Dr. Jason P. Briner spreads the word about the effects of global climate change on ice sheets

Posted by Tara Lerman At 5:00 p.m. on Friday Feb. 22 the Geosciences department presented its annual Lester W. Strock lecture in Davis Auditorium, which featured a talk by geologist and State University of Buffalo professor Jason P. Briner on the effects of climate change on the polar ice sheets. Students and community members filled nearly all of the seats in the auditorium.

Dr. Briner began his presentation of "The Response of Ice Sheets to Abrupt Climate Change" by showing the audience a photograph of the Greenland ice sheet that he took last summer. He explained that global temperatures have experienced a warming trend in the last 100 years and supported his findings with a surface temperature anomaly map.

Briner focused on two ice sheets, one located in the Antarctic and the other around Greenland. Each season, a larger percentage of the ice sheets melt than in previous years. Last July, nearly 97% of the Greenland ice sheet melted.

After presenting a background of the effects of climate change on the Greenland ice sheets, Dr. Briner introduced some of the work he is currently doing in Greenland. He conducts fieldwork with a small group of SUNY Buffalo students for a period of a few weeks. He and his students determine the timing of glacier movements by dating rocks using a cosmogenic isotope.

"If we know the rate of 10-Beryllium production, and we take a rock sample, we can determine the rate at which it is produced and the age of the rock's surface can be calculated," explained Briner.

So what's next for this geologist? Although his work in Greenland is not yet completed, Dr. Jason Briner will soon head to northern Alaska to test the effect of climate change on the ocean.

Feminist and social activist Gloria Steinem visits Skidmore College

Posted by Kate Butler

Hordes of eager students, faculty and community members packed into the Arthur Zankel Music Center on Thursday Feb. 21 to listen to Gloria Steinem, legendary social justice activist, feminist, editor and writer speak about the modern feminist movement.

American Studies professor Rebecca "Beck" Krefting described the importance of Ms. Steinem's impact in her life in a hilarious, yet deeply personal introduction. Krefting focused on Steinem's crucial role in reevaluating the American ideal of beauty through the founding of Ms. Magazine, and the lesson she learned in "how to be proud to be myself; how not to be ashamed."

When Steinem took the stage, she immediately established a rapport with the audience, emphasizing the importance of personal connection and empathy, and admitting her own fear of public speaking. This fear was hard to detect throughout the engrossing and thought-provoking lecture, which alternated between moments of serious discussion and unexpected bursts of humor that kept the audience entranced and amused.

Although her lecture covered a range of topics, Steinem generally focused on the future of social change, with a strong emphasis on women's rights. According to Steinem, the greatest obstacle society must overcome is its tendency to halt social movements before their completion. She maintains that society must understand lessons from the past in order to continue to make change in the future.

Social change becomes achievable through perseverance and efforts to reform policy. Steinem seemed hopeful for the future, insisting that this "country is escaping the old hierarchical ways of thinking" about such issues as sex and race. Steinem has explored the origins of social hierarchies by studying historical cultures and the ways in which hierarchies develop over time. Constructions of gender and race that dominate modern social systems did not always exist as they do today, she says.

Throughout her lecture, Steinem maintained her broad theme of social justice movements and the vital human links that connect them all and make them relevant to us all. "We are linked, not ranked," she summarized, after a discussion of women's historical descent into inequality, and the ramifications that degradation of women holds for all people. She insisted we must remember that our bodies "are instruments, not ornaments" and we should treat them, and those of others, accordingly.

Steinem closed her talk by looking to the future of the feminist movement and social justice movements in general. With her final words, she predicted, "Not only will we see ourselves as linked, but we will see our movements as linked."

Adventures in Madrid

Posted by Julia Leef

Saludos!

One of Skidmore College's biggest attractions for me was the college campus and surroundings-a small town that wasn't too urban and reminded me a lot of where I grew up. I based my decision to live in Madrid instead of rural Alcala primarily on the courses available to me at the University of Madrid rather than the environment. I didn't think there would be much opportunity to get out of the city without planning a weekend excursion.

As it turns out, there are a lot of places to visit in Madrid only a metro ride away that give one the opportunity to get the city air and the cigarette smoke out of her lungs. Some of my favorite places thus far have been the Parque del Retiro and La Casa del Campo, both less than 20 minutes from my apartment.

El Parque del Retiro, or the Buen Retiro Park, is one of the largest parks in Madrid, boasting 350 acres of monuments, galleries and a lake. The park was originally built as a retreat for the royal family in 1505, and subsequent rulers ordered additions to be made to the park, including gardens, a ballroom, and a military museum, the Museo del Ej??rcito.

After the overthrow of Queen Isabella in 1868, the park opened up to the public, and today it is a popular location for joggers, bikers, picnickers and musicians alike. As it did for the royal family, the park serves as a great center of entertainment for the people, hosting free concerts, puppet shows and street performances during the warmer seasons of the year. People can also rent rowboats on the artificial Estanque lake, or take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Although I have only been to the Retiro once so far, I certainly plan to go again. In addition to the places I've already mentioned, there is also a crystal palace that features different art galleries and exhibits throughout the year. Another section of the park is home to dozens of peacocks, which wander about freely, much to the tourists' and small children's delight. It will be a wonderful place to visit in the springtime.

The other not so small rural getaway comes in the form of the Casa de Campo, which is five times the size of New York City's Central Park and used to be a royal hunting estate, although, like the Retiro, it is now open to the public.

This park has numerous hiking trails, mountain biking courses, the Madrid Zoo, an eye-in-the-sky ride (here called a telef??rico), and even a small amusement park. The park also holds historical significance as the site of the front lines of the Siege of Madrid during the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939.

