791 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(04/10/08 12:00am)
Author: Ariela Yomtovian "Let's talk about penises," said Assistant Professor of Theatre and Director of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata" Claudio Medeiros '90 as he discussed the play at a preview lunch this past Monday. Performed for the first time around 410 BCE, "Lysistrata" takes place in Athens during the Peloponnesian War. It is the story of a group of women, led by Lysistrata, who decide to go on a sex strike until a treaty of peace is signed between the Athenians and the Spartans to end the fighting. In simpler terms, "Lysistrata" is a "make love, not war" play, said Medeiros. This question of "how to approach the idea of war" has been a great challenge for Medeiros during the rehearsal process. Paralleling many of the same problems that face contemporary society, "Lysistrata" is a bold attempt to get people thinking about conflict and peace. Assembled with the assistance of Associate Professor of Classics Pavlos Sfyroeras, the two choruses guide the audience along in facilitating engagement with the play's serious as well as playful subject matter, while also encouraging interaction with the cast. The audience is a vital part of the performance as the cast frequently breaks down the fourth wall as they escort viewers through this battle of the sexes. Sfyroeras admitted that though "the chorus is the biggest challenge in the Greek comedy" it also forms "a crucial part of the production." Another difficult aspect of this play was costume designer Amanda Mitchell's '08 struggle with the creation of visual effective yet not offensive "penis costumes," and the fitting and construction of masks for the chorus. Not only intricate in construction, the masks also manifest the complex relationship faced by chorus leaders Rishhabh Kashyap '08 and Justine Katzenbach '08 in finding a balance between being one person as well as being part of unified group.The distinctive language of Lysistrata also adds an additional element to this play, making it stand out from other performances that have taken place at the College. According to Willie Orbison '08, who plays the role of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the show is "full of alliteration and tongue twister after tongue twister."Lysistrata will be performed in the Seeler Studio Theatre Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Though all five shows are sold out, Medeiros does not want anyone to be discouraged from coming. By calling on the day of the performance or placing your name on a waiting list, persistence will get you in to what seems like a one-of-a-kind performance.
(03/20/08 12:00am)
Author: Brian Fung & Anthony Adragna Police employ helicopter in search for Garza, several leads dead endMembers of the Middlebury Police Department (MPD) used a helicopter to conduct an aerial search of the local area including Otter Creek on March 18 in the latest in a series of measures to locate missing student Nick Garza '11.The move came after a suggestion from a representative from Texas-based EquuSearch."I'm lured to the water because that's where we usually end up having a majority of them and you have a really wild river here in Otter Creek that has a lot of water in it," EquuSearch volunteer Gary Peterson said in an interview with WCAX. Canine search crews examined the campus on March 16 for any signs of Garza, although no new leads emerged. The crews came from Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue.Last week, a private investigator hired by the Garza family completed his inquiry into the disappearance with no new information for the MPD. Additionally, the search last week discovered an unregistered sex offender living in the area. "Elvin L. Williamson, age 41, was arrested today on a charge of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender in the State of Vermont," a MPD press release said. "Mr. Williamson is wanted in Florida for violating that state's sex offender registration law. Florida authorities will not extradite him. He is classified by the State of Florida as a Sexual Predator. His prior record involves sexual activity with young children."Authorities determined there was no connection between Williamson and the Garza disappearance. MPD reported interviewing two people who were on campus during February break with no discernable connection to the College. The agency later found the two had no relevant information to the case. "America's Most Wanted," a long-time television show that airs on Fox, featured the Garza case on its Web site and could profile the case in future episodes. "The Lineup," another Fox program, interviewed Garza's mother, Natalie, for a recent program. Anyone with relevant information to the case should contact the MPD immediately. Nick Garza was last seen on Feb. 5 at around 11:00 p.m. He has not been seen since that time. The College will continue to provide students with updates. Congressman revives recruitment debateU.S. Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) spoke to students yesterday in a lecture that described current efforts to combat workplace discrimination, with special emphasis on the U.S.'s policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which seeks to prohibit openly gay individuals from serving in the military.The congressman's anti-discriminatory message could be lost on students already sympathetic to Andrews' cause, predicted Ryan Tauriainen '08.5, co-president of the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance (MOQA), in an e-mail prior to the lecture. "This meeting might be frustrating in the fact that it will be, once again, 'preaching to the choir,'" wrote Tauriainen. "However, it is exciting nonetheless because he is a U.S. congressman who can effect real change in our country."Andrews' visit follows a brief incident last November in which students protesting against the policy called for an open meeting with U.S. Marine Corps representatives The College received some $1.8 million in federal funding in 2005 as a result of allowing the Corps access to students.As one of eight other co-sponsors of a 2007 bill to fight workplace inequality based on sexual orientation, Andrews has collaborated extensively with others on the issue. Though the legislation - or its equivalent - has yet to be passed by the Senate, Tauriainen expects the lawmaker to increase pressure on Capitol Hill on behalf of homosexuals in the coming months.Hunt '07.5 wins Watson Fellowship to study urban subterranean spaces Will Hunt '07.5 was awarded a coveted Watson Fellowship on March 14, which will support a year's worth of post-graduate research on what Hunt called "urban subterranean spaces."Hunt proposal will take him to numerous underground sites accross Wesern and Central Europe."I'll be going to Paris to explore the catacombs, then to this underground arts festival in Amsterdam, literally underground," said Hunt in an interview by phone. After Berlin's abandoned subway system, and the underground ruins of Rome and Naples, Hunt will be exploring entire subterranean Turkish cities."They're amazing," he said. "From the first century A.D. The original Christians and pagans were hanging out down there at different times."In preparation for his research abroad, Hunt hopes to acquire proficiency in - at the very least -?French, Italian and German before he departs in July.Watson fellowships are awarded annually by the Thomas J. Watson Foundation to no more than 50 students nationwide. Each finalist receives $25,000 to pursue independent research in the area of his or her choice. "It's nothing but wonderful," said Hunt. "It's exactly how I want to spend a year, especially when I don't know what I'm doing after school. It's really nice to have that figured out." Currently Middlebury alumni Dalal Al-Abdulrazzak '07, Carolyn Barnwell '07 and Sathyavani Sathisan '07 are abroad pursuing 2007-2008 projects funded by the Watson Fellowship.
(03/20/08 12:00am)
Author: Maddie Terry This week I write to support and applaud the so-called illegitimate Middlebury Campus, as well as its' Features editors, in light of a March 13 letter to the editor. I trust that, given what I have always understood to be committed adherence of The Campus staff to those "journalistic standards" in contention, the author of last week's opinion was able to read the editor's official apology this week for a byline misattribution. Further, I believe that the added reservation regarding the newspaper's right to edit any work submitted for publication was clearly delineated. Two separate issues were noted in Molly Dwyer's opinion which warrant address. First, what was described as "publishing graphic sexual comments in the place of world news," and second, "[inappropriate and false attribution] of sexual comments."On Sunday, March 9, the parliament in Kosovo proclaimed its Republic territory to be a new, democratic state in a monumental decision. The now multi-ethnic nation was officially established in defiance of both Serbia and of Russia, and in contextual emergence from brutal conflict that claimed approximately 10,000 lives only a decade ago. One might argue that Dwyer holds The Campus to a reasonable standard - to "responsibly provide accurate and legitimate articles and commentary to the Middlebury community." She simultaneously fails to recognize her own inability to generate legitimate commentary, given that she and her colleague had deemed it appropriate to communicate breaking world news through the "Winners and Losers - What's hot and what's not on campus and in pop culture" column. Consistently humorous and lighthearted in nature, past insertions by Mia Lieb-Lappen included comments ranging from revelry in free online episodes of South Park to gripes about discrepancies in the amounts of printer paper consumed by English majors and science majors who "kill lab rats, not trees." It is my firm opinion, then, that a severe misstep would have taken place if news of Kosovo's groundbreaking independence had ultimately been included in the column. Perhaps the column's authors might have considered taking cues from their own letter to the editor, in which they call for The Campus to "[make] an important statement about its standards." I might suggest undertaking a well-researched, articulately written and carefully considered article which would allow The Campus readers to gain a sense of the decision's impact in Kosovo, as well as its global repercussions. Whether or not an article of that nature will be published in the future, I am relieved that readers were spared the highly generalized "comments about foreign affairs" that would otherwise have appeared on March 13 amongst quirky one-liners about spring break in Vail and Black Friday shoppers.In reference to the "gratuitous graphic sexual commentary" said to "hardly exist" in reputable newspapers, Dwyer accused The Campus of deviating from guidelines of significant print publications. The Features editor is also relegated to a particular category of people, described by Dwyer as being "interested in seeking extraneous sexual content … and [who would] be better off [relying on] pornographic magazines rather than their school newspaper." If the inclusion of subjects such as the recent sex toys workshop and masturbation is termed to be extraneous, it seems that a large number of students on campus might be labeled as extraneous themselves. Dina Magaril regaled February readers with a witty and open account of the workshop, noting the "comfortable and tight-knit environment" that was successfully established amongst "a crowd that reached nearly 100 students." That group, whose members I assume Dwyer would redirect towards pornographic material, is about the same size as my own Feb class. I would argue further that, should the same students who are sexually active and open about sexual issues on campus cease to "rely on their school newspaper," The Campus publication and the College campus culture would pay a price. The Middlebury community, comprised of over 2,000 late adolescents reaching the normal and typical stage of sexual discovery and experimentation, should successfully function in its allowance and encouragement of positive and open attitudes about sex. The attitude towards sex expressed in Dwyer's letter is representative of a general mindset that threatens a critical openness and dialogue at Middlebury. I believe The Middlebury Campus, in fact, to be one of the most "legitimate" and important forums for dialogue relating to all aspects of learning, living and interacting as undergraduates. I recognize that as I sip early morning coffee before class on Thursday and flip through this week's issue, over 2,200 copies in addition to that which I peruse will be read by students around me. Shoppers at Shaw's and the Co-op, as well as print subscribers including parents, friends of the College and alumni will read what The Campus contributors have to say. Many of the paper's registered online users will look as well, and e-mail issues will reach approximately 6,500 readers this week. These numbers reflect a readership that is arguably as committed to the publication as the staff is committed to campus journalism, reaching beyond our immediate geographic vicinity with each successive week of publication. Occasional misattributions, misprints, formatting errors and inaccurate quotations have occurred intermittently this year, and are understandable. The inclusion of stimulating, assertive and relevant topics, which should include sex and sex-related issues at Middlebury, is imperative to maintaining a mature, healthy, campus-wide perspective. To render The Middlebury Campus and its staff as less than professional and accountable is to discredit an incredibly hardworking group of writers and editors, and by extension, to discredit the student body benefiting from The Campus. Maddie Terry '08.5 is a Studio Art major from Concord, Mass.
