April 10, 2014 | Vol. 112 no. 21 | middleburycampus.com Use, Abuse and the New Pharmaceutical Reality
By Kyle Finck sophomore year. A friend took the orange 20-milligram (mg) pill and crushed it into a light powder with the bottom of a mug, before guiding the mass into four equal lines with a credit card and instructing Emma to get a tampon. She re- recreational use that continues to this day. “It was almost euphoric, it felt like I could do any- thing.” she said. “But the next morning, I had the worst hangover I’ve ever had in my life.”
Living in the Adderall Generation Part 1 of 2
whatever it takes to get there. only 4 percent reported having prescriptions. While the More than two years later, Adderall has become a con- Over the past 13 months, the Campus has followed data is scarce, the stories of use and abuse paint a com- stant companion to Emma’s academic and social life. numerous current and former students — all of whom re- plicated picture, in which the line between prescribed use quested anonymity and were given pseudonyms and, for and illicit self-medication is murky at best and farcical at Freshman year and the beginning of sophomore year some, different genders for legal and social reasons — as worst. before I tried it, I really liked just being drunk, and that they grappled balancing their relationships with the pow- Whether Adderall is a life-changing medicine or an erful psychostimulant with academic, social and societal unfair performance enhancer depends on whom you talk enough. We can’t just all hang out and drink and go out. expectations. The Campus also interviewed experts on to. What is clear is that we are now living in the Adderall Someone always wants to do Adderall to take it to the the frontlines, from psychologists prescribing the drug to Generation, a reality that is rarely talked about but ap- next level.” neuroscientists studying their affects on the brain. parent just below the surface. You may not have a pre- Emma’s story is one of an increasing number that Data on psychostimulant use at the College is hard to scription or snort the drugs on weekends, but psycho- point to a new reality across colleges and universities na- come by. In a student-led study last spring, 16 percent of stimulants are here to stay, and they have the potential to tionwide, as a wave of high-performing and highly stimu- Middlebury students who responded to the anonymous affect nearly every aspect of life lated students strive for top grades and are willing to do survey reported illegally using the drug, slightly above the at the College. SEE SPREAD, PAGE 12 5 to 12 percent estimated nationally. Of that percentage, Anthea Viragh 8,196 Apply to Class of 2018 Nyad to Speak at By Mitch Perry over excellent early decision The first generation category is On March 21, the College applicants just to keep the per- very important for Buckles and mailed letters of acceptance to centage of the class that applied his team as they strive to create Commencement 1,422 prospective students rep- early decision below 50. a diverse student body. By Emily Singer resenting all 50 states and 82 The admitted class for 2018 “First generation access cuts show on CNBC. She has published different countries in the hope hails from across the country, across a lot of boundaries,” he The College has announced two books about her long-distance swimming career, has written for that 575 of these students will with the most admitted stu- said. “It will be inclusive of so- that Diana Nyad will deliver the the New York Times, Newsweek enroll next fall. The College dents coming from California. cioeconomic, racial, cultural and 2014 commencement address on magazine and NPR’s “All Things shrunk its target class size due Other pipeline states include religious diversity.” Sunday, May 25. At the age of Considered.” More recently, Nyad to yield for the class of 2017 that New York, Connecticut, Massa- The College plans to award 64, Nyad made history last year was named to National Geograph- was greater than anticipated and chusetts and Illinois. The class $9.6 million in need-based fi- - son to swim the 110-mile stretch ic magazine’s 2014 “Adventurers therefore offered admission to also includes students from 82 nancial aid. Although the class different countries. Buckles at- size is smaller, the Admissions between Havana, Cuba and Key of the Year” list and competed on 14 percent of its regular decision Dancing with the Stars. tributed this diversity to Admis- Office tried to maintain its num- West, FL without the protection applicants and just 17.3 percent The College will also be hon- sions’ goal of, “creating a com- bers for students of color and of a shark cage. of overall applicants – lower munity that reflects the best of first generation students. Ac- Nyad will also receive an hon- than last year’s 19 percent over- with honorary degrees: former the rest of the world.” cording to Buckles, this means orary Doctor of Humane Letters all acceptance rate. Board of Trustees Vice Chair and Within the accepted class, that while the budget for finan- degree from the College. “It is the most selective class “Diana Nyad is a bold and fear- former executive of State Street 33.7 percent of the students cial aid might not be higher than ever,” said Dean of Admissions less athlete whose determination Corporation William H. Kieffer identify as students of color and last year’s, the percentage of stu- Greg Buckles. “They have been is truly inspiring,” President of III ’64, Grammy-award winning 14.5 percent identify as the first dents on financial aid could be. subject to the highest degree the College Ronald D. Liebowitz singer and social justice advocate in their family to attend college. of scrutiny that any class ever SEE CLASS, PAGE 3 said in a press release. “Her men- Angelique Kidjo, acclaimed un- has.” Despite a 10 percent drop tal strength and her belief in never derwater explorer Carl Douglas in received applications (a total giving up on her goals make her a ’88, former President Emeritus of of 8,196), Buckles says that in WELCOME, CLASS OF 2018 role model for others who wish to Yale University Richard Levin and terms of academic rating – the pursue their dreams, no matter retired chairman and CEO of Col- seven point scale used by the ad- how daunting.” gate-Palmolive Reuben Mark ’60. missions office to evaluate aca- Keiffer has served as emeritus demic capability – the admitted acceptance rate # applications: 8,196 swimmer, having swam around trustee since 2008, and has held class is the highest he has seen at REG decision the island of Manhattan in under various volunteer leadership posi- Middlebury College. 