Many people may be surprised to hear that there is such a prime hiking spot on the outskirts of the city, but there are some very lovely panoramic views of Madrid from this nearby retreat. It's a great place for the motivated athlete or enthused nature-lover to spend the day, and I'm sure I could visit it every week until I leave and still find someplace new each time.

Un abrazo,
Julia 

The Loving Story: a simple desire for equality

Posted by Alex Mintz

Richard Loving, a white man, and Mildred Loving, a black and Native American woman, contacted the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) in 1964 with the simple desire to live together in their home county without fear of arrest and jail time. With the aid of young lawyers Bernard Cohen and Philip Hirschkop, the couple found themselves fighting for equality in one of the most influential Supreme Court rulings of the civil rights movement.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the Media Room at Scribner Library, the Office of Student Diversity Programs aired the 2012 documentary The Loving Story, directed by Nancy Buirski.

The Loving Story details the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia: 388 U.S. 1 (1967) which ultimately ruled: "Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State. These convictions must be reversed." This case stands as a landmark civil rights Supreme Court decision and still influences current judicial rulings and legislation.

Richard and Mildred Loving were born in the same small town in northern Virginia, met each other in their teen years and eventually married in 1959. Interracial marriage was banned in Virginia at the time, so the couple traveled to Washington D.C. They returned to their hometown in Virginia and went about their lives as normal, until, from an anonymous tip, the police broke into the Loving's home and arrested them for intermarriage.

With the choice of a year in prison or exile from the state of Virginia, the couple chose to be exiled. However, living in D.C. proved difficult and Richard and Mildred found themselves sneaking back into Virginia to be with family and friends. When the underground visits became too much to bear, Mildred wrote a letter to Attorney General Robert Kennedy asking for help. Kennedy responded sympathetically, and referred the Loving's to the ACLU.

The ACLU paired the family with Bernard Cohen and Philip Hirschkop, who fought hard through many appeals and many courts to reach the Supreme Court. The lawyers appealed the Supreme Court with the Loving's case and won, effectively ending legislative racial marriage inequality in the United States.

After the screening, a short discussion ensued about the ACLU, racism, and equal treatment before the law. Several students in attendance pointed out similarities between discrimination against same-sex couples and interracial couples. The sentiment in the room was hopeful that a decision similar to Loving v. Virginia would pass soon for same-sex marriage in the Supreme Court. Several students observed, "It's all about love!"

"One thing that was powerful was the fact that the film showed how much they loved each other," one student commented. "To them, the whole case was more about simple needs and love than about civil rights." The story of the Loving's was not about fame or power, but about a very simple desire for equality that led to the Loving v. Virginia landmark case. 

Shaman Ray Crist invites Skidmore community to unplug from technology

Posted by Gabrielle Gignoux-Wolfsohn

"There are remedies for what ails our society, but we must take control." With these words, Rick Chrisman, director of the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life at Skidmore College, introduced Shaman Ray Crist to an audience of students and Saratoga community members in Wilson Chapel on Sunday, Feb. 17.

Students and community members were invited to take a break from work and the technology-driven world for a yoga demonstration that was a part of the annual month-long competition Skidmore Unplugged.

Crist used an interactive style, combining lecture, humor and demonstration to keep the yoga class upbeat and intriguing. He began the lecture with terminology that connects the ancient practice of yoga to our modern world and subsequently offered his own analogy that yoga could be the restart button. It provides a way to improve yourself by refreshing both your mind and body. He introduced the idea that yoga is not a religion or a philosophy but a technique.

For the majority of the lecture, Crist focused on the connection between physicality and mentality and introduced the concept of Sanskara. Sanskara, he explained, is the pain we subconsciously harbor after hurtful experiences. This subconscious pain exposes itself in our physicality. Crist explained that we all carry scars, which affect the way we interact with each other and provide a negative cycle of experiences. Yet we can hit the restart button by opening our minds and bodies through the practice of yoga.

In an effort to appeal to every person in the room, Crist made the demonstration fairly basic. He did not focus on challenging moves, but rather emphasized how important and crucial the basic positions can be.

Throughout the demonstration, Crist incorporated humor and lecture elements. While the participants assumed the warrior position, Crist asked for adjectives that describe "masculinity" and "femininity." He went on to explain that in warrior pose, one opens one's body to both qualities and channels the strengths that accompany each.

While engaged in a particularly painful a variation of a squat, Crist told the audience that the name for this pose translates into "the awkward pose," or as his former teacher liked to call it, "the public restroom pose." These comments kept the energy in the room flowing and allowed the practice to be both meaningful and challenging but simultaneously light-hearted.

An air of calm pervaded the room after the demonstration concluded. Participants lingered around Wilson Chapel, perhaps not ready to move as quickly as the world outside demanded.

Crist is founder of The Jaguar Path, a yoga and shaman institution. In 2002, Crist was diagnosed with cancer. He was told that he would need a series of surgeries and that he might only have three months to live. At that point, he made a life-altering decision: to forgo the surgeries and instead to travel the world visiting various spiritual leaders and healers.

The Quero Indians in the Andes of Peru initiated him as a healer and leader. Alive and healthy today, Crist seeks to spread the power of the practice of yoga, the power of balancing both mind and body. This lesson was well received by students and community members, and is an important one to always keep in mind during stressful, study-intensive weeks. 

