Campus Safety Reports: Nov. 16 to 29.

Posted by Julia Leef

Incidents of Note:

• Saturday, Nov. 17-Suspicious Activity: Students reported at 12:55 a.m. attempting to launch items form a catapult like device in Scribner Village. Officers dispatched and reported a sizable device similar to what was described above observed unattended. Officers disabled the catapult and no damage was observed in the area at this time. Grounds was notified in the morning for possible removal. Report issued.
• Saturday, Nov. 24-Suspicious Activity: Four suspicious males reported at 12:16 a.m. in the parking lot of Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched identified the males as radio DJs. Subjects were requested not to loiter in the area after the completion of a radio show.
• Monday, Nov. 26-A person reported being hit by a vehicle at 12:16 p.m. on Perimeter Road. Officer dispatched brought the person to the Wilton Medical Center as recommended by Health Services. Transport completed. Saratoga Springs Police Department and Campus Safety reports issued.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Nov. 16:

• Drug Law Violation: Suspicious odor of marijuana reported at 12:07 a.m. on the second floor of Howe Hall. Officers dispatched reported detecting the odor and recorded the drug law violation.
• Campus Safety Assist: Officers assisted a librarian at 1:20 a.m. with removing students at the Scribner Library after closing hours.
• Suspicious Activity: Suspicious activity reported at 9:40 p.m. at Jonsson Tower. Officers initiated an investigation. Subject was warned off campus for trespass. Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: Person reported a hole at 7:45 a.m. in the wall of McClellan Hall. Damage recorded by officers. No one in the area at the time of the report. No known perpetrators or witnesses. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Reports of a student leaning against a vending machine, causing the glass to shatter, given at 6:57 p.m. in the Williamson Sports Center. Dispatched officer reported no injuries. Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: A poster reported singed and later extinguished at 6:59 p.m. in the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. No damage to college property. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: Liquor law and drug law violations observed at 9:50 p.m. in Wiecking Hall while officers were addressing a noise complaint. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: While responding to a noise complaint at 10:05 p.m., officers observed liquor law violations at Wilmarth Hall. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: A large party reported at 10:16 p.m. at Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer reported liquor law violations. Report issued.
• College Violation: Officers reported excessive noise at 9:30 p.m. from a room in McClellan Hall. Upon entry officers observed several empty beer cans. No other visible violations reported. Report issued for noise complaint.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 11:04 p.m. in the Hillside apartments. Dispatched officers spoke with residents who complied with the request to lower the volume. Officers reported no further problems with the registered party.

Saturday, Nov. 17:

• Criminal Mischief: Officers observed a male subject at 12:01 a.m. kicking a stop sign and causing damage on Perimeter Road. The subject fled the area as officers approached him for questioning. Report issued.
• Suspicious Activity: Students reported at 12:15 a.m. leaving Falstaff's with one having difficulty walking due to a possible intoxication. Officer dispatched reports, conducted a canvas and found all other students to be fine.
• Campus Safety Assist: Officer stationed at an event at 12:25 a.m. in Falstaff's for crowd control as it is at maximum capacity.
• Intoxicated Subject: Concern reported at 2:03 a.m. for an intoxicated friend at Wiecking Hall. Officers dispatched reported the subjects in need of further medical attention. The Emergency Medical System was dispatched and the subject transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: Officers reported holes at 2:05 a.m. in the wall of the south stairwell of Kimball Hall between the basement level and the first floor. No witnesses or known perpetrators at this time. Damage recorded and report issued.
• Intoxicated Subject: A heavily intoxicated female student was reported at 2:26 a.m. in Rounds Hall. Officers dispatched and assessed the subject to be unresponsive and not alert. Officers requested the Emergency Medical System. Subject was transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 4:15 a.m. coming from the area of the volleyball courts in North Woods. Officer located loud music and requested that the volume be lowered. Subjects complied.
• Parking: Officer advised a vehicle at 4:41 a.m. parked in the Penfield fire lane for hours. A ticket was issued and the towing service removed the vehicle. Report issued.
• Larceny: A bike was reported stolen at 12:25 p.m. from a secured position around a tree near McClellan Hall. Dispatched officer issued a report.
• College Violation: Suspicious activity reported at 7:35 p.m. at Penfield Hall. Officers dispatched found a pong game without alcohol consumption. Report issued.
• Suspicious Activity: Suspicious activity reported at 8:10 p.m. soliciting in Scribner Village. Officers dispatched spoke with the subject who agreed to cease activity.
• Liquor Law Violation: Officer reported a liquor law violation at 8:30 p.m. on the third floor of McClellan Hall. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Officers reported dispersing a loud party at 11:45 p.m. at Cane Crossing. Report issued.

