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4-3-2008

Kenyon Collegian - April 3, 2008

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Established 1856 Volume CXXXV, Number 21 www.kenyoncollegian.com PB News The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 TThursday,he April 3, 2008KenyonThe Kenyon Collegian CollegianNews  Gambier, Ohio Thursday, April 3, 2008 12 Pages Gocial and Greeks clash Fraudulent e-mails sent deal of information that, if true, said, but those activities were not By Sarah Friedman qualifies as capital-H hazing,” said “at that level that we’re concerned News Editor to College accounts Gocial. “It felt to me like that was about people’s safety or health.” significant enough behavior that I An anonymous Psi U pledge By Sarah Queller Roy said he became aware of the The Collegian interviewed couldn’t not act on it.” said that when Gocial entered News Assistant first e-mail “almost immediately,” several fraternity leaders who, at Over the two nights, Gocial the room, “we were sitting on and LBIS updated its spam rules the last moment, requested that and members of Residential Life the floor and she said “are you During the past week, stu- to block the e-mails, which were their comments not be published. staff spoke to members of Psi Up- guys cold?” and we said ‘no, we dents have received three e-mails sent from a Cornell University The Collegian will present an silon, Zeta Alpha Pi, Delta Kappa aren’t cold,’ and she said ‘you from LBIS warning them about account. Griggs said LBIS staff updated and comprehensive report Epsilon, Delta Phi, Phi Kappa look cold.’ She said, ‘Why are you three separate fraudulent e-mails members blocked messages from next week. Sigma and Beta Theta Pi and dirty?’ and we told her we had asking for personal information the account, sent out a warning Between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 observed the behavior of Peeps O’ been playing football, which was that could be used to initiate email to students and employees a.m. on Monday, April 1, and be- Kenyon. They visited DKE, Beta, true. We hadn’t been drinking or identity theft. Director of Infor- and “updated the Helpline staff so tween 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. on Psi U and Phi Kap, said Gocial. anything, either. Then she went mation Systems and Institutional they could respond to calls.” Tuesday, April 2, Dean of Students “Our goal was really to do a back upstairs. She wasn’t there Research Ronald Griggs sent out According to Griggs, a second Tammy Gocial conducted surprise check-in, honestly,” said Gocial. very long, just kind of asked us a an e-mail informing students that group of e-mails, with the subject inspections of the “Work Week” “We were looking for people to few questions and left.” the fraudulent messages could be “!!! Attention !!!—Verify Your pledging schedules of seven Greek be doing what they said [on the “[Gocial] has contacted our part of a “disturbing trend: hack- Account Info,” arrived between organizations. Work Week schedules] they would national fraternity,” said Ben Plot- ers looking for College Web mail 7:47 and 7:48 a.m. Griggs said Gocial said that the Office of be doing.” nick ’10, a Psi U. “She’s done so in accounts they can take over to use employees reported these messages, Campus Safety received a phone In the aftermath of the inspec- a very accusatory manner, kind of for further fraud.” and some LBIS staff received the call from “a very concerned per- tions, two organizations, which saying things that are pretty bla- Griggs said “alert students message. He said the message was son” who described hazing prac- she would not identify, violated tantly false about our fraternity. and employees” reported the first blocked by about 8:15 a.m. and he tices and named Greek organiza- pledging rules and may face ju- It’s her word against ours.” message to the Helpline and to sent out another warning e-mail at tions, but did not connect the two. dicial action, said Gocial. Other other LBIS employees on Sunday about 8:35 a.m. The caller, who Gocial said she groups were doing activities she —Lindsay Means contributed at about 3:15 p.m. About 450 e- Roy said such e-mails aim to could not identify, shared “a great would prefer they “tweak,” she reporting. mail messages bearing the subject “enter systems on campus” to col- line “UPGRADE YOUR Kenyon lect information to “potentially Also in this issue Webmail ACCOUNT NOW ” compromise other systems.” He were sent to the Kenyon communi- said LBIS would never ask for per- ty 2:44 and 2:48 p.m., according to sonal information by e-mail. Roy Griggs. Vice President for Library A & E Master Slash Slave hits Hill 9 and Information Services Michael see Fraud, page 4 In Student Council Sacks leaves administration, elections, only one returns to teaching sociology position contested By Sarah Friedman people and can bring them together been an invaluable colleague for me By Lindsay Means run, he or she must write a letter News Editor to accomplish something larger.” during these first years at Kenyon,” News Assistant of intent and get 20 signatures she said. for Student Council positions After six years in administra- Sacks’ career Sacks’ responsibilities as her The nominees for the 2008 or 40 signatures for Senate posi- tion, Senior Advisor to the President Sacks first served in adminis- senior advisor “have ranged from Student Council elections have tions. “Some people kind of get Howard Sacks will step managing a major portion of been announced, with 10 candi- bogged down with the process or down from his current posi- the campaign planning process dates running for 9 positions. All discouraged because they think tion and return to teaching to developing a robust collabo- elections except that for Student it’s a lot to do,” said Shikany. “But sociology, which he did ration with [the Ohio State Council President are uncontest- really, it’s not a lot to ask, and at Kenyon from 1975 to University]about teaching to ed. According to Vice President if they’re not willing to do that 2002. carrying out innumerable proj- of Student Life Ann Shikany ’08, much, then they probably won’t “I have never intended ects related to sustainability,” who organized the election, many be willing to fulfill the duties of to abandon teaching, and said Nugent. students are nominated but few the position.” my plan is to return,” he He also plans and exe- decide to run. Shikany starts the Many of the candidates have said. “I love teaching, and I cutes special initiatives Nugent process by soliciting nominations previous Student Council experi- miss working with students deems important, and that has for positions from other students, ence, though only two are running and my colleagues as a fel- been one of his favorite parts faculty and administration. for the positions they held in the low faculty member.” of the job. “I think it’s really According to Shikany, past. According to Shikany, there According to Presi- valuable work,” he said. “I can though many students were nom- is not a lot of interest among the dent S. Georgia Nugent, see the impact it has on the inated—five or six for Student Kenyon student body in Student he spoke with her about College. It enables me to work Council and Vice Presidents and Council. “I know that for some his decision over the sum- with a wide variety of people three or four for each chair posi- of the positions, like the VP posi- mer and then informed the … and it’s probably one of the tion—very few students decided tion, it’s a lot of work—way more faculty in late August. most creative aspects of the to actually run. work than it’s probably worth to “His deep knowledge work that I do because I get According to Shikany, any just put it on your resume,” she of and care for the Col- to invent.” student can run for any position said. “Also, I feel like people just lege and our surrounding One special initiative on Student Council, and only two aren’t that involved, and there’s a community have been real Gochampaign.com Sacks said he is proud of is positions have requirements—in sense among the students that the touchstones,” said Nugent. Sacks is currently senior advisor to the president. Food for Thought, an ongo- order to be eligible for Chair of Student Council doesn’t do a lot. “He is a sensitive and imagi- ing local-foods project that Student Lectureships or Student Our biggest problem is that while native thinker, with a really remark- tration as interim associate provost developed a local food system for Council Treasurer, the candidate at bigger schools, they have a lot able ability, not only to plan, but to while the College looked for a new Knox County “in a way that has also must have served one semester on more resources and responsibility, carry out projects effectively. He’s a president. When S. Georgia Nugent advanced the mission of the College,” that position’s respective commit- we have a lot of responsibility but terrific writer and editor. He works assumed the position, she asked him he said. tee. Once a nominee decides to well with many different kinds of to join senior staff, he said. “He has see Sacks, page 3 see Elections, page 3  News The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, April 3, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian News  Send-off adds community focus Prudence of expansion debated

By Marenka themselves or others. Thompson-Odlum Send-off T-shirts designed Staff Writer by a student during a T-shirt contest will also be available on For approximately the past Send-off and the day before. 20 years, Kenyon College has The Board hopes to start the spent the weekend before finals day off with breakfast on Ransom celebrating Summer Send-off, an Lawn. Previously, students only event created to bring the campus ate one meal there, but this year together for one last hoorah and the College will serve all meals Tristan Potter A studio-arts building will be built on Wing Center’s lot. to say good-bye—especially to on the lawn. seniors—before summer. Over the “Hopefully having all the years, Send-off has become char- meals outside will draw every- acterized as a day when students one to a central location,” said can drink openly without fear of Deutch. Wing Center to be sold retribution, but this year Social “It is admirable of the So- Board is attempting to revitalize cial Board to undertake such an By Sarah Friedman by the Trustees. … Some factors in move it away from Gambier.” There the perception of Send-off by add- endeavor, and that if students News Editor choosing the current site included: a would be “$130,000 tied up in it” ing elements that will encourage drink responsibly there is no relationship to Middle Path (rather before it is usable, he said. the wider Gambier community need for me or my children to To accommodate the future than being quite remote from it), Moving the Center would to attend. feel threatened at the event, but south-campus studio-arts build- proximity to the art history building, require a professional mover to cut “Students do not realize how I understand if students and ing, the College is attempting to a site that would provide an outside into the building’s foundation and much the wider community is seniors especially want to have sell Wing Center, an academic space for fabrication of art, siting that put steel beams underneath it to lift involved, especially behind the their space,” Assistant Professor building currently used for Ameri- would provide excellent light for the it up enough for wheels to fit under scenes,” said Chair of Social Board of Sociology and parent of two can studies, international studies studios, etc.” it, said McConnell. One challenge, Elly Deutch. “It is important that young children Jennifer Johnson and women’s and gender studies. According to Nugent, faculty he said, is that the two-story Wing we honor everyone and enjoy each said. “I have plenty of opportu- According to Chief Business with offices in Wing Center will Center must be moved to another other’s company.” nity to say good-bye through de- OfficerD ave McConnell, the Col- move to O’Connor House, which is lot without damaging utilities con- During the day, students and partmental events, and therefore I lege is advertising the Center “on currently being constructed between nected to the College building. community members alike can do not feel a great need to attend the off chance” that someone will Seitz House and Horwitz House. Financial risk is not the only visit caricature, balloon and air- Send-off.” purchase it and move it off campus, Walton House will also be potential impediment to the Cen- brush artists; take part in limbo Apart from kids being pres- assuming all risks involved in the moved to accommodate construc- ter’s sale. There is “a very tight time and volleyball tournaments; and ent, there are also students who move—for example, damage to tion of the new building. Professors schedule for it, so we’re not sure if it’s sign up for raffles and give-always. do not drink or drink in mod- College property or loss of work whose offices were in Walton House possible,” said McConnell. “We’re Perhaps the most exciting addi- eration, Deutch said. “These time if the move takes longer than now have offices in Neff House, said trying to get certain work done in tion to the event is the huge LED events Social Board planned are expected. McConnell. the summer while students are away screen that will show a live feed of for those people that want to The current studio arts build- No one has bid on the Center … in order to not lose valuable sum- the concert featuring the winners take part in the festivities; not ing stands at the far north end of yet, said McConnell. “Given what’s mertime access to preparing that site of the Battle of the Bands and everyone celebrates Send-off by campus. A new one will be built been going on in the housing market for building,” the building must be Toots and the Maytals. Wii and drinking.” as part of the 2004 Master Plan’s and the cost to move it, I’m not very moved by July 14. PlayStation games such as Guitar “Just getting wasted doesn’t initiative to “bring together the optimistic,” he said. If its lot is not cleared by the Hero also will be featured on the seem to me a very creative or even academic core of the campus to The cost of moving the build- deadline, the Center will be de- screen, as well as interviews with appealing way to mark milestones south campus,” said McConnell. ing would include $40,000 to put it molished. Only its “interesting raffle winners and other partici- in your life, like the completion “Literally years of discussion on steel beams, $10,000-$20,000 to elements,” such as stone from the pants. of a college year,” said President went into the siting of the New move it to another site and the cost basement built in 1922, will be In the face of the inevitable S. Georgia Nugent. “Perhaps the Studio-Arts building, going back of building another basement, which saved, said McConnell. occurrence of intoxication, Social committee was too ambitious— to 2002 and earlier,” said Presi- for Neff House was $70,000, said Board will have people manning before the event is appropriate dent S. Georgia Nugent. “Many McConnell. There are few empty lots Bids for the Wing Center must be each event to ensure that intoxi- for kids, it seems to me it needs different sites were proposed and available in Gambier, he said, and “I submitted to McConnell by April 9 cated students do not take part in to be appropriate for sensible, debated by the entire campus and can’t imagine the expense of trying to at noon. any event that will cause harm to sober adults.” Greek Council April 2, 2008

