Triple Threat Comedy Show Packs Filene: Skidmore's comedy groups entertained audience with jokes about sex, drugs, and parenting methods.

Posted by Gabrielle Gignoux-Wolfsohn

On Saturday, Feb 2, The Triple Threat comedy show delivered what it promised-a whole lot of laughs. Filene Auditorium was completely packed with an enthusiastic crowd of Skidmore students.

 The first act of the night was four sketches presented by Skidomedy, one of which was performed three times. Peter Johnston '14 played a Princeton professor on NPR reading an erotic short story. Johnston's act was followed by Emily Moler '15, Laura Cornachio '14 and Julia Romano '13, who discussed their favorite L'Oreal Kids shampoos while taking intermittent breaks in their conversation to objectify passing men. The punch line for this sketch involved Ben Jurney '14 as the first man to hear the women's catcalls and responding with a vulgar comment. The women retorted with hypocritically insulted looks on their faces, which scares Jurney off the stage, leaving one of the women to say, "I kind of liked it." The sketch that was presented three times involved "Coach John Carter on Mars," a hybrid of Coach Carter and John Carter, combined to give us "Coach Carter on Mars."

The Ad-libs provided improvisation, beginning their set with their usual Whose Line is it Anyway? set up, asking the audience for one-syllable words. The audience shouted out things like "cow" and "cat" which the Ad-libs would then rhyme with, to comedic effect. Following the opener, they conjured a scene in which Dan Shure '14 raised his child with a muzzle. The child, Becca Baruc '15 was then shown at voice lessons and the prom. Next, Olivia Nielsen '13 and Jurney raised their child (Shea Shonsky '15) to be a king, serving as peasants under their two-year-old's monarchical rule.

The scheduled half of the night finished with Sketchies, the group that wears all black and never fails to evoke a laugh. The Sketchies provided the audience with Skidmore-relevant material, which seems to be their strong suit. There was no doubt that making fun of orientation, Wiecking, and plaid-wearing vegetarians would receive plenty of laughs when presented to an audience filled with Skidmore students who are all in on the joke.

The second, equally enjoyable half of the evening was the auction, featuring hot-ticket items such as 60 seconds of truth with a comedian ($5), a cameo with the group of your choice ($50), love advice ($12), a $20 bill ($25), a passionate on-stage kiss between Alex Brodsky '13 and Alex Kallner '13 ($30), and a date with the bidder's pick, Rigel Harris,'16 ($100). The auction was a fun, creative way to raise money for Comedy Fest, which is scheduled to take place next weekend, Feb. 8th and 9th. It intends to deliver the same great comedy that was seen this Saturday, as well as numerous other acts, including performers from other schools.

Faculty discusses course evaluation format: Feb. 1 faculty meeting focuses on structure of course evaluation system

Posted by Emily Singer

During the Skidmore faculty meeting that took place Feb. 1, professors came together to resolve the potential new layout of the course evaluations. The evaluations, or "dean's cards," that students fill out at the end of each semester helps professors receive feedback on the way their class is running and dictates if any adjustments to the curriculum are necessary. Professors want the cards to become more technical and logistical, with better language, different ordering of questions, and the omittance of the "N/A" section students had the option of filling in before.

The changes would allow teachers to better learn from their perceived strengths and weaknesses and consequentially improve their course based on the feedback they receive. The largest issue, though, is whether or not these changes will clarify feedback as certain added categories and questions will pertain more to specific subjects. A resolution is yet to be reached regarding this new layout.

Aside from discussion of the possible new evaluation cards, many faculty members were welcomed back from sabbatical leaves they had taken during first semester. There was talk about the AAC&U (Association of American Colleges and Universities) conference that some faculty had attended over winter break, which focused on staff workload issues and how that can become more balanced. Other topics included E-learning and sustainability on campus. For each subject of discussion, it was reaffirmed that Skidmore, in spite of the presence of room for improvement, was in very good standing.