Sunday, Nov. 18:

• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:27 a.m. at Moore Way. Officers dispatched reported noise from an unregistered party. Officer dispersed the group.
• Campus Safety Assist: 911 phone call received at 1:15 a.m. from the third floor of Wait Hall. Officers checked the area and did not locate the caller. No emergency reported.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 2:35 a.m. coming from a neighbor at Dayton Drive. Officer reported that residents were warned and complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Campus Safety Assist: A welfare check requested at 3:03 a.m. on an intoxicated roommate at McClellan Hall. Dispatched officers reported the subject was assessed and found responsive and alert. No further medical attention necessary. Report issued.
• College Violation: Possible verbal argument reported at 3:13 a.m. at McClellan Hall. Officers reported no dispute. Subjects requested to lower the volume.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 3:45 a.m. at Wilmarth Hall. Officers dispatched reported that residents complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Campus Safety Assist: A welfare check requested at 12:47 p.m. on a student off-campus. Officer located and verified the student's safety. The student agreed to contact parent. Report issued.

Monday, Nov. 19:

• Campus Safety Assist: Subject called at 3:12 p.m. requesting student information. Officer explained the College's policy and no information was released.
• Tickets Issued: Five tickets were issued campus-wide as of 4:08 p.m. for failure to stop at stop signs.
• Campus Safety Assist: Officers warned four non-Skidmore subjects at 5:16 p.m. regarding skateboarding in the middle of the road by the Barrett Center, causing a traffic hazard.
• Campus Safety Assist: A welfare check was requested at 8:10 p.m. for a student in Wiecking Hall. Officers located the subject and verified her safety and offered assistance. No further problems. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: A welfare check was requested at 8:35 p.m. for a daughter in Jonsson Tower. Officer was dispatched and made contact to verify the safety of the daughter. Subject contacted the reporting person. Report issued.

Tuesday, Nov. 20:

• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 12:04 a.m. at the Sasselin Art Center. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Officers reported the cause was a faulty heat sensor on the third floor. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: A personal escort requested at 1:56 a.m. from Case Center to Whitman Way. Officer dispatched provided the escort.

Wednesday, Nov. 21:

• College Violation: Staff relinquished all contraband at 11 a.m. found while closing for break in students' rooms in violation of College policies. Report issued.

Thursday, Nov. 22:

• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 6:47 a.m. at the Williamson Sports Center. Officer and maintenance dispatched reported the activation was due to a continual problem with faulty heat sensors on the third floor. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department was advised. No response necessary. Report issued.

Friday, Nov. 23:

• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 8:15 p.m. for the Williamson Sports Center. Officers and maintenance dispatched. Maintenance reported a continuous problem with the pool boiler room. Electrician contracted for repairs. Report issued.

Saturday, Nov. 24:

• Security Alarm: Security motion alarms activation received at 12:07 a.m. in the computer lab of Harder Hall. Officer dispatched reported the area was checked with no disturbances noted.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 9:39 a.m. for the Sasselin Art building. Officers and maintenance dispatched and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department notified. Officers reported the cause was determined to be a faulty smoke head.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 7:46 p.m. at the Sasselin Art building. Officers and maintenance dispatched and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department notified. Officers reported the caused was determined to be a faulty smoke head.

Sunday, Nov. 25:

• Criminal Mischief: Two holes reported at 10:31 a.m. in the wall of the second floor of Kimball Hall. Photographs taken of the damage and the report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Father of a student requested a welfare check at 12:38 p.m. on his daughter in Rounds Hall. Officer dispatched was unable to initially locate the daughter. After an investigation, the officer was able to determine the daughter's whereabouts and delivered the message.

Monday, Nov. 26:

• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:24 a.m. in the common area of Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched reported that subjects complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Larceny: Parts reported missing off the housekeeping van at 1:41 a.m. in North Hall lot. Officer assigned reported an investigation ongoing.
• Campus Safety Assist: An escort requested at 2:08 p.m. to the Wilton Medical Center for a student who may have a dislocated arm. Transport completed by dispatched officer. Report issued regarding the accident.
• Campus Safety Assist: A medical escort requested at 3:47 p.m. from the Sasselin Art building to the Wilton Medical Art Center for a laceration. Dispatched officer provided transport to the Emergency Room. Reports issued regarding the accident.

Tuesday, Nov. 27:

• Medical: A female reported with chest pains at 12:15 a.m. in the Oak Apartments. Emergency Medical System dispatched and subject transported for further medical attention. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 11:24 a.m. in the Scribner Library. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Contractors' wiring error is determined to be the cause of activation. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 5:43 p.m. at Cane Crossing. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Cause of activation determined to be burned food. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Personal escort requested at 7:02 p.m. to residence at Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer completed the transport.
• Suspicious Odor: Suspicious odor reported at 10:07 p.m. at Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer reported a faint odor detected but could not determine the source.

Wednesday, Nov. 28:

• Alarm: Officers conducted a test of the emergency blue lights, emergency phones and handicapped doors on campus at 11 p.m. Officers also tested the fire alarm system in the Academic buildings. Testing was completed with all deficiencies documented for proper repairs.
• Campus Safety Assist: Alarm activation reported at 2:20 a.m. at the Hillside Apartments but the source is undetermined. Officers dispatched and canvassed the area with negative results. No alarm detected.
• Suspicious Odor: Officer reported a suspicious odor at 8:16 p.m. on the ninth floor of Jonsson Tower. Officer could not locate the source.
• Suspicious Odor: Suspicious odor reported at 8:49 p.m. at Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched to assist staff. Strong odor of air freshener noted. Marijuana odor faint but masked by the freshener.

