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slc poll results ... facial hair... found art at bard...

Volll.llle 18, Issue 2 ~ BIRD

October 2nd 2007 Adminstrators Convene Comm.1sssJon on D1vers1ty

BY GRACE DWYER

Promoting and supporting on-campus cliversity in all its forms has long been an important issue at Bard, both to the students who are clirectly affected by the campus climate they live in and to the administrators responsible for the safety, well-being, and happiness of the community. H ow effective past initiatives have been is open to debate, but this semester marks another attempt: a commission centered around racial diversity led by Dean of Students Erin Cannan and Dean of the College Michele Dominy. The Diversity Commission, a group composed of seven students, five facu lty members, and fi ve administrators, will convene fo r the first time on O ctober 19th in a fo ur-hour workshop. Each subset of the commission will have met beforehand - the goal of the workshop is for its attendees to } express their collective concerns and set an ~ agenda fo r a year of collaborative cliscussion .. ~ and problem solving .~ The commission will meet twice more g' tlu s semester before its official aims are :l determined. Geneva Foster, Assistant Dean of Students, Director . of Multicultural The earnest faces of the eight students that, this year, want to make a differnce in the way you live your life at Bard. Affairs, and spokesperson for the commission, explained that the eventual go al is to present rec~mmendations to the College, along with research supporting the essential nature of suggested steps. C Tacl

BY EMILY NAGIN Until recently, if someone had asked me to define theme housing, I'd have replied that I wasn't really sure what it was, but that it probably had something to do with frats and sororities. I would not have said "Oh, it's where they keep the vegan kids." Then I came to coll ege and learned that, at least at Bard, that's pretty much exactly what it is. Feitler House, the vegan co-op, is Bard's sole example of theme housing, and it's not a bad one. Founded by a student in the late '90s, it is the first dorm visitors come upon when entering Annandale Road from 9G. The students who live there are all upperclassmen who applied for one of the ten available spots. Although Sophomore Molly King surveys the crisp autumnal morning from the vantage point of the Feitler porch it is called a vegan co-op, only one of the members is vegan. The rest cited reasons living in Feitler is "a good way not to feel the academic advantages of theme difference and to cut down on for applying such as a desire for better so isolated from life." Other members housing oriented around speaking cliqu es. H e argued that we wilJ food and a more communal environment. elaborate on this theme, saying that, a common language, which the have the chance to "voluntarily Co-op members pool the money that in the real world, everyo ne cooks and students are all trying to learn, segregate later, [we] don't need to in is usually allotted for their meal plans cleans for themselves, and that doing this a nd says that at larger uni versities, coll ege." H e was quick to point out, and use it to buy all their own food. They at Feitler helps inject some of this into he sees the necessity for small however, that Feitle r residents are share responsibility for food preparation the sli ghtly surreal quality of coll ege life. communities. Aside from these pursuing a noble life style and that and chores, and all decisions about dorm Overall, Feitler members seem to examples, however, Botstein feels he commends them for it. Bard as a life are made by consensus at weekly love their housing situati on. "I couldn't that theme hou sing is "a species of whole is trying to serve more organic meetings. Dinners at Feitler are open imagine not living here," says Young. the fraternity sys tem ... inherently food, and to make its practices more to the entire student body because "We When asked to speak on theme housing, discriminatory." H e cited the eating environmentally so und. Though want to share our extremely extreme Bard President Leon Botstein replied, clubs at Princeton, where every he supports Feitler's principles, bounty," says student Marika Pl ater. "There are two schools of thought." One year about a hundred students Botstein still feels that its- and While it may seem like more of a hassle could be call ed the Feitler School: are rejected. " How would it feel a ll theme housing's- exclusive than it's worth to cook your own food namely that theme housing is a to be one of them?" he asked. nature must be remedied. every night and keep a house clean, Feitler good thing. Botstein's opi nion is less In condemning th eme h o using, residents argue that it's beneficial. ''We're positive. While h e ac1rnowfedges h ..,,...~- i'!l"" •111 """'• Fritln -dittnns at"e served at 6:3 0 learning to be [responsible] people," says that theme housing has its place, "defend the least popular." This on weekniglzts. .(/you 're interested in Holly Young, a senior. Emma Brenner­ he cautioned that it has "only is the point of common living and attending, RSVP by phone, extension Mallin, another resident, says that worked in rare instances." H e sees dining spaces: to expose people to 6045.~J