(03/20/08 12:00am)
Author: Rachael Jennings While many students were getting ready to start their weekend, heading out to the bar and meeting up with friends, a former Middlebury party-girl addressed a small crowd about her personal battle with alcohol that began when she was a teenager and peaked during her college years. Jenn McGuigan '93 presented her lecture entitled "Wasted: A Midd Alum's Drinking Story" on Friday, March 14 in the Chateau's Grand Salon. McGuigan shared her own experiences with the drinking culture at Middlebury in the hopes of raising awareness and providing solidarity for those who feel lost in the whirl of parties."Drinking is a short-term answer for whatever ails you," said McGuigan at the beginning of her honest and personal talk.Drinking was a cure for a new social situation, but McGuigan soon began to feel unmotivated and disheartened. "I would lay in my bed for hours and time would pass," remembered McGuigan. She started to show symptoms of depression as early as her junior year of high school.When she attended a Christian college in Indiana - Taylor University - where there was no smoking, drinking or even dancing, she felt even more misunderstood and disconnected than she did in high school."I'm so much smarter than these cornfield people. No one understands me," McGuigan remembered thinking.McGuigan had wanted to go to Middlebury, but had been rejected.Nonetheless, she was determined to get in. McGuigan re-applied and enrolled as a Feb transfer. One of about six transfer students, McGuigan felt isolated and out of place - everyone else had already forged strong friendships.When she found herself at parties, McGuigan drank and thought, "We're all in this together! We all love each other!" That superficial knowledge was enough to keep McGuigan at the parties, where it was easier to accept a happy and false reality."I felt very alone. It was not something I would ever say out loud. I wanted to appear ... fun," said McGuigan. "I would go out, hook up with someone, pretend that I didn't care the next day and hook up with the next guy. I never wanted there to be a last guy," she said.Often, she recalled ending up outside another student's door, and feeling pressured to go farther with him than she had intended because it was easier than the alternative - making him mad."No is a complete sentence," McGuigan cautioned. "You don't have to have a reason or back yourself up. It's just, 'No.'"Yet, one of these cases brought her a lot more than she had wanted. McGuigan contracted HPV genital warts from the first person she slept with at Middlebury, when she had unprotected sex. "If I had condoms, I would look like a whore," she said about the decision."It was a really uncomfortable merry-go-round," McGuigan said, remembering the shame that came with her STI and the fear of telling her next partner.McGuigan continued her partying habits throughout college. During one incident, after a night of drinking with her friends, she woke up to go to the bathroom and found mint-green toothpaste smeared all over the door and mirrors. Disgusted that someone would disrespect their space so much, she climbed back into bed only to realize that she too was covered in toothpaste. McGuigan realized that after she had blacked out from drinking, her friends had written on her with toothpaste. "I always felt close to these people while drinking," McGuigan said. "But would they blow me off for dinner? Would they call me if they were going to Burlington?" "The quality I wanted to have in a friend was vulnerability," she said. "It is what their siblings' names are, where they want to be in five years, not just Friday night fun and drunken political debates."McGuigan did not express these feelings while at Middlebury, but she believed that getting out into the excitement of real life and the vastness of New York City after college would cure her loneliness."I thought the problem was Indiana, then Middlebury. But everywhere you go, there you are," said McGuigan.Her drinking progressed and her destructive patterns grew to include drug use. McGuigan was diagnosed with manic depression and prescribed medication after seeing a psychiatrist. "I felt great that she gave me a whole bunch of pills," said McGuigan, "then I did not have to face my problems." One day, in a state of severe depression and hopelessness, McGuigan took all of those pills and all of the alcohol that she could find.Her suicide attempt did not work, and she was rushed to the hospital, put on suicide watch and forced to join a support group for alcoholism."We never tossed around the word 'alcoholic' in college. There was always someone who drank more than me. I only ever drank a few days a week. Alcoholism did not apply to me," McGuigan said.Finally recognizing her problem and seeking help, McGuigan strived towards changing her life. She faced many difficulties, but brought closer to understanding the real needs of her body and her true priorities in life. Today, McGuigan is a successful professional, surrounded with true friends instead of the "crappy friends" she partied with, happy with her husband and trying to start a family.The success of McGuigan's story was uplifting, and hearing her speak - relaxed and unscripted - with such veracity touched the listeners and encouraged them to be aware of the too often unspoken-about spiral of alcoholism and depression.Far from the emptiness of the vodka and Corona bottles that once cluttered her life, McGuigan smiled as she talked about singing karaoke with her husband, jogging and hiking. "I have an ordinary and incredibly fulfilling life," McGuigan said.
(03/13/08 12:00am)
Author: Amanda Greene Modern dating is complicated. There comes a time in college student's lives when relationships end, and when squeezing into a twin bed is no longer a routine sleeping arrangement. Break-ups are especially painful, because more often than not, the decision to call it quits is not mutual. When two people stop dating, someone does the dumping and the other person is dumped. In these situations, what is the obligation of the dumper to his former partner? Does his previous affection and care demand that he end the relationship at a time that considers what else his ex has "on her plate"? What about the relationships length? It seems that breaking up with someone you've been dating for two years should be handled differently than the fade-out of a three-weekend fling. Should the dumper be honest about how he feels, or should he leave some information out in order to lessen the sting? In other words, what are the ethics surrounding break-ups? How can Midd-kids end things and coexist as members of a small, insulated community? Sometimes it's time to reevaluate feelings, but here are a few things to be conscious of when you take a temporary/semi-permanent/permanent break: Consider whether you think it's more important to be sensitive or honest. For the dumper: is it better to tell someone the detailed circumstances surrounding the changing evolution of your feelings, or should you remain intentionally vague in the interest of sensitivity? Generally, it's best to reveal how you feel, without disclosing the physical characteristics of your new (dark and mysterious) crush. It's important to be honest about how you feel, because drawing out a break-up will only lengthen the extent of your ex's distress. If you've dated someone, you both have built a relationship on trust, and you should not breach this trust just because your feelings have evolved. Honesty is initially more painful and emotionally unsettling, but the truth gives the dumped the information he or she needs in order to come to terms with the circumstances.Yet, you should be sensitive as to the timing of the break-up. For example, no dumping after (or during!) sex, in the middle of mid-term week, on the morning of the MCATs and on anniversaries. These "no dump" occasions might seem like obvious "don'ts" but I've heard horror stories about each of these circumstances.To the dumped: The important thing to remember is that no one likes breaking up. Not even the initiator. It's hard to gather the courage necessary to confront someone you love/d. It's also important not to forget all of the good things, and how happy and lucky you both were. And, it's okay to hate him, for now. Breaking up hurts, but it's a chance to brush up on your pick-up lines. Are you a tamale, 'cause you're hot!And now for this week's question:Q: I'm currently dating someone but am attracted to someone else. I want to break things off with my boyfriend, but am not sure whether I should tell him about my new love interest? Is it better to fully disclose the situation, or should I divulge less out of consideration for my boyfriend's feelings?- Distressing about ConfessingA: In this situation, there is no reason to tell your boyfriend about the other boy. Your boyfriend, as the dumped, is emotionally vulnerable. His relationship to you is not affected by your current love interest. If your boyfriend finds out about the new boy, so be it, but you there's no need for you to tell him something that will further upset him. The decision to keep certain information to yourself, is a sign of consideration and reflects your maturity and concern for your ex's emotional wellbeing. Want to consult the ethicist? Send submissions to amgreene@middlebury.edu
(03/13/08 12:00am)
Author: Anthony Adragna After locating a man seen walking on Weybridge Street late on Feb 5., the Middlebury Police Department (MPD) saw one of their most promising leads in the disappearance of Nick Garza '11 run dry. MPD officers located and talked to man walking on the street and determined he was not relevant to the investigation. Following the interview, police officials declared that particular aspect of the case closed. In a press release, officials said the weekend storm hampered search conditions."An assessment was made today of ground conditions and weather forecasts for the next 4 days and it was determined that the suspension of any search operations would continue through Thursday, March 13," the release said. MPD continues to consider and examine all possible leads, but reported no new information came to them over the weekend. Despite the lack of leads and new information, Garza's mother, Natalie, remains hopeful for a positive outcome. "There is a slim hope my son might be alive out there," Natalie Garza told the Burlington Free Press. "We pray every day about Nick."The family has sought a recently retired FBI investigator to act as a private investigator in the case. Natalie Garza told the Burlington Free Press that the decision stemmed from the need to have someone solely devoted to her son's case and not out of dissatisfaction with the MPD.In an effort to find Garza, the MPD continues to search for witnesses that may have seen him late Feb. 5 and publicize the availability of a $20,000 reward for information into his disappearance. MPD investigators have looked into hotel registries, sex-offender lists and auto body shops in an effort to generate leads into Garza's disappearance. Natalie Garza has said she plans to stay in Vermont until there is a resolution to her son's case. Her sister has moved in with her during the search process. Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley told the Burlington Free Press continues to baffle investigators. "Those normal ways of investigating haven't turned up anything," he said. "Everything still stops at 11:06 p.m."Garza disappeared after last being seen in Stewart Hall just past 11 p.m. on the evening of Feb. 5. Police began to search when he did not return for spring classes. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact MPD immediately at 802-388-3191.