Thursday, Nov. 29:

• Security Alarm: Motion alarm activation received at 7:49 a.m. in the Sasselin Art gallery. Officer dispatched to access the situation. Officer dispatched to access the situation. No notifications made. Officer reported the door unsecured and the lights off. No one in the area, which the officer secured. Gallery administrator advised. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 6:29 p.m. at the Hillside Apartments. Dispatched officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Cause of activation determined to be due to burned food. Report issued.
• Suspicious Activity: A large truck reported at 9:36 p.m. parked at the Baseball field. Dispatched officer reported canvassing the equipment and finding everything in order. No damage to vehicles. Vehicle has vacated property.
• Drug Law Violation: A party reported at 10:17 p.m. on the fourth floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers located a drug law violation in plain view. Report issued.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 11:17 p.m. on the first floor of Wilmarth Hall. Dispatched officers reported dispersing a large group. Report issued. 

Beau Breslin named Dean of Faculty, VP of Academic Affairs: Breslin chosen in nationwide search

Posted by Julia Martin

Professor of Government Beau Breslin has been appointed Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs following a nationwide search. Breslin will enter into his new responsibilities immediately, having served as interim Dean and Vice President since June.

The Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs is the second-ranking administrator at Skidmore who works closely with other members of President Philip A. Glotzbach's administrative team. Breslin will serve as the president's primary academic adviser for all academic endeavors.

"We had an extraordinarily strong pool of applicants, and choosing the finalists wasn't easy," said Sarah Goodwin, professor of English and co-chair of the search committee with President Glotzbach. "We went into the process very open to the prospect of hiring an outside candidate, someone from another college. But as the process unfolded, Beau Breslin became our first choice. There was a strong sense of support for Beau in the community."
Breslin received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his B.A. degree from Hobart College. In 2008 he received Skidmore's Ralph A. Ciancio Prize for Excellence in Teaching, and was elected by the 2004 graduating class to deliver the faculty address at commencement.

Breslin has written two books, "The Communitarian Constitution" and "From Words to Worlds: Exploring Constitutional Functionality" and is under contract for a third book, "The Generational Constitution: Jefferson, Madison and the Call for Periodic Constitutional Renewal."

Kaleigh Kahn '13, a member of the search committee, described the selection process as worthwhile.

"The selection process was a long and involved one, and required a lot of time throughout the entire semester," Kahn said. "However, I thought it was really rewarding-especially the interviews with the candidates themselves. I feel like it gave me a new perspective to the way Skidmore operates and how it views itself and its students."

"Our conviction is that he is the right person for this position now, that he will help us to sustain our momentum on several initiatives and that he can work very well with the faculty and with the Cabinet," Goodwin said. "It's the college's good fortune that Beau is willing to take on this very tough, demanding job."

Author Zadie Smith to give Skidmore's Steloff Lecture Dec. 6: Winner of several awards will speak about "The Writer in the World"

Author Zadie Smith, winner of several awards of literature for her many works, will present Skidmore College's Frances Steloff Lecture, titled "The Writer in the World," which will be free and open to the public, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6 in Gannett Auditorium.

Saratoga Springs native Frances Steloff, founder of the Gotham Book Mart in New York City, established and endowed the Steloff Lecture series in 1967 as a way to bring outstanding literary and artistic talent to the college. Previous guest authors include Nobel laureates Mario Vargas Llosa, Nadine Gordimer, Seamus Heaney, J.M. Coetzee and Saul Bellow, as well as other major writers such as Katherine Anne Porter, Arthur Miller, Margaret Atwood, Don DeLillo and John Banville.

Born in 1975 in London, Smith won fame in 2000 following the release of her first novel, "White Teeth." A portrait of contemporary multicultural London told through the stories of three ethnically diverse families, the book won several awards and prizes, including the Guardian First Book Award and the Whitbread First Novel Award.

Her subsequent novels include "The Autograph Man" (2002), "On Beauty" (2005, winner of the 2006 Orange Prize for Fiction), and "NW" (2012).

Further works include "Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays" (2009), which includes pieces published previously in such magazines as The New Yorker, Harper's, The New Republic, and The New York Review of Books.

Many of Smith's short stories have been published in The New Yorker, and in 2010 she became a regular "New Books" reviewer for Harper's. She currently is a professor of creative writing at New York University.

"Smith's novels are notable not just for their social acuity, but also for their ability to absorb philosophical ideas," Anne Enright wrote in a New York Times review of "NW". "'On Beauty' managed to be interesting about aesthetics as well as about race and compassion, and the prose was well-turned and sweet-natured to match. The themes in [her new book] 'NW' are more radical and the language more fractured [and] the result is that rare thing, a book that is radical and passionate and real."

