(10/18/07 12:00am)
Author: Alexxa Gotthardt This year, the College's Arts Council, a group of Middlebury alumni and parents who have positions and resources in the arts, is kicking of a three-year pilot program to fund student internships in the arts. The council will distribute the funding in $500 parcels for Winter Term internships and up to $1,000 parcels for summer internships. Though these bundles might not fund an entire January in Los Angeles, or a full summer in New York, the Arts Council and the College's Committee on the Arts (COTA), hopes that the grants will "remove at least one obstacle for students interested in arts internships," said Senior Development Officer of College Advancement Susan Kavanagh. Twice a year, the Arts Council meets with COTA - a group of representatives from the Departments of History of Art and Architecture, Studio Art, Film and Media Culture, Dance and Theater, the Middlebury College Museum of Art (MCMA), the Mahaney Center for the Arts and the Performing Arts Series. This year, however, the selected project does not focus on one specific department or organization. Instead, the project spans all the academic departments represented by COTA with the goal, as explained by Director of the Arts Glenn Andres, "of making internships in the arts more available to students." A clear discrepancy between the funding available for internships in the arts and those, for example, in the financial or medical worlds in today's internship-heavy world is evident. Yet, thanks to the largely non-profit, non-corporation nature of professions in the arts, many museums, studios, theaters and dance companies cannot afford to pay their interns. College arts students are thus often bound to internships at home or must abandon the idea of an internship all together in favor of a paying job that might have little or nothing to do with their future aspirations. COTA's proposition of a project funding arts internships was met with enthusiasm by the 28 members of the Arts Council, who approved the three-year pilot program and have already met and surpassed their initial goal of a $21,000 grant. According to Kavanagh, the council has now amassed over $30,000 dollars. Students interested in the grants may send applications outlining their internship of choice to COTA, which will then consider the applications and select applicants on the basis of financial need and internship relevance. "In addition to financial need, selection is dependent on the quality of the internship," said Andres. "The internships are very open, they can be anywhere in the world and are only limited by the students' imaginations and their success at finding internships."The internship experience is an important one for many students in both building a resume and in forming an idea of an after-college career path. This can be especially true at a rural, small, liberal arts college such as Middlebury. "We also know that Middlebury, Vt., is a bit off the beaten path - we know that the art world operates in other centers and we want our students to be able to experience that in a first-hand sort of way," said Andres. Although the $500 and $1,000 dollar grants may not fund an entire internship experience, the Arts Council, COTA, Career Services Office and College Advancement hope that it will give students a head start, making internships possible where they were not before. "The idea is to reach as many students as possible," said Kavanagh. "We hope the grants will remove at least one obstacle for students interested in arts internships." The deadline for Winter Term internship grants is Oct. 26. Contact Susan Walker in the Career Services Office for application details.
(10/10/07 12:00am)
Author: Peter Baumann Stifling. Dominant. Overwhelming. The women's volleyball defense has been called many things this year, but perhaps understated sophomore libero Natalie DuPre describes it best when she calls the Panther defense "good, really good."Continuing the staunch defensive play that has been their calling card all year, the Panthers took two of three matches this week to run their record to an impressive 10-6. The Panthers opened the week with their first home loss of the year on Oct. 3 against Skidmore. Despite Skidmore's superior record going into the game, the Panthers gave the visiting Thoroughbreds all they could handle before falling 3-1. Middlebury struck first, forcing the visitors to commit nine errors en route to pulling out a 30-27 victory in the first game. Skidmore responded by winning their own close game in the second, hanging on to a 30-26 victory that evened things up. In the third game, the Thoroughbred offense seemed to solve Middlebury's defense, recording 19 kills to go along with only four errors. With the help of nine errors from the normally-reliable Middlebury hitters, Skidmore emerged from the third game with a 30-16 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match. Looking to rally their crowd and force a fifth game, the Middlebury defense returned to form in the fourth. The contest came down to the wire, but for the third time in four games Middlebury was unable to hold off a late charge and fell 30-26 to surrender the match 3-1. Defensively the Panthers were lead by DuPre who recorded a team-high 26 digs. On the offensive side, Lexie Fisher '08 enjoyed yet another dominant performance, finishing with eleven kills, equaling the total of Whitney Bean '10.5 who continues to impress in her first year. The Panthers doubled Skidmore's block total, finishing with eight to the Thoroughbreds' four, but even that was not enough to pull off the victory. The team took the floor again on Oct. 5 night, and having obviously put their tough loss behind them, delivered a 3-2 victory over Colby-Sawyer. Colby-Sawyer entered the contest with an impressive 16-1 record, but the Panthers showed that they had no intention of rolling over, opening play with a decisive 30-23 victory. Close scores were the norm for the match, as this seven-point differential would be the most either team would enjoy over the course of the five games. In the fifth and deciding game, Middlebury wrested the lead from the Chargers and posted a 15-12 victory, handing Colby-Sawyer only its second loss of the year. This exciting game set the stage for an Oct. 7 showdown against NESCAC rival Tufts. Riding an emotional high after its big win on Friday, Middlebury was unfazed by the Tufts crowds and left Medford, Mass. with a 3-1 win. Once again it was the defense leading the way, as five different players recorded more than 15 digs. Huge for league seeding, the win means that the Panthers enter this weekend's NESCAC quad at four games over .500 and in a good position to earn a high seed for the postseason tournament. The squad takes the floor next Friday on Oct. 12 for the NESCAC Quad at 6 p.m. in Pepin Gymnasium.
