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(11/10/05 12:00am)
Author: MATT KUNZWEILER Are you that kid? If not, at least you know that kid - one of the incarnate forms of obnoxiousness responsible for souring dining hall experiences, making classes intolerable, killing the joy and generally crippling morale. I thought the College's Admissions Office would have thinned them out, but every day I witness a scene that makes me lose a little more faith in the Admissions Office. Please, if you know one of these kids, politely ask him or her to transfer.There's that kid who brings up the issue of tuition every time something doesn't go according to his little heart's desire. "Hey, I don't pay $42 grand to eat cream of mushroom soup when the menu said lobster bisque." "Hey, I don't pay $42 grand for my dorm not to have an elevator." "Hey, I don't pay $42 grand to get only two bars of cell phone reception at the fitness center." Then there's that kid who almost killed me the other day because he thought that the girl riding shot-gun would be impressed by his masculinity if he gunned the engine of his '99 Ford Explorer and accelerated into a parking space. Because that's what real men do. They drive really fast in parking lots.There's that kid whose cell phone rings in class and instead of stifling it as any level-headed member of society would, just lets it ring and exasperatedly looks around the room, shaking her head with an expression that says, "Can you believe that my mom has the nerve to call me during class? Even after I faxed her my class schedule. There's no way I'm answering this." And lets it ring for 30 seconds. A minute later it beeps, letting everyone know that mom left a voicemail.Then there's that kid who claims to be - and I quote - "the shizzle at beer die," and punctuates this claim by high-fiving someone.And there's that kid who, knowing full well that class ends at 11:00, asks the professor at 11:02 some vague question about the theme of martyrdom in English literature - which takes at least 10 minutes to answer. This is what we call a buzzer-beater - a last minute shot that forces class into overtime…and makes everyone suffer. That kid chooses brown-nosing over collective happiness. And instead of seeing him tarred and feathered as he should be, we instead have to watch him smilingly nod along to everything the professor says in response.There's also that kid who'll read my column this week and tell me that it appeared slapdash, pointless and disorganized. His comments may in fact be appropriate, but I'll tell him that it isn't easy to write something profound every week for two years - especially when I'm not getting paid. And if I can't think of anything profound to write about next week, I'll use my column (as I often do) to launch a passive-aggressive attack on whomever has upset me lately - namely, the clown who criticized this week's column. Or I'll just cut-and-paste a Dave Barry column.
(11/03/05 12:00am)
Author: Stephen Donadio The editorial in last week's issue of The Middlebury Campus in support of the termination of the American Literature Department and major seems to me remarkably uninformed. In offering its recommendation, much of the essay merely recycles uncritically the kinds of unsubstantiated assertions made in the Educational Affairs Committee (EAC)'s proposal, taking these assertions at face value and as matters of established fact.Among faculty members as well as students, there is much confusion about the nature and effect of the proposed "merger." For the record, here's the necessary history: in the fall of 2003, without openly acknowledging prior discussions of which members of the department were unaware, the Chair of American Literature and Civilization suddenly proposed consideration of a possible new joint major in English and American Literature, reassuring us all that serious exploration of this possibility and an assessment of various options would likely take many months. Almost immediately, the possibility of a joint major was taken off the table, and replaced by the current more radical plan to terminate the American Literature major and create a new American Studies department. This plan was then rushed to a vote, and presented to the English Department as the basis for a realignment that required no change whatsoever in the structure of that department or of the requirements for a major in English. There is abundant e-mail documentation for all phases of the deplorable process that has led to the current situation, but at this point the Middlebury community needs to focus its attention on two basic educational questions:(1) What exactly is the problem that is solved by the elimination of the American Literature major and Department? If in the current longstanding arrangement it is now perceived that English majors don't study enough American Literature and American Literature majors don't study enough English literature, that is not a problem that is very difficult to remedy: English majors can be required to take specific American Literature courses in which they become familiar with specific American authors and texts - and vice versa. This would require no structural change whatsoever - nor would more attentive and responsible advising in both departments.(2) Are there any courses or teaching opportunities that would be possible under the proposed EAC arrangements that would not be possible now? It seems to me that the only honest answer to this question is NO. Indeed, in the latest list of courses projected out to 2010 in the proposed new department, there is nothing new, and cross-listed English/Am. Lit. courses have been offered here for decades. As for the EAC claim, recirculated in The Campus editorial, that the very few students in these two departments who seek academic careers "have difficulty competing for admission to graduate programs" because their undergraduate training has presumably "been so narrow," where's the evidence for this? If the basis of such claims is loosely anecdotal, then it should be pointed out that there is much contradictory evidence to report, evidence suggesting that graduating Middlebury seniors have been better prepared for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) in American than in English Literature, because American Literature majors have been required to have some familiarity with the principal authors and works in that literature. In fact, numerous English majors I have taught have reported that when they took the GREs they were surprised to find themselves unprepared for them, since that examination referred to many works that they had never been obliged to read. In any case, any worthwhile conclusions on this score would have to be backed up by evidence, not just selected anecdotes. Similarly, where is the concrete evidence needed to support the contention that Middlebury graduates who hope to teach high school are currently "disadvantaged" by a "lack of exposure" to either English or American literature? Are they not sufficiently intelligent to enroll in those courses that they perceive - or are informed by their academic advisers - they will need to secure a literary background that is both broad and deep?Finally, the EAC's suggestion that if American Literature is eliminated as a distinct department of study "the catalogue will be less confusing to students" is simply juvenile and an insult to the intelligence of Middlebury students - as the high enrollment figures in American Literature courses have demonstrated for many years. In sum, the proposal to terminate the American Literature major seems to me ill-conceived and intellectually incoherent, vague in its intentions and devastating in its impact, which would be far-reaching. It is my hope that the faculty will choose to maintain a department and a literature curriculum that have served the College with evident distinction, and that offer all Middlebury students the opportunity to secure a comprehensive grasp of the nation's principal literary achievements over the past four centuries.