4th largest # eight hours at age 26. She also set tions at the College over the past The number of admitted early OVERALL applications in BUT 10% fewer the world record for both men’s 50 years. He has served as vice decision students is consistent midd’s history applications and women’s distance swimming chair of the Board of Trustees and led the Monterey Institute of In- with last year’s total, and early than last year by traversing the 102 miles be- ternational Studies (MIIS) Board decision students comprise 53 OVERALL # applications has tween North Bimini Island, Ba- 17.3% hamas and Juno Beach, Florida in of Governors for nine years. percent of the class, contribut- 14% doubled in the Last 10 years Kieffer is currently co-chair of ing to a low regular-decision ac- just 27.5 hours. the 2015 Middlebury Language ceptance rate. Buckles describes In the 1980s, Nyad took a hia- tus from swimming and worked Schools Centennial Celebration. this early decision method as “a “It is the most selective class ever. They have been subject in broadcast journalism, serving He will receive a Doctor of Hu- little controversial” but says that to the highest degree of scrutiny any class ever has.” as senior correspondent for Fox mane Letters degree. Admissions did not want to pass -Dean of admissions Greg Buckles Sports News and hosting her own SEE COLLEGE, PAGE 2
VT SCHOOLS NOM FOOD PREVIEW OF RENT CONSIDER INITIATIVE UNDER AT THE TOWN HALL CONSOLIDATION NEW LEADERSHIP THEATER PAGE 5 PAGE 14 PAGE 17 inside 2NEWS | april 10, 2014 College to Old Chapel Restructures Roles By Eliza Teach rent leave taken by Associate Vice Presi- Bob Cluss as the Dean of the Curriculum. dent Aline Germain-Rutherford to serve Gurland has an extensive background that Following the recent restructuring of will prepare her well for this new position. the Board of Trustees, July 1 will mark a Interactive Languages.” Award Six wide-sweeping change in faculty gover- Andi Lloyd, the current Dean of the on when I came to Middlebury was the nance. These changes come at a pivotal Faculty, will assume the newly created curriculum committee,” Gurland said. transition point for the College, as the “And at that time Bob Cluss was the chair new President will assume his position in the College Board of Overseers. She will of the committee, so I feel that I learned Honorary 2015. also take on the role of Vice President for from him and got a broad perspective on President Ronald D. Liebowitz wrote Academic Affairs. the College curriculum from that experi- in an all school email, “The transitional “I will work with the chair and vice- ence.” nature of the amended responsibilities chair of the College Board of Overseers Gurland has also served on the Educa- Degrees is intended to provide continuity for the to set the agenda for the year and pro- tional Affairs Committee and the Gover- College’s new leader, and also to allow for CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 vide materials for meetings,” Lloyd said. nance Working Group. important coordination with the Board “Probably the best way to think about it is “Serving on the educational affairs Kidjo’s blend of Afropop, Congolese and its new committee and governance that I am a liaison to the Trustees serving committee has given me a broad view of rumba, jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel structures.” on the College Board of Overseers.” the college and an appreciation for the The Board of Trustees is now organized and Latin music earned her the Grammy Tim Spears, the current Vice President similarities and differences among de- into three boards of overseers. There is a award for Best Contemporary World for Academic Affairs, will become the Vice partments and programs and how things one board of overseers for the College as Music in 2007. She is a native of Benin President for Academic Development. work in various parts of the curriculum,” and has worked as a UNICEF Goodwill Spears sees his new role as bringing the Gurland said. programs. Ambassador since 2002. Kidjo also per- needs of initiatives that might be bubbling All of the new roles will have a year to Shirley Collado, Dean of the College, up between faculty as well as different adjust under the leadership of Liebowitz formed at the College in the fall. She will will also become the Vice President for new and already existing programs to the before the new President assumes his po- be receiving an honorary Doctor of Arts Student Affairs. Steve Trombulak, Profes- sition in 2015. degree. sor of Biology and Environmental Studies, “It makes sense, I think, from the Pres- “The administrative transitions were Douglas, a recipient of a Doctor of will take on the role of Director of Scienc- ident’s perspective to have an adminis- timed so that President Liebowitz will Letters, founded Deep Sea Productions, es. Stephen Snyder, Professor of Japanese trator who is familiar with the academic - a publishing and documentary film com- cur,” Lloyd said. “This gives all of us a the Language Schools. pany that has chronicled the discovery of Advancement, the academic administra- year to get up to speed on both the new Liebowitz wrote in his email, “[Sny- over 100 underwater ruins. Douglas also tion and the faculty to develop new initia- positions and the new governance struc- serves as chairman of Sweden’s largest tives,” Spears said. ture, so when the new president comes in our language schools, the likely increased private marine survey company. Suzanne Gurland, currently an Associ- we should all be comfortable in our new collaborations between the Schools and ate Professor of Psychology, will succeed roles.” Levin will also receive a Doctor of Let- other parts of Middlebury, and the cur- ters. During his time as President Emeri- tus at Yale from 1993-2013, he launched the Yale Center for the Study of Global- ization and collaborated with the Na- SRI Panel Discusses Fossil Fuels tional University of Singapore to found By Emily Singer and engagement between investors and but sooner than we think, the consequenc- the first liberal arts college in Asia. companies has become much easier. es of our short-sighted vision and reluc- Mark, who will be receiving a Doctor On Monday, April 7, the College hosted its third panel on the subject of Socially Heim noted that sustainability reports tance to lead will imperil the fundamental of Laws, was the longest-serving leader Responsible Investing and the College’s have proven to be advantageous not only conditions that make life in a organized in Colgate-Palmolive’s history as a pub- endowment in the past 15 months. with regard to the relationship between society possible,” he said. lic company. He served on the College’s Six investment experts were invited to companies and managers or investors, but The panelists emphasized