(10/10/07 12:00am)
Author: Hannah Wilson In true Vermont fashion, on the first Thursday in October, restaurants, co-ops and stores around Vermont donated some of their sales to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA). NOFA uses the money collected from Share the Harvest to help fund its Farm Share Program, which assists limited-income Vermonters in buying shares in Community Supported Agriculture (CFA) to help create a stable pattern of nutrition for the residents and a stable client base for the local farms. This year, 86 Vermont restaurants, co-ops and stores participated in Share the Harvest, including four restaurants in Middlebury - American Flatbread, the Middlebury Co-op, Green Peppers and Fire and Ice. The restaurants pledged to donate a percentage of the money they made on Oct. 4 to Share the Harvest. In 2006, Share the Harvest raised over $9,500, with 73 participants. Generally, somewhere between 75-100 businesses participate in the event. In exchange for their participation, the businesses receive publicity from Share the Harvest. "We have been participating since the beginning, almost a dozen years now, and always see an increase of 25 to 30 percent in sales on Share the Harvest," said Mark Perrin, manager of Green Peppers. "The fact that they publicize for us helps get the word out. We also see a lot of regular customers become more educated about the Farm Share Program. The program emphasizes neighbors helping neighbors and as a whole supports our business philosophy.""Planning the event is pretty smooth sailing," said Becca Weiss, Share the Harvest coordinator. "Share the Harvest is such a positive event that everyone is really into participating." This was Weiss' fifth year planning the event. She started planning the event in the spring by soliciting restaurants, creating a publicity list and sending out materials for the restaurants to promote the event."There are two categories of restaurants," said Weiss, "those that have been participating for over 10 years, who are very into it and whenever I call them they say 'Great! Okay!' and then every year I try to solicit new natural food restaurants and co-ops around Vermont. The new ones, after I explain Share the Harvest, always think it's a great idea, but may not always be able to participate due to economic constraints." In Addison County, there are four CFAs - the Arcadia Brook Farm, Champlain Orchards, Inc. Golden Russet Farm and New Leaf Organics. With these shares, families are then given access to the produce farmed locally for an entire season. Since its inception in 1994 the program has expanded from only three farms and a dozen families to its current support of 20 farms and over 100 families. Weiss noted that over 1,000 individuals will benefit from Share the Harvest this year, including a mix of teens, children and seniors. Participants begin receiving the produce in late June and the program continues through until the end of the fall harvest season in late October. The CFA program helps benefit both the local agriculture economy and provides the citizens of Vermont with better quality food. "[Share the Harvest] is one of the most positive events we put on," said Weiss. "I call it a win-win-win situation. Of course, it benefits the limited-income Vermonters, [and] it benefits the farms. They then can count on a certain number of shares per year and NOFA can help them plan their harvest, and it benefits NOFA by getting the ideas of NOFA out into the community." The effect on the local community is one of the reasons why Fire and Ice participated this year. "Share the Harvest caught our eye," said Cynthia Smith, owner of Fire and Ice, "it seemed very Vermont, very local and goes to the heart of the eat local, eat seasonal message that we are trying to support. It seemed like a unique, different fundraiser and we could see that all the funds were going to make a tangible difference." This message seems to be at the heart of Share the Harvest, which helped make the fundraising event that much more successful.
