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(05/06/21 9:52am)
Thirty-year-old Cassie was a “promising young woman” until the inadequate response to her best friend’s rape caused her to drop out of medical school. Now, she lives a double life. By day she works at a cafe, and at night she goes to clubs pretending to be precariously drunk until a “nice guy” offers to take her home. As they try to take advantage of her, she reveals her sobriety to their chagrin — though the form her revenge takes is often left unseen. She repeats this scheme every weekend until an unexpected encounter forces her to confront her past.
“Promising Young Woman” is a revenge thriller, a rom-com and a mystery all at once — an overall spectacular film directorial debut from Emerald Fennell. The writing is sharp and the banter is witty. Carrie Mulligan dazzles, embodying the feisty Cassie with grace; she garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Actress along the way.
“Promising Young Woman” attacks rape culture, dismantling commonly held beliefs about victim blaming and the idea of “nice guys” always being harmless. Through sometimes twisted means, Cassie lets characters confront their hypocrisies about rape and the role of bystanders. She is a nuanced protagonist — a strong-willed and clever woman who is not afraid to lie and manipulate to achieve her goals. Even so, she remains an empathetic and emotional individual struggling with grief, identity and love.
Beyond Mulligan, the ensemble cast featuring Bo Burnham, Jennifer Coolidge, Connie Britton, Laverne Cox and Alison Brie, is excellent. Many of the male actors, such as Max Greenfield of “New Girl” fame, Christopher Mintz-Plasse from “Superbad” and Adam Brody of “Gilmore Girls” are famous for playing harmless, lovable boyfriends in comedies. In “Promising Young Woman,” though, they take on more sinister roles, flipping our preconceptions about who may be a sexual predator.
The production design and costuming is decadent. Cassie is often decked out in pink sweaters, pastel bows and candy-colored nail polish. The colorful neon backgrounds and the pop soundtrack, which features Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, clash with the movie’s horrifying and sometimes nauseating subject matter. Some have criticized the film for having an uneven tone, but I think the juxtaposition of genres works well here. Fennell keeps us guessing, with some of the most shocking plot twists I’ve seen in film.
No spoilers here, but the ending of the movie is both unexpected and unsettling. My blood ran cold while watching the last 20 minutes, and I kept wondering where the conclusion was going. The provocative finale is satisfying yet surprising, and it has continued to linger with me long after the final fade to black.
This is not a warm, feel-good film; rather, it forces viewers to sit with the disturbing realities of sexual violence and patriarchal norms in our society. “Promising Young Woman” is not preachy but instead a gripping, timely and thoroughly entertaining movie that subverts the standards of a revenge thriller.
“It’s every man’s worst nightmare, getting accused like that!” a character says at one point.
“Can you guess what every woman’s worst nightmare is?” retorts Cassie. Although fictional, the universe of “Promising Young Woman” has more in common with our reality than we might like to admit.
(04/16/21 7:15pm)
The student body elected Roni Lezama ’22 as president of the Student Government Association (SGA) for the 2021–22 school year in a landslide election. Lezama won 72.5% of the vote (791 votes). Lezama ran against Myles Maxie ’22, who received 27.5% of the vote (300 votes).
Voting was open for 24 hours, starting Thursday April 15 and closing the following day at noon. 38.58% of students voted (1091 votes) in this year’s election, a nearly 17 percentage point drop from the 55.27% who cast their ballots in last year’s election.
As president, Lezama plans to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, advance the college’s anti-racism efforts and reform mental health resources on campus. He has named Charice Lawrence ’23 and Meg Farley ’24 as his vice presidents, and stressed the importance of collaboration in his campaign. Lezama currently serves as SGA Vice President.
Sophia Lundberg ’21.5 won the fall Community Council Co-Chair seat, garnering 63% of the vote (687 votes). While campaigning, Lundberg, current SGA vice president, emphasized her communication skills and plans to increase the visibility of the position.
She ran against Maxie, who received 37% of the votes (404 votes) respectively. Maxie ran uncontested for Community Council Co-Chair for the 2022 spring semester.
Students also elected class senators. Masud Lewis ’22 and Anna Saviano ’22 were elected to the two senior senator positions. Miguel Sanchez-Tortoledo ’23 will serve as a class senator for the third year in a row, and Aubrianna Wilson ’23, SGA director of the Relationship & Sexual Respect Committee, was elected to the other junior senator position. Karina Martir ’24 — a current first-year senator — and Reika Herman ’24 will be next year’s sophomore senators.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Aubrianna Wilson '23 was SGA deputy director of the Relationship & Sexual Respect Committee. She is the director of the committee.
(04/15/21 9:59am)
Netflix and Amazon may reign over original streaming programming, but there is a new kid on the block: Apple TV+. The new platform offers a variety of original programming, from feel-good comedies to psychological thrillers. Here’s a rundown of their four most popular and exciting projects.
“Servant”
From the dark mind of M. Night Shyamalan (of “The Sixth Sense” fame) comes “Servant,” a psychological thriller and one of my favorite new shows. Recipe-developer Sean (Toby Kebbell) and news reporter Dorothy (Lauren Ambrose) seem like a picture-perfect couple, happily married and living in a beautiful Philadelphia home with their newborn son, Jericho. However, the arrival of a mysterious new nanny, Leanne (Nell Tiger Free), brings frightening events and shocking revelations about the couple’s past to light.