• Organizations’ end-of-year reports should include chapter goals, audit results and what organizations did not accomplish this year. • Audits will be complete by Friday, April 4. • The cocktail party/awards ceremony on Saturday,A pril 12 — part of Greek Long Weekend — will be closed to the campus. Council is deciding who exactly should come to the event. Most likely, President S. Georgia Nugent and organizations’ leaders, advisors and a few members will be invited. • Council wants to spend about $1,400 on the event but has not yet determined an exact figure. All Greeks are throwing the party together so this should not cause problems, President Brendan Mysliwiec ’08 said. • During Shock Your Momma on Saturday, April 5, organizations are responsible for their pledges because it occurs during Work Week and they should take care of pledges before, during and after the event. • During the NCAA National Championship game on Monday, April 7, pints of beer at the Gambier Grill are $1.25. All proceeds go to Psi Upsilon’s book drive for underprivileged Kenyon stu- dents. • For the new Greek educational curriculum, a representative suggested that party host training include party monitoring training because hosts must be 21, which most pledges are not, and then all incoming members will be trained from the beginning. The proposal was seconded. • Council discussed whether the alcohol meeting should remain independent or be combined with party host/monitor training, and whether it should also address drugs. Greeks are most associated with alcohol because they throw parties, but perhaps the meetings will briefly address drugs and direct interested people to where they can obtain further information. • A representative suggested a closed-session, end-of-year, frank, Greek-only discussion of rush and pledging. It is tentatively scheduled for April 14. • Elections for the Executive Committee and the seven coordinatorships will take place in two or three weeks, and letters of intent will be due one week before elections. —Sarah Friedman  News The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, April 3, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian News  Green initiatives aim to Sacks: rejoins faculty From page 1 nity, which he created. “Community transform Kenyon campus is absolutely central to everything that Planning for the program began I do,” including teaching, scholarship By Sarah Queller educate students and to coordinate and gallery building will have geothermal in 2001, “but it really took off about and his work in the administration, he News Assistant “integrate sustainability opportuni- heating and cooling, which is much the time that [Nugent] arrived,” said. “Community is something that is ties.” Sacks said he has been trying to more environmentally-friendly than he said. “She was very interested very significant atK enyon … but what The current nationwide interest “coordinate a wide variety of activities traditional” methods. McConnell said in enhancing College-community does that mean? What is a community in preserving the environment has not to promote sustainability on campus the College is working with LEED- engagement, and this local food and how does it work? … How is com- escaped Kenyon College, which is ini- and in the community.” Sacks said he certified architects and builders on the project was one that really addressed munity changing in a cybernetic age? tiating eco-friendly programs, measures has been “working with faculty to have new dormitories, which will include that interest and so she provided a … What’s the meaning of a real-time and studies. a special academics initiatives page low flow water-heads in the bathrooms, lot of encouragement for us to move community in a virtual reality?” These in the coursebook” that highlights dual-flush toilet handles, which regulate forward with that.” are all “inherently sociological issues,” LBIS Takes Action courses related to sustainability. He the amount of water needed, and pos- A three-year, $250,0000 grant he said. Following a trend of increased has also been collaborating with BFEC sibly waterless urinals. from the McGregor Fund supple- The course will likely include environmental awareness on campus, Facility Manager David Heithaus and McConnell said Kenyon should mented Nugent’s enthusiasm and sustainability themes, he said, but “I’ll Library and Information Services Program Manager Heather Doherty achieve LEED points for recycling space enabled Food for Thought to thrive, know a lot more about what will be in (LBIS) recently initiated automatic on a “little green book” as a manual by building on previous footprints; he he said. “[The program has] become it after I teach it the first time.” double-sided printing to reduce paper with tips for faculty, staff and students said the College should get points for a model for the country, and I’m re- Besides teaching, Sacks said consumption on campus. Director of “to make their own immediate spaces using the same lot in Peirce instead of ally excited about that.” he “hope[s] to devote more time to Information Systems and Institutional more sustainable” and with ECO “to sprawling space. LEED accreditation, Building on the successful … the Rural Life Center, which has Research Ronald Griggs estimated in develop a Web site on Kenyon’s Web according to McConnell, is “to identify model of Food for Thought, Sacks been very much involved in Food an e-mail that double-sided printing site so there’ll be a significant presence that you’re doing the right thing,” such is heading a campus sustainability for Thought.” The Center “promotes would reduce paper use by one-third, of sustainability at Kenyon.” as reducing sprawl and carbon foot- initiative that involves curricular educational, public and scholarly saving approximately 800,000 pages prints. He said LEED accreditation is and extra-curricular aspects and, projects involving rural life,” including in a calendar year. According to Vice Investigating Energy Use not “a credit … you cash in someplace.” like Food for Thought, connects the agriculture and food, he said. President for Library and Information The College will measure each Instead, he said, “it’s a way of measuring College to the Knox County com- Sacks will be succeeded by Asso- Services Michael Roy, the idea came building’s electricity use as an incentive how you have succeeded.” munity, he said. ciate Professor of English Jesse Matz. through a suggestion box, but most for departments to lower their usage. McConnell acknowledged that “I chose Professor Matz because he is campuses are also “headed in that direc- “If I was going to put a target out there,” advertising Kenyon’s greenness is a “side Return to teaching an extremely bright, accomplished, tion,” if they have not already increased Chief Business Officer Dave McCon- benefit,” but ultimately said the College Next year, Sacks will teach the engaged young faculty member who double-sided-printing options. nell said, “I wouldn’t mind seeing our seeks LEED certification “because same courses he previously taught, is highly respected by both faculty Roy said he involved LBIS with electric energy consumption drop by it’s the right thing to do.” He said the including introduction to sociology, and students,” said Nugent. “He has green initiatives because it is “important 15 or 20 percent in the next four or College hopes to create “less stress on contemporary social theory and an demonstrated in many ways an inter- for us to have a set of activities and five years” and gas consumption drop the environment,” improve energy ef- advanced seminar on the American est in the well-being of the College opinions to reduce our environmental by 15 percent. ficiency and avoid unnaturally scarring minstrel show. as a whole. Perhaps most simply put, impact” and that LBIS’s green initia- The College is looking into in- the land. In spring 2009, he said, he as one faculty colleague said: ‘He is a tives are still only in their beginning stalling meters in new residence halls hopes to teach a course on commu- force for good.’ You can’t beat that.” stages. Roy said LBIS tries to use “green that allows people to monitor their Promoting Sustainability factors” when choosing products, even usage, McConnell said. Dorm energy Last spring, Sacks and four stu- if eco-friendly products are more ex- challenges last year led to an average dents developed a sustainability pro- pensive. He said LBIS has conducted 16 percent reduction in energy use, posal with a “series of recommendations Elections: eight of a lighting study and is now looking according to McConnell, and next which President Nugent endorsed and to fund and implement a program year will be the first year the College this year we’re trying to implement as that would re-light the library using will be able to evaluate how switching many of those as possible.” This pro- nine races uncontested fluorescent lights and timers; also, the to compact fluorescent light bulbs has posal is an addition to Kenyon’s mission library hopes to eventually replace all affected energy use. statement as a “guide for our practical for Student Council,” she said. CRT computer screens with flat-screen McConnell said “some of the actions as an institution,” Sacks said. From page 1 “It’s also hard because the major monitors. biggest challenge … is working with Sacks said the proposal, which Profes- positions in Student Council students and others to work out what sor of Biology Ray Heithaus helped to much fewer resources.” are almost all second-semester Educating Kenyon About the Envi- they’ll tolerate and what they wont write, will be presented in April to the The entire election process seniors, and [finding nominees to ronment tolerate … Does your room have to Board of Trustees. is the jurisdiction of the Vice fill their positions] is almost our Roy said the College is holding be a perfect 72 degrees, or can it be 76 “This is a year of getting things President of Student Life. Ac- last priority when we’re looking an upcoming sustainability workshop, degrees when it’s hot and 68 degrees done,” Sacks said, with a “broad col- cording to Shikany, this may for jobs and thinking about life and Senior Advisor to the President when you’re going to bed?” laborative effort of students, of faculty, be responsible for the fact that after Kenyon.” Howard Sacks said the College is of staff people, of administration, of there is not a lot of competition holding a week-long, summer faculty Seeking LEED Certification community people … a real network for Student Council positions. Students will be able to vote seminar in which “all professors in- McConnell said the College is of people who want to be involved in “When one person is asked to in an online poll beginning this volved in sustainability issues meet to seeking LEED (Leadership in Envi- sustainability” and “become part of the do this, it’s hard to have enough Friday, and elections for class presi- share varying perspectives” on teaching ronmental Efficient Design) certifica- fabric of the College.” advertisements and excitement dents and class representatives will sustainability in their courses to better tion for the new art buildings, so “the to get people really riled up be held soon after. Class cancellation ad hoc policy more flexible for majors By Allison Burket half of the class or completing an might work to address the needs responded to a difficult situation beyond the call of duty to make Features Editor independent study on a topic of of the students.” and have formulated ambitious sure the students were accom- their choosing with another mem- “I believe that the solutions and thoughtful plans for the rest modated.” Just after spring break this ber of the history department. proposed by the Department of the semester,” Bowman said. “It is, fortunately, a very un- year, HIST 292, China’s Bor- “Whenever circumstances were the best available under the “No one has come to me say- common occurrence and for that derlands, was canceled for the require the discontinuation of a circumstances,” said Sheffield. ing ‘this won’t work for me,’” said reason it may be a good idea to deal remainder of the semester. In course, the administration takes “Perfect, no.” Martindell. “That’s good news.” with such situations on an ad hoc response to the mid-semester can- steps to ensure that students are According to Martindell and Overall, those involved with basis,” said Bowman. cellation of the class, the history not unduly or unreasonably disad- Bowman, students have been un- the process were satisfied with “It’s hard to plan for some- department, academic advising vantaged,” said Associate Provost derstanding and have responded the College’s ability to respond to thing unusual,” said Martindell, and the provost’s office worked Ric Sheffield. He worked with positively to the options presented. such circumstances. “If something “but one of the great things about together with students to craft a Associate Professor of History Jef- Five history professors are cur- comes up in a faculty member’s Kenyon is that if we have an extra- response. frey Bowman, chair of the History rently overseeing the independent life, we honor and respect that ordinary situation … we can sit Students enrolled in the class Department, and Dean of Aca- study work of members of the class. and offer our support,” said Mar- down and work together to find were offered the option of either demic Advising Jane Martindell, “I’ve been impressed by how stu- tindell. “The College has re- the best solution for everyone accepting .25 credit for the first “to think about alternatives that dents enrolled in the course have sponded really well. Above and involved.”  News The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, April 3, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian News  Village Record Hazing definitions differ March 26 – April 1, 2008 By Joe Kloc rituals that might constitute haz- Staff Writer ing, Mysliwiec said that the stu- Mar. 26, 2:12p.m.—Student bit by dog outside Allen House. Student treated at the Health Center. dent “should come to the Office Owner of the dog was located. At colleges across the country, of Student Activities or an officer Mar. 27, 1:26a.m.