(10/10/07 12:00am)
Author: Mary Lane MacPherson When local artist Doug Lazarus first started holding major art shows in 1976, he had a little inkling that the major theme of his displays during the 21st century would be water.Lazarus, whose art gallery and studio, The Great Falls Fine Art Center is located in downtown Middlebury's Frog Hollow, has created exhibitions of the Hudson River, the Canals of Scotland and the Erie Canal. He is currently organizing "Champlain's Lake Rediscovered," an exhibition of artwork commemorating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Lake Champlain. "Since 2000, the theme that keeps showing up in my life is water," said Lazarus. "The first thing people notice about my gallery is that it's sitting right next to [Otter] Creek."The theme of waterways came into Lazarus' life unexpectedly, as a brainstormed idea during a lunch with an employee of the Lake Champlain Publishing Company in 1999. A friend had recently loaned him a 12-foot long scroll created by William Wade in 1846, a remarkably detailed work recording the river communities from New York to Albany. "It wasn't the river that attracted me, it was theÖunique novelty of the scroll," Lazarus pointed out. "I wasn't thinking I would be getting involved in waterways on and on."Lazarus traveled up and down the river on a lobster boat, taking around 500 photographs to work from. An exhibition of his 68 watercolors was held at the South Street Seaport Museum in Lower Manhattan, copies of which can be found in his book, Hudson River Journey: An Artist's Perspective. His Hudson River watercolors drew attention from the Waterways Trust of Scotland, which had recently finished refurbishing the Scottish Canals. Gail McCauley, the head of the Trust, thought it would be an interesting twist on the promotion if an American Artist were chosen. After traveling around Scotland, Lazarus put on a modest show of 20 paintings, which accurately depicted the equipment and architecture of the canals, but which took liberties with the scenery and setting. The larger exhibition was scheduled for Oct. 2001. As an artistic collaboration between Great Britain and the United States, the exhibition was scheduled to be shown at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park. "It was a very trumped up event. Sean Connery was even going to be there, Lazarus quipped while laughing. "I was going to make a lot of money that night." The events of Sept. 11, 2001, resulted in a downsized exhibition, however, and Lazarus was back to finding another project on which to work. Attracted by the beauty of the Erie Canal, Lazarus was commissioned by Fleet Bank in 2002 to create a display of artwork and footage of a trip along the canal. "I got eight or nine guys to travel with me on the water from Albany to Buffalo," said Lazarus. "I had a historian, videographer, engineer, chef and a mechanic." Once again, an impediment to Lazarus' lofty plans arose, as Fleet Bank went under and merged with Bank of America before the exhibition was put up. "The outside world kept stepping in with its huge impact," he said. The video project was shelved and Lazarus' works were all auctioned off at the Sheldon Museum in Sheldon, Vt. Continuing his artistic journey with water, Lazarus is now working with the Vermont Council of Arts to organize a juried show of fifty works by 50 artists commemorating the Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration. "We want as wide a variety of styles and approaches as we can come up with," said Lazarus, regarding the unusually large number of pieces. The Celebration serves not only as an opportunity for Lazarus to continue his work with waterways, this time as the driving force behind the creative work of others, but also as a promotion of Vermont's burgeoning assemblage of artists."This is going to be an announcement that Vermont has some very good artists within its borders," said Lazarus. "It's a prototype for announcing Vermont's art culture. We hope to change the perception that Vermont is just a place for folk art." Such an announcement will be heard not only in the U.S. but abroad as well. The exhibition will travel to New York, Boston, Washington, Montreal and a city in France, yet to be determined. Lazarus likens his painting waterways to water itself, which has at last flowed into Quadricentennial show. "There's always been this weaving of the same forces, but it's always water," said Lazarus. "The [locations for] the shows have always been closer and closer to home. It's sort of like Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz in that when you go back to your home you're going in the right direction." For Middlebury students, however, no journey through Oz is necessary. A short stroll down a red brick path will lead to Doug Lazarus and his water-inspired artwork.