Its plot unfolds slowly in a series of mysterious twists. One of the most unique aspects of “Servant” is its cinematography; the camera often drifts through rooms, peering into windows, zooming in on characters’ faces and letting viewers see dark corners. From Dorothy’s jewel-toned wardrobe to the disturbing wallpaper patterning Leanne’s room, production details are far from neglected. Beyond providing gripping entertainment, “Servant” raises interesting questions about religion, family and motherhood. The show’s plot also ponders its representations of madness and secrecy, as characters often go to extreme lengths to conceal their secrets from each other. With two seasons out now, and more in the works, there is much more to explore in this universe. “Servant” is a thrilling television show that finds its way under your skin in chilling ways, lingering with you long after the credits roll.
“Ted Lasso”
Jason Sudeikis plays Ted Lasso, a successful Division II American football coach from Kansas who is hired to coach AFC Richmond, a English Premier League football team, despite having no experience with the sport. An ocean away from home and utterly clueless about soccer, Ted seems set up to fail. The show follows Lasso in his attempts to lead his team to victory and win over new friends along the way.
Brimming with heart and optimism, “Ted Lasso” is a joy to watch. The plot is not the most inventive, but its characters are beautifully nuanced. It’s fun to see Ted’s earnest Midwestern attitude clash with English traditions, especially in relation to his boss Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), a seemingly cold and reserved woman. The show hits an easy stride of workplace antics with a dash of soapy romance, all set against the highs and lows of competitive soccer. “Ted Lasso,” already renewed for a second and third season, may not be the funniest show on television, but it is full of campy, heart-warming fun.
“The Morning Show”
What happens behind the scenes at a news studio after the cameras cut and the lights fade? “The Morning Show” is a snappy drama following a news studio and its staff in the wake of a sexual assault scandal (á la Matt Lauer and “The Today Show”). After 15 years on the air, Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) loses his job at “The Morning Show,” a highly successful news program he had hosted with Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston). Tenacious young journalist Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) steps onto the scene as Mitch’s replacement, but her fiery personality and prying attitudes continue to uncover controversy.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement’s initial virality, this story remains relevant, and it is interesting to see the drama unfold through so many different perspectives. It is exhilarating and frustrating to watch Witherspoon’s fresh-faced character encounter obstacles and secrecy deeply embedded in the news network. The star-studded cast does not disappoint, and the supporting actors are equally as impressive. Although it can occasionally be exhausting to watch these characters constantly gossip and march around Manhattan on a warpath, there’s always juicy payoff in the end. “The Morning Show” is slick and stylish, and the shocking season finale sets itself up well for an upcoming season two. Ultimately, it’s always a treat to watch veteran talents like Aniston and Witherspoon really bring their all to a project.
“Home Before Dark”
“Home Before Dark” has all the elements of a classic mystery story: a bubbly new girl, a longstanding cold case and plenty of tight-lipped residents in a tight-knit small town.
“Home Before Dark” features a young protagonist, Hilde Lisko (Brooklynn Prince), who moves from Brooklyn to her dad’s hometown in Washington state. Despite only being nine years old, she is already following in her dad’s footsteps as a budding journalist. She confronts her biggest case yet:the strange disappearance of her dad’s best friend decades ago.
“Home Before Dark,” reminiscent of other Pacific Northwest murder mysteries like “Twin Peaks,” is an entertaining story elevated by its charming lead. The Washington town has a beautiful and haunting atmosphere that is perfect for the show. Prince, who rose to fame in the acclaimed film “The Florida Project,” is dazzling in this role and gives a very impressive and emotional performance. While the show can be confusing at times, “Home Before Dark” maintains solid performances and a twisty plot, making it a worthwhile watch.
(04/14/21 4:57am)
Want to know a bit more about the candidates running for Student Government Association (SGA) President and Co-chair of Community Council? The Campus has you covered.
In this guide, you will find information about the candidates, their qualifications and their visions for the year ahead.
For SGA President
Roni Lezama ’22
Hometown: Queens, New York
Major: International Politics and Economics
Minors: Education Studies and Anthropology
Lezama, current SGA Vice President, has built his platform around taking action on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and collaborating with peers. Lezama is a longtime SGA member, serving on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee as a first-year. Lezama took on the role of Community Council Co-Chair his sophomore year and valued working closely with the administration.
Lezama was one of the key players in establishing Justice Projects, an initiative that raised nearly $140,000 to award funds to affinity groups and individuals that promote DEI initiatives.
“We believe in empathy, we believe in care, but most importantly, when it comes to this, we believe in action,” Lezama told The Campus.
If elected SGA President, Lezama hopes to prioritize DEI initiatives, advance the college’s anti-racism efforts and reform mental health resources on campus. Lezama says he values taking action and believes his track record shows that he can follow through on his ideas.
“I’ve been in the position where people have promised me things — as a low-income Latinx student on campus — and it’s frustrating when it doesn’t come to fruition,” Lezama said.
Lezama also stressed that he believes in collaboration, and has named Charice Lawrence ’23 and Meg Farley ’24 as his vice presidents.
“I don’t like doing things alone,” Lezama said. “The more people you have in the room working on something, the better the outcome is.”
Outside of SGA, Lezama is part of ResLife, interns at a small New Jersey law firm and holds research positions in the Economics Department and the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
For SGA President and Co-Chair of Community Council (Fall and Spring)
Myles Maxie ’22
Hometown: Upland, California
Major: Neuroscience
Maxie, a current SGA junior senator, is running for both SGA President and Community Council Co-Chair of Community Council. Previously, Maxie served as a Wonnacott Commons senator during his sophomore year, and has served on SGA committees since his first year. As Wonnacott senator, he worked on increasing textbook accessibility to students and revitalizing social spaces on campus.
Maxie believes that both SGA and Community Council can effect significant change on campus and has centered his campaign platform around furthering anti-racism efforts and decolonizing Middleury’s curriculum. He is also interested in fostering community on campus post-pandemic.