Reem-Kayden: Tuesdays 5-7 , Educating Future Scientists Sundays 2-5 BY CHARLOTTE ASHLOCK Basement of The morning of the spectacular open­ Rafael Vifioly, the bui lding's architect. be glamorous (Darcy Kell ey herself was the old gym ing of the Reem-Kayden Science Center The subject of Darcy Kell ey's speech the youngest and blondest person on the featured mini-classes taught by several of was her project, Frontiers in Science, which panel). Science can be exciting, beautiful, Bard's science, matl1, and computing pro­ she explained in great detail. Frontiers and meaningful. Let us update the image fessors. Anyone could attend. An wide of Science is a science course for the core of scientists, Darcy insisted, from ilie curriculum in Columbia University that range of subj ects were presented: web person who is, "scurrying tl1rough ilie aims to show majors and nonmajors that halls," to the romantic dreamer, "ilie programming, the negative effect of de­ science can be more than useful: it can be rockstar figure ." "My research is creasing biodiversity on health, the physics beautiful and it can be romantic. The topics on the frog larynx," Darcy Kelley informs of music, the impacts of global warming, for some of the seminars this year are, "The us, "And let me tell you, there is too much dancing Lego robots, and complex traits in Dark Side of ilie Universe," "How the Brain technical terminology and too little talk of fruit flies. These lessons were followed by a Works- Or Not!" "Darwin, Mendel, and the ancient and romantic courtship songs midmorning poster tour, as Bard students the Diversity of Life," and "Small Wonders: that the bullfrogs sing for their ladies under and other notables stroll ed through the lofty The World of Nano-Science." The aim is the water. . . . I believe that at heart all corridors examining beautiful posters on di ­ not only to educate the students, but also scientists are deeply romantic, not people verse topics - posters which can still be seen to improve th e im age of science in the real in plastic pocket protectors working on in their full glory by anyone who cares to incomprehensible things." Half of the drop into Reem-Kayden. After break time Frontiers of Science class is based in ''Sometimes I physical sciences and half of it is based the lessons were repeated, with the excep­ in life sciences. ''Why deny students that tion of the web programming lesson, which wonder ... whatwould passion th at drives you in your own work?" was replaced by a lesson on using computer have happened Darcy Kelley asks, and goes on to describe science to understand why ghettos form. the struggle she had to get the program BIKE A social lunch between Bard faculty, if science was a verb past her own change-resistant faculty. students, and visitors was followed by the Many were "incredulous," unwilling to main eveQt of ilie day: a Panel Discussion and not a noun . ... believe that a program such as Kelley's on "Educating Future Scientists." It began was possible. Physicists complained that CO·O with a speech by Leon Botstein, who warm­ To dance, to sing, to physics couldn't be interesting unless you were teaching to people who had already ly welcomed and introduced the speakers: . . " Darcy Kelley, a professor at Columbia Uni­ science. been studying it for years. "There was one chemistry professor who said it would versity and a pioneer of ilie Frontiers in world in order to foster a greater student happen over his dead body. And then he Science Program; Leon Lederman, 1988 interest in the discipline. She commented died!" she remarked, causing a ripple of Nobel prize winner in physics and former on the portrayal of scientists in movies, laughter through the auditorium. "But there president of ilie American Association for discrediting the stereotypical image of the were always people we could convince over the Advancement of Science; J eanne Na­ person in thick glasses with a white lab coat to our cause," she continued. "My romantic rum, director of Project Kaleidoscope, a and a pocket protector spouting gibberish goal, my subversive goal," T O PAGE FOUR science education advocacy group; and no one can understand. Scientists can Student Life Committee CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE don't think it was necessarily our job to do instituting water-conserving shower heads is a strong supporter of student space; she RE·SULTS that," said Howell. in dorms, a request of several students. sees it as a way to bring together all the However, she stresses that the SLC does Howell 's two big concerns of the year diverse aspects of the communi ty. "It was have responsibility not only to students, but also seem to be shared by students. Her a center for the Bard community to revolve to administration. "It's a two-way street. We first is communication. She hopes to around ....it was a huge part of Bard culture These are the categories most often responded to in the SLC poll. The have to take on the students' concerns, but revamp the student government website, and communication" said Howell of the responses were mainly criticisms. Excep­ at the same time we're supposed to take on adding an online student calendar, online Old Gym. tions include tl1e Career Development administrations' concerns," said Howell. polls, descriptions and links to committee However, the SLC is not looking to Office and Student Government - stu- "My priority is the students' side of it." websites, and blogs for students to discuss bring back the Old Gym. Instead, they dents mainly responded that no one Although many of the items on the issues. She also hopes to improve the hope to convince administration that what knew what these things were or fe lt their agenda seemed to be generated by the announce system. the community is looking for is mu ch more presence on campus at all - and BARC, administration, the committee was not Concerns over the announce system were than just a party space. Currently, the hich received mainly positive commen bound to support administrative goals the fifth largest category of complaint in the administration is advocating for the new saying that it was under-utilized. Catego­ unconditionally. A major goal shared by surveys. The vast majority of complaints student space to be alcohol free. ries are ranked by number of responses both Erin Cannan and the SLC is a push to concerning announce were simply that The committee, although supportive and listed alongside with top student make Bard more environmentally friendly. there are too many emails. Some people of administrative efforts to curb excessive concerns. Howell presented Cannan's possible requested a calendar of events to be posted drinking, does not see alcohol use as solution to the committee; a project to place either on a website or in a central location. something likely to disappear anytime 1. Dining service monitors around campus broadcasting the H owell's second major initiative is student soon. "I think the campus would be safer if (269 responses) day's events in an effort to cut down on space, something that many students students have a place to party;" said junior -low quality of food excessive flyering. clearl y feel strongly about. Combined, Scott McMillan. Members cited EMS -Kline closes too early Members wondered whether this was requests for party space ar_id social space statistics linking the closure of the Old Gym -terrible coffee the most economical and useful way to take up th"e top category of complaint in with increased rates of alcohol abuse. -inflexible and unfair meal plan reduce paper use. "I think we're attacking surveys. Separately, they ti e for third place. As for the other top student concerns, the wrong issue," said junior Brittany The majority of responses simply said we the SLC hopes to do what they can to Rode. She pointed out that the majority of need party and social spaces, and several advocate on our behalf, but fears that 2. Dorms/Housing paper wasted o_n campus is generated by mentioned that SMOG and Kline were several issues are far out of their control. (244 responses) -need wireless everywhere Reserve Web. By adding more double-sided not adequate. Another handful requested a Complaints about th e quality of food -dislike trailers printers, the waste of ReserveWeb and North Campus Center. Student space at Kline have consistently been the top other printouts could be cut in half. has a long history with the SLC and once concern in SLC surveys. This year, the most Students seem to agree. In fact, of the again, the committee hopes to get involved. common complaint about Kline was simply 3. Party/Social Spaces 113 criticisms of Bard's computer facilities, Howell encouraged committee members the quality of the food , closely followed by (203/191) [Note: these concerns the most frequent response was a request for to be continuous advocates for student a request for longer hours. Other concerns were ranked together as #3] more duplex printers. Howell is committed space. "I really want you guys to keep that included poor coffee, tl1e inflexibility of the -"we need it" to bringing the more environmentally­ in the forefront of your mind in every SLC meal plan, more local food, and a request -SMOG is not adequate friendly printers to can1pus, as well as thing that you pursue," said Howell. She TO PAGE SIX -Kline is not a good party space -need a North Campus Center -better TVs and common room Diversity 4. Transportation ( 173 responses) Commission -increased reliability needed CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE -more, clearer schedules -advertisement of shuttle times saying that in the past there had been "no -advertise special trips real platform for [students of color] to issue -stop at scheduled stops specific grievances to the administration." Odabashian would like to see plans made for the construction of a multi­ 5. Announce cultural space like Vassar's ALANA Center ( 165 responses) - a building that houses a large community -too many announce emails room, offices for identity groups, conference room, computers, and a kitchen. H e also I Health services sees the need for a change in the way 6. ( 140 responses) diversity is dealt with at Bard, both in and -location should be more central outside the classroom. "There's no reason -frequent misdiagnosises not to ask each other hard questions," he -need increased hours said. "It's not about agreeing with everyone Students convene in the collllllunity room of Vassar's ALANA center. Bard could get its own multi-cultural space through the Diversity Commission. - it's about an honest acknowledgement and appreciation of each other's differences." her responding negatively. In the end, no 7. Computer facilities Direct student involvement on (113 responses) Certainly open communication between committee was formed. Traldi characterized the commission is limited to student -need double-sided printers members of the commission and students Foster's reaction, saying "There were two representatives nominated by their peers -Campus Center computers plans an essential role in its effectiveness. Last possibilities. Either Geneva and I didn't see neglected and then selected by Foster based on year Secretary of the Central Committee eye to eye on things like what the student -Computer room on North their academic standing and schedule. Oliver Traldi approached Foster with a constitution guarantees for every student. .. Campus However, she emphasized the necessity proposal for a new student government or the other option is tl1at they felt that -color printers of the full community's involvement, committee. The Ad-Hoc Diversity the idea of an organic effort by student saying, "Transparency is paramount to our Committee would draft a report on campus government to take administrative organs success." Odabashian also remarked on Study Space/Library diversity issues as a means of passing studeo t to task about diversity iss ues would be a 8. the role of the community ·at large. "For (102 responses) opinion on to the administration - in effect, public relations nightmare." He continued, students of color to have pride in who they -A/C in library a smaller, student-run diversity commission. "If the administration tried to shut down are doesn't take away from other st.udents," -24-hour study space While Foster recalls being "one hundred an effort of the student government so it he said. "the student body as a whole can be percent supportive" and telling Traldi could do the same tl1ing itself - that's very more critical of the campus climate." to "go ahead and do it," he remembers troubling to me." 9. Career Development How exactly full involvement will be (7 5 responses) solicited remains uncertain. Foster suggested Hisp/Latino: 6% -never used it "African American: 3% the possibility of an open forum discussion later in the semester, and publication of the Asian/Pacific Islander: 9% commission's initial goals and subsequent findings online or in print. 10. BARC Native American/Alaskan Native: 1 % What is certain is the readiness of (66 responses) all parties involved to have a serious -thankful for their existence -don't know what it is White/non Hispanic: 54% discussion about. necessary change and its -needs more tutors Other/Unknown: 27% implementation. It's still early to tell how effective tl1e Diversity Commission will be. But if the students, faculty, and staff 11 .Student Goverllillent involved, directly and otherwise, commit (5 1 responses) to be truly challenging - to establi shed -no sense of knowing officers or institutions, to each other, and even to their what they're doing own perceptions of diversity and its value -no preseJ1ce on can1pus Racial Diversity of the Incoming Freshman Class and importance - then it's an effort that's certainly worth watching. .!!. 3 NEWS@ Reem-Kayden: Educating Future Scientists CONTINUED FROM PAGE TWO