Skidmore Cares provides donations to various local organizations: Scribner House will host an open house for employees and their families next week

Posted by Julia Leef

The second floor of the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall hosted the seventh annual luncheon for fifty members of Skidmore Cares on Thursday, Nov. 15. President Phillip Glotzbach and his wife Marie started the organization in 2006 to support local organizations during the holiday season.

The program began with faculty and staff participation but has since expanded to include student volunteers as well. Several student organizations support the program, including the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, which meets each month in order to organize service and community initiatives.

"We are what we are in part because of what Saratoga Springs is," Glotzbach said. "It's important for us to come together as a community to show that we care."

Donations are collected by "cheerleaders"-Skidmore employees who promote and organize the event. These cheerleaders include members from Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Finance and Administration, Admissions, Alumni Affairs and the Office of Advancement, who are responsible for donating various items to their respective programs, such as canned goods or school supplies.

The recipients of the 2012 Skidmore Cares program are nine local organizations dedicated to helping those in need. This year's organizations are the Corinth Central School District, the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County, the Franklin Community Center, the Latino Community Advocacy Program, Mary's Haven, The Salvation Army, the Saratoga County Equal Opportunity Council, the Saratoga Springs City School District PATHS Program and the Shelters of Saratoga.

There will be an open house from 3 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the Scribner House for Skidmore employees and their families. During this time, the organizations will drop off their donations in a sleigh sitting on the Scribner House front lawn. Student volunteers, led by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Benef-Action, are also collecting items on campus until Dec. 7.

Support-a-Family raises money for Thanksgiving dinners: Skidmore College has donated nearly $100,000 in funds over the past 20 years

Posted by Julia Leef

Students or faculty looking to make a change in a family's life this Thanksgiving holiday may find a way in the Support-a-Family for Thanksgiving program. This initiative is over twenty years old and it will help provide over 800 low-income families in Saratoga County with complete Thanksgiving baskets this year.

The program raises money for the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (SCEOC), the local Community Action Program responsible for several charity and outreach programs, including Women, Infants and Children, Weatherization Assistance, Nutrition Outreach, Wheels for Work and the Latino Community Advocacy Program.

"We've developed a real sense of community over the years," Professor of Economics Roy Rotheim, who started the program and is on the board of SCEOC said. "It's just one of those situations where every penny goes to feeding somebody. There's not overhead, there's no skimming off the top and it doesn't go to paying salaries at the EOC."

Since the program's founding, Support-a-Family for Thanksgiving has collected almost $100,000 in donated funds, which includes the annual contribution from the Celebration 5K run-walk organized by the Running Club and Professor of Math and Computer Science Gove Effinger. The Celebration 5K donated $300 to the program this year.

"It was something that they [the members of the SCEOC] were doing and I just thought, 'How can they pay for it?'" Rotheim said. "If you see a piece of paper on the floor, someone's got to pick it up, and I might as well be that person to pick it up."

Rotheim collects and organizes the money donated through the College and forwards it on to the SCEOC to purchase the meals for the families. Each donated meal consists of a full groceries bag worth of food and a voucher for a turkey. Rotheim also participates in outreach programs during Christmas and Easter, during which he coordinates an Easter dinner with his wife and other volunteers from the College to provide food to people in need.

In his work with the soup kitchen over the past twenty years, Rotheim has gotten to know several of the guests, who come over to greet him when they see him in town occasionally. Rotheim said he has often received notes from people in the community saying that donating to this cause made them feel good, and that they are glad they had an opportunity to participate in the cause.

"I feel really proud that I'm a member of a community that would support something like this. I'd love to make it more inclusive so that the students can participate in some way," Rotheim said. "I wish there was more support from students, but I do understand the financial exigencies. From staff, faculty and administrators, the best part is that I could just get checks, which go directly to the EOC."

Anyone interested in supporting a family for a Thanksgiving dinner may send a check or cash for $25 to either Rotheim through the campus mail or to the SCEOC at 40 New Street, P.O. Box 5120, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-8037. Checks should be made out to EOC Food Programs. 

Skidmore Organizing Collaborative Change for student empowerment: The new student group on campus aims to create transparency between all levels of college life

Posted by Julia Leef

Wednesday, Nov. 14 saw the first two meetings of a new group on campus, Skidmore Organizing Collaborative Change, which aims to empower student voices and create more transparency between students, faculty, and the administration.

The two meetings had a combined total of forty students who shared stories about their experiences at the College as well as how they would describe the campus atmosphere. Some of the more common words mentioned were "divided," "disconnected," "individualized" and "passive/apathetic."

"It was hard for me to come back to this community after studying abroad and see that there hadn't been real progression around the initiatives that I had truly been passionate about," said Taila Arnow '13, who sought out fellow students to aid her in this group. "There are brilliant people working on brilliant things, but if we're not working together then we can't build and create the community we want."

Arnow said she saw many students had dropped out of leadership positions, which made her want to create a team of leaders with different interests on campus but with a shared passion for the issues present. She approached several students at the beginning of the semester, including Alexandra Steinhauer '13 and Sam Harris '15, who have been in leadership roles. Steinhauer is a member of the Speakers' Bureau Chair, and Harris was a participant in the Everyday Leadership training panel earlier this year.