If elected SGA President, Maxie wants to improve outreach to student organizations and increase transparency in areas like the student activities fee. He also intends to reevaluate and redistribute the SGA budget to prioritize student projects.
“We all experience Middlebury in very different ways based on where we're coming from and what we have access to financially,” Maxie said.
Maxie wants to expand the Community Council to amplify student voices and address the lack of diversity within Middlebury faculty.
“What are you doing to get [BIPOC faculty members] to actually stay in our community and to diversify, not just by ethnicity, but diversify by knowledge? People are from so many different places, so many different backgrounds, [my goal is] really making that part of the Middlebury experience,” Maxie said.
He is also focused on increasing social activities and is hoping to have a semblance of normalcy next semester.
Maxie has named Arlo Fleischer ’21.5, Bakari Moitt ’24, and Niyafa Boucher ’22 as members of his SGA executive team.
Maxie leads several cultural organizations and committees on campus. He founded Concerned Students of Middlebury last summer, an organization that unites various groups across campus to address diversity and equity issues. He is also an MCAB traditions co-executive, a co-president of PALANA and the vice president of Distinguished Men of Color.
Maxie is running uncontested for the spring 2022 Community Council Co-Chair seat.
For Co-Chair of Community Council (Fall)
Sophia Lundberg ’21.5
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Major: International Politics and Economics
Lundberg currently serves as SGA vice president alongside Lezama and has focused on communication and outreach while working in SGA. Vice president is the only position Lundberg has held in SGA, but she has valued her time working in the body and believes that the strong relationships she has cultivated will serve her well as Community Council Co-Chair.
Lundberg joked that she is known as the "handler" in the SGA administration and that she is often the person who reaches out to student organizations and communicates updates from the SGA.
This year, she worked with Jackson Evans ’22 to help expand a winter clothing closet for international students who may not have the appropriate gear. She is also currently working with the Anderson Freeman Resource Center on hosting more outdoor programming for underrepresented groups.
If elected co-chair, Lunberg hopes to increase the visibility and impact of Community Council.
“Community Council, as a body, is very underutilized," she said. "The unique nature of the organization as a space is it's intersectional. It's where students, faculty, and staff can all come together to talk about non-academic, community issues.”
Lundberg believes that her focus on culture within the current SGA will benefit her if she is elected co-chair. She said that she appreciates the body's focus on intentionality, conversation and deliberation — and that her work on communication in SGA will serve her well.
“I know that when I walk across campus or show up to a Zoom room, I'm greeted with a lot of warmth,” Lundberg said. “I think that is evidence of the fact that culture can change; culture can shift when we talk to one another.”
Beyond SGA, Lundberg is a general member of MCAB and is currently employed as a health and safety officer for the Student Activities Office. She is also training to work with the Addison County Restorative Justice Office.
The election
Elections open Thursday, April 15 at 12 p.m. and close the following day at noon. The SGA plans to release the results by the end of the day on Friday. Students can cast their votes for SGA President, Community Council Co-Chair and class senators at go/vote.
(03/25/21 10:00am)
While live concerts may seem like a relic of the past, indie-pop band Hippo Campus made an appearance at the college on March 20 in a virtual concert that served as the closing act of this year’s Winter Carnival. Students tuned in from the comfort of their rooms, and in-person viewings were set up in the parking lot behind Proctor, the patio of the Arts Center and the Ross Basketball Courts.
Formed in 2013 in Minnesota, Hippo Campus has established a fresh, lively sound that is uniquely their own, performing at major venues such as South by Southwest and Lollapalooza.
The band broadcasted in from their studio, where audiences were greeted by each of its five members rocking out on their instruments. The show kicked off with some of their bigger hits like the bubbly "Bambi" and the summery "Way it Goes," sometimes slowing down for creative instrumentals.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear some of my favorite songs, including the cheery "Tuesday,” played live. Their performance of the slow and sweet "warm glow" transported listeners to a mountainside morning with "warm glow morning soaked in pastel tea." They closed the night with a peppy encore of their popular song "Buttercup," leaving viewers energized as the night came to an end .
Even online, Hippo Campus retained its youthful spirit and upbeat sound. Their music is bright, and their lyrics are riddled with alliteration, colors and natural imagery. Trumpeter DeCarlo Jackson also brought a cozy jazziness to the music.
Unlike a traditional concert, where you would have to fight for a good sightline in a sea of fans, Zoom allowed us to get a private glimpse into their studio. They were a fun bunch, often cracking jokes with each other and entertaining the crowd with facts about the college in between songs, from its average ACT score to its famous alumni. At one point, the (nonexistent) men's volleyball team even got a random shoutout.
I began watching the concert from a projector outside of Proctor Dining Hall in a six-foot chalk circle, but I retreated to my room for the second half of the concert as the night got colder. As I finished watching Hippo Campus' performance from my desk with a cup of tea, it was impossible not to think about how fantastic it would have been in person, with a pulsing crowd and colorful lights. Students watching the outdoor screening cheered after each song, but the band could not hear or feed off their positive energy — it was like the band was having a private jam session, and Middlebury students were offered a window into their world.
As much as it was a fitting closing celebration for a unique Winter Carnival, the concert was also a looking glass into the dramatic ways that our lives have changed in the past year. “There's somethin' fiction ‘bout the way that reality's going,” lead singer Jake Luppen crooned in "baseball,” reminding viewers of the strange reality we’ve been living for more than a year.
(03/18/21 9:59am)
Following the end of campus quarantine on March 5, local businesses are enthusiastically welcoming students back and encouraging them to safely frequent their shops.
Abbey LaMay-West, owner of Vermont’s Own Gifts and Goods, a small business that sells foods and other specialty items made in Vermont, is delighted to have students back in town.
