As of late June, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un and Russian President Vladimir V. Putin have revived a peace of history dating back to the Cold War. Putin and Kim Jung Un signed a mutual defense treaty during a summit in Pyongyang in June, with Putin mentioning that this would be a “breakthrough” in solidifying bilateral relations.
Read moreVoices of the Future: Insights from Skidmore's SGA Elections
The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived: the Fall 2024 Elections results are in! It’s time to celebrate your newly elected student representatives for the 2024-2025 academic year. This year, we have a dynamic group of leaders stepping up to represent you, each bringing unique perspectives and ambitions to the table.
Read moreResults of the 2024 Presidential Election
After a grueling election season, The Associated Press declared Donald J. Trump the 2024 Presidential Election winner at 5:34 a.m. EST on November 6th. His victory came upon his successful capture of key swing states—North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—bringing him to 277 electoral college votes, enough to secure his future position as the 47th President of the United States of America.
Read moreA Conversation with President Conner: Campus Planning, Current Events, and Goals
On a sunny September afternoon, I sat down with President Connor in his office on the fourth floor of Palamountain. As we discussed the academic year ahead, I asked him key questions about his hopes, goals, current and planned campus renovations, and current events.
Read moreThe Future of Education After the Apalachee School Shooting
On September 4th, 2024, tragedy struck at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. 14-year-old Colt Gray left his algebra class and returned moments later. When he knocked at the door, a classmate of his looked through the glass to see who it was. She saw that he had a gun and backed away from the door. Gray turned to another classroom and opened fire, shooting 10-15 rounds, according to students.
Read moreTyre Nichols and the Continued Relevance of Police Brutality
On January 7th, 2023, what should have been nothing more than a routine traffic stop turned violent when 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, a black man, was pulled over by Memphis police officers. Body camera footage showed that Nichols was pulled out of his vehicle, held down, and pepper sprayed.
Read moreAn Introduction from SGA President Josh Maxwell
Dear Skidmore community,
My name is Josh Maxwell, and I have the honor of serving as the president of Skidmore’s Student Government Association (SGA) this year. I am entering my junior year at Skidmore, as well as my third year serving in the SGA.
Read more“Once in a Lifetime”: Skidmore Students Celebrate Near-Total Solar Eclips
In Saratoga Springs, residents can expect the sun to rise and set each morning and evening without fail. A recent celestial event, however, interrupted this normal routine, capturing the attention and excitement of the town and its college students alike.
Read moreSkidmore Students Walkout in Show of Support for Palestine
Just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, nearly 100 Skidmore students left classrooms all over campus crowded in front of Case Student Center to take part in a demonstration in support of Palestine. The urgency of the walkout was undoubtedly prompted by Israel’s siege on Gaza following Hamas’ capturing of about 240 Israeli hostages on October 7.
Read moreThe Closing of Saratoga Coffee Traders
Nestled amidst the busyness of Broadway Street resided a small oasis for Saratoga coffee lovers. In 2006, a coffee shop by the name of Saratoga Coffee Traders opened on 447 Broadway Street in Saratoga Springs, New York. On September 30th 2023, owner Scott Swedish announced with great sadness that the branch would be closing after seventeen years of operation and later relocating to nearby Schenectady. While Swedish wanted to keep the shop open until December to allow his employees to explore other employment opportunities, the lease had expired sooner than expected. He relayed to the local news outlet, NEWS10, that the circumstances were unfortunately beyond anyone’s control.
Read moreRetracing the Ongoing New York Migrant Crisis
Photographs by Yunghi Kim/Contact Press Images/CNN
In September of 2023, it was recorded that more than 118,000 migrants had arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022. This statistic prompted Mayor Eric Adams to declare a state of emergency in the city. Mayor Adams has been adamant about putting a stop to this crisis by begging the federal government, even going to Washington himself, to obtain sufficient funding and hasten work authorizations for the incoming migrants, which would allow them to be self-sufficient. Adams relayed his frustration by claiming that President Biden has “failed” the city by not attempting to do more. During this time, Adams has also been dissuading migrants from seeking shelter in New York City.
Read moreRepublican Primary Candidates Hope to Unseat Trump and Bring Change to the GOP — Who Are They and Where Do They Stand?
When discussing the 2024 Republican primary, we must keep one thing in mind — former president Donald Trump will in all likelihood be renominated. Polls show Trump maintaining a substantial lead over every challenger.