that there is Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1994 and speak on how fossil fuel investments are also between companies and employees, no right way to go about divesting, or any has been an avid proponent of faculty evaluated and how institutions such as the for employees are often more willing to right alternative to fossil fuel investments. scholarship, teaching and development. College can best incorporate Environmen- work for a company that promotes trans- Leighton suggested that those involved in The 2014 Middlebury College com- tal-Social-Governance (ESG) conscious- parency and boasts strong ESG practices. the divestment movement at the College mencement ceremony will be held on the ness into their investment process. The panelists noted that even clean speak to students at other colleges—par- lawn behind Voter beginning at 10 a.m. Vice President of Advisor Markets at energy investments, however, are not ticularly those that are managed by Inves- on Sunday, May 25. Pax World Tom Gainey, Managing Di- perfect. The mining of rare earth miner- - rector and Director of ESG Research and als, which are found in many phone and agers to make changes. Shareholder Engagement at Boston Com- computer batteries, as well as solar panels “I was pleased that all of the panelists mon Asset Management Steven Heim, and wind turbines, is an expensive and en- addressed fossil fuel divestment,” Greta Real Assets Director at Investure Jon Hill, vironmentally invasive process. Neubauer ’14.5 wrote in an email. “The Partner and Portfolio Manager at Trillium Throughout the evening, Hill empha- panelists made clear [during the panel and Asset Management Stephanie Leighton, sized Investure’s long-term outlook on in conversations afterward] that Middle- Senior Vice President of Essex Investment investments. He argued that many of the bury could divest if the College considered Management William Page and Proprie- company’s clients have been around for it to be a priority,” noting that she felt a tary Trading and Risk Management Team centuries and will be around for centuries “sense of inevitability” rooted in the in- member at Mariner Investment Group more, and so slower, steadier and more creasing number of socially responsible Akila Prabhakar served on the panel. promising investments are what they look options for investment due to the worsen- The panelists hail from different genres for. ing climate crisis. Diana Nyad will address the class of of work, ranging from advising to invest- Adrian Leong ’16 found Investure’s Jeannie Bartlett ’15, too, remains opti- stance to be problematic, however. mistic about the feasibility of divestment 2014 on Sunday, May 25. funds. “It was surprising for me to hear … that in the College’s future. The panel came on the heels of the Col- they [Investure] think they’re currently in- “In talking with a couple of the panel- lege’s announcement that, as of February vesting with a view of the long term,” Le- ists afterward, they said they think Inves- 28, a $25 million portion of the endow- ong wrote in an email. “As long as they are ture could create a separately managed ment will go toward investments that gen- investing in the fossil fuel industry, they fund that was fossil fuel free but otherwise erate social, environmental and economic are not doing that.” MCAB’s WHAT’S He alluded to United Nations Rap- “We would just have to ask them for it, value and are in keeping with good ESG practices. The $25 million represents ap- porteur Olivier De Schutter’s warning of which so far Patrick Norton and the trust- HAPPENING AT proximately three percent of the College’s a broken food system, prolonged poverty ees have been unwilling to do.” She added total endowment. that in giving a portion of the endowment Additionally, the College has placed current emission trends continue. to RISE, “we have already seen that they MIDDLEBURY? $150,000 of its endowment under the “Maybe we are still making money now, can create a separate fund.” management of the Research and Invest- Q&A Atwater Dinner ment and Social Equity (RISE) group, a Dig into pork ribs and hush puppies at the division of the Socially Responsible In- Q&A-hosted Southern Comfort dinner. vestment Club (SRI). RISE will be using the funds to invest in companies that meet WEDNESDAY AT 6 P.M. particular ESG standards. The group will present a report on the status of the fund Yoga with Sayre to the Investment Committee of the Board Unwind after a long week with some of Trustees each year. On April 7, RISE an- downward dog in Proctor Basement. - FRIDAY AT 1:30 P.M. ment funds. The panelists began by introducing Zumba themselves and explaining their work in Take a study break to dancercize in socially responsible investing, and tran- McCullough Social Space. sitioned into a discussion amongst them- SUNDAY AT 4 P.M. selves about working directly with com- Spring Formal panies to improve ESG-related practices Take it back to the Roaring Twenties at and about the complexity of clean energy the Great Gatsby-themed semi-formal. investments. A night of eclectic music starts off with The panelists agreed that, particularly performances by Will Cuneo and Icarus as climate change has moved to the fore- & The Wax Wings, D. Scott and Milk front of political dialogue in recent years, Chocolate and DJ Norris. Beer and wine companies have become more eager to ad- michael o’hara SATURDAY AT 9:30 P.M. dress workplace sustainability practices Jon Hill of Investure speaks to students and faculty at the SRI panel on April 7. april 10, 2014 | News 3 Class of 2018 Boasts 14.5% First Gen. Students CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 dent. “We have many more kids with aid Other factors are useful in determin- packages out there than we have the bud- ing whether Middlebury is a good fit for WELCOME, CLASS OF 2018 get for,” Buckles said. “But, we look year an applicant – “self-awareness” and “re- to year and have a pretty good idea of siliency” are two qualities that Buckles where we will end up.” and his team have found are important Recruited student-athletes make up to increasing the likelihood of a student STUDENTS WHO APPLY 11.5 percent of the admitted class. Due having a positive Middlebury experience. TOP 5 MOST REPRESENTED STATES: TO MIDD ALSO APPLY TO: to the smaller pool of admitted students, Buckles explained that these qualities al- Buckles said, this year Admissions was low students to take advantage of what is # more “focused” with coaches about the offered at Middlebury and, additionally, MA dartmouth number of recruits they could bring in. to give back. 1 The Admissions Office has also started “That creates a better roommate, a utilizing a new feature that makes it