­—Medical call regarding student injured in fall at Lewis Hall. Student was trans- the issue of hazing is consistently at of the ported to the hospital by a friend. the forefront of student-life discus- Council, who will help them Mar. 28, 9:20a.m.—Vandalism/drawing on vehicle at South Lot. sions. The problem of hazing on determine whether it is [hazing or Mar. 29, 3:34a.m.—Intoxicated/underage student at Hanna Hall. Student transported to residence college campuses is difficult to not.]” This year, however, Mysli- and CA will stay with the student. solve, partly because it is difficult wiec said that no complaints from May 29, 11:50a.m.­—Medical call regarding student with cut hand. Injury was checked and student to clearly define when an initiation students regarding hazing have elected not to go to the hospital. practice should be construed as been reported to him. May 29, 11:52a.m.—Report of credit card fraud. Report filed with Sheriff ’s Office. hazing. According to President S. Many students are critical of Mar. 29, 4:13p.m.—Fire alarm at Hill Theater. Small rug fire was extinguished. Maintenance will Georgia Nugent, “[hazing has] to the administration’s interpretation check the alarm system which shut off without being reset. do with a person being compelled of hazing. The argument can be Mar. 30, 1:44a.m.—Intoxicated non-student at Farr Hall. Person taken back to Gambier Grill to to take part in some activity or made that many of these traditional meet friends. do something that is humiliating, initiation rituals can help foster Mar. 30, 2:04a.m.—Vandalism/windshield shattered at Gambier Grill. Sheriff ’s Office notified. something that they would not closeness and togetherness among Mar. 30, 2:51a.m.—Fire alarm at New Apartments due to burnt food. tend to do otherwise.” fraternities and sports teams. Hav- Mar. 30, 4:07a.m.—Alarm at Old Kenyon due to someone pulling pull station cover. Cover was The question still remains as ing students collectively overcome replaced. to what exactly falls into this cat- challenges creates unity between Mar. 31, 1:43p.m.—Non-injury vehicle accident at Duff St. and SR229. Sheriff ’s Office notified egory. As Dean of Students Tammy them. To an extent, Gocial said and Campus Safety Officers assisted with traffic control. Gocial said, “More serious forms she agrees, but “[tradition] is Apr. 1, 6:20p.m.—Medical call regarding student injured at the practice fields. Student transported of hazing include ... behaviors that sometimes the worst reason to by squad to the hospital. truly put someone’s health or life at continue a particular behavior or Apr. 1, 6:59p.m.­—Report of credit card fraud. Sheriff ’s Office notified for report. risk, like significant alcohol or wa- activity.” She said that sometimes Apr. 2, 12:10a.m.—Vandalism/students urinating on door and carpet at Old Kenyon. ter consumption, leaving someone these damaging initiation practices outside without proper attire or occur only for tradition’s sake, and any kind of bondage or assault.” when that is the case, “why is the Many more benign initiation prac- tradition important and how tices, however, also regularly occur can the spirit of the tradition be at Kenyon, and the debate over maintained while the behavior Res Life aims to curb lottery cheating their appropriateness continues. is modified to be more inclusive, The issue is less clear about rituals appropriate, responsible or sup- By Nick Mohar-Schurz members, who, by that time, have housing lottery. Switching rooms such as forcing students to shave portive?” Staff Writer already filed paperwork for all of before Oct. 1 is now illegal, and, as their heads, carry around stuffed One traditional initiation the assigned rooms. a punishment, any student caught animals or serve more-senior mem- that nearly every Kenyon student In the upcoming housing lot- Dugas compared housing to cheating would not be allowed to bers of the group. participates in is the first-year sing. tery, cheating might not be as easy a science experiment, saying that a switch rooms legally after Oct. 1. These practices do not place Gocial does consider this a form as it seems to have been in the past, change in too many variables would A student can, however, switch students in any physical danger, of hazing, but said she “[likes] the said Assistant Dean of Students for result in an inability to understand his room if he can prove to ResLife but may take a psychological toll on way the sing bookends first-year Housing and Residential Life Alicia the actual causes of all end changes. that he has a legitimate problem pledges. Gocial said that she “[con- convocation and senior-year Bac- Dugas. Due to student frustration ResLife, instead, is trying to gradu- with his current situation. Pos- siders] hazing to be any activity calaureate.” with such behavior, the school has ally perfect the current system, she sible penalties for switching early that has the intention or effect of “We would never have a bunch taken students’ lead in reforming said, but only when elected student are point losses in the next lottery humiliating, degrading or risking of alumni standing around drown- the current penalties regarding lot- officials “provide direction for us.” and a fine. In the case of switching emotional and/or physical harm ing out and booing seniors who are tery cheating. After all, it was the student council early, the student would receive an when the behavior is an explicit or about to join their ranks as alumni One rumored cheat, she said, who assessed the cheating issue by initial fine and then have a certain implicit expectation for member- — it’s just not the right message,” is that some students work with a assigning a small task force, she number of days to move back to his ship into a group regardless of the said Gocial. “So why do we do that student illegally living off campus. said. or her original lodging. Failure to person’s willingness to participate.” to the first-year students … when The student in need of the illegal One of the changes in this move out would incur a daily fine. For both Gocial and Nugent, they want nothing more than to fit student’s better number or room year’s housing lottery is the removal On April 19, Kenyon’s stu- emotionally damaging initiation in and be accepted into their new would often offer to pay some of of public lottery number listings. dents will attend the school’s all- rituals can qualify as serious forms community?” the overall housing cost in exchange Instead, each number will be e- day housing lottery. The event is of hazing. Nugent recalled her first expe- for the preferred room. This year, mailed to that individual. The rank- broken down into three sessions: Hazing is perhaps most regu- rience with the sing, saying “it was 40 students have been released to ing of that student’s number within rising seniors at 9:00 a.m., juniors larly associated with Greek life. very physical. I remember Dean off-campus housing, in an effort his or her class will also be in the at 2:00 p.m., and sophomores at “The Greek Council does not Delahunty and I were both new by ResLife to handle the school’s e-mail. This particular change was 3:30 p.m. Dugas said that last abide hazing,” Greek Council that year … and we felt threatened, overcapacity problem. the idea of Housing and Grounds, year, the seniors took an unusually President Brendan Mysliwiec ’08 like physically threatened.” To Another way to manipulate the said Dugas, in an effort to increase long time to decide their rooms. said. “We recognize that there is Nugent it was “a very bad signal” old system was for two groups to privacy. Seniors have the most housing op- hazing on campus, both in Greek to send incoming students. She switch roommates with one another Student government is also portunities, but last year’s seniors and non-Greek organizations and said, however, that since her first to ensure good lottery numbers for encouraging students to act fairly also chose to pull up an unusually we have been working with indi- year the sing has evolved, and she both parties. Then, the original and responsibly in the upcoming large number of juniors with them. vidual organizations to eliminate no longer considers it hazing. roommates would pair back up the housing lottery. Larger groups in this bracket are to practices that are not consistent day after the lottery. These cases In a recent meeting, Student be expected, she said, but cheat- with the ideals of Greek life.” View Student Council of rearranging, said Dugas, create Council worked toward finalizing ing will hopefully be out of the If a student feels that an or- Minutes online. much more work for ResLife staff penalties regarding the upcoming question. ganization is practicing initiation kenyoncollegian.com/quicklinks Fraud: spam seeks private information from Kenyon accounts From page 1 potentially very harmful” because spam rules. Griggs said the College 350,000 e-mail messages “from the fraudulent e-mails passed through it allows the “spammers to steal has “a special computer called a outside world” each day, according the filter because they were sent said the e-mails are “dangerous” money or commit other acts of spam filter that examines the in- to Griggs, and most of these are from accounts at Cornell Uni- because they “give hackers access identity theft.” coming mail, blocks messages that “some form of spam.” versity and Boston Universiy, and to systems” and are “unnerving The College has “tools in it is sure are spam and tags messages “The spam filter is by no means Kenyon’s spam filter assumes .edu because they potentially expose” place to prevent” such e-mails, ac- that might be spam.” He said this perfect,” and Griggs said, “spam- addresses to be valid. Kenyon students or faculty to cording to Roy, but new methods system blocks between 90 and 95 mers are clever and constantly Still, Roy said LBIS was able “identity theft problems.” Griggs are invented to infiltrate systems, percent of all the messages sent to change their tactics to avoid detec- to stop the first e-mail “in about said this type of spam can “be so LBIS is constantly adjusting its the College. Kenyon receives about tion from spam filters.” The recent four minutes.”  Features The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, April 3, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian Features  Small community with a big voice AVI team expects to raise $2,500 for American Cancer Society with Relay for Life

ness about fraternity and sorority ACS to increase cancer awareness. While the Relay for Life is hazing. “The sheer scope of the event geared towards raising money for One week prior to spring break, means we had to do a lot of planning,” ACS, it is also an excuse for the Ke- Lahmon and Scott erected a station said Packer. “We started work back in nyon community to unite as one, outside of the dining hall in the the fall and are putting the finishing cohesive voice. hopes of raising money for cancer touches on now in preparation for the “We hear a lot about ‘com- research. Since big day.” munity’ at Kenyon, but there then they have “Everything goes di- The event will aren’t many times when the been collecting take place in the entire school ostensibly comes old, unwanted rectly to the cancer Kenyon Athletic together,” said Stoyel. “We’re cell phones and Center at 6:00 hoping that Relay becomes ink cartridges foundation.” p.m. on April 11, something the campus ral- with the aspira- - Viola Scott and will continue lies behind: a night that the tion of earning into the following whole community can share money for such a cause. morning. Teams will set up camp in- in and have fun at — all while “We want everything,” said side the gym and each team member helping to raise money for a great Scott. “Everything we get goes directly will take turns walking around the cause.” to the cancer foundation. We don’t indoor track throughout the night. Packer recalled his experience keep any of it for ourselves.” According to Stoyel, the priority is at last year’s first ever Kenyon “Relay Their dedication has helped earn not to force peo- for Life” event. over $1,000 thus far, and they expect ple to run at all “We’re hoping that “Last year, spend- Allison Burket to conclude the event with a grand hours of the eve- ing the night in AVI has been collecting old print cartridges and cell phones to raise money for total of $2,500. ning, but rather to the KAC with Relay for Life. Relay becomes some- Scott, who felt the effects of “get people to join classmates, ad- BY Kathleen L. Someah Society (ACS), is anything but subtle. cancer after losing her sister to the teams, get spon- thing the campus ral- ministrators, par- Staff Writer It was not, however, without the assis- disease one year ago, cannot help but sorship, make do- ents, coaches and tance of the Kenyon community that express her passion for the cause. “This nations and then lies behind: a night professors cre- Enthusiasm seems contagious these two women found themselves is something I’ve never done before, come to the event ated great sense among AVI employees. Since the inspired by such a cause. and it’s taking off,” said Scott. “This to have a good that the whole com- of fellowship in second week in March, workers Lahmon and Scott first learned has really boosted morale.” time.” The event munity can share in knowing that we have been raising money for a cause: about Kenyon’s second annual Relay But AVI employees are not the is concluded with all contributed to fighting cancer. for Life event when they noticed only individuals who are eagerly the “luminaria and have fun at.” the fight against Under the team name “Abso- an inconspicuous sheet of paper on spreading awareness of Relay for Life. ceremony,” where cancer, and we lutely Victorious Individuals,” work- a table outside of Ernst dining hall Kenyon students have also devoted lit paper lanterns - Alex Stoyel ’08 did it together,” ers like Donna Lahmon and Viola advocating raising money for the themselves towards promoting this dedicated to can- said Packer. “We Scott have placed the Relay for Life ACS. event. This year’s event was organized cer survivors are extinguished. Local really want to make everyone in the among their top priorities. Their de- “The students got us interested,” by a committee of 14 student volun- survivors of the illness are also invited community feel welcome. Cancer is termination towards this all-campus said Scott, who reportedly noticed teers, headed by a member from the to attend the event, with the hope of a disease that affects us all, and we all event, which is geared towards rais- the information sheet next to a table ACS. Kyle Packer ’08 and Alex Stoyel reminding individuals of the devastat- have the power to make a difference ing money for the American Cancer where students were spreading aware- ’08 are among others working with ing effects of cancer. in finding a cure.”