Skidmore Sustainability looks into the future

Posted by The Editorial Board

Last Wednesday, Jan. 30 Skidmore co-hosted a lecture presented by professor emeritus of music Tom Denny. The lecture, titled Saratoga's Trees, explored the role trees play in the city of Saratoga. Instead of exploring the likes and dislikes of trees, or other aesthetic reactions people may have towards trees, Denny urged community members to look at the benefits of trees on an economic and environmental basis, forcing the audience to consider a new perspective.
The talk was co-sponsored by Sustainable Saratoga, the Environmental Studies Program at Skidmore College and Sustainable Skidmore.
Denny is currently leading the Urban Forestry Project in Saratoga Springs. His work with the organizations is working to bring to light the unique benefits of planting trees, showing how they can increase the cost of real estate, which benefits the economy. Despite these benefits he also quoted the famous saying, "one generation plants the trees and the next enjoys the shade." Relating it to Saratoga and the Urban Forestry Project, Denny concluded that in order for Saratoga to ensure that the next generation profits environmentally and economically, the community's urban forest must increase its number of trees.
Although Skidmore has no intention in planting more trees to increase environmental protection, Members of Sustainable Skidmore have implemented changes in certain programs like sustainability competitions and composting in order to benefit the environment and future community members.
In the coming months, Sustainable Skidmore will be hosting and participating in sustainability competitions. From Feb, 11 to March 4 Skidmore will participate on a national level against colleges in the New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium, which comprises Hobart and William Smith College, Union College, Hamilton College, St. Lawrence University and Colgate University, in a competition called Campus Conservation Nationals.
The competition is the largest nationwide electricity and water use reduction competition among colleges and universities.
Feb. 13 to March 5, Skidmore will host an event for students living in the residence halls called "Skidmore Unplugged." During these 21 days each dorm tries to reduce their energy consumption percentage by the greatest amount. Each dorm's electricity consumption is calculated in real time online so that the residents can monitor it.
This year there is an added twist: Skidmore will be competing against four other colleges in the area-Hamilton, Hobart and William Smith, St. Lawrence, and Colgate to determine who can reduce their total energy by the largest percentage from all of their dorm buildings.
Limitations of existing programs are also being analyzed. For example, Skidmore Unplugged only involves the residence halls and doesn't consider other housing communities like Northwoods, Scribner, or Hillside apartments.
According to Skidmore's sustainability coordinator, Riley Neugebauer, "The reason that the Northwoods Apartment Village does not participate in Skidmore Unplugged is because those buildings are not metered individually and a part of our networked building management system, so we don't have the data to be able to include them in the competition at this time."
Despite this set back, Neugebauer remained hopeful for the future saying, "We hope to be able to do that in the future, but it is dependent on funding and infrastructure."
Composting in the housing villages has also been a point of revision for Sustainable Skidmore. Currently there is a compost program in Northwoods but none of the other housing developments.
"We feel that we need to improve our current composting program in the Northwoods apartments and really develop it and refine it so that it works really well before we expand into other locations" Neugebauer said.
Improvement in the program has begun in the following ways. The manager of the program, Margie Pfeffer, was offered a grant by New York State to fund the compost program in Northwoods. In addition to creating new positions, the grant allows more time and energy to be invested in the program.
With the improvements that have been made in the program, Neugebauer is hopeful for what the future holds saying, "I think we are in a really good place, and will be implementing some changes to the Northwoods program, with hopes that we can do more education, outreach, and assessment this semester so that the process and program can improve and become something that we feel more prepared to expand in the future."

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.

Skidmore student arrested trying to get out of cold

Posted by Rebecca Orbach

Peter E. McColough '15 allegedly smashed the window of a business at around 5 a.m. Friday because he was cold and wanted to get inside, according to Saratoga Springs Police Department.

He was inebriated and found outside the business on Congress Street by SSPD after receiving a call that McColough was trying to break in.

He was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

For full story go to: http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2013/02/02/news/doc510c6fda978ca831066509.txt

The Tang Teaching Museum Welcomes New Spring Exhibits: The works of Cortia Kent and Carrie Moyer draw in crowds from the Skidmore and Saratoga community.

Posted by Rebecca Stern

At six p.m. on Saturday January 26th, the Tang Teaching Museum held its annual reception for the new spring exhibitions. These included Someday is Now: The Art of Cortia Kent, and Opener 24: Carrie Moyer: Pirate Jenny.
When its doors opened, the Tang quickly filled with a blend of students, faculty, fellow artists, and members of the Saratoga community. Excitement was palpable through spectator conversations about the introduction of two of the new main exhibitions.
Someday is Now is Kent's first curated show, which displays a variety of her work from the late 1940's to the mid 80's. Over two hundred of Kent's drawings, prints, photographs, and serigraph prints express her statements about war, racism, poverty, and religion . These works incorporate cultural mediums from advertisements, which she uses as a basic way to communicate with viewers.
President Glotzbach agrees that Kent's work is not only a great choice for the Tang's spring exhibit, but that it could not be more relevant: "The issues brought up in her work, are unfortunately still evident. It [the exhibit] will be perceived with young eyes that were not present when the messages were first introduced."
Along with Someday is Now, Kent is debuting an additional exhibit with Carrie Moyer,is Opener 24: Carrie Moyer: Pirate Jenny. The show features large multimedia works using acrylic paints, graphite, and a unique use of glitter.
When asked about her function of glitter in her work, Kent responded that the material relates her work to gay culture, an area of activism she channels in her art.
Carrie Moyer, also present at the exhibition, said that the Tang's teaching component excites her, as does the possibility to further her activist efforts within the college community.
Moyer and Kent's works join the on-going exhibits of Paul Shambroom (We the People) and Yoko Ono (Elevator Music 23 Yoko Ono: Listen).
The Tang's diverse offering of art can virtually appeal to any viewer. Freshman art student Hannah LeBonte, expressed her excitement over the different aesthetics and diversity of the work being displayed: "Even being here for two semesters there has been dance performances, film, movement, sculptures, and 2-D[art]. And [the fact] that there isn't a fear of abstract forms [of art] makes me excited to be a part of the community."