(10/10/07 12:00am)
Author: Derek Schlickeisen Students who stopped by Saturday's Orange Crush concert in Kenyon Arena may have noticed ways in which the event differed from their usual weekend fare: uniformed catering staff served hot food to guests who at times found themselves mingling in the decked-out gymnasium with administrators, donors and members of the Board of Trustees. The revelers were in fact catching the tail end of an evening-long launch extravaganza for the College's five-year, $500 million fundraising effort, the "Middlebury Initiative." The day's festivities - following the theme of a "journey," complete with novelty passports for guests - included presentations on student life by organizations like the Sunday Night Group and the Riddim dance company, as well as a formal dinner at which speakers previewed where the school hopes its journey will end."We are on our way to becoming the first truly global liberal arts college," wrote President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz in the event passport. "Our new strategic plan is our road map, and the Middlebury Initiative is the vehicle that will take us there."The $500 million campaign represents not only a record-breaking fundraising commitment, but an attempt to re-brand the College and its many affiliated schools as a unified global entity. The effort comes at a time when Middlebury's rise in nationwide college rankings places the school in a bracket with institutions whose endowments more than double its own on a per-student basis."The Middlebury Initiative is about a communications and fundraising plan to help us reach the goals of the Strategic Plan," said Mike Schoenfeld, vice president for College Advancement. "There are many things in the strategic plan that do not require gift support, and those are part of the Middlebury Initiative as well. But our top priorities will absolutely require philanthropic support."Of the $500 million to be raised, $180 million will increase the endowment to support the gradual replacement of student loans with direct grants. Another $150 million will provide support for the salaries of 25 new faculty to keep down average class sizes and allow for more student-faculty research opportunities. The Strategic Plan identified the two goals as the most important for the College.The remaining $170 million will finance building and renovation on campus and provide for an "institutional flex fund" to pay for speakers, seminars and other unforeseen expenses.While the journey towards the $500 million mark may seem like a daunting one, the atmosphere at Saturday's kick-off dinner was not one of setting out, but rather of arrival. And the president and trustees did have something to celebrate - after three years of planning, the campaign has already secured 47 perecent of its goal at $234 million. Schoenfeld explained that major capital campaigns tend to hope for around 40 percent of their total by the time they are officially launched."The reason we had this event here at Middlebury is that it was really an insiders' celebration of how far we have already come," he said. "This was a family-style launch of the Initiative for those who have gotten us to this point in our planning, and in the incredible amount of money we have been able to raise so far."Rather than simply celebrating their fundraising work, however, those present for Saturday's festivities were also looking to mark what they hope will be the College's arrival at a new, higher level for a liberal arts institution. In her opening speech for the launch dinner, Class of 2007 salutatorian Astri von Arbin Ahlander '07 noted the "exceptional" nature of the College's many educational opportunities, and Liebowitz wrote in his passport remarks that Middlebury will "define the future for liberal arts colleges in an increasingly interconnected world."Yet together with the success so far in achieving the Initiative's financial goals have come signs that the re-branding portion of the campaign may prove more challenging. Despite the College's rising academic reputation and the strength of its affiliated schools, Liebowitz said in an e-mail that he believes the complete nature of what Middlebury has to offer is "not fully understood.""Despite about 150 Middlebury undergraduates going to the Language Schools each summer, how many students and faculty know that they award 175 M.A. degrees a year?" he asked. "Or that they are the most well-known part of the College around the world? How many know that the Bread Loaf School of English is the largest graduate English literature program in the country?"Linking the many respected institutions that comprise the greater Middlebury - from the C.V. Starr Schools Abroad to the Bread Loaf School to the Monterey Institute for International Studies - will, as Liebowitz acknowledged, require more work.Students at the College took issue with a part of that linking effort earlier this year when they snubbed an attempt to make the "Middlebury leaf" logo and its "Liberal Arts, Global Action" motto the official representation of the College. According to Vice President for Communications Michael McKenna, the logo in a single image attempted to represent Middlebury's "roots in Vermont and our strength in environmental affairs" and to symbolically point outwards "toward the four points of the compass, symbolizing [Middlebury's] aspirations to be the global liberal arts college for the 21st century."It never got the chance, however - at least not on the scale the College had hoped for when it announced the new image. After a Facebook protest and numerous e-mail complaints, the logo was applied only to materials printed for the Middlebury Initiative itself."The theme of 'Liberal Arts, Global Action' began to tell the story of the great ripple effect Middlebury creates in the world," McKenna explained at the time. "No logo ever defines an institution. It is up to what the institution is and does that gives meaning to the logo. The place defines what the graphic means, not the other way around. I think over time the Middlebury Leaf, always linked with the word Middlebury, would have become a symbol that people would have actually liked."Time will likely make clear whether the Initiative will represent merely a significant fundraising campaign or something more meaningful in terms of defining the school's place in the world. For now, however, the most measurable indicator of success will be the rate at which the College moves towards accomplishing the financial goals that will support the programs upon which its reputation is based. Schoenfeld spoke plainly of the need to hit the $500 million mark within the five-year timetable."The fundraising component of the Middlebury Initiative is a clear five-year goal, so we absolutely hope to have it raised by June 30, 2012," he said.