eas- better classmate, and a better commu- amherst ier for faculty in the arts departments to nity,” he said. evaluate work submitted by prospective With every graduating class, the Ad- students to afford students with excep- missions Office compares the academic williams tional artistic ability to be recognized and rating they gave students with students’ lend greater heft to their application. actual performance while at Middlebury. Buckles said the Admissions Office Buckles said that he has found that the IL NY bowdoin is as transparent about the admissions best indicator of success at Middlebury is CA process as possible. The Admissions Of- consistently the academic rating. (ALL 50 STATES, DC AND PUERTO RICO REPRESENTED) fice staff rates applicants on academics, Students have until May 1 to accept BROWN personal qualities and extra-curricular their spot in the Class of 2018. Once the activities, and then assigns the applicant Admissions Office is able to process ac- an overall rating. This system allows the ceptances, the composition of the en- planned financial aid: staff to attain a holistic view of the stu- rolled class will be available. $9,600,000 countries82 # admitted TARGET CLASS SIZE 1,422 --> 575
STUDENTS RECRUITED FIRST APPROXIMATE % 33.7% OF COLOR 11.5% ATHLETES 14.5% GENERATION 27% STUDENT ATHLETES
Rachel Frank Members of the track team staff the BiHall Kiosk as part of a fundraising effort. What’s going on this weekend at... Kiosk Opens in BiHall By Ellie Reinhardt organizations. For their help, the organi- Coffee and snacks are now available for the science buffs on campus thanks to the made while they work. Both GlobeMed and grand opening of a café kiosk in Bicentennial the Track and Field team have already gotten & Hall on Monday, March 31. involved with working at the café. Cannistra The installation of the café was prompted said that the program will work similarly to after a WetheMiddKids petition received 247 that of the Grille’s delivery service, which has votes and won the attention of the Student been very successful. Government Association (SGA). “[Chief of According to Co-President of GlobeMed Staff] Danny Zhang ’15 discovered that ef- Olivia Wold ’14, the organization received forts to put a café in BiHall had been begun 25 percent of the proceeds made while they The Milk Chocolate but were stalled” SGA President Rachel Lid- worked. She acknowledged that it offers clubs Project dell ’15 said. “We thought that a café in BiHall an opportunity to fundraise without all the would be amazing, so we began to pursue it.” planning and time commitment that often FRIDAY 9:00-11:00pm The SGA Senate voted unanimously to goes into a fundraising event. “The College The Milk Chocolate Project is a soul and support the petition and created a resolution does a great job both promoting new ideas Karaoke R&B cover band with smooth vocals and called S.C.I.E.N.C.E (Supporting Cafés In for fundraisers, like this one, and also provid- Environments of New Community Enhance- ing guidance when we have our own ideas,” FRIDAY 11:30-2:00am an infectious groove. Come hear some ment). she said. Join us for a night of special talent blues and your favorite Motown hits! The SGA worked with General Manager of The café, open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and fun at Late Night Karaoke. Retail Food Operations David Cannistra and then 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. On Mondays Special Assistant to the President David Do- through Fridays, Liddell speculated, they nahue to bring the petition to life. President “will provide sustenance and caffeine to hard- Dayve Huckett of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz approved working people. Students and faculty alike SATURDAY 8:00-10:00pm have communicated their desire for such a the movement to go forward with the project Dayve Huckett’s repertoire spans from about three weeks ago. place for some time.” Efforts to implement a café in BiHall go “The café will allow [students] to relax and Zappa to the Beatles and from Sting to as far back as 2006, according to Cannistra. have a cup of coffee and enjoy themselves,” Tommy Emmanuel, as well as his own The most recent attempt was last year but Cannista said. “It’s more of a service that we original music on classical, steel string, the plans were “a little too ambitious for the set up for the students than a money making and electric guitars. space” according to him. opportunity.” Because of past efforts though, the deci- According to Cannistra, the café has al- sion to move forward with the café was easy ready been a success. Blues Jam for the administration. Pub Night “[The café] seems likes it’s something 584 customers, and it was well received NEXT WEDNESDAY (16TH) that’s been needed on campus,” Cannistra by,faculty, staff and students alike,” he said. SATURDAY 9:00-11:00pm said. Along with the café in BiHall, the Rehears- Join Will Cuneo’s band “Icarus and the 8:00-10:00pm The café, located across from Armstrong als Café in the lower lobby of the Mahaney Waxwings” on Pub Night this week- Join us every 3rd Wednesday for Blues Library, includes a kiosk of coffee and small Center for the Arts re-opened on April 1 for end. Alcohol will be served for those Jam. Dennis Willmott from Left Eye Jump snacks with in addition to more substantial the rest of the spring semester. 21+ with two forms of ID. will provide lead guitar, bass, and drums food such as sushi from Sushi with Gusto. “This started because [President Liebow- “We really just want to get up and going itz] wanted a sense of community … where and these guys will back you up or take with this so I think it’s just going to stay [a ki- people could meet and have a cup of coffee a break and let you play. All musicians osk]” Cannistra said. “[BiHall] is such a beau- and hang out. I think that was the driving and blues fans are welcome! Everyone factor. [President Liebowitz] was looking for tiful space. They don’t want to do anything to will get a chance to play. permanently change the place.” a sense of community, as far as the CFA as The café will be run in part by student well.” 4NEWS | april 10, 2014 $800k Grant 23 Celebrate 25 Years at College By Vivian Guo tions and what has made such a long While faculty spoke to the level of free- This year 23 faculty and staff members commitment worth it, the professors dom and support that the school offers Awarded were inducted into the College’s 25 Year unanimously answered the students. them to conduct research and grow as an Club recognizing those who have contrib- “It’s the students. You guys make all academic, the staff also described work- uted 25 years worth of service to the com- the difference in our lives,” said