SGA Fall Speech Night introduces new candidates for the new academic year: Candidates gather on Case Green to announce their platforms for the upcoming elections

Posted by Taylor Ray '17

Twenty-seven candidates vying for Student Government Association positions mounted the stage at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening on Case Green. Approximately 80 students looked on as the introductions began.

Rather than giving speeches, the candidates - including some running for Senator-at-Large and positions in the class of 2017 - were asked to answer questions by SGA representatives and audience members. The thirteen candidates for the twenty available Senator-at-Large positions opened Speech Night with their responses to any issue at Skidmore College that had been raised to their attention.

Many of the Senator-at-Large candidates noted the unionization of workers at the College and agreed that students should continue to make a real effort to help. Other spoke of sustainability issues and the importance of maintaining relations between the student-run clubs and organizations and the SGA.

Many candidates expressed a desire for a more unified Skidmore and an updated method of spreading information about events on campus in order to bring students together.

"We need more of a connection between students and events so that everyone always knows what's going on," said Margaret Patterson '15.

"We are Skidmore College," said Breyton Croom '17. "We are Thoroughbreds, and we should work together so that we can run all the way around the track and get to first place."

Other Senator-at-Large candidates mentioned issues with registering for classes and the high amount of food waste at Skidmore.

First-Year Social Chair candidate, Bernice Langyintuo '17, was asked her opinion on spreading the word about SGA events.

"I would make sure that everyone gets an email about the events, and I would make posters because not everyone has Facebook," she said.

One of the hot topics of the night proved to be school-wide event planning and execution. First-year class president candidates Orr Genish '17, Jonathan Bartfeld '17, Abude Alasaad '17, and Rand Osathanugrah '17, all agreed that it is important to take into account both sides of the equation when presented with a concern in council meetings.

"I would take an example from Dwight Eisenhower and make people argue for their opponents ideas," Genish said. Others stated that working towards a common ground and doing everything possible to satisfy both sides is always important.

Before exiting the stage, Alasaad one final statement to the student audience.

"At the end of the year, I will invite all of you to a reflection meeting, and we will discuss exactly what I've done and what I've achieved," he said.

The candidates for First-Year Treasurer, a contested position, responded to how they would best use a single dollar to serve Skidmore students.

"I would do something that doesn't cost anything at all. Creative thought matters, and there are fun things that we could do with the resources around campus," Julia Elstein '17 said.

"I would plan an event that everyone would love," Croom, who is running for First-Year Treasurer in addition to a Senator-at-Large position, said. "I want all the freshmen students to be united, and I want everyone to have a great time at Skidmore,"

Allocating funds is an important job attributed to class treasurers. The three candidates for the First-Year Treasurer position were asked about their previous experience with managing money.

"In high school, I was the class dance club president. I've worked with committees with very little money. Allocating resources is very important, so I would save whatever I can and spend 10% of it on food. With every event, food is very important, and I think it will bring more people to SGA events," Anh Vu Nguyen '17 said.

"I've had a bank account ever since I was little," Croom said. "I jot down every dollar, every cent, every check, and every single piece of money that goes into my bank account. I want to make sure that we have enough money to do everything we want to do."

Elstein worked in the accounting department of a law firm this past summer, where she was in charge of sending and receiving trust checks.

"I'm used to working with a set amount of money and being in charge of sending it out to different people at different times," she said. "Fun events that get us together as a class and as a school are more fun than spending tons of money on things we can't afford."

To change gears, the candidates for senior class Vice President and senior class Treasurer took the stage. They were asked about possibilities for future events.

"I always look forward to Fun Day," said Sarah Dinkelacker '14, candidate for senior class vice president. "I really like that everyone dresses crazy...I think we should have a Fun Day times ten."

Jess Strasser '14, candidate for senior class Treasurer, added her own thoughts, saying that something outside the mold of the general senior week schedule would best utilize the larger budget allotted to senior week.

With the spotlight back on first-year positions, Maya Reyes '17 and Madison Plummer '17 spoke about what specific skills they would bring to the first-year Vice President position.

"I understand how to support a president," said Reyes, who has had experience in both treasurer and secretary positions. "I know how to play a supporting role within the class representative members."

Reyes also was involved in TEDxTokyo in the past, a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, and wants to display tweets about events on the large projector screen in the dining hall in order to get the word out more efficiently.

Plummer was the vice president of her high school graduating class and was on the student government executive board. She explained that she's open to all ideas, and that she wants to take advantage of the creativity that Skidmore embodies.

"I've worked very closely with the president in planning events. I can bring creativity to this position," she said.

Last to speak were candidates for the first-year senator positions. There are three positions available, and three candidates.

Candidates spoke about how to unify the diverse freshman class. Nick Friedman '17 noted that he wants to speed up the process via community service projects or team competitions.

"What I've noticed is that people bond best when they're working together on a team towards a common goal. Even when people who are polar opposites are working together, they bond."

Kevin Wang '17 mentioned social media and the room for improvement in the SGA's investment in bringing the class together. He also spoke about the need for more awareness of different cultures, suggesting branching off of the Asian Awareness club.

Candidate for Vice President for Diversity Affairs, Britt Dorfman '14, could not attend Speech Night in person, but an SGA representative read her written response to what can be done about the awareness of diversity on campus.

"I think that problems with any type of diversity will arise on a college campus that includes a variety of different types of people," she wrote. "I want to decrease the negative issues that we have on campus. Positive impacts will put us on that pathway, and shifts should be about action. I want people to have more positive things to say about our campus climate than negative."

Voting begins at midnight on Thursday, Sept. 19. There will be designated voting booths around campus during the day, and all students will receive a link that will allow them to vote online at any time on Thursday.

Candidates running for office:

Senator-at-Large Positions:

Anya Hein '15
Brendis Gonzalez '16
Ibrahima Thiam '16
Lauren Scauzzo '15
Luca Mobilia '17
Margaret Patterson '15
Megan Shachter '17
Zachary Stiller '17
Charles Tetelman '16
Matt Sickles '17
John Schreur '17
Breyton Croom '17
Dorothy Parsons '17

First-Year Positions:

Bernice Langyintuo '17--Class Social Chair
Orr Genish '17--Class President
Abude Alasaad '17--Class President
Jonathan Bartfeld '17--Class President
Rand Osathanugrah '17--Class President
Julia Elstein '17--Class Treasurer
Anh Vu Lam Nguyen '17--Class Treasurer
Breyton Croom '17--Class Treasurer
Maya Reyes '17--Class Vice President
Madison Plummer '17--Class Vice President
Dorothy Parsons '17--First-Year Senator
Kevin Wang '17--First-Year Senator
Nick Friedman '17--First-Year Senator

Other Positions:

Sarah Dinkelacker '14--Senior Class Vice President
Jess Strasser '14--Senior Class Treasurer
Britt Dorfman '14--Vice President for Diversity Affairs 

The Beast of Skidmore: Skidmore workers struggle at the bargaining table with the college

Posted by Aneta Molenda

At one of the wealthiest colleges in upstate New York, boasting an endowment close to $300 million (National Center for Education Statistics), Skidmore College workers, in separate personal interviews, are describing a struggle for "dignity" that is scaring them "to death." The following situation is what one dining services worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, described to me as "the beast of Skidmore."

Skidmore workers have been represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) since 1972. The initial battle to unionize our campus lasted over a year and was led by a group of five workers-Carl Ure (Central Receiving), Wilbur Wright (Cook), Vie Oliver (Housekeeping), Maria Marcolongo (Cook), and Joseph Moore (Cook)-who are remembered by many Skidmore workers to this day.