(03/13/08 12:00am)
Author: Melissa Marshall Waking up Sunday morning, I opted for a pair of jeans and Columbia boots - careful to avoid tripping over my abandoned, imitation Manolos that had already caused me enough bodily harm for one weekend. As many fierce Middlebury females have done before me, I faced the ice-storm Saturday night to show my dedication to the arts, live music and free alcohol. Unfortunately, I also face-planted in my four-inch heels. Luckily, black-and-blue matched my dress. But when it comes to art - whether it dons the form of fashion, theatre, jazz, choreographed dance to the tequila two-step or even manifests itself in the naming of an architecturally deviant building - where do we draw the line between the aesthetic and the asinine? PJ Harvey treads the line between ludicrous and laudable as deftly as she balances her boyish bob with her vixen voice. Often associated with the aching intimacy of Tori Amos and the bizarreness of Björk, the British-born singer/songwriter has spent her career flirting on the edge of eccentricity - to the point of occasionally alienating her Lilith Fair followers. Starting her career in the early '90s, Harvey cooed, purred and roared in a fashion that would have made Cobain himself smile. In 1995, she ditched her two male bandmates and noisy, masculine melodies, releasing her first solo-endeavor, To Bring You My Love - a record that sold over a million copies and heralded the praises of publications ranging from the Village Voice to The New York Times. Harvey decided that she was not meant for a mainstream marriage, however, and traded her black sweaters for pink ball-gowns and vampirish make-up. But despite her evolving penchant for spoken-word, spooky tracks such as the single "The Wind" featured on the Broke Down Palace Soundtrack, and her hard-to-swallow subject matter covering dismemberment to religion to sex, Harvey has still endeared herself to the critical circle. And regardless of its eeriness, her newest release, White Chalk, somehow transcends its avant-garde tendencies to deliver tracks that are downright addicting. Harvey's eighth release, White Chalk abandons the searing guitars and keyboards of Uh Huh Her and settles for the parlor-esque tinkling of the piano accompanied by the rare appearance of acoustic strumming. With vocals like a wraith and cover art quintessentially Bronte, the album steeps itself in the Gothic horror and romance tradition - simultaneously able to lull the listener into a reverie while sending shivers through the speakers with Harvey's whisperings. "While Under Ether," the release's first single, turns a hallucinatory haunting hymn about abortion into a beautiful ballad while the title track tampers with folk vibes, implementing simple, repetitive lyrics laid over an ever more austere guitar. But despite Harvey's constant shedding of skin and innovation of genre, the album can become tiresome. "Broken Harp" and " Before the Departure" are snore-inducing in their sparseness, and she demonstrates more dexterity with the guitar than in her manipulation of the piano. Still, White Chalk is refreshingly modern in its old-fashioned odes to British folk, and playing at around a half-an-hour in its entirety, Harvey parlays pretension into marketable music. In his address Saturday evening, Kevin Mahaney '84 mentioned the importance of making art accessible to everyone. And while PJ Harvey's creepy poetics and eerie, ethereal voice may seem estranging on first spin, she quickly captures listeners with her confidence and the enticing intimacy of her songs. While no To Bring You My Love, White Chalk proves that, despite the ghost-like wispiness of its tracks, Harvey's solo career is alive and well while asserting her influence on the prog-rock scene - an influence that will be hard to erase.
(03/13/08 12:00am)
Author: Dina Magaril I don't want to jinx it by talking about. It seems too good to be true but I need to share this with someone to make sure I'm not imagining it. Can it be? Middlebury students are dating. While this fact should not be startling news, let's face it, it is. Most Middlebury students do not date, the plan instead including a "well if I see her/him at this party and I/he/she is drunk enough, maybe we'll sleep together." In the world of Middlebury, this has become the norm. We are so warped that we are almost embarrassed to date or to get to know the person we like and not sleep together the first time we're alone in a room. In the same way that the alcohol tendencies we practice at college unfortunately will follow us into our adult lives, our sexual choices probably will too. If you can't stay faithful to your college girlfriend I'd hate to quote you some divorce statistics. And in the same way that those kids that made the library an after-school activity are now making six figure salaries, the more effort we put into anything we do at Middlebury, the greater results we'll see in the future. I'm not saying who you are in college is set in stone for who you'll be 10 years from now, but a big part of our formative years are the four we're spending here. Maybe "taking it slow" should become the new "taking it fast." Now before I make such a bold statement, let me explain. Taking it slow does not mean you'll never get to home plate, it just means you get to enjoy the scenery, get to know your partner and have not one but a few legitimate conversations with them before you go for the finish. Because haven't we reached a point where casual sex just isn't what is used to be? I mean, really, how many one-night stands can we have before we realize this isn't making us feel any better about ourselves. Perhaps sex should be something meaningful, even in college. Of course, you need to have a slew of unsatisfying or even satisfying but meaningless hook-ups before you can reach this conclusion, and if you haven't, go ahead. In the same way that God made light so we could understand darkness, one can only truly appreciate meaningful sex after having had a few one-night stands. But stop and think about what you are really getting out of it in the end, and consider that the mistakes as well as the right decisions we make during our sex lives at Middlebury will affect our future sex and love lives in the world outside. If we start making smart sex decisions now, our futures will start looking brighter, with a healthy sex life as payoff. I'm sure some of you are already practicing what I'm trying to preach here, and if you are, job well done - you're one step closer to emotional maturity. But for those of you who are still making Sunday brunch anonymous-hook-up-storytelling time, take a step back and think about how funny this story will be in a few years, with a wife that resents you because you still play beer pong with your college buds. College is a time to prepare for your future via finding a career path, but also to prepare yourself emotionally, and physically, for future relationships. If you can't grow up and get your life together at Middlebury, where "the grass is green and the girls (and boys) are pretty," then I hate to break it to you, this is pretty much as good as it gets. So take advantage of the fact that the dating scene is literally within walking distance and take your crush out to dinner or give someone a compliment, and make Middlebury, and the world a better place. Maybe you'll even have great meaningful sex while still in college. Here's hoping, for all our sakes.
