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(10/05/06 12:00am)
Author: Derek Schlickeisen The College's Board of Trustees met this past weekend to implement priorities adopted in last spring's Strategic Plan, including a capital campaign to support added faculty members and financial aid and the construction of a low-emissions power plant on campus. The annual retreat also included a ceremony on Saturday dedicating the Axinn '51 Center for Literary and Cultural Studies now under construction at Starr Library.In private meetings, the trustees focused their attention in part on a capital campaign to reduce the College's student-faculty ratio to 8:1. With each added professorship requiring $2.5 million in endowment to support, President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz said he and the trustees will now work to add about $80 million to the College's $830 million endowment to support the new faculty and other spending priorities. Despite the endowment's third straight year of strong market performance, the added faculty commitments pose a challenge that must be met by fundraising. "My job is basically set for the next five to six years," said Liebowitz.The College's decision last spring to increase financial aid grants adds to this financial burden: as resources permit, the Student Financial Services Office hopes to replace between $500 and $2,500 per year in student loans with direct grants in order to reduce the debt held by graduates. "Having greater debt influences one's decision whether to come to Middlebury or go to a school that offers packages with less debt," said Liebowitz. "It also influences what types of jobs and careers students choose after graduation. We don't want that to happen because students should be pursuing their passions."The Board also voted to go ahead with the construction of an $11 million biofuels facility that will reduce the College's carbon dioxide output to below 1990 levels by 2012. The facility, slated for completion in 2008, will use woodchips as its primary fuel source. Said Liebowitz, "We see this as a natural continuation on something the trustees have been involved with for the last two years, which is a commitment to a carbon reduction initiative."With the faculty, financial aid and environmental goals taking priority, a third goal identified in the spring Strategic Plan - the completion of new housing for Cook, Wonnacott and Brainerd Commons - will have to wait. While plans do not call for completion of the new residence halls until 2015, both Liebowitz and Student Government Association President Alex Stanton '07 emphasized that work on integrating the Commons into social life at the College is ongoing. Stanton said he and others in student government met with the trustees on Friday to stress the importance of student input in the process. "We discussed the evolving role of the Commons at Middlebury and presented our agendas to the trustees," he said.Board members and Liebowitz spent part of Saturday afternoon at a ceremony dedicating one of the College's current construction priorities, the Axinn '51 Center for Literary and Cultural Studies at Starr Library, to Donald Everett Axinn in recognition of his support of the new facility. Axinn, a successful businessman and recipient of an honorary Doctor of Letters from the College in 1989, funded most of the renovation work.In addition to the capital campaign, the trustees spent much of the weekend developing specific steps toward implementing the 82 individual recommendations in the Strategic Plan. John Emerson, secretary of the College and dean of planning, said that Old Chapel would try to ensure that every item receives due attention by assigning ultimate responsibility for each recommendation to a different individual on Liebowitz's senior staff."We promised in the plan to hold ourselves accountable to the community for [the Strategic plan's] implementation," said Emerson. "This means that we will provide regular progress reports, perhaps two or three times during each year." Of the 82 recommendations, two have already been implemented - the adoption of a new mission statement and the development of an academic ratings system for applicants to the College.In describing the ratings system, the Strategic Plan calls for the Admissions Office to take into account "more than standardized test scores - for example, rigor of the high school curriculum, unique intellectual intensity and talent, and willingness to engage in intellectual discourse going beyond that expected by one's coursework."Following the annual fall retreat for the College's Board of Trustees, the College will host trustees from the recently-affiliated Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in their annual meeting on Oct. 24. Nine months into the affiliation with MIIS, Liebowitz remained optimistic that the move has strengthened the College's reputation for languages and international studies."I don't think the world looks all that much at what most liberal arts colleges are doing," he said. "But in the area of languages and international studies, many are interested in what Middlebury is doing."
(10/05/06 12:00am)
Author: Steve Hauschka In perhaps their biggest victory ever, the Middlebury men's golf team finished out the weekend in dramatic fashion to win the annual NESCAC Championship. Hosted by Bowdoin College and played at scenic Brunswick Golf Club, this year's NESCAC Championship had enormous implications. With a redesigned format, the winner of the tournament now receives an automatic bid to the NCAA D-III national tournament. For the Panthers this win marks their first time to Nationals since 1969, when Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. The team will spend May 15-18 at the Prairie View Golf Club and Hawthorns Golf and Country Club in Indiana, facing the toughest competition in the country.After the first day of competition, the Panthers were tied for sixth place. The combined team score of 318 left the men nine strokes behind the leader and two time defending NESCAC champion Williams. Eight of the ten teams in the tournament were within ten strokes of the lead, a very tight field. Harrison Bane '08.5 said of Saturday's play, "As a team we weren't really prepared to play. We put a little too much pressure on ourselves because we knew what was riding on it." Though definitely still in the running, the Panthers needed something big to have a chance.Like the past several weekends, the golfers once again put up an incredible performance on Sunday by posting three 74s, carrying them to a tournament best of 300 to put them in a tie for first place with Trinity. The tiebreaking fifth-best score of 81 by Middlebury's Michael McCormick '09 beat out the fifth-best score of 84 for Trinity giving the Panthers their first NESCAC Championship since 1999. Bane had an incredible weekend, posting two 74s for a two day 148, which was the second best individual score behind Trinity's Reid Longley with 147. Bane also finished second in last year's NESCAC Championship. Following close behind for Middlebury was George Baumann '08 (80-74), Chad Bellmare '07 (84-74), Jay Yonamine '07 (88-78) and McCormick (80-81).Bane believed that a big part of the team's low scoring on Sunday was due to the pairings, which seemed to take some pressure off. After coming in sixth on Saturday, the Panthers teed it up with Amherst and Bowdoin before most scores were posted. This allowed the Panthers to play relaxed and within themselves whereas the "the top four teams were battling against each other." Holes number 10 through 15 on Sunday seemed to be the difference maker for the Panthers as everyone made it through even par. Bane remarked that, "other teams were feeling the pressure and crumbled. We played our own game and let everyone else make the mistakes." With the weather conditions less than ideal, the Panthers set out to make every putt and hope that it was enough. Bane noted that, "shooting three 74s in that tournament in those conditions is pretty unbelievable." Yonamine also contributed - after a triple bogey on the first hole, he grinded all day to shoot a solid 78. Of particular importance and exemplary of the team's strategy all weekend was the final hole of the final round. Bane said, "everyone made some really important puts coming down the stretch." Baumann found himself looking at a 30 foot downhill put that was difficult to keep on the green and required perfect judgment. He put it to within five feet and then drilled the ensuing side-hill slider. Bane rounded up the day for the Panthers on the 18th as he eyed his tough 40-foot putt. Bane rememberd, "I [had] to hit in with all the guys watching and rooting for me. I could tell by the looks on their faces that if I made the putt they were going to be happy." After a solid lag, Bane sunk the six-footer to secure a remarkable 300 for the day and a NESCAC Championship. Bane noted that, "the best thing about how we won was that it was as much as a team victory in golf as you can have - everyone's score counted."This was a huge achievement for the men and a continuation of stellar play completed over the last three weekends. Middlebury's two-day score of 618 beat out powerhouse Williams College, winner of five of the last six NESCAC Championships, by seven strokes. The Panthers' work is far from over this fall as they head to Hamilton to take on a difficult field that includes many of the top teams in the Northeast. The golf team ends the fall with the New England Golf Championship in late October. The remaining tournaments this fall and next spring will be important for the team as they prepare to play for a National Championship.