Ujima Fashion Show to be held Feb. 2, 8 pm in JKB Theater: "Our Black Diaspora: Lifting the Darkness"

Posted by Julia Martin

Ujima's 22^nd annual fashion show will take place Saturday Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. in the Janet Kinghorn Bernard (JKB) Theater. 

This year the show is entitled: "Our Black Diaspora: Lifting the Darkness", and will focus on East Africa, West Africa, Afro-Latin America, the Caribbean and North America. The show will not only showcase clothing, but students will participate in dances, spoken word, song and drumming.

Ujima is the African/African-American/Caribbean-American cultural awareness club on campus that works to bring history, culture and celebration to Skidmore. The fashion show is one of Ujima's largest events and involves both members of the club and non-member students. "The Ujima fashion show has been a great way to develop relationships within the diverse Skidmore community," said Makeda Nivens '15.

The fashion show kicks off a series of events on campus aimed at promoting "Intercultural and Global Understanding". The month of February will play host to a multiracial/transracial adoptee focus group on Feb. 5at 6 p.m. (held in the Intercultural Lounge), a group that plans to discuss issues or questions regarding students who may or may not identify as multiracial, a person of mixed heritage or a transracial adoptee.

On Feb. 16 Ujima will host a Food for the Heart and Soul Lunch at 12:00 pm in Falstaffs. On Feb. 25 Al Duncan, Ujima's Black History Month Keynote Speaker, will deliver the keynote lecture at 7 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium. 

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

NBA Talk: What's next for the Celtics?

Posted by Andrew Shi

For the past month, the Celtics have been an epicenter of trade talk. Bogged down with inconsistent play, six-game win streaks followed by six-game losing streaks, and headed by a notoriously astute and merciless General Manager, Danny Ainge, it was always likely that someone was to be moved. Now, All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. To compound the Celtics' problems, their playoff seed seems just as fragile, as they barely hang onto the eight seed. With a month left until the February trade deadline, it seems certain that a trade is imminent.

The Celtics under Doc Rivers have been notorious for an impregnable defense. Their hardened defense has always provided compensation for average scoring. Still it hasn't counterbalanced the fact that Boston is currently 29th (out of 30) in rebounding and 26th in shot blocks. As important as these statistics are, they can't be extrapolated to tell the whole story, but watching any of their current games will exhibit haplessness at the rim that provides easy second-chance points for the opponent.

What Boston needs most is a true big man. Currently, they have Garnett playing the role, but having played the four a majority of his career, and not being as aggressive or powerful as he was in his prime (he's 36), he is ill-suited for the role.

Several names have been connected to the Celtics, the two most prominent are Demarcus Cousins, of the Sacramento Kings, and Josh Smith, of the Atlanta Hawks. Although Smith isn't a center, if he could start at the four and KG at the five, the Celtics would have one of the most dominant and dangerous front courts that would undoubtedly catapult the team up the rebound rankings, and easily the conference rankings as well. The same can be said if Cousins starts at center and Rivers plays KG in his natural four. Both players will be hard bargains, but if any man can achieve this kind of trade it's Ainge, and to do so he should put any player on the table but five: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger.

Rondo is possibly the best point guard in the NBA and will be the star of the show when Pierce and KG retire. Bradley is one of the toughest defenders and an expert at guarding the perimeter, he is also only in his third year. Sullinger has been one of the few bright spots in the Celtics' unimpressive season thus far. He has in the last ten games averaged 8.1 points and 7.9 points coming off the bench. On both ends of the floor he has demonstrated commendable tenacity, and as a rookie he will only get better. These three will form a solid core to build around in the next few years when the Celtics truly begin to rebuild.

Pierce and KG are off the table for slightly different, but equally legitimate reasons. Pierce has never played on another team, and it doesn't even seem that Ainge would have the ruthlessness to trade him away when he only has two or three years left in the league. Still, Pierce is the leading scorer for the Celtics with 18.7 per game, and now that forward Rudy Gay has been traded to the Raptors, there are no other high caliber small forwards on the market to exchange for Pierce. Garnett, meanwhile, has in his contract a no-trade clause, so regardless of Ainge's wishes, he's not going anywhere.