(11/03/05 12:00am)
Author: Jason F. Siegel The Strategic Planning Committee held a town meeting in the McCullough Social Space last Thursday in an attempt to present its completed work and gather feedback from the College community.Addressing a sparse crowd of around 15 or 20 people - about one-third the number who had attended a similar meeting earlier in the week - the Committee informally presented an array of information, including a history and overview of the process and its upcoming report, the three "core strategic initiatives" and the mission statement, before fielding a variety of questions from the audience of students, faculty and staff.President Ronald D. Liebowitz addressed the most important part of the process, the core strategic initiatives. The Committee determined that these initiatives would be the fusion of academic and residential life through the commons system, access to and within the College and competitiveness as an academic institution.Focusing first on the commons, Liebowitz presented the concerns that the Committee had encountered in the physical expansion of the system. Not only would new buildings present a costly expansion beyond what the College could reasonably afford in the immediate future, he said, but people also do not want to see the open character of the College closed off with new buildings. He reported on suggestions to reduce the size of the student body to 2,150 and the number of commons from five to four, or shifting focus to the "human capital" and programmatic development of the commons while delaying construction for a few years.Ultimately the Committee decided that the latter option would be the most appropriate. A student body of fewer than 2,350 could not financially sustain operations, and having four commons was strongly opposed by the deans as they felt it would change the very feeling of the commons system. Increasing the human capital, however, especially programmatic development, would be economically feasible in the near future.Liebowitz said that the Committee had considered the possibility of allowing seniors to have an open draw until senior housing was equal in all five commons. No definitive answer to the suggestion was given.Discussion of access to the College's resources focused primarily on financial aid and student-faculty interaction. The Committee hopes to rework the financial aid package formula with an immediate goal of providing an extra $1,000 in grants rather than loans in each financial aid package, ultimately making Middlebury a more attractive school to economically disadvantaged students. It also hopes to set the goal of reducing the student-faculty ratio from 11:1 to 8.7:1, which would provide faculty members with more time to dedicate to each student.The issue of competitiveness as an academic institution dealt principally with curricular growth and senior work. An expanded faculty, said Liebowitz, should bring with it a growth in the curriculum. Though there was no speculation as to what might be added, it would most likely be either new departments or intradepartmental expansion of coverage. The Committee also favored requiring senior independent work as a graduation requirement, calling it a capstone achievement of the Middlebury academic work ethic. In addition, Associate Professor of Computer Science Amy Briggs discussed a reevaluation of the College's distribution requirements, with Liebowitz adding that there may also be a new lab science requirement given science's increasingly key role in the world's development.Beyond the core strategic initiatives were other important parts of the report. After an introductory statement from Dean of Planning John Emerson, Stewart Professor of English and Environmental Studies John Elder presented the most recent draft of the mission statement. Some of the main aspects the Committee has tried to convey in the statement are the links between academic and residential life, the unique location of Middlebury in rural Vermont and the importance of internationalism to the College. According to an e-mail message from Emerson, the new draft will likely appear on the College Web site in the near future.Assistant Director of the Rohatyn Center for International Affairs Charlotte Tate addressed the role of people and human capital at Middlebury. She discussed the importance of faculty and staff development to the maintenance of excellence in everthing the College does. Tate also emphasized the need to "be a good neighbor" to the town. She commented briefly on the importance of optimizing the College's financial resources to make these things possible.After the presentation, the Committee fielded questions from the audience and Liebowitz responded, occasionally helped by other members of the Committee. People challenged many of the ideas introduced, and in all cases the Committee had already considered the perspectives of the audience members.One question that came up that had not appeared to be a concern in any task force report was the dim lighting on campus, which caused many students who grew up in well-lit urban areas to feel unsafe. Planning Committee member J.S. Woodward '06 suggested that the students alert Facilities Management to the problem, as it is often unaware of expired bulbs. Liebowitz reminded the audience that there has long been a semi-annual night tour of the campus to identify the poorly lit spots on campus, which ushered in the blue lights.Assistant Professor of Theatre Claudio Medeiros '90 inquired about the role of the arts in Middlebury's future. Emerson responded by noting that the Committee for Art in Public Places was one of the Task Forces in the spring, and said that the arts would fit in with the themes of the process. This was evident in Elder's earlier statement that a mandatory thesis was not necessarily the most appropriate manifestation of independent senior work for all departments, so each department would determine the form of the project.After the meeting, Emerson and Liebowitz said they were satisfied with the proceedings. Emerson praised the students in attendance, and Liebowitz, acknowledging that it was a busy time of year, was disappointed that more students had not shown up. He had also wanted to hear student opinions about the commons and said, "Though the infrastructure of the commons system is essential to provide the kinds of interaction to which we aspire, it is, first and foremost about relationships and what those relationships lead to."
(11/03/05 12:00am)
Author: Zoey L. Burrows On Friday, Oct. 28, Sarah Bray '08 won the 27th presentation of the Paul Ward '25 Prize for excellence in writing by first-year students for her art history essay, "The Erotic Drawings of Augustine Rodin: A Feminist Approach." This year a record 37 students were nominated. Students are nominated by their instructors, who give exceptional papers to an interdisciplinary panel of faculty judges. These judges read the papers and decide on one winner who receives $500, two runners-up who receive $250 each and four honorable mentions. Associate Professor of English Kathleen Skubikowski commenced the award presentation and introduced guest speaker David Haward Bain, a lecturer in creative writing. He said that after 19 years at Middlebury, he is quite proud of the accomplishments of the College's writers, whether students or faculty. Bain spoke of a "bragging shelf" in his office, heavy with past students' work. He proudly listed publications and prizes featuring Middlebury alumni, including the Whiting Award, Harper's Journal, the Christian Science Monitor and personal novels. "The bragging shelf has room for more," he told the prize nominees. Of his fellow creative writing faculty he boasted, "We have a solid core and an identity. I think the department has a lot to be proud of." The professors explained their reason for nominating each first-year student. There were four honorable mentions for essays by sophomores Michael Fletcher, Joseph Giacomelli, Emily Peterson and Jonathan Sherr. Runners-up Alexis Mussomeli and Lauren Sullivan, both '08, both read excerpts from their essays. Mussomeli's essay entitled "Amidst the Commotion, a Beauty in Simplicity," was written for an art survey class and analyzed two water jugs from the Middlebury College Museum of Art. Eliza Garrison, instructor in history of art and architecture, described the essay as "poetic and visual." Sullivan's essay, "Distinct Presence: The Survival of Mary the Magdalene's Spirituality in Art," written for a religion course with Visiting Instructor Maria Hatigeorgiou, compared four photos of the Virgin Mary and argued that Mary was one of Jesus' strongest disciples and "the prime comforter." Her professor described her writing style as "beautiful, lucid and graceful," making her forget that she was reading a first-year's work.Bray read several excerpts from her 20-page research paper written for Professor of History of Art and Architecture John Hunisak's first-year seminar. According to a proud Hunisak, Bray regards herself as an artist and scholar, and "can say exactly what she means." Bray's central idea was that Rodin's "drawings assert the power of femininity." She argued that Rodin's conception of women was revolutionary because although "women are the protagonists in Rodin's late paintings," they are not portrayed as the objects of male desire. Bray also touched on Rodin's relationship of mutual respect with his models, which lent strength to his art. Finally, Bray wrote that women's creativity, like Rodin's, leads to new life. On the selection process, judge Skubikowski remarked that the top 10 essays are ranked separately and then the judges collaborate to narrow them down. She said that "almost always the number one paper stands out unanimously." "The hardest part," Skubikowski said, is that "we're comparing apples and oranges." She concluded that the prize "privileges writing style, voice and originality." The Paul W. Ward '25 Memorial Prize was established in 1978 by his widow, Dorothy Ward '28. Paul Ward was a journalist and diplomatic reporter - careers that brought him the Pulitzer Prize and the French Legion of Honor. In her letter of bequest to the College, Mrs. Ward wrote, "During his long career, he emphasized the use of basic English as a writer's most necessary tool."