(09/21/06 12:00am)
Author: Aylie Baker "It was outside. 10 p.m. They were making beats, listening to the music, tapping the poles…that," smiles Morgane Richardson '08, "was hip hop." This past Friday, Richardson had a chance to lead a discussion which utilized the musical form of hip hop as a springboard through which to discuss larger, more poignant social issues. For Richardson, this symposium helped bring to the forefront what it means to be a woman of color today while simultaneously encouraging students to constantly question the media they are consuming. The clash between commercial hip hop and underground hip hop was a major focal point in the discussion Friday afternoon. Commercial hip hop - produced by Universal Studios and MGM in music videos and for popular culture - differs greatly from underground hip hop - the musical art form which doused the streets of Chicago and Harlem during the 80s and still lingers less prominently in the industry today. As was revealed in the dialogue, there exists a marked difference between the more material, degrading form of hip hop - which likens women to ATM machines, for example, in music videos, and the true, unadulterated hip hop - which Richardson eloquently described as a fusion of "art and culture."Due to the fact that they showed a great reverence for hip hop as a true art form, the student performances held on Friday night were very well-received. The performances, described Will Nash, Wonnacott Commons co-head and associate professor of American Studies, also marked an exciting fusion of academia and student extracurricular interests. Among the students participating in Friday's event was Sheyenne Brown '09. Brown danced alongside fellow Riddim World Dance members and also performed some of her poems. "Performing is what I enjoy most," gushed Brown, "be it acting, dancing [or] poetry."Yet in regards to the thematic nature of some hip hop music, Sheynne admitted that often times she is oblivious of the lyrics she is dancing to. "For me, dance is instinct, I just feel it and want to move to it." It is "when we stop to think about the music itself," she explained, "that we realize that there exist very destructive images." Perhaps this is why the Symposium hit home for so many students. As an art form that almost all of us are familiar with, examining hip hop critically offers particular insights into social stereotypes and objectification of both women and men.Indeed, explained Richardson, hip hop is becoming increasingly accessible to younger generations-whether it be on the radio or in music videos-and its messages are simultaneously growing more powerful. Richardson recalled her experience teaching modern dance to young girls this summer and in particular highlighted their great impressionability. Wincing slightly, she described how some of them interpreted good dance style to include removal of clothing and "shaking it." Such media images pervade even our college community- be it in the form of late-night dances to Madonna or posters promoting upcoming sporting events. We are all entitled to freedom of expression, she emphasized. It is when our identity begins to become muddled-contorted by media images-that we need to stop and evaluate ourselves and the media critically. In essence, stressed Richardson, the symposium encouraged students to question "where we draw the line between expression of who we are-identity, culture-and the result of what we've been seeing."
(09/21/06 12:00am)
Author: Emily Kilborn The recent hysteria over West Nile Virus (WNV) in the American media has been largely unfounded, and last week's sensationalist Middlebury Campus article ["Blood-thirsty bugs out of control"] was no exception.In truth, only 119 Americans died of WNV last year, out of a national population of around 300,000,000. That number is also expected to drop over the coming years as Americans build up immunity to the disease. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that only one in 150 infected people will get seriously ill, and only 3-15 percent of those will die, many of whom are elderly or immuno-compromised.If you have been bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, you probably don't even know it. According to CDC statistics, around 80 percent of people infected will experience no symptoms, and even if you are unlucky enough, as I was, to fall into the group of nearly 20 percent who develop West Nile Fever, you will probably assume you have an unpleasant case of the flu. In the seven years since WNV first showed up in New York City, the National Biological Information Structure reports that only 500 Americans have died. In fact, far more Americans die each year of common diseases such as chickenpox (CKP), asthma (AHA) and influenza (INF), all of which have highly effective means of prevention and/or treatment. In 2003 alone, the CDC reported that over 3000 Americans died of malnutrition. The proposed use of pesticides in Vermont's wetlands in order to control the mosquito population would be a proportional response only if these mosquitoes were transmitting something far more virulent, like malaria, yellow fever or dengue. In addition to the hazards of exposing Vermonters to large amounts of pesticides, the resulting drop in the mosquito population would have a devastating effect on our native bird, fish, snake, frog, and bat populations, all of which rely on mosquitoes for their survival. Instead of dousing Vermont's wetlands with $180,000 worth of pesticides - in order to allay the fears that articles like yours have provoked - our state government should invest its resources into efforts that could actually improve the lives of Vermonters.
(09/14/06 12:00am)
Author: Jeff Patterson Most college students have multiple credit cards and have guzzled multiple alcoholic beverages in a single sitting, but few can say they play multiple sports at the varsity level. At Middlebury College, however, 48 student athletes, not counting cross-country runners who participated on the track and field team, competed in at least two different sports last year. "As a student and with coaching I've always felt Middlebury has had an active student body, whether it is participating in varsity sports, intramural sports, or being a recreational skier," said athletic director (AD) Erin Quinn '86, who played football (captaining the team his senior year) and also coached the men's lacrosse and football teams before taking over as AD."Our league does not allow you to have a non-traditional season," said Quinn, which motivates athletes to play a different sport if they want to stay active. While D-I football teams have spring ball, Middlebury football players have baseball, last year eight football players also played baseball.For these athletes, this undertaking requires discipline, flexibility, and of course athletic ability. "It requires a commitment, and a sacrifice of one's free time and the control of one's own schedule," said Quinn. "You're locked up in terms of the time your sport practices." Popular paired sports included football with track and field and field hockey with lacrosse. Almost every sport the college offers boasts a player who plays on another team. For example, the center on the basketball team spent his spring throwing the discus and several cross country runners also cross-country skied."I was recruited for football, but I mentioned to the coaches that I played baseball, too," said John Lanahan '08. "I was told that Middlebury encouraged two-sport athletes and that I should definitely come out for the baseball team."Lanahan did in fact try out, and after hitting .395 and belting 7 homers last year, he will be the captain of the Middlebury Nine this spring.The College's flexibility for these flexible athletes is appealing to many application-filling students. "It's one of the good things about Division-III athletics," said Karen Levin '08, a golfer and hockey player. "I could have gone to a D-I hockey program [Dartmouth, Harvard or Yale], but I decided on Division-III so I could play both hockey and golf." Steve Hauschka '07 "planned on playing soccer at Middlebury, but walked on to the football team and walked on to the lacrosse team [instead]." For Lanahan, Levin and Hauschka it has been the ultimate one for two trade.John Sales '07, the Middlebury poster boy for multiple sport athletes will play soccer in the fall, hockey in the winter and lacrosse in the spring, just like he has during his previous three years here. When asked which smells the worst, Sales' soccer shinguards, hockey gloves, or lacrosse gloves, John replied, "Without a doubt hockey gloves… there's not much you can to do get rid of [the stench].""It's not a school where if you were a dominant soccer player and a mediocre lacrosse player, you could play both, so many of the sports are so strong," said Quinn. Still, Sales plays three. "I don't do anything spectacularly well," said Sales modestly. "There are always guys that are better [at each sport]." Good luck finding someone half as versatile as number 29."I really enjoy doing all three," said Sales, currently the only athlete at the College who plays three sports. "I came [to Middlebury] because it meant that I did not have to give up a sport, and I could keep playing all of them at a high level. It's a unique place. The coaches are more than willing to work with you. It would be a lot harder somewhere else."With as much talent as Sales has, it's no wonder coaches are willing to work. "[John] has a tremendous understanding of sports and spatial awareness," said 8-time NCAA champion hockey coach Bill Beaney. "He knows where every man on the ice, or field, is at all times and he is able to make good decisions. He's also very composed. He has scored so many big goals for us especially during the playoffs."Sales scored the game-winner in the 2005 NESCAC Hockey Championship and has tallied 9 career playoff hockey goals over the course of three years, all of which culminated in national championship titles. "Players look up to him," said Beaney. "He has that ability to make those players around him better. That's the greatest tribute."Are the vacations paid? "I'm definitely busiest during the month of November," said Sales. "It's the end of the soccer playoff stretch and my body feels pretty drained after all of that running. I take a couple of days off, but the hockey season picks up by Thanksgiving with the PrimeLink Shootout." November, Sales pointed out, is much tougher than the March transition from hockey to lacrosse, where he takes a break during spring break, so he can get the spring back in his step.Levin doesn't have much free time either. She plays on the number six ranked women's golf team in both the fall and spring, as well as hockey during the winter. Her hockey bag, she thinks, is a little bit heavier than her golf one, but both are filled with right-handed sticks. "It's hardest in the fall. I go to golf, then to hockey preseason. I have two practices a day," said Levin. She recalled being a little tired when she played in the Jekyll Island Invitational Golf Tournament last spring: "We won the [hockey] National Championship on Saturday, came back Saturday night, and I left with the golf team the next morning [for Jekyll Island, Ga.]. I didn't sleep that night, I'm not going to lie." Regardless, Levin shot an 80 on the final day.Despite the time commitment required, most multiple sport athletes agree that they are most productive during the season. "When I'm in season, that's when I get things done," said Lanahan. "You're forced to do [your homework] because you have a smaller time table."Steve Hauschka agrees: "As far as school work goes it helps me when I'm playing a sport," he said. "After practice I know that I have to get right to work. It's much different than J-term when I have free time and just waste the day away."Jokingly, Sales contemplated the possibility of playing a fourth sport: "I would want to play golf. I'm not good enough, but I'm working." And a fifth: "It would be really fun to play tennis too."