Renowned recording engineer Ken Scott to give lecture March 6

"From Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust," a lecture-presentation by recording engineer Ken Scott, is scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, in Filene Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

At Abbey Road, Scott recorded the Beatles for Magical Mystery Tour and the "white" album before moving to Trident Studios, where he worked with George Harrison on All Things Must Pass and co-produced David Bowie albums, including The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.  Other performers he has recorded include Jeff Beck, America, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Duran Duran, Mary Hopkin, Elton John, John Lennon, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, and Ringo Starr.  

During his Wednesday visit to Skidmore, Scott will meet with students in the "1960s British Rock and Pop" class  and the "Music and Media" seminar, both taught by Professor Gordon Thompson. 

Sustainability in Spain

Posted by Julia Leef

In honor of the annual Skidmore Unplugged competition, I thought I'd take this time to talk about some of the efforts that the people of Spain undertake on a daily basis to conserve energy in their homes.

Spain, like most of Europe, currently suffers from a severe economic crisis that has persisted for the past five years. The crisis has produced high unemployment rates (24.4% as of March 2012, with a 50% rate of unemployment for youths under 25 years old), and a growing need to conserve resources. As such, one must abide by rules and limits to help lower the use of these resources, especially water and electricity.

Showers are limited to five to ten minutes here, and host families can be very strict about abiding by this rule, since the longer showers that many of us might be used to in the United States would waste a great amount of water.

Lights are also important to keep track of here. Whenever you leave a room, lights must go off, no matter your location in the house. In my apartment complex, lights in the main stairwell and lobby are turned off unless someone activates a switch on one of the floors, which will later turn off again after a certain amount of time. This way, no light is kept on unnecessarily when no one is around.

Many Spanish homes, especially apartments,, don't have dishwashers or dryers. People wash dishes by hand and hang clothes to dry on a terrace or line. While air-drying clothes is efficient in warmer weather, the method can take several hours to most of the day to dry.

The one exception to this energy conservation process seems to be watching television. People turn on the television at dinner and leave it on for most of the night, even when people are not actually watching it. My host mother, for instance, will often take the television into the bedroom with her to watch as she falls asleep.

In many families, watching the television serves as a social event and form of relaxation, even if it is not exactly an environmentally friendly one. If this is the one exception to the rule it still leaves the household in fairly good shape.

While the typical Skidmore student may not be able to invest in some of these energy-saving methods (hanging clothes outside to dry in Saratoga weather, for example, would only result in frozen laundry), he or she can switch off the lights during the day if it's light enough outside, or wash a few dishes instead of running the dishwasher.

Good luck in this year's competition, and don't be afraid to continue practicing those energy-saving habits after it's over!

Un abrazo,
Julia

Julia Leef is a junior at Skidmore currently studying abroad in Spain. She worked for the Skidmore News as Editor in Chief in the fall and is a contributing columnist this semester. 

Why Read Aloud?: the Megan Rogers Annual Festival

Posted by Kate Butler

On Wednesday Feb. 13, Skidmore students and faculty gathered at the Surrey Williamson Inn to listen, laugh, appreciate and read aloud selections of poetry and prose to members of the College community at the Megan Rogers Annual Festival.

Professor Michael Marx opened the event by entreating the audience to "make no favorites," despite the preference for the unadulterated beauty of literature in its native tongue. He discussed the cultural differences of reading aloud in other languages, specifically referencing China and Cameroon, the native countries of Professor Mao Chen and Angela Botiba'15, who shared poems in their original languages.

Before the recitations began, Professor Susan Kress gave a brief history of the Megan Rogers Annual Festival. She revealed its ties to Skidmore alumna and English major Megan Rogers, who maintained a deep involvement in the event as a student. Following her graduation in 2003, Megan was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in November 2004 after a brave struggle. Skidmore renamed the festival to commemorate Megan's memory and her passion for reading aloud.

As she opened the event, Kress stressed the engagement of the reader in the experience of reading aloud. She described how the "reader becomes the text," and how in order to read aloud well, one must "take possession of the text and give it back to the readers." This is precisely what the participants in the Festival did that night.

The readers' choices reflected a range of styles and tones, from poetry to short stories, and drama to comedy. Intensely emotive poetry preceded hilarity-inducing biblical revisions; reflections on a papal protuberance followed vivid World War II imagery, personal revelations and even theatrical musings on Victoria's Secret models. Some shared poetry in other languages: Professor Mao Chen in Chinese, Professor Katherine Greenspan and her Intro to Medieval Literature students in Middle English, and Angela Botiba '15 in French.

For nearly two hours, the audience of students and faculty sat enthralled, alternately drawn in by emotion and falling out of their seats with laughter. Audience members described several of the readings as "hilarious," and more than one student confirmed, "I'm definitely coming next year. I can't believe I've never come before."

It was a night of triumph for the English department, for the readers, but perhaps most of all, for the listeners lucky enough to enjoy this display of diverse talent and passion.  

Hooking up at Skidmore College

Posted by Mohannad Aljawamis Older generations may not understand or even use the term "hookup." It persists as a frequent topic of gossip on campus and inspires both laughter and embarrassment among students.

No one has officially declared traditional dinner dates out of fashion at Skidmore College. However, we often see young adults consuming a glass of Jack Daniel's over ice to quell nervousness and stave off judgments before they engage in a hookup.

In simple words, hooking up requires less effort, less time and often proves to be a forgettable experience. Hookups are so normalized at Skidmore that it seems that they may have lost value.

Despite the fact that everyone has heard the term, the definition of hookup remains completely open to individual interpretation. Some people consider making out to constitute as a hookup. Others refer to casual sex as a hookup. Some students cannot even give a set definition of what a hook-up is.