Chris- ing for the College as rewarding. for Digital munity. This not only includes profes- tian A. Johnson Professor and Chair of “Middlebury is a great employer,” sors, but also the staff the Department of the History of Art and Corbin said. “I’ve been fortunate to work Architecture Cynthia that are responsible “... it feels like you have to with presidents who value the staff, the for administrative af- Packert. faculty, the students, the parents highly Scholarship As Chair, she has fairs and the welfare put your best self forward and want people to feel safe and comfort- By Allie Cohen of the students. because it’s essential a crucial role in hir- able coming to work.” “All the members ing and reviewing Much has changed in 25 years, and the Digital scholarship and research has be- to the whole learning contracts and tenure come crucial to a liberal arts education and of the 25 Year Club College is a different place than the one are invited back for tracks for the depart- two decades ago. Joy Pile who works at dynamic.” ment. steps to implement it more fully. The Col- a reception in May,” Library and Information Services spoke “When you walk lege recently received an $800,000 grant said Thomas Corbin, cynthia packert about how technology has changed the Christian a. johnson professor and chair of the into a classroom of from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for one of this year’s in- way the library runs. department of history of art and architecture a project entitled “Galvanizing Digital Lib- ductees who works in smart, really engaged “When I first came to Middlebury we eral Arts at Middlebury”. the Assistant Trea- students…. it feels were still filing catalog cards,” she said. The grant was proposed by a group of surer’s Office. “It’s like you have to put At the same time advances like digi- faculty and staff including Professor Tim kind of a gathering of the history of the your best self forward because it’s essen- tal books and the speeds of inter-library Spears, vice president for academic affairs, college.” tial to the whole learning dynamic,” she loans have drastically impacted the ease along with Professor of Film and Media Cul- The reception will be held this year on said. with which research can be done. May 29 in the McCullough Social Space. ture and American Studies Jason Mittell, Thomas Manley, a Visiting Assistant Corbin, who has also worked in human At the gathering, President of the Col- Professor of Geography Anne Knowles, Dean Professor of Geology, praised the work resources, administrative processing and lege Ronald D. Liebowitz will share some for Faculty Development and Research and that students have completed throughout insurance prior to settle down in Treasur- of the College’s history, while personally Director of the Center for Teaching, Learn- the years. er’s Office said, “I think colleges are one ing, and Research (CTLR) Jim Ralph, Dean congratulating and taking pictures with “The one really great thing is that the of the last places where you would actu- of Library and Information services and the inductees, who receive a pin that of- oceanography course that we teach here ally stay in a career for 25 years ... Colleg- ficially marks them as exceptional mem- is one where students actively participate es have a longevity that is different from Director of Collections, Archives, and Digital bers of the College community. in very important research for the Lake,” When asked what about their posi- business.” Scholarship Rebekah Irwin. he said. “We want to think about how technology is being used on our campus,” Spears said. “We’re paying particular attention to the Da- vis Family Library and we want to make a Gensler to Explore Queer Studies space that is literally more visible [as a place for technological innovation and usage].” By Philip Bohlman forts of creative resistance. Davis Family Library will be the center of The sixth annual Gensler Symposium Associate Professor of Sociology, Gender, Dr. Suzanna Walters of Northeastern the project’s work in hopes that the project will take place from April 14 through April Sexuality and Feminist Studies Laurie Es- University will give the symposium’s sec- will reach many different people on campus. 18 and will include a student-led discus- sig. ond lecture and will discuss the difference sion, a poetry workshop, and lectures by The weeklong symposium will begin between tolerance, acceptance, and univer- greatly from the grant. visiting scholars. Entitled “Sexual Straight- with MiddQUEER, a student-led discus- sal civil rights. “[The Film and Media Culture depart- jacket & Queer Escapes,” it will highlight sion about sexual/gender identity and sex- “Both of these scholars combine queer ment] is fully invested in the use of digital the relevance of queer studies and queer technologies in their teaching and research,” uality at Middlebury. theory and feminist scholarship to provide scholarship in a liberal arts environment. Spears said. Students will have the unique opportu- us with deeper understandings of how our The Gensler Family Symposium on Mittell also believes the Film and Media nity to engage in a poetry workshop with desires are molded by gender, race, class Culture department, as well as others, will Feminism in a Global Context was estab- Sister Outsider, a duo of acclaimed female and citizenship,” said Essig. take their status as leaders among liberal lished in 2008 by alumna Drue Cortell slam poets Denice Frohman and Domi- Walters’ lecture will be followed by the arts colleges and improve even more with Gensler ’57. The annual conference focuses nique Christina. Their poetry is concerned opening of the Guerrilla Girls exhibition, the help of the grant. on transnational feminist issues in the new with the intersections of gender, sexuality, with a performance by Guerilla Girl Frida “The Geography department is a leader millennium. Previous Gensler events have race and culture. The workshop will be fol- Khalo. amongst liberal arts colleges for using GIS analyzed the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, lowed with a performance by Sister Outsid- This year’s Symposium was organized … What’s unique about our program here is neoliberal capitalist formations, citizen- er and student poets. by Essig, Gender, Sexuality and Feminism that [it] is really interdisciplinary [because] ship, language and body image through a we have people who are social scientists and The symposium will include two outside Program Coordinator Madeleine Winter- feminist lens. speakers. Dr. Nikki Young of Bucknell Uni- falcon and Professor of Gender, Sexuality people who are humanists,” Mittell said. “This year’s theme is meant to high- Geography is another