(11/03/05 12:00am)
Author: ABIGAIL MITCHELL "They ate hot cereal made out of whole wheat that was literally whole and slightly boiled ... Ivan's crew once had to wash their excrement in salt water and sift it with a sieve. What remained was cooked again." -From April Fool's Day, by Josip Novakovich Last Thursday, Chateau Grand Salon opened its doors to Croatian-born writer Josip Novakovich. Having immigrated to the U.S. at the age of twenty, Novakovich has published a novel, three short story collections, two narrative essay collections, as well as three textbooks on the art of fiction writing. Among many other prestigious awards, Novakovich received a Guggenheim Fellowship and two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships. Currently, he teaches in the MFA program at Penn State University. Novakovich proved to be no exception to the often-observed phenomenon of writers doubling as stand-up comedians. The small crowd of literary enthusiasts gathered in the salon could not help laughing as Novakovich sarcastically hailed America "a great country where you can wear a tee-shirt all year long." Of course, he was poking fun at America's unceasing quest for climate control. Back in Croatia, he told us, one wore layers in the winter and went naked in the summer. Much to our amusement, Novakovich then removed his sweater and unbuttoned his collared shirt. To begin Novakovich read from April Fool's Day, his epic novel tracing Yugoslav history through the life of protagonist Ivan Dolinar. Novakovich then read from his latest work, a collection of short fiction entitled "Infidelities." The excerpt he chose to read featured the sordid sexual affair of a female Bosnian immigrant. Two paragraphs into the story, Novakovich stopped suddenly and asked our permission to leave the room in order to blow his nose. Novakovich's unique perspective as an immigrant and ex-patriot give him that perceptiveness of American culture that only non-natives posess - Nabokov and Hemon are other examples. The fluidity, wit and art of Novakovich's prose make it hard to believe that English is his second language. When asked why he chose to write in English, Novakovich said, "It just seemed natural after having studied for five years at American schools." Novakovich's prose is largely influenced by the absurdism of Kafka and Gogol. Citing Dead Souls, Novakovich explained that he wanted to "make fun of Yugoslavia the way Gogol made fun of Russia." "My approach was fairly satirical," Novakovich admitted. When asked why his writing is so scorchingly caustic, Novakovich laughed and jokingly said, "Meanness definitely works better."
(11/03/05 12:00am)
Author: Polly Johnson Billy Collins, the U.S. poet laureate from 2001 to 2003, spoke to a Mead Chapel audience of students, visiting parents, faculty and staff last Friday, delivering an eloquent, thought-provoking, inspiring and often side-splittingly funny reading of his poems.Reginald L. Cook Professor of American Literature Brett Millier introduced Collins as "the most widely read contemporary poet today." Before Millier spoke, Katy Abbott, co-faculty head of Ross Commons, spoke about the "Readings in Ross: The Fall Poetry Series" program that has been in the process of development for the past year. Abbott and her husband, co-faculty head of Ross Commons Steve Abbott "were inspired to contact Billy Collins and to invite him for a reading during a conversation with a Ross parent during a Fall Family Weekend last year." In an effort to gradually introduce the poetry series, Ross Commons sent "all entering first-year students in Ross a collection of contemporary poems selected and introduced by Billy Collins," according to Mrs. Abbott. At the start of the year, new students met in small groups to discuss the poems they had read and the role of poetry in contemporary society.The lecture was sponsored by the Abernethy Lecture Fund, which was established in 1927 to bring American writers to Middlebury. Millier explained that the annual lecture or reading has been given by distinguished poets, critics and fiction writers. The first speaker in the series was Robert Frost in 1927.In her introduction, Millier described Collins' poems as "broadly accessible" and containing complete "technical sophistication." Not more than 30 seconds into Collins' speech, the audience was captivated by his humor, warmth and personality. He noted that "the first poem is a welcoming poem to the reader, an acknowledgement of his presence," and then proceeded to read his introductory selection, followed by many others. His poignant poems and engaging reading style allowed for a great amount of audience participation. The laughter raucous at times, and the silence of audience reflection was equally powerful. Attendee Peter Hamlin, associate professor of Music and Music Department chair, said, "Collins seems like a magician to me - he puts ordinary objects in front of you that you think you recognize, and all of a sudden they become something else entirely." Gary Margolis, director and psychologist at the Counseling and Human Relations Center and an associate professor of English, was equally moved by Collins. Margolis, a poet himself, will be reading his poetry as a part of the Ross Poetry Series on Nov. 8. He agreed that "this was Middlebury at its best. [Collins'] combination of being able to empathize in poems that are smart, wry and so cognizant of the images that we surround ourselves with, and to be able to put it in a language that is gentle and rhythmic so that people can enter the poems with him, gives him a very unique place in North American poetry."Collins showed a great range in his poems. He read two poems about dogs, a humorous haiku, his title poem - "The Trouble With Poetry" - and a work that cracked everyone up in Mead Chapel, "The Lanyard." His poems mixed the pleasures of mundane life with humor and hints of tenderness and deeper, underlying meanings. In speaking of the appropriate time to write poems about death, he quoted Martha Stewart: "It's good at holiday time or anytime."Students were equally impressed with Collins. Will Martin '07.5 said of the readings, "Having not ever read or even heard of Billy Collins and being generally skeptical at the idea of a poetry reading, I found his 'lecture' satirical and funny while remaining emotionally moving. I liked his conscious play and engagement of the reader through his masterful perception of everyday life."The question and answer section was as enjoyable as the reading. He explained the process by which he was elected to be the Poet Laureate, as well as how he goes about writing his poems. In explaining how he writes a successful poem, he said, "I try to read my poems as a reader would. As I write the poem, I have to keep flipping over to the reader's side." Overall, Collins' lecture was a huge success. The positive feedback was overwhelming. Millier stated it particularly well: "Collins is well-known for his sense of humor, both on the page and in public readings, and he did not disappoint us. Several of the poems he read brought the house down with laughter. I remember 'The Lanyard' in particular in that regard. But he is also a serious, well-read and intelligent poet whose humorous poems almost always say something serious and moving and important about how it feels to be human."
(11/03/05 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] To the Editor: I was pretty bummed when I read your interview with the new liquor inspector. If I really wanted to know his job history I would have called and asked for a resume. I would liken those sort of questions to getting an interview with Bush and asking him his favorite kind of pizza instead of why he's destroying the environment. I understand that you can't ask him why the hell we can't get free beer anymore (curt answer: it's illegal), but asking him why he's enforcing a policy that endangers students and makes it more likely for students to break the law would have been wicked nice. I'm pretty sure that you know that the majority of students are pretty miffed about this policy, and cutting into Mike a little bit instead of going all buddy, buddy would have been much appreciated. Check out the article on McCardell - he's got some pretty sweet stuff to say on the issue. I understand it must be hard to do your job with all the work we have here - I can't imagine having even one more deadline, so kudos for that. However, I feel like you sort of botched your opportunity. Sincerely,Jeff Bates '08Cumberland, MaineTo the Editor:I will add to the discussion about English and American literature courses at Middlebury by making a suggestion to future high school teachers. I urge you to take as many American Literature classes as you can while you are at the College. For one thing, English majors need to be prepared for the high school classroom by a deep knowledge of American works. If the English Literature major does not cover enough of them, take advantage of the opportunity in American Literature. High school courses center on the American novel, no matter what the syllabus says.For another, by taking these classes before you graduate you will actually read them. There are many "I really should read this sometime" titles in American Lit. You may not get to them down the line. High school teachers do much preparation for units; not all textbook teacher guides do the trick. The classroom may offer many learning aids. Still, the teacher is the ultimate resource. The students will seek your expertise. Middlebury's excellent English and American Literature majors will give you yours.Sincerely,Carroll Cummings '86 To the Editor:With all due respect, Caroline Vial's review of Carla Fehr's lecture on the Summers episode at Harvard seems to illustrate the very thing it is decrying. Whereas Summers's remarks on some possible explanations for women's under-representation on the science and engineering faculties at Harvard that were a model of academic caution-tentative, open-minded, and un-dogmatic - Vial and Fehr's reaction was the very opposite. Realism being the first desideratum of moral responsibility, a good liberal arts education should honor the critical and un-biased search for truth. Let the spirit of Emerson bloom once more on New England's college campuses.Sincerely,Luke LeaSignal Mtn., Tenn.