Read moreRA Unionization Updates and Spring Election
As of May 10, it was announced by Adrian Bautista, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs, that “the RAs and CAs voted in favor of being represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).” The Union won with a unanimous vote of 37 to 0 in favor of being represented by the SEIU. The next steps will include the Skidmore administration bargaining with SEIU towards “mutually agreeable terms” regarding fair pay and equitable treatment for student workers.
Read moreThe Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and What You Can Do to Help
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, February 5, causing destruction throughout the region. The epicenter of the quake was in the city of Gaziantep and radiated outward through Southern Turkey and Northern Syria. However, due to the strength of the event, its effects were felt as far as Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and Cyprus.
Read moreGeorge Santos: America’s Most Wanted (to Resign)
Republican George Santos is the House Representative for the 3rd District of New York. After a failed run for office in 2020, Santos defeated his Democratic opponent in the November 2022 election. In late December 2022, news broke that Santos had lied about his resume. On December 26, Santos conceded that he had embellished his resume and apologized, but stressed that he did not break any laws. Just two days later, however, the Nassau County District Attorney opened an investigation into Santos's questionable background. Since then, Santos has been accused of a plethora of lies, from lying about working for Goldman Sachs, to misusing campaign funds, to stealing money from a GoFundMe for a veteran's sick dog.
Read moreSGA Update: Laundry Concerns Survey and Recommendations to the College
Since I became the Student Government Association (SGA) President earlier this year, I have consistently met with students who are frustrated with the laundry services provided on our campus. The cost of the cycles, the frequently broken machines, and the lengthy repair times are some of the most prominent recurring issues experienced by the Skidmore students I have spoken with. On November 21, 2022, SGA released a survey to the student body to collect data on these concerns, asking students to identify the top laundry problems they have experienced at Skidmore. The survey received 387 responses.
Read moreRevamped Skidmania Takes the Stage and Community by Storm
When eight p.m. rolled around on November 18 and 19, the house lights dimmed in the Arthur Zankel Music Center’s Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall. The chattery hum of the audience fizzled to a pregnant near-silence of anticipation. Written in this silence was a mutual understanding: this moment was special. And throughout the next two hours, the audience was musically transported fifty years into the past.
Read moreInvestigating Allegations of Drink Druggings in Downtown Saratoga
At the beginning of every new school year, Skidmore College students relish in the last of Saratoga’s summer warmth. Returning students reunite with friends and spend their Saturday nights at well-loved local venues. Many first-years attend college parties for the first time. This fall, however, those blissful weekends were interrupted on September 25, when Skidmore students awoke — many of them after a night out — to an alarming message in their inbox. The email, sent by the College’s Office of Campus Safety, reported a suspected drink drugging at a downtown establishment.
Read moreBrazil Presidential Election: Lula Defeats Incumbent Bolsonaro
On October 30th, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil's presidential election. The election was very close, with Lula winning by only 1.8 percent of votes. Lula is a leftist politician who previously served as Brazil’s President from 2003-2010, leaving office with an 87 percent approval rating. Lula will fight for liberal values, but, like in the U.S., Brazil's economy is suffering from inflation. Before he can jump into his liberal agenda, Lula must rebuild a struggling country with many people in poverty and going hungry. As Lula pointed out during his campaign, Bolsonaro was pro-torture and pro-dictatorship. Lula’s goal is to return Brazil to a stable democracy. Along with his promises to enforce laws preventing deforestation, Lula also pledged to increase the minimum wage and social welfare, and support civil rights.
Read moreA Student's Guide to the 2022 New York General Election
As October winds down, Americans begin to anticipate Election Day. Every year on the second Tuesday of November, American citizens show up to vote, an act long perceived as their civic duty. This year’s election is slated to be particularly contentious, with many vital policies on the ballot, including abortion rights. The overturning of Roe V. Wade in June 2022 left access to abortion care in the hands of state governments. Furthermore, against the backdrop of a mostly conservative Supreme Court, the longevity of various civil rights acts are at risk. For example, hearings regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act approach in early November. Regardless of a person’s stance on these issues, voting is an American hallmark of making one’s voice heard. Though 2022 is not a Presidential election year, it is still crucial to vote at the local level. Whether you plan on voting via mail-in ballot or in person, here is everything you need to know to be voter-ready for Tuesday, November 8.
Read more