“Students are an integrated part of our community, and they’re a vital part of our community,” LaMay-West said. “Students are an important part of our business. It’s just a nice energy to have in town and in the shop as well.”
Last semester, LaMay-West was comforted to see how seriously the college took Covid-19, a sentiment which contributes to her warm welcome of students.
“We’ve seen the college set forth the standard, and we’ve seen the consequences when students don’t follow them last semester,” LaMay-West said. “For me, it’s not any more risky or dangerous than having community members come in at this point.”
Becky Dayton of the Vermont Book Shop, an independent bookstore located downtown, shared similar feelings.
“We at the Vermont Book Shop are thrilled that Middlebury College students are back and able to venture off campus,” Dayton said in an email to the Campus. “We have been witness to Middlebury College's impressive, institution-wide commitment to Covid-19 safety and its success in keeping infection rates low.”
Glenn Lower, general manager of the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, also noted that college has been very cooperative with Covid-19 regulations.
“We are so excited to have college students back in Middlebury,” Lower said. “We miss the liveliness of students being around.”
Local shops not only appreciate the extra business but also the energy that students bring into town.
“College students bring the world with them to our little town, and by that I mean not just demographic diversity but also a richness of perspective, experience and vision for the future,” Dayton said.
LaMay-West empathizes with college students and their unusual semester due to Covid-19 but also understands the townspeople’s concerns with the pandemic. She believes that both groups can find a safe balance of activity.
“I appreciate the unique situation that students are in and the unique situation that the town is in,” LaMay-West said. “But it’s a symbiotic relationship, and we need to figure out how to make it work.”
Local businesses encourage students to come visit their stores as long as they continue to follow Covid-safe measures like wearing their masks, social distancing and following store capacity limits.
“We are so, so happy the College is back in session. We invite you to come see us at the Book Shop,” Dayton said. “Say hello, tell us what you're reading. It will make our day.”
(03/11/21 10:56am)
As the U.S. grieves 500,000 Covid-19 deaths a year into the pandemic, vaccine distribution has been a ray of hope for many. While many members of the Middlebury community are still awaiting their turn to get their shot, a small number of students have been able to receive a vaccine in the early stages of the national rollout.
Although the college has not released formal vaccination plans, some students who work with high-risk individuals returned to campus immunized.
Sophie Levine ’23 spent her J-Term interning at a health clinic in San Francisco. She interacted directly with patients and worked in close quarters with other staff members. Levine received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine in January and the second in early February.
As a receptionist, Levine helped San Francisco residents check to see if they were eligible for the vaccine and make appointments to receive it.
“It really demystified the whole process for me,” Levine said. “What I read in the news was daunting and made me think we would never reach an end, but seeing how many doses we had and counting the people we could vaccinate every single day gave me a little bit of hope.”
Jasper Panger ’23 worked at a facility for people with developmental disabilities in Cincinnati. He also received the Moderna vaccine. After being vaccinated, he felt more comfortable interacting with others. “I feel like I have more peace of mind,” Panger said. “Even though I’m at Middlebury and I’m taking all the precautions, I feel a little more at ease and less anxious about catching it.”
While working as an emergency medical technician throughout last year, Emily Klar ’21 came into direct contact with Covid-19 patients. Klar, who is also a member of the Vermont National Guard, received the Moderna vaccine through Middlebury Regional Emergency Medical Services.
Even though Levine, Panger and Klar are vaccinated, they are still required to abide by college Covid-19 protocols.
“I really try to not change my mindset since I know I should be treating the guidelines the same way,” Klar said. “I think it’s important for everyone to treat it as if you can still spread it and contract it.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines this week, loosening restrictions for vaccinated individuals. Fully vaccinated people can gather indoors without masks or social distancing, according to the new recommendations. The college has so far not changed any of its guidelines and continues to ask all students to mask up and maintain physical distance.
Although the Vermont guidelines state that fully vaccinated individuals may travel without quarantining, Middlebury pre-arrival guidelines were uniform for all students regardless of vaccination status.
“Our highest priority is the health and safety of our entire community and having consistent standards and codes of conduct is an important safeguard for the spring,” Associate Vice President for Public Affairs Julia Ferrante said in an email to The Campus.
Although vaccines are being rolled out in the Middlebury community — with Middlebury Ski Patrol students among the first recipients due to their first responder status — the college has not released any information about the availability of vaccinations for all students.
“We do not have any information about vaccine distribution for students at this time but are working closely with our Vermont health department and higher education colleagues to examine these questions,” Ferrante said.
Meanwhile, vaccinated students encourage others to continue following Covid-19 safety guidelines and remain optimistic.
“I think it’s made me hopeful that the restrictions will be relaxed soon and the vaccine will help us bring about an end to the pandemic eventually,” Klar said.
(03/04/21 10:57am)
As Covid-19 ground international travel to a halt and the college gradually rolled out fall and spring closures for all 16 Middlebury schools abroad, juniors watched their study abroad plans crumble. A year later — even as vaccine distribution begins worldwide — many current sophomores are reevaluating their plans while anxiously awaiting news about the status of international programs for the 2021–22 academic year.
Hesitation about study abroad is reflected in the size of this year’s batch of applications. The International Programs office received 424 applications for the 2021–22 academic year, a nearly 13% decrease from this time last year, when the college received 486 applications, according to Associate Dean of International Programs Liz Ross. Though the application period for studying abroad in the 2021–22 academic year closed on Feb. 15, Ross expects that numbers will continue to shift.
Some sophomores decided not to apply to study abroad next year given the significant amount of time they have already spent away from campus.
Ben Knudsen ’23, an English and Education Studies double major, did not submit a study abroad application. Knudsen said he wants to spend his remaining time at Middlebury on campus, spending time with friends and participating in club soccer.