(03/13/08 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] To the Editor:In legitimate newspapers, which adhere to journalistic standards, editors are required to present their changes to each writer before publishing the changes. In legitimate newspapers, gratuitous graphic sexual commentary hardly exists. The Middlebury Campus separates itself from legitimate publications, as it does not adhere to these guidelines. Two weeks ago, the "Winners and Losers" column in the Features section contained a comment about a sex toy workshop here at Middlebury under the "winners" column, and under the "losers" column, a comment about masturbation on lonely Friday nights was written. Although the by-line of the column contained Mia Lieb-Lappen's name as well as my own, we do not own these words or ideas rather, the features editor does. Instead of this highly sexual comment, Mia and I had written about Kosovo gaining independence from Serbia. We had not even attended the sex toy workshop. The features editor did not ask permission before she replaced our comments about foreign affairs with her opinions about sex toys and her assertions about masturbation habits on lonely Friday nights. Not only did this irresponsible action needlessly embarrass me and Mia, but it has also led me to question the legitimacy of The Middlebury Campus and its ability to responsibly provide accurate and legitimate articles and commentary to the Middlebury community. In my opinion, people who are interested in seeking extraneous sexual content would be better off to rely on pornographic magazines rather than their school newspaper. The Middlebury Campus made an important statement about its standards by publishing graphic sexual comments in place of world news, and by inappropriately and falsely attributing the sexual comments to Mia and me. Adding insult to injury, the leadership of The Middlebury Campus has not printed a retraction, a correction or an apology, and has left it to me to correct the record by writing this letter to the editor. I hope these words will be published unchanged.Sincerely,Molly Dwyer '10Editor's Note:In the Feb. 28 issue of The Campus one portion of Winners and Losers, located in the Features section, was written by editors of the section. The Campus apologizes for this misattribution. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any work submitted for publication as it sees fit, but in a manner that accurately reflects the authorship of our content. To the Editor:I'm writing in response to the article written about the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance's (MOQA) involvement with the Red Cross last week concerning blood drives and the discriminatory practice of banning all men who have ever had sexual relations with other men ("Protest, forum clot blood drive," March 6). While I felt that Annabelle Fowler did an incredible job of relating MOQA's efforts to the community, I thought the title (which I have since learned was not her decision) was abrasive and not representative of the article itself. First of all, MOQA did not protest the Red Cross, but instead engaged them in conversation within an open forum to discuss the discrimination they are forced to practice. People who attended the forum know that it was not a hostile environment, and it ended with the Red Cross and Middlebury College planning what activism can be done together to end the FDA's ban on gay and bisexual men. I was especially alarmed by the words "clot blood drive" as if to say that MOQA tried to hinder the drive. As co-president of the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance, I was the organizer of all of our efforts. Part of our activism included recruiting able donors to sponsor a gay student and donate in his honor. Dave Carmichael, the coordinator of blood drives in our area, was impressed with my organization because we promoted awareness to a challenging issue in a new and positive way and also made this one of the most successful blood drives in college history. To quote a letter that Mr. Carmichael sent to me, "We were able to collect 107 productive units of blood from the 125 individuals that presented to donate. That was our first drive over 100 units at the college in our last 4 visits and it was a 40.7% increase over what we did last semester! No doubt, the added attention to the drive that you and MOQA provided contributed to our success." It is obvious to me that MOQA did just the opposite of what that title suggests, and I feel The Campus, which has done such a fantastic job of covering MOQA's events in the past, should own up to this mistake. Sincerely, Ryan Tauriainen '08 Co-President of the Middlebury Open Queer AllianceTo the Editor:We are pleased to learn that the Appeals Committee has responded favorably to Professor Laurie Essig's appeal of her reappointment decision and that the case will be revisited by the Reappointments Committee and the President. This creates a wonderful opportunity for the College to retain a gifted and talented teacher and thereby fulfill a central facet of the liberal arts educational mission.1. Darién Davis, History Department2. Juana Gamero de Coca, Spanish and Portuguese Department3. Gloria Estela Gonzalez, Spanish and Portuguese Department4. Roman Graf, German Department5. Bill Hart, History Department6. Barbara Hofer, Psychology Department7. Jon Isham, Economics Department8. Antonia Losano, English Department9. Ana Martinez-Lage, Spanish and Portuguese Department10. Timi Mayer, Geography Department11. Claudio Medeiros, Theatre Department12. Sujata Moorti, Program in Women's and Gender Studies13. Kevin Moss, Russian Department14. Kamakshi Murti, German Department15. Peggy Nelson, Sociology-Anthropology Department16. William Poulin-Deltour, French Department17. Robert Prasch, Economics Department18. Burke Rochford, Sociology-Anthropology Department19. Patricia Saldarriaga, Spanish and Portuguese Department20. Paula Schwartz, French Department21. Michael Sheridan, Sociology-Anthropology Department22. Yumna Siddiqi, English Department23. Stephen Snyder, Japanese Department24. David Stoll, Sociology-Anthropology Department25. Hector Vila, Writing Program26. Susan Watson, Physics Department27. Linda White, East Asian Studies Program28. Martha Woodruff, Philosophy Department29. Catharine Wright, Writing Program 30. Ellen Oxfeld, Sociology-Anthropology Department
(03/06/08 12:00am)
Author: H. Kay Merriman Sex is rarely, if ever, an appropriate topic for dinner conversation with strangers, unless you are eating dinner with Jay Friedman, "the Michael Moore of sex education." Last Thursday, approximately 20 students dined with Friedman before he delivered his talk, "The J-Spot," to a packed Warner Hemicycle. The group shared their sex-ed experiences from middle-and high school. Caroline Towbin '10.5 recounted an eccentric middle school teacher who gave her students spermicide to taste and encouraged them to play with condoms. "I was the one who blew up the condom the biggest," joked Towbin. Rachel Lincoln '08 noted an absence of sex-ed from the curriculum of her high school and I told of the scare tactics and misinformation employed by sensationalist abstinence-only speaker Pam Stenzel, who served as my alma mater's sex educator. In his speech following the dinner, Friedman noted that America's approaches to sexual education and the inconsistencies among schools "leave us ignorant and confused." Friedman prides himself on being different than other sex educators because he addresses the sociopolitical problems inherent in the United States' sex education system instead of just delivering the standard fare. Energetic, playful and provocative, Friedman did a unique combination of performance and lecture, focusing on the sex facts that American education does not provide and on the methods of other countries for educating their youth on this somewhat controversial topic.Friedman recommends abiding by the rules of the "three As" when determining whether or not you should have sex with someone. First, you must be able to "affirm." Affirmation, explained Friedman, includes "knowing their name, being able to do it with the lights on and being able to look them in the eyes while doing it." The second qualification is that both partners are ready to "accept responsibility" for their actions and the third is that they should "assure mutual pleasure" for each other. As Friedman continued, his speech evolved from standard advice to more provocative subject matter, which pleasantly surprised many liberally minded students. "I didn't think he could do much to provoke us because we think that we are very liberal, but he did," said Lincoln. Some of Friedman's more stimulating insights included debunking "the myth of blue balls" (no, they are not going to explode), championing masturbation as the best way to practice wearing a condom and ensuring students' knowledge of the clitoris. "I believe that it's a bit political that we don't learn the pleasure of the clitoris," Friedman said.In his discussion of sex and politics, Friedman compared the United States to northern Europe. He described the United States' attitude toward sex as "Victorian," citing the outrage and censorship that occurred as a result of Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction. In Sweden, he noted, the American-equivalent of soft core porn is shown regularly on television, but "Star Wars" is not because the Swedes view it as gratuitously violent. Violence on television, he argued, is more damaging to our youth than respectful, consensual sex. Friedman also recalled receiving a free brochure on a train in Sweden that translated useful phrases into six different languages for his use while touring Europe. These phrases included, "I love you," "I want to sleep with you," and "I think that I have a disease." This kind of communication, Friedman emphasized, is key to having healthy sexual relationships - he recommends the "outercourse" of discussion prior to intercourse.To prove his point about the value of revealing, straightforward sexual education, Friedman showed a clip from a "cartoon-explicit" Scandinavian sex-ed video that is used in middle schools throughout Europe. The film included drawings of the different shapes and sizes of vaginas and a psychedelic orgasm sequence complete with flashing colored lights. The reactions to the film were favorable. "That video was a trip! I was so pleasantly surprised how it talked about masturbation and the fact that it also featured same-sex couples," said Ryan Tauriainen '08. Friedman attributed northern Europe's lower rates (as compared to those of the United States) of sexual assault, abortion, teen pregnancy and STDs to the style of education exemplified by the video. Friedman tried to show the film as part of his curriculum when he was working in Vermont at Planned Parenthood, but they would not allow it because of its explicit nature. This conservativism regarding sexual education, Friedman said, is potentially dangerous. After hearing him speak, students agreed. "I think this was one of the most insightful talks that I have been to on this campus. His points about the relationship between sex and sexism and the social consequences of hindering sex education were very valuable," said Tugce Erten '08.Friedman concluded his talk by delivering advice for "increasing sexual strength and stamina." "Practice your kegels!" he advised enthusiastically. Kegels, Friedman explained, are the practice of squeezing your pubococcygeus muscles together, and he recommended working up to three-second holds in three sets of 10 per day. Acknowledging the busy schedules of Middlebury students, Friedman suggested exercising while waiting at a red light or eating a meal (even one durign which the topic of conversation is not sex). Judging by the positive response Friedman received, "kegels with your bagels" just might become the new theme of Proctor Sunday brunch.