Donna Maloney, Music Karen Singerman ’08 Robby Ingersoll ’08 Wade Powell, Biology Students Admin. Assistant Fac/Staff Totals so far: Gambier Students: 12 Grillin’ Faculty: 11.5 Vs.

What long-running magazine has as its mascot The New Yorker US Weekly Say that Again? Life The New Yorket the foppish dandy Eustace Tilley? Who was the longest- tenured monarch in Elizabeth II George W. Bush Elizabeth II The Butterfly Louis XIV of France history? If you suffer from belonephobia, what are Cartoon Characters Whales Don’t know Internet Needles you afraid of?

How many seeds are on a 150 40 256 207 200 strawberry?

Who succeeded Philander Chase as President of Mickey Mouse Philander’s son, Bill Chase Most recently, Georgia Georgia Nugent Charles P. McIlvane Kenyon College Nugent Total Correct One Zero Zero One By Jon Porobil  Opinions The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, February 28, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian Opinions  Letters to the Editor: Hazing? Across the campus, many students The Kenyon To the Editors at the Collegian: who decided to pledge a Greek organiza- tion are going through “work week” … we Collegian I was quite disappointed by the staff editorial “Send-off Not for Tykes. (March 27, 2008)” I’d always taken think. Because of strict regulations being mine, but the last four years I had been abroad, or sick, so I checked with other faculty and they said they had been enforced against hazing during the Greek attending with their kids all along. When a student recently solicited suggestions from staff and faculty for ways pledging process, students are not being as to make Send-off community-friendly, I had nothing to say, for I already felt that it was very friendly to families in regularly entertained by the sight of oddly the community. Why else have bouncy inflatables, fun music, balloons and smiley students (whether chemically Editors-in-Chief dressed women and the sound of frater- Dayne Baughman altered or not, I need not invade privacy to determine) through which my family can meander, trailing soap bubbles nity pledges singing in the dining halls Leslie Parsons for shared amusement? as regularly as has happened every work For those who wish to have an insulated party of 18-to 22-year-olds, please have your own private party that Managing Editor week since we’ve been at Kenyon. does not use the community spaces of the outdoor Kenyon grounds. At this year’s Send-off, I will claim my place, Andrew Cunningham We at the are concerned and my tykes’ place, in this wonderful community ritual. Let the Send-off Grinches keep their opinions private, Collegian about the effect this might have on Senior Editor for the sake of community. We all must get along! Jesse Oppenheim Greek life at Kenyon, beyond missing the entertainment. Forcing an activity News Editor Michelle S. Mood underground can lead to unfortunate Sarah Friedman Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Studies circumstances, as has been the College’s Features Editor stance on underage alcohol use: they Allison Burket To the Editors of the Collegian, know it happens, so they make Opinions Editor sure it happens as safely as pos- Laura Garland When we first heard back in the fall that we would be getting swipe cards, there was an enormous outcry sible. We believe pledging could be handled in a similar manner. A&E Editor against it. A common objection, one that I admittedly maintained, was that it would destroy our beloved Emmy Fletcher Kenyon community. Today I find myself asking: what Kenyon community? We also feel that the defi- On my way to the KAC, I witnessed a scene that will forever shame me. A woman, who could have been nitions that Dean of Students Sports Editor my grandmother, was bent over on the side of the road. When she straightened up, I could see that she had Tammy Gocial and President S. Dan Groberg been picking up a beer can, and I am sad to say it was not the first one that she had picked up that day. In ad- Georgia Nugent are much too Photography Editor dition to her beer cans she also held other indistinguishable wrappers that had been left to litter the ground. broad and allow for many rea- Paul Reed Shame on you Kenyon! sonable practices to be deemed This lack of consideration reminds me of remarks I heard when the Send-off plans were revealed. Students hazing. Both argue against any Business Manager activity that could cause physical Jordan Kircher were angry that people were trying to make Send-off a family event, something it was clearly not intended to be. “What parent in their right mind would bring their children to it, knowing it would expose them to a staff editorial danger, which we wholly agree Business Assistant bunch of drunken students? This is our day. They should know that.” I am not asking you to stop drinking, should be deemed hazing. The issue Kathryn Chiasson but I am asking you to stop and think about how you act and how you sound. Why don’t you care enough to becomes complicated, however, when Design Editor make an effort so that others in our community can enjoy the day with us? we consider the psychological toll that Daniel Streicher Maybe we do not really care about our community. Maybe we just like to use the word because we like the certain activities take on individuals. At way it rolls off our tongue. Awhile back I defended our community, protesting that it was something worth the core of this issue is public embarrass- Design Team ment, which has been frowned upon in Bob Dorff, Nick Sprague, Dan preserving. While we are not always perfect, I stressed that we were there for each other when it counted. Groberg, Dain Williams, Ellie Kenyon, please prove me right. pledging by the administration. Greeks Jabbour, Peter Case have purportedly been punished for hav- Anna Heintzelman ’09 ing their pledges march in order and sing Editorial Assistants publicly. Ironically, these behaviors sound Lindsay Means, Kali Greff, Sarah Queller very similar to those that we had to engage To the Editors of the Collegian, in as first-year students. Gocial addressed Copy Editors the complex issue of the first-year sing Tim Miller, Monica Kriete, This is my 11th year of teaching at Kenyon, and I have never felt the urge to write to the Collegian until and considers it hazing. We, however, Rachael Cooper, Mat Cowlin, reading your editorial “Send-off not for tykes.” The editorial is disturbing on so many levels, but I will touch Laura Mannz as students liked it. We felt that the first- on only a few. First, the Collegian’s staff wonders, “what makes anyone think they want to bring their children year sing experience bonded us to our Faculty Advisor [to Send-off ]?” Living just one block from campus, I can tell you that my boys are ecstatic each year when they classmates and to those who have stood P.F. Kluge see big inflatable slides and colorful obstacle courses on Ransom lawn. Try to remember that there aren’t many on the steps of Rosse Hall before us to sing amenities in the local area for small children; big blow-ups are as good as it gets for kids in Gambier. Now I’m the unfamiliar songs. We were excited Advertising and Subscriptions told that my children aren’t welcome because they scream and cry. This is a hard pill for me to swallow given to engage in this storied tradition that Advertisers should contact Kathryn that I have been tolerating the screams and cries of Kenyon students for ten years. These screams sometimes we had heard about on our first Kenyon Chiasson for current rates and further involve expletives and often occur at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning, but I am willing—even happy—to toler- information at (740) 427-5338 or via e-mail tour. We made a memory. In the same at [email protected]. All materials should ate them. We are a community, and I value this community. Such tolerance is part of the give and take that way, Greeks use the pledging process to be sent to Advertising Manager, The Kenyon should come with living together. Collegian, Student Actiities Center, Gambier, bind groups of people in bonds stronger OH 43022. While your letter indicates, at one level, a concern for the well-being of “young and impressionable off- than those otherwise fostered. Yearly subscriptions to The Kenyon spring” at Send-off, I doubt I am alone in concluding that what you really want is the freedom to behave badly Collegian are available for $35. Checks should The distinction the administration be made payable to The Kenyon Collegian and without any witnesses from outside of the student body. What happens in the bubble stays in the bubble. This sent to the Business/Advertising Manager. fails to see is that between psychological doesn’t seem like a healthy mantra. Furthermore, there are many of us outside of the student body who will hardship and psychological torment. miss the seniors after they graduate. So I am planning to come to Send-off, and I’m bringing my boys. Look Office: Rooms #3 and #4 in the modular Hardship, like the first-year sing, is meant trailer south of Ernst Center. for the screaming redheads jumping on the inflatables. Mailing address: The Kenyon Collegian, to bring people closer together. The same Student Activities Center, Gambier, OH is true for singing in the cafeterias or 43022. Judy Holdener marching along Middle Path singing the Business address: P.O. Bo 832, Gambier, Associate Professor of Mathematics OH 43022. fraternity’s traditional songs. That is an E-mail address: [email protected] Internet address: www.kenyoncollegian.com experience that someday these fraternity Telephone number: (740) 427-5338 members will look back on and know Facscimile: (740) 427-5339 To the Editors of the Collegian, that they are bound by more than just the The opinions page is a space for members name of an organization, they are bound of the community to discuss issues relevant to the campus and the world at large. The I find the recent discussion about comparing Kenyon to the Ivies to be a bit puzzling. Like the proverbial blind together by a shared experience that the opinions expressed on this page belong only College should not interfere in. to the writer. Columns and letters to the editors men examining the elephant, everyone is stating different truths but nowhere do I see a conflict. Someone declares do not reflect to opinions of the Kenyon that we are a “new Ivy” because a significant number of students are choosing Kenyon over the Ivies. I think we all If they endanger their pledges lives Collegian staff. All members of the commuity by forcing them to drink unsafe amounts are welcome to express opinions through a agree that Kenyon does not and should not aspire to be Yale or Dartmouth or Harvard. We aspire to be different, letter to the editor. better, higher: a college whose central mission is student learning and personal growth. of alcohol or water, or causing immense The Kenyon Collegian reserves the right to emotional scars that could last a lifetime edit all letters submitted for length and clarity. I can testify that in my 16 years of teaching at Kenyon, the student body has only improved. Today, I see smarter, The Collegian cannot accept anonymous or more accomplished students and a better attitude on campus about learning and community. Recent students have by simulating violence or some other psendonymous letters. Letters must be signed traumatic experience, then the College by individuals, not organizations, and must broken my absolute grading scale. This year our senior physics majors collectively scored in the 95th percentile on be 200 words or less. Letters must also be a national exam. Kenyon students are receiving academic accolades at an increasing rate. There is every indication should step in. If, however, the Greek or- received no later than the Tuesday prior to ganization is trying to foster a bond with publication. The Kenyon Collegian prints as that Admissions uses a multi-dimensional scale to rate applicants, creating a bright and diverse first-year class. By many letters as possible each week subject to any yardstick, Kenyon and Kenyon students have improved throughout my time here and I shout “Halleluiah!” their members by putting their pledges space, interest and appropriateness. Members through some emotional hardship, the of the editorial board reserve the right to reject any submission. The views expressed in the Timothy S. Sullivan College should respect their traditions. paper do not necesassarily reflect the views of Kenyon College. Associate Professor of Physics  Features The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, April 3, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian Features  Notes from abroad:

By marissa Maybee Evacuation from Cameroon Staff Writer By Sarah Carter the cafeteria began crowding around the nowhere to go. We were cornered by Guest Writer front doors, staring at something on the some furious strikers, who threatened A Lesson in Dibsing Etiquette path. Running towards the building was us with broken glass bottles and forced That brooding Drama Boy has been eyeing you for weeks in art his- When, after much deliberation, I a mob, armed with bats and wooden us outside. Once outside, we were stuck tory, and as you’ve come to realize, he’s interested. If you’re a first-year, feel decided to go abroad to Cameroon this planks. The Cameroonian students in again, between another mob coming free to accept his offer of late-night hospitality; New Aptsis much closer semester, I thought I was prepared for the cafeteria began moving quickly, from the other direction. We realized to Milk Cartons than the Quad. But if you’re a senior, you’ve got some everything. I had my French diction- chaining doors and running out the that the reason we were not being al- careful calculating to do: is he off-limits or not? ary, tons of homestay gifts, probably back. Because we had no clue as to what lowed to return to our classroom or the Turns out that Drama Boy was your first-year roommate’s high school $200 worth of CVS over-the-counter was coming, we Americans stayed put. I now-empty cafeteria was because the prom date, dated one of your best friend’s apartment-mates for sophomore products and enough malaria medica- did not actually think that the mob was mob was arguing over whether or not and junior years, and has a weekly Lost date with an apartment full of girls tion for nearly a year. I was so excited anything more serious than a parade, to let us go. They finally decided we who dislike you because of a totally misconstrued incident with one of that the month before I left is a blur of but I realized I was wrong when they could leave when they heard us speaking their best guy friends last Halloween. If you go for it with him, boy, is there anxious packing in my memory. But, broke through the cafeteria doors and English, and said, “they’re not French, going to be drama! He has already been “dibsed.” exactly one month ago, I was faced with began throwing chairs and glass bottles they’re American, we should let them In its simplest form, to “dibs” a person is to put him or her off-limits as a situation I had absolutely not prepared around the room. pass.” a hook-up for the rest of your friends. At its most unwieldy, it is a complex for at all: civil unrest in Cameroon and It was clear then that this strike As soon as we could, we rushed network of social loyalties, assumptions and apprehensions draining the our program’s subsequent evacuation was about more back into the Kenyon hook-up pool until the only “available” prospects resemble the to France. than gas prices. kitchen in the caf- unlucky, pond-dwelling fish of nature specials that just sort of flail around On Monday, February 25, there The mob’s goal was As the mob broke eteria, where we in the mud when the dry season reduces their little aquatic ecosystem to was a transportation strike in Camer- to destroy public through the doors, joked about having dust. oon. Taxi drivers and concerned citizens property, which to hide out in the If this scenario makes you shiver, do not despair. It seems that Kenyon banded together to protest high gas did not seem to we quickly realized ovens. Luckily this males are largely exempt from the dibsing world. A senior friend described prices—but it quickly escalated into be relevant to a did not happen, the male dibsing scene as “a Darwinian survival of the fittest,” acknowledg- violence in cities all across the country, strike protesting how important it was and once the mobs ing that in special cases, like long term ex-girlfriends, “ample time for a dibs including Dschang, where my program the price of fuel. began to climb the can be allowed, ranging from an hour to a couple of weeks. But you better was located. That Monday found our The strike and the to get out of that hill on the univer- get in there quick, otherwise someone is stealing your lunch from right group taking classes as usual at the ensuing violence sity’s campus, we under your nose.” university, preparing to visit a local were more con- cafeteria as soon as returned to our And if you are a member of Kenyon’s GLBT community, you may also chiefdom and then return to our base nected to the fact possible. classroom. Need- feel immune from the constraints of the dibs. As a sophomore stated, “dibsing city of Yaoundé that weekend. For that the president less to say, classes does not exist for us. We’re a small enough group already without that.” whatever reason, all of Monday morn- in Cameroon, who were over for that But, if you are a girl who likes boys, chances are you have been affected ing I kept thinking about how good has been in office for 26 years, is threat- day, and things calmed down after the by the improper or excessive application of the dibs. Despite our social lunch would be, and how excited I was ening to change the constitution so that mob left the campus—though we did culture of “casual” hook-ups, a staggering number of girls get really upset to eat at our favorite restaurant. But at he can be “elected” for another term. have to lie on the ground and turn the if you show interest in a guy they have dated, slept with, hooked up with, lunchtime, our academic director told Cameroon’s economy is also on the lights off in the classroom so they would gotten hurt by or are best friends with. us that it was too violent outside the decline, and the cost of living in many not see us—but it was an experience I This fall when I met a previously unknown senior guy at a party, university, and we resigned ourselves cities has risen recently, resulting in will never, ever forget. one of my roommates informed me that he was off-limits because he was to a university lunch—not gourmet, more dissent in the country. Unfortunately, that was just the the first boy she had let go to second base—I did not even ask what that but at least cheap. As the mob broke through the beginning of our evacuation story. Im- entailed—during her first year … of high school. I have also had friends As we sat down to eat, we thought doors, we quickly realized how im- mediately following the riot, we were receive mean Facebook messages from female acquaintances after leaving that our biggest problem would be the portant it was that we get out of that whisked away into a hotel in Dschang, parties with boys who were apparently entangled in some way elsewhere. fact that we had no utensils. But before cafeteria as soon as possible. But since until our program decided to move us And then there was the girl who declared she wanted to “ruin the life” of we had even begun eating, students in the doors were chained shut, we had to Yaoundé on a military convoy in the her classmate. The poor girl’s crime? Kissing the other’s ex-boyfriend. middle of the night. That was quite an For readers who believe these are isolated incidents or who find adventure—I have never had to fit into Drama Boy’s tangled web of connections implausible, remember, we have Paid Advertisement a smaller place than in that tiny little a Facebook group called “True Life: My High School Prom Date Goes car full of soldiers with scary guns and to Kenyon.” Friends of mine have mapped the hook-up/dating intricacies silly hats. Until that moment, I had of half the school, extending outwards to alums and siblings. Life on the not even considered that evacuation Hill is anything but anonymous, and Kenyon’s 85 percent retention rate was an option for our program. The ensures that almost everyone is a familiar face. riots had calmed down significantly in In a community where everyone’s interpersonal relationships are inter- Dschang after the death of a young boy twined, an exasperated group of us have decided that we need to regulate at the university, and the violence had the dibsing system. We hereby call for the immediate implementation of abated across the country. But during the following guidelines: the convoy, when I saw the wreckage 1. You only get three dibses to be distributed amongst your exes, of burned cars that had been used as crushes and best guy friends, in the fashion of your choice. roadblocks, I realized that the situation 2. A guy you have hooked up with is automatically dibsed for the was far less stable than it seemed. This next two weekends, unless you have no intention of repeating your actions is something I have to keep in mind and revoke the dibs. now, when I follow news stories about 3. If a girl is not on your friends’ group e-mail list, or if you would Cameroon and there is no mention of wait until she left your table to tell the story from last night, neither of you violence. is required to honor the dibs of the other. The adjustment to Toulouse, 4. If you know you are going to feel bad about doing something France has been relatively easy, and I am with a boy you know is dibsed, or are going to try and conceal your liaison having fun here. My group is thankfully from a specific girl because you are afraid of hurting her, just don’t do it. very close, and we have been supporting How many secrets stay secret here? each other a lot over the last few weeks. 5. Do not blame the drunk first-year girl at the Lodge. If a girl is I still miss Cameroon every day. We out of your dibs circle and something happens between her and one of left just as we were growing attached your dibses that leaves you feeling wounded, he is a hundred times more to our families and becoming accus- culpable for your sadness than she is. And if you have not spoken to him tomed to Cameroonian culture. The since last year, maybe it is time you moved on. warmth I experienced in Cameroon We all have feelings. Some are tied to the emotional debacles of the does not compare to anything else I past, some to the dance-floors of the moment and others to the brunch have experienced in the rest of the world, table conversations of tomorrow. Adhering to this dibsing etiquette is the and the people I met were incredible. I best way to strike a balance between your feelings and those of your fellow know that I will return one day, but at Kenyon women … or we could stop hooking up with unstated expectations, this point in my life, leaving Cameroon secretly pining away for our friends and remaining emotionally invested was one of the hardest things I have ever in our exes. You pick! had to do.  Features The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, April 3, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian Features  Visiting bookstore storytime Beer By Abby Comstock-Gay at the “Well, I’ll just read to you, how’s showed up. The biggest group to come Cove Staff Writer that?” she said to her grandson. to the Story Hour was a group of four As I sat at the bookstore on The adorable white-blond haired children. By Jay Ulwick Saturday morning waiting for the boy tumbled out of the stroller and sat Children’s Story Hour began at Staff Writer scheduled children’s story hour, I en- excitedly on the small red cushions. the request of Chief Business Officer joyed the jazz music rolling through “Want another train book?” the Dave McConnell. The first one was Goodness beer fans, winter is sure holding on, isn’t it? The cold the radio and, in trying to be discreet, grandmother asked. held on Sept. 15. The readers came and icy months have given way to the slightly less cold, wet month of April, you know, and not sitting in the The little boy’s voice squeaked a from a volunteer list provided to the and the work we Kenyonites are looking at for the next few weeks is taking on children’s section, I sat at the table barely audible, but excited, reply. bookstore by Maureen Tobin, graduate mountainous proportions. As it has not yet become consistently warm enough separated from it by a shelf. I strained “Tootle . . . ” she began to read. school and preprofessional advisor. for the Village Inn to reopen their outdoor patio, many Kenyonites have turned my eyes to read titles of books like Is “It’s a great Gambier activity,” the Readers all come on a volunteer to the Gambier Grill (Cove) to assuage their class-exhausted palates. There Really a Human Race? and In woman told me. “A great, comfortable basis. This semester, volunteers signed The Cove has long been a staple of the over-21 crowd’s drinking Aunt Giraffe’s Green Garden. Why is area ... because I’ve come here with up responding to an allstu. pleasure at Kenyon, as it has always offered decent beer at a cheap price with Giraffe an aunt? I wondered. children before.” On Saturday, along with a group an unassuming décor and plenty of room for the tables to be moved around The books of MadL ibs and Shel It was just too bad that no one of children, the reader was absent. for rousing games of quarters. The ownership of theC ove changed recently, Silverstein poems started bringing me showed up — not even a reader. Perhaps it is the early hour — 10:00 and the new owner, Greg, foresees the Cove not only expanding its patron- back to my childhood. In my head, Samantha Mashaw ’11 was sup- a.m. on Saturday — that deters people. age, but its purpose: he wants to make the Cove not only a student bar, but a the jazz music began morphing into posed to read a few months ago. “I Perhaps they can be read to at home. community grill and restaurant. While this is a beer column, the Cove holds a Raffi songs, and a Shel Silverstein “For showed up 15 minutes before the kids Perhaps there is just simply not much special place in many Kenyonite’s hearts, and so I thought it my duty to bring Sale” poem came into my head. “Sister were scheduled to, and just browsed interest. to you, the Kenyon beer fan, my appraisal of the changes being made and how for sale! Sister for sale!” it began. Then the picture books,” she says. “I think If it gives a little boy and his they will affect the bottom line. This, of course, means where to find the best boom boom boom. I was awakened from I picked The Giving Tree or maybe grandmother a reason to come down pint of ambrosial brew in town. my daydream. 