Urban Dictionary describes a hookup as an intentionally ambiguous term that describes any sexual activity. From a taboo perspective, hookups result in disaster and produce no positive consequences.

But hookups are not so bad as long as they are safe and consensual. Sexual activities can boost your mood, self-esteem and immunity to illness. They also help you burn calories and regulate your sleep.

In order to benefit from the positive effects of sex, you must practice healthy behaviors. Emotional health is very critical during a hookup. Partners must be aware of each other's needs and desires. Each partner should be able to communicate freely what he or she is willing or not willing to do. No one should impose pressure to continue a sexual activity, and each partner has the right to stop activity at any point.

Although students who are solely in pursuit of sexual pleasure may be looking for uncommitted hookups, emotions will likely play a role, even when they are unwanted. As such, partners should evaluate each other's emotional sensitivity and understand what sex means to them before they engage in a hookup.

Health is another essential component of hooking up. If your ideal hookup does not include long-term consequences, such as pregnancy or sexual transmitted infections (STI's), then it is crucial to know your preventative options. For example, birth control pills prevent up to 99% of pregnancies but cannot protect against any STI's. Condoms, on the other hand, can prevent up to 89% of pregnancies and provide protection from most STI's. Of course, these statistics only apply when you are talking about traditional male-female vaginal sex. Although there are risks that exist when engaging in all kinds of sexual activity, there are also safe ways to participate in sex. Stay informed by conducting research and exercising safe decisions.

In spite of the fact that alcohol may distort your judgment and impair memory, you should still be aware of possible STI's, pregnancies and emotional consequences that can be caused by hooking up. Being intoxicated does not serve as an excuse for nonconsensual or unprotected sex. So if you chose to hookup, an action that has its positive and negative side effects, remember to remain safe and consensual.

Mohannad Aljawamis is a sophomore from Jordan, studying International Affairs and Business Management. He works as a Peer Health Educator and is interested in nutrition and physical health. 

Lights out for Skidmore Unplugged

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins

Skidmore Unplugged, an annual three-week long competition to reduce energy usage in the College's dorms begins on Monday, Feb. 8. This year the Sustainability Office, in conjunction with the S-Rep program and numerous clubs on campus, will host a number of events to spur Skidmore's competitive spirit and alter the overall organization of the event.

Numerous clubs on campus will get involved in the competition. Lights will go out for The Skidmore News for one week as the online newspaper hosts a blackout in honor of Skidmore Unplugged.

S-Reps will urge fellow residents to "Do It in the Dark" and "Keep Calm and Unplug," creative slogans that Sustainability Fellow Rachel Willis has developed to inspire enthusiasm in participating students. A number of creative advertising techniques have been developed to keep students informed of the event, including Facebook invitations, flyers and bathroom readers.

S-Reps will be handing out commitment cards in their dorms in an effort to connect more directly with residents. The cards are designed so that students can check off whether they have made efforts to reduce their environmental impact by turning off lights, unplugging electronics and using the stairs instead of the elevator. The promise of a free Chipotle gift card awaits their efforts if they turn in a completed card to their S-Rep.

"Chipotle highlights sustainability in local operations," Willis said. Indeed, the company has historically expressed much enthusiasm for Skidmore Unplugged and has been willing to support the Sustainability Program in its endeavor. In the past, Chipotle has awarded the winning dorm with a free burrito party. This year, the prize will go to individuals.

Clubs on campus have agreed to host festive events during the three-week period, including the Outing Club and North Woods Stewards, who will take students on a moonlit walk in the North Woods this coming Wednesday. Shaman and Healer Ray Crist will visit Wilson Chapel Sunday, Feb. 17 for a yoga demonstration. The improvisational comedy group Awkward Kids Talking will host Improv in the Dark on Feb. 23, and Lively Lucy's will join in the fun with some music in the dark on Feb. 28.

Willis, whose efforts have been pivotal in involving clubs on campus outside of the S-Rep program, commented, "Sustainability isn't just about turning off the lights. It's about building positive relationships and a community."

Willis hopes that this year the exciting inclusive atmosphere of the competition will encourage students to beat the average 4% decrease in energy usage of past years. "My goal after the competition is to show that it was a worthy event," she said.

Beginning on Monday, students will have access to each residence hall's electricity use at www.buildingdashboard.net/skidmore/ and be able to view ongoing events on the Skidmore Unplugged Facebook page. 

Column: Greetings from a Spanish student

Posted by Julia Leef

Saludos from Spain! I am happy and very lucky to be studying abroad for the semester in Madrid, where it's not quite as snowy as it is at Skidmore right now (snow is a rarity here, instead of a dreaded eventuality), but we still have to bundle up all the same.

Classes at Skidmore and in Madrid begin roughly around the same time, and although the majority of my courses are held at the program center, I am attending a post-modern literature class at the University of Madrid (or la Universidad Aut??noma de Madrid-UAM for short). While my particular course is an English one - I am an English-Spanish double major, after all- the general structure of the university in Madrid and its classes, is a lot different from what I've experienced in the United States.

One of the most startling differences, at least coming from Skidmore where the personal connections between the professors and the students were a big draw for me in my initial college search, is that here the professors are scholars first and teachers second. This creates an entirely different dynamic between the professor and the student than the one present at Skidmore.

In Madrid, it is the student's responsibility to attend class and learn the material provided. Attendance is not taken, and a missed class is considered a loss on the student's part. Grades are also weighted differently here, with usually 80% or more of the student's grade determined by the final exam. In theory, a student could miss every class, show up for the final exam, and pass the course, provided he or she shows a comprehensive knowledge of the material. More often than not, this understanding of the course requires a regurgitation of the professor's presentation and opinion of the information, rather than original thought from the student. Creative thought does not matter here.