This past summer, a petition was filed by the United Professional and Service Employees Union (UPSEU) to displace the current union when 45 workers signed UPSEU membership cards. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) then initiated an election process and a vote took place on Aug. 1.

Workers had three options-stay with SEIU, switch their representative to UPSEU, or elect to forgo union representation entirely. One of the three parties had to receive a super majority in order to win.

The initial vote resulted in a tie between the two unions, with UPSEU receiving 66 votes and SEIU receiving 52 votes (another 20 people voted to go non-union). A federal judge has yet to announce the ruling on a new date for a second vote, and it is unclear whether it will be a run-off between the two unions or if the non-union option will remain as well.

Prior to the vote, Skidmore's Human Resources pitched the "benefits of going non-union" to employees who are already members of SEIU. Even President Philip A. Glotzbach himself urged workers to go non-union in a letter to the affected employees, arguing that they could "make our community even stronger by voting not to have a third-party organization come between you and the college."

But does the College care about its workers? Anyone familiar with the larger fight for the rights and dignity of service workers across the United States will realize that with "no union" there is a risk of "no rights." Skidmore workers stand to lose the most significant advance they have fought for since members unionized forty-one years ago: their bargaining power.

With workers' contracts about to expire, the critical matter facing our unionized workers is their fight at the bargaining table with the College. The key concerns SEIU Skidmore workers and the negotiations team have identified, says organizer Mack-Piccone, include "a fair and equitable retirement package that allows them to live in some modicum of security after a lifetime of service to the College, a decent health insurance package that the College contributes to fairly, and for the first time in the history of the SEIU Skidmore contract, a living wage compensation plan that realistically meets the basic levels of service-worker pay in Saratoga county, let alone those of New York state as a whole."

One 36-year SEIU member and dining hall worker who wished to remain anonymous explains, "We are asking the college to treat us right. Aren't we worth our hire?"

Regardless of whether SEIU or another union ultimately represents the workers, the workers' successful outcome to the continued negotiations with the College is absolutely crucial.

If we, as students, care about our workers and what they do for us, we need to educate ourselves. Strike up a conversation with facilities or the cleaning staff (while they are on break, of course). Ask questions, even as simple as, "What are the issues most important to you in negotiations right now? How can we-as students-help support you at the bargaining table?"

Show our workers that students stand behind them in this fight, and let's start building a coalition, not to support one union over another union, but rather to support the amazing people on our campus who too often go unnoticed. These are the people who clean our dorms and buildings, maintain the mechanical equipment, prepare and serve our food, keep our grounds and landscapes beautiful, organize the student mail, and care for our horses and stables.

What kind of institution do we want to be a part of? We can make it happen.

Reel Talk: Coming Soon: The air is crisp, leaves are falling, and new movies are coming to theatres.

Posted by Sean van der Heijden

We still don't have a movie theater here in Saratoga Springs, but some pretty good movies are being released over the next couple of months and hopefully construction will soon finish on the theater that is being built right off Broadway. On that note, here are a few movies that I'm most looking forward to:

1. Prisoners: dir. Dennis Villenueve, starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Currently making its way around a few international film festivals, Prisoners is an intense thriller about a man (Jackman) who tests the limits of morality to help the police find his missing daughter and her friend. It's getting fantastic reviews so far, with much praise for Jackman's emotional performance and its twisted, violent script. Prisoners hits theaters on Sept. 20.

2. Gravity: dir. Alfonso Cuar??n, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.

I should preface my excitement for this film by stating that Alfonso Cuar??n (of all people) is my absolute favorite director. That being said, he hasn't released a full-length film since 2006's haunting Children of Men, but word is Gravity does not disappoint. The movie essentially deals with Sandra Bullock being stranded in space after a terrible accident, and is supposed to be an incredibly visceral and powerful experience. Gravity will be released into theaters on Oct. 4.

3. 12 Years a Slave: dir. Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Brad Pitt.

Based on Solomon Northrup's real-life memoir, this film follows a free African-American man (Ejiofor) living, coincidentally, in Saratoga Springs, who gets captured and sold into slavery in Louisiana. Harsh and unrelenting, it's been getting rave reviews at every film festival, especially for Ejiofor and Fassbender's intense performances. 12 Years a Slave opens in theaters on Oct. 18.

Later in the fall, we also have Ridley Scott's The Counselor-with a screenplay by the legendary Cormac McCarthy-sci-fi action film Ender's Game, Thor: the Dark World, and Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Coming up on Thanksgiving (which will be here sooner than you know it), there's The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Spike Lee's Oldboy remake starring Josh Brolin, and Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom with Idris Elba and Naomi Harris. As I said, there's a lot to look forward to in the coming months.

Volleyball drops Liberty League match to Union

Posted by Katie Peverada

The Skidmore College volleyball team fell to Liberty League foe Union College on Tuesday night in their first league match of the season. Despite winning the first set pretty handily, the Thoroughbreds went on to drop three sets in a row to the Dutchmen for a final match score of 3-1.
In the first set, Skidmore surged to an early lead and quickly found themselves with a 10-2 lead thanks to five-straight serving points from Natalie Nagale '14. Union tried to claw back into the set, but with the score 19-13, Clare Kenny '15 served five straight points to end the first set at 25-13.
Union took the second set the same way that Skidmore took the first one, running out to a 10-4 lead before closing it out for a 25-13 lead.
The third and fourth sets both proved to be nail-bitters, with the Thoroughbreds wearing their emotions on their sleeves.
In the third set, the Thoroughbreds had the small home crowd behind them as they crawled out of an early 4-1 hole by winning four straight points, thanks to more great serves from Nagle. Over the course of the set, the teams were tied 11 different times. Skidmore fought off two set points to make it 24-23 before Union was finally able to put away the set on a service error.
The fourth set proved to be eerily similar to the third, with neither team really pulling away as the score was tied on 13 separate occasions. Union was eventually able to go up 12-7, but the Thoroughbreds once again fought back to tie the game at 12-12 thanks to Aria Goodman '15 serving four straight points. With the score tied, again, at 22 all, Union was able to win the serve back and go on a 3-0 run to close out the set at 25-22.
Goodman and Nagale carried the Skidmore offense with 14 and 11 kills respectively, while also adding nine and 11 digs. Corinne Palmer '14 had a .296 hitting percentage to go with her 11 kills. Emma Wilberg '14 had a game-high 36 assists and a .250 hitting percentage. Freshman Marcela Famillar led all players with 29 digs.
The loss dropped Skidmore to 6-5 overall and 0-1 in Liberty League play while Union improved to 10-2 and 1-0.
The Thoroughbreds are in action again on Sept. 28 when they hit the road for the Baruch College Tri-Match.