department that versity will give a talk titled “I am NOT that and Feminist Studies Sujata Moorti. Co- light the relationship between feminist and will be able to use the grant to expand its Hungry: Creative Resistance, Black Queers, sponsors for the event include the Center already extensive digital simulations and queer studies in part because the Queer and Family.” Dr. Young focuses on the role for the Comparative Study of Race and Eth- mapping systems. Studies House has been at Middlebury for of capitalism in establishing a value system nicity and The American Studies Spiegel In addition to bolstering the Davis Fam- that oppresses black queers and their ef- Family Fund. ily Library and various departments, the grant will allow for other important projects to take shape. One such project will imple- ment a Digital Faculty Fellows program and Discussing a Social a Digital Research Assistants program for community council Honor Code students. These programs will encourage faculty By David Yang in 2006 the topic was discussed but idea of a Social Honor Code to the Lan- to do research in different areas as well as On Tuesday, April 8, Community “didn’t move forward because Commu- guage Pledge in place at the Middlebury provide collaborative opportunities for stu- Council met to discuss the idea of a So- dents with their professors. There will also nity Council at the time felt strongly that Language Schools during the summer. cial Honor Code, a topic that has been be four “innovation hubs” created as part of the entire community needed to endorse “The whole idea of that you come and debated during various meetings since the project. These include geospatial visual- the Honor Code,” according to Dean of you are signing this document in front ization, video and audio production, digiti- last September. When the Council dis- the College and Community Council Co- of your school saying I’m going to follow zation of special collections, and multimedia cussed dorm damage, hard alcohol poli- Chair Shirley Collado. this rule is [why a lot of students come],” art. cies and party registration, many mem- “There was huge consensus around said Escobedo. The group who proposed the project bers often mentioned how a social honor the value of having these standards, but A few members also discussed chang- was passionate about incorporating digital code would solve, or at least, alleviate, the students really felt strongly that the ing the culture around the Honor Code. humanities because they are such a rapidly existing problems. faculty and staff needed to sign it and “During orientation we went through - The idea of a Social Honor Code is that they too would live by an Honor an Honor Code ceremony where all our cation. not new, having been discussed year Code system here,” she said. FYCs and Res-Life staff talked about “Everyone had a piece in the development after year by Community Council and At the time, faculty members resisted their experience with the Honor Code of the ideas for the grant and the writing of it broached by the Student Government the idea of signing such a code. “There and what was never brought up was the Association (SGA) back in 2001 in the Relations] pulled the proposal together and was discomfort in being required or ex- social aspect,” said Reid Manheim ’17. sent it off to the Mellon Foundation… with form of a social component to the exist- pected to sign something that students “So if that is something you can ingrain the president’s signature. Really, a great ing Honor Code. The interest in the idea were required to sign,” said Collado. in freshmen really early on, you can have team effort, all the way around,” Spears said. has not diminished in recent years. Last Instead, some of the ideas that came a true change of culture.” “What can we learn about history that January, after reports and surveys of in- out of the discussions surrounding a new “We are actually striving to create digital maps can teach us that we can’t other- cidents of academic dishonesty, the SGA Social Honor Code were brought about an experience here that actually can’t wise know just by using more traditional re- Honor Code Committee conducted a sur- in the form of community standards. be replicated at any other point in your search methods? How can we communicate vey about the Honor Code and its future. “The community standards emerged life,” said Collado about the purpose of to people using tools like video and audio on Conflicting views currently exist on because there were clear standards for creating a Social Honor Code. “You have a website that’s different from the written campus about the topic of the Honor each of the other communities,” said a moment in your life when not only are word? What types of analysis of culture can Code. “You have a part of the campus emerge by using computational methods?” Dean of Students Doug Adams. “Staff you learning all kinds of things academi- [wanting] to diminish or get rid of the Professor Mittell posed these questions have a very clear set of standards, faculty cally but on a human level you are in- as a way of thinking about the possibilities Honor Code we have,” said Blake Shap- have a clear code of ethics and respon- teracting [with others] in a residential of digital humanities. He and the other pro- skinsky ’15, “then you have another part sibilities but students didn’t at the time community… If you can’t do it here, I fessors involved in proposing the grant have of the campus [wanting] to expand it.” have [such a set of standards.]” fundamentally believe, you can’t leave - A Social Honor Code would require Brook Escobedo, ex-officio of Middle- this place and practice those core values portant presence at the College. the whole community to sign it. Back bury Language Schools, compared the the rest of your life.” local Vt. House Considers School District Overhaul