It is not uncommon for a professor to come to class half an hour late, or to not even come to class at all. That said, students may not come in late themselves, and it is considered insulting to leave in the middle of class, even if it is just to use the bathroom, something which some professors at Skidmore will excuse. Yawning and stretching are also considered rude and may offend the professor.

On the other hand, sometimes students will hold conversations while the professor is talking. While smaller classrooms may be slightly more intolerable of this, in large lecture halls the professor will keep talking, and any information missed is the students' loss. All in all, the atmosphere at the UAM is a professional one that encourages and demands responsibility on the students' part.

There exist several other differences between Skidmore and the UAM. The University of Madrid is much bigger, for instance, and divides its academic buildings according to subject of study. I attend class in the 'Filosofia y Letras' building, for example. Each has its own cafeteria, which makes it a great place to mingle with students of similar interests. The cafeteria serves as a student center, similar to Case Center, the likes of which doesn't really exist on campus otherwise.

The timing of the semesters is different as well, and I find myself missing Skidmore's month-long winter break. In Madrid, students receive a break at the end of the semester around the same time as in the United States, but they spend much of this time studying for finals that begin in January. In fact, students often hand in final papers and begin preparations for next semester's courses at the same time, as there is no break between finals and the first week of class.

One other aspect of the UAM that Skidmore students may find interesting, especially in light of the ongoing debates about whether or not Skidmore should be a smoke-free campus, is the fact that students are permitted to smoke inside the buildings.

The ban on smoking indoors is something that only happened in Madrid about two years ago, and a few leniencies still persist in the enforcement of the law. As I said before, even though there are non-smoking signs on the windows and doors of the buildings, students will often light up anyway, usually next to the entrances and exits, but inside nonetheless.

The class structure might be a bit different, but the students are the same-cheerful and energetic, at least now at the beginning of the semester before the workload starts to sink in. Good luck to you all as the papers start to increase and as Saratoga starts to exhibit its wonderfully smothering winter weather.

Un abrazo,
Julia

Julia Leef is a junior at Skidmore currently studying abroad in Spain. She worked for the Skidmore News as Editor in Chief in the fall and is a contributing columnist this semester.

Dr. Danilo Petranovich delivers a new perspective on Lincoln's stance on slavery

Posted by Alex Mintz

"Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever..." wrote Thomas Jefferson in his "Notes on the State of Virginia," published in 1785 and in reference to slavery. 75 years later, Lincoln decided justice in the United States had slept long enough.

Roughly 40 students and a few professors crowded into the Pohndorff Room in Scribner Library on Thursday night, for a lecture presented by Dr. Danilo Petranovich of Yale University. The lecture dismantled the popular belief that President Abraham Lincoln's actions to end slavery during the Civil War were not driven by political necessity, but were influenced by a high-minded moral stance on the issue.

Petranovich took an unconventional stance on the deeper reasons behind the actions of the 16th president of the United States, stating that Lincoln's primary driving force during his pre-presidency was to change the way Americans viewed slavery. Citing speeches in which Lincoln denounced slavery as a "monstrous injustice" and "vast moral evil," Petranovich sought to demonstrate that Lincoln was a leader in a moral revolution within the Union.

"Lincoln sought not to widen the anti-slavery notion but to deepen it," Petranovich said. He began by examining Lincoln's pre-presidency politics. Unlike abolitionists who attempted to convince Americans that slavery is immoral, Lincoln used rhetoric that would appeal to Americans who already had abolitionist ideas.

"It was not enough for Lincoln that the anti-slavery north hate and oppose slavery, but that they hate and oppose for the right reasons - this was important," Petranovich said.

"Lincoln was crafting a unionist message to change the minds of the northerners. Moralistic attacks were not likely to win over the southern slave owners, and Lincoln knew this." Referencing speeches from Lincoln's days in Congress, Petranovich argued that Lincoln alienated the north from the south as to create a situation in which he could initiate emancipation on his own terms. "Lincoln was crafting a unionist message to change the minds of the northerners. Moralistic attacks were not likely to win over the southern slave owners, and Lincoln knew this."

"[Lincoln] promoted morally radical and destructive public agitation," Dr. Petranovich said, "with little to promote the cause of peaceful emancipation.
This moral strategy was, of course, controversial in 1857, and involved the deliberate risk of civil war."

In Petranovich's closing remarks, he highlighted the fact that Lincoln was fully aware of the dichotomous nature of his oratory and that this was intentional. Lincoln demanded moral justice and abolition of slavery in the United States, and was willing to pit his enemies against one another to create a situation in which he might push his ideologies through the political system.

Petranovich attempted to demonstrate that Abraham Lincoln was a master politician who fought for his principles in subtle ways. In contrast to the traditional viewpoint that Lincoln emancipated the slaves for political or wartime purposes, Petranovich argued that Lincoln had a moral desire to free slaves, and pursued a one track path to alter the nation's views of slavery and ultimately complete his goal.

Dr. Petranovich is a lecturer at Yale University and Duke University. He received his Ph.D. from Yale, where he focused his studies on American national culture and Abraham Lincoln.  

Murray-Aikins delivers a delicious taste of the Chinese New Year

Posted by Kate Butler

On the evening of Feb. 7, 2013, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall transformed into a Chinese buffet in honor of the Lunar New Year. As students streamed into the dining hall between huge oriental fans and ribbons, enticing aromas filled the air.