Ovechkin vs. Crosby: Shortened season, same rivalry

Posted by Rebecca Shesser

With the start of the first full NHL season since 2011 inching closer, fans everywhere are gearing up for their long-awaited 82 games. As the Chicago Blackhawks blazed through the first 24 games of last years' 48-game season without a loss, the lockout's damage left little room for any Cinderella stories. However, two storylines emerged from a pair of players whose legacies have tangled and twisted ever since their NHL debuts in 2005.
In 2004, the Washington Capitals selected Russian phenomenon Alexander Ovechkin as the first overall pick in the draft. Ovechkin, who had been playing in the Russian Superleague since the age of 16, signed a three-year entry-level contract. Due to the 2004-2005 lockout, Ovechkin returned to Russia for one more season before making his NHL debut in which he scored two goals in a Capitals victory. Ovechkin would go on to play in all but one game that season, accumulating 52 goals and 54 assists. This feat earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy (NHL Rookie of the Year award), the Kharlamov Trophy (NHL Russian MVP), and a place on two NHL all-star teams. Tallying three more 100+ point seasons from 2007-2010, Ovechkin made off with the Art Ross Memorial Trophy (Most Points) once, and the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (Most Goals), the Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP) and the NHL Player of the Year award all two times. However, Ovechkin wasn't the only rookie in the 2005-2006 season making waves.
Following a 200+ point peewee hockey season in his hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, it was apparent that Sidney Crosby's skill did not match his age. Determined to give their son the challenge he craved, Crosby's parents signed him up for a league intended for players two to four years older than their 13-year old. After playing one game, in which he recorded four points, the league barred him from playing to avoid an inevitable conflict over his age. However, one thing became very clear from the situation: this young prodigy was no ordinary hockey player. When age became a non-factor, Crosby turned his sights to the NHL.
Following the 2004-2005 NHL lockout, there was no set draft order because there were no previous season rankings. The draft was a lottery, which became known as the Sidney Crosby sweepstakes and was won by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since then, Crosby has tallied 665 points, won many individual awards and had the honor of hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head as a team captain.
These two incredible hockey players are constantly compared and their rivalry has become legendary. All conversations about these two extraordinary players ultimately lead to one question: who truly is the better player?
Statistically, Alexander Ovechkin has 60 career points over Crosby. However, it is important to note that injury marred Crosby's career, keeping his games played total to a mere 470 games while Ovechkin has tallied 601 GP. This wide difference puts Crosby's points per game at an impressive 1.4 over Ovechkin's 1.2 PPG. Additionally, Crosby has failed to play for an entire season since 2009-2010, which was also his last 100-point season. Out of the 212 playable games since then, Crosby has only participated in 99.
Coincidentally the 2009-2010 season was also the last 100-point season for Ovechkin, whose numbers decreased dramatically to 85 points in 2010-2011 and a disappointing 65 points in the 2011-2012 season despite being an active player for nearly all of the combined 164 games during those two seasons. The future of both superstars seemed to hang in the balance as the NHL slid into a lockout period prior to the abridged 2012-2013 season.
Despite questions of Ovechkin's skill and Crosby's health, both players exceeded expectations and provided the league with two classic Cinderella storylines.
Upon Crosby's long-awaited return, he became an immediate contender for the Art Ross Trophy. Simultaneously, Ovechkin initially struggled adapting to a new coach as well as a new position. The switch left Ovechkin dormant in the point department for the beginning of the season. However, once things on the Capitals' first line began clicking, there was no stopping the "Great-8."
Ovechkin surged to the top of the NHL goals category capturing the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as well as the Hart Trophy, two accolades that had escaped his grasp since 2009. Crosby's season was cut short due to another injury; however, his 56-point, 36-game season couldn't be ignored, and received the player-awarded MVP title.
These two comeback stories are nowhere near over. A newly refreshed Ovechkin poses an undeniable threat to the finally healthy Crosby and vice-versa. When the puck finally drops on the 2013-2014 season, there is no doubt that all eyes will once again be focused on this rivalry.

Campus Safety Reports: September 6 to 12

Incidents of Note:

• Friday, Sept. 6-Criminal Mischief: Three males reported at 1:05 a.m. carrying a flagpole into their room at Penfield Hall. Dispatched officers located the owner of the flagpole and, upon further investigation, the owner contacted the Sheriff's Office. Investigation turned over to the Sheriff's Office.
• Tuesday, Sept. 10-Suspicious Activity: Officer reported a vehicle parked at midnight in the handicap spot at the east end of Harder Hall with an occupant sleeping in it. Officer advised the subject that she could not sleep in her vehicle on campus. Subject complied and left the area.
• Wednesday, Sept. 11-Hate/Bias: A bias incident found at 9:08 a.m. written in the lobby on the sixth floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer interviewed the reporting person and filed a report.
• Thursday, Sept. 12- Illegally dumped garbage debris reported at 2:50 p.m. near the Field Hockey lawn in the Williamson Sports Center field. Items consisted of four tires and a mattress. Officer made contact with the owner and advised them to remove all the debris. The Saratoga Springs Police Department was contacted for advisement and then again by the reporting person to respond to the illegal dumping on campus property.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Sept. 6:

• Public Lewdness: Officer caught a male at 1 a.m. urinating outside of the entrance to Penfield Hall. Male identified and advised to cease his actions in the future. Report made.
• Information Received: The Saratoga Springs Police Department reported at 5:32 a.m. that a student was arrested downtown and had since been released.
• Escorts: Transportation requested at 2:22 p.m. from Campus to the Wilton Medical Center. Dispatched officer and transport provided.
• College Violation: Officer reported a college violation of the alcohol policy at 8:30 p.m. in McClellan Hall. Officers identified those involved and made a report.
• Propped Door: Officer reported finding a propped door at 8:40 p.m. in Kimball Hall. Now secure.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor was reported at 10:37 p.m. coming through the vents at the Hillside Apartments. Dispatched officer reported checking the area but the odor had dissipated.

Saturday, Sept. 7:

College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:38 a.m. coming from an adjacent apartment at 10 Whitman Way. Officers dispatched and reported that the group was leaving the area upon their arrival. Area quiet at this time.

• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:45 a.m. at the Hillside B Apartments. Officers dispatched and reported that the noise was coming from a registered party. Officer spoke with the contact person who agreed to end the party and disperse all inside by 1 a.m.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 1:24 a.m. in an adjacent apartment at 11 Cane Crossing. Officers dispatched and reported that two apartments were loud. Apartment residents of both apartments were spoken to and complied with the request to be quiet.
• Intoxicated Subject: An intoxicated male student reported at 3:36 a.m. in Kimball Hall. Officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Student evaluated and taken to the Saratoga Emergency Room via ambulance.
• College Violation: Report received at 4:10 a.m. that an adjacent room in McClellan Hall was being very loud. Officer dispatched and reported the loud noise was coming from a television which was now turned off.
• Medical Assistance: The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service was called at 5:45 p.m. and requested to look at a subject's shoulder in the Campus Safety Office. The SCEMS contacted and evaluated the reporting person's shoulder.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm reported at 8:25 p.m. at New Apartment L. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Source of alarm was due to burnt food. All units advised.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 8:44 p.m. for 5 Dayton Drive. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Cause of alarm was steam for a shower. All units advised.
• Medical Assistance: Report received at 9:18 p.m. that a person had spilled a hot beverage in Wait Hall and burnt her chin. Dispatched officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. The SCEMS evaluated the reporting person who was transported to the Saratoga Emergency Room.
• Liquor Law Violation: A liquor law violation reported at 9:32 p.m. at Wait Hall. Students identified and report made.
• Medical Assistance: The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service reported at 11:51 p.m. that a male walked into their office in Case Center with chest pains. Officers dispatched, who provided transport to the Saratoga Emergency Room.

Sunday, Sept. 8:

College Violation: A loud noise reported at 12:10 a.m. in the New Apartments J. Officers dispatched but found the area quiet upon their arrival.

