First Class Mail U.S. Postage Paid Mailed from 03833 Permit Number 78 “The Oldest Preparatory School Newspaper in America” Vol. CXXXVIII, Number 29 Thursday, December 15, 2016 Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire Science Department to Ofer Dissection-Free Biology Alternative By EMILY PELLICCIA, ANDREW HONG and ARIELLE LUI Staf Writers In response to an initiative by Exeter’s Animal Rights Club (ARC), the science department has decided to offer an alterna- tive to animal dissections in introductory biology classes. Students who have demon- strated significant, longstanding objections to dissections can now enroll in separate sections of Biology 220 and 320 that will offer alternative learning aids in place of the traditional dissections. The curriculum of introductory biol- ogy classes places emphasis on student learning through hands-on dissections, with six weeks of the term dedicated to the dissection of a fetal pig in Biology 320. For some students, these dissections are in outright violation of their moral views on Seniors in a capella group Exeteras serenade the girls in Wheelwright Hall. Diana Davidson/Te Exonian animal rights, making it difficult and dis- turbing to participate in them. Upper Lily Friedland, who spearheaded the initiative, particularly struggled with having to per- 139th Executive Board to Lead The Exonian form dissections in her prep year biology By HILLARY DAVIS, be ‘the next face of the newspaper’— the ability to communicate well with class. According to history instructor Amy SARAH RYU and RYAN XIE someone who is responsible, open, others, strangers and acquaintances Schwartz, who is affiliated with Fried- Staf Writers has good judgement, works well with alike,” he said. “I’d say those are the land’s dorm, Friedland handled the chal- Uppers Emily Pelliccia, Claire peers as well as adults,” she said. bare ingredients of a great editor.” lenge “exceptionally well,” but her choice Jutabha and Erica Hogan will lead the Outgoing managing editor Alan Thanks to the 138th board’s critical not to partake in the dissections affected 139th Editorial Board of The Exonian Liu described the board’s selection and thorough discussion of each ap- her coursework. “She considered leaving as editor-in-chief and managing edi- process, listing the applicant’s writ- plicant’s abilities, Liu expressed confi- Exeter, and obviously it had been a very tors, respectively. ten applications, writing skills, past dence in the selected 139th board. tough experience for her,” Schwartz said. “I Every year over Thanksgiving work with the newspaper and leader- A desire to provide more guid- told her that I respected her for taking this break, applicants for the Upper Board ship capabilities as critical factors in ance and support to the staff writers principled stand and that if she wanted to prepare intensive applications com- deliberations. The board also consid- represents a major common goal of do anything specific to follow up, I would prised of short answers, long essays ered “an array of traits, like adapt- the new board. According to Pellic- support her.” and example articles. Upon their re- ability, approachability, diligence and cia, this will not only require certain Over the summer of 2015, Schwartz turn to campus, applicants for the perceptiveness,” he said. “There was structural changes, but also a shift in and Friedland laid the groundwork for an Executive Board undergo 15-minute never only one deciding factor for any the established culture of The Exo- Animal Rights Club at Exeter, which began interviews with the current board and position; each applicant was viewed nian. meeting regularly last year. After research- the faculty advisers. Last Saturday holistically and with a critical lens.” “The priority of the 139th Board night, the 138th Executive Board and The 138th board and advisors is to build a culture centered on the BIOLOGY, 2 the paper’s advisors met for the care- placed considerable emphasis on se- success of our writers by providing ful deliberation that determined the lecting a board that would work well them with consistent training and new Editorial Board. together. Outgoing Editor-in-chief support,” she said. “We will emphasize Faculty Advisor and English In- Philip Kuhn said, “We tried to think the importance of equipping all writ- Robinson ’04 Presents structor Erica Plouffe Lazure ex- through each applicant’s individual ers, particularly new ones, with the plained that through the applications strengths and how these strengths journalistic skills they need in order Climate Change Film and interviews, the board and advi- would complement one another.” to be confident and effective as re- By HANNAH PIETTE, ZAC FENG and ELEANOR MALLETT sors got a good sense of the applicants’ Liu echoed this sentiment. “We porters for The Exonian. Our hope is Staf Writers passion and commitment to the paper. looked for a long-standing commit- to foster inclusivity and active collab- “We look for someone who is going to ment to the newspaper, diligence and oration between writers and editors.” Climate change activist and filmmak- 139TH BOARD, 2 er Sophie Robinson ’04 spoke at assembly last Tuesday about her documentary, The Age of Consequences, which explored the effects of climate change on heightened Students React resource scarcity, conflict and migration through the lens of US national security to New Website and global stability. The film will be re- By MADISON KANG, GRACE CARROLL leased in theaters this January, but Rob- and MELISSA LU inson allowed Exeter to view a screening Staf Writers of the movie during the evening following the assembly. The film will also screen at Exeter launched their new web- Harvard University and the Massachusetts site, geared specifically towards Institute of Technology this winter. Many prospective students and their fami- attended the screening, including The lies, on Nov. 28. Complete with League of Conservation Voters, an orga- redesigned interfaces, detailed stu- nization that assists political candidates dent and faculty commentary and who support a pro-environment agenda. a revamped infrastructure, the new Originally, Robinson reached out website aims to provide a more en- to Religion Instructor Kathy Brown- gaging, story-centered and informa- back, her former advisor and varsity tive experience for its visitors. soccer coach at Exeter, and asked to According to Director of Com- screen The Age of Consequences on cam- munications Robin Giampa, the up- pus. Brownback welcomed the request, date aimed to streamline the website and the Assembly Committee selected for visiting applicants and their fami- Robinson to hold one of the sustain- lies. Part of that goal entailed reallo- ability themed assemblies for the year. cating internal community resources During her assembly, Robinson de- Jutabha, Pelliccia and Hogan to lead Exonian. to more appropriate spaces that have Diana Davidson/Te Exonian scribed her work as a grassroots orga- been created since Exeter’s previous and figured that ours could use a bit for visitors. To gather these stories, nizer with 350.org, a nonprofit dedicat- site was launched in 2006. “At that of work and a more modern aspect Exeter hired Windy Films last spring ed to building a volunteer based global time there weren’t other places to put to it,” she said. The resulting redesign to follow a few Exonians throughout climate movement as well as her tran- information geared to internal audi- aimed to increase the “compatibility their day on campus, filming their sition into filmmaking. While work- ences so the website served a variety and accessibility” of the site, while classes, sports, clubs, dorm life and ing as an organizer, Robinson began of purposes,” Giampa said. also aimed specifically at prospective asking them interview questions on to watch environmental documenta- Since then, Exeter has shifted Exeter applicants. camera. The video footage, along ries herself. Stirred by the inspirational several links to its multiple portals The new site now opens up to a with blog-style descriptions of their power of these films, Robinson left 350. for current students and alumni re- series of photos depicting campus daily routines, were compiled and org to create her own documentary. spectively, allowing the new site to be life at Exeter, accompanied by click- uploaded to the new website. These Hoping to construct a film with a significantly more centered around able links, each offering a different student profiles replaced the “what’s unique angle on climate change, she col- prospective applicants. Upper Menat aspect of the student experience. my day like?” features of the old web- laborated with the production company Bahnasy agreed that the previous With the new design, student and site to provide prospective students a PF Pictures. In order to breach the par- website was in need of an update. their stories act as the site’s main pro- more up-to-date portrait of current tisan divide within climate change con- “We had seen other school websites ponents and sources of information NEW WEBSITE, 2 SOPHIE ROBINSON, 2 INSIDE WEB NEWS OPINIONS LIFE Visit our website for exclusives. Read about the trips ofered to Exonians Columnist and lower Mark Bleckherman Read about Senior Aidan Wolf-King: athlete, www.theexonian.com over Tanksgiving Break. 3. discusses crises in Palestine and Israel. 5. musician and committed social activist. 6. Follow our Instagram. SPORTS www.instagram.com/theexonian Technological glitches lead to scheduling Prep Mai Hong examines