she said "is to change the culture of the human beings, and how we relate to the university." To make people, and especially earth." The purpose of Project K a lei ­ young women, realize, that a B in Intro doscope is to make these stories acces­ Chemistry doesn't bar them from a science sible to all , to "create an environment career for life. To make people realize that in which all American undergraduates memorizing tli ose molecul es isn't really have access to learning experiences in what it's all about; what it's about is the fields of science, technology, engineer­ pursuit of truth, discovery, meaning, and ing, and mathematics that motivate beauty. ' them." Leon Lederman, a Nobel Prize Winner, Sometim es I wonder," said J eanne was a cordial grandfatherly-looking so rt of Narum, "What would have happened if man who seemed to take more pride and science was a verb and not a noun .... To 1 ~ joy in his role as an educator than he did dance, to sing, to science,'' she said happily. in his research accomplishments. After he "Its time to start teaching people scientists received his appoinbnent as head of a pres­ tigious lab, he said he missed teaching so much th at he had the tendency to "corner a helpless post-doc, and well ..... teach them Kline doors as a student forum something." The post-docs proceeded to organize "Saturday Science School," which gath ered talented hi gh schoolers in the area every Saturday to li sten to Lederman's les­ The.Kline sons. Professor Lederman was out to teach them that science could be "fun." H e said F&D1es: that gradually, little by li ttle, he came to the reali zation that "Bright students were frus ­ Separating Fact from. trated because teachers were not all that aren't nerds in steril e, hospital-like places," good. " "What we need," he cri ed out with she continued. "The true scientist takes his passion, "is more good science teachers!" inspiration, like the true poet does, not from Fiction the agency and the agency then pays the ''And let me tell you," he continued to say, notes, but from hunches, from a feeling in BY E VE GECKER workers-Bard does not directly pay these "Our science curriculum is completely out the bones." One of the bigges t sources for individuals. H owever, many of these disabled of date. Now I'm old, I've been around for The architect, Rafael Vifioly, was the myth, fable, and complete fabrications on workers truly benefit from this experience. a while. I can remember when the Dead last to speak, beaming out from behind his Bard Campus is Kline. "The food they use "Many of our disabled servers end Sea was only sick. . . . [and] I can tell you thick glasses. H e spoke in English tilat was is days old," "They put laxatives in all the up becoming actual union service American high school curriculum is right accented yet precise. Vifioly is fam ed for food to make us sick," "They hire disabled members who work directly for Bard out of th e 19th century." designing successful science faciliti es, as people so that they can pay them less,'' as well and get paid the same as every oth er Leon Lederman went on to explain his beautiful as they are useful. H e explained as a vast number of even more "ridiculous," service member does," said Cerulli. view th at biology should not be taught in that the secret of his success was really lis­ as one member of the Chartwells dining Lastly, many students have been curious 9th grade. Physics should be taught in 9th tening to the scientists themselves when cre­ Services described, rumors that students as to these random, or unexpected changes grade, and chemisu·y in the 10th grade, so ating his designs. "To become interested in spin out of control, until the image of in Kline. Why are there suddenly only that students could go into biology with a a field, is to become interested in the people Kline is distorted and manipulated. paper plates to use some days? Is it true that firm understanding of physics and chemis­ in a field ," he commented. Although an But what are the truths about Kline? they are just too lazy to wash th e dishes? try and learn so much more elTectively that artist and architect himself, Vifioly's par­ Where does th e food really come from? Why is there a $50 fine for removing food? way. The general message· of his speech ents were sci.enlists and he himself knew Why is taking food out of Kline to eat later Chartwells explained that "the use of was that science, devoted to explaining na­ many scientists. Science, in Viiioly's view, considered contraband with a punishment paper plates is simply because the dishwasher ture through stories can be amusing and is a mechanism attempting to both speed amounting to $50? The Director occasionally breaks down. And when the fun. "After I'd been teaching it awhile," he progress and reach truth. However, he la­ and Assistant Director of Chartwells service members can't wash dishes, th ey said, "my post-docs came to me and said, mented on the tendency of our society to Dining Services, Chas Cerulli and Alan must resort to using paper plates and bowls Leon, why should you have all the fun? ignore the noble pursuit of science itself to Wolfzahn respectively, helped to separate as well as plastic utensils." Unfortunately, this We want to teach too." Saturday Science focu s solely on its more juicy fruit: Technol­ the Kline facts from its many fictions. seems to have happened a few times already School ballooned from the funny lectures ogy. Technology, far from being an abstract Cerulli explained that Bard has this year, as many students have noticed. of a single eccentric Nobel prize-winner to quest after truth, is the ultimate practicality: "complete freedom in creating the menus. . As for Chartwells' new fifty-dollar fin e, a full -blown organization dedicated to bet­ the tools we use both out of necessity and Chartwells is a food contractor which it is meant to deter students from stealing tering th e quality of the science education fo r pleasure. The money for science gener­ deals with corporate purchasing." Due to food and dishes. "So far this year, over students were receiving in schools. ally comes from people who are introduced Bard's uniqueness, Cerulli and associates four-hundred plastic cups have been stolen. The next speaker, J eanne Narum, was in producing effective tools, ratiler than the determine exactly what gets served. Students take them with them as they a delightful white-haired old lady with people who are interested in striving after "Bard has many more vegan or leave, and bring them back to their dorm, smooth and polished rhetoric yo u could tell a more comprehensive truth. "Why is the vegetarian students than say, a small college or leave them outside Olin or classrooms," had been honed over a lifetime of practice. only way to sell science, selling technology?" in the Midwest," said Cerulli. "Therefore, it said Cerulli. "Bard spends an additional "Someone told me that if I called my Proj­ cried Vifioly in frustration. The other mo­ is logical for us to get more vegetarian food $ 10,000 on dishes and cups, and when ect 'Kaleidoscope," no one would ever take tivation for funding science, according to options, that Bard can then use to create students remove them from the cafeteria me seri ously as a scientific endeavor," she Vinoly, is fear: "fear of someone else know­ dishes."Bard'sfoodsupplycomesfrommany it becomes even more money we have to told us. Then with a smug little sm ile, she ing more!" He went on to illustrate with different vendors, and various shipments spend to replace all those stolen items." added, ''.And I told him, I have the fund­ the example of the Cold War and the spec­ from individual suppli ers arrive daily. Similarly, Chartwells explained that when ing, and I 'm going to name it what­ tacular funding spike for the sciences th'at "We have contracted many local farmers," students take copious amounts of food in ever I want." occurred then. However since then, an age Cerulli added, "such as the Hudson Valley Tupperware containers, they take more food The website for Project Kaleidoscope of greater complacency and prosperity has Milk Farms. We are trying to keep a lot than their meal plan covers. The amount of gives us an inspiring quote from M . been ushered into the United States and in­ of the food local and seasonal." And the food made and wasted each day is recorded Mitchell Waldrop, " At heart, science terest in science and most specifically space aged old myth that the Kline food is old or in order to calculate how much food to make is about the telling of stories- stories travel appears to have dwindled. Vinoly reused is pure fiction: "We make everything next time; when students remove food from that explain what the world is like, a.nd ended his speech by calling for "Emergency fresh everyday and we never reuse the food, Kline, they are disrupt these calculations. how the world came to be as it is. And action to rekindle interest in science." It as to say that the pasta from yesterday is for Thanks to the Chartwells directors, like older explanations, such as creation is abundantly obvious from the gleaming lunch today. Rather, the pasta sauce could many of these Kline mysteries and myths myths, epic legends, and fairy tales, the contours of the college's new silve r treasure be used for other purposes, or some of the have been deciphered and debunked for stories that science tell s help us under- that Vinoly is doing his part to accomplish chicken bits could be used for soup, etc. good. 4-J stand something about who we a re as this goal. The food is never old," Cerulli clarified. We have then, a set of proposals: There are also abundant rumors "Remake the image of science; reveal concerning the Kline students and Kline 131-a\fe is ()11 c:all x ----( ( ( ( the romance and beauty of science," service members. As one freshman " revive the social status of teaching; described, "I heard that Bard hires disabled find p assionate teachers; revolutionize workers so that it's easy for them to pay those the curriculum," "prep a re more sci en tis ts; speak of sciencing as you workers less money. They lower their wages We are a 24-hour anonymous student-run crisis hotline for the Bard community sensitive to the issues of sexual violence, harassment, relationship abuse, stress/ would of singing, or dancing, or story­ because they're disabled." The directors of anxiety, depression, family issues, culture shock, issues surrounding sexual orienta­ telling," and "take emergency action Chartwells at Bard debunked this rumor. tion and/ or gender identity and more. to rekindle interest in science; pursue Bard hires some of their workers from an science, not because of the technology agency that acts as a vocational employment it brings, but because of joy in the for a disabled people resource group. subject itself." Perhaps it is worthwhile According to Chartwells, this agency teaches to take these objectives into our hearts life skills and working tools with special Call us at x7777. If you would like to be a member, please contact Rebecca Stacy a nd minds when we attend classes in the on-site coaching opportunities. Bard pays at x7557 or [email protected] new R eem-Kayden Science Center. 4-' 4 making its presence known. Despite this display of vanity, it's hard to get angry at lmrKIN& UP the moon for this self-absorbed behavior since it's so beautiful that giving it as much attention as I can is a true pleasure. SlfY Though we all see the moon pretty often, IT THE it's about time that we gave it due respect BY AARON AHLSTROM or at least freak out about how cool it is on a more regular basis. In the past people this week: certainly did. The Algonquian tribes of the the harvest moon Northeast ascribed specific names to the full moons, each one denoting something significant about the time it occurs. On Though my work wasn't done and there Wednesday we all witnessed the Harvest was no reason not to sleep, last week I found Moon (unless you somehow didn't look myself repeatedly going out late at night to up at the sky that night, which would be gaze heavenwards. Seriously, though, who sad). By definition this is the moon which could resist a full moon? Up there in that sky occurs closest to the Autumnal equinox, above the full moon visits us once a month, which happened on the 21" of September white like a dove and silent as tl1e American (goodbye summer!). public during wartime. This divine disk of The "harvest" aspect of this full moon has eerie light which has connections to insanity a couple origin stories. For one, it's the part and werewolves offers both amateur and of the year that Native Americans gathered professional sh.)'Watchers an incredible their staple foods of corn, squash, beans, and opportunity to see some really cool shit. In I think that moonlight imbues people crepuscular rays shone forth. Crepuscular wild ri ce. The full moon must have offered this life, not many things achieve the level of with magic powers. Seriously, I mean, think (which means twilight) rays are those bands a useful reminder that they had to get their awesomeness that the full moon does (o ther about how that light got to you. From the of li ght iliat stream out from behind clouds harvesting on. Another explanation is that than clouds of course). su n, those photons blasted over a hundred and are often associated with god. the bright moon allowed farmers to bring On nights like last Wednesday, the Earth million miles to the moon where it bounced Though rumors abounded that this H arvest in crops throughout the evenin g. Either steps aside to make room for the moon while off that gray dust and rocketed all the way Moon was going to be the brightest one way, people used to use the moon to guide the sun endows it with all the li ght it possibly to this fine planet where it allowed me to for the next hundred years or so, I couldn't their daily li ves, they were lunatics, to put can. For a single night, our home planet sec people's faces clearly at midnight. On find any mention of it in reputable sources. it bluntly. For them the lunar cycles tapped removes the trade embargo on luminosity it Wednesday the moon was so ridiculously Noneilieless, all full moons stand as out a yearlong rhythm by wh ich they danced imposes on our lunar neighbor. The moon luminous thaLlsaw atmosp heric phenomena important reminders of how inextricably out their lives. Here at Bard, most of us tend always maximizes on iliis monthly reprieve, usually only visible during the day. A group intertwined humanity is wiili natural cycles. not to organize our daily lives according it's the only time it can assert its full self for of passing cirrocumulus clouds exhibited For a moment each month we can direct our to moon patterns (or any patterns for that all of us to see. Like a model on a catwalk, a brilliant display of iridescence, it looked eyes upwards, forget our social problems and matter). Still, it's apparent from the cross­ the full moon struts its stuff in a very public like a ghastly rainbow was surrounding all those pressing world crisises, and witness campus howling and midnight moonlight way, turning about for the world to see. the moon. Simultaneously, on either side ilie moon's silent brilliance as it journeys lawn sports that we do recognize and even It's an attention-whore who just can't help of these clouds a magnificent group of around that heavenly body we call home.q celebrate the full moon.