(10/10/07 12:00am)
Author: Kelly Janis On Oct. 6 and 7, the Robert E. Miller Expo Centre in Essex Junction, Vt. boasted the highest concentration of Navajo wedding sets, 19th century hand-cut doll dresses and vintage sewing machines for miles as it played host to the annual Champlain Valley Antiques Festival. The two-day event, sponsored by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce and named a Top 10 Fall Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, welcomed 175 dealers from throughout the Northeast to showcase their wares at the heavily-attended show, the largest of its kind in the state of Vermont."I just like doing it, even though it's a lot of work - loading, wrapping, all the time, continuously," said Stephen Renda of SJR Antiques as he stood in front of his meticulous display of early Japanese porcelain pottery. "A lot of times, you feel like a mover."Occasionally, all of this hustle and bustle takes its toll in the form of coveted items sustaining damage beyond repair. Renda attempts to take such setbacks in stride."It's just part of the business," he said. "You have to take the good with the bad."Fortunately for Renda, there has been plenty of good. Several years ago, the lucky sale of a single Irish table allowed him to remodel a substantial portion of his home.Renda equates a foray into the antiquing business with opening up an extensive library. "There's everything in everything category, so you never know what you're going to sell and what you're not going to sell," Renda said. "That's why I bring a huge display of different items, to try and draw more traffic."According to dealers, a practical value underlies their trade."Antiques are a good investment," said Robert Kelley of Century House Antiques & Toys in Alfred, N.Y. "You get your money out of them."Naturally, some venues yield more money than others. None of the sales imprinted most vividly on Kelley's mind - that is, the ones fetching sometimes as much as $8,000 in revenue - have taken place in New England. As a consequence, he was less-than-enthused by his surroundings, and his prospects for a profitable day."I don't know what we're doing here, to be honest," Kelley said. "We're a little strong for this kind of show. I mean, the show is a nice show and everything, but we have expensive stuff. And generally speaking, we haven't seen the clientele here to support that."Fortunately for penny-pinchers - and anyone else unwilling to spring for a 19th century rare rabbit form at the affordable low price of $4,500 - other dealers adopted a considerably more welcoming approach to finances."If somebody comes through and they only have five dollars to spend, I've got something for five dollars," said Jim Mazalewkski of Partners & Friends Antiques. "If they have $500 to spend, I've got something for $500. I try to meet all of the markets. Some people can't afford an awful lot, but they want to add to their collection. I love adding to people's collections."Alba Antiques's Sir Alasdair T. Munro - a distinctive presence at the show, given the Scottish kilt in which he was festively clad - employs a simple formula in determining which pieces will be suitable additions to his own collection."If it's Scottish, and I can lift it with one hand, and it's antique, I'll buy it," said Munro.Munro wrote the book on Scottish antiques Ö literally. His hardbound collectors' guide, aptly-titled Scottish Antiques, is the only full-length publication to focus specifically on merchandise from his native land. It was on display on Saturday, next to a wide array of what he deemed "all things Scottish" - everything from jewelry and swords to bottles and cans."It's been a good crowd so far this morning," Munro said. "Not a lot of people for us, though, because we're so specialized. Only one in 100 is a prospect for us, so we don't usually do as well as the general antiquers."Munro said that after more than 20 years of antiquing, it is "greed unfulfilled" which keeps him coming back for more.For Kathy Brangwynne of Country Cousins Antiques, it is "the fun of the hunt. You never know what you're going to find, and you're always learning something new."Growing up in a large family, Brangwynne did not own many toys, dolls and stuffed animals. Now, she is making up for lost time by buying and selling them."I didn't grow up with antiques," Brangwynne said. "I just developed a passion for them. It's a lot of fun, and you meet a lot of nice people."Brangwynne suspected that many individuals were intimidated by the prospect of a show such as the one in Essex Junction. "I know the word 'antique' is kind of scary sometimes, but people often don't realize what these shows have to offer until they get here," Brangwynee said. She noted that dealers are bound to have something to appeal to every taste, "whether it's an old postcard, a nice piece of linen or an old toy. And we give out free chocolate Hershey's Kisses, too."To this end, Brangwynee urged adventurousness."I encourage anyone to go to an antique show and just see what's there," Brangwynee said. "Maybe you'll get the antique bug."