(09/14/06 12:00am)
Author: Joe Bergan and Aylie Baker Every summer, Middlebury College releases about 2000 freshly educated undergraduates into the summer sun, eagerly anticipating the coming months. Some spend these warm days by a pool, while others pack into a small Manhattan apartment to get a glimpse of the real world. However, there are many bold undergrads that dare to forgo the typical and venture into the extraordinary. "I wanted to take a trip that showed me somewhere else besides Middlebury, home and a big city," says Eric Hoest '07.5a junior Feb who aspired to spend his summer in an interesting way. After working and saving his money, Eric set out to ride his road bike all the way from Middlebury to his home in Menasha, Wisconsin. Armed with only a Felt road bike and a small trailor, he covered those parts of America that are taken for granted, or completely missed, on other long journeys. While some fly or take the interstate, Eric rode 80-100 miles a day over the small backroads of the American landscape. While Eric discovered America, Leah Bevis '09 was perhaps in the most opposite of places. Bevis spent the summer in Uganda volunteering for a non-profit organization called Outside the Dream, which funds children's education in Uganda, supporting 72 gifted children in their pursuit of education. Bevis led a writing workshop, where she met children from a variety of backgrounds. "Some of them were refugees from Rwanda…others were forced to work in the army or were orphans raising their families after their parents had died of AIDS," explained Bevis.What motivates these daring students? "I wanted a challenge, and I thought this would be perfect," said Hoest, who ate whatever the local flavor was. His trailer only contained the necessities - 25 pounds of gear consisting of two changes of clothes, a tent, sleeping bag and some tools. He ate at farm stands and grocery stores. Hoest showered "wherever [he] could."But Eric wasn't the only traveler. In addition to volunteering in Kampala, where the organization is based, Bevis also traveled to Gulu in the north of Uganda, where she had an opportunity to volunteer at the Invisible Children Organization. She also had a chance to volunteer in Rakai at an orphanage which is still in the beginning stages of its operation. "These trips are difficult to understand unless you've done one," explained Hoest. In Michigan, a road led him through public hunting grounds, where he was shot at, having been "mistaken for a deer." In Canada, he spent the night in a 1960's pop up trailer with a law professor and his wife. Overall, the trip was an "affirmation in humanity" for Hoest, who remarked "you learn how far you can push yourself, how you can survive on 25 pounds of gear and the compassion of others." Bevis also felt the human element. She met and befriended many children while in Uganda, and has chosen to sponsor Olee, a young boy who speaks 5 languages and is top of his class at his boarding school.According to Hoest and Bevis, it seems these trips have inspired more daring summers. Hoest is planning a cross country trip in the near future, while Bevis is also planning on returning to Uganda during J-term or this coming summer.Bevis will be selling batiks made by local Rakai artisans in the coming weeks. All proceeds will go to aid an orphanage she visited in Rakai. For more information regarding Bevis experience and the batiks she will be selling you can contact her at leahb@middlebury.edu.
(05/11/06 12:00am)
Author: Lisie Mehlman The Middlebury College Community Chorus lent spring fever a whole new meaning on Sunday afternoon during its annual Spring Concert. Inside a packed Mead Chapel, the Chorus performed many a soulful Gershwin tune and Brahms gypsy song, each extolling the beauty and newness of springtime. The Chorus was formed in the fall of 2003 when the Community Chorus and the College Choir combined to become the College Community Chorus, open to all singers without audition. To prepare for their concerts, members attend rehearsals twice weekly. According to Director of Choral Music and LIS Facilities and Policy Advisor Jeff Rehbach, the Chorus itself has its roots in the mid-19th century when the Middlebury Musical Institute was founded to prepare major choral works. Rehbach, who assumed the role of conductor in the spring of 2000 and directed the concert said, "I was delighted with the performance and the audience response. With nearly two dozen different pieces on the program that represented a variety of musical styles from the past two hundred years - some unaccompanied, others with different types of piano accompaniment from classical to jazz - the chorus was challenged to paint different musical colors throughout the hour-long program." Among these varied musical selections were the beautifully performed Scottish folk song Loch Lomand and the ever expressive Gershwin hit "Summertime." Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Chorus is its ability to bring the College's students, professors and faculty members together with members of the wider Middlebury community. Rehbach noted that he loved "the sense of community as 70 singers from ages 18 to 80 from the College - students, alumni, and staff, and people from many local communities (some from New York State, as well as Burlington and various Addison County towns) all come together to share in making music together." Middlebury College students revel in the fact that participation in the Chorus provides them with a course credit; however, they cite many other reasons for which their experience with the Chorus has been rewarding. Chorus member and student Alyson Bourne '07.5 explained, "It was so fun knowing that many of the community residents who sang with us had graduated from Middlebury and were still participating at the College. It just shows what a great place Middlebury really is! It was also nice receiving credit for a class that didn't involve sitting in a classroom taking extensive notes. There should be more of that at Middlebury - more varied participation." Joel Martinez '08 joined the Chorus this year because, having sung throughout high school, he felt the absence of music in his life in college. "The most fun part of singing with the chorus for me is rehearsing. The concert is really great, but I think the group made some of its best music during practice," he said. Dean of Ross Commons Jane Clookey said that she most enjoyed "learning the music, singing twice per week and taking Jeff's direction." While Martinez maintained that "'Dirait-on' and 'Loch Lomond' went especially well," another highlight of the concert was its featuring of Middlebury's famed diva and Twilight Artist in Resident Francois Clemmons. According to Rehbach said, "Clemmons joined us to tell us about Porgy and Bess and to join with us in singing excerpts from that opera. His experience in having sung the opera professionally, his insights into the style of the music and his joyful presence, along with that of jazz musician and teacher Dick Forman at the piano, provided wonderful vitality and excitement to our final rehearsals and performance!" Clemmons, it seems, had nearly forgotten about his experience with Porgy and Bess. "I was reminded by some of the audience that I had recorded Porgy & Bess in 1976 which was 30 years ago this year! That's a long time to be singing anything! At the time I only sang the tenor role of "Sportin' Life." Now I sing the music of Porgy, Crown, Jake, Bess, Serena and Clara as well. It's quite a change and very exciting," he said. He described his love of the Chorus, saying, "I like that I know so many members of the chorus. It's like making great music with friends."This sentiment is wholly reciprocated by the Chorus members who seem to have adored working with Clemmons - Clookey said that she works with him every chance she gets, and as Martinez commented, that "Francois is an incredible singer. His range and power are simply mind boggling. I think that he really made the Porgy and Bess pieces come alive. Working with him was also very fun. He came to rehearsal a few times and just showed us how to get the swing and rhythm which the Porgy pieces really need. At the same time he is very laid back; a real pleasure to work with in general." Bourne, summarizing her experience in the Chorus, said, "Participating in Community Chorus was great in many ways. Although we rehearsed twice a week for 3 to 4 hours, it was a great way to take a break from my work and to do something different." This impression was echoed by those filling the benches in Mead Chapel on Sunday. Sarah Shaikh '07.5, an audience member, remarked, "The concert was so fun because it was such a change of pace. It was fun to be there supporting friends and the people in the community. Mostly, though, it was great to just sit back and listen to quality music."