“This is my first spring on campus, and I want to get as much time here as possible,” Knudsen said. “I don’t have an infinite amount of time on Middlebury’s campus. I’ll enjoy my time here; after I graduate, hopefully there’s going to be more opportunities for me to go out and experience the world.”
Other sophomores revised their original abroad plans in light of possible limitations brought on by the pandemic.
Husam AlZubaidy ’23, an International Politics and Economics (IPE) major studying Arabic, originally planned to go to Amman, Jordan during his junior year. Instead, he applied to spend next year at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies via the study away program.
“I think [the pandemic] has helped me moderate my expectations,” AlZubaidy said. “I think that it’s unreasonable that I could expect the same experience I could have gotten before the pandemic, where I could get my linguistic immersion with people who live locally in Jordan.”
Although it is situated in the U.S., the program in California will still offer a change of scenery and the opportunity to meet new people, which AlZubaidy is looking forward to.
“I thought that maybe it would be good to refine some of my language in terms of my profession, focusing on policy development and working on my vocabulary and language at more of an official level,” AlZubaidy said.
Though some have misgivings, many students still applied for study abroad, hoping international programs will be operational by spring 2022.
Sofia West ’23 is studying International and Global Studies (IGS) on the Global Security Studies track. She plans to study abroad in Paris, where she will take the language pledge to speak exclusively in French.
“I’m going to be fully culturally and linguistically immersed for four and a half months,” West said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the city of Paris and meeting new people.”
Isabela Bahadorzadeh ’23 is also an IGS major and is on the Global Gender and Sexualities track and studying Spanish. Bahadorzadeh applied to a school in Chile but recognizes how Covid-19 has changed her perspective on study abroad.
“I think with college in general, not just with study abroad, a lot more things feel more important right now, like my family and my community,” Bahadorzadeh said.
Current juniors who were supposed to be abroad this spring or this past fall are scrambling to change their plans. Sophie Bardetti ’22, an IGS major in Global Security Studies taking Arabic, had initially planned to spend her entire junior year abroad. She is considering applying to study abroad in Morocco this fall.
Even though her plans have been disrupted, she keeps an optimistic attitude and hopes to travel safely in the future. She picked her major with the intent to live abroad after graduation.
“I am trying not to be too upset because I know that there are opportunities in the future,” Bardetti said. “I’ll get abroad, but it was supposed to be part of my immersive Arabic learning experience at Middlebury.”
(02/16/21 4:37am)
Facilities staff constructed 25 new fire pits near McCullough Student Center and on Battell Beach as part of an effort to set up new outdoor spaces and plan pandemic-safe social events for students. Nine heated tents have also been put up around campus. Among them are two larger capacity 5,000-square-foot tents, according to Associate Director of Facilities Services Luther Tenny.
“We hope to create a warm, welcome environment and encourage students to spend time outside in the Covid era,” Tenny said.
Amanda Reinhardt, director of student activities, has been planning various new events for students. The Student Activities Office (SAO) is primarily focusing on providing students with entertainment during the first six weeks of the spring semester.
“I think the first six weeks will be the most difficult time for students, with the weather and adjusting back to congregate living,” Reinhardt said.
Reinhardt noted that the SAO has approached event-planning with two things in mind: offering a wide array of activities and providing opportunities to have fun amid pandemic-induced stress.
“Everyone has different interests, and there’s different things they’re looking for, so we’re trying to have a diverse offering so people can step in and out. There might not be something for everyone but we hope there is,” she said.
Students can expect activities such as painting projects, film festivals, salsa lessons, karaoke and game nights. According to Reinhardt, there will be a mix of one-time and recurring events, mainly hosted on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. She also anticipates more hybrid and in-person events.
“Last semester in the fall, it was just so new for everyone. I think we learned how to be on campus in a safe way and that we can do it,” Reinhardt said. “Now that we know how to do it safely, let’s make it more fun.”
Trishabelle Manzano, Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) president, also acknowledged the importance of social interactions.
“We’re pushing for more hybrid, in-person events to help with Zoom fatigue and also for that social aspect that a lot of students have been craving,” she said.
Much of the programming is built to be flexible so that, depending on Covid-19 conditions on campus, it can be moved online if necessary. Other activities involve supplies like painting kits, Legos and plants that can be delivered to student rooms.
Reinhardt and Tenny also want students to enjoy the winter weather safely.
“We are hoping to use the physical landscape to our advantage,” Reinhardt said.
The SAO has organized about 40 pairs of skis and snowshoes, as well as about 20 tubes for students to use. The Kirk Alumni Center is being converted into a space where students can rent gear and use the golf course to learn how to ski.
“We’ve been having beautiful weather here,” Tenny said. “I hope it stays; there is great snow on the ground.”
The SAO is also rolling out a new program called “The First 50 Days” to help first-year students and Febs acclimate to Middlebury. Students will meet in small groups to learn about campus resources and make new friends.
Both MCAB and the SAO will be partnering with other student organizations to provide more events.
“We’re pretty much ready to hit the ground running,” Manzano said. “We’re super excited with the events we currently have in store.”
Reinhardt is also feeling optimistic about the spring and hopes that students will continue to follow the Covid-19 safety protocols that made the fall semester a success.
“I do think it will be a different semester,” Reinhardt said. “It will still have its challenges, and I think as a community, what we saw in the fall is that we do really care about each other.”
(02/04/21 11:00am)
The college will replace its three-phase model for relaxing safety restrictions and eliminate its Covid-19 violations reporting form. These changes are among a new set of Covid-19 policies and procedures for the spring outlined by the college, which also include additions of indoor and outdoor spaces, changes to meal delivery during room quarantine and new means of communicating health guidelines.