(03/06/08 12:00am)
Author: Tess Russell This week's Public Safety log listed - among a string of wallet thefts and alcohol-related citations - an incident of sexual assault, which reportedly occurred on Feb. 28 in Coffrin Hall. This will likely strike many students as shocking and frightening, but sexual violence at Middlebury may be much more common than we think. On the national level, approximately one in four women and one in 33 men will be sexually assaulted during their lifetimes, though the majority of those cases go unreported."While many people feel that rape and sexual assault do not happen here, in reality, they do," explained Kolbe Franklin '08, president of Feminist Action at Middlebury. "Students need to be aware of how to keep themselves safe, the resources available to them if they have been raped or sexually assaulted, as well as how to help friends who have been victimized." At Middlebury, Parton Health Center retains two sexual health examiners, certified to administer everything from HIV prophylactics to complete rape kits geared at collecting evidence (these and any other medical expenses incurred are absorbed by the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services). In the event that a weapon is involved, the Health Center is required to report the assault. Otherwise, it observes a policy of strict confidentiality, though it does strongly recommend that students make use of on-site counseling facilities.Still, those sort of grave situations are fairly uncommon - Terry Jenny, associate director of the Health Center, said that her staff performs a maximum of two or three kits per year, if any - compared to the much more frequent occurrence of students coming in to get checked out the morning after a regretted, and sometimes scarcely remembered, sexual encounter.This so-called "gray area" surrounding the issue of consent has been a great source of controversy in recent years, particularly on college campuses where hookups are often fueled by large quantities of alcohol. In the 1990s, Ohio's Antioch College even went so far as to mandate written approval from both parties prior to copulation. The question of how to get everyone on the same page about consent remains a vexing one.Karin Hanta, director of Chellis House - the Women's Resource Center for the College that helped coordinate and sponsor February's "Let's Talk About Sex" month - believes that this problem could be remedied by increasing students' exposure to information on sexual harassment and assault from the beginning of their college careers."Our aim should be preventative rather than reactive," Hanta said. "In today's culture, many people don't know that they have been part of an illegal act because the definitions have become fuzzy. Every student's educational experience should provide a better understanding of what the terms consent and nonconsent mean - that should be included in the information package that goes out to incoming students so they can have a first conversation with their parents on the subject."Unfortunately, in some cases, the very perception that those terms are "fuzzy" can discourage victims (the vast majority of them female) from coming forward after a sexual assault. "A lot of times we deal with women who think what they've experienced falls into that gray area when they really did say 'no' and make their objections clear," said Kerry Duquette-Hoffman, advocacy program coordinator for WomenSafe, a local nonprofit committed to ending domestic and sexual violence. "In addition, there's the question of legality - situations that wouldn't necessarily hold up in court but still involve a woman waking up and feeling like she didn't have control over the situation."The Health Center's policy is to call WomenSafe on all cases where sexual assault is even a remote possibility. (Even though students stand to gain a great deal from the additional companionship, they often insist it is not necessary because they feel guilty about imposing.)"Since we play the role of medical examiners, it's hard for us to provide emotional support at the same time that we are conducting the exam," Jenny said. "The WomenSafe representative can act as an advocate, helping the student make choices as far as what kind of support is available."That support, according to Duquette-Hoffman, can range from just sitting with a victim while a rape kit is happening to helping providing her with clean clothing if hers needs to be examined for specimens."We really take the lead of each woman we work with," she said. "If an assault has happened that day and a person is still in shock, we can help with all of the little details that seem really overwhelming at the time and just make it clear that there are people out there listening to them and believing their stories, which is a really important message. More often than not, though, women don't come forward until a week or a month after the attack."Duquette-Hoffman attributes this reluctance both to the generally trying process of dealing with sexual assault and also to our innate desire, as humans, to return to a "safe" place after experiencing trauma."Medical attention is not always the first priority," she explained. "To be honest, I've never worked with a woman who hasn't wanted to take a shower and cleanse herself thoroughly after being assaulted."One of the main goals of organizations like WomenSafe, as well as the many campus organizations that sponsored "Let's Talk About Sex" month, is to get people communicating honestly about sex, in the hopes that many of our societies biases about sexuality can be corrected. Jyoti Daniere, the health and wellness director for the College, also intends to help students reevaluate their use of alcohol through a series of upcoming events, including "Safe Spring Break" week that will feature a Beer Goggle Olympics. "We have given students lots of good information about sexual health and, ideally, a lot of that will be absorbed, but the reality is that alcohol can undermine our best intentions," Daniere said."Many people don't realize how many cases of rape are drug-facilitated, because the most common 'date rape' drug is alcohol," agreed Duquette-Hoffman. "However, the Vermont statute on sexual assault clearly states that if either party's judgment is impaired, that's not consensual sex." The issue of consent, then, is a universal one. Last month, Charlotte Pierce-Baker, professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Vanderbilt University and author of "Surviving the Silence: Black Women's Stories of Rape," spoke at Middlebury and was introduced by her husband, who proposed that rape is not a "women's problem," but a problem that happens to women.Duquette-Hoffman elaborated on this gender divide, referencing a local workshop with male domestic abusers who discovered that they had never been given any notions about the preciousness of their sexuality."Women are taught to be chaste or at least to be discriminating in choosing their sexual partners," Duquette-Hoffman said. "They can rebel against that standard or follow it, but it's certainly there. With men, on the other hand, there's this expectation to 'get as much as you can whenever you can,' which certainly says something about the value we as a society place on men's bodies.""The truth is that not only the women who experience sexual assault, but also everyone who is affected by the rape of a friend or family member - or even by the idea of rape - are devoting a large portion of their time to thinking and worrying about these issues," she said. "In that way, sexual violence impacts all of our lives on a daily basis."If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can seek support by calling WomenSafe's 24-hour hotline at (802) 388-4205.
(03/06/08 12:00am)
Author: Michelle Harvey In a nice change of scenery, students eating dinner in Proctor on Friday, Feb. 29 were treated to candlelight, good food and blind dates. Put on by the student-run restaurant Dolci, this year's annual Blind Date event had a new twist: participants could request a same-sex date. In the first-ever Gender Neutral Blind Date Dolci, sexuality was not assumed in the application process. Ready to handle this new development was Ryan Tauriainen '08, co-President of the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance (MOQA). In keeping with the goal of gender-neutrality, Tauriainen took over the logistics of the event. "In the past, Blind Date Dolci has been somewhat discriminatory in nature as only opposite-sexed couples were admitted," said Tauriainen in an e-mail. "That is where I came in. It proved to be a lot of work. Using suggestions from MOQA, I developed a survey that took into account that not everyone is heterosexual." For the first time, any student could feel free to participate. "It was wonderful to see how many gay and bisexual students signed up for the event this year," he said. "There was no fear of being denied based on sexuality."The actual survey that interested students completed covered a range of factors, including gender, age, major, sexual orientation and political affiliation. Tickets were not awarded on a first-come, first serve basis, but rather on the compatibility of couples. In the end, the success of the 2008 Blind Date Dolci was illustrated by the glowing reports of this year's participants. "The food was fantastic!" said RJ Adler '11.5. "I would definitely do this again." "I had a fabulous time," commented Mike Tierney '09.5. "They matched up couples really well and took the process seriously." The change to a gender-neutral selection process did not affect participation, said head waitress Leslie Lim '10. "This is my second year, and generally we've always had good turnout. I think the change was nice. It was just couples enjoying each other's company." Diner JJ Janikis '11.5 agreed. "The food was exquisite, the service was so incredible I wish I could have left a tip and the gender-neutral aspect was great," he said. "At most tables there was a gay couple." The menu for this year's Blind Date Dolci was created by Head Chefs Robert McKay '09 and Sophie Elphick '08. Overseeing a staff of eight student volunteers, putting on a successful dinner was no small feat. Guests had many choices, including a unique walnut-and-fig dip, avocado and grapefruit salad, fresh quail and chocolate cheesecake. "We wanted something different and unique for the blind date event," said Elphick. "We added a lot of aphrodisiacs to the menu, lots of figs and ginger spices," added McKay. "We wanted to keep it light." Many students commented on the intimate setting and nice reprieve from school that Dolci created. "I think Dolci is an amazing thing for students," said Kate Lupo '10. "It really lets students feel like they've gone out for a nice dinner." "The smaller, intimate atmosphere was conducive to meeting people," said Natasha Chacon '10. "The whole dinner was fantastic."The only complaints were directed towards a few participants who stood up their dates. "My date didn't show up and he's dead to me," Michaela Lieberman '10 said. However, she was quick to point out that despite being stood up, "the whole dinner was great." "The men who stood up their dates need to be punished," added Chacon. "But at the same time, the whole environment let us have fun anyways." While a lot of planning and work went into the evening, the gender-neutral aspect seemed to fit seamlessly into an enjoyable night out. "Events like this have been so good for getting people to be open," said Lupo. "I think it should definitely continue in the coming years."