(05/11/06 12:00am)
Author: Sarah Shaikh As the rest of the student body prepares for exams and moving out for the summer, the seniors on campus are preparing for the commencement of their lives after college. As exams come to a close on May 23, the staff, faculty and students will prepare for senior week which concludes on Sunday, May 28 with commencement festivities, including the procession as well as speeches from Lauren Curatolo '06, the student speaker, and Ann Veneman, the commencement speaker. Chosen after an intense audition process by the Senior Committee, Lauren Curatolo is a Middlebury Posse 4 scholar from Bayside, N.Y. A Women's and Gender Studies major, Lauren is the president of Feminist Action at Middlebury (FAM), co-chair of the Senior Committee, and co-director of diversity for the Student Government Association. Curatolo is extremely excited about connecting with her peers as the student speaker: "I wanted my speech to be serious, thrilling, exciting and funny - reflective of our class spirit." She plans to focus her speech on the importance of relationships with an overall theme of civic service and giving back and thinks, "the most important message to send the Class of 2006 is that our time here has been inspiring and to not forget the relationships we have forged at Middlebury. Also, in my speech I ask my peers to embrace the fact that life is a process and that when we leave Midd we have a chance to start anew again. We must not forget to work for human rights. We have to continually affect positive change in this world and in ourselves. That is the overall message of my speech - to be proactive in our world."The commencement speaker for the Class of 2006 is Ann Veneman. Veneman is the executive director of UNICEF and a former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under the Bush Administration. In a March 16 article in The Middlebury Campus, President of the College Ronald D. Leibowitz stated that he was "looking for a speaker who would provide an important and relevant message to students who would be leaving the relatively protected confines of Middlebury to pursue various jobs, volunteer work and studies." However, after the news was released, The Campus received an opinions submission from a group of professors who felt that choosing Veneman "is inconsistent with the values of the College and with the values of most Vermonters. Those who applaud the College's efforts to support local farms, for example, will find her long association with agribusiness and genetically modified foods troubling, to say the least." Veneman's stance on globalization aside, many seniors feel that the choice does not represent them. One of the biggest issues plaguing the senior class about Veneman, is that is not a "big name." Henry Marshall '06.5 said, "I'm not thrilled about her, I feel the College could have gone bigger after Giuliani last year. The head of UNICEF doesn't seem as poignant." Similarly, Kimberly Hults '06 said, "Once a speaker is invited it is important that the community respect the invitee; however, that said I have talked with some teachers, who I really respect, and feel that based on what they have said and what I have read it seems that she was not the best choice." Curatolo agrees with her peers, but has concluded that regardless of "the big name," commencement will be special. "Personally," she said, "I would have loved to have someone like Barack Obama who is an exciting speaker and would have been extremely powerful. Veneman is not really a 'big name' and really only came to the spotlight during the mad cow disease frenzy. I think this is what bothers a lot of my peers. We were waiting for this huge 'name' and didn't get it. UNICEF ultimately does good work, so we shall see what happens." She continued, "Regardless of whether or not people agree with the speaker, it is going to be a really wonderful day. Ultimately, some people would have been disappointed with any speaker who was chosen. I am sure there are even some people who are saying "Lauren Curatolo? What?" All I know is that it is going to be a truly special day. People will remember graduation for a very long time."This year's commencement will be presenting six honorary degrees. Veneman will be receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters; by her side will be Dr. Robin Bell '80, Dr. Richard Hodes '75, and Alec Webb who will both be receiving honorary doctorates in Science, Senator James M. Jeffords (I-Vt.) will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, and Lihua Yu, the grandmother of senior Tara Vanacore, will awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters.
(05/11/06 12:00am)
Author: ARIELLE WEISMAN SPAIN - "Viejos verdes" is the Spanish way of saying dirty old men, of which there are many here in Spain. I have always marveled at the abundance of elderly people out and about on the city streets. You just don't see quite as many of them on the T in Boston or in university classes, (yes, they have even infiltrated my classes)! I initially assumed this difference had something to do with the fact that most Spanish families care for their grandparents at home rather than ship them off to nursing homes, as we tend to do in America. However, in my course on the social structure of Spain, I learned that their presence is because of the disproportionate ratio of youths to the elderly population. Spain has the lowest birthrate in the world, averaging, in many areas, less than one child per family. (I really pity that poor 7/9ths of a child born to some unlucky Galician family...) Spain also has one of the lowest mortality rates. This means that fewer people are being born and those that are born are living longer, now that they no longer have to endure civil warfare, hunger and dictatorships like their grandparents did. While in most countries the majority of the population is comprised of young people, Spain is teeming with old folk.Now all of this would be fine if it weren't for the viejos verdes. They are virtually everywhere. On the street corners calling out (very creative) pick-up lines to you, next to you on the metro, breathing down your neck in line at the supermarket. Hardly a day goes by without an encounter with at least one of them, and - if you are very unlucky - three or four. For the most part they are harmless ( and even if they were harmful, I'm pretty sure I can outrun a feeble 80-year-old man who walks with a cane and has smoked two packs a day for his entire life). It doesn't seem to bother my female Spanish friends at all, but I find it obnoxious. When they cross a certain line, I have a hard time just turning my head and ignoring their hollering. Or groping (that's the worst!). Or the awful kissing noises that disgusting old guy kept making at me all the way home on the bus last week. We were the only people left on the bus that night and, sadly, my iPod had run out of batteries. I heard a sucking noise from behind me. I turned my head slightly and noticed the elderly man. I figured he was probably rearranging his dentures. But no. He was making kissing noises. At me! I had to put up with him for 20 minutes. At the end of the line, I made a run for it and, luckily, escaped without further torment. I always have to ask myself: What would their wives do if they knew? And what, oh what, ever happened to the sweet, innocent grandparents I used to know?
(05/04/06 12:00am)
Author: Jake Cohen As the 2006 spring season comes to a close, the men's and women's golf teams have once again found success. Two weekends ago, the men's squad ran into trouble at Skidmore, only to rebound at Williams the following week. The ladies continued their remarkable season, winning both of their last two tournaments at Amherst and Williams. But this historic season, certainly the best in the program's history, concluded with a punishing blow from the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee.The women's team started the spring season in Jekyll Island, Ga. by finishing seventh of 21 teams spread across the nation. In their second and third of three tournaments, victory seemed inevitable as the Panthers hit with pinpoint accuracy and determination. At Amherst, Sally Hartman '06 and Captain Heather Gallagher '07 both shot 82 to take third overall, just two shots behind the lead. Karen Levin '08 and first-year sensation Julie Ellenberger followed suit with an 87 to capture 13th place, as the team captured the tournament.On April 30, the team was invited to Williams College to compete in the Northeast District Shootout. Once again, triumph seemed destined. Ellenberger led the team with a remarkable 74 on the first day, a new course record. Her 77 on the second day gave her the margin needed to win her first, and likely not last, tournament for the Panthers. Gallagher and Levin finished with 171 and 172, respectively, giving Middlebury three top-10 finishes in the shootout. One would think that two consecutive victories this spring season and two consecutive victories to end the 2005 fall season would separate a team from its competitors. Traditionally, the NCAA Selection Committee extends an invitation for the national competition to the two best teams in each region. As for the northeast region, Methodist University, an annual contender, received a bid. The final bid was the real prize for the winner of the Northeast Shootout, with regional juggernaughts Wellesley and Middlebury duking it out. Despite the Panther victory, the women were denied a bid.According to the Selection Committee, a "team" consists of at least five players. Therefore, the women's team did not qualify since they were only competed with four players. But competing with only four players is a remarkable feat - only the top four scores of each team are counted in a tournament - Middlebury proved dominant with literally no room for error. "To find out that we had earned the pick but were being denied an invitation based on a technicality was disheartening to say the least," said Hartman, who will not be rewarded in her final year of strong competition. "We felt it was an even greater accomplishment to have essentially qualified for the championship based on our skill level and track record. But unfortunately, the rule won't be overturned this year."The men's team was spared the frustration of technicalities this year. Rather, the frustration of inconsistent play from talented individuals plagued the outcome of the season. Performance at the Williams Invitation shed light on the future of the men's Panther squad. George Baumann '08 shot 74, one back from the leader, to clinch second place in the tournament. Sophomore Feb Harrison Bane shot a 79, followed by Jay Yonamine '06 (82), Michael McCormick '09 (84) and fellow sophomore Feb Jeff Patterson (88). But only three players on the team averaged below 80 between the spring and fall seasons. Bane, Baumann and Bellmare - the links' killer Bs - have struggled to find consistency. Bane's low score was a 72 this fall, whereas his best score this spring sat at 75. Bellmare's best spring score was a 76, though the majority of his rounds were in the 80s. Baumann only shot two rounds under 80, though one was a 74. Despite this capricious shooting, the team is optimistic for next year. "It was a tough spring for us," noted Bane. "We have our whole team returning next fall, all of whom have the talent to achieve our goals. It's a matter of grinding it out and working hard for our success." Spring struggles aside, one thing is for sure - watch out next fall, NESCAC. Middlebury is coming with a vengeance and an unshakable determination for success.