With Brandon Bass, Jeff Green, Jason Terry, Courtney Lee, Leandro Barbosa and seven-foot rookie Fab Melo, Ainge should be able to convince either Sacramento or Atlanta to trade for two or three of these above average players along with a few future draft picks. The Kings have a lackluster bench which could be greatly improved with several of these players. The Hawks starting shooting guard, Louis Williams also recently tore his ACL, and the team could be interested in either Courtney Lee or Jason Terry as a temporary replacement.

It won't be an easy task by any means, but the Celtics need to do something, and fast if they wish to see the playoffs this year.

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." 

Skidmore's Schick Art Gallery to feature Juried Student Exhibition: A celebration of the creativity, imagination and skill of Skidmore art students

Skidmore College will showcase the 2013 Juried Student Exhibition from Thursday, Feb. 7, to Thursday, March 21, at the Schick Art Gallery, located in the Saisselin Art Building. An opening reception is planned from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the gallery.

Guest juror Kathryn Price, curator of special projects at Williams College Museum of Art in Williamstown, Mass., will give a lecture at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in Davis Auditorium. Both events are free and open to the public.

A highlight of the Schick Art Gallery calendar, the annual Juried Student Exhibition celebrates the creativity, imagination, and skill of Skidmore art students.

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.

Faculty members discuss the possible implementation of online courses: Faculty remains undecided on how exactly to coordinate online and in-class learning

Posted by Emily Singer

On Dec. 7, the Skidmore faculty gathered in Gannett Auditorium for the last time this fall semester to discuss news regarding the Skidmore community, including the prospect of having MOOC's, or massive open online courses.

The faculty spoke about the possibility of Skidmore participating in eLearning, through which students would take courses on the computer instead of in the classroom. These courses would either be part online and part taught in the classroom, serve as a mandatory prerequisite for students to take before in-class learning, or completely replace certain classes, such as the introductory, 100-level courses, while teachers merely assist with the student's understanding of the online material rather than teach it directly.

Several faculty members voiced their concerns that technology might replace the benefits of having classroom discussions and take away the experience of a true liberal arts education. Skidmore's number one priority however, they recognized, is enhancing the learning for students, so applying online learning to course curriculums would only be used if it accomplished this goal.

The suggestion arose that online courses could help with admissions, since prospective students could look at course materials that way, although faculty members decided it would be more important to focus on the education of the current students before speculating about future ones.

In addition to the discussion about potential online courses, the meeting brought up several newsworthy events within the faculty, including the distinguished faculty award won by American Studies professor Mary Lynn and the hiring of two new faculty members within the past month for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Skidmore.

The two new members, Rachel Wills and Levi Rogers, will work on a sustainable tour for prospective students and will also develop environment-centered internships and projects for students at the College.

Skidmore Alumna's Documentary Celebrates Diana Vreeland: A Car Chase and a Kiss: Admittedly Optimistic Reviews of Upcoming Films at the Saratoga Film Forum

Posted by Eric Stumpf

"Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel" plays at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13and Friday, Dec. 14 at the Saratoga Film Forum at 320 Broadway. The film will also be shown at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16.

The student body will take great pride in the fact that one of the season's hottest documentaries was written and directed by Skidmore alumna Lisa Immordino Vreeland. This week, the Saratoga Film Forum will bring the documentary downtown. 

"Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel," explores the legacy of one of the fashion industry's most prolific icons. A woman who singlehandedly created and promoted modern fashion in many ways, Diana Vreeland (1903-1989) discovered countless fashion models and made an enduring mark on women's fashion.

Vreeland was the fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar for twenty-five years, after which she became the editor-in-chief for Vogue. In addition to holding these high profile jobs, she also cultivated an image of celebrity. Vreeland's friends included notable figures like Jackie Kennedy, Cecil Beaton, Cole Porter, Coco Chanel and Lauren Bacall. Nicknamed the "The Empress of Fashion," Vreeland was regarded as a visionary, and the trends she launched then are still popular today. Her passion and philosophy about art and fashion remain unparalleled.  

Skidmore art history major Lisa Immordino discovered the inner world of haute couture when she married Diana Vreeland's grandson. Her newfound family tie enabled her to get incredible firsthand accounts that give this documentary an insider's immediacy and vibrancy. 

"But it's not the access that mattered for me," Immordino Vreeland said. "It was the openness of the people of Cond?? Nast, Harper's Bazaar and the Costume Institute. Just people wanting to tell their stories, being generous with their time and really wanting to embrace this." 

This film is lively, well imagined and informative. Viewers don't have to be a fashionista to enjoy it. More than a story about Vreeland's singular career, it will appeal to anybody interested in the workings of drive, passion and nerve. As Sandra Hall of the Sydney Morning Herald says, "She wanted you to look and look again, and this film is full of images which make you do just that."

Relevant Majors: Art History, Business, English, Dramatic Arts, Fashion, Philosophy, Psychology and Studio Art.