"I see people around me, and I see the potential they have and I don't see that reaching its actuality," Steinhauer said. "The ideas of the community resonate with me really strongly because of that. We're all here to make this an exceptional learning environment, and we haven't reached that."

"When I was a freshman, I never really brought myself into a position where I faced any roadblocks," Harris said. "But she [Arnow] wanted some underclassmen to be a part of this group. She shared her story and it resonated with me. I really wanted to help, so I decided to join and it's been a really great process ever since."

While these two particular members are in positions of leadership on campus, the group was very clear about not wanting to establish a hierarchy in their presence to the public. They emphasized a desire to collaborate with all groups on campus, including the Student Government Association, faculty and staff. All students, whether or not they are affiliated with a particular organization on campus, are invited to attend group meetings and share their own stories.

Although the group did not wish to share any specific plans for the future at the moment, the overall consensus was to try to change the culture on campus and to help people become more aware of their behavior towards the College community, with the eventual goal of bringing the conversation outside of their meetings to the campus as a whole.

"This movement needs to model the change that we want to see," Arnow said. "Everyone is a part of this cultural movement that is starting at Skidmore."

"It's a collective of people feeling community and wanting to enhance students' voices," Steinhauer said, adding that one of the changes she would like to see is a greater excitement towards student elections and to see all of the positions filled each semester.

Students who wish to learn more about Skidmore Organizing for Collaborative Change can direct their emails to skidcollaborates@gmail.com.

Campus Safety Reports: Nov. 9 to 15

Posted by Julia Leef

Incidents of Note:

• Saturday, Nov. 10-Trespass: Officer reported four trespassers at 1:08 a.m. had jumped the fence into the Scribner Village construction site. Officers dispatched conducted a canvass of the area with negative results.
• Sunday, Nov. 11- Disorderly Conduct: An officer reported that while on patrol at 2:56 a.m. he observed four male subjects throwing two bikes up a tree in Keyes quad. Subject ran upon the officer's approach. Report issued. Damaged bikes retrieved.
• Wednesday, Nov. 14-Maintenance: Smoke condition reported at 7:44 p.m. in the hallway of the Jonsson Tower basement. Dispatched officers, Unit 10 and notified the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. A burned-out motor of the air handler of the heating system determined to be the cause of the condition. Facilities supervisors advised for proper repairs.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Nov. 9:

• Drug Law Violation: A strong smell of marijuana was reported at 12:06 a.m. in Jonsson Tower. Officer on the scene reported a Drug Law violation in plain view. Report issued.
• College Violation: People reported being loud at 12:49 a.m. in a Jonsson Tower lounge. Officer dispatched dispersed the large group of people causing the disturbance.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 3:47 p.m. in the Sasselin Art Building. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Officers reported a faulty heat sensor as the cause of activation. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A strong odor of marijuana reported at 4:12 p.m. in Rounds Hall. Officers responding reported that the odor had dissipated at that time. Source unknown.
• Campus Safety Assist: Assistance requested at 8:18 p.m. for a student-worker in the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Officers dispatched. Report issued.
• Drug Law Violation: A suspicious odor reported at 10:39 p.m. coming from a room in Penfield Hall. Officer dispatched reported a drug law violation.
• Liquor Law Violation: Reports received at 10:50 p.m. of a liquor law violation in plain view in Penfield Hall. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Transport requested at 11:21 p.m. from the Emergency Room to an off-campus residence.

Saturday, Nov. 10:

• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:38 a.m. in Hillside Apartments. Dispatched officers located two loud groups and issued noise warnings.
• Drug Law Violation: Officers reported a drug law violation at 1 a.m. in plain view while addressing a noise complaint at the Oak Apartments. Report issued.
• Criminal Mischief: A person reported at 1:33 a.m. that the light cover lens in the North stairwell of Wiecking Hall was knocked off and broken.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 1:25 a.m. in Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched reported subjects were issued a noise warning. Subjects complied.
• College Violation: Officers issued several noise warnings at 1:42 a.m. at the HIllside Apartments. All residents agreed to comply.
• Criminal Mischief: Person reported a broken exit sign and light at 3:25 a.m. at Rounds Halls. Damage recorded. Maintenance dispatched for exposed wires.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 4:50 p.m. at the Hillside Apartments. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Burned food determined to be the cause. Report issued.
• College Violation: A loud group reported at 11:14 p.m. in Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched reports the group dispersed upon his arrival.
• College Violation: A loud group reported at 11:36 p.m. at Whitman Way. Officers canvassed the apartments but detected no noise.