(11/03/05 12:00am)
Author: Rachel Durfee, Francesca Filippelli Looking to avoid that awkward morning-after confrontation in the dining hall? Tired of holding your cumbersome tray as you wait for your made-to-order Ross omelet? Turned off by the prospects of yet another cup of acidic "Central Highlands Brew"? Might we suggest Sunday brunch at Tully and Marie's - it's a tasty option if you're looking to get off campus and away from the usual choices of Ross and Atwater. Located within walking distance of campus (at least while the nice weather lasts) and situated right on Otter Creek, the restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere for entertaining parents or just hanging out with friends. Brunch starts at 10:30 a.m., so don't expect to be served any earlier (though we imagine most students won't have this problem on a typical Sunday morning). If you do manage to crawl out of bed early though, you won't be alone - other hungry breakfast goers were crowding the stairs before the doors even opened. Promptly at 10:30 the manager unlocked the door, posted the delectable menu and warmly invited us in. The restaurant can handle large parties, so don't hesitate to bring your whole hall. The staff is very accommodating and will find the necessary number of chairs for your party, though we do recommend a reservation. Most tables on the main and upper levels have a view of the creek, and during the summer months the outside deck is open to diners. The décor is somewhat reminiscent of an old-fashioned diner, with a bright color scheme and colorful paintings and mirrors lining the walls. The menu offers a variety of eggs, pancakes and other common breakfast dishes at reasonable prices. The Eggs Any Style ($4.95), which includes two eggs (any style), toast and hash browns is a perfect option if you are looking for a satisfying brunch on the lighter side. If Saturday night has left you with a large appetite we suggest the Huevos Rancheros: eggs any style on crisp corn tortillas, with black beans, jack cheese and hot salsa for $6.95. It's a zesty plate that's even big enough to share, though we recommend a serving of home fries on the side to satisfy starchy cravings. For a taste north of the border, the Smoked Salmon Benedict ($8.50) rules supreme. The creative mix of poached eggs and smoked salmon in a hollandaise sauce is sophisticated, yet pleasing. Fluffy and warm, the homemade English muffins are the best part. If eggs aren't what you crave on a Sunday morning, Tully and Marie's offers blueberry, pecan and buttermilk pancakes ($4.95-$5.25) and other more lunch-like fare. To quench your thirst and re-hydrate, the fresh-squeezed orange juice beats Proctor's watered down concentrate disguised as juice anytime, although the small might leave you longing for more. Since there's only a dollar price difference, we'd suggest opting for the larger size. We unanimously decided that the Bloody Mary (only $3.00!) had quite a kick. For the caffeine addicts in the group, the waitress kept the coffee flowing. We chose the featured brew, Tres Mariposas, produced by Julia Alverez's coffee farm.At the end of the meal we were satisfied and, after putting off our work long enough, we were ready for the walk back to campus and straight to the library. Tully and Marie's is a tasty Sunday option and definitely worth the trek into town. Best of all, you can eat with a conscience (even if you haven't completely regained consciousness) - the restaurant is part of the Vermont Local Farms network that supports local producers and suppliers. Even the artwork adorning the walls is created by local artists and is for sale. Check out the price list by the bar area near the entrance for more information. Though we're normally Ross brunch die-hards, Tully and Marie's proved easy on the wallet and we'll certainly be back again soon.
(10/27/05 12:00am)
Author: Joshua Carson and C. Gregory Lazerus If you're looking for a small, cozy, English-style pub, look no further than Main Street in Bristol, Vt. The Bobcat Café is nestled amongst local business in the heart of this quaint town 20 minutes from Middlebury. With a large bronze bobcat hung across the entryway, the pub calls like a beacon to diners and drinkers alike. Upon entering the pub, you can see traces of its namesake scattered everywhere. Decorated with bobcats and rustic wooden picture frames, you immediately feel at home in the familiar and warm atmosphere, with clientele ranging from the local farmer to the typical college student. The bar area is especially welcoming, made from a dark stained wood with rows of bookshelves hanging above - you can see why this place was packed early on Saturday night. With ample seating, the pub is a perfect getaway for a relaxing drink with friends or a sit-down meal with the family. The Bobcat Cafe offers standard pub fare, including fish and chips, burgers and sandwiches together with innovative salads, pasta and meat dishes. But the entrée selections were limited and a bit on the pricy side, so we stuck with the pub menu and were not disappointed. To start, we tried the French onion soup and the garlic mussels with toast. The soup, served in a traditional crock, was covered in a plethora of melted cheese and chock-full of onions. While a bit on the salty side, this was a great way to kick off the meal. The mussels were presented in a large white bowl and submerged in a garlic marinara sauce. They tasted great, but on their own were not very substantial. Be sure to eat them together with the toast and sauce to prepare for the main course. Following the apps, we jumped right into our entrees, having ordered a burger, steak sandwich and steak salad. The burger and steak sandwich were cooked to order and served with all the usual garnishes, including lettuce, tomato, onion and choice of cheese, and came with a choice of sweet potato or regular fries. For those Atkins-conscious eaters, the steak salad would be a good choice, although an increase in the portion of actual stake wouldn't be a bad idea.The Bobcat Cafe is not only a pub and eatery but also a brewery with freshly-brewed beer served on tap every day. We would recommend the IPA, but you can also choose from porter, ale and other seasonal beers. Another option is to get the sampler and try them all. With moderate pub prices and homebrewed beer, the Bobcat Cafe is not a bad option for parents weekend. While the drive is a bit long, and the service a little slow, this is a good choice for a relaxed, quality meal in a English-style pub with a Vermont twist.
(10/27/05 12:00am)
Author: Teddy Flanagan ’04 As a liberal arts college, Middlebury's goal has always been to foster academic diversity and intellectual curiosity. The range of study at Middlebury is, has been and always should be, as diverse as the Vermont weather. Rigidity in any form doesn't fit with the spirit of the campus. That is why it has been distressing to follow this ongoing debate about the future of the American Literature major. We all expect Middlebury's brilliant professors to routinely question the viability of their curriculum; that's how scholarship evolves. Sadly, though, this debate seems to have turned into a pitched battle of firmly entrenched positions. This runs contrary to the very ideals that make Middlebury such an amazing academic institution. Reading letters in Middlebury Magazine and online articles from The Campus, I wonder why a compromise can't be reached. Middlebury College certainly has the resources to broaden its academic possibilities without choosing to eliminate others. I was back on campus for the first time in over a year for homecoming this year. Are you telling me that new library can't accommodate every literature syllabus under the sun? I know there are professors at Middlebury equally qualified to teach Melville and Dickens, Conrad and Hemingway, James the Brit and James the Yank.We should let this potential be fully realized. I think a unified department of English and American literature is a fantastic idea. Of course some might say, when it comes to American and English literature, good fences make good neighbors. Middlebury always preaches "curricular breadth." Allow the depth of study facilitated by the current majors to coexist with the "breadth" that would be accomplished by having more courses and credits cross-listed. Sprinkle in a few course options each year that address trans-Atlantic literary topics and all of a sudden your studies are more fully integrated.I would have liked to have had more opportunity to read between American and English lines while at school, but I wouldn't change a thing about the curriculum I did follow. I think it would be a tragedy to sacrifice the tradition of Middlebury's American Literature major at the alter of "curricular breadth." At the same time, proponents of the change are absolutely right to call for a unified field of study. We shouldn't let departmental inflexibility destroy the chance for what could be a truly productive synthesis. I think extremely highly of all the literature professors at Middlebury, and especially those with whom I worked in American Literature. They have given me an education that I value immensely. And maybe it's nostalgia (if you can be nostalgic at 23) for that education that makes me reluctant to embrace such a sweeping change. But, then again, Middlebury is about tradition and nostalgia too. I've got the cane to prove it. Middlebury's vast material and human resources make an ideal solution easily attainable. Sure, Ahab and Gatsby would never compromise, but they weren't liberal arts educators. American Literature is invaluable to the college, and with the proper guidance, its future should be even brighter.