(03/06/08 12:00am)
Author: Amanda Greene Sometimes it's hard to ask for help. Relying on others means that we have to be open and honest, and that we have to talk about things that we would like to ignore, or keep to ourselves. Girls are often placed in particularly difficult situations because we have to talk frequently about our sex lives. We gossip lightheartedly with friends, but also have to converse more seriously with doctors. When we talk to doctors about issues of intimacy, we assume that that they will be professional, objective and non-judgmental. We confide in them as health experts and not as people who are close in age to our parents.It's not unreasonable then, for students to expect that Health Center staff will address our concerns, and deal with our issues without judging our sexual practices. My friend, X, went in for the morning-after pill and was asked a series of questions - "Do you have a boyfriend?" "How long have you and your boyfriend been together?"- about her relationship status. I understand that the Health Center, in these circumstances, must inquire about your sexual history and any medications that you are currently on. But your physical health is not affected by whether you are dating, engaged to or crushing on whomever you just slept with. My other friend, Y, went in for a STD test. She had a one-night stand that she was less than thrilled about. Y was regretful, embarrassed and nervous. She was terrified about the prospect of having a disease that would affect her long-term health. The nurses at the Health Center reprimanded her for having unprotected sex and scoffed at her judgment. Y was distraught about the situation, and came seeking medical help. It was unethical for the staff to judge the circumstances that necessitated her visit. Jobs often demand that people play a certain role, and act differently than they would if they were not at work. It's fine for nurses to disapprove of Middlebury students' behavior, but their disapproval should not be something that Middlebury students can ascertain. Girls come to the Health Center feeling vulnerable and anxious, and they should leave feeling supported, not judged. That said, the Health Center is a wonderful resource, and the staff members are incredibly knowledgeable, caring and committed to helping students. I am thankful for everything that they do, and hope that this column, by discussing how many girls feel, makes the Health Center staff more aware of, and sensitive to Middlebury students' perceptions of the treatment they receive.And now for this week's question: Q: I was in the locker room at the gym and found an iPod in the corner on the floor. I left it alone, figuring that someone had placed it there or forgotten it, and was surprised when to see it there the next day. It's been a week and the iPod is still in the spot where I first noticed it. Is it ok for me to take it, assuming that it has been lost by its owner, or am I obligated to leave it untouched. If I don't take it, what is to stop someone else from claiming it? Is there a time limit, after which the iPod becomes the property of whoever finds it?- Tempted-by-TunesA: Although tempting, you cannot just take the iPod. At this point in time, you should give it to someone who works in the gym, and ask him or her about the appropriate procedures. Most likely, the gym staff will hold the iPod in the hope that its owner will claim it. If it remains unclaimed it will likely become yours after a few weeks. You are obligated to attempt to reunite the iPod with its tuneless owner, but if it remains orphaned, you are welcome to adopt it.Want to consult the ethicist? Send submissions to amgreene@middlebury.edu
(02/28/08 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] To the Editor:This week, Brown University did away with tuition for students whose families make less than $60,000 a year and increased financial aid, and most importantly replaced student loans with grants across the board. This is an impressive commitment to socio-economic diversity considering Brown's endowment sits at around $2.2 billion, much less than that of Harvard, Princeton and Stanford, who have made similar moves recently. Furthermore, Brown's endowment is only slightly more than twice the endowment of Middlebury College, not a huge leap. With a $500 million capital campaign underway and elite institutions across the country increasing financial aid packages and even doing away with tuition altogether, I think it's time we seriously reconsider what it takes to be a student at Middlebury. For years I have heard the grumblings of students about socioeconomic diversity and financial aid at Middlebury. Unfortunately, not much has changed since when I matriculated and Middlebury was generally ill-reputed among elite liberal arts colleges for its financial packages and generally difficult financial aid office. Sincerely,Austen Levihn-Coon '08To the Editor: In response to last week's editorial "Why 'Let's Talk About Sex' succeeds where symposia fail," MCAB Speakers Committee would like to clarify our role in bringing speakers to campus. When MCAB was restructured for the 2007-2008 academic year, a Speakers Committee was created in order to fund student and club-sponsored lectures and to select and fund symposia.As clarification the MCAB Speakers Committee does not propose symposia - it is a group that helps students navigate the logistics of organizing and planning a symposium. The Speakers Committee is a resource for students as it helps students bring speakers to campus. We have supported many diverse events including film screenings, lectures and panels.Symposia, by their very nature, must draw on the College's academic resources. "Let's Talk About Sex" focused on social and health related concerns, and the result was an informative month that encouraged students to talk about important issues. MCAB Speakers Committee is proud of "Let's Talk About Sex's" success and recognizes the importance of supporting events that facilitate dialogue between students, student groups and the community at large.We hold open meetings on Monday at 5:45 in the Crest Room Conference Room in McCullough. We encourage all interested students to attend, and are currently taking speaker requests and applications for those who want to take part in diversifying speakers on campus. Look out for the upcoming spring symposium on water conflicts and issues, beginning March 31.Sincerely,MCAB Speakers Committee
(02/28/08 12:00am)
Author: Dina Magaril On a campus as green as Middlebury's we may not think twice about recycling, but simply do it, an action that when applied to waste products is completely beneficial to the environment. But have we absentmindedly started to apply this policy to our relationships? In Middlebury, we all too often sexcycle. Sexcycling can be defined as the following: "to undergo reuse by passing on previous thrown out hookups onto one's friends."Sexcycling is not helping the environment, more specifically, the social/potential relationship environment at Middlebury. Unlike the technologies employed in turning a Coke bottle into a Gucci coat lining, a sexcycler and sexcyclee will be the same person on Friday night that they were on Saturday. That guy who treated your friend like a used deck of cards, playing her week after week. Well, he's still the same guy and just because he's sexcycled doesn't mean he has been sent back to the factory for a new shiny packaging. That girl who couldn't commit to either you or her high school boyfriend? Sleeping with your roommate is probably not going to change her mind. Of course, there are those rare occasions where the sexcycling process actually proves beneficial, and that girl or guy that didn't work for you ends up really happy with your friend, but this is usually the exception, not the norm.But to understand the essence of sexcycling, we must first look at what causes us to sexcycle in the first place. The number one reason? Limited resources. We are a school of about 2,400 students. If we estimate that there are 600 students per grade and an even male to female student ratio and we are hooking up with an average of five people per grade per year per social circle, then by senior year, our resources are close to running out. If you thought greenhouse gases were scary, imagine the possibility of a celibate senior year. And so, out of fear that this is the end of the line, we recycle. We call up our sophomore hook up. We look through our phones for names we could have missed, for potential mates we may have overlooked when we were too busy being picky. That boy from your freshman hall finally went through his growth spurt and after his acne cleared up isn't looking so bad. That cute blond from you writing seminar? Finally got those braces off and is looking her age. So we make do with the resources we have. We reconnect. We trade. We tap that and pass that.Now, aside from the obvious health repercussions of non-safe sexcycling - just cuz' your friends did it doesn't mean it's clean - there are emotional repercussions from this dangerous practice. Sure it may be funny at first to talk about X, Y and Zs back mole, or how A never changes his sheets, but eventually, sexcycling brings too much out to the open. Sex should be a personal experience, shared between the two or three or four people engaging in it. It should not be an open forum of what he/she did/said/moaned. In sexcycling, one needs to use discretion. A hookup that you threw away may be have more meaning to its next user, and just because you've been there, done that, doesn't mean you need to compare notes and keep ongoing updates. Sexcycling is something that will inevitably happen on a campus as small as Middlebury, so let's be smart about it. Let's keep our garbage separate from what can be successfully recycled, and let's be conscientious about the plain old simple truth that one persons trash is another person's treasure.
(02/28/08 12:00am)
Author: Andrew Throdahl Are snowmen and igloos the limits of snow's artistic horizons? Did you never think of a winged pig could be crafted from the harvest of winter? 2008's Winter Carnival witnessed the reinstitution of the Snow Sculpting Competition, enabling Middlebury students to see their wildest artistic visions constructed, and then shortly thereafter tragically destroyed. The Middlebury Campus gets in touch with this year's sculptors, hopefully not too frostbit.var uslide_show_id = "e15d10c4-4274-4be4-a26d-ffb9598aafc3";var slideshowwidth = "468";var linktext = "";With adherence to tradition on the minds of 2008's Winter Carnival organizers, led by Nicolas Sohl '10, the popular snow sculpting competition was reinstated. "The snow sculpting compeatition used to be a fun and important part of the Carnival and for the first time in many years we successfully brought this event back," says Sohl. "It allowed students to put on their gloves and winter jackets, and really get out in the snow and have a good time." The competing teams, each representing different commons, were judged by the Winter Carnival Committee. Wonnacott Commons won gold with their complex, life-sized depiction of a beirut game. Ross Commons came in second for a sculpture of a wolf, and Brainerd Commons in third for "enlarged" snow flakes.Cook Commons created a flying pig inspired by African fertility wood carvings. Ekow Edzie '10 explained the sculpture. "My design drew inspiration from the Cook Commons mascot hence the pig with the wings, but also because of "Let's Talk About Sex" month I sort of integrated a bit of Ghanaian fertility art, which is why the pig has six enormous boobs and a very large posterior," said Edzie. "Overall I was kind of shooting for a totem pole feel."Wonnacott Commons teamleader Alexander Benepe '09 was just happy to be there despite his sculpture's victorious virtuosity."I had never done a large scale sculpture in any medium before," said Benepe. "All five of us were there about five hours a day. We made the beirut table because we thought it was a social, interactive symbol of a universal game that would resonate with almost any student. I also felt honored to be part of an event that was taking place in the first time for 23 years - it felt like a throwback to the college experiences of yesteryear that are so rare today with increasing workloads and electronic entertainment."Alexander's team was comprised of sophomores Matthew Labunka, Kristen Faiferlick, Scott Zolkos and Kate Lupo. "We also had some help from Tenzing Sherpa '10, Sarah Elkayat '09.5 and Avery Finch '09.5," Benepe added. "Overall the real person who deserves a prize though is Nick Sohl. Sohl has seriously restored Winter Carnival to its former glory in a single weekend."