(10/10/07 12:00am)
Author: Mary Lane Audio produced by Radio Arts Middlebury.While glancing over your half-yearly bill from the College, something may have caught your eye on one line item - the Student Activities Fee (SAF) jumped $120. This year's increase of the SAF to $360 has resulted in many benefits including cheaper concert tickets, more events and the introduction of the Social Flex Fund (SFF), according to SGA Finance Committee chairman AnnMarie Wesolowski '08. Although many students have voiced concern and dissent regarding the higher Student Activities Fee, it had not been raised by more than $10 for the past 10 years, said Wesolowski. "We sent out a survey to students which confirmed our decision," she said in a recent interview. The incorporation of Inter-Commons Council (ICC) into the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) - a decision finalized by last year's SGA Finance Committee chair Amanda Goodwin '07.5 - along with an increase in MCAB funds to $245,150 has allowed for more efficient organization of bigger name concerts, such as the Regina Spektor concert on Sept. 29. "In the past those tickets would have been about $20," said Wesolowski. "Due to the larger budget, we were able to cut ticket prices to $10."The SFF is another aspect of the expanded budget that the SGA and MCAB hope will bring a boost to the College's social scene. "The Flex Fund was designed to give students responsibility to create social events, as well as money to do it with," said MCAB Social Committee Chair Caitlin Taylor '08. The SFF has a budget of $20,000, from which students can receive up to $1,500 for each event, including the expense of registered alcohol. "While we want [each event] to be accessible to the whole student body, but it only needs to hold 200 people," said Taylor. "Everyone complains about the social life and now we have funds to help students take control of their social life and createÖparties that they've always wanted to have." However the new fund is not a student grab bag. Events which receive funding must not fall under the umbrella of another group at Middlebury. "Someone wanted funding for a student play, but we couldn't give it to them because they needed to go to a theater organization." Taylor explained. Patch Culbertson '08.5 received funds from the Flex Fund to create "Modapalooza," the official after party to the Regina Spektor show. The event's name was inspired by the senior housing modular home lot near the recycling center. During the party, every "mod" was open and in the quad between them, a live jazz band played."The SFF assisted immensely in running this fall's Modapalooza," Culbertson wrote in an e-mail to The Campus. "I love the new Social Flex Fund because it supports students investing in students." Taylor said "Modapalooza" is an example of the type of party that students should use funds for. "The Flex Fund could help if you wanted to hire a cheaper band for a smaller party with a style that isn't available here on campus," she said. Taylor herself is trying to liven up Middlebury's social life through the creation of a new formal dance. The Homecoming Tent Formal will be held under a heated tent on McCullough Lawn on Saturday, Oct. 27. Tickets for the formal can be purchased starting Oct. 17 through the Box Office, which can be accessed through the College Web site. "Besides Winter Carnival Ball, Middlebury just doesn't have enough formal parties," said Taylor. "I'm hoping that the beautiful tent, great food and drinks and fantastic music will make for a unique Middlebury party experience."The formal will feature alumni band The Grift, which will be playing "fun covers [that are] great dance music," Taylor described. Taylor wants the formal to have a classy atmosphere, complete with "white lights and flowers [and] hors d'oeurvresÖprepared by Middlebury Catering." Alcohol will be served for those over 21.The increased MCAB budget has also created synergy among the student entertainment groups. WRMC, the College's student-run radio station, not only keeps the airwaves full beaming from atop Proctor Dining Hall - they also bring smaller, independent musical acts to campus in their annual concert entitled "Sepomana.""The money situation is good," said WRMC General Manager Ernest Russell '09. "We currently have the opportunity to throw a concert in J-Term. We have two representatives on the new board, so we are pretty happy."Maybe you balked initially before writing the check for the SAF increase, but with initiatives like the Flex Fund, Middlebury hopes to ensure that the money is back in your hands.
(10/04/07 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] In an article published this Sunday in the New York Times Magazine, writer Andrew Delbanco asked, "What makes the modern university different from any other corporation?" Not much, the author concluded. Competing for global prestige and "brand-name positioning," more universities continue to look to teams of consultants and campus amenities to enhance their image and attract customers - that is to say, students. Here at Middlebury, amid the flurry of festivities accompanying the kick-off of our ambitious $500 million capital campaign, the institution looks less like the college it is and more like the corporation it could become. This appearance touches on students' anxiety about the changing face of their much-beloved institution. This is not to say that the College's fund raising blitz or attempts to raise its global profile are not laudable endeavors. Gleaming facilities, like McCardell Bicentennial Hall, the New Library and the soon-to-be-finished Axinn Center all add a dash of glam to our co-ed existence. The Middlebury Initiative's goals are equally worthy. The campaign, which could well be the largest capital campaign ever launched by a liberal arts college, is inspiring and bold. By implementing the goals of the Strategic Plan, most notably a lower student-faculty ratio, the Initiative will boost the College's reputation and the learning experience of its students. Warranted or not, though, students perceive a certain