Bias Response open forum addresses the community's response to bias: Students and faculty gather to discuss the recent bias incident reports and future responses

Posted by Julia Leef

On Dec. 5, approximately 24 student and faculty members gathered in the Spa for the open forum sponsored by the Bias Response Group to discuss this semester's bias incidents and possible responses to take against them.

Dean of Students Rochelle Calhoun opened the evening by discussing the origins of the bias incident alert grid, a system of recording bias incidents. The bias incident alert grid was created after a discussion a few years ago regarding what Calhoun described as aggressive bias incidents. Calhoun emphasized that the Bias Incident Response Group, which was formulated as a response to these incidents, does respond to each individual incident, even though these responses are not easily visible.

"We're doing as much as we can as we get the reports," Calhoun said in an earlier interview. "We're having meetings to talk about the community aspects in the residence halls. These things do not lack an effect on the individuals who have been targeted."

The students and faculty in attendance brought up many concerns regarding the incidents, including a feeling of a lack of leadership from the faculty, students brushing off the incidents as inconsequential, students not having the tools to combat the incidents, and moving forward and making changes.

The open forum also offered up reasons as to why these bias incidents may be occurring. Some of the suggestions brought forward included a lack of consequences in a culture of acceptance, the general attitude that bias is only an issue of color, and the issue that people are not actively trying to learn about the issues.

"These are complicated issues. We've been trying to work on issues of diversity and inclusivity for the past few years," President Philip A. Glotzbach said in a separate interview. "I see incivility as a way of marginalizing or excluding a student from a dialogue. I think we need to find ways to talk about these issues constructively as a community."

Members of the community in attendance at the open forum also offered several suggestions to address the bias incidents, such as requiring professors to speak in class about a recent bias incident, including a question in the course evaluations regarding whether or not the professor addressed these bias incidents, and providing immediate training for first-year students, along the same concepts of the Everyday Leadership Training.

Although many suggestions were brought forth during this discussion, several main motifs were faculty involvement, the education of the student, a focus on prevention in addition to a response and defining what exactly a bias incident is and what it means in the greater context of the community.

Perhaps most emphasized in the open forum, as vocalized by Calhoun and Glotzbach, was the need to continue to expand these dialogues, to continue to have the conversations needed to address these issues.

Campus Safety Reports: Nov. 30 to Dec. 6

Posted by Julia Leef

Incidents of Note:

• Friday, Nov. 30- Suspicious Activity: Officer reported suspicious activity at 11:25 p.m. in the Jonsson Tower lot. Subjects were caught attempting to release the tire air on a patrol vehicle. Report issued.
• Sunday, Dec. 2-Accident: A person reported at 10:34 a.m. finding vehicle parts near a damaged guardrail on Perimeter road. Dispatched officer recorded the damage. The Saratoga Springs Police Department issued a report. Parts brought back to Campus Safety to be tagged and filed. Owner located. Report issued.
• Wednesday, Dec. 5-A suspicious-looking male reported at 1:36 p.m. entering the Jonsson Tower via the stairwell. Dispatched officers conducted a search of the building and located a non-student who was identified and advised not to return to campus or be arrested for trespass. Subject relayed that he understood and left the campus on foot without incident.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Nov. 30:

• Theft of Services: Four males reported exiting a cab at 12:50 a.m. without paying the fare. Photos of the subjects to be turned over for an investigation. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Stopper alarm activation received at 2:30 a.m. in Wiecking Hall. Officers reset the device. No one in the area.
• Medical: A student reported having a panic attack at 1:32 p.m. in a hallway in Dana. Subjects left the area prior to the officer's arrival, who located the subject and assured his well-being. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor report at 9:39 p.m. on the first floor of Wiecking Hall. Dispatched officer reported noting the odor of marijuana. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: Officer reported a liquor law violation at 9:15 p.m. on the third floor of Wiecking Hall. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 10:48 p.m. in Kimball Hall. Dispatched officers located the source of the marijuana odor but found no visible evidence of possession. Report issued.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 10:48 p.m. in Penfield Hall. Dispatched officers requested the subjects disperse and they complied without incident.
• College Violation: A loud party reported at 10 p.m. on the second floor of Wait Hall. Dispatched officers reported that the group lowered the volume upon request.
• College Violation: Liquor law violation observed at 11:10 p.m. in plain view at Penfield Hall. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: Officer reported a liquor law violation and a drug law violation at 11:11 p.m. in plain sight in Penfield Hall. Report issued.
• College Violation: A large, unauthorized gathering reported at 11:36 p.m. at Cane Crossing. Dispatched officers spoke with residents who complied and lowered the volume. The group dispersed.