(02/28/08 12:00am)
Author: Ryan Tauriainen and Chelsea Guster On Monday, March 3 at 4:00 p.m. in McCullough Social Space, the American Red Cross and the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance (MOQA) will be hosting an historic open forum in order to discuss the discriminatory policies that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) forces blood-collecting organizations to practice. At face value, blood drives hosted by the American Red Cross are a great thing to have on a college campus. College students provide a significant percentage of blood donations in the United States, and most of these students donate at drives sponsored by their school. Middlebury generally hosts a handful of these drives, often with the sponsorship of Atwater Commons. Not many people realize, however, the type of discrimination some people face at these drives, and how certain regulations are not in compliance with Middlebury's non-discrimination policy. Instituted in 1983, the Red Cross has practiced a ban on gay and bisexual men from donating blood because of the increased risk of AIDS queer men had during this decade. This discrimination has become extremely outdated and offensive to the men of our queer community at Middlebury today. Recently, the president of San Jose State University banned all blood drives instituted by the American Red Cross because of its discriminatory policies concerning gay and bisexual men. These actions follow the cancellations instated at Southern Oregon University years ago. To clarify: the FDA policy the Red Cross follows is one that bans any man who has ever engaged in "sexual activity" (whether protected or not) with another male, even once, since 1977. To put this in perspective, a man can have as much unprotected sex with as many illegal prostitutes as he wants, and only be deferred for one year. Obviously, this policy is misguided and outdated. The Red Cross wants Middlebury College's help in defeating it. In over 20 years, there have been incredible advancements in HIV prevention. At this time, the demographic with the highest growing cases of infection are heterosexual women: especially African American women. And yet, any man who has had any form of sex with a man, whether it be protected, monogamous or even just once, is permanently banned from donating blood. The sentiment given off is that all gay and bisexual men have AIDS, and not only that, but their form of AIDS is undetectable. The screening process that all blood goes through in the Red Cross can detect HIV within 11 days of infection - even before one's own body can detect the virus. Middlebury College has a non-discrimination policy of which the community is very proud. It is one that, among many other things, does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. This extremely outdated policy by the FDA is a discriminatory practice. It is not discriminating upon the notion of unsafe sex, which any person no matter his or her sexual orientation can commit. It discriminates upon an identity for unfounded reasons. An organization that discriminates against any group of people or students should not be allowed to use the college's facilities and benefit from funds that all students contribute to this college. Because blood is important to save lives and is often banked in low numbers, it would serve the FDA well to lift the ban on gay and bisexual men from donating, or at least relaxing their rules to better fit the times. Without activism, this may never happen. These practices should not go unquestioned at a school like Middlebury where we are taught to question policy that is unfair to our minorities. Can Middlebury continue to give space to an organization, though virtuous in its ultimate mission, which discriminates against certain students? Wonderfully for us, the American Red Cross would like to inspire activism in order to lift this ban. Upon being asked by the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance, Middlebury College will be hosting a historic meeting with the American Red Cross in order to discuss the discrimination gay and bisexual men face at blood drives.The open forum is taking place with four high ranking officials from the Red Cross in attendance to talk about the policy against gay and bisexual men and what steps college students can take to fight against it. People with an interest in the medical field are especially encouraged to attend. Additionally, at the March 4 Blood Drive in McCullough, MOQA will be hosting a "sponsor blood drive" in which all students donating blood will be asked to sign a document saying they are donating as a "sponsor" for a gay student who cannot. All of these signatures will be sent, by the Vermont Red Cross, to the CEO of the organization. The MOQA Executive Board hopes that these two events will culminate into campus wide discussion and activism concerning the unfair discrimination queer men are facing. Ryan Tauriainen '08 and Chelsea Guster '11 are Co-Presidents of the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance.
(02/28/08 12:00am)
Author: Tess Russell This evening, Middlebury's "Let's Talk About Sex" month continues with the arrival of renowned sex educator Jay Friedman, who will present "The J-Spot" at 7 p.m. in the Warner Hemicycle. Friedman's presentation is in keeping with the lighthearted yet educational spirit of other recent events, such as the "Dating Game" and "Speed Dating." The students and administrators behind the "Let's Talk About Sex" programming hope that, through the month's activities, they can not only get people talking about sex but also educate them about the facilities available on campus. This is an area where many Middlebury students still have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to the health centers contraceptive options."The Health Center has been making a concerted effort to inform students about available services and to encourage them to take advantage of the wealth of resources available to them," acknowledged Kolbe Franklin '08, President of Feminist Action at Middlebury (FAM). "However, I still feel that many students are poorly informed. For example, many students do not know that Plan B (i.e., the 'morning after pill') is available for a very low cost directly at the Health Center."Indeed, Plan B - which is up to 90 percent effective if taken within the first three days after a sexual encounter - can be purchased for only $18 at Parton Health Center (it normally costs around 40 dollars). As far as preliminary contraceptives are concerned, the Health Center does not stock birth control on site but can grant prescriptions to female students, to be redeemed at an offsite pharmacy, if they schedule a routine gynecological exam.Still, if a student does become pregnant while at Middlebury, her local options are limited. The Middlebury chapter of Planned Parenthood, which receives federal grants, does not perform surgical abortions, nor does it dispense RU-486 (more commonly known as the "abortion" pill). Skeek Frazee, the communications director for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, elaborated on this policy."Because of Title X (the nation's family planning program) and the wrangling over abortion in our country - particularly after the Hyde Amendment, which insured that no poor woman can ever get an abortion for free - there are strict regulations on funding for clinics which perform abortions," she said.Frazee noted that the four Vermont locations that do provide abortions - in Burlington, Brattleboro, Barre and Rutland - are designated under separate, non-federal funding codes."Those clinics require a completely different type of oversight," Frazee explained. "There are additional security measures and insurance costs and they also require additional staff. Even an induced miscarriage (via RU-486) needs to be managed medically and requires ultrasound capacity - meaning a technician and expensive medical equipment."Abortion and unwanted pregnancy in general are divisive issues, not just along political lines but also between the two genders. Friedman feels that women - because of the additional risks they face - receive more adequate sexual education in their youth. "It's not our fault that we guys are the way we are when it comes to sex," said Friedman. "It's the way we are brought up. 50 percent of girls talk to their parents about sex when versus only 25 percent of boys. Guys get less good information so they develop a desperate desire to learn about sex and often turn to outside sources - like Victoria's Secret catalogs and adult videos - that may not present the most accurate and responsible portrayal of sex."Friedman explained that promoting a balanced message has been invaluable in getting through to American college students who may be accustomed to environments where talking about sex is taboo."The J-Spot has been popular because while I'm helping students prevent problems that result from sexual ignorance, at the same time I'm advocating pleasure," he said. "Given the sex-negative climate most of us grow up in, it is important to have the promise of pleasure if we are going to prevent STIs, unwanted pregnancies and sexual violence."As far as Friedman is concerned, sex and politics are inextricably linked. "I think for many students the most fascinating and frightening part of presentation is when I discuss the political and social climate of America to help explain why, for example, our teen pregnancy rates are the among the highest in the developed world," Friedman said. "I actually show an excerpt from a Scandinavian sex ed video and it blows audiences away how much more open the dialogue about sex is there." However, as Director of Health and Wellness Education Jyoti Daniere explained, some students at Middlebury actually hail from sexual backgrounds on the other end of the spectrum."It is important to remember, when we are educating students, that there are many people on this campus who choose not to be sexually active," Daniere said. "I recently had an international student approach me who was simply shocked at how much sex was 'out there' at Middlebury."In order to provide safe environments for both men and women to talk about the sexual scene at Middlebury, Daniere's office recently coordinated two "Sex in the Woods" workshops, with one geared specifically towards each gender. They also plan to hold more male-specific workshops during April's upcoming Mind the Body week, including "Love Like a Man" (aimed at promoting sexual health) and "Heal Like a Man (which will explore more general health issues).Daniere conceded that, on the national level, men are less likely than women to seek medical care and mental health services, but she suggested that male students at Middlebury might be more health conscious than their peers, pointing to the flu shots offered in the dining halls last fall (which were administered to roughly equal numbers of male and female) as evidence.In addition to the divergent male and female attitudes towards health and body awareness, issues of sexual identity can also make students feel closed off to talking about their sexual health."I feel many queer students are too embarrassed about disclosing their sexual orientation to visit the Health Center and get answers to their questions about sexual issues," said Ryan Tauranien '08, co-president of the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance. "I know personally that, during a visit there, my sexual history was asked of me," he continued. "When the nurse assumed it was of a heterosexual nature, it was somewhat embarrassing to have to explain to her otherwise. Perhaps if the Health Center were more sensitive and aware of sexual minorities more students would take advantage.With the aim of getting students of all genders and sexual orientations on the same page about safe sex, FAM organized a tabling series in dining halls earlier this week to try to make students aware of the services and resources available to them and to dispense free condoms. But what to do now with all of those prophylactics? For starters, you can drop by Friedman's lecture and hear his "tantalizing tips" about condom use."We can tell people to wear them but unless we can make them see how that is fun and pleasurable they are not always going to do it," Friedman said.As for finding a willing partner, you are on your own.