Instead of distinguishing specific phases, the college will outline permissions on a weekly basis.
“We will create a Campus Status webpage on how to stay safe, with what is and is not permitted on campus each week, based on conditions in Addison County, Vermont and the nation,” Environmental Health and Safety Officer Jen Kazmierczak said in an email to The Campus.
The college will also be phasing out its Covid-19 violations reporting form, dubbed go/snitch by students, after observing that it created an “unhealthy atmosphere” of surveillance on campus.
“Students described a fear of inadvertently making a mistake, being reported and ending up facing a Covid-19 health and safety violation,” Dean of Students Derek Doucet said in an email announcement. “These consequences were unanticipated and unintentional. They are also deeply concerning.”
The form will still be open to townspeople wishing to report concerns, and Doucet told students to bring their concerns about violations to their residence directors, their deans, the Office of Community Standards or Public Safety.
Room quarantine will also look different this spring. Students can expect to find their rooms stocked with beverages and snacks upon arrival this spring, a change intended to lighten meal bags. All meals will be delivered to students’ rooms through lunch on Feb. 25.
During the fall semester, many students gathered outside to share meals and socialize, an option that is less viable amid winter weather. In response, dining and facilities are creating more areas for warmer outside gatherings and indoor meals.
Facilities staff are currently constructing new Adirondack chairs, assembling fire pits and setting up outside recreation areas for students to socialize safely.
“As far as indoor seating, we do have some exciting news,” Executive Director of Food Service Operations Dan Detora said. “All dining halls will have outdoor tents, similar to the fall; however, they will be much more enclosed, heated and built for the winter months.”
Additionally, new indoor dining spaces are opening in Proctor and Ross. This expansion includes the area that typically houses the college bookstore, which will be converted to dining space for the spring. The bookstore is relocating to the Crest Room in McCullough Student Center. Students will be able to eat inside after a negative Day Seven test.
Like the fall semester, students will initially be required to visit an assigned dining hall. Dining services hopes to bring back food trucks once warmer weather arrives.
In addition to more social and dining spaces, students can also expect to see an increase in study areas. Although most of the library operations will remain the same, reservable study rooms are set to increase following their popularity last fall. With a number of library staff working remotely, Dean of the Library Mike Roy said they will repurpose 15 staff offices so that students have more places to do work.
“I think students really liked having a space where they could take off their face covering and also because they needed acoustically private space for doing Zoom class,” Roy said.
Also new this semester are weekly webinar office hours to answer questions and concerns, held by Dean of Students Derek Doucet, Chief Health Officer Mark Peluso and Kazmierczak.
As Feb. 21 and 22 near and Vermont’s new daily Covid-19 cases remain higher than when students left in November, health administrators are urging students to adhere to the 14-day pre-arrival quarantine.
“Students’ observance of this in the fall was one of the reasons why the semester was a success,” Peluso said. “With conditions changing, it’s even more important for students to follow all the necessary steps for a successful quarantine.”
(01/28/21 10:57am)
“The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation,” Donna Tartt writes in the opening sentence of “The Secret History.” Within this first line, the victim and the crime are already established. But what is the motive?
“The Secret History” is an inverted detective story centered around a group of eccentric Classics students set in the 1980s at the fictional Hampden College, a small, elite liberal arts school in rural Vermont (not dissimilar to Middlebury).
Our guide through the dizzying academic and social scene is the mellow and mysterious Richard Papen, a Californian transferring to Hampden on a scholarship. He’s not a rich, connected New Englander, and he watches with curiosity as his peers indulge in lavish meals and flock to country homes. Richard wants to continue his study of ancient Greek and joins an exclusive circle of Classics students led by a charismatic professor. Richard’s classmates include the quiet but intelligent Henry, wealthy and quick-witted Francis, beautiful but secretive twins Charles and Camilla, and oddball, brash Bunny. It’s at once mystery, a psychological thriller and an ode to the beauty of Classics and literature.
“The Secret History” chronicles a descent into mania, exploring both guilt and justice and how they complicate friendships. The characters are richly nuanced; they perform evil acts, yet I still found myself strangely sympathizing with them at times. Their lives are messy, plagued with alcohol and drug problems, mental health issues and unrequited love. Coming-of-age is typically associated with high school, and it is refreshing to read about college students struggling to figure out what they want to achieve in school and beyond.
Released in 1992, this novel was Tartt’s literary debut, published when she was only 29. The result is impressive: Tartt spins strange events into a plausible story. Her writing is sharp and crisp, and it is easy to mentally picture each scene, whether it be a seedy bar, a dusty classroom or a sleepless night in a stuffy dorm room.
Although Hampden is based on Bennington College, two hours south of us in Vermont and Tartt’s alma mater, it takes little imagination to envision the story taking place in Middlebury, as it even touches on the difficult and tense relationship between local Vermonters and privileged college students. Tartt approaches college from the perspective of an outsider who feels insecure; Richard even goes as far as to fabricate stories of an idealized childhood filled with swimming pools and orange groves to try to fit in with his peers. Richard’s physical appearance is never openly described, making him the everyday man. But when you see the story and its horrific events only through his eyes, it is easy to wonder how reliable a narrator Richard really is, which adds another layer of complexity to the novel.
With the multiple references to Greek, philosophy, and literature, “The Secret History” can feel occasionally pretentious, although I think Tartt means it more as a love letter to academia. The novel’s tone is dark, and at times the content veers into disturbing.
Although the novel begins slowly and the story sometimes wanders, it quickly picks up speed and whisks the reader along. Tartt’s pacing is excellent, as she drops just enough hints to keep the reader engaged and in suspense but does not drag it out either. There is a juicy payoff as the fog clears and the reader learns more about the students’ twisted lives and motives.