Saturday, Dec. 1:

• Falsely Report: A fire alarm activation received at 12:03 a.m. in Penfield Hall. All officers, Unit 10 and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Intentional false alarm received. Officer investigation determined the perpetrators. Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: A person reported at 12:55 a.m. observing someone breaking the light bulbs between Howe Hall and the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Officers dispatched but subjects were gone on arrival. No personal injuries resulted. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: A person reported observing an alcohol violation at 11 p.m. in Penfield Hall. Report issued.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:41 a.m. from a covered area in the center of the South Quad. Officer dispatched reported that students left the area upon arrival.
• Liquor Law Violation: Excessive noise reported at 1:36 a.m. on the fourth floor of Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched observed a liquor law violation. Group dispersed.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 2:06 a.m. at Cane Crossing. Officer dispatched reported that residents complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Intoxicated Subject: Intoxicated student reported at 3:20 a.m. from an off campus party. Officers assisted, evaluated, and escorted the subject back to his room for the evening. Report issued.
• Suspicious Activity: Officer observed a suspicious person at 3:15 a.m. trying to hide alcohol on his person. Subject dropped the alcohol and his coat and fled the Jonsson Tower area.
• Criminal Mischief: Damage to a vehicle's rearview mirror reported at 10:50 a.m. in the Northwoods parking lot. Dispatched officer issued a report. No known perpetrators or witnesses.
• Criminal Mischief: Officer reported holiday lights torn down at 10:35 a.m. near Case Center. Dispatched officer recorded the damage. No known perpetrator(s). Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: Officer reported observing damage at 12:21 p.m. to the wall on the second floor of Wait Hall while conducting checks. Damage recorded. Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: Officer reported at 12:22 p.m. noticing a hole kicked into the wall on the east stairwell of the first floor of McClellan Hall. Damage recorded. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: Officer reported observing a liquor law violation in plain view at 12:22 p.m. while conducting checks in Howe Hall. Report issued.
• Accident: A person reported at 4:25 p.m. that a Dining Services employee had fallen and requested an ambulance. Officers and the Emergency Medical System dispatched. Subject transported for assistance. Report issued.
• Medical: A person reported at 9:30 p.m. that a resident had passed out and required assistance in McClellan Hall. Officers dispatched. Emergency Medical System transported the subject for assistance.
• Liquor Law Violation: A loud party reported at 10:52 p.m. in the Oak Apartments. Officers dispatched witnessed several college violations. Report issued.
• College Violation: Noise reported at 10:58 p.m. on the first floor of Wilmarth Hall. Officer dispatched reported that the group dispersed.

Sunday, Dec. 2:

• Emergency Phone: A blue light activation reported at 12:15 a.m. from the McClellan Hall blue light. Officer reported no one in the area. Call determined to be a false activation.
• College Violation: Domestic dispute reported at 1:48 a.m. in Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched interviewed both parties. Verbal argument determined to be the reason for the call. Subjects separated for the remainder of the night. Report issued.
• College Violation: People being loud reported at 2:20 a.m. in the Moore Quad. Officer dispatched reported that subjects dispersed upon his arrival.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 2:30 a.m. at Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched reported that residents complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 11:29 a.m. for the Sasselin Art Building. Dispatched officers, maintenance, and advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. The source of the alarm was a continual problem with the heat sensor on the third floor. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: A transport for a student requested at 3:52 p.m. to the Saratoga Emergency Room from an off-campus location. Dispatched officer completed the transport for medical attention. Report issued.
• Suspicious Activity: A male subject reported at 7:14 p.m. attempting to gain access to an unauthorized area in the Filene Music Hall. Officer dispatched reported the subject gone on arrival.

Monday, Dec. 3:

• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 10:32 a.m. at the Sasselin Art Building. Officer and maintenance responding reported a continual problem with the heat sensor on the third floor. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 12:28 p.m. for the Hillside B Apartments. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Smoke condition from cooking determined to be the cause. Issue remedied. Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: Officer reported a hole in the wall at 1:57 p.m. on the second floor near the lounge area of Wait Hall. Damage recorded. Report issued.
• Parking: Officer reported booting a vehicle at 2:40 p.m. in the Tang parking lot due to excessive unresolved tickets. Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: Officer reported at 6:21 p.m. finding a large crack in a wall at Jonsson Tower. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: A physical altercation reported at 10:28 p.m. in the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Officer dispatched reported the subjects were gone on arrival. Witnesses reported the subjects were engaged in assumed "horse-play."

Tuesday, Dec. 4:

• College Violation: Noise complaint reported at 1:33 a.m. in Wait Hall. Reporting person had requested that the subjects lower the volume but they refused to. Officers dispatched warned the subjects to keep the volume at an acceptable level.
• Larceny: A student reported his bike missing at 4 p.m. from where he left it. Report issued.