anxiety on campus that the new Middlebury - a place of high rankings, fierce competition, a relentless workload and dogged preoccupation with the prestige of the institution - will eclipse the College's underlying character. The Initiative is just the latest in a string of changes that seem to herald a new age for the College.Students are searching for reassurance that the changing face of the College will not alter what we love best about the school. Is our genial, laid-back institution - a place of both intense learning and good-natured play - a thing of the past? Has the quest for that oh-so-impressive endowment overshadowed the day-to-day business of learning? In spite of the crush of new faces on campus, are we accepting fewer of those archetypal "Midd-kids"? And in paying the applicant pool's most promising students extra attention, is the College mindlessly jockeying for a place at big kids' table? Perhaps. And yet we are confident in the College's ability to influence its community in ways distinct to Middlebury. The College remains a place that, by sheer force of its spirit, leaves an indelible impression on the students, faculty and staff who call this place home. The answer to rising anxiety about the changing face of the institution lies, we believe, in rooting the College's growth in this very home. In hosting the Initiative launch on campus, administrators have made the wise choice to include members of the community in this unprecedented event. The event could provide unprecedented access to trustees. Similarly, plans to bring potential donors directly to campus - which will, we hope, keep administrators more closely in tune with the day-to-day rhythms of the community - are also encouraging. The surest way to avoid the appearance of corporate schmoozing is to engage students on their own turf. Here, where students, professors and staff are busy at the business at the heart of the College's mission, that dreaded corporate sheen is a little less prominent. The best way to stave off student concerns is to include as many voices as possible in discussions about Middlebury's future. Students should take responsibility, too, for joining the fray. We hope we'll see students at Saturday's launch, and that the community will take this weekend as an opportunity to engage in candid discussions about what is undoubtedly an exciting, watershed moment in the College's history.
(09/26/07 12:00am)
Author: Chi Zhang From the trademark first-year name placards in upperclassmen hallways to a dining hall with slightly more ding, the considerable increase in student population has announced itself up front. The conspicuously larger student body has drawn attention to the admissions process, as well as raising such issues as housing and class size.The total College enrollment increased by 69 students from last year, while first-year enrollment leaped by 82, primarily due to an unexpected rise in the yield - the ratio of matriculated students over admitted students.Although projection models and trend studies do apply, Dean of Admissions Bob Clagett described "whims of adolescents" and other unpredictable factors in the algorithm of yield determination that may easily create uncertainties. This year's yield ended up two to three percentage points higher than the traditional 44 percent which has been consistent over the past few years. It may seem logical to have expected a higher yield in view of the College's increasing prominence, but this year's application pool improved both quantitatively and qualitatively, which led to a somewhat conservative projection of the yield. "A larger application pool only means that more students are applying to more colleges," said Clagett. "And with a high average SAT score, we expected more students to choose schools like Harvard, Yale and Princeton over Middlebury."But Middlebury has become more prospective students' first choice, as a result of which the College now hosts 645 first-years, 45 more than the target of 600."The yield is no longer a consideration in ranking," said Clagett, "but it speaks well for Middlebury - it reflects that Middlebury's emphasis on International Studies, Environmental Studies, the Languages and increasingly, the sciences, has resonated with students around the world. But we do need to be cautious when we do our projections for the spring."Clagett also speculated the effect of a lower student loan expectation on the yield. As outlined in the Strategic Plan, loan expectation this year was reduced from $4,000 per year to $1,500 per year, which could have been a strong pull factor for admitted students.Higher first-year enrollment is the most discernible, but by no means the only, factor contributing to the large student population. Compared to previous years, fewer students are taking leaves of absence, while a few more students came back from their leaves. These coincidental occurrences are hard to explain and harder to control."These are all small numbers," said John Emerson, secretary of the College. "But they add up."The combined effect of these factors is a student population that exceeded the target of 2,350 by about 90, which has undoubtedly put more pressure on facilities, especially housing.In response to the increased student body, the administration allowed a few more seniors to live off-campus than in previous years. To further relieve the housing situation, many campus lounges have been converted to dormitory space, both to the delight of current occupants as well as the disappointment of former frequent lounge patrons."My room has three windows and a nice view of the mountains. It's spacious and classy," said Rodrigo Seira '11, proud resident of a lounge on Hadley Hall. "My friends are all jealous of my room." Some first-years are also spilling over to what used to be upperclassmen halls. Prescott House, never before inhabited by first-years, now houses 10 of them, in addition to 20 upperclassmen. Clagett saw the potential for positive dynamics in this mix. "It is a way of enhancing a broader sense of College community not necessarily at the cost of class unity," said