Sunday, Nov. 11:

• Intoxicated Subject: An intoxicated female reported at 12:04 a.m. in need of assistance at Falstaff's Pavilion. Officers dispatched assessed the subject and found her responsive and coherent. No Emergency Medical System necessary.
• College Violation: Noise complaint reported 1:13 a.m. at Cane Crossing. Officers dispatched reported a loud stereo. Residents complied with the request to lower the volume.
• College Violation: A noise disturbance reported at 1:49 a.m. on the footpath from 4th Street leading to Zankel. Officers dispatched canvassed the area and reported that the two males speaking loudly left area upon their arrival.
• Security Alarm: A motion alarm activation received at 3:06 a.m. in a hallway of the Williamson Sports Center. Officers dispatched checked the building and reported no disturbances. Cause of alarm unknown.
• Trespass: Subjects reported at 4:25 a.m. on the walkway roof of the South quad. Officers did not give chase due to student safety concerns. Subjects got down and ran from the officers as they approached.
• Criminal Mischief: Officer reported at 4:33 a.m. that while on patrol he observed the Wait Hall lobby television remote control had been smashed into several pieces. No one in the area at that time.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 9:05 a.m. at the Sasselin Art building. Officers and Unit 10 advised. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department was contacted. Faulty heat sensor determined to be the cause. Report issued.
• College Violation: Noise reported at 8:24 p.m. from an adjoining room in Wait Hall. Officers dispatched were unable to detect the "unacceptable" noise.

Monday, Nov. 12:

• Suspicious Odor: The suspicious odor of marijuana reported at 12:10 a.m. on the second floor of Rounds Hall. Officers dispatched reported no odor was detected.
• Campus Safety Assist: A student was reported at 1:24 a.m. vomiting and coughing sitting on the stairs between the Sasselin Art building and the Lucy Scribner Library. Officer dispatched escorted the student to Health Services. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: A "disturbing incident" reported at 4:10 p.m. at Kimball Hall. Officers initiated the investigation. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Students observed at 4:20 p.m. sitting on the roof of the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Dispatched officers reported subjects were gone upon their arrival.
• Campus Safety Assistance: Transport requested at 8:04 p.m. to the Emergency Room from Wiecking Hall. Officer dispatched transported the student to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 11:51 p.m. for a Cane Crossing residence. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Cause of the activation determined to be a subject smoking in room.

Tuesday, Nov. 13:

• Parking: Officer reported at 10:16 a.m. booting a vehicle in the Williamson Sports Center parking lot for an excessive number of tickets. Report issued.
• Parking: A vehicle towing reported at 1:10 p.m. for parking in the Handicap designated area of the Case Center parking lot. Report issued.

Wednesday, Nov. 14:

• Campus Safety Assistance: An escort requested at 5:53 a.m. from McClellan Hall to the Sasselin Art building to retrieve property. Officer dispatched completed the personal safety transport.
• Trespass: A person reported at 10:48 a.m. that she has further information regarding a trespasser at Colton House. Report issued.
• Graffiti: Graffiti reported at 3:20 p.m. on the picnic table at Haupt Pond. Officer dispatched recorded the damage and issued a report. No known perpetrators at this time.

Thursday, Nov. 15:

• Campus Safety Assist: Employee requests officer assistance at 12:56 a.m. with student removal at the Scribner Library at closing time. She states she has been having difficulties with students remaining after hours. Officers assisted. Remaining person will be subjects to trespass.
• Fire Drills: Fire alarm drill conducted at 10:13 a.m. for the Lodge (Greenberg Child Center). Good drill. Report issued.
• Larceny: Person reported at 11:20 a.m. that her bike had been taken from the bike rack in front of Wait Hall. Campus Safety and the Saratoga Springs Police Department advised. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A constant odor of marijuana reported at 11:45 a.m. in Wait Hall. Officer dispatched and report issued. Investigation on-going.
• Campus Safety Assist: Student information requested at 8:23 p.m. Officer declined to give information regarding a student. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 10:40 p.m. in Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers could not locate the marijuana odor as a strong disinfectant had been used to mask it. Source undetermined.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:03 p.m. at the Hillside Apartments. Dispatched officers detected a faint odor but the source is undetermined at this time. 

Skidmore College earns the 2012 Social Leadership Award: The College receives the award for its geothermal heating and cooling system

Posted by Emily Singer

Earlier this year, Skidmore became one of four colleges in the country to win the 2012 Social Leadership Award from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for its new system of heating and cooling buildings. Rather than using oil or other non-renewable resources that contribute to climate change from carbon emissions, the College extracts its heat and cooling from the ground.

The College obtains its geothermal heat by digging 400 to 500 feet into the ground to access parts of the Earth where the temperature remains constant. Pipes are then filled with water and travel through the deep parts of the ground, where they pick up heat during the winter and deliver it to heat pumps in the buildings. The heat is then sent to a refrigerant, which transfers it into the air or water. This process is reversed during the summer so that the heat pump takes the heat out of the building instead.
 The Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, the Arthur Zankel Music Center and the apartments of the Northwoods Village all use geothermal heating to control temperatures, making up for 16% of the total square footage of the campus, according to a recent press release from Communications. (link?)

According to Sustainability Coordinator Riley Neugebauer, there are more plans for implementing geothermal heating for Scribner Village and the Arts Quad (Filene Hall, Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater and the Saisselin Art Building), which will be using a shared "district" system. This system has already been installed in Filene Hall and the Saisselin Art Building, and the Bernhard Theater's system is tentatively scheduled for the Spring of 2014.