10:10 a.m. Ten minutes Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.” to the bookstore and read some books late. I felt the thud of rushed footsteps. But no one showed up for Saman- before their trip to see the train, then This Week’s Brew: The Cove (and a brief review of the beers offered A stroller came by pushed by the per- tha either. “There just aren’t that many it’s worth it. Even if it just gives college therein) petrator of the booms. Upon seeing kids in Gambier,” she said. students like Sam and me a chance to the children’s section with not a stir, a Yvonne Farson, interim book- relive glimpses of their childhoods, The first change that a member of the “Old Guard” will notice in sigh of disappointment came from the store manager, who now runs the even for just a few minutes, the time the Cove is the wall now constructed about 7 feet back from the bar. This ef- woman’s mouth. Children’s Story Hour, said there have waiting in the children’s section of fectively partitions the seating area from the bar area, now restricted to those “No story hour today?” she asked been 17 story hours to date. There have the Kenyon College Bookstore is not over 21 only. Speaking with Greg about the decision, he said that he wanted to the bookstore attendants. been nine Saturdays when no children time lost. bring in an over-18 crowd of patrons to not only expand the financial viability of the Cove, but also to make it more of a fun place to be for the entire student body. Many Kenyonites, myself included, have always viewed the Cove as a rite Outside the Classroom: Laurie of passage: one does not go to the Cove until one is 21, and when one turns 21 one’s friends take one there and buy one drinks all night, so one does not have to spend a penny. This is a long-standing tradition forK enyon students, Finke is an interdiscipliary gal and it saddens me that this ritual of becoming an adult is passing from the here at Kenyon is interacting with challenging.” hallowed halls of Kenyon’s oldest drinking spot. By Caroline Eichler students, particularly those who are Ultimately, Finke said she hopes The new wall also presents a possible logistical problem:A ny Cove-goer Staff Writer interdisciplinary. She has broad vi- for a “two-pronged movement” where- knows that it is nigh impossible, on a busy night, to get a beer without waiting sions for the women’s and gender in gender studies become mainstream a few minutes to be attended to at the bar, and this is only after wading through “I kind of have to reinvent my- studies program and said she has been “so that every course is teaching about people to get to the bar in the first place. Now, with the low wall in place, yet self every decade or so—or else I get overjoyed with the “realization and women as well.” The second prong is another physical obstacle is in place to stop people from getting to the bar. As bored,” said Laurie Finke, director conception” the program has achieved. that there “must also [be] a center for was shown on St. Patrick’s Day, it presented a problem for thirsty students who and professor of women’s and gender For example, last May the program activity and research”—namely, the only wanted another beer. This aside, the redecoration of theC ove has added studies. graduated its first class of majors. women’s and gender studies depart- many more signs to the walls, reflecting the new beers they are now carrying, Though she was trained in me- “Working with such talented fac- ment. Gender studies is already being and the change of the decoration, if not the beer, is a welcome one in my eyes. dieval studies and holds a degree in ulty … made the work of [developing taught in many other courses, but is Greg has also cleared the seating area out slightly so as to allow live bands to English literature—she attended Lake the program] a lot of fun,” Finke said. not yet universal. “That’d be nice,” play in the newly created space, and has been hinting at the possible addition Forest College in Illinois as an under- This achievement is especially she said. of a pool table. These things may make theC ove more fun to enjoy, but on to grad and University of Pennsylvania notable considering that when Finke “Sometimes my hobbies are in what we really go there for: the beer! as a graduate student—Finke said she was “in grad school, Women’s and danger of taking over my life!” said Out is PBR. Gone is Miller Lite. A Cove-goer will be staring across has always been an interdisciplinary Gender Studies didn’t exist! It wasn’t Finke. Other than working as a profes- the bar at several new and strange tap-handles these days. The $1.50 pint of gal. “As long as it was medieval we even an option.” In this sense, Finke sor, Finke enjoys music: she sings in beer, a position formerly occupied by the prestigious Pabst Blue Ribbon, has could convince the powers that be has more or less “grown up” with the the Community Choir and is taking been replaced by Old Milwaukee, a beer I hold in slightly less esteem. I am glad that it [was applicable]” to the major, field. “My journey through women’s piano lessons, though she claims, “I to see, however, that the Cove in its changes is not forgetting that we be but she said. studies has been one of discoveries,” play badly.” Finke is also likes to stay poor college students, and that most of us do not have black, no-limit Am-Ex Interdisciplinarian that she is, she said. In fact, she believes that at active. She used to swim and now cards. Other new additions to the lineup include the return of Guinness, some once she joined the work force, Finke Lewis and Clark she may have taught practices yoga. new bottles in the refrigerator, and Shock-Top, a belgian white ale that I tried became interested in the relationship the first college course on pre-1800 Finke also has other hobbies. “I’m on my last trip to the Cove. between issues in the professional women writers. a well-known partier,” she said. “There’s Shock Top, brewed by Anheuser-Busch and weighing in at 5.2 and the personal life. “I was noticing Though one might guess that nothing wrong with socializing!” percent ABV, was alright. Not great, but decent. I received my pint with a discrimination in balancing family Finke would get some flack from Finke has two children: a son, good finger’s width of head, poured very well by Veet, one of the newly-hired and career,” she said. “What are people certain types of people for teaching 24, and a daughter, 21. Her husband bartenders at the Cove and a face you beer fans may recognize from the Village studying? Why only males? ... I started women’s and gender studies, most of teaches at the University of Illinois. Inn. It was a light golden-brown color, with good carbonation and a head that gravitating in that direction.” “the debate went on before I came” to They maintain what she terms a “com- stuck around for almost half of the pint. The smell, dominated by a spicy lemon At Lewis and Clark College in Kenyon. “The controversy was pretty muter marriage.” In fact, in the 25 years scent, was decently strong, and added to the taste by allowing me to experience Portland, Oregon, Finke “was hired acrimonious,” she said. they have been married, they have only the beer through multiple senses simultaneously. The wheat malt was slightly in the English department to teach Now, instead of attacks on the actually lived together for a few years. spicy, but the beer finishes with an almost sour aftertaste, perhaps due to the medieval literature,” she said. “But, as subject itself—“no one says women’s Over the next two years, Finke lemon flavoring. Overall, the beer was very drinkable and light, but did not one does at small liberal arts colleges, I and gender studies is not legitimate … will be acting as the reaccreditation overwhelm me in any particular way; Shock Top rings in as a serviceable beer, began to take on other courses as well, [at least] not to my face,” she said—the coordinator for the College, letting but not much more. including literary theory and feminist resistance is mostly “institutional: her normal post be filled byA ssociate i would be remiss to end my review of the Cove’s changes without theory, which got me interested in interdisciplinary versus disciplinary.” Professor of Sociology Jan Thomas. mentioning that a bartender who I and my friends hold dear to our hearts, women’s studies,” she said. After eight Though, she conceded, the debate has She also is anticipating the publishing Brandy, is no longer working at the Cove. She will be missed. It looks like a lot years, she applied for the women’s and more or less closed. of her book Cinematic Illumination: of changes are headed for the Cove these days, so one would be wise to check gender studies position at Kenyon Finke said she believes that ev- the Middle Ages in Film, hopefully by back in on the oldest and most venerable of drinking halls on this campus. College because it afforded her the op- eryone should take women’s and 2009, and of the second edition of The Next week, I will be recapping a visit to the Kenyon Inn and reviewing an portunity to shape the program—“it gender studies classes. “Half of the Norton Anthology of Theory and Criti- incredibly unique and rare beer that everyone should try before they kick the sounded like an interesting challenge,” world is women,” she said. Not only is cism, a 2,624 page volume she edited proverbial bucket. Until then beer fans, know that spring and lighter beers are she said. it important, it affords new point of in conjunction with five other editors. just around the corner, and do not forget to enjoy your beer! Finke’s favorite part of the job views and is “interesting, exciting and “Never a dull moment!” she said.  Arts The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, April 3, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian Arts  San Francisco’s Master Slash Slave hits Gambier By taylor waterman Minus the Bear. Then last fall was bands from Seattle, and it got kind Staff Writer with The GoodL ife, which was a three of messy. The thing is, too, if you’re month tour. So, that’s what I do for trying to do things on a budget and Matt Jones and Ephriam Nagler a living. But my influences include everything, and you’re not really popu- of Master Slash Slave sat down for an Logan Whitehurst, the original drum- lar yet, then there’s really no reason to exclusive interview with the Collegian. mer for the Velvet Teen, was by far the be touring with your friends. Because Kenyon Collegian: Could you first; the drummer for Matt’s old band; this sort of situation where only twenty please introduce yourselves and ex- and Casey Deitz, the current drummer people show up to a show can’t really plain what you do for the band? for the Velvet Teen. He’s also in this sustain two bands. It can barely sustain Matt: I’m Matt Jones, and I sing band from Chico, California called one band. So I don’t do that a lot; I’ve [and] play the synth and guitar. TheA mericas; he is definitely the best taken some friends to Reno and Port- Ephriam: I’m Ephriam Nagler, drummer I know. land—by the way, Reno is amazing. and I play drums. I also do a lot of Matt: He’s a shredder. Ephriam: Desperate. the tech work and producing for the Ephriam: Yeah, he is a total shred- Matt: It’s probably my favorite band. der. But yeah, Minus the Bear is awe- place in the world. KC: So, first things first. Your courtesy of margaret mcnab some, and Tate’s a really cool guy. He KC: Reno, Nevada? Why? band is named “Master Slash Slave.” Master Slash Slave, a San Francisco-based duo, played at the Horn Monday. was blacked out for an entire tour. He Matt: Because [it sucks]. But it’s Is there a story behind that? made me throw up on my birthday. super crazy cool. I’m going to write our Matt: It has to do with computers, Matt: I didn’t play them at Matt: Usually we do the synth KC: On the subject of touring; next CD, a short EP or something like and computers controlling each other. shows—I programmed them. So I first. But we really haven’t even started have you toured with anyone else? that, and it’s going to be “The Biggest It’s actually a technical term. never really played them, but we had writing together yet. Matt: I try not to do that; I did Little EP in the World” – it’s going to Ephriam: Yes. A musical, techni- them onstage. Ephriam: I’ve only been playing one tour a while ago with two other be Reno-themed. cal term. Ephriam: Hence the whole mas- with him for two months. Matt: Yeah, musical and com- ter-slave dichotomy. The sequencer Matt: But we have plans to sit puter-dorky. But we also like it because is the master; the keyboards are the down and record a bunch of stuff when Master Slash Slave it’s provocative. slaves. we get home. About writing though, KC: How did you two begin Matt: Which makes us the slaves sometimes I’ll start out with something playing together? to whatever that thing is playing, and I wrote on guitar and then I’ll write the wows at the Horn Matt: We’ve actually known so we have to play along with it. lyrics to it, and then I’ll add synth into By bob dorff propulsive drumming to complete each