OJuWWL q~William Manie RvS•R•Hf.FON - v should learn more about something like less than 500 students. of wetland. There's an interaction iliere, it and students should I came in 1973, and it hovered around and iliat would argue for a conservation or really be exposed to the 450, 600, somewhere around there for a preservation of the wetland, so that those unique and interesting few years and then started to grow. I think two species can continue to interact. environment around here. the growth began when Leon came. H e At the time, when I started came with an inspiration and a vision 0 : Are these relationships being affected by the course, shortly after the and attracted students and faculty and global warming? What are your opinions earth cooled, somewhere the growth, while not exponential, has on iliis issue? in the mid-70's, most of certainly been steady since then. the students were of urban M : My concerns about environmental origins (New York City and 0: You also have done work for the Bard problems-I don't do research in that so forth) and rarely got out Center for Environmental Policy. Care to area, and in fact I don't focus any of my where they'd get grass stains elaborate? lectures specifically on environmental on their ankles and that sort problems, but I think that ilie biggest of thing, so I wanted to M : BCEP- 1 am, I think, listed as a problem is overpopulation, pure and do it for that reason. But I member of the faculty. H owever, I don't simple. It could be too many warm bodies think ultimately it ended up currently teach any courses or mentor any in a place, as in, not to pick on -a group, being a little selfish, because students in the program, but I am there to but as in Bangladesh. It could be too many doing that course got me be an advisor or consultant or supporter bodies hogging too many resourc~s, as out exploring and learning when needed. in ilie U.S. Boili of those cause similar more about the area. kinds of disturbances and problems. The 0 : So do you ever help students out with manifestation of too many people creates 0 : You've been working senior projects, or is there anything big a whole subset of problems: pollution, here since the l 970's. What going on in the environmental department emerging diseases, "new" diseases, and kind of changes have you right now? global warming. Everything follows from noticed since then, if any, overpopulation. in the flora and fauna of the M : In the Bard Center for Environmental As far as global warming, I iliink ilie area? Studies? I really don't interact that evidence is very suggestive that global closely with them. I have a great deal of warming is happening and that it should Although most of us appreciate Bard's M : Well, I see fewer snakes affection for what they're doing, and it's an be a concern. The evidence is the best we scenic paths, how many of us are able to than I used to. I see a lot more introduced outgrowth of a program that several faculty can make of records: weather records, identify at least 1,500 non-microscopic species, or invasive species, and that's not and I helped to start many years ago called prec1p1tation, temperature, carbon species of plants and animals living on including the horticultural things that are The Graduate School of Environmental dioxide content from as far back in ilie our campus? If you count bacteria, fungi, being planted around campus and around Studies. Since then, it's morphed into Earili's history as we can go. A lot of ilie and other less-than-obvious organisms, the the buildings to beautify the place: a lot more of a policy-oriented program than a most reliable information extends from count reaches 3,000 species and beyond. of those are not necessarily invasive, but straight ecology or environmental studies what iliey can dig out of glacial ice, or Meet Professor William Maple, the sharp certainly foreign species and not a part program. sediments in ilie ocean, or deep lakes. And scientist who's in the know about the land of the native flora and fauna. The other ilie trend, if it's graphed out, shows iliat we're living on. thing, which is obvious to anybody that 0 : So what is your real interest in the field global temperature on average is tending looks around, is that the open space of right now? upwards. That's not to say iliat somewhere Observer: So, you're a professor of thirty years ago is gradually being turned along ilie line way back when iliere wasn't Biology here at Bard College, and a lot of into gentrified space, used space, built­ M : My interests are in the interactions of a cold period, it didn't get very cold-ilie people know you for your popular Field upon space-in the whole Hudson Valley, populations of plants and animals: plants Little Ice Age, for example-iliat was a Studies Class. Would you like to tell me a although specifically at Bard. I think and plants, animals and animals, plants and downward blip. But if you step back and Ii ttle bit about that? what I observe at Bard is really a subset animals, and how environmental factors look at that picture wiiliout a magnifying of what's going on in the larger Hudson may change or alter those interactions, or glass, you get a line that's tending steadily Maple: Yes, well, the Field Studies Class Valley: development, loss of open space, how those interactions might affect changes upward. To a scientist, we can only work developed basically out of my interest in fragmentation of habitat, invasive species, in the environment. That is, if you note wiili the data at hand, and we see that, and doing field work, since my research from and more people. More people at Bard that there is a certain relationship between we wonder well, what's going on? What's my graduate days on has been in outdoor now than there were in 1970, and more species A and species B, you may want to causing that increase in temperature? And ecology issues. I felt like Bard Campus people in the Hudson Valley. preserve that relationship. Let's say you we look at the correlation between that was such a beautiful natural area, that I At one point, I remember we had have Blanding's turtles and a certain kind T O PAGE SIX 5 FEATURES~ Conservatory Interview With Professor Maple Students Find CONTINUED FROM PAGE FIVE Happy Balance and co2 and other things, and then we taking on this sort of global warming come up with guesses or suggestions about issue, what do you have to say about 0 : Anything else? what might be causing the increase in environmentalism at Bard? BY REBECCA RoM - FRANK global warming. We can debate whether M : Well, I think we have fun here as a If you live on South Campus this year, it is in fact global warming or if we're M : Environmentalism at Bard, I think, is faculty, not just in the sciences but all the you've probably heard a piercingly angelic just seeing over a long period of time very real, although subtle. That is, there facu lty members I have known over the trumpet melody saturate the afternoon that we're just on an upward curve: two aren't a lot of strident people wandering years. This is just really a fun place to be air at least once. The proprietor of this hundred years from now it may be going around gathering up printer cartridges and and a lot of the students feel the same way. trumpet is Chris Carroll, a first-year down again. We don't know. We can only cell phones and turning off lights and so Do you feel the same way? student in Bard's five-year, dual degree work with the data at hand, and that data forth, but I think that the student body and conservatory program. This relatively new suggests to many of us that global warming the faculty, the community at Bard, is much 0 : Yeah, I really love it here. is real. more sensitive to "environmentalism" program enrolled its first students in the fall So what are the consequences of that? than we were thirty years ago. More M : When I came here in 1973- 1 had semester of 2005. Very. serious disruption of the earth's people are turning off lights. More people taught at a large university before coming nlike other prestigious music ecosystem in just about every possible way. are unplugging the "vampires" from the to Bard- I thought, 'Eh, it's a nice place.' conservatories, such as Oberlin, Bard We can see short-term that we're losing wall- those things that gradually suck It was kind of fun. I took the job because I requires conservatory students to obtain pack-ice, and that the ice caps are melting. was interviewed primarily by students, and a normal college degree in addition to a There's an old song from way back when, "It's all the things you I really got a great impression of the place. Bachelor of Fine Arts. For this reason, I 960's or '70's, by a guy whose name I So I thought, 'Well, you know, it's a nice "Bard was the only college I applied to," can't remember: he had a song called "The think about home--you place, I'll teach a few courses and build said Carroll, who has been playing trumpet Ice Caps are Melting," and he played the know, apple pie and tur­ up some experience, expand the number since he was six years old. ukulele. You can cancel that if you want. of courses that I teach and so forth,' and Allegra Chapmin, a third-year pianist But we see the melting of ice caps; we see key and cheap wine." then I woke up one day and I'd been here from San Francisco, agreed. In conjunction evidence that sea level is rising, and one of for thirty years! It's all the things you think the problems that will arise from increased about home-you know, apple pie and with her music, she is in the process of global warming is that the sea levels will JU1Ce out of the system like cell phone turkey and cheap wine. completing a major in international studies. rise and basically inundate a lot of the chargers and so forth. So it's not as visible "My music history classes tend to overlap most populated areas on earth: major river a movement- you know, hippies marching 0 : Yes, it's definitely beautiful here, and with my other academic classes," she said. val leys, Bangladesh, Pakistan, parts of up and down with banners proclaiming students should be assured that, especially "It's interesting to see where music fits into India, parts of Great Britain- all over the 'pick up your trash' or whatever-rather, in light of all these environmental concerns the rest of the world." world. New York City: Wall Street will be people are simply doing it. It has become popping up around us. It's not going While Chapmin is still unsure whether seashore in fifty to a hundred years. a part of our culture, a part of our life, anywhere yet, hopefully. You know, that she will pursue music after Bard, Carroll So I think that yes, global warming is this environmentalism. Some are a little the river isn't suddenly going to dry up? has his sights set on a career as a musician. real, and it is a serious problem. It's not more conscientious than others, but I think "I'm interested in studying languages," he going to bother me (laughs)- you're going (the movement] has raised the average M : No, the river's not going anywhere for said. "Someday, I'd like to travel around to have to deal with it. awareness, and has infused all of society a while. q. Europe and play music." Alongside his - specificall y, I'm talking about Bard-so Exactly. In light of our generation that we're doing a better job now. private lessons and Conservatory Seminar 0 : (a two-year course surveying music history Student Life Committe and theory), Carroll is also taking First-Year CONTINUED FROM PAGE THREE Seminar and a class on Homer's Odyssey for Manor Cafe to be open on weekends. was blocked by the library's limited funds. Howell has already set up a meeting at in the liberal arts college. Apparently, Howell first joined the SLC as Increased costs for electricity and workers Henderson to discuss the logistics of bringing Because they are able to participate sop+10more in hopes of ousting Chartwells. put the library over its allocated budget. wireless across campus. In addition, the in academic courses, the parents of She quickly learned "all the reasons why However, the SLC will \:O ntinue attempts to SLC is actively working on fixing announce both Chapmin and Carroll were very Chartwells will never go away." However at least open study space for 24-hours, (the and increasing communication of events Howell finds that Chartwells is usually very original idea behind it). ''l\ lot of our goals around campus.. supportive of their decisions to enroll in willing to take suggestions. This year, there are goi ng to depend on our creativity," said While the survey results can help guide the Conservatory. "My dad doesn't want to will be two food forums where students can Howell, citing study space as one of the the SLC's agenda, more specific input from support me if I fail as a musician," joked voice their concerns to Chartwells Director SLC's more financially fiscal solu tions to a students is always appreciated. "I would Carroll. Chas Cerulli. student problem. love it if students would come to SLC with Students generally focus on classical Another student priori ty which is The SLC does have high hopes for problems," said H owell . "I think the biggest music in the Conservatory, but this does unlikely to be addressed is the need for the several student concerns. The top comment problem here is lack of knowledge about not inhibit the influence of other genres. library to be open 24 hours, at least during under dorms and housing, the number two what is possible." Bring your questions or Chapmin recently began playing in the finals. Apparently, the SLC campaigned category of complaints, is a request for concerns to the SLC, Mondays at eight in Tango Orchestra, and Carroll is inspired for increased library hours in 2005, and wireless internet access all over campus. the fishbowl. 41 by jazz and world music. While Carroll plays trumpet in the orchestra and in a brass quintet, he also participates in several other musical groups outside of the Conservatory. -- - Many Conservatory students have found friends outside their own academic @1fWIIDm;oo1r &iuwrn; program, although "we usually stick together," said Chapmin. Because the --©®oooounm;m; · ~, . Conservatory demands so much practice time, music students are inclined to spend a lot of time helping and supporting each MEETING other. However, the conservatory's small ' size also encourages students to branch out. "I don't do much with other players when we are outside the conservatory," said in the Carroll conversely. According to Carroll, Oft"\. there are a total of about fifty students in CO.tu.l_)U S the conservatory, and the majority of those ce"D-ter students come from countries outside the ?()r;,\,0 '. nited States. 1ounge Most music classes are held in the Avery building on South Campus, which is c~tWl 6l/\ ;A ... relatively far from other classroom buildings. However, Carroll tries not to physically isolate himself from the rest of camp~. "I don't really like the Conservatory building very much, so I usually practice outside," he explained, justifying his inadvertently broadcasted rehearsals. Inversely, the fact that the Conservatory is not so remote is fortunate for the entire Bard community, as well.q. {.('o\-.i \ .. <, \ c.. @ t,q r~. Uv 6 ~b~