• College Violation: A loud noise reported at 12:15 a.m. at 14 Whitman Way. Officer dispatched and reported locating an unregistered party. Party-goers dispersed and the party was shut down. Report made.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 12:48 a.m. at Dayton Drive. Officers located the source of the noise and advised the occupants to lower the noise level.
• College Violation: Loud music and noise reported at 1:27 a.m. at Dayton Drive. Officer located the source of the noise and advised all to quiet down.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor of marijuana reported at 2:02 a.m. coming through a vent in the Hillside A Apartments. Officers checked the area but could no longer detect the odor.
• Liquor Law Violation: A drug and liquor law violation reported at 2:27 a.m. in Kimball Hall. Occupants identified. Report written.
• Fire Alarm: Officers dispatched at 11:59 a.m. to the New Apartments G for an activated fire alarm. Maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Alarm was due to burnt bacon. All units advised.
• Property Damage Auto Accident: Report received at 6:04 p.m. that the subject had hit another vehicle with her vehicle in West Lot A. Officer assigned. Owners exchanged information. No police involvement.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:35 p.m. in Penfield Hall. Officer reported drug law and alcohol violation as well as smoking in the room. Report made.

Monday, Sept. 9:

Escort: Transport requested at 5 p.m. for a student for medical treatment. Dispatched officer and transport provided.

• Medical Assistance: Reporting person in the Campus Safety Office stated at 5:05 p.m. that he had hit his head and would like it looked at to see if he needs stitches. Dispatched officer and notified the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service, which evaluated the injury.
• Theft of Services: Report filed at 5:30 p.m. of a theft of services for failure to pay cab fare.
• Graffiti: Officer reported graffiti at 6:46 p.m. on the shed next to Wiecking Hall. Report made.
• Medical Assistance: Reporting person called at 7:11 p.m. requested to speak with Health Services on call. Message delivered. Health Services called back requesting that the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service respond for a student. Dispatched officer and the SCEMS. Student was injured while playing a game.
• Fire Orientation: Officers, the Saratoga Springs Police Department and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department conducted several fire/safety orientations at 8 p.m. for the student body in Filene.
• College Violation: Noise complaint received at 11:23 p.m. in Penfield Hall. Dispatched officer reported speaking with the subjects outside of the building who were playing guitars. All agreed to leave the area. Officer also spoke with the subjects inside playing the guitars who also dispersed.

Tuesday, Sept. 10:

Graffiti: A very disturbing picture(s) reported at 10:57 a.m. on a whiteboard in Rounds Hall. Dispatched officer and report made.

• Medical Assistance: Medical assistance requested at 12:10 p.m. for a stubbed toe. Officer dispatched and treatment rendered.
• Medical Assistance: Report received at 2:32 p.m. that a person had fallen off his longboard at Haupt Pond and needed transportation to Health Services. Student was on the walkway near the gazebo and could not stand up as he had injured his knee. Dispatched officer requested an ambulance. Contacted the Saratoga ambulance via 911.
• 911 Call: 911 hang up received at 4:14 p.m. from the second floor hallway in Penfield Hall. Dispatched officer reported no one in the area upon his arrival.
• Reckless Endangerment: Officer reported at 9:24 p.m. observing a subject driving recklessly in the Jonsson Tower Lot. Subject identified, citation issued and report made.
• Moving Violations: An automobile was observed at 9:24 p.m. being driven recklessly in West Lot. Vehicle stopped, driver identified, citation issued and report made.
• College Violation: A group reported playing guitars at 10:49 p.m. outside of Wilmarth Hall and creating too much noise. Dispatched officer located the group and asked them to cease activity. Subjects complied.
• Medical Assistance: Assistance requested at 11:50 p.m. for a student who had been vomiting in Wilmarth Hall. Dispatched officer and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service notified.

Wednesday, Sept. 11:

Medical Assistance: Campus Safety called at 2:05 a.m. by a subject reporting that he needed medical attention at McClellan Hall. Dispatched officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service.

• Medical Assistance: Reporting person called at 2:23 p.m. stating that her friend at the New Apartments needed medical assistance. Dispatched officers and contacted 911 for an ambulance at the reporting person's request. Student transported to the Saratoga Emergency Room.
• Graffiti: A defiled poster reported at 10:56 p.m. on the tenth floor of Jonsson Tower. Officer responded and interviewed the reporting person, took photos of the graffiti and filed a report.

Thursday, Sept. 12:

Arson: An incident of burnt paper reported at 9:20 p.m. in the stairwell of Wait Hall. The paper was still smoldering. Dispatched officer interviewed the reporting persons, checked the remaining area for any further damage, photographed the papers and filed a report.

• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 10:35 p.m. for the New Apartments K. Dispatched officers, maintenance and advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Cause of the alarm was burnt food. Advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department.
• College Violation: A call received at 11:36 p.m. on the TIPS line to report a noise complaint in the New Apartments J. Dispatched officers.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 11:42 p.m. in Wiecking Hall. Dispatched officers spoke to the room occupants and asked them to turn down the volume. They complied. 

Skidmore College welcomes Joshua Woodfork as executive director of the Office of the President

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins '15

Joshua Woodfork, former assistant professor in the American Studies Department from 2005 to 2010, has been appointed executive director of the Office of the President and coordinator of strategic initiatives at Skidmore College. He will assist the President and members of the Cabinet in advancing the Office's agendas. To give students a clearer idea of his role in the Office, Woodfork describes it as the "Chief of Staff position."

Woodfork was one of 200 applicants who applied last spring for the position. After spending three years working at American University and Trinity College, he decided that he wanted to return to Skidmore and continue working on initiatives from a new, administrative approach. "I decided that I can have an impact if I move into administration, just as much as I have in a teaching role," Woodfork said.

His work as a faculty liaison in the Franklin Douglass Distinguished Scholars Program at American University-an initiative that provides underprivileged students the opportunity to win educational scholarships-and as an administrator at Trinity College provided him with a strong background in administration.

During his time at Skidmore, he taught multiple classes focusing on whiteness and multiracialism, in addition to a few ethnographic courses. In addition to teaching diversity classes, Woodfork pioneered a Black and Latino Males Initiative in conjunction with Student Affairs, co-founded Skidmore College's Black Faculty and Staff Group and was heavily involved in Skidmore's Opportunity Program.

He hopes to continue working on diversity strategies in his role as coordinator of strategic initiatives at Skidmore. "One of the areas that I thought Skidmore needed to work on while I was here was diversity inclusion," Woodfork said. Since leaving his teaching position at Skidmore three years ago, he has witnessed a tremendous increase in commitment to emphasizing diversity at Skidmore, whether in an increasingly inclusive student population or in the rise in student group efforts with diversity initiatives. He hopes to continue to work with student groups to see their goals accomplished.

Another key component in Woodfork's agenda is a renewed focus on community. He will work with President Glotzbach to develop a long-term community-building plan, in which students and faculty members will express their ideas on what they would like to see changed at Skidmore. If the plan is implemented, student groups will have the opportunity to add their ideas on a website. "You can make change happen here as a student," Woodfork said. He hopes that as new executive director of the Office of the President and coordinator of strategic initiatives, his goals will highlight the importance of student commitment and involvement at Skidmore.

For more information on Joshua Woodfork, please visit: http://www.skidmore.edu/news/2013/082813-joshua-woodfork-to-direct-office-of-president.php

Blurbs Overheard

Posted by As heard Eleanor Rochman

"I can't wait to go to the fire safely meeting so I can feel safe around fire."

person #1: "Do you want to smoke this stolen cigar with me?"
person #2: "Yes!"