Wednesday, Dec. 5:

• Campus Safety Assist: A personal escort requested at 1:45 a.m. from Jonsson Tower to the subject's residence. Officer completed the escort.
• Found Property: A person brought in earrings and one necklace at 8:16 a.m. that he found in the laundry room of Wait Hall. Items were tagged, bagged and placed in the lost and found.
• Animals: A call received at 5:03 p.m. to report observing a bat in Palamountain Hall. Dispatched officers were unable to locate the bat at this time. Officers will periodically patrol the area in search of the bat.
• Suspicious Activity: A male, not affiliated with the College, reported at 4:22 p.m. having come over to the IT Help Desk in Scribner Library over the weekend who acted obnoxiously and insisted on being served. Employees have been told to call Campus Safety if and when he returns or if he becomes confrontational.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 8:22 p.m. in a Northwoods Apartment complex. Dispatched all officers, maintenance and notified the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Officers reported that the fire alarm was set off by burnt food as an occupant was cooking. Alarm was reset and the apartment was aired out.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 8:32 p.m. in Wait Hall. Dispatched officer who reported locating the room in question and discovering, upon investigation, that someone had been smoking cigarettes inside the room. Occupants were advised of the College's policy prohibiting smoking in the residence halls and that a report of the incident would be made.

Thursday, Dec. 6:

• A student reported at 6:14 a.m. that her roommate in Kimball Hall had just pulled an all-nighter, is very jittery, may have drunk too much coffee and requested assistance. Dispatched officers requested an ambulance to transport the student to the Saratoga Emergency Room for further evaluation.
• Parking: Officer reported booting a vehicle at 11:15 a.m. parked in the fire lane at the Sasselin Art Building.
• Campus Safety Assist: Transportation requested at 2:52 p.m. for a student to the Saratoga Emergency Room. Dispatched officer provided the transport.
• Campus Safety Assist: A jumpstart was requested at 3:16 p.m. for a subject's vehicle parked in the Cane parking lot of Northwoods. Dispatched officer reported the jumpstart was successful.
• Campus Safety Assist: An escort requested at 9:19 p.m. from the Case Center parking lot to the subject's apartment.

Liberty League Honors: The Liberty League Honors from the week of Dec. 3

Posted by Billie Kanfer

Tanner Brooks '16 and Connor Merrill '15 of the Men's Basketball team were recognized by the Liberty League for their performances during a 2-0 week. Brooks was named Rookie of the Week for the second time this season after averaging 21.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game in wins over Castleton and Cobleskill. Merrill was named to the weekly honor for the third straight week. He averaged 19.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. Skidmore is 5-1 on the season and travels to Middlebury Dec. 8. for its next match up. 

Skidmore Heads into a Weekend Showdown with Middlebury Riding High: Wilson Gibbons on the Skidmore Men's Basketball Team

Posted by Wilson Gibbons

The men's basketball team, after losing its first game of the season, has now won its last five relying heavily on underclassmen this season.

Perhaps to the surprise of their opponents, the all-freshman starting backcourt of Aldin Medunjanin '16 and Tanner Brooks '16, have not missed a beat. Many wrote off this team due to the high roster turnover from last season, but they are rapidly proving they can play with anyone.

Brooks was recently awarded the Liberty League Rookie of the Week for the second time this season. He submitted a 24-point, four-assist performance against Castleton College and followed it up with a solid 18-point, five-assist game against SUNY Cobleskill. Both games resulted in a win for the Thoroughbreds.

However, the victory over Cobleskill came at a high price as Brooks tore his meniscus in the process, although he remains hopeful about his return.

"I have to get surgery on Friday, but the good news is it should be a quick recovery, hopefully two weeks," Brooks said. "I should be back after winter break for league play."

Medunjanin stepped up in Brooks' absence, notching 26 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists in a come-from-behind win against SUNY Oneonta. The Thoroughbreds will need stellar performances like that to continue as they move forward.

Still, Connor Merrill '15, who currently leads the team in scoring and rebounding, sees room for improvement.

"We're not near where we should be," Merrill said. "We haven't played our best game yet, we still have a lot of things to work on."

The improvements will have to come fast as the College is set to face defending NESCAC champion Middlebury College on Saturday, Dec. 8. The Panthers are currently ranked third in the nation according to d3hoops.com. They have a total of eight players on their roster who are 6'6" and above, as compared to just one for Skidmore. Obviously, rebounding will be a huge concern heading into Saturday's game.

"We've got to rebound," Merrill said. "[This game] is going to be a slow-paced, grind it out, who's tougher than who type of game."

Despite, or perhaps because of, Skidmore's youth, they remain wholly optimistic about their chances.