Community members heaped their plates high with a variety of Chinese food, from typical favorites, like crackling hot veggie egg rolls and crispy sesame beef, to the more sophisticated whole roasted salmon with plum sauce and Chinese tea eggs. Excited students helped themselves to bunches of oranges and clementines and endless mountains of rice. Individual folded containers of lo mein, bowls of soup and noodles, and strategically placed bowls of fortune cookies added to the festive, buffet-like atmosphere, as did the live instrumental music that piped through the hall.

With so many tantalizing choices, it was difficult not to taste a little of just about everything; multiple students went back for seconds-and thirds.

Despite the lengthy line at the popular Diner station, which served favorites like fluffy pork buns, egg rolls, drunken chicken, and gingered veggies, many students persevered, albeit often nibbling in the meantime.

By the end of the meal one student moaned, "My tummy is gonna explode!"

But many made a valiant effort to taste the desserts anyway, gamely devouring delicate almond cookies, airy coconut cake, and honey-sweet green tea cupcakes. More than one student had to be rolled from the room. Just kidding-well, maybe.  

The body experiment

Posted by Mohannad Aljawamis

We aspire for perfection in our bodies and our physical appearances. We size up our bellies, our muscles, our height, our hair, and our general appearance. Our mindset creates a need for comparison between what we think is "better," and our own poor bodies that are never shaped the way we want them to be.

Negative body image may not be the most controversial health issue among college students, yet this results from its obscurity, a taboo concept that many people refuse to talk about. We unknowingly experience body image as a problem because our surroundings, including the media, have normalized the body experiment, in which starving women and steroid men are yearning for perfection. Hence, it becomes normal to set unrealistic goals for our bodies and to start experimenting.

The Media Effect

Visual material has a tremendous influence on human beings. Pictures of plank-thin models and flawless men are presented consistently through every media channel. The media creates an unrealistic image of the healthy body. This image then becomes "normalized" and any alternative image is viewed as inferior.

Think of TV ads that use top models to promote their products while stressing health and beauty as their underlying message. Not only does media create unrealistic standards for viewers, but it also mistakenly redefines health and beauty through specifically sculptured portrayals.

Beauty is a highly subjective concept. People have different predilections. We do not need to have identical appearances to fit the media's standards. Media is mostly used for commercial purposes and could not care less about personal image. Additionally, the term "healthy" is not defined by a certain height or weight. A healthy body is one that is nourished by a balanced diet, physically active, has a generally strong immune system and is fully functional. Therefore, media may not monopolize healthiness through specific appearances.

Self-esteem

Media may not always serve as the main source of negative body images. Peers, culture, and mentality play significant roles in how we feel about our bodies. Self-esteem is an individual's evaluation of their worth. Positive self-esteem means that you believe you are capable and worthy of happiness. Take a moment to think about your positive traits, and think of a good body as being a healthy body not the perfect media display.

Having a positive body image means that you perceive and accept your body parts as they truly are. You appreciate your natural, unique body shape and physical appearance. Set for yourself some realistic goals in areas that you would like to improve. Maybe you would like to include more vitamins in your diet that improve your skin. Or maybe you would like to adjust your exercise schedule to gain muscle. Setting new goals is completely fine, but in order to have a positive body image you should be proud of your individuality and uniqueness.

James Anthony Introduces a Reasonable and Comfortable Way to Ride

Posted by Tara Lerman

In a place like Saratoga Springs, where the local busses only run so late and there is a constant demand for transportation, taxis provide an alternate mode of travel for Skidmore students. James Anthony, a local taxi driver, says that he enjoys providing services for locals and college students alike. Anthony, who has been active in the taxi business for over six years, started his own company called Value Van Taxi and Car Service this past November.

"I started Value Van Taxi because I got fed up with the fact that the company I previously worked for didn't care about the customers," Anthony explained. "I grew tired of the drivers and the staff at the taxi company not treating their customers the way I would want to be treated. I decided to start my own company, one with better prices and a better environment."

Value Van seats up to 12 passengers safely and comfortably, providing short- and long-distance transportation to destinations such as the mall, the Raceway and Casino, and downtown Saratoga Springs. Value Van also serves events such as parties or weddings. Anthony prides himself in getting to know his customers. "My favorite part about being a taxi driver is meeting new people and learning about their experiences," he said.

Anthony shared a story about one of his experiences. "One night I drove a group of guys to a bachelor party. In order to ensure that they were able to get a ride home, they insisted that I stay. I told them I don't mind waiting for them, but that it would cost more. They got me some food. One guy asked if I wanted something to drink. I laughed. 'I can't! I'm driving!' I told him. They were all really nice guys. It was a very funny experience."

To find out more about James Anthony and the Value Van Taxi and Car Service, or for information such as discounts, photos and destination information, log onto http://www.valuevantaxi.com or call (518) 479-9394.

Government by and for the people: Giving political discourse one more try

Posted by Andrew Shi

"We the People," a yearlong series of events that began last semester to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the American constitution, held its latest installment on Jan. 31, in the Tang. The seminar, entitled "Government By and For the People," was hosted by Jean Ann Kubler '13, as part of her work from over the summer at the Roosevelt Institute.

 In her seminar, Kubler endeavored to reform the conversation on American politics, something she consideres, as of late, has degraded into cynical apathy.

"This is to serve as a way to revitalize conversation, make them less inherently negative."

Kubler then revealed the base intention of her seminar.

"We want to swing the pendulum the other way, to talk about ideals!" Kubler said.