other for seven or eight years. Ephriam: That’s why I wear the it, program something around it. A Staff Writer a sound that, if there is any justice, We grew up in the same town, and so headphones when I play [drums]. lot of the time I’ll be messing around San Francisco band Mas- will put Master Slash Slave on the we just knew each other from around. Matt: And I dropped the se- on the keyboards and program stuff ter Slash Slave raced to Kenyon map as an up-and-comer in the Ephriam’s brother was in a band that quencer that controlled it all; that was and then do the guitar and the vocals Monday after playing a show in indie scene. my band initially started playing with, super sad. But it actually made things after that. New York the day before. They Because they only tour with before they got popular. But Ephriam easier, because we just put everything KC: Ephriam, I was wondering have been on tour for a month two people, Master Slash Slave does recording and engineering, and on the iPod. And that was just amaz- if you have any specific influences now, driving themselves across the plays along with a prerecorded recorded a bunch of stuff. But basically, ing, because my keyboards were big. that have affected your drumming country in a Toyota Matrix named keyboard track onstage. The band since I was around 19. One of them was about 80 pounds. style; the high hat reminded me of Keanu. The band’s two members is quick to refute any claims that Ephriam: It’s been about five And now, the worst thing that could Minus the Bear. do everything themselves, and this is “cheating,” insisting in their years. happen is my guitar, Ephriam’s drums Ephriam: Minus the Bear, yeah—I began this tour after complet- press release that it is “actually re- Matt: But yeah, I started this band and our amps could get stolen. But we know Aaron Tate. ing their first album. From this ally quite hard.” After seeing the with another guy named Dave. could find that stuff at any music store, KC: You know him? knowledge, I would guess they band perform, I can tell you it does KC: Is he the one on the cover or borrow it from people. But those Ephriam: Yeah. were tired for their Monday night not matter either way. These guys of your vinyl? keyboards are super rare, and super Matt: Didn’t you say we’d be good show at the Horn, but if this is rip when they need to be loud and Matt: Yes. He made some dumb customized. on tour with them? what the band looks like when roll it back when the time calls for decisions; he actually got charged with KC: Are they vintage? Ephriam: Yeah, it’s too bad they’re they are tired, I would love to see something softer. The keyboards domestic violence and went to jail. So Matt: Yeah, they’re vintage, for touring right now. Otherwise, they them after a good night’s rest. weave in and out of their songs un- he couldn’t really tour anymore. Then sure. One of them is an ’84, and the would come to our show in Seattle. Despite a small crowd, guitarist/ expectedly, adding depth and tex- there was another guy that recorded a other one is an ’85. Matt: Go ahead. Tell her. Drop vocalist Matt Jones and drummer ture to otherwise simple melodies. little bit, but he just couldn’t handle KC: Where did you get them? the bomb. Ephriam Nagler tore through Jones’ voice howls above the noise, touring all the time [and] partying all Matt: I bought one at a pawn KC: Yeah, how did you get to their set, demonstrating just how sounding like a weird cousin to the the time. There was one guy that went shop in Santa Rosa, and one on eBay. know them? fun danceable pop music can be. voice of that guy in the Killers, on one tour that I don’t even want to But it’s old, custom stuff, and it kept Ephriam: I’m a sound engineer; They are touring to drum up an- while through it all, Nagler bashes talk about. So basically after that, I getting more and more broken, so it I do live sound for touring bands. My ticipation for their forthcoming away and anchors the songs. This talked to Ephriam. was kind of nice to retire it and use brother’s band that got popular is The debut album Scandal, and after music does not make you want KC: I read somewhere that something else. Velvet Teen from San Francisco. So I seeing their show I am definitely to dance—it forces you to, and Matt used to play synths at shows KC: Absolutely. About your met Minus the Bear through that. The excited. even when it gets distorted, it still and does not anymore. What hap- style, how do you go about writing last tour I did with them was P.O.S., Master Slash Slave has en- seems a little cheery. This feeling pened? songs? Russian Circles, The Velvet Teen and dured a lot for a band its age. is accented by the band’s attitude. Though it is only a year-and-a-half Throughout their set, the banter old, the band ran through three was full of smiles and jokes. drummers over four tours. The My one complaint about the MST3K Preview consistent member has been Jones, Master Slash Slave show was that it a man who exudes cool. Always did not last long enough. Though Shown every Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Higley Auditorium. dressed in a suit and tie and wear- they played several songs, the band ing a moustache with sideburns, cannot have been on stage for This week’s show,Mitchell , is a Joe Don Baker vehicle from the middle of the 1970s, and it shows. All of the cars are huge, all he looks like he would fit in just much more than half an hour. De- of the jackets are plaid and there are a number of spectacular hairstyles that simply don’t exist in this day and age. fine with any early sixties rock spite this, I left the show confident Joe Don Baker is Mitchell, a chubby cop who plays by his own rules. If his boss tells him not to do something, he goes ahead group. Not surprisingly, the band’s that it really was not over. With and does it anyway. He breaks into peoples’ houses to gather evidence. He sleeps with hookers played by Linda Evans and then turns MySpace lists The Beatles as an an album about to come out and them in for possession of drugs. He has dinner with drug lords and gets beaten up by guys. He is truly a man’s man. influence, but the headline at the a lineup that looks comfortable, Except for when he isn’t. Mitchell also lives alone in an apartment with only his beer cans and pornography to keep him company, top of the page proclaims that they Master Slash Slave seems ready no one on either side of the law seems to like him, he screams at little kids and he makes little old ladies get out of the car and walk. “bring the crazy to the people,” to make it big—or as big as an So Mitchell isn’t very good, but maybe if you like dated movies with really disgusting, unlikeable protagonists, you’ll manage so you can rest assured this is electro-rock-pop band can. As he to find something to love here. more than Oasis 2.0. The “crazy” ended the show, Jones gave hope A couple fun facts: Joe Don Baker was also a chubby lawman in The Final Justice, screened earlier this year, and is actually fairly comes courtesy of borderline- to everyone that had been dancing easy to find in movies today – he has been in a few James Bond flicks and has a role in the movieCongo , a bad Michael Crichton cheesy MIDI keyboard riffs that when he said, “we’ll be back; we book made into a bad movie based on a bad Michael Crichton book. Additionally, this is the last episode of MST3K featuring show transform standard guitar rock tour a lot.” I hope Master Slash creator Joel Hodgson as host, before handing the reins over to the very capable Mike Nelson. songs into danceable barnburners Slave does come back, and that Mitchell will hurt you in horrible ways. There’s a scene involving cheap beer and baby oil that I don’t even want to talk about. and energetic ballads. Top all of when they do more people go this off with Nagler’s creative and down to the Horn and dance. —Andrew Cunningham 10 Arts The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Thursday, April 3, 2008 The Kenyon Collegian Arts PB Eccentric Renegade production far from amateur

By doug wieand however, Arbery and crew were up to stein—played by the talented James none of them scratch deep. The ideas the point home enough; that scene is Staff Writer the task. Weeks, who deserves to be on the list of this play do not go much further followed by a deconstruction of the set The casting was nothing short above—go at it on stage never gets old. than pop philosophy, but it does not as the cast members list the tragedies Hey, I’ve got one for you—Al- of exceptional. Kevin Holloway was Take, for example, when they have a matter and no one is keeping track. and horrors of the 20th century. Es- bert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and a a playful and effortlessly comical duel, science vs. art, with two sketch Sure, Steve Martin is no Chekhov, but sentially, while it is understandable time-traveling Elvis walk into a bar. bartender; it was often difficult to tell pads, or the subsequent scene in which then again this is Steve Martin we are what they were trying to do, it came What do you get? Steve Martin’s Pi- whether it was the character or the they realize that they are after the same talking about. You know, the guy who off as being overly sentimental. True, casso at the Lapin Agile. Sure, it may actor who we were watching. Alex thing and become buddies. And the did Parenthood? it does add a level continuity from the be a crazy pipe dream, but somehow Kaplan showed off his acting muscle dialogue is quick-moving enough, and Perhaps the only major flaw beginning and some more modern on Friday night it all worked out. The as the arrogant yet brilliant Picasso. involves enough different characters of this adaption is the ending. The relevance. But it would have been more all-first-year Renegade troupe, under Charlie Schneider was both creepy that there is never a dull moment. original play ends with a list of all effective to leave the crowd to reflect the direction of Will Arbery, nailed and hilarious as Gaston, an old per- In fact, most of the cast was on the exciting aspects of the 20th cen- on what exactly the “age of regret” the play in the bar-raising, best Black vert, who turns everything into sexual the stage for the majority of the play. tury unexpectedly punctuated by “say constitutes rather than to beat them Box performance of the year. innuendo and has an irritable bladder. Normally, this could create conflict good-bye to the age of indifference … over the head with it. The play began with a lights-on He had the crowd in stitches multiple and choreography issues, but here it hello … to the age of regret.” This line Though a bit unfortunate, the construction of the set accompanied times during the show, but then again, was handled superbly. Everyone in- was delivered with awesome force ending did not really detract from by various radio broadcasts chroni- so did Julia Smith as Schmendiman, teracted wonderfully with each other in the original, and the silence that the overall excellence of the play on cling the 20th century in a unique a capitalist inventor of an “inflexible and remained in character even when ensued was chilling. But the Renegade nearly every level. Keep an eye on these take on “setting the stage.” Though and very brittle building material.” the focus was not on them. Watching version felt as if this was not driving guys—they are going places. a tad hokey—it ends with the noise Matt Crowley put on an energetic Charlie Schneider’s reactions to every of an atomic bomb—the sounds and compelling performance as the female on stage, for example, was a set the tone well and introduced art dealer Sagot, while Susanna Byrd hoot. the time period effectively. The set was all feminine seductress as Suzanne, The script itself, though at times Senior Profiles itself consisted of a skillfully made Picasso’s lover. At one point they shared troubled, contains enough gags to Senior music major Zachary Frank, bar, a couple of tables, a doorway a convincing, steamy kiss that reflected keep everything running smoothly. whose ability on the guitar has brought leading to the back and a painting. the no-holds-barred nature of the play. It is essentially a massive celebration him success in the Kenyon music scene, A highlight was a plank that served And who knew Walter Kartman could of the excitement of discovery and now prepares to embark on a career as as the front door of the bar; every do a damn good Elvis impersonation? genius. It is wickedly witty and cleverly a professional musician. First, though, character managed to trip over it at If that list was tedious to read, brings to life fabled figures. Einstein has he will present the final performance of one point in their own entertaining blame it on the fact that there was never been so animated, nor Picasso so his Kenyon career in a senior recital this fashion. not a single weak performance in the romantic and brilliant. Saturday. Directing this one-act play entire show. Literally. That is coupled The times when the play does The performance will consist of two was an ambitious move on the part with the fact that there are no extras falter is when it takes a misstep into parts—first, a solo performance featuring of Arbery. The script is unconven- in the play. Everyone had a unique sentimentality. There are brief mo- Frank on the acoustic guitar, and