(02/21/08 12:00am)
Author: Dina Magaril Sex is as ubiquitous on a college campus as are midterms and winter break, but Middlebury added a little spice to its Sexual Awareness Lecture Series this past Sunday by hosting sex toy extraordinaire and independent consultant, Kristin Lawson of Passion Parties. Lawson, a self-employed wife and mother of three, came prepared with a show and tell array of lubricants, sex toys and manuals that would make even a sex connoisseur blush, or at least admit that this woman had something to offer. Passion Parties has been a supplier of sensual products throughout the United States and Canada for over 14 years, ranging from edible lubricants to battery operated toys. The company prides itself on being "founded by women for women," and encourages "sexual intimacy between two partners," and it is this message that convinced Morgane Richardson '08, an organizer of the event, that Lawson would be a great contributor to the college's ongoing campaign on sexual awareness. "People are having sex, students are connecting with one another in that emotional and physical way which is great....We are not saying, 'hey, stop having sex,' but 'yes, sex is good, do it if it feels right, but most importantly be safe'," Richardson said. "This here is a get laid insurance policy," Lawson proclaimed as she exhibited one of her bestselling items - a pheromone-inducing oil for both men and women. She then proceeded to test the product out on the first row of the packed auditorium, joking that two students sitting next to each other might not be able to contain themselves in a few minutes. Lawson's vivacious personality, frequent demonstrations and bawdy language created a comfortable and tight-knit environment in a crowd that reached nearly 100 students. Lawson shared some stories of her own sexual peaks and lows as well as those of satisfied customers. One story involved 500 dollars worth of vibrators and an airport security officer in Burlington International Airport, an event that Lawson shamelessly laughed at. "My children were horrified and people were covering their kids' eyes," she recalled.Perhaps the most relatable aspect of Lawson's demonstrations involved the all-too-accurate descriptions of the often mundane college sex life she described, an experience Lawson herself laments. Though her passion parties and collections were originally marketed for the 30-and-up crowd, Lawson said college students would find her toys more than useful in "trying to speed up the good sex part." To prove this end, Lawson passed around her line of edible lotions and some "nipple nibblers," a strawberry cream that could be used to initiate foreplay and even gave a "hand job" to two girls in the first row using an edible lubricant and heated hand massager. The Passion Parties company has expanded to 45 women and is growing every day, said Lawson. The best part about her job, she said, is that she "gets to work a few days out of the month and have fun while doing it."Though the turnout included a good mix of both men and women, many of Lawson's products are geared towards women, including a variety of G-spot sex toys like "Jelly Clitorific," an anatomically correct bright pink dildo, and "The Velvet Curve," a multifunctional battery-operated toy that Lawson warned was "not for beginners." The boys were not all forgotten in the demonstration and were even the topic of Lawson's main event, packaged in a popular toy: "Gigi," a neon yellow "masturbation sleeve" that users claim induced an orgasm in "under two minutes.""Best of all, it swallows for you," said Lawson as she demonstrated how to seal the top of the elastic tube to avoid unnecessary clean up.Lawson strongly recommended the strawberry and vanilla edible lubes which recharged in water, expanding one's options of sexual activities to include "showers and baths." "Wetter is better," she said, "and water is not a lubricant, so use one," she advised.Above all, Lawson stressed the importance of feeling comfortable with your partner and practicing safe sex. Richardson could not agree more. "The safest sex is with your velvet ripples vibrator!" Richardson joked.Aside from providing entertainment for a couple of hours, Lawson succeeded in signing on new and enthusiastic customers, judging from the crowd that assaulted the order forms after her demonstration was complete. All of Lawson's products can be bought online, under a discreet heading for those who share their parents' accounts.And while Lawson's solution to Middlebury's often-stagnant sex scene - two AA batteries- might be oversimplified, there did not seem too be many complaints. "People tend to be shy about issues around sex, especially about sex toys. With the turn out, it was clear that students wanted to talk about it and learn more," said Maegan North '08. "She was really funny and personable. She made the workshop comfortable and candid."Lizzie Quinn '09, was another pleased customers who agreed with Lawson's mission. "People need to get more play and be more happy with the play they're getting," she said. To shop online or host your own passion party visit www.vibrantpassion.com.
(02/21/08 12:00am)
Author: Tess Russsell In honor of "Let's Talk about Sex" month, this three-part series will focus on three different aspects of sexual health awareness over the course of the coming weeks. This week's installment, "Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)," discusses campus attitudes towards safe sex and examines the testing and vaccination services available through Parton Health Center. Part II will appear in next week's issue and will highlight concerns surrounding "Contraception and Pregnancy" at Middlebury, while also exploring the different approaches that male and female students take to sexual health. The final topic of the series, "Consent and Sexual Violence," will appear on March 6 and will delve into the gray areas of consent and sexual responsibility, particularly where alcohol and drugs are involved.On Feb. 16, The Grille played host to a much larger dinnertime crowd than usual. The occasion was the "Find Someone to Love Dating Game" and the response, if judged by students' laughter, was surprisingly enthusiastic and even raucous at times. The set-up is familiar: one lucky guy or gal gets to grill three hopeful contestants who are hidden behind an adjacent screen. Among the Middlebury version's highlights were the entrance of one bachelor in a partially clothed state, and the attempt of one contestant to elicit a positive recommendation from his competitor by bartering with a banana.The game, as well as Sunday's "Sex Toy Party" and numerous other workshops and activities planned for the upcoming weeks, was organized in conjunction with "Let's Talk About Sex" month, a new initiative co-sponsored by eight different groups on campus and spearheaded by the Office of Health and Wellness Education. The organizers' decision to host both fun, lighthearted events and more serious, academic ones marks a new approach to targeting sexual health awareness at Middlebury. "We didn't want to just hit students over the head with the drier educational topics," explained Jyoti Daniere, the Director of Health and Wellness for the College. "Instead we tried to give them a forum to actually date - to take a risk. I've sometimes been surprised at how risk-averse this campus is, but the 'Dating Game' really exceeded my expectations in terms of how brave and open people were with their responses."Student Wellness Leader Ari Gimbel '09, who is helping to coordinate the upcoming "Speed Dating" in the Mahaney Center for the Arts, stressed that promoting opportunities for dating at Middlebury is an idea that stemmed from student interest."We want people to know that there are other people looking for adult relationships," Gimbel said. "It seems like people here think the way it works is that you hook up with someone first and then getting into a relationship follows, but in reality that setup has failed people - hence the success of something like the 'Dating Game.' People here want to date!"But not all students are as forthcoming about their sexual heath concerns or as knowledgeable about the College's resources as they could be, explained Kolbe Franklin '08, President of Feminist Action at Middlebury."Often there is little relevant communication between male and female students regarding sexual health, even between people in relationships," Franklin said. "In general, the topic of sexuality is very taboo here, and the initiation of discourse is key not only to keeping people safe, but also to creating a healthier and more fulfilling dating scene on campus."As far as health issues are concerned, Daniere noted that some Middlebury students have a misguided notion of sexual security on our sheltered Vermont campus. "Many students think that because we have such nice, smart, clean-cut kids here that no one has diseases," she said. "But that's a false and risky assumption." In fact, Middlebury students are likely representative of the national college student body, which means that approximately one out of four students at the College is carrying an STI, even if that person is asymptomatic. Yet the sweeping popularity of the HIV-testing clinics offered last November would suggest that students do understand the risks involved in sexual activity and take appropriate measures to insure their sexual health. The appointments, funded by the Student Global AIDS Campaign but held on site at Parton Health Center, filled up almost immediately.Terry Jenny, the associate director of the Health Center, explained why these clinics are not a more common occurrence here on campus. "We are working on providing free, anonymous testing here, but at the time are not able to," Jenny said. "For liability reasons, we make a notation in a student's file every time he or she visits the Health Center. These records are confidential - they are certainly not shared with the administration or the student's parents - but they are not truly anonymous because they are attached to someone's name."The financial burden of testing is also one that the Health Center cannot carry on its own. While all medical consultations and many other services are free, some of the tests on the basic STI panel (which screens for HIV, Hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis) have to be sourced out to Porter Hospital or a state laboratory facility. At that point, the fees may vary widely from student to student depending on their insurance plans.These disparities are particularly important when considering highly expensive vaccinations and treatment, like the Gardasil shot that protects women against many strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Nearly 80 percent of sexually active women over 50 are carriers of some strain of HPV. Gardasil, through a series of three inoculations, prevents infection with the two strains that cause seven out of 10 cases of cervical cancer. Unfortunately, if not covered by insurance, the vaccine is almost prohibitively expensive at close to $400.Still, vaccination and testing services are relatively popular among students, Jenny noted."We have had a lot of girls come in to inquire about the vaccine or to get the second and third shots of the series they started at home over the summer," she said. "We also see a lot of people coming in for STI testing and women coming in for routine gynecological exams. We ask them if they are concerned about anything in particular - whether they have any symptoms - but often they've just heard or read that it's a good idea to get tested or they're doing it because they just got involved in a new relationship."Daniere agreed that this "peace of mind" testing is an excellent idea. "You'll be safer and more comfortable after you find out what your status is," she said.