"Bagels are just unfriendly donuts"

"The new Skidmore mascot should be like a unicorn narwal."

Dining hall war
person #1: "Are they barking?"
person #2: "Now I really feel like we're on the blue side"
person #1: "Nooo! They're crossing the border! Make them go back!"

"Sundae Wednesday sucks compared to Sundae Sunday pretty much because it doesn't rhyme"

The Thoroughbreds welcome Patrick Hart as the new men's lacrosse coach

Posted by Maggie Sweeney

Patrick Hart, the new head coach of the men's lacrosse team, graduated as a student-athlete from College of the Holy Cross in 2005, and spent two years as an assistant coach there. He then spent the next few years as the assistant coach at Amherst College. Now, the men's lacrosse team is in the process of hiring an assistant coach who can help Coach Hart lead the new team down a successful path. I spoke with Hart about his expectations and excitement for this coming season at Skidmore.

MS: Why did you choose to come and coach at Skidmore?
PH: I love Saratoga Springs, and I am excited for the competition level that my players will experience.

MS: What do you plan to carry from your experience as a player into your coaching career?
PH: I always responded very well to honesty as a player. I enjoyed being able to take constructive criticism and help shape my playing abilities through the advice that I receive from my coaches.

MS: What expectations do you have for your team this year?
PH: I hope to see them go as far as possible. I am also adamant about having the upperclassmen help out the freshman in every way possible, on and off of the field. I believe team unity and understanding is crucial to help the players communicate with one another.

MS: As a coach, how will you make sure your students are on top of their work?
PH: We have a great deal of academic advising for students who are struggling with work. I also want them to know that academics always come first, and they should feel comfortable with speaking to me if they have a conflict.

MS: Have you already planned out your offensive/defensive philosophy?
PH: Yes, my defensive plan is actually something I used when coaching at Amherst. It consists of a team-based play that focuses mainly on sliding and recovering. My plan for the offensive end is to have quick transitions and fluent stick skills.

MS: Is there anything that you are especially nervous or excited for with your new team?
PH: I have actually yet to see them play together as a team, so I am really looking forward to our first fall ball practice. I am not so nervous as much as I am excited for the competition level and my future relationship with each player.

MS: After being an assistant coach yourself, how do you plan to use your future assistant to the team's advantage?
PH: That will of course depend on the assistant coach's expertise, which are [sic] currently unknown. He will also play a big role in the recruiting process for next year, which involved traveling to tournaments and reaching out to student athletes. I also plan to have him help with our players' strength training in the weight room.

Making connections: the importance of touch

Posted by Brittany Dingler

As the class of 2017 settles into college, they are undoubtedly sifting through the conflicting emotions of excitement for a new adventure and nostalgia for the close friends, teammates and teachers with whom they have spent the last four, eight, or even twelve years of their lives.  To ease the transition to this new environment - full of potential but lacking the familiar comforts of home - Skidmore provides various opportunities to meet new people who, it just so happens, are experiencing the same environmental angst.  Whether facilitated by the Pre-College program, Pre-Orientation, Orientation, Scribner Seminar or classes, most First Years are already in the process of solidifying at least a few close friendships.  The importance of these friendships extends beyond the mere construction of a new comfort zone, however, as they play a key role in the maintenance of  one's mental and physical health.  As the semester progresses and workloads continue to increase (even as the daylight rapidly decreases),  even the most organized and prepared students will start to feel stressed, over-whelmed, and as though the only thing they have time for in their "free-time" is homework and studying.  Luckily, the remedy is already at your fingertips - literally.

Dozens of recent studies have explored the powerful effects of human touch on certain hormone levels, concluding that such contact can tweak our body's natural chemistry in such a way as to provide natural, stress-reducing effects (such as by reducing levels of cortisol, the infamous "stress hormone").  Why is this important?  Because although stress can occasionally work for us by tapping into our body's "fight or flight" response the night before that big paper is due, its effects usually inhibit our brain's ability to learn new information.  Furthermore, prolonged stress can take a serious toll on our immune system, potentially compromising our ability to be performance-ready for that test, audition, or game.  Ironically, one of the negative effects of stress is a decreased ability to plan and manage stress.

So what should you do? How can you escape this cortisol-packed cycle? Hug it out.  Recent studies, such as that done by Light et al. (2005), have found that hugging a close friend, partner, or family member for 20 seconds is enough to release a powerful hormone called oxytocin (often referred to as the "cuddle hormone").  Among other stellar qualities, part of oxytocin's good rep comes from its ability to help decrease cortisol levels, thereby reducing stress and providing a much-needed boost to our immune systems.  Want to have that natural dose of oxytocin but need a break from people?  Take a stroll down the first floor of Tisch for some quality canine therapy, as recent studies have also found that petting dogs can provide similar beneficial effects. Also, keep a look out for "K9 Connections" this semester, a therapy dog event hosted by your Peer Health Educators!

Want to know more?  Check out this Ted Talk by Paul Zak, as he discusses how the effects of oxytocin even extend to social interactions between strangers.  In other words, all of those team-building exercises you went through during orientation? They've already given you a head start on the adjustment process, thanks to your new best friend oxytocin.

Why The Skidmore News

Posted by The Editorial Board

Current society has become accustomed to the instantaneous dissemination of information. On April 15 of 2013 at 2:49 p.m. EDT, two bombs crafted out of pressure cookers exploded on the sidewalk next to the finish line of the 117th Boston Marathon. Within three minutes the first tweets including the stems "explod*," "explos*" and "bomb*" were published on the social media website Twitter. The New York Times ran their first full-length article detailing the attacks Twenty-eight minutes later at 3:17 p.m. EDT.

The modern individual has more news source options to choose from than ever before. And not only are there more news sources, but as New York Times writer Brian Stelter pointed out during his on-campus lecture last spring entitled "Twenty-Somethings," there's an entirely new method of packaging information to the public. Websites like BuzzFeed and Twitter have become enormously successful due to their intelligent integration of advertisements, eye-catching headlines and, most importantly, their clear, concise and punchy delivery. This year the New York Times audited 593 newspapers and reported a 0.7 percent daily circulation decline.

From major publications to fringe newspapers, the changing landscape of journalism has been a prominent table topic. Inevitably, the form of news delivery that society prefers is changing-but with a definite perk. Readers can now comment on and share news with the click of a button. Thanks to modern technology, the public is now a more integral part of the dialogue. The Skidmore News hopes to emulate and encourage this readership involvement in our own publication to the best of our ability.

Why read articles when you can receive sound bytes of information from numerous social media sites? President John Kennedy once noted about the press that its role is "not to simply give the public what it wants-but to inform, to arouse, to reflect, to state our dangers and our opportunities, to indicate our crises and our choices, to lead, mold, educate and even sometimes anger public opinion." There is something lost in the sensationalism of the news circulated by media sites. At The Skidmore News, we believe that there is enormous value in carefully crafted, researched and artistic journalism.

We are here not to make news, but report it. Our job is to not only to observe and record Skidmore's accolades and achievements, but also to recognize and point out its mistakes and faults. In return, we ask that the reader identify our faults when they are apparent so that we may correct them. As Skidmore College's sole official newspaper, we are inherent to the critical debate regarding this campus-but the reader is equally as indispensable to its dialogue. We not only could not silence your dissent, but we welcome it.