(05/04/06 12:00am)
Author: Caitlyn Olson Many Americans would still be in the dark about the Rwandan genocide had Hollywood failed to step in with the production of "Hotel Rwanda." It is a sad truth that many atrocious events in the world must be popularized before they become a household name. But having a million dollar budget and Don Cheadle is not the only way to alert people to genocide in Africa. There is a genocide crisis raging in Uganda and a few active Vermont college students are not only aware of the nightmare in North Africa, but they care enough about it to take action, even if they do not have Hollywood on their side.Last Saturday evening, Addison County Transit Resources (ACTR) transported 30 to 40 students from Middlebury to join approximately 100 others from St. Michael's and the University of Vermont for The Global Night Commute demonstration intended to raise awareness about the "invisible children" of Uganda, a term coined by Invisible Children Inc., the non-profit organization that planned Saturday's event. The name refers to the tens of thousands of Ugandan children living in the North who have either been abducted or are in danger of abduction by rebel forces.Since 1986, when Yoweri Museveni became president, the Ugandan government has made remarkable progress. Museveni is heralded by the international community as the new model for African leaders. Under his rule, Uganda has witnessed a drastic reduction of the spread of HIV/AIDS, economic growth and the establishment of peaceful resolutions with over a dozen insurgent groups. However, one rebellious faction remains active. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has terrorized the northern part of Uganda under the leadership of Joseph Kony since Museveni's inauguration two decades ago.While the political objectives of Kony and the LRA are vague, their tactics are horrifically clear. The organization is notorious for kidnapping children from local villages and forcing them into a life dictated by violence and destruction as a child soldier. The children, some as young as seven years old, are given one choice upon abduction, though the choice is a double-edged sword. They can choose to commit atrocities such as murdering their parents, or they can choose to suffer a horrific death. Somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 kids have been abducted to date, and the survivors currently comprise 80 percent of the army. Fearful of this nightmare becoming a reality, 20,000-30,000 children have taken to fleeing their homes each night to travel to safer places usually found in urban centers - sometimes a six mile journey each way.The Ugandan government has made an effort to offer another solution besides commuting nightly to sleep in the streets. They have set up internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, in which over 90 percent of the country's northern population is presently living. Unfortunately, conditions in the camps are widely regarded by humanitarian organizations as appalling. Sanitation and healthcare is almost non-existent, education is poor, overcrowding is a huge issue and government protection is so insufficient that the marauding LRA still represents a significant threat to the people inside.The founders of Invisible Children Inc., an organization dedicated to alerting the West to the Ugandan crisis, were stunned by the situation when they first visited the country some two years ago. Created by three young students from California universities, Invisible Children Inc. began when the founders traveled to Africa to make a documentary and returned to America with a film and a cause. Their documentary film, also called "Invisible Children", has helped spread the word about the plight of the Ugandan children across the United States and the world. Their sidekick organization has taken action with an education program, bracelet campaign, and now, the Global Night Commute world-wide demonstration.The nighttime demonstration, which took place in over 130 U.S. cities and in several other nations, was a collective effort by individuals, largely college students, who "commuted" from their homes to the streets in a show of solidarity with the Ugandan children who must make such journeys every night.Middlebury participants marched three miles from the Unitarian Church on Church Street to the St. Michael's campus. They were joined there by other commuters and spent the next hours engaging in several planned activities such as an art project and a letter-writing campaign to President George Bush and the Vermont senators.Ashley George, the Coordinator of Service-Learning at St. Michael's, and a number of St. Michael's students were reponsible for bringing the event to Burlington. Brigitte Frett '06 and Aakash Mohpal '09 were responsible for involving Middlebury students. Both schools had screened "Invisible Children" earlier in the year and were looking to act on the issues exposed in the film."I always feel like I didn't deserve to be born into my circumstances any more than a kid in Uganda deserves to be a child soldier," said Frett, president of the college's chapter of Amnesty International. "It's my duty - because I was born with a lot of power and privilege - to use them in a productive way. Human rights is one of the most core issues facing us today. It's really important to use your voice on behalf of those who don't have a voice to use."Frett was somewhat disappointed with the Middlebury turnout, as she had received confirmations from twice as many people as showed up, but described feeling touched by and proud of those who did participate. Regarding the event itself, everything ran smoothly and George thought it turned out to be "fun but also moving and educational."An interesting moment came when three women officials from the Ugandan government who happened to be making a visit to Vermont were given the microphone to speak. The first two kept their comments brief and punchy, accentuating them with smiles and cheers. However, the third woman, who called herself "Faith," went on for approximately 20 minutes with an oration about the power of prayer in which she called the situation in the North "cool"-"Everything is cool, people are settling back into their normal lives."Many students were upset and confused by her take on the state of affairs since it seemed to negate the entire Night Commute demonstration. Later in the evening, a young man who wishes to remain unidentified shared his personal experience in the IDP camps, from which he had just returned a week or two prior. He said his impression was that matters are far from "cool" and in fact are as appalling as ever. "I thought that it was a great learning experience for all of us to hear two sides of a story, because there always are two sides, and they were clearly very different. I think if anything it should have inspired people to really do some research about this," said George.The rest of the night consisted of a screening of "Invisible Children," socializing and lots of huddling together to stay warm in the cold night air. Everyone awoke with the sun and went their separate ways after a quick open-mike session. Middlebury students walked the three miles back to the church and the bus station and were dropped off by ACTR transit back on campus by 9:15 a.m. Participants seemed to have nothing by positive things to say about the demonstration.For those who missed the Commute but would like to get involved with this cause, Amnesty International will have an outdoor art and music festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Proctor Terrace that will feature a silent auction of donated student work to raise money for Invisible Children Inc.
(05/04/06 12:00am)
Author: By Thomas C. Drescher Event organizers and participants at Middlebury's third annual Relay for Life last weekend helped raise almost $200,000 to support the fight against cancer. The all-night event - celebrated as a success for the third straight year - is part of a nationwide fundraising campaign directed by the American Cancer Society. It was held from 3 p.m. on Friday to 9:30 on Saturday morning.Two years ago, Middlebury's first-ever Relay for Life garnered upwards of $80,000, and a second Relay in 2005 more than doubled that figure, pulling in $177,000. Last year's success prompted organizers to set a $200,000 cumulative fundraising target. "Relay has raised over $195,000 so far, and the money is still coming in," said Relay for Life 2006 Co-Chair Whitney Thomas '07. as emphasized that donations are still being accepted as the final figure approaches its $200,000 target.This year's Relay featured 949 registered walkers, with many unregistered participants turning out to help push the final attendance figure well over 1,200, according to an estimate offered by Thomas and other event organizers.Each registered team organized walking shifts to maintain a continuous march. College students, faculty, staff and members of the local community joined forces to form 78 registered teams, many of which featured curious names inspired by this year's theme, "Relay 2006, Saving the World From Cancer."Friday night's opening ceremonies featured moving speeches by Governor Jim Douglas and College President Ronald D. Liebowitz, and a number of other addresses by local community members who wished to share their experiences as patients and caregivers. They, along with other survivors and caregivers, were then invited to participate in a special "Luminaria Ceremony" featuring performances by the College's Chamber Singers and String Quartet.The ceremony was designed to honor the struggle of cancer victims and survivors and to promote awareness, according to Thomas. Luminaria, or candles placed in small paper bags, were purchased for $5 donations and used to light the track in honor of cancer victims and survivors. Additional luminaria were strategically placed on the nearby stadium bleachers to spell out the candle-lit word "HOPE.""Along with fundraising, the goal of Relay for Life is to provide a supportive environment and a healing service for anyone touched by cancer," said Relay For Life 2006 Co-Chair Lee Corbett '07 in an official College press release last week. "The relay gives us the opportunity to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer, give hope to those still fighting and honor those who have survived." Despite its potentially daunting time frame, Relay For Life featured a host of live entertainment options throughout the night, including performances by Riddim, Generation Today/Vermont (GT/VT) Breakers, and a capella groups the Mamajamas and the Miscords. Some of the night's more engaging components included numerous themed laps around the field - the "Silent Lap," the "Crazy Hat Lap" and the "Wedding Lap," among others - as well as a Hoola Hoop contest and two "Kids Hour" sessions orchestrated by Relay Youth Liaison Committee Chair Danielle Levine '07. A few fortunate participants won raffle items such as day passes for the Snow Bowl and Ralph Myhre Golf Course and a chocolate flower bouquet.Top individual fundraisers included Kristen Deane '06 ($5085), Maura Casey '07 ($3,995) and Assistant Professor of Biology Jeremy Ward ($3810), who also walked the third-highest number of laps (59)."Pirates of the Diamond," led by Casey and Ward, raised $10,305 to earn second place team honors. "Life Sciences" ran a close third with $10,191, and "The Ova Chicks," comprised mainly of College staffers and headed by CAOS/Academic Department Coordinator Renee Brown, raised an astounding $13,958. Speaking to Relay's success, Thomas said, "All of the participants involved - the volunteers, the Committee members, the speakers and the donors - came together for a common goal: helping to cure cancer. An event like this gives so much hope that a cure is in sight and that the lives of those currently battling the disease will improve. The money raised at this event was tremendous. It is encouraging to realize that a small school in the middle of Vermont can aid in the battle against one of the world's most common enemies and make such a huge difference in the process."