By Conor Grant and school districts in Vermont persists Vermont’s education may be in in modern Vermont. The average num- for an historical overhaul if legislation ber of students per Vermont school dis- passed in Vermont’s house of represen- trict is just 313 students, which is less tatives last month passes at the end of than one tenth of the national average, this legislative cycle. according to a 2009 report. The proposed bill, H.883, would Opinion on school board consolida- radically consolidate public education tion is mixed in Vermont, and each side in Vermont by reducing the number of of the argument has vocal advocates and school districts in the state from 273 to opponents. 50 in the next five years. Proponents of school board consoli- Historically, the dation argue that Vermont public edu- “Are you going to cut pooled financial re- cation system has sources will enable struggled to reconcile your music program small schools and impulses for local gov- or your art program? school districts to ernance with the finan- diversify the edu- cial benefits of consoli- That’s where [Ver- cational offerings dation, available to stu- In 1777, Vermont’s mont] is headed if we dents. Courtesy of protection in pink state constitution don’t do governance “Are you going was the first in Eng- to cut your music Brandon High School, pictured above, was abandoned in 1961 when the Otter lish-speaking North change.” program or are you Valley Union High School opened. Most Vermont schools are resistant to clo- America to mandate going to cut your art sure in spite of dwindling resources, but soon other Vermont schools may be universal public fund- program?” asks Dan forced to close if the H.883 ball passes through the House and the Senate. ing for education. This Dan french French, superin- boards unto themselves and thereby initial mandate led to tendant of the Ben- rejecting the consolidation bill. Superintendant of the bennington constituted more than 2,500 school the creation of a num- n i n g t o n - R u t l a n d In a statement issued by the Rutland -rutland supervisory union boards across the state — to consolidate ber of tiny, indepen- Supervisory Union. Northeast and Rutland Addison supervi- into localized school districts. dent village elementary “That’s where [Ver- sory unions, the board stated their belief These original districts were created schools. mont] is heading if that “eliminating local school board gov- in accordance with historical settlement The importance of we don’t do gover- ernance is not conducive to promoting patterns in order to maintain cohesive agriculture in the early development of nance change.” our democratic ideals and fostering so- local value systems. Vermont’s residential landscape created Proponents think that consolida- cial capital.” In most cases, settlement patterns a highly diffuse population across the tion will afford students in rural districts The Vermont Superintendents As- lined up neatly with town boundaries, state — and a highly diffuse network of the opportunity of sharing teachers and sociation endorses the bill, but the Ver- and therefore the 1892 legislation had public schools across the state to provide other educational resources that individ- mont School Boards Association has the effect of incorporating numerous education to all corners of the state. ual districts would not be able to afford declined to adopt a formal stance due to schools within towns into a single school In the nineteenth century, migra- them individually. the diversity of opinion among members district — thereby reducing the costs of tion to Vermont swelled due to increased Critics of consolidation are equally of the association. operating up to 8 school districts in a prosperity and the success of Vermont’s vocal. Most detractors The conversation about consolida- single town. agricultural industry. of school board con- tion is far from over. Steve Dale, head In 1896, the The simultaneous increase in agri- solidation cite the loss of the Vermont School Boards Associa- “[The consolidation con- state passed legis- cultural productivity and overall popu- of venerated schools tion, reminds his colleagues and fellow lation that enabled lation led to an increased school-going and of local influence versation] requires us to citizens that “[the consolidation conver- individual dis- population that remained spread out on education as detri- sation] requires us to strike a balance strike a balance between tricts to form “su- through the state due to the continued mental byproducts of between the students and the taxpayers pervisory unions” importance of the agricultural sector. consolidation. the students and the tax- [and] balance that with our deep love of in which individ- The diffuse network of tiny schools Vermont schools payers [and] balance that ual districts still may be generally continued to con- small, but they are re- with our deep love of our trol hiring, bud- liant on the input of very, very local democrat- getary decisions local people for edu- and policy deci- cational policy. Critics ic processes.” sions while jointly of consolidating policy electing a largely measures argue that nominal “super- eliminating school Steve dale intendent” meant districts would under- Head of vt school boards association to liaise between mine local control by school boards and putting undue power federal tax pur- in the hands of rep- veyors. resentatives from larger towns — at the Beyond the town-scale consolida- expense of students in small towns who tion, however, Vermont schools have would have benefitted from specialized resisted any attempts to further merge education. administrative bodies. “Access to decision makers and lo- Since the 1896 decision, though, the cal community involvement is what many large-scale attempts to continue makes Vermont successfully tick and our the process of consolidation by merg- schools succeed,” said Debra Stoleroff, ing school districts have floundered. The director of the Renaissance Program at school district landscape has remained Twinfield Union High School in Plain- largely unchanged, therefore, since the Courtesy Vt geo alliance field, Vt. 1892 consolidation. The above map shows all of the coun- In addition to the argument that In 2010, the state legislature passed ties in Vermont — many of which con- small schools are more attuned to the Act 153, the Voluntary School District tain ten or more school districts. needs of students, opponents of con- Merger Act, which offered town school solidation have also voiced concerns our very, very local democratic process- boards a number of incentives to con- over the lost social benefits of small- es.” solidate. An interim report published town schools. Stoleroff says that small, The bill still has to go through the by U.V.M.’s Jeffords research center in local schools serve an important social state’s Ways and Means and Appropria- 2013, however, confirmed what many function by fostering higher graduation tions committees before it undergoes fi- education commentators had already re- rates, discouraging risky behavior and nal deliberation in the house — and then alized — that the act was ineffective at mitigating the divisiveness of poverty. the state Senate must still deliberate on encouraging consolidation. The H.833 Bill does not mark the the bill. The huge surge in debate, how- A number of school boards have al- first time that Vermonters will consider ever, seems to foreshadow continued ready issued formal statements in re- consolidation at a large scale, however. consideration of educational consolida- Courtesy vpr sponse to the passage of the H.883 bill In 1892, Vermont’s state legislature tion and perhaps a dramatic shift in Ver- Charlotte Albright is a concerned Dan- in the house. On March 26, the Rutland required that Vermont schools — which mont’s school-board landscape in the ville resident who articulated her con- Northeast and Rutland Addison supervi- all functioned as independent school near future. cerns about the dangers of school con- sory unions passed resolutions formally solidation at a recent local meeting. 