As the only club chartered for the specific purpose of printing campus news we aim to serve as a source of unbiased and factual information, meaningful and well-researched opinions and, finally, as a common ground for opinion and debate. As the reader you fuel us with feedback, criticism and contestation. Without you, we could not grow.

Founded in 1925, The Skidmore News was chartered as the official campus newspaper with , "the purpose ... to act as a source of communication and dissemination of information for the students, faculty and employees of Skidmore College as well as the general Saratoga community." We are deeply proud of our role in Skidmore College's historic trajectory and equally excited to continue on with our tradition as custodians of information. We're looking forward to a great year.

Skidmore's discussion on sustainability

Posted by Rachel Dyckman '16

A small group of students and faculty, including Skidmore Sustainability Fellows Rachel Lewis and Levi Rogers and Environmental Studies Associate Professor Karen Kellogg, gathered to discuss Skidmore's sustainability initiatives Wednesday night in Harder Hall.

One of the topics addressed included the temporary closing of the Skidmore Student Garden due to lead contamination. Rogers explained that soil samples taken over the summer revealed levels of lead that were higher than normal. Fortunately, high soil pH and available calcium in the soil limited lead consumption by the plants to a large extent. "Most of the garden is fine; only a few soil beds were concerning," Rogers said.

Skidmore College consulted with various experts at universities and the Federal and State Departments of Health regarding the soil contamination. While most experts felt that the garden was safe for growing vegetables, Skidmore decided to air on the side of caution and designate a new location for our Student Garden. "We can use this as an opportunity to improve our garden, so that it can be even more successful and productive," Kellogg said.

The lead contamination likely originated from a nearby road where gasoline may have leaked from cars many years ago, or from lead paint that may have been dumped on the site. "The plan is to have the [new] garden up and growing for the spring," Rogers said . In regard to expanding the garden, Kellogg commented that "the size of the current garden is manageable." Growing more varieties of vegetables in the new garden, however, is an option Lewis welcomes student input in developing plans for the new garden.

The meeting's participants also discussed possible structural changes in the Sustainability Office. Following the resignation of Skidmore's College's former Sustainability Coordinator, Riley Neugebauer, the leadership team wanted to take time to evaluate the structure of the Sustainability Office with hopes to increase student involvement in environmental programs and sustainability initiatives.

The Sustainability Office is actively moving to fill the position of Sustainability Coordinator by the beginning of next semester. "We want to hire somebody into a position where we know they can succeed," Kellogg said.

Another topic of discussion was geothermal energy. Students suggested that Skidmore buildings with geothermal energy systems should be labeled to increase student awareness of the viability of sustainable energy.

Rogers brought attention to the New Initiatives in Sustainability Fund, which was established to support student sustainability projects on campus. Students with ideas for sustainability projects can submit their ideas and possibly receive funding from this resource. The "Take a Mug, Leave a Mug" program was supported from this fund and is expected to be up and running again soon.

A new, expanded compost facility is in the works for next year and is expected to be located near the stables. Composting at Skidmore was started five years ago as a senior capstone project and currently takes place near the Northwoods apartments. At the present time, food scraps are only collected from the student apartments on campus. When the new facility is up and running, composting may be expanded to the dining hall as well as all dorm buildings.

The Sustainability Office hopes that their initiatives will create a cascading effect and increase sustainable practices on campus.  

Catching up with men's fall sports

Posted by Katie Peverada

Whether you're a freshman who still has no idea where Wachenheim Field is or a senior who has spent the past week in the library, you're all probably wondering how the fall sports teams are doing. While the men's tennis team has yet to play a match, golf and men's soccer have both started off their seasons with solid performances:

Men's Tennis: The men's tennis team has yet to play a match, but rest assured that when they do, they will have experience. The team, which did not lose a single player to graduation, ended last season ranked 25th nationally and fifth regionally in the ITA Division III ranking. Their first test will come at the Middlebury College Invitational this weekend.
 Next home match: Saturday Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.

Golf: In their only tournament and home match of the young season, the Skidmore golf team came out on top at the 10-team Tim Brown Invitational. Makenzie Denver '16 led the charge with a third place finish, beating fellow Thoroughbred Tim Manwaring '16 by one stroke. Also in the top 10 for Skidmore were Mitchell Campbell '17 and Zach Grossman '15, who tied for ninth.

Men's Soccer: After falling to an 0-2 start, the men's soccer team won the first two games of a five-game home stand to even out their record. Brock Bakewell '15 leads the team in goals with three, while three other players each have one goal and one assist. In goal, Eli Kisselbach '16 has played every minute for Skidmore, posting a 1.50 GAA and a .647 save percentage.
Next home game: Friday Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

First-Year Dictionary: How to communicate effectively with your peers

Posted by Julia Martin

The first couple of weeks of college can be hard. Here's an easy-to-use guide for first-year students that will help you overcome any communication problems you may be having with your peers, professors or family.

Your new roommate: Hey, no problem! I'm happy to take the top bunk!

Translation: Starting today I will begin to develop a fiery resentment towards you that will stay tightly bottled up inside of me until the day I pee in your Gatorade.

Your mother/father: Are you settled in ok?

Translation: I believe you are entirely incapable of eating, sleeping or functioning as a successful, independent human being. Also we turned your room into a gym and gave away a lot of your things.

The guy/girl down your hall: Are you guys trying to get drunk tonight?

Translation: Do you have any alcohol with which I can get drunk tonight?

Campus Safety Officer: Having knowledge of the fire safety practices is absolutely crucial.

Translation: It is virtually incomprehensible how or why it is so difficult for a group of people to successfully microwave a bag of popcorn.

Your suitemate: Gross, I think someone peed in the shower.

Translation: I peed in the shower and will continue to do so.

Women's fall teams off to a roaring start

Posted by Katie Peverada

Fall athletic teams have finished their preseasons and are now competing in official games and matches. In traditional fashion, all the women's teams are off to strong starts. Let's take a look at field hockey, soccer, volleyball and tennis:

Field Hockey: The always-strong Thoroughbred field hockey team is off to a 3-1 start and currently holds the 15th position in the NFCHA DIII National Coaches' Poll. Kelly Blackhurst '14 leads all scorers with 15 points (6G, 3A), while Dani Digregory '16 has one goal to go with five assists. Haley McDougall '15 has played every minute in goal for the Thoroughbreds and has a 2.92 GAA to go with a .733 save percentage.
Next home game: Saturday Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.

Women's Soccer: The women's soccer team is off to a terrific start. They remain unbeaten at 3-0-1 and this past weekend captured the Rutland Herald Invitational, beating Simmons College for the title. The Thoroughbreds, who are outscoring their opponents 7-2, have received goals from six different players. Christine Bellotti '14 is leading the way with two, while Jen Wardyga '14 has one goal and one assist. Gab Lawrence '14 has played 335 out of a possible 380 minutes in goal, posting a .54 GAA and a .875 save percentage.
Next home game: Saturday Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.

Volleyball: A 6-1 start has the Thoroughbreds well on their way to making a return to the Liberty League Championship match, where they lost to Clarkson University last year. The team heads to the Union Invitational this weekend, where they will turn to Corinne Palmer '14, the Thoroughbreds' leader in kills, hitting percentage and blocks. Marcella Familiar-Bolanos '17 leads the team in digs with 127.
Next home match: Tuesday Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

Women's Tennis: The women's tennis team has started the 2013-2014 season in typical fashion, coming away with a convincing 9-0 win in their only match of the season. The Thoroughbreds only lost four games on their way to victory over their Liberty League opponent Bard College. Rachel Plevinsky '14 and Caroline Hobbs '17 both won their singles matches before teaming up for a victory in the doubles competition.
Next home match: Friday Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. 