(04/27/06 12:00am)
Author: Rachel Durfee In a surprising success story, the Middlebury College United Way Campaign Committee raised $117,240 this year for the United Way of Addison County's annual campaign, exceeding its fundraising expectations. The heads of the College team - Programmer Analyst Liane Barrera, Dean of Advising and Assistant Professor of American Literature Karl Lindholm and Director of the Alliance for Civic Engagement Tiffany Sargent - were especially pleased with the impressive turnout, which marked a seven percent increase in dollars raised and an 11 percent increase in participation over last year. Said Barrera, "When we set our fundraising goal, we didn't know it would be the year of Katrina and the tsunami. People's giving capacity was being stretched, and to have increased our participation and donations despite all of that is an indication of people's willingness to help out with important causes." Bonnie McCardell, who co-chaired the 2005 committee along with her husband, President Emeritus John M. McCardell, Jr., is quoted on the Web site as saying, "This is nearly $80,000 over last year's total and will provide substantial new funds to the community. Of particular interest is that the amount designated to non-United Way agencies went down this year so the new dollars will really make a difference."The United Way Committee is made up of 292 College employees and the campaign is one of the only major fundraising efforts to reach across the entire campus. Barrera, who works with Library and Information Services, first became involved with the committee three years ago. She cites United Way as an agency that supports everyone within the county and beyond, and enjoys motivating others to actively get involved. "We have to support our community first," she said.Creative fundraising was done through raffles and an incentives drawing, with prizes provided by the Center for Fine Arts, the Snow Bowl, the Rikert Ski Touring Center, the Ralph Myhre Golf Course, MiddDining Services and the College Store, and a grand prize provided by Accent Travel. Overall, United Way of Addison County raised $717,328.06, about 2.5 percent more than originally aimed for. This year's fundraising efforts were made easier through the volunteer work of Chris Norris in ITS, who, along with Barrera, designed the College's United Way Campaign website and made online donations, primarily automatic payroll deductions, possible for the first time. Norris received special acknowledgement from United Way for his efforts.Attention was also given to increasing the number of participants. At the beginning of the year, all faculty and staff were notified by paper mail of the drive and then kept updated throughout the year via email to reduce paper waste. Said Barrera, "The emphasis is just on giving what you can. It is all appreciated, and whether big or small, you always feel a sense of satisfaction when you give."Founded in 1887, United Way is a national system of volunteers, benefactors and local charities that focus on helping their own communities. According to the website, "United Way's mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities." The organization aims to identify and address urgent and long-term problems in local communities as well as fundraise to make the needed improvements. The breadth of the system is impressive, boasting diverse partnerships with a multitude of people and organizations, such as schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations and the faith community. In 2004-05, United Way became the single largest private charity in the United States, raising $3.86 billion through the efforts of more than 1,350 local chapters.Key issues for United Way include education and youth development, strengthening families through counseling and awareness programs, improving access to health care and promoting economic independence.United Way of Addison County was established in 1968, and has committed itself "to funding human care service agencies that enrich the lives of those who live and work in the community." According to the website, serving as an umbrella organization puts the chapter in "a unique position to see what services are available, act as convener of organizations and be a leader in solving local problems." Upon donating, the giver may designate their money to any 501c agency, even if it is not on United Way's official list. Otherwise, a United Way committee of Addison county residents allocates donations to the twenty plus funded agencies listed on the website.Enthused by this year's positive response, the committee plans to increase donations and participation even more throughout 2006. Barrera said, "We have a really great team. This is something we appreciate the College staff and faculty supporting, and I am always pleased to find out how generous people are."
(04/27/06 12:00am)
Author: ARIELLE WEISMAN MADRID, Spain - Still preoccupied with 1985? Two-toned mullets, fuzzy woolen legwarmers, low-cut shirts that show off the shoulders and bra straps. What do all of these things have in common? Well I'll tell you. They are essentials of every Spaniard's wardrobe. In fact, some will go to great pains to ensure that they are all 80s from head to toe. Just recently my good friend Steph's Spanish roommate decided he couldn't wait for his mullet to grow naturally so he went out and bought himself one, in the form of hair extensions! They're not even the same color as his hair! No, it's not 1985. It's 2006, but one could swear that here on the Iberian Peninsula, 80s style is modern, not retro. It is impossible to spend the night out clubbing and not hear -- though I try hard - the countless punk rock bands from 20 years ago, nevermind Madonna's "Like a Prayer." Perhaps the Spaniards have somehow heard about the Middlebury tradition of taking off your (scoop-necked) shirt when this song comes on?As much as I have always despised 80s dressing and have tried my best to resist it, after eight months here in Madrid I have somehow learned to embrace it: big hoop earrings, tiny shrugs, velour sneakers, large flashy belts. I have it all. Except for the legwarmers. I refuse to go that far. You won't catch me dead in those.Since my arrival in September, I have been struggling to understand the 80s obsession. Although I myself am a child of the 80s, I think it's best we try to forget that decade ever happened. (Sorry, Orange Crush!) But here in Spain, I recently discovered that the 80s fixation is not arbitrary and in fact makes perfect sense given the political history of the country. For 40 years, Spain was subjected to the strict dictatorship of Francisco Franco, which regulated everything from religious practices and conjugal relationships to the national language. The three regional languages - Catalan, Basque and Gallego - were suppressed. Franco even regulated the clothes that people were allowed to wear - skirts only, girls! Franco's death in 1975 facilitated a much needed and long awaited cultural explosion of music, art, literature and yes, even fashion. Suddenly, Spaniards could do what they wanted, say what they wanted, and most importantly of all, wear what they wanted. Hello grunge! They consider the 80s a sort of glory decade and have since then worshipped it in every possible way.Part of integrating oneself into a new culture involves absorbing the fashion trends, however ridiculous they may seem at first. Though I must admit that I am still terrified of getting a haircut in a Spanish salon, no matter how nice the place looks, I've really gotten into dressing Spanish. I know that when I come home in August, I will surely bring some Iberian style along with me, though for the most part fashion here is aesthetic over functional, and sadly, I am fairly certain those stiletto heels won't survive a Middlebury winter. Bye-bye polar fleece!