"This will make Skidmore College one of the first [colleges] in the Northeast to implement a district geothermal system," Neugebauer said, adding that the district system would contribute to increase efficiency and use for the geothermal heat to all of the art buildings.

"We also hope to improve the efficiency of our geothermal technology through new district system, which are already in use in other parts of the world," Paul Lundberg, capital projects supervisor for Facilities Services said in the press release. "We are one of the first in the Northeast to implement a district geothermal system."

The College first used this system when the Northwoods Village opened during the 2006 - 2007 academic year. The system was later extended to the other two buildings during the 2009 - 2010 academic year.
Once newer projects are completed, including the replacement of Scribner Village and the renovation of the Dance Theater, 36% of the buildings on campus will be heated and cooled by geothermal processes. The College's goal, according to the press release, is to be 50% heated by geothermal means by 2020.

"Our goal is to lessen Skidmore's climate impact by using a renewable energy source and reducing our greenhouse emissions," Neugebauer said.

The award is a tribute to the work the College has put forth towards increasing its sustainability, which was noted by Paul Rowland, executive director of AASHE.

"As a growing number of sustainability activities take place on our campuses, we have expanded our awards program to recognize the diverse institutions and the diverse initiatives that advance sustainability," Rowland said in a recent press release.

This, amongst many other measures, will help the College create a campus that is protective of the environment and encourage other college campuses to do the same. 

Campus Safety Reports: Nov. 2 to Nov. 8

Posted by Julia Leef

Incidents of Note:

• Friday, Nov. 2-Campus Safety Assist: The sole survivor of four birds that had flown into a window at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1 at the front of Kimball Hall was released at 8:45 a.m. outside the dorm. Officer Sanacore had taken the bird, identified as a finch, along with another bird that died overnight, to the Upstate Animal Clinic at 5 p.m. on Thursday and returned for the surviving bird, now restored to full health, the following morning.
• Friday, Nov. 2-Hate Crime: Email received at 9:18 a.m. reporting a biased incident that occurred at the Case Center bus stop involving racial vulgarities and inappropriate behavior. Investigation pending. Report issued.
• Sunday, Nov. 4-Accident: A light pole reported at 3:42 a.m. down in the roadway in Case Road. Officers on the scene reported a confirmed hit and run with property damage. Investigation conducted and perpetrator identified. Report issued.
• Monday, Nov. 5- Missing Person: Concern reported at 1:26 p.m. from Whitman Way for a fellow student who is missing. Investigation initiated and subject located and found to be satisfactory. Report issued.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Nov. 2:

• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 1:48 a.m. in the Hillside Apartments A. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Spring Fire Department advised. Cause determined to be heavy marijuana smoke. Report issued.
• Suspicious Activity: Two older males reported at 4:25 a.m. trying to gain access to the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Officers dispatched located and identified the subjects as CDTA bus drivers looking to buy a cup of coffee.
• Harassment: Administration received an email at 11:13 a.m. reporting a harassment incident in the Jonsson Tower Lot between two employees. Investigation initiated. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Transport for a student requested at 10:19 a.m. from Health Services to the Emergency Room. Dispatched officer completed transport. Report issued.
• Suspicious Activity: Reporting person contacted Campus Safety Director Dennis Conway at 10:28 a.m. reporting an Alumni acting suspiciously at the Arthur Zankel Music Center. Subject was located and warned of his behavior. Report issued. Subject vacated campus. The Saratoga Springs Police Department advised.
• Criminal Mischief: Unknown persons reported at 3:01 a.m. having broken the door closer mechanism on the Jonsson Tower front door. Report issued. Carpenter contacted for repair. Report issued.
• College Violation: Officer reported a group of males at 8:35 p.m. with alcohol attempting to enter the southeast entrance of Wilmarth. Subjects fled the area, leaving the alcohol behind. Officer confiscated the alcohol. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: Suspicious odor reported at 10:22 p.m. in Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers could not discern the source of the odor.
• Criminal Mischief: Unknown subject reported at 10:38 p.m. having just thrown a beer bottle out of an upper floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers canvassed the Tower with negative results. No injuries sustained.
• Campus Safety Assist: The Saratoga Springs Police Department advised at 11 a.m. of a suspicious subject en route to campus. Officers advised. Report issued.

Saturday, Nov. 3:

• College Violation: Officer reported a male at 12:10 a.m. who was visiting a Skidmore student observed with an open container of alcohol in Jonsson Tower. Subject was warned of the law and the College's policy regarding the open container and that there was no alcohol allowed in the residence halls. Alcohol was dumped on the site.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 1:40 a.m. in North Woods apartments. Officers dispatched canvassed the area and did not locate the noise disturbance. Call unfounded at that time.
• Suspicious Activity: An unknown vehicle reported at 1:57 a.m. parked behind the Sports Center. Officers dispatched reported the subject identified and left the area.
• Campus Safety Assist: Medical transport requested at 5:42 p.m. from the Dance Theater to the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Room. Officer dispatched transported the subject. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Possible drug violations reported at 6:56 p.m. on the third floor of McClellan Hall. Officers were advised of the situation and planned for attention to be focused on that area.
• Liquor Law Violation: Officer reported a liquor law violation at 9:58 p.m. on the second floor of Rounds Hall. Report issued.