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,- ...... A kiss without a mustache ... is like an egg without salt... is , ••t\u · •• · 1~ai.~ If@ like Good without Evil. .... t•~• Jean-Paul Sartre ~4~

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Thanks to: Google Images and www.beardsandbaldies.com OBSERVER FORUm Action: Liberal Arts and Equality Affirmative Action compromises Affirmative Bard's free thought atmosphere

BY CAROLINE FRIEDMAN B Y ENRICO P URITA Black people make up 2% or the student body here at Bard. Yes, that's Whether one has been a student at Bard for four years or for two months, right, 2%. For a campus that professes to have liberal, egalitari an values, this is an one will almost immedietely come to full y realize Bard's reputati on as an innovative embarrassment. But what is perhaps more embarrassing is the lack of outrage over the institution of independent thought and study. Bard's central philosophical ideal centers unfair representati on of black people on this campus. We believe in diversity here at around the intell ectual and creative power of the individual. The idea of incorporating ;;- Bard, don't we? After all, 22% of us are international, adding alternative perspectives affi rmative action, a backwards attempt at restoring equality to all groups, discourages and worldl y experi ences into our discourse. We encourage political debate. We have free thinking among individual students and in fact makes the college applicati on cl ubs devoted to labor rights, the queer community, and dinosaurs. We tutor inmates. process less equal. With this much concern over progressive issues, the apathy over the racial homogeny The idea that Bard is in need of affi rmative acti on due to the small percentage of this school is actually quite shocking. Everyone knows the proverb "Practi ce what of minorities on campus is misleading in the highest degree. Bard's admissions process you pre!lch", and perhaps the Bard community should heed this lesson. Bard students, is focused on finding students who are the most creative. Creativity is not found in based on the values most people here espouse, should want their community to be ri chl y giving special preference to students in certai n minority groups. Creativity and racial/ dive rse. They should want an eclecti c marketplace of ideas in which to enrich their ethnic diversity are simply not connected. If Bard was only 30 percent whi te/non­ perspectives. However, students at Bard comfo rtabl y take an "us" and "them" mentality. hispanic as oppposed to 68 percent white/non-hispanic, woul d there be a more diverse This is what we shoul d do fo r th em, in lieu of what we should all do together. This is marketplace of ideas? Of course not. Years of racial te nsion in all parts of the wo rl d why Bard should take a more proacti ve stance on affirmative acti on. have taught us that race means nothing. All men are created equal and each individual Dive rsity has been the raison d'etre or the affi rmative acti on movement is equally capable of creati ve thought. for decades. As important as it is, this has becqme a somewhat tangential issue with Some may consider Bard to be one of the more diverse liberal arts colleges an increased influx of immigran ts fro m all over the wo rld. On top of it, the term in the country. No other place wi ll one fi nd a San Francisco-born theater major who "diversity" skirts the true problem, perhaps sugar coating an unpleasant issue to fiddl es around wi tl1 the autoharp alongside a human rights activist who wants to major reli eve guil t. T he real reason affirmative action must persist is because Ameri ca has a in sociology after a life-al tering ex'Pe ri ence in zen medi tation. True diversity is not in the moral, and arguably legal and fin ancial, obligati on to its black ci ti zens. Our (in)fam ous color of one's skin or in one's coun try of ori gi n. True diveri sty li es soley in the creativity economy was built by black slaves. Tobacco and cotton, our first large industries, were within the human mind. entirely created by the fo rced immigrati on and labor of black people. And they never Affirmative action's purpose is to create equality among students, and it saw a cent fo r it. Our country denied them educati on, money, and human 1ights that are does the complete opposite. Any college application, especially a college focused on so fundamental we even wrote them down (see: US Constitution). It is Ameri ca's duty produci ng liberal thinking intellectuals, should be fo cused purely on academic/ creative to close the educati on gap, because we forci bly created it in the first place. Affirmative qualities. Allowing admission based on race/ ethnicity not only goes against this acti on is the first step in doing so. mi;idset, but it also breeds a different philosophy in the coJJ ege ad.missions process that Top-tier colleges are increasingly becoming the breeding grounds for wealth, is based on insignificant quali ties such as race. Aminoritiy's admission to .a college due eli tism, and networking. They exist as a wedge between the masses and the futu re to affirmative action is unfair to the non-minori ty who worked just as hard and is just as corporate and political behemoths. Admissions into these schools are horribly tipped creative and as diverse in his/her persona. in the favor of the privileged. The average SAT score of a chump going to Harvard While certain minori ty groups have faced hardships in the pas t, the fac t is is a 1490. Of people that score over 1300 on the SAT, two-thirds come from the top that these past hardships ought not to come into play in a collegiate atmosphere. T his socioeconomic quartile. Only 3% come from the bottom one. If yo u think a lack of is especially true at a coll ege that puts a large emphasis on essay/ recommendations affirmative action lends itself to meritocracy, think again. People are constantly paying portion of the applicati on. If one was not as privileged in his or her educati on for one fo r tutors and courses before the SAT, giving the privileged quite an upper hand. reason or another, this factor should not come into play with Bard's application process Offering affirmative acti on to the less privileged would at least help to bridge this divide. if the individual can produce an innovative essay and garner positive recommendati ons. Educati on of the underprivileged is also at a dismal level. Underperforming If any student, regardless of race or ethnicity, cannot produce a decent essay and show schools are having their funds cut and are being shut down due to the No Child Left creative thought through an intervi ew and/ or recommendations, then he or she ought Behind Act. Instead of pumping more resources into the most troubled schools, the not to be at an institution like Bard. It's that simple. government is pulling the rug out from under them. Teachers are shying away from The affirmative action process muddles an already confusing admissions these schools recently, a sign that government programs are not workin g. Schools are ye t process that Bard is attempting to simplify. Bard so often stresses the individual in still segregated along economic and racial lines. While you may think that arguments its academic philosophy. Each student is encouraged to think on his or her train of over "separate but equal" belong in the history books, they are very much alive today. thought and forget conve ntional boundaries of academia. In an admissions process that This year, in Tuscaloo, Alabama, where George Wallace once stood blocking black utilizes affiirmative acti on, the individual is not valued. The individual's group is what students from a school entranceway, white parents complained of overcrowc;ling in is being valued. How many free-thinking individuals are being lost in the shuffie of their public schools. The government's response was to rezone a number of students, Bard 's admissions process due to the tendency of affirmative acti on to group people into a huge percentage of which were black, and send them to underperfo rming schools arbitrary sects based on nonsensical and irrational conventions? with al ready huge black majoriti es. And in case you need a further reminder that Bard must not be hypocritical in its free-thinking philosophy. As students, we opportunities are not created equal, the case of thej ena 6 highlights a failing justi ce have every ri ght to expect that our college provides us with an atmosphere that is diverse system. While it's clear the entire educati on system needs to be overhauled, affi rmati ve in thought. Independent thought, not minori ty groups, is at the heart of a liberal arts action is a mild offering toward reconciliati on. educati on and at the heart of a Bard education. 