(04/20/06 12:00am)
Author: Dina Magaril Cook Commons played host to the Special Olympics dance last Friday, April 14 in the Kirk Alumni Center. All of Cook commons as well as the rest of the Middlebury community were invited to attend the dance along with the Addison County Special Olympics team. This is the second time Cook has held this dance - a similar event was held last year.One of the organizers of the event, Cook Commons community service liaison Ashley Calkin '06 said the event's purpose was to "foster a relationship between College students and the local Special Olympics team." Co-Coordinator Lynn Gray '07 added, "The athletes don't have a lot of opportunities to get together as a large group, so the dance was a perfect opportunity for them to reunite. Also, it was a great way for College students to get to know some of the amazing people who live and work in the local community." Calkin also headed up the "Special Olympics Bingo Night," held this past fall. About 40 athletes and their family members and 15 volunteers from the College attended the event. Gray described the dance as successful because "it united College students and community members in an event where everyone seemed to be on an equal playing field." Those who attended described the dance floor as packed - students were laughing and limboing to the music. Among the night's highlight events was a performance by a group called "Can Do Dancers." The group brought an important message about tolerance and respect to the event. The troupe has been performing for elementary school students all over Addison County. Gray served as the dance's DJ, and she recalled the experience fondly and described the most popular requests as those for YMCA, Shania Twain, 80's rock, Backstreet boys and other well-known pop hits.The dance is set to become an annual Cook-sponsored event, as Cook Commons members who have previously participated in the event have developed a special bond with the Special Olympics team.
(04/13/06 12:00am)
Author: LISIE MEHLMAN Apple develops iTunes U for use at universitiesITunes U, a program that partners Apple with universities in order to help them distribute educational content via the Internet using an iTunes-inspired format, has been implemented at six universities nationwide and Apple is seeking to expand the program's usage on college campuses. University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Brown, Duke and Stanford are among six universities currently test piloting the program before its nationwide launch. While iPods are now ubiquitous on college campuses, the iTunes U program allows students the chance to use them for educational purposes. With iTunes U, students can review lectures with the use of headphones and can download audio-visual course material. It is Apple's hope that this program will make material both more accessible to and more appealing for students.Lynn Johnson, director of information technology at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, said that "Our students found that they couldn't take notes fast enough. They like being able to review over and over again. They like not having the pressure of having to get all the notes down in class, and instead they're able to concentrate on the content."Apple is currently discussing the expansion of its iTunes U program with several other colleges across the country. While Johnson noted that "People are really hopping onto this big time," and that "this has been extremely successful for us," but it remains to be seen if this program will become a phenomenon. Developments in Durham reveal no DNA matchOn Monday, Durham County District Attorney Michael B. Nifong reported that the female exotic dancer and North Carolina Central student who accused three male Duke lacrosse players of rape identified at least one of them from a photo montage last week. This new information was released just one day following the release of DNA testing results that failed to show any match from 46 lacrosse players on the woman's body or possessions. The female claims that she was assaulted on March 13 at an off-campus residence where she was hired to perform for the lacrosse players. Nifong explained that lack of DNA evidence "is the case in 75 to 80 percent of all sexual assaults" and that he still believes that assault occurred. Even without DNA evidence, Nifong said that anytime a sexual assault victim identifies an assailant, a trial should ensue. Lawyers representing the Duke lacrosse players, however, maintain that the lack of DNA evidence showed that the rape accusation is false. When Nifong spoke to 400 people at an informational meeting at North Carolina Central Monday, he ensured audience members that, "My presence here means this case is not going away." The Duke men's lacrosse team's season was officially canceled and the team's coach of 16 years resigned in response to a deragatory e-mail sent by the team's captain.
(04/13/06 12:00am)
Author: KATHRYN FLAGG AND LISIE MEHLMAN CSO sponsors resume collection for nonprofit sector employersCareer Services (CSO) will be conducting its first-ever Nonprofit Sector Resume Collection on April 19. This last collection will be the first to focus primarily on jobs in the nonprofit sector, although some jobs in the for-profit sector will also be included. There are currently 23 nonprofit jobs posted on CSO's Web site, however this figure might increase over the course of a week. The CSO press release explained that "Nonprofit job openings are hard to organize into resume collections, as nonprofit organizations generally hire only as-needed." The creation of this new resume collection demonstrates CSO's determination to provide support for those students interests in careers in the nonprofit industry. More information is available on Middlebury's Career Services Office website.Application numbers at the last two CSO resume collections have been markedly lower than previous years.VH1 'Best Week Ever' panelists to performCommentators and panelists from cable channel VH1's "Best Week Ever" show are slated to perform tomorrow at Middlebury College. Mike Britt, Aziz Ansari, Pete Holmes and Jessica St. Clair '98 will comment on this week's share of pop culture stories, mirroring the content of VH1's show. The show airs weekly and features a large cast of comedians who analyze the past week's developments in pop culture, entertainment and celebrity gossip. Following the format of other popular VH1 specials such as "I Love the 80s," combining comic wit and multimedia footage."Best Week Ever" weekly programming also includes segments such as "The Sizzler," a discussion of celebrity gossip, "The Express Lane," a fast-paced review of pop culture news and "In Case You Missed It," the week's best moments in television.Tomorrow's performance will take place in Pepin Gym at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $5 for Middlebury College Activity Board card holders, $10 for students, faculty and staff and $20 for the general public. Symposium on global feminism underway"Global Feminism," a symposium organized and run by three Middlebury student organizations, kicked off yesterday with an afternoon lecture and a "healing fire ceremony" to recognize women who have suffered at the hands of sexual violence. Last night's events culminated in a candlelight vigil held outside of Mead Chapel. The symposium, undertaken by coordinators from Middlebury College Women of Color, Feminist Action at Middlebury (FAM) and the College's chapter of Amnesty International, strives to present women's rights as human rights. The symposium also hopes to promote collaboration on campuses and in communities around the world, raising awareness and tackling issues that affect women.The symposium will run through Sunday and include a selection of lectures, discussions, a film and slam poetry, as well as a one-woman show. A complete calendar of events is available on the Middlebury College web site, though highlights include Staceyann Chin's slam poetry event tonight at 7 p.m. and Saturday evening's 7:30 p.m. cultural show. All events are free and open to the public.
(04/13/06 12:00am)
Author: Ian Schmertzler Driving while dirtyRussia has initiated a spring cleaning effort of sorts, denying dirty cars entrance to Moscow and levying a 50 ruble (~$1.80) fine on cars whose license plates are unwashed. Cars are required to be washed at designated car-washing stations, and violators are liable for a 500 to 1000 rubles fine. Said traffic police spokesman Vyacheslav Trubin, "It helps restore cleanliness standards after the winter… and it helps safety because a lot of cars' windows are dirty, and license plates are hard to read." The fine and banned entrance will remain enforced until May 10.-The Moscow Times, MoscowProdi wins electionRomano Prodi was declared the prime minister of Italy on Tuesday morning. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who had altered the laws organizing parliament in an effort to strengthen his power, has refused to concede defeat. The margin of victory in both branches of government --the senate and the lower chamber - was by only a few thousand votes. Berlusconi has been charged with corruption numerous times, resulting in a large slip in his popularity. Voter turnout was 83.6%, compared to 81.4% when Berlusconi was elected. -New York Times:, RomeLabor law revokedPrime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced in a televised address Monday that France's government had revoked CPE, the contentious youth labor law signed into effect less than a week ago. The labor law, which would have allowed employers to terminate younger employees without cause during their first two years of work, sparked protests throughout France. Villepin called for immediate dialogue to try to find another solution to exceptionally high unemployment levels among the youth of France, particularly in those areas afflicted by serious poverty riots last year. Villepin later stated during an interview that he did not intend to run for president in 2007.-Le Monde, ParisPush for democracyDespite three confirmed deaths and over 800 arrests as of Monday, pro-democracy protests in Nepal continued into the week without any signs of ceasing. Images shown by Western media outlets over the weekend included police shooting into crowds and beating protesters with batons, steel pipes and butts of rifles. In some situations, authorities resorted to throwing rocks and firing tear gas. Although the demonstrators remained peaceful for the most part, some protesters responded to police by hurling stones and bricks.-New York Times:, Katmandu, Nepal
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Author: KEVIN MOSS COME OUT! If you don't come out you've absorbed the message of those who hate us and you're doing exactly what they want you to do. Stop helping the homophobes! There's absolutely no excuse for anyone to be in the closet at Middlebury in 2006. You are protected by College policy, state law and an overwhelmingly supportive faculty, staff and student body. The only reason not to come out is internalized homophobia - buying the myth that the sky will fall if you come out. Most of these excuses are based on myth; your parents won't disown you and it won't kill your grandmother. Really, it won't. If you don't come out, on the other hand, it may very well kill you; those on the DL are much more likely to have unsafe sex. Closeted men are also much more likely to be involved in harassment (see the mayor of Spokane or the Catholic priests' scandal), so it's in society's interests for everyone to be out. I'm also tired of the "post-gay and avoiding labels" line. It's really just one more lame excuse to stay in the closet and buy into homophobia. You're not challenging the system, you're just hiding. But even coming out is only the first step - it's great, but it's hardly the great accomplishment it used to be. It took balls to come out at Middlebury in the 60s and even in the 80s. Not now. Being out should be taken for granted. GET EDUCATED! Once you're out, learn what being gay means. Learn some history. Read a book. There's no need for each new generation to reinvent the wheel. African-American students learn from their families what to expect. They also learn who Martin Luther King, Jr., was, who Rosa Parks was, who Frederick Douglass was, who got them where they are today. How many Middlebury students learned gay history from their parents? Maybe they took it in high school? How many Middlebury gay students know Harry Hay, Frank Kameny or even Larry Kramer before last month? The Daughters of Bilitis? What happened at Stonewall? If you're one of our language or International Studies students, do you know the gay culture of the country you study? Do gay students of French know Gide, Genet, Proust? Do gay German students learn about Hirschfeld and the gay rights movement? Do gay students of Spanish read Arenas and Puig and know all the films of Almodovar? These are things you could be learning about in college - if they're not taught, find out why. If there are courses, take them. Read some gay novels. At the very least, read the Advocate online. DO SOMETHING! Once you've learned something from history and literature, do something with your knowledge. The world we live in (even Middlebury and Vermont) needs work. We're still second-class citizens here: we're not allowed to apply the sacred words "marriage" and "divorce" to our unions. At 20 you may think this is not important, but consider this: Your girlfriend goes off to Italy or Russia and falls in love with a boy. She invites him here on a special visa; they get married; he gets citizenship; they stay together. If a boy from the States falls in love with a boy abroad, forget it. Why doesn't this annoy you? Just wait till it happens. How about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?" Our brilliant gay language students (trust me, there are more than one or two) are automatically disqualified. Does this policy serve anyone? Do you feel safer knowing that the military now takes high school dropouts with criminal records, but certainly not smart Middlebury language grads who happen to be gay. This absurd policy generated a protest of perhaps 10 students last year.AIDS is still a problem too, though you could always follow the official U.S. policy and choose abstinence while you wait for marriage to happen. Do something: write a letter, put on a play, find a vaccine, but do something!