Campus Safety Reports: August 31 to September 5

Posted by Julia Leef '14

Incidents of Note:

• Sunday, Sept. 1-Report received at 1:33 a.m. that a female was being carried upstairs into a New Village Apartment by four males. Dispatched all units who reported locating the female and the male students inside one of the apartments. The males were attempting to assist the female, who was intoxicated. The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service was called in to evaluate the female.
• Sunday, Sept. 1-Medical assistance requested at 10:49 p.m. in the Hillside Apartments A. Officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. 911 was contacted by the caller as well. Officers reported an initially unresponsive female at the apartment who became responsive as the emergency crews were on the scene. The female was evaluated and requested no further medical attention.
• Tuesday, Sept. 3-Report received at 3:30 p.m. of a sexual assault that occurred on campus last semester. Investigation continues.
• Thursday, Sept. 5-Medical Assistance Calls: A report received at 10:11 p.m. that a person believes she was given drugs unknowingly at a concert in Kimball Hall. Officers and the Emergency Medical Service dispatched. The person was evaluated and requested no further actions at the time.

Further incidents:

Friday, Aug. 30:

• College Violation: Noise reported at 12:06 a.m. coming from a room in McClellan Hall. Residents advised to keep the noise down. All complied without further incident.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 12:10 a.m. in the New Apartments J. Officers found that marijuana smoke in the apartment had set off the building's fire alarm system. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department responded and the fire alarm was reset.
• Graffiti: Graffiti reported at 2:37 p.m. etched on the balcony glass of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers. Report taken. No known suspects for this incident.
• Propped Door: Officer reported finding a propped door at 6:48 p.m. during property checks of Kimball Hall. Door prop was removed and the building was secured.
• Suspicious Activity: Officer White reported at 9:12 p.m. finding a male with a dog in North Woods who stated that he is a parent of a student walking the dog.
• Propped Door: Officer reported finding a propped door at 7:02 p.m. on the west side of Penfield Hall. Now secure.
• Propped door: At 7:05 p.m., exterior door of McClellan Hall found propped open. Now secure.
• Propped door: At 11:34 p.m. a propped door was found in Wiecking Hall. Door now secure.
• College Violation: A noise complaint received at 11:31 p.m. for 10 Whitman Way. Dispatched officers spoke with the residents of two apartments who were playing loud music. Subjects complied with the request to turn down the volume.
• Saturday, Aug. 31:
• Suspicious Activity: While jogging at 7:45 a.m. on Bloomfield road, a person reported that she observed a car pass her several times and was following her. Report taken and investigation ensued.
• Fire Alarm: A fire alarm reported at 8:23 a.m. for the Colton House. Immediately received a telephone call from an employee working in the building stating that they set it off. All is well. Advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, officer, and maintenance. Maintenance reset the alarm.
• Fire Alarm: Received a fire alarm at 11:49 a.m. for the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Dispatched officers, maintenance, and advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Officers reported a faulty duct detector had caused the alarm. Advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Electricians working on the issue.
• Fire alarm: A fire alarm received at 2:26 p.m. in the Hillside Apartments B. Dispatched officers, maintenance, and advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Officer reported that the alarm was due to cooking; no problems at the time.
• Propped door: Officer reported at 9:14 p.m. finding the Wilmarth door propped open. Officer secured the door.

Sunday, Sept. 1:

• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 12:10 a.m. in Wiecking Hall. Dispatched officers could not detect an odor upon their arrival.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activated at 12:15 a.m. in the New Apartments K. Dispatched officers, Unit 10 and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Alarm was due to burnt food.
• College Violation: Loud noise reported at 12:32 a.m. in Howe. Dispatched officers reported that the students cooperated and lowered the volume.
• Medical Assistance: A person reported having difficulty breathing at 2:05 a.m. in Penfield Hall. Dispatched officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service, who evaluated the reporting person.
• Medical Assistance: A student reported at 2:41 a.m. from the New Apartments L that their roommate was having severe stomach cramps. Dispatched officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. The SCEMS evaluated the subject who was transported to the Saratoga Emergency Room by Campus Safety.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 2:51 p.m. in the south quad. Odor had dissipated prior to the officer's arrival.
• Propped Door: Officer reported finding a door propped at 9:05 a.m. in Kimball Hall. Door secured.
• Propped Door: A number of doors were found propped open at 4:52 p.m. across campus.
• Medical Assistance: Reporting person states at 9:45 p.m. that she stubbed her toe on the steps of the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater. Officer dispatched.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:36 p.m. on the first floor of Penfield Hall. Officers dispatched reported that the odor had dissipated prior to their arrival.

Monday, Sept. 2:

• College Violation: Noise and a lot of people reported at 12:21 a.m. on Dayton Drive. Dispatched officers dispersed the crowd with no further incidents.
• College Violation: Report received of people being loud at 1:15 a.m. outside in the south quad. Officer dispatched. People were advised to disperse and did so without further incident.
• Drug Law Violation: A drug law and alcohol violation reported at 1:55 a.m. in Wiecking Hall. Report made and items confiscated.
• Medical Assistance: A Saratoga Springs Fire Department ambulance requested at 1:12 p.m. for Jonsson Tower. Officer and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department were dispatched at that time. The individual was transported to the Saratoga Emergency Room via ambulance.
• College Violation: A loud party reported at 11:38 p.m. taking place in the New Village. Dispatched officers reported closing the party down and dispersing the crowd. Report made. Referred to the Dean of Student Affairs Office for further follow-up.

Tuesday, Sept. 3:

• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 1:22 a.m. in Wiecking Hall. Officers sent to check the area were unable to locate the source.
• Larceny: The reporting person called at 9:18 p.m. requesting officer assistance while meeting with a student. Officers were informed by the reporting person that her wallet had been stolen off-campus. The Saratoga Springs Police Department arrived on the scene at 9:26 p.m. and took a report.

Wednesday, Sept. 4:

• Medical Assistance: The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service was requested at 10:58 p.m. to take a look at a student's ankle in Penfield Hall. Dispatched officers reported that the student was treated by the SCEMS.

Thursday, Sept. 5:

• Campus Safety Assist: Assistance requested at 9:01 a.m. getting a vehicle moved from the corner of Clinton and Clement, which has been there for three days. Neighbors had called with concerns. Dispatched officers reported speaking with the owner who will have the vehicle moved. Advised the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
• Suspicious Odor: An odor of marijuana reported at 5:43 p.m. near the Hillside Apartments A. Officer dispatched did not detect an odor near the building. Odor had dissipated.
• Suspicious Activity: A suspicious truck reported at 8:41 p.m. approaching students on Case Roadway. Officers dispatched reported that the subject was identified as an employee. No further problems reported.
• Property Damage Auto Accident: A person reported at 11:06 p.m. that another parked vehicle had rolled back into his front bumper in Wait parking lot. Officers dispatched. No personal injuries. Report made. Photos taken.
• Propped Door: Front door found propped at 11:37 p.m. in Kimball Hall. Officer secured the door.