While reading “The Secret History,” I was consumed by it. It is one of those books that make you just want to stay up all night and power through; it was gripping and brilliant, and has earned a spot among my favorite books. Tartt takes her time with her craft and is not a very prolific author — she takes about a decade to write a book.
My mom read this novel as she graduated college and remembers thoroughly enjoying it. Nearly three decades later, it has found a new audience in me and my friends. Although some of the references can feel a bit dated at times, there is a timelessness about the story and its characters; it is a fall from grace into corruption, evil and secrecy.
To many people, Tartt is probably best known for her most recent novel, “The Goldfinch,” which won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into a movie in 2019, but I say it is high time to revive an enthralling novel like “The Secret History,” and I think there is no better audience than Middlebury College students.
(11/19/20 10:57am)
Students received an escalating series of emails informing them of an unexpected campus quarantine and new restrictions on social gatherings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of their penultimate week on campus.
With fewer than 24 hours of notice, students were confined to campus as of 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13. The Friday email mandated that students only have social gatherings with those they live with, a further restriction from the “four close contacts” rule implemented earlier in the semester. In-person classes, athletic practices, the athletic center, dining halls and libraries are allowed to continue operations. Students can also still eat distanced in dining halls together and study in classrooms or lounges.
Failure to comply with the new restrictions can lead to consequences including removal from campus for spring semester, according to the Nov. 13 email.
The college communicated some initial information about new gathering restrictions a few hours after Gov. Phil Scott issued an executive order limiting gatherings and recreational activities in response to rising cases across the state. The college’s new gathering restrictions officially went into effect at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The emails announced the cancellation of the in-person Feb Celebration planned for Nov. 21. An alternative impromptu event was eventually held on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 14
The college offered optional pre-departure Covid-19 testing for students on Monday and Tuesday. According to the Middlebury College Covid-19 reporting dashboard, three students are currently in isolation after testing positive during optional testing on Monday and Tuesday and 24 student-contacts are currently in quarantine.
Associate Dean of Student Life AJ Place emphasized that students are approaching the finish line, but must remain cautious as the cases increase in Vermont.
“I think the biggest takeaway students should have is to continue to be vigilant and keep doing the methods we know work (face coverings, physical distancing, and good hand hygiene),” Place said in an email to The Campus.
(11/12/20 10:58am)
As students prepare to leave campus in the next two weeks, many are debating whether or not to return for the spring semester. The school required that students declare their intentions by Nov. 10, although they have the choice to opt out of the semester at any time.
An unconventional fall semester has brought forth many new challenges, as more than half of all classes were held online and Covid-19 precautions limited opportunities for socialization and gatherings. Instead of returning to Middlebury in the spring, some students, like Emma McKee ’23, are planning to take a gap semester.
“I’m really happy to be here this semester, and I’ve had a great time meeting people and hanging out with my friends, but seeing as it’s not going to be that different next semester with Covid remaining in the world, I just wanted to take this time to explore something totally new,” McKee said.
McKee hopes to spend her gap semester working for American Conservation Experience, which offers six-month programs in Utah and California.
Zander Kessler ’22.5, who is currently taking a gap semester in Colorado, is instead planning his return. While he is enjoying time off from school to tutor remotely and spend time outside, Kessler plans to re-enroll in the spring.
“I feel like a whole year is too long to not do real school,” Kessler said. “I need to start doing something more academic.”
As an environmental chemistry major, Kessler hopes to have some in-person lab classes and looks forward to reuniting with friends. But he does have some reservations.
“It’s definitely tough to say I’m OK with paying Middlebury’s tuition for classes that are going to be at least partially remote, even if I’m on campus,” Kessler said. “It seems really hard to justify paying that amount of money.”
Abby Wilner ’23, who is currently on campus, is leaning toward coming back in the spring so she can continue to spend time with her friends. She said that she has been much more satisfied being on campus in the past couple of weeks due to the easing of restrictions, but acknowledged that Phase One was difficult.
“There’s a learning curve to figuring out how to make friends remotely and then make friends in person,” Wilner said.
Wilner initially had doubts about coming to campus.
“At the beginning I was more like, ‘Oh, let’s wait it out, I’m going to take a year off, or a semester off, and wait until college is back to normal,’” she said. “Now that it’s looking like, ‘How long am I going to have to wait?’ It’s kind of moving towards the acceptance phase of grief. It’s not going to be normal, so I’m not going to wait around. I might as well try to live my life the best I can.”
Others are considering factors like athletics for their decision about the spring. Noah Laber ’24, a member of the tennis team, is leaning toward remote study so he can continue practicing at home.
“Most of the tennis team isn’t coming back, so I’m kind of feeling like it might be difficult to have a productive semester athletically if there is no one here for me to practice with,” he said.
First-years in particular have struggled to make connections this semester. Joel Kofman ’24 and Sam Maxwell ’24 agreed that while the college has kept students safe from Covid-19, it came at the expense of social aspects they had looked forward to experiencing, particularly during the first couple of weeks.
“The college has done really well with the safety of the students in terms of Covid, but not as much taking into account their social lives and mental health,” Kofman said.
Despite the challenges this semester brought, many students worked to make the most of their time on campus.
“I’ve taken the time to enjoy the small things more than I did last year, like the fall and spending time outside and having meals with close friends,” McKee said. “After being home for so long you enjoy all those little things even if some things from last year aren't the same.”
(10/29/20 9:56am)
With Election Day on the horizon, MiddVotes has stepped up to help students navigate the voting process.