For the majority of time spent in the hour-long seminar, the 25 or so attendees were split into small groups to discuss the proposed questions, "What values would be embodied in the ideal democracy?" and "In the ideal democracy, what is the government's role?" To a lesser extent, the role of people within society was also discussed.

Although there were slight differences of the meanings of certain virtues, such as justice, most groups came to the common consensus of equality, freedom and justice.

The role of government served to be more contentious, and one group battled over the apparent polarity of equality and liberty. In the end the only agreement they came to was that "Jan. 17 should be made National Cupcake Day."

After the groups were brought back to share their conclusions, Kubler returned the audience to their clusters to discuss the "contemporary issues stopping us from achieving these virtues."

Results were not surprising; topping the list was lobbying and gridlock. Taxes were also mentioned, and the disputed balance between wealth and equality hearkened back to the disagreement over liberty and equality.

The discourse provided was nothing unique, and certainly no different from pundit coverage of the past six months. In fact, at times, the groups seemed to have trouble finding answers.

"When you put a bunch of people from a disillusioned generation in a room to talk about our government, what do you say, where do you begin?" Glen Lambert '16 asked.

Still, at least these 25-odd students did begin somewhere, even if they didn't get far. That's more than can be said about the hundreds of other Skidmore students that did not attend, or even the other students of the two classes that the audience derived from, who received incentives to attend --a three percent boost to their midterms.

When asked whether such seminars held meaning at a school that clearly does not care about political discourse, that for some reason or another didn't care enough to attend tonight, Kubler responded, "It's not about people not caring, it's about people viewing politics as inherently negative."

In that case, we the people do care, but we the people have been so frustrated that we have given up, a choice between apathy or conditioned helplessness.

Yet, some of the students who attended expressed that they would have attended regardless of an incentive. They were genuinely interested and passionate.

"Democracy is hard work, you can't just sit down and say here is how it should be," Lambert said.

A less cynical explanation for low turnout may have been absence of publicity, or pre-committed appointments.

Regardless of the excuse, a yearlong intensive series of events is telling that the attendance of one seminar does not merit civic responsibility or due consideration. As Lambert noted, civil discourse is an arduous undertaking. It is one that some men spend their whole life tackling, but one that all concerned citizens must attempt.

"We the People" continues with "Civil Society for Sale, part 1," on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., in the Tang.

A full schedule of events and in-depth descriptions can be found at http://tang.skidmore.edu/index.php/calendars/view/478/tag:1/current:1

Big Green Scream merges sustainability and athletics

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins

Community members coalesced Saturday at the Williamson Athletic Center in anticipation of the Big Green Scream. The event merged Skidmore athletics with a theme of sustainability, and attracted diverse attendance from young and old alike.

The women's game began at 2 p.m., followed by the men's game at 4 p.m.

A table manned by Skidmore athletes greeted attendees as they entered the building. Students collected raffle tickets for a free 32-inch flat screen television to be given away during half time of the men's game.

At the same table, free green t-shirts and tote bags were promised to the first 250 people who attended the games.

As visitors proceeded down the hallway toward the gym, in which the games were held, a gentleman selling laminated action shots of Skidmore athletes displayed an array of photographs on a table. The women's field hockey team gave away free tattoos of a green and white horseshoe, in the spirit of Skidmore's mascot. The women's lacrosse team sold concessions, including pizza, candy and soda, with proceeds going to their team.

Skidmore's Sustainability Representatives sold popcorn next to a solar cart intended to heat the machine, although the cart did not generate enough power.

Nearby, children in attendance of the games learned how to plant seeds. S-Reps provided each child with an individual pot and the option of choosing what kind of plant they wished to grow. Basil, lettuce and parsley were among the kitchen herbs and vegetables available to take home as a living souvenir of the eco-friendly event.

Both games attracted large, enthusiastic crowds. The women's game finished with a victory of 50-37 against Union College, while the men's team suffered a loss of 75-82 to Union.

A volunteer read entertaining, environmentally themed trivia questions throughout the games, including questions like: "How many buildings on campus are heated by Geothermal [energy]?" The answer was eleven.

The men's game featured an entertaining half-time show organized by the S-Reps and the Office of Residential Life. A few representatives from each dorm competed in a brief relay race, in which the teams had to wheelbarrow a fellow student to the half-point line and successfully recycle one bottle, can and piece of paper before returning to the starting line. Participants then climbed on each other's backs and attempted to shoot a basketball into the hoop during the second half of the relay.

Overall, the Big Green Scream found great success within the community. Basketball fans, families, students, and faculty came out to support athletics, sustainability and creativity at Skidmore.

Rebecca Morofsky '15, commented, "I would like to see more events like this so that maybe the blue-side, red-side mentality [at Skidmore] would disappear." 

Jeanne Marie Monroe

Posted by Andrew Shi

Jeanne Marie Monroe, 53, of Oak Street, passed away Sunday, Dec. 30, at Saratoga Hospital.

She was a housekeeper at Skidmore for the past 16 years. An avid reader, Monroe loved to travel, was fond of her pets and enjoyed collectibles.

The wit she garnered from her books, travels and life experiences, manifested itself in her brilliant sense of humor. "You had to really think about what she said in order to get some of her jokes" Richard Mickus, manager of custodial operations, said.

Mickus, speaking on behalf of her coworkers, said, "We're really going to miss her in the department. Jeanne was the kind of person who would always do something on behalf of others, even if it meant going without herself." 

Instead of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 Farm Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.

No calling hours or service calls have been scheduled.

Condolences to the family may be delivered at www.brewermillerfuneralhomes.com.