Skidmore College to observe Jewish High Holy Days

The holiest days on the Jewish religious calendar are approaching:  Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Religious services for both holidays are scheduled at Skidmore College in the Bernhard Theater, sponsored by Skidmore's Office of Religious and Spiritual Life in conjunction with Temple Sinai, the Reform synagogue of Saratoga Springs. Rosh Hashanah services will begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, and 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5; Yom Kippur services will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, and continue throughout Saturday, Sept. 14, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding with a break-fast after dark, at approximately 7:30 pm. Rabbis Linda Motzkin, Skidmore's Jewish chaplain, and Jonathan Rubenstein, co-rabbis of Temple Sinai, will lead the services. There will also be a service for the second day of Rosh Hashanah at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at Temple Sinai, 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

In conjunction with the Rosh Hashanah evening service on Wednesday, there will also be a bone marrow donor registration drive co-sponsored by Skidmore Hillel, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and the Red Cross Club, in the lobby of the Bernhard Theater between 7:30 and 10:30 pm. Thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia depend on bone marrow donations to save their lives, and even with a national registry of millions, many patients cannot find a match. The Skidmore groups are asking people to register as potential donors or to make a financial contribution to help defray the costs of donation at: http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/Skidmore

All High Holy Day services are free and open to the public. For further information, contact Rabbi Linda Motzkin, lmotzkin@skidmore.edu, 580-5683.

New York Public Library curator to present Skidmore's Fox-Adler lecture: Speaker Isaac Gewirtz to share tales of the literary archive in illustrated lecture

Isaac Gewirtz, a curator at the New York Public Library, will deliver the 25^th annual Fox-Adler Lecture at Skidmore College on Thursday, Sept. 19. His talk, titled "Reading the Literary Archive: A Tale of Scholarship and Taste," will begin at 5:15 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall.

Gewirtz's illustrated talk will focus on how the literary archive enhances the study, appreciation, and collecting of English and American literature. The first half of the lecture will be on the 19th century, and the second half will move into the 20th century, drawing on examples from the archives of such authors as Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. The lecture will include a brief history of the Berg Collection in the context of the evolution of the attitudes of scholars, collectors, and to some extent, educated society as a whole toward English and American literature. He will then demonstrate what Burroughs did to shape his archive and make it work as an intersection between his published writings and his life.

Gewirtz has served as curator of the New York Public Library's Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature since September 2000. The author of "I am With You": Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, 1855-2005, he curated the New York Public Library's exhibition of the same title, as well as the exhibitions Victorians, Moderns, and Beats, New in the Berg Collection 1994-2001; Passion's Discipline: A History of the Sonnet in the British Isles and America (2003); and Beatific Soul: Jack Kerouac on the Road, 1957-2007 (2007), accompanied by a volume of the same title, as well as Kerouac at Bat: Fantasy Sports and the King of the Beats (2009).

He co-curated the exhibition Mark Twain: A Skeptic's Progress at the Morgan Library, co-sponsored by the Morgan and the New York Public Library, and authored a book of the same title. He is co-curator of the Morgan Library exhibition Edgar Allan Poe: Terror of the Soul (opens October 2013) and author of the accompanying volume. His comparative study of the proof copy and first edition of Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own appeared in the 2012 Woolf Studies Annual. He has also been the curator of numerous exhibitions at other libraries and the author of several accompanying publications.

Gewirtz received a Ph.D. in early modern European history from Columbia University.

Skidmore's Fox-Adler lecture series is named for Norman M. Fox and Hannah Moriarta Adler, connoisseurs and collectors of rare books. Adler first loaned her extensive collection of 19th-century books to Skidmore in 1967, and after her death Fox and his family took charge of it, later donating it permanently to Skidmore's Scribner Library. Catherine Golden, professor of English at Skidmore, coordinates the Fox-Adler program at the college.       

Admission is free and open to the public.

Free family friendly concert Sept. 8 at Skidmore's Zankel

The Skidmore College Department of Music will open the academic year with "Animal Crackers," a family friendly concert on Sunday, Sept. 8. Free and open to the public, the event begins at 5 p.m. in the college's Arthur Zankel Music Center, Ladd Concert Hall.

Faculty members Evan Mack and Patrice Malatestinic will perform on piano and horn, respectively, in an animal-inspired program that features music, visual art, spoken word, and dance. Guest artists are Juliann Welch, horn, and Catherine Stratton, who will dance.

The program includes music by such composers as St. Saens, Plog, Clearfield, and more. Mack has composed a new piece titled "Carnival of the Microbes" for this event. There will be a reading from the children's novel The One an Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, and Stafford will dance the "Dying Swan," staged by Denise Warner Limoli, associate professor of dance at Skidmore.

Composer and pianist Mack, visiting assistant professor of music at Skidmore, is the winner of the 2013 Atlanta Opera's 24-hour Opera Project. He is currently at work on his newest opera, an adaptation of the best-selling novel Roscoe, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Kennedy.

Malatestinic teaches French horn and coaches Skidmore's horn ensemble. She earned a B.A. degree at the University at Albany, State University of New York; and a master of music degree at the College of Saint Rose.

Senior Spotlight: Fostering Perfection

Posted by Alex Hodor-Lee Hannah Foster is a ballerina.

Her movement is magisterial: "Her body was just built for ballet-180-degree turn-out, a slender frame and super long limbs, delicate lines, perfect arabesque-she's incredible," dance major Megan Killeen '14 says.

Foster's grace translates when she speaks-her gestures are elongated, her hand swivels with an inherent cadence-as if elegance were congenital. Yet, anyone who knows Foster knows that her perfection is underpinned by her work ethic and dedication.

While many students enjoy nightlife and the college lifestyle, Foster's friends drink to her in absentia, as she sacrifices social life for life dream-and it's been that way since she began dancing at age 3.

"At San Francisco Ballet School it was just too hard for me to commute to the city and do regular high school. So, I tested out of high school when I was 15 and started taking classes at the local junior college." Foster, now 20, says.

Foster graduated 2 years early to commit to the SF Ballet, an hour-and-a-half commute from her East Bay home, located in the San Francisco foothills. "I would get home around 7.30 and do homework while I iced my feet, " a smiling Foster reflects.

At Skidmore, Foster majors in English. "I've always been a huge reader, I used to write little poems in my room by myself all the time. So I knew English would just be natural to me." Foster is currently writing her capstone, a collection of personal essays (already 53 pages). "I'm writing about dance-big surprise!" she says with a chuckle. "I want to explore the dancer's relationship with perfection and how it can be damaging."

"They tell you that you can always be better in ballet-you can always point your foot harder, your leg can be higher, your line can be more clean, you can turn more," she says. "We're always working towards this ideal, every single day. Perfection is impossible." Despite this, Foster is not far from ideal.

After months of weekend commuting to New York and Boston for open call auditions, Foster was chosen out of 80 other dancers to join the Boston Ballet School as a trainee. "It's not a paid job, but it's the first step. Kind of like being an intern! Maybe? Maybe, that would be the equivalent."

Most professional ballerinas don't go to college; Hannah Foster is the exception. "For a ballet dancer to go to college-it's really unusual. I'm feeling a lot of pressure right now because I'm 20, which is such a baby for a college student, but for a ballerina that's late to be starting."

Foster will graduate in May-a year ahead of schedule-and will join the Boston Ballet School in the fall, taking it one step at a time, "I feel like as I get older, I'm trying to think less far into the future. I mean, certainly I've had this vision of being a ballerina since I was 3 years old." For now, Foster focuses on preparing for the competitive world of professional dance, with a mindset she's maintained for the past 17 years, "I'll always have it in the back of my mind: be perfect."