(10/27/05 12:00am)
Author: [no author name found] The Faculty Council should adopt the proposal offered by the Educational Affairs Committee (EAC) for the establishment of an English and American Literature major. The current separation of the two departments is an academic anachronism. The College is the only institution in the country that divides the study of Anglophone literature into separate fields. That the proposal is supported by majorities in both departments and unanimously by the Student Educational Affairs Committee is testament to its validity.As the curriculum stands now, English majors at the College are inadequately versed in American literature, a shortcoming that College professors have acknowledged as a serious hindrance to students wishing to pursue graduate study in English.Because there is no way to pursue a graduate degree in American literature exclusively, American Literature majors are also unable to further their literary educations without building a foundation in English literature. The study of American literature at the College would actually be enhanced by increased exposure to English literature, literary theory and the history of literature in a global context, regardless of students' post-Middlebury plans.Although English majors can currently count two classes from the American Literature Department in their majors, because the courses in the College Catalogue are separated, students often do not take advantage of this opportunity and are not made aware of the repercussions their undergraduate course selection can have on graduate applications.A combined curriculum culminating in J-Term comprehensive exams covering British, American and post-colonial texts would give Middlebury literature students the academic edge necessary to be among the most competitive graduate students and better prepare them to teach literature at the high school level. Though the creation of a new Department of English and American Literature is certainly the right step for the College, all efforts must be made to ensure that the number of quality courses covering American authors is maintained. Students should be able to select seminars and lecture-based courses dealing exclusively in American poets, novelists and dramatists if they choose to do so. The legacy of the American Literature department can and should continue to distinguish the study of literature at the College from its peer institutions, but not continue to limit the literary exposure of English majors. The formation of an American Studies major is also the right choice for a College at which interdisciplinary majors such as International Studies and Environmental Studies are among the most popular fields of study. The introduction of an American Studies program would also make the College's interdisciplinary curriculum more congruous. It is lamentable that the discussions surrounding the proposed department merger have been marred by flaring tempers. No matter what decision is reached at the November faculty meeting, it can only be hoped that the outcome is handled in a professional manner.
(10/27/05 12:00am)
Author: ALISON LACIVITA "Emperor Tomato Ketchup" begins a new chapter in the Stereolab novel, one that relies less on the Krautrock-ian chug-and-drone of earlier material in favor of more varied forms of expression. The cocktail-kitsch vibe of the late '60s is more prevalent than ever. And although there's a definite sense of faithfulness to these influences, there's more than enough new spins to keep things interesting. Stereolab accomplishes quite a balancing act between "Emperor Tomato Ketchup's" 13 pop and experimental moments. Usually, the boundaries are flexible, creating compelling hybrids like "Slow Fast Hazel," with its string-tinged, lilting verses and keyboard-swelled, escalating choruses. The new forays are cool as hell, particularly the frosty trip-hop chill of the eight-minute opener "Metronomic Underground" and the mutant tropicalia of "Percolator." The group's fascination with Brazilian textures also graces "Les Yper-Sound," which adorns a classic Laetitia Sadier melody with oscillating instrumental accompaniment and a firm rhythmic exoskeleton. Elsewhere, the acoustic strums and counterpoint harmonies of "Spark Plug" conjure up the catchiest melody of Tom Ze or Astrud Gilberto's wildest dreams. Even the tracks rooted in Stereolab's earlier ideas are more fully developed, buoyed on by contributions from longstanding collaborator Sean O'Hagan (of The High Llamas) and Tortoise/The Sea & Cake member John McEntire, who would go on to produce the band's next two albums (it is his distinctive way with the vibes that you hear at the end of "Tomorrow Is Already Here"). "OLV 26" resists the temptation to just drone forever, as analog keyboards bubble and whiz around Tim Gane's four-note guitar riff. The title track gets downright funky in a Can or Neu! kind of way, which is a great thing indeed. But ultimately, it is the high-minded tracks that prove the most interesting, particularly "Cybele's Reverie" and "Monstre Sacre," one of Sadier's darker essays on society. "The Noise Of Carpet" (which has actually been covered by, of all admirers, Pearl Jam) isn't exactly serious, but its head-down delivery and undulating vocal melody rock with real conviction. Sadier's lyrics on "Emperor Tomato Ketchup" are rattled off in both English and French, at times obscuring the frequent Marxist themes just enough to get the point across. "Emperor Tomato Ketchup" spotlights Stereolab at a point when it was moving more towards both jazz and electronica. Subsequent albums frequently went too heavy on each, but in "Emperor Tomato Ketchup", the assimilation process goes off pretty much without a hitch. This is very intelligent and well-constructed pop with a welcome new take on old musical ideals.
(10/27/05 12:00am)
Author: Betsy Currier Beacom '82 National trends not cause for department dismissalI am afraid that Middlebury College is losing its way. It is certainly beginningto look like a place I don't recognize.I refer to the proposed dismantling of the American Literature curriculum andthe way in which this proposal has come about. I majored in Am Lit, and to thisday the American literary tradition remains a powerful presence in myimagination and my orientation in the world. This tradition has been a uniquefeature of the College's curriculum for over 70 years, thanks to professorswho have consistently seen and nurtured its value, but it is at presentthreatened by a shoddy proposal to eliminate the American Literature departmentand major.The condescending responses to the letters I have written to PresidentLiebowitz, other members of the administration and faculty and the alumnimagazine protesting this proposed change, tell me that alumni opinion on thissubject is being dismissed. What, after all, do alumni know about the businessof structuring and maintaining academic departments? Perhaps little. But we doknow what majoring in American literature has meant to us in our lives beyondcollege, and those of us who have raised our voices against this proposed"merger" and the contemptible means by which it has come about are speakingabout more than course listings and teaching assignments.A number of alumni have voiced their outrage over this proposal. Those whosupport it should know that at the root of the alumni protests is no mere mistynostalgia for our golden college years. Rather, we protest because we are theproducts of this department and the systematic study of American literature. Weknow, perhaps better than anyone, the value of this education.I chose Middlebury because I wanted to study American literature. After readingEmerson, Hawthorne and Frost in high school, I knew that this was theliterature I wanted to study. Middlebury was a perfect fit. If Middleburychooses to eliminate the Am Lit major, where will students who want to delveinto the American literary tradition find themselves? Students like me willfind themselves piecing together a patchwork of courses that don't add up tothe same kind of systematic study me and my fellow Am Lit majors have beenfortunate enough to have. Am Lit will disappear within the English department.Sure, the faculty members will be able to teach what they want, but the students willbe the biggest losers under the proposed changes. One course here and onecourse there do not an education make.Alumni who have spoken out about the proposed change also know that the entireMiddlebury community stands to lose from it as well. This loss is one ofdecency and doing the right thing. The process by which these proposed changeshave been advanced was neither open nor inclusive. Senior faculty members whohave been responsible for the growth of the department over the past 20-plusyears have been discounted and treated with deep disrespect. A decision as significant as the dissolution of an academic department should not be made by a few faculty members, but rather should only be carried out by unanimous vote as has always been the case at Middlebury. The disregard withwhich [Professor] John McWilliams and [Fulton Professor of American Literature] Stephen Donadio have been treated by their colleagues is shameful. Where is the faculty's sense of integrity?I have always had the sense that Middlebury, like the state of Vermont in whichit resides, would never change just to follow a trend. Yet in a recent articlein the alumni magazine, [Reginald L. Cook Professor of American Literature] Brett Millier, the chair of the American Literature and Civilizations Department, explains thereasons for eliminating the major by referring to the national field [ofliterary study], which is rapidly moving toward cultural studies. I findthis weak defense of such a drastic curricular change to be distressing. IsMiddlebury now interested in following trends, or doesn't it have a strongenough sense of the proven value of its offerings to stand behind them? Sincewhen does Middlebury take a radical step like eliminating a highly regardedmajor and department simply because everybody's doing it?