6 Local | April 10, 2014 CCTA Services Resume After Strike Local By Conor Grant 10 On Friday, April 4th, Chitten- lowdown den County Transportation Authority (CCTA) buses resumed their regularly First Time Investing Workshop scheduled routes. This decision came after a tense, Confused by the stock ticker at the bottom 18-day standoff between CCTA manage- of your news program of choice? Unsure ment leaders and drivers came to an end. what NASDAQ, DOW and S&P really The CCTA board of commission- mean? Head on over to Orwell Free Li- ers and representatives of the bus driv- brary for an investing workshop oriented ers produced a three-year contract after days of deliberation. The board of com- of the First National Bank will show at- missioners then ratified the contract tendees the tricks of the trade. For more with a 53 – 6 vote. information call 802-948-2041. The drivers, who were represented by the Teamsters Local 597 chapter, saw APR. 10, 6:30 – 8 P.M. the contract as a great victory for work- ing-class Vermonters and for the trans- portation industry in the state. Fiber Arts Exhibit in Brandon After long negotiations, the two par- ties agreed to fix a 2 percent raise into Old man winter may be leaving Ver- the salary of all CCTA drivers for each mont, but artistic winter quilts have just year of the three-year contract. Further- arrived. Come celebrate the opening of more, the CCTA management made pro- “Fabri-cations: Fabric and Fiber,” an visions for a number of workplace con- exhibit of textile art ranging from quilts cerns that were expressed by dissatisfied to home decor at the Compass Music and Arts Center in Brandon. The exhibit will drivers. Courtesy of vpr Chief among the arguments levied A number of striking drivers took to the streets with signs for public support. be open until June 15. For more informa- by the drivers were concerns about shift tion visit their website, at lengthening, overly strict rules and pen- to work,” said driver Rob Slingerland. handing out leaflets and starting conver- www.cmacvt.org. alties, part-time hiring policies, undue “We’re looking around at our fellow driv- sations with other community members APR. 11, 5 – 7:30 P.M. invasions of privacy and the observance ers and understanding just how unified about CCTA working conditions. of religious holidays. [we] became through this. And we fully At the conclusion of the contractual Drivers had been frustrated with understand we’ve got to stay unified.” negotiations, the drivers walked away working conditions for months preced- A large swath of the greater Burling- with what they considered a victory for ing the climactic strike, and they were ton community was significantly affected themselves and for their customers. The Trail Maintenance Workshop happy to have their conditions met by by the lengthy strike. More than 10,000 63 drivers who attended the final nego- Take the path less traveled, and head on the management. They are also generally regular CCTA customers had to find al- tiation meting expressed thanks to the over to the Waterworks property in Bris- excited to return to work. ternate means of transportation options many community members who demon- tol for a workshop on hiking trail mainte- “We’re looking forward to going back for the weeks during which the strike strated their solidarity and support dur- nance and design. Conservation forester was taking place. Among those negative- ing the strike. David Brynn and hydro-geologist Kristen ly affected by the strike were students at “It’s a very good feeling to know Underwood will teach participants how the University of Vermont (UVM) and at that somebody’s got our backs when the to design, construct and maintain forest Burlington public schools. times got tough and we ended up strik- trails. The event is free and requires no “These past few weeks have been ing,” said Slingerland. “[The community pre-registration. For more information very challenging for Vermonters who members] were there. Now it’s time to and directions to the site, call 802-453- count on CCTA every day to get to ap- pay that back.” 7728. pointments, to work and to school,” said Commuters in the area are happy to Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin. have the bus schedule back on track, and APR. 12, 9 – 12 P.M. As the strike was going on, a num- many have been even happier to real- ber of community members mobilized ize that the CCTA has offered local bus to assist the drivers and the Teamsters rides at no expense for the first half of group that represented them. Members this week in an effort to apologize for in- Pancake Breakfast in Addison of other unions, students and general lo- convenience caused to customers during cal residents assisted in strike efforts by Courtesy of wptz the strike. Looking for a change in your dining? CCTA posted signs about the strike. Head over to the Addison Fire Station and take advantage of this wonderful and unique Sunday morning event. The event a number of titillating beverage choices. This is a great way to kick off a beautiful spring day!
APR. 13, 7 – 11 A.M.
VANR Public Meeting
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resourc- es will hold a public meeting aimed at stimulating discourse around the draft of the South Lake Champlain Tactical Basin Plan. The plan details the conditions of surface waters and local habitats, water quality problems, and a host of other issues. Come and make your voice heard in this important local issue. For more information call 802-786-2503.
APR. 15, 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.
Vergennes Community Meeting
All government is local — just ask Alexis de Tocqueville. Want to see how it func- tions? The second meeting in the Ver- gennes Community Visit, which aims to bring the community together to set “com- mon goals” will meet this Wednesday. At the last meeting, over 100 concerned resi- dents shared their opinions on a variety of local issues. For more information on Submit your caption on Facebook or Instagram and the event, call 802-223-6091 or visit their website [email protected]. the best will be featured in next week’s issue! APR. 16, 6:30 – 9 P.M.
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