(04/06/06 12:00am)
Author: James Dolan, Focus Editor As Middlebury ushers in a new era of preparing for the future, the need to take into account all aspects of the College becomes all the more acute. One oft-overlooked element of the College's operations that has received renewed interest thanks to the Strategic Planning Process is the summer programs at Middlebury, which often rival the undergraduate program in terms of quality and educational innovation. Together, the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, the Bread Loaf School of English and the Language Schools comprise a formidable trio of pedagogic excellence.Bread Loaf Writers' ConferenceThis year the 81st Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, the oldest of its kind in the nation, will take place from Aug. 16-27. Director of the Conference Michael Collier said, "The conference will follow the form it has taken for the last decade, which includes small workshops that meet frequently." He also emphasized that this strategy allows the faculty to focus mainly on the participants of the program. Collier is the acting director of the conference, author of five books of poems, a Pushcart Prize winner, and was Poet Laureate of Maryland from 2001-2004.Since 1996, the Writers' Conference has seen a 250 percent increase in the number of applicants from 600 to approximately 1500 people. Despite the significant rise in applicants, the number of students and faculty participating in the conference has risen only slightly, from 225 to 250. Even though the programs are mainly for graduate students, Middlebury does accept several Middlebury undergraduates into the program.The conference boasts the participation of many distinguished writers in the areas of poetry, fiction and non-fiction, all of whom will be teaching the small workshops at Middlebury's Bread Loaf campus. Each faculty member has an extensive background in writing. Ted Conover, for example, is a winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction, as well as a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Linda Beards, author of seven collections of poetry, including "Flights of the Harvest Mare" and "The Ghost Trio," has received four Pushcart Prizes and a variety of fellowships, including one from the Guggenheim Foundation. Ursula Hegi, another professor, is the author of six works of fiction, including "Stones from the River," a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award. They join a number of other distinguished writers participating in this year's conference.Bread Loaf School of EnglishThe Bread Loaf campus in Ripton is also the site of the Bread Loaf School of English. The Bread Loaf School of English opened in 1920 and offers graduate courses in literature for participating students. This year, a fifth Bread Loaf campus will open at the University of North Carolina in Asheville. After the opening of this campus, there will be a Bread Loaf campus located in each of the four quadrants of the United States. The other campuses are located in Juneau, Alaska; Santa Fe, N.M. and Oxford, England. Assistant Director of Bread Loaf School of English Admissions Sandy Legault, said that after opening Bread Loaf-Asheville, "We hope that Bread Loaf will be more convenient and more attractive to students in the South."The most recent Bread Loaf campus opened before Asheville was located in Guadalajara, Mexico. This campus was discontinued due to logistical reasons. Legault said they would like to find "a better fit for Bread Loaf, probably in another Mexican city."In addition to Bread Loaf's growth, the program is looking inward to improve the original campus on Bread Loaf Mountain. Administrators are working with Internet and Technology Services to enable wireless internet for students. This, Legault said, "is a huge improvement." Legault also said that renovations of several buildings are taking place.Enrollments for the Bread Loaf School of English have remained relatively steady in recent years. About 250 students enroll each year, making it the largest graduate English program in the country. It continues to be a selective graduate option for many students throughout the United States and abroad.Language SchoolsThe Bread Loaf campus is not the only active area of Middlebury during the summer. The main campus hosts Middlebury's numerous language programs. Summer Language Schools at Middlebury opened in 1915 with the introduction of the German School. Since then, the program has grown to include Arabic, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Portuguese was the most recent addition, added in 2003.The prospect of more language schools at Middlebury has been discussed in recent years. Directors of the program have considered many different languages for different reasons. Persian, Korean, Hebrew and Turkish are among the languages being considered, although new programs are not at the top of the agenda. Dean of Language Schools and Schools Abroad Michael Geisler said, "We are currently working at full capacity during the summer, with 1,300 students and faculty. This number may seem low, but you have to consider the 160-200 other student workers and researchers on campus." Housing for all of these people becomes an issue, especially since Language School faculty and families are also housed on campus. Currently, the Middlebury Language Schools are most focused on improving the language programs already in existence. For example, one such program is the International Cultural Studies Language Series, in which the entire community is invited to attend. In order to maintain the trademarked Language Pledge to speak only the language of the school, speakers are asked to do two presentations. The first is a main presentation in English for the community and a select number of graduate students. The second is in a foreign language and designed for the summer school students. "This approach allows the series to benefit both students, as well as the rest of the community," said Geisler.Middlebury students make up about 10 percent of the students enrolled at the Language Schools; however, applications come from all over. Last year, 4,391 people inquired about the Language Schools at Middlebury. According to Geisler, "Sometimes there are certain factors that keep people from applying, even though they want to attend. The program is expensive and it is also selective." Last year, 1,303 students enrolled, out of 2,297 applicants. Geisler also said that he believes they would see even more applicants if more students could afford to come. Tuition for the Language Schools ranges from $5,700 to $7,700, depending on whether a six-, seven- or nine-week program is desired.The recent affiliation of the Monterey Institute of International Studies with Middlebury has been a concern for some who argue that Monterey summer programs draw students away from Middlebury language programs and vice versa. Geisler admitted that, "At first I asked the question, 'Have we in fact affiliated ourselves with the competition?'" After some consideration, Geisler said, "Middlebury language programs really only lose a total of one to three students a year to Monterey." He said that the two schools' programs are very different. Middlebury has a total immersion program in which all areas of life involve the foreign language. Monterey is an intensive language program, but they do not practice the same "total immersion" strategy. Geisler said, "It's like comparing apples and oranges. It all depends on what the student wants. A student applying to Middlebury language programs usually doesn't apply to Monterey and one applying to Monterey usually doesn't apply to Middlebury."With three different programs focusing on either English or foreign language, Middlebury hopes to continue to build its reputation as a school that provides superior language education. Each of these programs have been around for more than 80 years and continue to evolve as the demands of each program change.-James Dolan, focus editor