(10/27/05 12:00am)
Author: Daniel L. J. Phillips The Faculty Council completed the third and final open meeting on Tuesday to discuss an Educational Affairs Committee (EAC) proposal that would establish a department and major in English and American Literature and a new interdisciplinary program and major in American Studies. At its next meeting in early November, the Faculty Council will vote solely on the curricular issue of combining the two literature departments and creating a new program in American Studies. The EAC proposal recommends that the existing major in American Literature remain in place until students in the Class of 2009 who have declared that major graduate, at which time the major would no longer be offered. It was clarified at the meetings that the EAC endorsement does not come with staffing expectations, and that the EAC would allow faculty members to choose their new department under the suggested structure.The proposal initially resulted from discussions that began in 2003 within the existing Departments of English and American Literature and Civilization. Meanwhile, the EAC has looked at course offerings in literature and American Studies at comparable institutions, including Amherst, Wesleyan and Williams. The Student Educational Affairs Committee (SEAC) twice circulated a questionnaire to all literature majors in both departments, and has expressed unanimous support for the proposed changes.The proposal to integrate the two literature departments presents four main changes to the current curriculum. The proposed requirements for the new major would be a minimum of 12 courses, as opposed to the minimum of 11 courses for a current English major. Two of the 12 courses required for the new major would have to be in American literature - while the present structure allows up to two American Literature credits to count for the English major, students are not bound to take any minimum number of American offerings. The required course, ENGL 0103 Reading Literature, would be replaced by ENAM 0103, which would expand its focus to concern British, American and post-colonial literature. Lastly, the Senior Comprehensive Exam taken during J-Term of senior year in the new major would cover British, American and post-colonial texts, as opposed to only English authors as under the current program. Contained within the EAC proposal was a draft of the impending course catalogue entry for the new major, which outlines that students will still be expected to complete literature courses in all of the major genres - fiction, drama and poetry - and must also study literary theory and criticism adhering to the current requirement. The new interdisciplinary program of American Studies would require a minimum of 12 courses, including at least two introductory courses before junior year; three electives at the 200-level; junior and senior seminars; and an honors thesis or one-semester essay. Introductory course offerings would include two sections on the Formulation of Early American Culture, covering the years 1492-1913, and the Formulation of Modern American Culture, 1920-2000. The electives would be cross-listed with other departments, but at least one must focus on the period prior to 1865. Students would also have the opportunity, upon program approval, to concentrate in the following areas: Artistic and Intellectual Traditions; Race and Ethnicity; Space and Place; Popular Culture; Cultural Politics; or a self-designed focus. In their Substitute Motion refuting the EAC, Professor of Humanities John McWilliams and Fulton Professor of American Literature Stephen Donadio do not take a position regarding the composition of the proposed American Studies program. The Substitute Motion notes that the American Literature department had existed for more than 50 years before the decision was made in 1981 to incorporate the American Civilization program as a combined department with two separate majors. The main objections to the abandonment of the current structure in the Substitute Motion are that "course offerings in American literature will become unpredictable, and the requirement of majors to study American literature minimal." During the meetings Donadio emphasized that there have been "procedural and ethical improprieties" in the way this proposal came about, and warned the audience, "You are living with the consequences of this precedent."At both the Oct. 17 and Oct. 25 meetings, Stewart Professor of English and Environmental Studies John Elder urged the faculty to consider the decision as part of a "democratic process." While Elder thought it appropriate that the entire faculty vote on the proposal, he said the College community must follow up the decision with more conversation that will consider "where we might go together."Program Director for American Civilization Holly Allen said at the meetings that she has been impressed by offerings in other departments concerning Americanist topics. She feels that such a "broadly interdisciplinary" program like the American Studies endorsement will take advantage of many existing curricular strengths.As one of the most common means for supporting the proposal, the English Department acknowledged at the open meetings that current literature students are having difficulty competing for admission to graduate programs because of the curriculum's narrow focus. The current course catalog for the English department contains a paragraph to that nature beneath the major requirements, stating that "students who plan on attending graduate school in literature are advised to include at least a broad representation of American literature in their course selections." The English department strongly advises the two courses covering American authors spanning from 1830-1940, which include Emerson, Hawthorne, Melville, Henry James, T. S. Eliot, Fitzgerald, Hemingway and Faulkner, among others.
(10/13/05 12:00am)
Author: SHEILA BAMBFORD PULVER 74' As a graduate of Middlebury College with a major in American Literature, I have written three letters to President Liebowitz and the alumni magazine in protest of the proposed changes to Middlebury College's unique American Literature department which would, in essence, amount to its demise. The only response I've received thus far was from the vice president for Academic Affairs, who is coincidentally also a member of the English Department and supports the proposal. She politely assured me that the current faculty would discuss the issue thoroughly and openly and come to the wisest decision. Unfortunately, I doubt the veracity of that statement.From the beginning, the entire process of "merging" the American Literature and English Departments has been anything but open. Due to perceived inequities in their teaching load and unhappiness with the underlying historical/cultural context of the department's courses, several American Literature professors went behind the backs of the two most senior professors in the department to conspire with members of the English Department on proposed changes that would, rather than merge the two departments, effectively obliterate the American Literature Department.Furthermore, the senior American Literature professors were informed in writing that only "constructive" comments would be allowed in discussing the proposal, and it was presented to the faculty as a virtual fait accompli. The informed opinions of former American Literature faculty and alumni were not sought or seriously considered despite a flood of protests, nor was input elicited from current students. The responsibility for instigating such a momentous decision seems to rest in the hands of a few American Literature professors who demonstrate no clear understanding of the integrity of their own academic discipline, the importance of this unique department at Middlebury College, or how to initiate academic change in a respectful and open manner.Middlebury is the only college I know of that has a separate department in American Literature and a proud heritage of passing on to its majors a deep, comprehensive knowledge of a body of writing, with the recognition that it shares roots and a language with England, but springs from an inner and outer landscape of place, people and experience that is utterly distinct. The College is renowned for its prominence in the study of American literature, including the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference that Robert Frost helped to found and held forth at for many years - his cabin still stands in a clearing there - which has attracted an honor roll of American writers. The new proposal for a "combined" major in English and American literature would make no substantive changes to the former requirements for a major in English literature, but would drastically diminish the American literature component by requiring merely two courses of the student's choosing in American literature. Students with a combined major could graduate without ever reading Emily Dickenson, Mark Twain, Herman Melville, Robert Frost or Toni Morrison. In effect, American literature would become a subspecialty of English literature such as Shakespearean drama, literature of gender or the coming-of-age novel . I am deeply chagrined that the College would dismantle such a unique and distinguished department that has been an integral part of the Middlebury curriculum for many years, on the whim of a few professors whose tenure has been relatively brief, without truly open discussion among not only the current faculty but also past faculty and department majors who surely care deeply about the study of American literature at Middlebury and may also have a different, perhaps more far-sighted perspective.