Jeanne will be dearly missed.

Writing Center opens to public on Saturdays

Posted by Zoe Dartley

As many have heard, the Lucy Scribner Library's Writing Center is now open to the public on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to1 p.m. The Center's services are catered towards middle and high school students struggling with writing assignments.

Student coordinator Emma Caruso '13, who became head of the pilot project after a summer of volunteering for the Center, shared details on the project.

"As Skidmore is a huge part of the Saratoga Springs community, I don't think there's a limit to how much we should give back to the town that opens the doors of their restaurants, businesses, and establishments to us," Caruso said. "If we have the skills to offer, then I think it only makes sense to offer those skills in every capacity possible."

Caruso said she felt confident that the Center's skilled tutors will be able to proficiently handle the influx of new people.

"We have an incredibly skilled team of tutors that have all undergone a rigorous training class to prepare to tutor fellow college students and are very energetic about helping writers at any point in the writing process," she said.

Writing Center Director Phil Boschoff explained that this program stemmed from his desire to benefit both the youth of Saratoga, as well as the student tutors he worked with.

"I wanted to provide an opportunity for tutors to have more to put on their resume than working just with college-aged students," Boschoff said.

According to Boschoff, programs such as this have been suggested in the past, but it was not until recently that the opportunity to do so became plausible.

"We've had queries from the community before and I just haven't found that we have the space," Boschoff said. "We have a very beautiful, big space now, in a very sufficient place. We have the sufficient strength in numbers with tutors where we can offer this to the community without having any effect on our main responsibility. I felt that the time was right, the inclination of the students was right, to do this."

While the Center's tutors don't need any new training, working with middle and high school students does require a different perspective as their material is based around the fundamental basics of writing, rather than the more advanced writing exhibited by college students. Caruso said she has found that working with such concepts has been beneficial to the tutors as well.

"It's so fun to work at that basic level again, and it helps me too. Sometimes we're working on such sophisticated things [at college], that it's hard to get back to those basics again," Caruso said. "But then this eighth grader I was working with asked me if I could make his handwriting neater and I was like, 'I don't know those skills!' It really puts things into perspective."

Caruso said she has high hopes that students will eventually flock to the Center from areas outside the Saratoga community. While she has contacted both private and public middle and high schools in Saratoga and the Ballston Spa area, she has plans to reach out to schools in the greater area if the project continues to succeed. She is currently in the process of working with the schools to figure out the best way to advertise the project.

There has been discussion of sending letters home to families of students, as well as talk of using certain Skidmore media outlets available through the Communications Department, according to Caruso.

"It has taken longer than I expected to hear back from schools or programs that would be interested in working together on this project," Caruso said, "but a pilot program must always overcome the obstacles and pitfalls of creating something new, raising awareness and attracting interest, so I have been patient but persistent in making this idea a reality." The Writing Center is open to Skidmore students 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

How to keep your brain healthy in 10 simple steps

Posted by Mohannad Aljawamis

Physical exercise is a great method to keep our bodies in good shape, but our brains need to stay fit and healthy in order to function properly. In trying times, some of us experience stress, an inability to concentrate, emotional instability and other issues, many of which can be traced back to mental health. Even if these conditions do not apply and you are simply seeking to boost your brain power, there are a few steps that should prove very helpful:

1) Feed your brain! Nutrition plays a huge role in our mental and cognitive abilities. Make sure your diet includes omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in many foods such as fish, nuts, seeds and legumes. Antioxidants, which can be found in most fruits and vegetables, are another essential part of the brain-diet. well-balanced meal can reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, boost your memory and concentration and improve your capacity to learn.
2) Stimulation. It is important to keep your brain active and engaged in rigorous activities. When you stop exercising for a long period of time, you might notice that your body seems to fall "out of shape." Similarly, not employing the brain for a prolonged time might weaken some of the cognitive skills that you have worked so hard to develop. Exercising your brain by reading, solving puzzles or doing challenging games will help to keep your brain in top shape and ready for use.
3) Physical exercise. Regular exercise plays a role in regulating blood circulation through your brain and also reduces the risk of many diseases. Further, the secretion of endorphins after physical activity can positively alter your mood, which also reflects on your cognitive ability.
4) Socialization. Engaging in social activities keeps your brain active and engaged. Socializing can reduce stress and promote emotional health. Isolation and loneliness may trigger negative emotions and may be conducive to developing emotional instability, resulting in impaired concentration and cognition. Control your emotional health by socializing with friends and sharing your thoughts and feelings with the people you trust.
5) Meditation. While it is important to keep your brain active and in shape, it is equally important to enjoy freedom of thought and peace of mind. Excessive thinking and continuous mental activity may induce overwhelming stress. Find an exercise through which you can relax your brain. People often find yoga, religious practices, massages, hiking, or similar activities to be helpful in this regard.
6) Get plenty of sleep. Your brain needs time to recover and it can only do that through sleep.
7) Use all of your senses. Some people are visual learners, while others learn by audio repetition. It is also not out of the ordinary that some people might utilize smell or taste as means of learning. Using more senses stimulates more parts of your brain. Find your best strategy for learning.
8) Go easy on substances. Alcohol and other drugs can kill brain cells. Caffeine creates a dependence on a chemical that can otherwise be generated naturally. Smoking can deprive the brain of normal oxygen levels. If you choose not to abstain, practice moderation!
9) Prioritize your tasks. Do not overwhelm yourself and exhaust your brain. Know the most important tasks and start from there.
10) Chill out. Stress is often counter-productive. Believe in yourself, have realistic goals, and seek help when needed.