4-." Critics of affi rmative action argue that it undermines our country's sys tem of meritocracy. However, it is easy to prove that the benefits that our society incurs through affirmative action are fa r greater than the perhaps minor discomfo rt it may cause for whi te America. No more than 7% of white Ameri cans beli eve that they have been adversely affected by affirmative acti on; perhaps even more demonstrative is the fact that it redu.ces one's chances of admission to a top coll ege by only 1.5%. Clearly there are no vast injustices being imposed on whites in this country. T here are ways of dive rsifying our campus. Bard needs to reach out to more underprivileged, underrepresented students. If we employed the same recruitment methods that we use in Eastern European coun tri es, perhaps we could create more speak up interest in Bard in urban and poor communities. We could expand our programs like HEOP, and work directly with high schools. We believe strongly in programs like the Bard Prison Initiative, which takes the position that with educati on, people can climb out of unfo rtunate circumstances. If these are the things that we beli eve as Bard students, why haven't we put them into action? It is obvious that affirmative acti on is not the absolute and final solution to closing our country's education gap. More has to be done on the part of the government to allevi ate poverty, raise the quality of teachers in urban schools, and instill in students an understanding that educati on is a route to success. While these components are going to be absolutely necessary in the future, increased affirmative acti on is the first step Bard can take. It will represent our institution and student body's attitudes towards race and class in a way that means more than what we profess in our FYSEM classrooms. 4-J observeratbarddotedu 9 Dear Editor, aJ bums with a thoughtful and creative I was frankly quite disappoin ted by the re-imagining, they have used its lyri cs attendance at the Reem-Kayden Center and song titles to create something th at ~loon- opening. It was nothing short of pathetic. holds next to nothing in common with the The bulk of the people who came to it were ground-breaking originaJ. random old people who had flocked there Most Sincerely, in awe, not us students who were blessed by Ben Wlody the presence of the four amazing panelists. Is one o'clock p.m. too late to get up on a Dear Obse rver, Saturday? Or are we really such idiots that I was di sappointed but not su rprised by THURSDAY a Nobel Prize \ Vinner would come to our this past issue's opinion piece on Ron Paul. very doorstep and we wouldn't even bother Why are young people suddenly so enam­ li stening? ored of the man? What gives thi s sh runken Well , well-attended or not, the open­ libertarian conse rvative with a nasaJ voice 22:00 ing of the Reem-Kayden Center was surely and weak public speaki ng skills such allure? one of the most impressive events ever to Why are liberaJs attracted to a small-gov­ take place at Bard. I can guarantee that ernment racist? for every inspiring, brilliant, or witty com­ Yes, racist. A 1996 Houston Chronicle ment quoted in my article, there are at least article reported on a newsletter he sent out three amazing comments that have been in 1992, in which he claimed, among other left out and forgotten. Al l of you who didn't things, that "opinion poUs show that only come should start kicking yourselves vigor­ about 5 percent of blacks have se nsible po­ ously. Now. There are so many wonderful liticaJ opinions;" that "95 percent of the resources at Bard, so many magnificent black maJes [in Washington, DC] are semi­ speakers who come, who are ignored by an crimin aJ or enti rely criminaJ;" and that "it apathetic and PATHETIC student popu­ is hardly irrational to be afraid of black lace. I have this message fo r aJI of yo u out men. " These quotes are freely available in there who did not come, and di d not have Wtkipedia. How did the editori aJ's author a valid excuse for not coming: You suck you slide past them? Why we ren't they deaJt Does the N e-ws Media suck you suck! Next ti me someone amaz­ with in the article? ing comes, drag yoursel f out of your bed More importantl y, why would a yo ung or your pot den or whatever, and LISTEN person aJ l of a sudden begin to support Ron Tell Us What to Think? to them! P~ul simply because of a few statements he BY jASON MASTBAUM With great bitterness, has made opposing the Iraq War? Guess Charlotte Ashlock what else he has opposed over the years: Major news providers claim that they ently feels is most important is that he is aborti,on, the separation of church and strive for objectivity in reporting the news. a polygamist and a self-declared religious Dear Editor, state, and interventi

,.... 3 I ~ C) 0 3

Eddie Izzard as Mr. Kite BY TOM HOUSEMAN

Julie Taymor is one of the most innovative, talented shoulder, and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood,) Max's sister. ering how focused she is on the visual aspects of the film, is directors working today. Taymor's latest film, Across the The three move to New York and embrace the Bohemian the excellent performances that she draws out of her actors, Universe, is emblematic of her incredible vision. Across lifestyle they find there, living in an apartment with a sexy most of whom are unknowns.Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel the Universe is a breathtaking collage of disparate ele­ singer named Sadie (Dana Fuchs), and her guitaristJ oJo Wood have an incredible chemistry; both of their charac­ ments of style and structure, woven together into an (Martin Luther McCoy). ters are moving in different directions, but still desperately incredible mural. It is as if Taymor took eight different The plot is almost incidental to Across the Universe, trying to hold onto their love. Joe Anderson steals tl1e movie puzzles, threw them into a pile, and combined them to _ as it is the visual experience that defines Taymor's films. as Max, a smart-ass full of passion who rebels against his make a new image far more stunning than any of its Jude, Max, and Lucy explore them se l ~s and the world rich parenii"and becomes lhe !Jest fi-iend]iide couldhope ta disparate elements. around them as they travel across the country, fall in love, have. Anderson is responsible for some of the best moments Saying that a film is "like nothing you have ever seen and find themselves. Max gets sent to Viet Nam, set- in the film. Highlights include his rendition of "With a Little before" has become a cliche, and no doubt each indi­ ting up the best scene of the movie-"She's So Heavy" Help from My Friends", and later, in the hospital, "Hap­ vidual aspect of the movie will be recognizable to viewers, sung by an army of Uncle Sams and soldiers carrying piness is a Warm Gun." Across the Universe also features especially those familiar with Taymor's stage work. But the statue of liberty. Lucy protests the war, much to the some fantastic cameos---most notably Eddie Izzard's ''Being the convergence of all these distinct components is so chagrin of Jude, who feel s that he is losing her. Otl1er for the Benefit of Mr. Kite." stunning that this film is truly unlike anything being made plotlines involve the relationship between Sadie andJoJo, Of all the Beatles song titles, Across the Universe is an apt today. which gets more rocky as record executives try to sign description of Taymor's film, both in terms of its plot and its One of the most immediately identifiable aspects of Sadie to a label. style. The cliaracters explore the universe they inhabit, and the film is the music-every musical number in the show Julie Taymor could never make a perfect film. Her Taymor mirrors this exploration in her directorial style, us­ uses a different Beatles song. Some of the songs are used style is so wild and passionate that if any of her films ever ing every cinematic device imaginable, from CGI to puppets. in obvious situations, including "I Am the Walrus" sung achieved perfection, it would most likely be because she Across the Universe might not be Taymor's most ambitious over an acid trip, while the interpretation of others is wasn't pushing herself far enough-a sin Taymore could film (that title is most likely claimed by Frida), but it is her more surprising. By extension, every name used in the never be accused of. Some of the songs don't work well in most powerful. The cliaracters are fascinating yet emotion­ film connects to a Beatles song. context, notably Jude singing "It's Gonna Be Alright" to ally present. You never lose toucli with the movie, even as it Across the Universe tells the story of Jude Gim a group of war protesters. But there is so much incred­ travels all the way across the universe. This film is a perfect Sturgess), a British teenager who goes to America to find ibly material in Across the Universe, and almost all of it tribute to The Beatles and the rebellious culture of the 70s, his father. While there, he meets Max Goe Anderson), works. In the end, the experience is wortl1 it. and an incredible cinematic accomplishment that can't be a rebellious college student who takes Jude under his ·What is most surprising about Taymor's direction, consid- missed. 4~