Editorial: New DOF/VPAA

Posted by The Editorial Board

Beau Breslin, former director of the First-Year Experience and previous chair of the Government department, was recently hired as Dean of Faculty/Vice President of Academic Affairs after a tireless, semester-long search. The Skidmore News commends the administration for both this decision and the process in which it was handled. By having students Kayleigh Kahn '13 and Hale Hall '14 serve on the six-member hiring council, inviting students to attend open forums in which the candidates for the position were interviewed and encouraging students to submit feedback on the candidates, the administration did all that it could to foster student involvement.

Unfortunately, despite the invitation, Dean of Faculty Rochelle Calhoun noted that there was little student participation outside of the students on the panel; few students attended the forums and not much feedback was received from the student body.

The administration sent out multiple emails to keep students informed on the process and to remind them of the open forums. A webpage listed all of the candidates' credentials and another outlined the responsibilities of the position. All of the candidates were brought to campus, had lunch with the students involved and were each given a tour of the campus by a student.

President Philip A. Glotzbach noted the position as one that involves little direct student contact, which could explain why not as many students became involved in the process. While this may be true, the DOF/VPAA does have a significant role in the hiring process of new faculty members, as the webpage notes, so one could argue that the position still holds influence over the student body, though not necessarily in a direct way.

Glotzbach also stated that the administration could have done more to help students understand the position, which may have led to more involvement. However, considering the multiple invitations and reminders as well as the webpage coherently outlining the duties involved in the position, it seems like the administration did enough to extend the opportunities for students.

Some students may have seen Breslin as a shoe-in given his advantage in being the only candidate with previous experience at the College as well as the fact that he had been filling the position on an interim basis since June, therefore making the hiring process extraneous and more of a good-will gesture. This would, however, seem unlikely given the fact that the process took almost an entire semester to reach a conclusion.

While Breslin did have somewhat of a leg up on the competition given his familiarity with the College, his experience at Skidmore should not be viewed as an advantage in the hiring process but rather as an aspect that made him the candidate best fit for the College. The ability to successfully preside over the faculty and curriculum should require an extensive understanding of the College.

Whether or not there was a disconnect between the students and the administration in this case is unclear, but if the kinks in communication can be worked out, this inclusive, active method could maximize student involvement in future key College processes. Students should take full advantage of any future opportunities of this nature, especially in hiring new professors.

Skidmore alumnus Christopher Weigl killed in accident on Thursday: The graduate from the Class of 2011 was hit by a tractor-trailer while biking in Boston, Mass.

Posted by Rachel Kim and Julia Leef

Christopher Weigl, a Skidmore alumnus from the class of 2011 and a graduate student at Boston University, was killed in a collision with a tractor-trailer while riding his bike on Thursday morning, Dec. 6, at Commonwealth Avenue and St. Paul Street in Boston, Mass.

The 23-year-old was hit by the 16-wheel truck at 8:30 a.m., according to BU Today, when the truck made a wide right turn onto St. Paul Street. He was wearing a helmet and biking in a marked bike lane. The Boston Police Department is currently investigating the accident.

Weigl, who was in the midst of obtaining his master's degree in photojournalism at the College of Communication, was president of the Photo Club at Skidmore and served as the photography editor for The Skidmore News.

In 2009 Weigl, along with Keith Petri '10 who was president of the Photo Club at the time, created the Skidmore Spur Charitable Calendar. As president the following year, Weigl continued the yearly tradition. The successful and provocative calendar, which has raised over $3000 for charity will be dedicated to Weigl this year.

"Chris was my mentor in photography at Skidmore. He was a really hard worker and really involved club members like me Lauren. He was amazingly talented," said Melissa Cohn '13. Cohn and Lauren Elsner '13 are currently co-presidents of the Photo Club.

"Chris, to me, was a friend, an inspiration, but also my mentor. His work was unbelievable and he was such an incredible person. I want him to be remembered at Skidmore," Elsner said. Elsner, along with the photography club, plans to hold a vigil in memoriam of Weigl on Tuesday Dec. 11.

Weigl's photos were also featured at the Communications department, which nominated him employee of the year when he was in his senior year. He served a freelance internship at the Panorama magazine and was a freelance photographer for Metrowest Daily News.

"From the wedding day to a simple human interest story, the capture of emotion in a split-second is a truly powerful, almost magical, ability. The seduction of photojournalism lies in its translation of a 4D space to a 2D plane. How does the photographer interpret that change? What decisions does he or she consciously make in capturing this story?" Weigl said on his website.

A vast array of his works can be seen on the site, which includes many photos from his trips to Cambodia, Thailand, Italy, New Zealand and Istanbul, Turkey.

"Chris was by far the most talented photographer I knew personally," Savannah Grier '12, who also served as art director on The Skidmore News, said. "Beyond that, he was just such a kind, warm-hearted perosn. I feel so lucky to have been able to work with him on The Skidmore News. I have always considerd our club to be like a family, and so losing Chris is losing a part of my Skidnews family."