May 5, 2009 Vol. 4 No. 9 thecupola news FOR MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS Readers Rate the Year in Words: The Cupola’s Top Stories Headlines Highlight Environment, Economy, Election By Dawn Medley It is becoming a tradition, one that we relish. Not only did choosing the top 10 stories of the year give us the opportunity to think about the standout events and moments of 2008–09, but it also meant that we got to hear from you, the readers, about what you thought was compelling. This is the third year that we have chosen 10 stories that defined The Cupola’s year in print. The assignment is a tough one each time. During this academic year, the economy and an The presidential election and inauguration, Smyth Textbook Initiative, and introduction of new dean Catharine historic presidential election captured O’Connell (clockwise, l-r) were among the stories that defined the 2008-09 academic year. Readers sent in national headlines and those in this their votes for these stories and more in The Cupola’s annual top 10 round-up. newspaper as well. Rather than domi- nating headlines themselves in our efforts emerged as the most talked- Cassandra Comardelle ’12. The college campus coverage, civic and global about topic from The Cupola’s top 10. recycled more than 10,500 pounds in engagement continued to be infused From the Clean Plate campaign and the RecycleMania period, and more throughout nearly every article. We recycled paper products in Hunt than doubled its ratio of recycled realize there are several significant Dining Hall to a continued push to materials to landfilled waste from 2008. items that did not make it on this list, recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, and A special green section in March but we believe the top 10 represents more through RecycleMania 2009, reinforced the “reduce, reuse, recycle” what people were talking about — green practices are all around us on mantra with an article by environ- and will continue to — during another campus, and readers took notice. mental advocate Lily Stejskal ’09, an exciting academic year. “Whether it was saying good update from MBC’s Green Council, things about what MBC is doing for and news about the formation of GOING, GOING … GREEN the environment, or talking about Staunton Green 2020, an organization It may be no small coincidence that what the college could do better, I that includes Mary Baldwin faculty this wrap-up is being written on Earth definitely heard people having conver- and staff. The MBC community’s Day 2009 and that MBC’s green sations about going green,” said (See TOP 10, Page 12) Four-Day Weeks During Summer Could Help Save MBC $50K in Energy This spring, discussions about innovative ways to on Fridays for a long weekend. For others, the when air conditioning can be turned on reduce the college’s budget shortfall and conserve transition involves more details and planning, temporarily in buildings for the intensive house- energy led to the decision to observe a four-day but, as Grafton Library Director Carol Creager cleaning effort his staff is responsible for during work week in June and July. David Mowen, vice noted about her staff, everyone is “moving the summer. He also noted that Adult Degree president of business and finance, estimates that graciously” toward accommodating the temporary Program Summer Week will take place on MBC will save $50,000 through the Turn It Off schedule change. campus, but students will be housed in a nearby campaign — introduced by President Pamela Fox The four-day week will mean significant hotel, not in un-airconditioned residence halls. in March — and by reducing cooling and elec- changes for some Physical Plant administrators Robert Richardson, director of security, is tricity use in most campus buildings during the and their employees. Several decisions still need working out a way to give security employees the summer. Further savings could be realized by to be made about exactly when and how to turn option to take advantage of the four-day work shutting off a chiller that cools King and Memorial off air conditioning units to maximize energy week without compromising the department’s Residence Halls and Wenger, and turning off the savings while keeping employees comfortable, round-the-clock presence on campus. hot water supply for the summer, said Sharon said Campbell. When those plans are set, it will “We want to be part of the overall program Campbell, former director of auxiliary services. be clearer what additional duties will be required and to feel like we’re contributing members of the For some employees, helping the college with of Physical Plant staff, who will, with some larger MBC community,” Richardson said. He energy and funds conservation will be a simple exceptions, work 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Marty added that security guards take seriously their schedule shift, coming in earlier or leaving later Weeks, director of building services, said one of task of switching off lights, printers, and Monday through Thursday to leave offices dark the biggest challenges will be coordinating times (See FOUR-DAY, Page 3) 2 May 5, 2009 The Cupola NEWS VWIL Program Alumnae Challenge Classmates to Match Funds, Fervor Will Feel Crunch of The white gloves have come off at “I was so pleased to be asked to student on campus,” Arnold reiter- Mary Baldwin College. Members of speak about money at Mary Baldwin, ated. “During 19 years on the Board, State Budget Cuts the college community are not only especially during Reunion,” said five of those as chair, I was privileged willing, but relish talking about money Arnold, who thought about what she to see how the finances of this and fundraising in straightforward wanted to say in her address at the college are stewarded with wisdom In 2009–10, Mary Baldwin College’s terms, says Claire “Yum” Lewis weekend’s gala dinner, but did not and leverage.” Virginia Women’s Institute for Arnold ’69, former chair of the prepare remarks. “I thought it would Beverley Estes Bates ’64 followed Leadership (VWIL) faces the most college’s Board of Trustees. And we be more sincere that way.” in her grandmother’s footsteps at serious funding situation in its 14- need to, she said, because that is when It worked. Attendees cannot stop Mary Baldwin College. She said she is year history. During its 2009 session, great things happen. talking about the story she related ready to contribute additional funds the Virginia legislature reduced state Arnold is confident that one of about a speech she gave to the for the matching challenge because she funding to the program by $264,000, those great things will be generating Alumnae/i Association Board of believes in the liberal arts concept and a decrease of nearly half from its $200,000 for MBC’s Annual Fund by Directors several years prior that “felt that it was time to rally to ensure 2008–09 appropriation. the end of June through the Reunion “We need to be clear that these Challenge. Not only did Arnold “We were forced to be, and able to be, entrepreneurial, funding cuts are difficult, but there is increase her own contribution to and what resulted were … programs that are not only unique, no way we would abandon the MBC, she also convinced four other but also benefit every student on campus.” program,” said Crista Cabe, associate women of varying ages and giving vice president for Communication, levels who celebrated Reunion this —CLAIRE “YUM” LEWIS ARNOLD ’69 Marketing, and Public Affairs. year to collectively contribute up to VWIL is a public-private partner- $100,000. Then they challenged all included a reference to “taking off that that college is here for our grand- ship funded by a combination of state other alumnae/i in 4 and 9 Reunion the white gloves” while she literally children and great-grandchildren.” support and the college’s operating years to raise $100,000. Arnold, did exactly that to illustrate her point. Bates also gained knowledge budget. During its existence, funding Beverley Estes Bates ’64, Ann Bowman Arnold also made a memorable about how MBC manages its for the program — the only one of its Day ’74, Cynthia Luck Haw ’79, and impression by confirming that she money as a member of the Alumnae/i kind in the world — has been threat- Holly Vitullo ’89 will match those believes her contributions go farther Association Board of Directors and ened several times. Until recently, the donations for a possible total of and are better stewarded at Mary a Board of Trustees member for college received about $200,000 in $200,000. And Arnold is not done yet; Baldwin than they would be 14 years. Unique Military Activities funds, an she has a list of alumnae to call to ask anywhere else. Arnold paid for college with appropriation that supported the for their donation to the challenge, “When enrollment at private loans, a scholarship, and student operational costs of military programs and she does not plan to let it linger. colleges and women’s colleges was employment as an Eta Beta — one of at Virginia Military Institute and Contributions toward the dropping, we were forced to be, and the highest paid student positions at Virginia Tech as well. Staff in the $100,000 Reunion Challenge totaled able to be, entrepreneurial, and what MBC at that time. Now she is grateful VWIL office was reduced to compen- approximately $23,000 in late April, resulted were ADP, PEG, VWIL, and to be in a position to give back gener- sate for its discontinuation.