(10/13/05 12:00am)
Author: Ben Salkowe The Board of Trustees convened this past weekend for its annual fall retreat to discuss major issues before the College - on the agenda was the strategic planning report, Axinn '51 Center for the Humanities and the College's affiliation with the Monterey Institute for International Studies [MIIS]. In addition, the Trustees met over the weekend with student organizations, and attended an exclusive dinner with members of Atwater Commons. The retreat at the Bread Loaf campus in Ripton also marked a first for a handful of new Trustees.The Strategic Planning Process for Middlebury's future was among the top priorities of discussion at the Board's meetings. "The Trustees got a summary review of the planning process, spent considerable time on the draft mission statement, discussing it and its meaning in 'break out groups,' and reviewed and discussed in another set of 'break out groups' the major themes that are emerging from the planning process," said President Ronald D. Liebowitz. He added, "They also got a good sense of the many issues we are engaging in the planning process."Secretary of the College John Emerson, who is also the Dean of the Planning Process, commented that the discussions focused largely on the draft of the College's revised mission statement in particular. The draft, which was first circulated to students at the close of September, includes a new emphasis on the College's graduate and specialty programs, whereas the existing mission statement mentions only the College's undergraduate program. "The Language Schools, Schools Abroad, Bread Loaf School of English, and Bread Loaf Writers' Conference are not only distinguished ventures in their own right, but are also integral to the larger identity of our college," read the draft circulated to students.According to Emerson, the discussions of the Trustees generated a significant amount of feedback. "The Trustees made many constructive suggestions for the Mission Statement. We are going to work on a new draft of that," he told The Campus. In addition, the Planning Steering Committee extended an invitation on Tuesday for students, faculty and staff to attend open meetings following the fall break, where the mission statement and other planning proposals would be discussed.Beyond discussions of the mission statement, the Trustees also discussed the five themes emerging from the strategic planning process - including goals to extend access to Middlebury College to all qualified students of any financial need and to build on "intense" faculty-student interactions. "The Trustees were generally very positive about the five broad themes for planning that we shared with the College community earlier this fall," said Emerson.These themes, however, and in particular the desire to make Middlebury more financially accessible and simultaneously expand faculty-student interactions, have also delayed the planning process. In his September planning update, Emerson wrote, "Several aspects of our work have taken longer than we had envisioned." He added, "Task force recommendations that we further strengthen student-faculty interactions by improving the student-faculty ratio have forced us to rethink our assumptions about the ideal size of the student body and faculty, and of course there are related staff implications. Furthermore, any changes in the numbers of people in the community have implications for our physical plant and the campus infrastructure."The ambitious themes of the emerging strategic plan have brought a number of fundamental issues into light - namely the College's financial aid packages and the student-faculty ratio. As the administration is still gathering information and preparing reports on these areas of the plan, the Trustees did not review advance reports on these issues. Liebowitz and other administrators gave presentations on these greater issues over the weekend.In addition to strategic planning discussions, the Trustees addressed a host of other campus issues, ranging from the MIIS affiliation to the $50 million donation first announced in the spring of 2004."On [MIIS], the Board heard an extensive update on the affiliation process, saw the latest financial model, and then voted to approved for the affiliation to move forward," said Liebowitz. It is expected that the final agreement will be signed December 1 or 2, once Liebowitz, Board Chair Frederick M. Fritz '68 and the Prudential Committee of the Board complete remaining business. According to Liebowitz, "[The Trustees] were delighted to hear that $12.1 million had been pledged to Middlebury in support of the Monterey Initiative, and that no Middlebury endowment or operating budget funds were needed to support the affiliation."The Board also received an update on the progression of the Starr Library renovation for creation of the Axinn '51 Center for the Humanities. According to Liebowitz, the Trustees approved the project to move forward with a ceiling of $26.4 million. The project, which is anticipated to break ground as early as this spring, has a projected opening of fall 2007.On the subject of the $50 million challenge gift to the College by an anonymous donor, Liebowitz explained, "Each year we set alumni participation goals for part of the $50 million challenge, and if we meet the goal, we get $1 million from the anonymous donor toward the operation budget." Because the alumni participation goal last year, at 51 percent, was exceeded with an actual participation of 56 percent, a Middlebury record, the goal for next year has to be set even higher. The Trustees discussed new pledges which had been received against the challenge, and also what the record alumni participation meant for future goals.The Trustees also discussed possible honorary degree recipients for the May 2006 Commencement. "A Board committee reviewed many nominations submitted by the College community a few weeks ago," Emerson said. "Decisions won't be made before spring 2006."In addition to meeting with student organizations and leaders through the retreat, the Board attended a special reception in Atwater Dining Hall on Friday evening. Members of Atwater Commons received printed invitations and more than a half dozen e-mails pleading for volunteers to sign-up for free tickets to the reception, which featured a special menu and drinks. The event was a rare commons-restricted reception, "Please note that only Atwater Commons Residents are invited," Atwater Faculty Co-Head Emmie Donadio wrote in one invitation. Those who did attend the reception, however, as well as those who met with the Board over the weekend, left strong impressions, according to Liebowitz. "One of our new trustees, at her first meeting, said, after engaging the students, that she knew she made the right decision to serve as a trustee," he said. The retreat welcomed five new trustees: Pamela Tanner Boll '78, Patrick L. McConathy and James Edward Virtue as term trustees, Felix G. Rohatyn '49 as a charter trustee, and Donald M. Elliman, Jr. '67 as an alumni trustee. Old Chapel, as well as students who met with the Board during the retreat, was pleased with the fall meeting. Liebowitz commented, "The retreat was a great success, in my view, because the Trustees, including our new five trustees, got to engage important issues in a sustained way, and, in some sessions, did so through discussions with administrators, faculty, students and staff."
(10/13/05 12:00am)
Author: Mallory Falk On the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 10, Middlebury College faculty members met at Kirk Alumni Conference Center for the first of three open meetings scheduled this month to discuss the future of the American Literature and Civilization Department, which may merge with the English Department in 2010 under a proposal by the Educational Affairs Committee (EAC). Under the EAC motion put forward in 2003, the American Literature and Civilization Department - currently comprised of two different fields, American Literature and American Civilization - would be divided, creating a separate department of American Studies and a combined English and American Literature major. Professor of Humanities John McWilliams and Fulton Professor of American Literature Stephen Donadio took the podium to argue for the preservation of their department.The meeting brought a close to a two-year-long process of departmental review, beginning with a brief history of the American Literature and Civilization department and the proposal to dismantle it. Established in 1928, noted McWilliams and Donadio, the department was the first of its kind: a forum for students to study American literature in depth, apart from British and Anglophone works. A civilization major was later added in 1981, giving the Department its present structure. Presently, Middlebury is the only American institution to offer a major in American Literature.A majority of the College's literature professors are in favor of eliminating the departmental divide and merging the two disciplines into one unified literature major. This restructuring of the current curriculum is supported not only by most English and American Literature faculty members, but also by the EAC. On Monday, several EAC representatives spoke on behalf of the proposal. Citing the benefits of a departmental union and stressing the result of faculty votes, EAC members encouraged the faculty at hand to support the proposed change. Members of the departments in question made the case for integration as well. Stewart Professor of English and Environmental Studies John Elder called the merge "natural and standard." Other speakers suggested that a joint English and American Literature major would provide students with a sounder understanding of literary works. The EAC proposal in support states: "Students will receive a more comprehensive and internationalist view of the history of Literature in English."McWilliams and Donadio, however, argued that placing American Literature within the English department would prove destructive and infective. "Why abandon a department and a major that are unique to Middlebury and that have served the College with evident distinction for 80 years?" wrote the two faculty members in their substitute motion to maintain the department and major of American Literature. "I assure you, [if the departments merge], the number of [American texts in the curriculum]...will be reduced," McWilliams said. A student could graduate without "hearing a word" of Emerson, Dickenson or Faulkner.The remaining meetings will take place next Monday, Oct. 17 in John McCardell Bicentennial Hall and Tuesday, Oct. 25 in Mitchell Green Lounge. A decisive faculty vote on the EAC proposal will take place in November.