The CD in Question: cacophony of piano, drums, cymbals, and yowls. The music sounds just great, never mind that we've heard Animal Collective's a lot of it before: the Collective's brilliant creativity Strawberry Jam and self-deG.n ing unique sounds are what have built their reputation as a modern classic of our time. BY SARAH LEON The band has produced a formidable canon of experim ent'al rock, mainly this decade, both as a Animal Collective has group and through solo projects. Strawberry J am certainly_come a long way, but perhaps they reached represents the band's eighth full-length LP, part of the scenic overlook a little while back and turned a lineup that begins with Spirit They've Gone Spirit around again. The terrain they traverse in their They've Vanished in the year 2000, and includes latest record, Strawberry J am, feels vaguely familiar Sung Tongs in 2004 and Feels in 2005 (arguably the for those of us who have accompanied them on their band's two defining achi evements or their career thus journey so far. The first song, Peacebone, opens with far. ) Additionally, Panda Bear has produced several the declaration "Bone face" followed by undulating solo albums (most recently the fantastic Person Pitch static noise, rhythmic claps, tame sub-vocal growls, earlier this year), as has Avey Tare (most recently and beatific choruses of "ooh-oohs". Unsolved Pullhair Rubeye with wife Kria Brekk en). Mysteries breaks out the sing-song up-down stroking In light of the sheer volume of music the band of the acoustic guitar; #1 loops an 80's video game members have produced, it would be hard to theme and layers hollow echoes on top; and Derek imagine a "typical" Animal ·collective album that shakes maracas and blows tiny bubbles under water. wasn't so mewhat self-referential. This assessment is But clearly, the band has found their groove in the This is not to say the album is not delightful or not made to type-cast them or cast doubt as to their quirky-freak-folk-rock camp; why mess with that? lacking in truly transcendent moments: Fireworks musical range: a show at Sou th Street Seaport last Strawberry J am is a predictable though enjoyable places richly poetic and surprisingly (for them) "' June found the band experim enting with heavy R&B 43-minute romp, oozing with exactly the lcind of coherent lyrics front-and center; and the album's baselines and unusually acid-tripping synthesizers. tangy sweetness you'd expect from the ti tie. ~.~ closer, Cuckoo Cuckoo, is a heartfelt and tuneful 12 ( A&E@ know if I wanted to stay. It was a nice night outside and I had resolved to do math homework before going to bed. I was sure the first half of th e performance had been substantial enough to constitute an article. [Silence] Bathtub. Blender. Numerous radios. Rice Cooker. Liquor. All clumsily A John Cage Tribute Concert arranged on white folding tables. I came Play it Again: back to row C, isle I, and this is what I September 27th, 2007 saw on stage. A musician - or was he a Les Sayy Fav's BY MAE COLBURN musician this time? - appeared on stage. Let's Stay Friends H e tinkered with the wares. These were [Silence] cannot be read. Nor domestic noises, noises that wake me up in AURORA COBB can it be heard. It can, however, be the morning at home, noises that mean that BY li stened to, and what we hear when we my family is awake and begi nning the day li sten to it is what gives us the ability to without me. 'Domesti c music' performed I have been crying myself to sleep recognize it as that - si lence. I heard by a theatrical musician - I can't say that in every night for the past three years, and myself shift in my seat, I heard the man se ri ousness. Although there was a hin t of I'll tell you why: since the release of Les behind me digesting his supper; I was theatricality, the basis of the piece seemed Savy Fav's singles compilation Inches glad it wasn't my own gut making noise to depend on our communion with these in 2004, I've been convinced that the this time. I heard a cough, then finally, normal sounds. The piece is called Water band was calling it quits. What else could a sound from the stage; a drip, drip, Walk, composed for the Italian TV quiz explain why they had not put forth any drip of a rain stick - slowly, carefu ll y, show Lascia 0 Raddoppia in 1959. new material since 200 l 's Go Forth? As ge ntly, it was turned on its side. And this Theculminating pi ecewassimply the years passed, I resigned myself to was a ll we were given at fir st; one man titled For John, a tribute to the musician the sorry fact that Les Savy Fav was no - one of four on stage, each in their own composed by the Merce Cunningham more. During the days I was generall y isolated corner of the space - lifts a rain Dance Company Musicians. There able to maintain composure, but at ni ght, stick. There is nothing to be drawn to; were more fo lding tables, this time when I was tucking myself into bed, I no rhythm, and worse, no energy. Is heavy with electrical chords and power wou ld loose my tears and sob softl y into eve ryone else as perplexed as I am? strips. There were traces of instrument my pillow. It was utterly pathetic. These Then there's a note played on the - here and there I caught a glimpse of dismal times came to an end, though, piano. It comes from the opposite side of th e a violin - but each of these violins were my room whenever "Patty Lee" comes on with the September release of Let's Stay stage. Then another note, and eventually, appendages of a vast electrical nest of the stereo. While this has made writing Friends. all four musicians have contributed the wires housed under each table. The this review somewhat exhausting, it is To say that my expectations for Let's rain stick, the high-pitched hum of an musicians th emselves were connected a testament to the song's unfathomable Stay Friends were high would be like amplifier, the piano. Still, though, it is to these electri cal nes ts; one wore a wickedness. Other favo rites include saying that people are vaguely nervous [silence] that is being interrupted. There headset, and th ey all sat stooped over "vVh at Would Wolves Do?" - a bizarre about the apocalypse. My hopes were must be a coll ective effort being made to their equipment intent, concentrated, amalgam of twee poignance and 80's so absurdly lofty as to be doomed to go achieve this level of tension, an intense flow unblinking. The first laceration was a metal gui tar riffs (keep an ear out for unmet, but Les Savy Fav stepped up to of communication between the musicians harsh rip of amplified sil ence: static, so the plaintive howling in the chorus, the plate with swagger to spare. Let's Stay they must be counting the same tempo, loud and so course that some audience too!) - and album closer "The Lowest Friends is tremendous and, if there is any and following the same patterns although members covered their ears. It destroyed Bitter," which casts the band as a nervous justice in the world, wi ll go down as one they are located at different corners of the the calm, much more startlingly than \Varehouse-era Hi.isker Di.i an·d features a of the best albums of th e year. stage. the delicate 'drip drip' of the rain stick hardcore horn section. The only remotely Les Savy Fav does not take up The piece is far from stimulating, in Four3. This went on, in coherent and disappointing song on the album is where they left off six years ago on this there was no action iris not 'entertainment.' unsettling. There was so much noise, so "Comes & Goes," an awkward, acoustic album, opting instead to leave behind Its strength is just the opposite: the piece much static, so much sound destruction; I duet between vocalist Tim H arrington the mutant di sco-funk of Go Forth is lifeless, and as a result, it makes the wanted it to end sooner rather than later. and Fiery Furnaces' member Eleanor in favor of a more melodic, nostalgic audience acutely aware of its own state of This was no longer the subtle interplay Friedbergcr. QU nd. D rawif"\g inspiration fro m the_ _ liveliness. Four3 was written in 1991 , the of musicians I had witnessed in Four3 Fer those of you who woI"Ship Les 90's noise pop of bands like Archers of year before J ohn Cage passed away. - instead a gross electronic intermediary Savy Fav's previous albums and are wary Loaf and Pavement, the so ngs on Let's The second piece, D ance absorbed all sense of human synthesis. of change, have no fear: the mayhem Stay Friends are far more polished and Music for Elfrid Ide, was written in I saw the audience react in that is the hallmark of LSF has not explore a greater range than any in the 1940. It was, according to K ay Larson interesting ways. Some continued to been tamed on Let's Stay Friends, and band's catalogue to this point. Nearly - a critic who has written extensively cover their ears, some yawned, some vocalist Tim Harrington sounds as nuts every track on the album is stell ar, with on the musician - his first 'J ohn Cage' leaned into their chairs with closed eyes. as ever. The band is simply moving in a the potential single, "Patty Lee," standing composition. Cage was young, he was One couple sat in a sideways embrace, her new direction, and if this album is any out as absolute classic material. In all spirited; yo uthfulness characterizes head on his chest. They were smiling. indication, we can expect great things se riousness, I have no choice but to get this piece. The instruments a re Thank you, J ohn Cage.!; from Les Savy Fav fo r years to come. 4-'f out of my chair and dance goofil y around simple: drums, cowbell s, sti cks, and nutes. Instruments that we played in preschool, and in elementary music classes. It made me grin to see grown men grey, bespectacled men - pick up instruments that I associate so closely with my childhood. The music swell s, the audience ta ps their feet - finall y, we are relieved of our own llllN INION llCIPIS patience. These are birthday party noises: I hear a wind-up monkey, a BY LALITA WINT INGREDIENTS: 3 TOMATOES cuckoo clock, and a jack-in-the-box. 2 EGGS Then the deep, uneven heartbeats of suambted El!l!s with 1.4 CUP SCALLION, CHOPPED the bass drum; he plays it so hard and Tomaroes 1 TSP. GINGER, MINCED so loud. I forgive J ohn Cage for the OLIVE OI L previous piece. I can relax now. Instructions: SALT I didn't rush in from intermission I. Blanch tomatoes in boil­ SUGAR when the lights blinked outside. I didn't ing water for 20-30 seconds. Remove from water and peel off the skin. Cut tomatoes in half, remove seeds, and chop them coarsely. 2. In a bowl, beat eggs and mix in Y4 teaspoon salt, or more to your c ,,., .. ,ft .\. liking. 3. On high heat, add 2-3 table­ spoons of olive oil to frying pan. Pour in eggs, and continue stirring until fully cooked. Remove from pan Price if bought at and set aside in separate dish. the Green Onion: 4. Still on high heat, add another $10.25 2-3 tbsp of Olive Oil to the frying pan. Add chopped scallions and This recipe makes enough for 0 ginger. Cook for 15-30 seconds then 2-3 people. You will have plenty of add chopped tomato. Next add \t4 left over eggs, scallion, and olive· oil. So buy teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar. a couple extra tomatoes, and you can make Check out the HUGE pum­ 5. Stir-fry on high for 30-60 sec­ enough for a dinner party without spending too kin all this month at the onds, remove from heat, and serve. much extra money. Enjoy! 1;: Green Onion Grocer 14 LASTPAGE Your t J;J-or~ 'lee ;.,Je-pe.,Je.,1- J ;I...,:!> , doc:...,...,e.,1-o.r ;e:!> , J..o J..he ed;J..or ae Colburn Justin o.., ;...,o.1-ed :!>horl-:!> o..,J .... ore. y(ly(ly(l ,y(lood :!>l-oc:.k J ;I ..., J e:!>l- ;vo.l.c:.o..., ~jjh~Elvia Pyburn- 1 '"' , •edHall · Ot'\-Co.m-pu~ IJ-p-ple '?;c.k;"'"'­ r1 c.S\l(lee ... e y~ auarl-erl y Co ... c.er ... Cb "'b I-h e o.-p-p le 1- ..-ee doy(I"' I- he 'i:; ;ll I-he c:.u..-..-e .... 1- ; ~~ .. e (... o. ,l4') ;..,c;.1 .. J es 0. 1-..- ;b ..te f r om 1-< L..,e o. ... d ?.;c:.k Y,ou r ~e l f I- he ,ve Gecker, Nick 1-o :Do ... old to..-1-helme, '?O~l ; ble Jtl-he..- o J mo~I- del ; c:. ; o..,~ o.-p-ple~ of I-he ~e o.~o ... cribn-:fi.rarah Leon '?O~l-mod e..-"' ;.c;.l- ;_o"' Glt"'ld J e ; ~ ; 1-e J o.,..,J e..- of aron strom, ,c;.l-,o ... , o mo~ ~.t"'le . rank Brancely, Em­ The ?ho_, I-om q ord e_,er Y. Nalilin Char-iotte fl 1'1"'"1- ~ love r "' 1'"'r"'d;,,.e on 'l< oul-0!' 5 , r : ~hl- S.,, fore 'l

