Let’s face it: we’ve all had issues with the Skidmore Wi-Fi, which seems to be down every other week and only works well in certain buildings on campus. Consequently, there seems to be a constant uproar brewing amongst students regarding the issue of Wi-Fi in the dorms and other residence buildings.
Read moreMayday, Mayday! Know Your Labor History
Every May, people come together across the world to commemorate the heroic efforts of workers during what is now known as May Day, or International Workers’ Day. The celebration’s origins date back to 1886, when more than 300,000 workers across the United States from hundreds of different trades walked off their jobs in what became the first May Day celebration in history. For decades people had been putting up with inhumane working conditions and cruel 12–16-hour workdays. Regional demonstrations had been underway at this point. However, May 1st would mark a turning point in history, being the day of the first nationwide general strike demanding an eight-hour workday.
Read moreResilience and Culture Drive Historic Season for Skidmore Women’s Basketball
For the first time since the 2017-2018 season, the Thoroughbreds took home the Liberty League title with an impressive 54-52 win on the road at #1-seed Ithaca College on February 26. The team ended the season with a 22-5 record, marking the program record for most wins in a season. The team then celebrated Skidmore women’s basketball’s first-ever NCAA tournament win, defeating Johns Hopkins University 62-59 with an incredible comeback in the fourth quarter. Though the historic playoff run was cut short by a 59-50 loss to Tufts University the next day, there is no doubt that this Thoroughbreds team was dynamic, energetic, and committed.
Read moreMichael Thorbjornsen: Staying On Track
I was extremely fortunate to catch up with Michael Thorbjornsen, the world’s third-ranked amateur golfer. We discussed overcoming adversity on the golf course, having his best friend as his caddie, and competing in professional events against his childhood idols.
Read moreSkidmore's 2023 Earth Day Festival
Every year since 1974, Skidmore has welcomed musical acts, artists, and vendors to celebrate Earth Day and support the College’s sustainability initiatives. Lively Lucy’s, Skidmore’s live music event club, student radio station WSPN, and the student government, among other campus clubs, lend their hand in organizing one of the largest events at Skidmore: a day-long festival celebrating the Saratoga community. Skidmore’s Earth Day festival combines the outdoors, music, art, and community, something that is particularly important in the second year after the COVID-19 shutdowns.
Read moreA Celebration of Movement and Growth for Dance Seniors
Skidmore College senior dance majors have just come off of an amazing weekend filled with joy, sweat, and tears. The annual Senior Coda class, taught by Associate Chair of the dance department Jason Ohlberg, has come to a head with the final showing for the dancers before their graduation. This celebration included seven pieces in a variety of styles and showed a range of different talents from choreographers, lighting designers, and dancers.
Read moreOpen Letter from Resident Assistants at Skidmore College
To the Skidmore Community,
We, the Skidmore Resident Assistants (RAs), have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for an election to form a bargaining unit to improve our position as student workers at Skidmore College.
Read moreShadow and Bone Season 2: It Doesn’t Treat the Books as Bible, But It’ll Do
Released on March 16, 2023 on Netflix, Shadow and Bone has eight episodes each ranging from 56 to 64 minutes. It’s been a huge hit so far - the show currently ranks #1 on Netflix’s Top 10 Shows in the U.S. and boasts an 86 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Due to the show’s popularity, showrunner Eric Heisserer “is ready to launch [Six of Crows] as its own story,” according to an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Read moreSkidmore Group To Perform Sondheim Revue: A Journey Through His Remarkable Career
On Sunday, March 5, Skidmore’s Musical Theater- Opera Workshop will be performing a Stephen Sondheim revue titled You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow. This powerful medley honors the career of the late composer and Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, showcasing some of his adored classics as well as his more obscure masterpieces.
Read moreJakub Jankto and the Importance of Gay Male Athletes
On Monday, February 13, Czech Republic’s Jakub Jankto came out via an earnest video posted to his social media accounts. The third active male soccer player, and some claim the highest-profile one, to come out, ever. Jankto is currently playing for the Czech Republic’s AC Sparta Prague club, on loan from Spanish club Getafe, where he will return next season. He has been a part of the Czech national team since 2017 and has made 45 appearances for them at the international level.
Read moreThe Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and What You Can Do to Help
Image courtesy of Al Jazeera
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 moreThe Importance of "Betting on Yourself": USMNT Rising Star John Tolkin
New York Red Bulls and U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) defender John Tolkin is only 20 years old, but has matured into a world-class professional soccer player. I was lucky to have the chance to discuss many topics with him, including the importance of “betting on yourself,” being process oriented, and recognizing mental health. As impressive as his performances on the field are, the elite mentality of the rising star is equally inspiring.
Read moreA Robot Did My Homework: Implications of Artificial Intelligence
My family, like many others, sends out an annual at the end of December — or, more realistically, the beginning of January. The page-long note accompanies a smiley holiday card and summarizes the twelve months prior in sweeping, unspecific terms to a selection of friends and family. This year, we asked artificial intelligence to write the letter for us, using a platform called ChatGPT. The decision was born, in small part, out of procrastination, and in large part, out of curiosity. What we anticipated when we input the prompt was amusement. What we did not expect was accuracy.
Read moreThe Banshees of Inisherin: Martin McDonagh’s Mournful Ode to Irish Folklore
Well-established as one of the most exceptional writer-directors in modern cinema, Martin McDonagh tackles daunting existential questions with unmatched grace. McDonagh’s films pair slick comedic wit with a kind of philosophical weight, and one quality never obscures the other; they seem to feed off of one another, only illuminating the absurdity of our existence. These grave yet laughable bits of human experience are as potent as ever in McDonagh’s newest (and most unmistakably Irish) film, The Banshees of Inisherin (2022), which reunites Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson from their unforgettable In Bruges (2008) performance.
Read moreFilm Review: "The Menu" Bites Off More Than It Can Chew
The Menu, directed by Mark Mylod, is poised to be a cinematic feast. Its narrative is ambitious, its cast is impressive, and its cinematography is simultaneously delicate and striking. Ultimately, however, the film tides viewers over more than it fills them up. Though gripping and provocative, a few too many questions remain unanswered when the credits roll.
Read moreWednesday: Netflix’s New Show Gives Viewers a Thrill
Wednesday follows teenage Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) who has recently been expelled from her high school for playing a lethal prank on her classmates. Believing she would feel more at home in a school for Outcasts, her parents enroll her at Nevermore Academy. During her time there, she must figure out how to navigate her growing psychic ability, solve a series of murders, and reveal a secret that her parents have been concealing from her for years.
Read moreJust One Letter (Skid)More!
Hey Skidmore! Please enjoy a relaxing crossword as we head to the end of the semester. There's a bit of everything here: music, geography, pop- culture, the occasional pun—you name it! If you get stuck on any of the longest words, go for a walk over to the quad and take in the view—it might prove inspirational. If you like what you see (or rather, solve), I post crosswords occasionally to my Instagram: @wunterhasser.
Read moreBlame It On The Planets: What’s The Word on Mercury Retrograde?
The phrase “Mercury Retrograde” is frequently tossed around in pop culture–such as on TikTok and other social media platforms– but what does it mean and why do tarot-reading-yerba-mate-crystal-girls start freaking out every time it happens?
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