MiddVotes is a nonpartisan student organization working to increase civic engagement among Middlebury students. This semester, MiddVotes co-presidents Nora Bayley ’21 and Zeke Hodkin ’21.5 have shifted to online programming that educates students on voting.
“I think the election process and the voter registration process in the United States is insane and just incredibly complicated,” Bayley said. “It’s a huge hurdle to overcome.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has further complicated the registration and voting process for the Nov. 3 elections. Some state governments have altered the absentee ballot request process, and some states require voters to have a witness sign their ballots or have a notary present.
“There are so many lawsuits and pending litigation related to Covid and election administration that it has sent us into a little bit of a tizzy,” Hodkin said.
MiddVotes serves as a guide to ease students through this unusual election year. The organization is a resource for students to ask about deadlines, how to register, how to request a ballot and the intricacies of voter ID laws. “We’re there as a sounding board,” Bayley said.
This year, MiddVotes sent out personalized emails to all eligible students with detailed voting information specific to their home state. The organization also advises students on whether their vote will have more impact in their home state or in Vermont.
In addition to advice and information, MiddVotes has worked to bring to campus the resources students need to cast their ballots. Since certain states require that absentee voters get their ballot notarized or signed by a witness, MiddVotes set up notary stations for students. Those who were in need of postage for their absentee ballot could stop by Davis Family Library or the Mail Center Warehouse for a free stamp.
MiddVotes was still able to hold some in-person voter registration drives, although opportunities were limited due to Covid-19 restrictions. Normally, the organization would hold more in-person events, including registration drives and an election-night watch party with professors analyzing results as they come in.
Instead, MiddVotes has focused on demystifying the absentee voting process this year.
“I think that a lot of people get angry with the electoral process, understandably so, but, at the same time, it is your tool,” Hodkin said. “MiddVotes is a really important organization, and one that I’m involved in because it is harnessing a lot of power for students and giving students the ability to use your voice and vote.”
Students with questions about the voting process in their state can email MiddVotes at middvotes@middlebury.edu or visit their newly designed website.
(10/08/20 9:57am)
Instead of walking into classrooms buzzing with student chatter this semester, many Middlebury professors are logging into Zoom classrooms to be greeted by a gallery of muted screens. Even though students are back on campus this fall, more than half of all classes are being conducted completely online.
Many professors found the transition to online classes in March challenging and abrupt. But with more time to plan for this semester, some have found success through remote instruction.
“While we’re not back to business as usual, we’re in a little bit of a new normal,” said Genie Giaimo, assistant professor of writing and rhetoric. “Students are probably used to moving to the online format.”
Giaimo, who is teaching from Columbus, Ohio, appreciates how the online format has created more independent learners. Students in her class can now complete some coursework on their own schedule, which she sees as especially helpful if they are experiencing internet issues or are feeling sick.
“I’m realizing that you need to build some wiggle room into the curriculum just in case there’s an emergency — or several emergencies,” she said.
Additionally, she mentioned that she has slightly reduced coursework in her classes this semester, doing away with a few reading assignments. Giaimo is instead emphasizing small group work and giving more time for peer editing.
Remote learning has also changed the way professors approach assigning work and delivering content. Kareem Khalifa, professor of philosophy, is teaching his classes from Atlanta, Ga. this semester after spending time there during his sabbatical last year. Khalifa has been experimenting with some new features in his lectures now that they are remote, including musical intros and outros and occasional photos of his two dogs.
“Creating pre-recorded lectures has also been an opportunity to have a little bit of fun with visual images, and I try to create a new 20-second soundtrack for each lecture I create, so it's a good excuse to make some music every week,” Khalifa said.
Patricia Zupan, professor of Italian, is teaching online from her house in Middlebury this semester. She is relying more on visual aids and powerpoint presentations to keep students engaged in class, using photos, illustrations and even emojis to help students in introductory Italian learn new words.
But with new benefits come challenges. In addition to navigating occasional technology bumps, professors have found that it is harder to discern the energy of the classroom online.
Khalifa explained that while teaching in person, it’s easier to get a reading of student engagement. “It's a bit easier to recognize when material is really clicking with students and when it's not,” he said.
Giaimo finds that she has to stick to a stricter schedule while teaching online, and misses the more spontaneous, off-the-cuff conversations that she used to have in person.
One factor professors and students alike are enjoying this semester is the convenience and flexibility of scheduling online conferences.
“In many ways it’s easier to get together with students outside of class on Zoom. We can talk at 8 o’clock at night, we can talk at 8 o’clock in the morning, you can be sitting in your room, and I can be sitting at home, and we can communicate,” Zupan said.
“Where group class discussion lagged, the individual conversations were really wonderful,” Giaimo agreed. “They were a way to connect.”
Certain subjects have transitioned very smoothly to an online format. Khalifa can now give students more time to work through problems at their own speed.
“Virtually every Middlebury student can do excellent work in introductory logic, but it takes some more time than others. That makes in-class exercises less than ideal,” Khalifa said. “That problem goes away in this environment.”
However, certain classes including introductory languages are particularly challenging. Zupan misses being able to teach Italian with improvisational dialogue and around-the-room choral exercises.
One area of concern for many professors is fostering a classroom community for students, especially for first years. Giaimo tries to encourage students to introduce themselves and facilitates discussions in breakout sessions.
As Middlebury has successfully transitioned into Phase Two and currently has zero positive cases, Zupan is trying to organize a small, physically-distanced gathering with her on-campus first year seminar students. She looks forward to connecting with students in person over a meal.
Whether near or far, Middlebury professors shared their appreciation for the campus community and students’ adherence to college guidelines.
“I’m really impressed with how agile students are and how they are following the rules, from what I hear, and doing their best to keep this community going,” Giaimo said.