over image/Nick Scribner c:...-o ... be..-..- y ~ ., ;c;.e ,p;l-h o ~?lo~h Photo by Barbara Dowell, USGS Patux­ of ~od o l:/..,J -peo ...... 1- bul-1-e..­ ent Wildlife Research Center. b~ ... o ... o ~o ... Jv(/ ; c;.he~ ol- kl ;"'e Chan Robbins is an observer. Google him. PLEASE RECYClE. SUPP@RT STUDENT SPACE. SEND US Y9UR EVENTS

Vol. 98 Special Issue May 1Q th, 1991

FOR ~!ORE STUDENT NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES, GO TO: Ludlow d HTTP: //tNSI DE. BA RD. EDU/CM! PUS/ PU BU CATIONS/ARCH!\ <./ OccuP1!t .. '°, :ROM THE ARCHIVES BY KRISTAN H UTCHISON AND GREG GIACCIO

Over 40 students spent the night in (See last Observer). However, as the protest outside fo rces. "Our concern is the safety someone outside the building. the Ludlow administrative building, which wore on students attempted to refocus of the people and the building, in that Outside the building, the usual they have occupied since 6:45 yesterday attention on the broader issues of how order," said Boyce. "We just don't want occupants of Ludlow were concerned morning. Representatives from the group sexual assaul~ cases as a whole are decided, to see anyone hurt. Other than that this is about the safety of their offices. Annys will meet with representatives from the and dealt with. business as usual for security." He did have Wilson, the Registrar, whos office is on Board of Trustees at noon today to [Honey, de Delley, and David Schwab, one extra security guard to monitor the the second floor of Ludlow were most negotiate their demands regarding Bard chair of the Board of Trustees,] entered activities at Ludlow all day. "We are not of the student activity was centered, College's policy and practices on sexual the back door of Ludlow at about 1:00 in the business of meeting violence with was concerned that the private records assault. p.m. for negotiations with the four chosen violence," said President Leon Botstein of students might be violated. In their The preliminary negotiations with the student representatives, Dan Bohn, Sara later. "[Calling the police] never even prepared statement, the students inside Board of Trustees Chair David Schwab, Dais, J osh Kaufman, and Erin Law. occurred to us. " Ludlow promised that they would "not Board of Trustees member J ohn Honey, After nearly two hours in Stuart Levine's [At 9:45 a.m.J power went out damage the contents of the building, and and the overseer of Blum,J ean de Castella office, both sides emerged and the college permanently. This caused some concern, we shall not read or copy any confidential de Delley that took place yesterday representatives returned to Botstein's house as some of the food the students brought information. We have brought no weapons, afternoon reputably were friendly and to await further notice. ''.All they said is needed to be prepared, which could not be alcohol, or drugs into the building." So far productive. However the students are here's what we've been thin.Icing about and done without power. Also, without lights as a reporter within the building could tell, prepared for a long siege if necessary. The let's hear your demands," said Bohn after the steep, ·inside staircases of the building they were abiding by that promise. have open supply lines for food, organized the meeting. He described the trustees as became difficult to navigate. Wilson also expressed concern over the patrols communicating by walkie-talkie, nice, polite, and reasonable. When asked about the power, Boyce work hours which would be lost. She said piles of bedding, an emergency supply of ''We aren't very happy with the said, "It was a surprise to me that it was that while "Ludlow has never been closed candles, and a cellular phone. "This is not building [being held] which is our property being done." Later on, Physical Plant before, we have had students parked up over until they meet the demands,'' says and particular interest,'' said Schwab. Director Dick Griffiths admitted that he and down the stairs." Most administrators Josh Kaufman. Davis replied, "That's pretty much our had cu t the power. ''We cut it off fo r safety were able to do little work all day, having The original eight demands and only leverage." reasons," Griffitl1s said. He also added only what they had taken home the night statement were written in secret meetings The students took over Ludlow that he put it back on as soon as he was before. Some work was done in other on May 8. They were read several times prepared for a strong response from the guaranteed the safety of those inside. The offices, including Botstein's house. on Thursday and finally revised in an open administration. In pre-takeover meetings, electricity was put back on after the board Supporters for those inside Ludlow meeting before Ludlow at 7:00 p.m. that they discussed the possibility of being of Trustees representatives arrived and gathered outside in numbers fluctuating night. [Demands called for a new dean or arrested or forced out by other means. At negotiated for it to be switched on again. It throughout the day from 5 to 150, student's advocate to be available 24 hours,. 7:00 a.m. other students went through the had been off about three hours. depending on meals and activity. Some of a 24-hour sexual assault and rape hotline, dorms waking occupants and calling for Griffiths also stated that the them marched and chanted slogans such as a statement from the college agreeing to their support outside Ludlow because they switchboard was turned back over to ''Women at bard are under attack, what do the mismanagement of several rape and feared the state police had been called. security from Ludlow soon after the we do? Act up, fight back!" and "Whatever assault cases, and full amnesty for the Apparently the fear arose from tl1 e takeover, causing some of tl1 e unexpected we do, wherever we go, yes means yes students involved in the takeover, among warning of a security officer that the phone problems. and no means no." Signs and spray paint other things.] trespassing students could be prosecuted. The students inside also suspected that questioned ''Why does Bard tolerate The takeover was originally spurred by Security Director bob Boyce said he had their phone lines had been tapped and rape?" among other things. Many students a recently publicized sexual assault case. not and did not expect to call in any began making important calls by sending simply stood back and watched. ~. 15