Clagett. "And upperclassmen may act as role models for the first-years." However, not everyone was enthusiastic about the situation. Joel Simpson '08 was apprehensive about housing freshmen in Prescott House. "Living with upperclassmen is fine, but Prescott is far, removed," said Simpson. "Some of them may love it there, but if I were a freshman, I personally would want to be closer to everybody else." While acknowledging the strain this large student body exerts, Dean of the College Tim Spears commented on the potential for enhanced dynamism with a populous campus."A larger campus population brings more student energy into the mix," wrote Spears in an e-mail. "In fact, I've been struck by the positive reaction that some students have to the higher enrollment, the possibility, for instance, that we might have more talented musicians on campus than we would if the first-year class was smaller." However, not all students echoed Spears' optimism. Merisha Enoe '08, for example, is concerned about the possible effects on the faculty-student ratio. "It is especially noticeable in first-year Chinese classes," said Enoe. "There are 66 first-year Chinese students, and individual attention is diluted."According to Director of Institutional Research Rebecca Brodigan, the faculty-student ratio may have changed marginally, but by and large stays at 9:1. There have also been efforts to open new class sections and additional First-Year Seminars.In contrast with the general hullabaloo surrounding the burgeoning student population, the first-years, who have not witnessed the College without them and hence have no experience to compare to, most naturally remain somewhat aloof to this change. "It's no big deal," said Seira and his friends."Some classes are a little crowded," said Robert Nicol '11. "But other than that, I don't feel anything special about being a member of a big class."to choose schools like Harvard, Yale and Princeton over Middlebury."But Middlebury has become more prospective students' first choice, as a result of which the College now hosts 645 first-years, 45 more than the target of 600."The yield is no longer a consideration in ranking," said Clagett, "but it speaks well for Middlebury - it reflects that Middlebury's emphasis on International Studies, Environmental Studies, the Languages and increasingly, the sciences, has resonated with students around the world. But we do need to be cautious when we do our projections for the spring."Clagett also speculated the effect of a lower student loan expectation on the yield. As outlined in the Strategic Plan, loan expectation this year was reduced from $4,000 per year to $1,500 per year, which could have been a strong pull factor for admitted students.Higher first-year enrollment is the most discernible, but by no means the only, factor contributing to the large student population. Compared to previous years, fewer students are taking leaves of absence, while a few more students came back from their leaves. These coincidental occurrences are hard to explain and harder to control."These are all small numbers," said John Emerson, secretary of the College. "But they add up."The combined effect of these factors is a student population that exceeded the target of 2,350 by about 90, which has undoubtedly put more pressure on facilities, especially housing.In response to the increased student body, the administration allowed a few more seniors to live off-campus than in previous years. To further relieve the housing situation, many campus lounges have been converted to dormitory space, both to the delight of current occupants as well as the disappointment of former frequent lounge patrons."My room has three windows and a nice view of the mountains. It's spacious and classy," said Rodrigo Seira '11, proud resident of a lounge on Hadley Hall. "My friends are all jealous of my room." Some first-years are also spilling over to what used to be upperclassmen halls. Prescott House, never before inhabited by first-years,
now houses 10 of them, in addition to 20 upperclassmen. Clagett saw the potential for positive dynamics in this mix. "It is a way of enhancing a broader sense of College community not necessarily at the cost of class unity," said Clagett. "And upperclassmen may act as role models for the first-years." However, not everyone was enthusiastic about the situation. Joel Simpson '08 was apprehensive about housing freshmen in Prescott House. "Living with upperclassmen is fine, but Prescott is far, removed," said Simpson. "Some of them may love it there, but if I were a freshman, I personally would want to be closer to everybody else." While acknowledging the strain this large student body exerts, Dean of the College Tim Spears commented on the potential for enhanced dynamism with a populous campus."A larger campus population brings more student energy into the mix," wrote Spears in an e-mail. "In fact, I've been struck by the positive reaction that some students have to the higher enrollment, the possibility, for instance, that we might have more talented musicians on campus than we would if the first-year class was smaller." However, not all students echoed Spears' optimism. Merisha Enoe '08, for example, is concerned about the possible effects on the faculty-student ratio. "It is especially noticeable in first-year Chinese classes," said Enoe. "There are 66 first-year Chinese students, and individual attention is diluted."According to Director of Institutional Research Rebecca Brodigan, the faculty-student ratio may have changed marginally, but by and large stays at 9:1. There have also been efforts to open new class sections and additional First-Year Seminars.In contrast with the general hullabaloo surrounding the burgeoning student population, the first-years, who have not witnessed the College without them and hence have no experience to compare to, most naturally remain somewhat aloof to this change. "It's no big deal," said Seira and his friends."Some classes are a little crowded," said Robert Nicol '11. "But other than that, I don't feel anything special about being a member of a big class."