second, tional; there are virtually no breaks character, and every character was done ments when the dialogue shifts from a performance accompanied by a band. and the majority of the humor admirably. light hearted banter about art, science, Frank chose this format for his perfor- relies on the strength of the acting. Picasso at the Lapin Agile does technology, sexuality—pretty much mance as a way to showcase the skills he Photo by jay galbraith It even breaks the fourth wall in the not really have a plot. It is more based every theme of the 20th century—to has acquired during his time here at Kenyon. “[The accompanied performance] is a first five minutes. Combine that around character study and the joy scathing social commentary. Or at great way to demonstrate the ability to coordinate an ensemble,” Frank said. “It proves with the small size of Renegade and of watching them interact on stage, least attempts at scathing social com- that one has the ability to arrange, organize and develop an ‘intuition’ that allows a you have a potential for disaster on though the play is mostly mono- mentary. Some of the efforts feel con- band member to compensate in turn if another makes a mistake.” your hands. Luckily for everyone, logues. Watching Picasso and Ein- trived, especially towards the end, and Frank’s performance will feature primarily jazz compositions, but he has partici- pated in a number of musical groups on campus, of varied genre. Beginning during his first year with an instrumental hip-hop group, Frank has worked his way up to Surprises await in lead guitarist in Detroit Groove, Kenyon’s Motown band. Red Herring Frank said that he would like to continue playing after he leaves Kenyon, and the Russian mole (Brian Kettler ’08) linger is a Philly playwright, and he that coordinating this performance has only strengthened that desire. Ideally, Frank By caleb ruopp is falling for his landlady, a Boston worked in a theater I worked in, so I said, he would like to open a jazz club some time in the future, where he could work Staff Writer housewife (Maria Krovatin ’10). Also was familiar with his work,” Tazewell and occasionally perform. In literature and film, a red featured are Allie Wigley ’10, David said. A friend of mine back there sug- Zachary Frank will present his senior performance this Saturday, April 5, at herring is a plot device—usually Ellis ’10, Hannah Fenlon ’10 and Dan gested that this play would be great 4:00 p.m. a person, but sometimes a clue or Takacs ’09. Their stories all interact, for a bunch of college students.” some sort of misleading informa- and the solutions to their problems “I like doing things that are po- —Taylor Waterman tion—used to throw readers or will determine whether or not there litical, but 1984 was too heavy,” said viewers off the scent of who the is a happy ending. Tazewell of his production last year. Music has been a part of senior mu- villain is or where the story is going. According to Tazewell, the play “I wanted something funny. And this sic major Joseph Kanengiser’s life since a This term comes from olden times, has a film noir theme, set in the Mc- show … I was skeptical at first, but I young age. He has excelled as a composer when herring was used to train Carthy era. Tazewell said he wanted got more excited about the play each and jazz pianist while at Kenyon and is hunting dogs. First, it would teach “a look that was film noir-ish … time we read it.” now preparing to make the transition into them how to follow a scent. Later, gray-scale,” including the floor, walls Of course it hasn’t been all fun, the real world. His senior performance it would teach them not to lose the and images. The set is plain and gray. games and laughter. “This show runs this Saturday will be the culmination of original scent when confronted This lets the audience focus on the on props,” said Tazewell. “Managing several years’ hard work and dedication. by the stronger herring scent go- action on stage. Projector screens the many scenes is challenging, be- The performance will showcase ing across its path. According to will display the scenery and images cause the scenes are much more like Kanengiser’s original composition, con- the director, Associate Professor of film noir and the Red Scare, again cinema rather than straight theater. sisting of pieces he wrote for winds and of Dance and Drama Jonathan showing Tazewell’s affinity for projec- Most shows stay in one place, but the string bass. Stylistically, Kanengiser Tazewell, Red Herring is “clearly tor screens. Even the lighting will be this has cinematic changes—rapid describes the music as “an amalgamation a comedy.” film noir, filled with shadows and fog. changes to places across the globe.” courtesy of joseph kanengiser of all the jazz and classical music I listened “There are a series of inter- The costumes are not gray, but are The play also features many accents, to throughout my life.” secting love stories,” said Tazewell. period—as are the haircuts. which he says were tough, but “the Kanengiser has been playing music since he was eight years old, and he took up There is the hardboiled detective Originally, the play was created actors have been fantastic.” Some piano at age 11. At Kenyon, “[he] found that [he] had the most passion for the study (Kate Ross ’09) in a love affair with so that the actors would play multiple studied various movies in order to of music,” which helped him make the decision to become a music major, Kanengiser FBI agent Frank Keller (Stewart roles. In this production, the princi- learn theirs; others, like Kettler, had said. His focus is now on composition and jazz piano. Reflecting on his experience at Urist ’08), each working hard on pals have only one role, and most of their accents ready at the auditions. Kenyon, Kanengiser said he has “cherished the ability to explore [himself] and [his] cases that seem to overlap. Mean- the other actors play multiple roles. The problem of the show’s title is art in a liberal arts setting.” while, Joe McCarthy’s daughter Many have very quick changes of one that will only be solved the night After graduation, Kanengiser plans on moving back to his hometown of Los (Kate Hamilton ’09) is convinced both costume and character. Some of the performance, so Tazewell was Angeles, where he will continue composing music. by her scientist fiancé (Stephen even change from scene to scene to unwilling to spill the beans. “The red Joseph Kanengiser will present his senior performance this Saturday, April 5, at Ellis ’08) to deliver microfilm to scene. herring is … well, I can’t tell you that, 1:00 p.m. in Brandi Recital Hall. the Russians. At the same time, “[The playwright] Michael Hol- because I’d give it all away,” he said. —Phoebe Hillemann The Kenyon Collegian Thursday, April 3, 2008 Sports Page 11 Track invites strong finishes Player of the Week: By analise gonzalez Alex Rinehart ’08 who placed fourth depth that some of the teams we Staff Writer in the 400-meter hurdles and Brandon compete against have, but we’ve been Balthrop ’08, who placed fifth in the having a lot of strong individual per- Shaakira Raheem ’11 The Kenyon College Lords and 400-meter hurdles. formances,” Cameron said. “As of right Ladies track teams remained con- “It was my first time running the now, we’ve had about 15 people across sistent with strong individual per- 110 hurdles in college, so I thought it the two teams qualify for All-Ohio, formances this past Saturday at the was a good starting place,” Cameron which I think is pretty impressive. Brings speed and smiles to Kenyon College of Wooster Invitational. The said. “I was really happy with my 400[- Overall, I think it was a good meet Lords placed seventh overall while the meter], which was a little over a second for us.” Ladies placed ninth. faster than the week before. [Rinehart] Tomorrow, the teams will leave Several athletes had top per- and [Balthrop] also had good 400[- for their first overnight trip of season formances for the Ladies. Chrissy meter]hurdle races, finishing fourth to race at Washington and Jefferson Ostrowski ’11 placed fifth in the 1,500- and fifth [respectively] and qualifying College in Pennsylvania. Both teams, meter run, Pamela Moriarty ’11 placed for [the All-Ohio championships].” however, believe this trip will not affect sixth in the 800-meter run and Megan Ken Noguchi ’10 and Rob Car- their performance negatively. Duffy ’10 placed sixth in the 400-me- penter ’10 worked together to score “We won’t have to wake up as ter hurdles, seventh in the 4x400 relay points in the steeplechase. Noguchi early as we have the last couple weeks, and sixth in the 4x100 relay. took fourth and Carpenter took which will be nice,” Moriarty said. “It “I’m pretty happy [with my fifth. should be a bigger meet with more race],” said Moriarty. “My finish wasn’t “[The race] was a good start,” teams. In the 4x400, we were a second great—I died the last 100 meters, but Noguchi said. “It’s only the second and a half over the All-Ohio qualifying overall, I’m happy with how I ran. As meet of the season, so it’s still pretty time this week, so it would be neat to a team we did pretty well. Most people early. One of my teammates, Rob hit that time.” had pretty good races and it was nice Carpenter, had his first steeplechase Noguchi shared Moriarty’s senti- not to run in the snow like we did race and got fifth, so we had a good ments. last meet.” team finish.” “We’re expecting better com- The Lords also had numerous, The first-place finish in the 1,500- petition and more guys from more strong individual performances. The meter run by Chris Houser ’09 round- competitive schools, so we should run team was primarily led by the hurdlers, ed out the Lords’ success. faster,” he said. “The overnight trip may including Eric Cameron ’11 who TheL ords were also pleased with have a positive effect because we may placed third in the 400-meter hurdles their performance. take it more seriously and it will be nice and fifth in the 110-meter hurdles, “Our team may not have the to not travel the morning before.” Erin Shaff

By Dan Groberg 55-meter hurdles preliminaries a Sports Editor day earlier. She also placed first in Paid Advertisement the event at the Kenyon College Shaakira Raheem ’11 applies Invitational on Feb. 15. her multifaceted talent and viva- “My household is very cultured cious nature to all of her pursuits and focuses on the Islamic beliefs at Kenyon. and their Ghanaian traditions, so Raheem, a member of the discipline is always there,” Raheem Kenyon College Ladies track said. “Discipline is very big in my team, hails from Silver Springs, religion and my culture, and to be MD and attended Albert Einstein good at anything—in order to put High School in Kensington, MD. in hard work—requires discipline. Raheem, who is of Ghanaian and Coming from a disciplined family, Nigerian descent, was born in Chi- it gives me the discipline I need to cago, IL. She serves on the board of shine as a leader in practice and to the Snowden Multicultural Center be committed to the team.” and the Black Student Union, is Her culture impacts her ath- a first-year representative to the letic gear as well. Raheem wears Campus Senate and a student rep- a hijab, a traditional Islamic head resentative on the Social Board. covering, and spandex Under Ar- Raheem has been running mour under her uniform to cover since her first year of high school. any exposed skin. She also ran summer track between Nevertheless, Raheem does seasons. not let her cultural beliefs or her “Track runs in my family,” wide-ranging interests affect the Raheem said. “My sisters ran, and delicate balance she strikes among now I run.” academics, extracurricular activi- Raheem hopes her vibrant ties and athletics. personality and warm smile pro- “Track doesn’t take as much vide comfort to those around her. time as other sports at Kenyon,” “People who see me smiling, she said. “It is only a problem if you they stop frowning,” she said. are lazy. It is pretty simple—get in, “They decide that they are going get out, and get your work done. to have a good day, because in my Track meets last a lot longer than book, every day is a good day.” other events, but it makes up for Raheem, who has been nurs- our short practices.” ing an ankle injury since the begin- Raheem intends to study in- ning of the outdoor track season, is ternational relations and take disappointed with her performance courses in the law and society con- thus far this year. centration. Her ambitions extend “I am not performing as well far beyond the classroom. as I would like or as well as I did “I want to change someone’s in high school, but I’m still pretty life,” Raheem said about her life’s competitive,” she said. mission. “I want to make a dif- Raheem placed second in the ference. Some little kid is going 55-meter hurdles at the North to see me running and is going to Coast Athletic Conference cham- be inspired to run, run with their pionships after setting a new Col- lives, run for their dreams, run and lege record of 8.75 seconds in the achieve their goals.”

Weekend Sports Picks Illustrations by Ellie Jabbour Weekend Weather Collegian he enyon ollegian

T K C S S a Baseball Women’s Lacrosse F u t r u n Sunday April 6 at 12:00 p.m. Sunday April 6 at 12:00 p.m. i d r d d McCloskey Field Mavec Field a a y a y The Lords aim for