(10/13/05 12:00am)
Author: ABIGAIL MITCHELL By the time he was 22 years old, Don Mitchell had already become a successful Hollywood screenwriter. Shortly after graduating from Swarthmore College, he owned two apartments in San Francisco and had two Porsches to shuttle himself back and forth between them. Mitchell is one of those incredibly rare examples of an artist who hits it big on the first try - and at such a young age! He certainly did not experience the average post-college years of eating canned tuna fish on a dingy futon in a one-room apartment while working 10-hour days as an office gopher. Instead, he was being courted by Hollywood, living in style and watching the production of his movie, "Thumb Tripping." The movie was based on Mitchell's first novel, also entitled "Thumb Tripping" (1970). It was inspired by a summer during college that Mitchell spent hitchhiking around San Francisco with his girlfriend, Cheryl, who is now his wife of almost 44 years. A life of activism, protesting and hitchhiking was a far cry from Mitchell's conservative, religious Midwestern roots. However, not long after his movie was released, Mitchell ditched his career in Hollywood and opted for rural farm life. Like many other educated people of his time, Mitchell became drawn to the "Make America Green" and "Back to the Land" movements of the 1960s and 70s. In 1974, he liquidated his California assets (Porsches and all) and bought a sheep farm in Vermont. In addition to raising sheep, Mitchell learned to design and construct buildings. In 1986, he became a member of the Middlebury faculty, where he currently serves as a lecturer in both the English Department and the Program in Film and Media Culture. When I ask him how he looks back upon his early Hollywood fame, Mitchell replies, "Most of my life has been a severe reaction to that early success." However, Mitchell's success as a writer has flourished, as his four novels, three essay collections and numerous screenplays attest to. When asked what his favorite genre is, he immediately cites the novel, as it allows for the most possibilities. One unique aspect of Mitchell's writing is that it has never featured his family or background. He strives for a more "pure fiction" in which no one in his life plays an obvious role. If you draw from people and events in your own life, Mitchell explains, then you risk making that life less authentic. "Writing is all about problem-solving," Mitchell says, "as is building and even sheep farming."
(10/06/05 12:00am)
Author: KATHRYN FLAGG Bachelor's degree payoff takes a hit While it still pays to earn that college degree, the financial benefits derived from earning a bachelor's degree are beginning to falter. In a market where the percentage of college-educated young people has never been higher, the wage premium is slowly shrinking for Americans with college degrees.Following the 2001 recession, the typical pay for workers with bachelor's degrees took a hit for the first time ever, and since 2001, the wage premium has decreased five percent. The surge in demand for high-school-educated workers in fields like construction and health has soared, and their median weekly pay is up 3.6 percent since 2000 - four times the pay increase for college-educated workers. However, with college graduates earning, on average, 40 percent more than workers with only a high school degree, a college education remains a solid investment. With more college graduates in the field than unfilled jobs requiring their credentials, new criteria and patterns are emerging in hiring practices. Increasing numbers of college graduates are taking jobs in occupations that do not seem to require a college education, including theater ushers, derrick operators and typists and word processors. The surplus of college graduates and the downward pressure on the wage premium are also encouraging a "sorting process" among employers, in which college graduates are ranked according to potential. Underperformers, those students who did not develop skills in college desired by employers, are increasingly being ranked with high school graduates. While others are sorted by school attended, field of study and postgraduate degree.- The New York Times Students seek alternatives in Teach for America With college graduates in their 20's seeking to put off major life decisions until later, Teach for America - the do-good non-profit that is generating buzz these days - is an exciting alternative for many college students. The competitive program places bright college graduates in poor rural and urban public schools across the country - offering them an opportunity to contribute to society before attending graduate school or transitioning into the more permanent workforce. This year, Teach for America reported a record 17,350 applications, up nearly 30 percent from last year.Nathan Francis, a Yale graduate who was accepted by the program but ultimately decided not to teach, said, "I don't think very many of my peers know what they want to do. It seems very appealing to have something to do that's worthwhile and short term and vies you two more years to think about your career."The group recruits on more than 500 campuses and spends nearly a quarter of its $40 million budget on recruitment. But Teach for America also boasts an impressive track record. According to an evaluation by the Mathematica Policy Research Fund, Teach for America teachers produce slightly higher math achievement and equal English results when compared to other teachers.The program remains intensely competitive and ultimately accepted just one third of its Ivy League applicants and approximately one sixth of all applications last year.- The New York Times
(10/06/05 12:00am)
Author: Jeanine Buzali The construction of The Donald E. Axinn '51 Center for Literary and Cultural Studies, to be located in a renovated Starr Library, is now scheduled to break ground this year. The plan is to convert the old library into a brand new facility that will house the English Department, including Creative Writing, as well as Film and Media Studies, American Literature and Civilization and the History Department. According to Glenn Andres, chair of the Axinn Planning Committee and Christian A. Johnson professor of Art, the project is going as planned. Demolition is to begin late this fall, followed by construction next spring and occupancy in the fall of 2007. The entire building will not be demolished, however. The project includes preserving the York (1900) and Sawyer (1927) fabric and restoring the original Reading and Abernethy Rooms, which house the lobby and index room respectively. The Shepley Reading Room (1960) will be preserved and converted into classroom spaces looking into the front campus. The Shepley stack area (1960) and the Meredith Wing (1978) will be removed to open the view from Main Street into the front part of the campus. Additions will include a circulatory winter garden across the south face of the old building, accessible entries at the east and west ends of the circulation axis, a new lobby facing McCullough Student Center and Old Chapel Road and two faculty office wings to the south. There will also be a sheltered, south-facing garden court.The environmental features of the project include the glazed, south-facing winter garden, winter solar gain, summer sunshades, maximized daylight and natural ventilation in offices complete with on-demand air- conditioning, climate-conditioned classrooms for year-round comfort, a sheltered garden courtyard for extended-season outdoor usage, the use of certified green wood and maximized usage of local products. According to Andres, the plan is for the road behind Starr to close during the construction period. Construction also depends on a coordinating but separate plan to transform Old Chapel Road into a pedestrian street with parking and drop-off on both ends. No other streets are predicted to be affected by the project in the plans so far. The Board of Trustees allocated the project's budget, meaning the money comes out of funds set aside for maintenance and renovation of Starr. According to Andres, they are still "working to trim [the budget] down." Generally speaking, however, the construction budget is separate from other budgets. Thus, this project has no impact on the academic budget. Preview plans of the project are now in circulation, courtesy of Tom McGinn, project manager. A model of the project will also be on display in the Harmon Periodicals Reading Room in the New Library for Homecoming Weekend. Comments from the College community about the project are welcomed.Although work on the Axinn Center has steadily progressed, plans to renovate Proctor and even build an entirely new dining hall have been postponed for now. A feasibility study is being conducted in order to see what needs to be done to sustain Proctor for the next decade, at the very least. Previous considerations of moving the College Store into the McCullough Student Center and constructing a new social space on the back of the building have also been put into long-term building plans. However, renovating residential buildings first has been made the new priority.