Sunday, Nov. 4:

• Suspicious Odor: The odor of burned marijuana reported at 12:30 a.m. in Wilmarth Hall. Officer dispatched was unable to discern source.
• College Violation: A loud disturbance reported at 12:41 a.m. at Whitman Way. Officers reported a male student out of control causing damage to the apartment and also to himself. Police and the Emergency Medical System dispatched to transport the subject to the Emergency Room for medical attention. Report issued.
• Disorderly Conduct: A fight in progress reported at 1 a.m. in the Spa. Officers dispatched on the scene reported the subjects involved fled the area. Investigation conducted. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 1:47 a.m. in Moore Way residence. Officers, Unit 10 and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Cause of alarm activation was burned candles. Report issued.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 1:12 a.m. at Whitman Way. Officer dispatched reported the residents complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Fire Alarm Apparatus: Person reported a stopper alarm at 1:15 a.m. in the Wait Hall basement. Officer responded and reset the stopper. Unknown persons caused the activation.
• College Violation: Loud music and people reported at 1:22 a.m. in Wait Hall. Officer reports checking the area with no disturbance located. Subjects gone on arrival.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 2:31 a.m. at Dayton Drive. Officer spoke with residents who complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Fire Alarm Apparatus: A stopper alarm reported at 3:16 a.m. on the third floor of Kimball Hall. Officer responded and reset the alarm. Unknown persons caused the alarm.
• Criminal Mischief: Graffiti reported at 8:50 a.m. on the wall in the study room of the sixth floor of Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched recorded the damage. Report issued.
• Graffiti: Graffiti reported in the basement of Wilmarth Hall. Officer dispatched recorded the damage. No known perpetrators at this time.
• Campus Safety Assist: Welfare check requested at 6:37 p.m. for a student in Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched and located the subject, confirming her satisfactory welfare. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 6:51 p.m. at Cane Crossing. Campus Safety, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Source of the activation was due to a drug law violation involving marijuana smoke and candles. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 8:59 p.m. on the third floor of McClellan Hall. Officers dispatched reported no odor detected. Call unfounded at this time.

Monday, Nov. 5:

• College Violation: Officer reported warning a student at 5:10 p.m. about the hazards of skateboarding on Perimeter Road on campus.
• Found Property: Person reported at 9:05 p.m. finding alcohol in the refrigerator on the third floor of Rounds Hall. Dispatched officers confiscated the alcohol. Owner unknown.
• Medical: Assistance for a subject who had injured his ankle requested at 9:22 p.m. from the Dance Theater. Dispatched officers transported the subject to the Emergency Room for further medical assistance. Report issued.

Tuesday, Nov. 6:

• College Violation: A loud disturbance reported at 12:04 a.m. in the common area of Wait Hall. Officers responding reported that fifteen subjects were conducting a study session. Officers requested the subjects lower the volume of use an alternative area, such as the basement. Subject complied.
• Campus Safety Assist: Medical transport requested at 10:15 a.m. for a student from Jonsson Tower to the Emergency Room at Saratoga Springs Hospital. Officer completed the transport. Report issued.
• Fire: Smoke reported at 11:30 a.m. coming out of the ashtray at the outside entrance of Penfield Hall. Officer extinguished the fire. No damage reported.
• College Violation: Officers reported a marijuana smoking violation at 5:20 p.m. in Rounds Hall. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Reporting person requested at 7:21 p.m. to speak with Health Services on call. Subjects connected to the on call employee. Assistance provided.

Wednesday, Nov. 7:

• Emergency Phone Activation: Activation of emergency phone received at 1:28 a.m. in the North elevator. No response. Officers dispatched report the subject located and no emergency at this time.
• Campus Safety Assist: A squirrel reported at 1:53 p.m. in a car in West Lot. Dispatched officer contacted the owner. The car doors were opened and the squirrel exited the vehicle without incident.

Thursday, Nov. 8:

• Suspicious Odor: An odor of incense reported at 1:01 p.m. on the third floor of McClellan Hall. Dispatched officer reported the call is unfounded.
• Trespass: Person reported at 5 p.m. that her room had been entered by an unknown person(s). Dispatched officer. Report taken.
• Suspicious Odor: Suspicious odor reported at 9:12 p.m. on the second floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer confiscated illegal paraphernalia. Report taken.
• Suspicious Odor: Suspicious odor reported at 9:10 p.m. in McClellan Hall. Dispatched officers reported the call was unfounded. 

Skidmore clubs unite to raise money for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts: Fundraising groups include the Red Cross club, the Honors Forum and several religious organizations.

Posted by Tara Lerman

Last week, numerous towns and cities on the east coast were left in devastation after Hurricane Sandy hit. While the greater Saratoga Springs area was not affected, many students' hometowns were, including parts of New Jersey, Connecticut, New York City, Westchester and Long Island. As a result, on-campus clubs joined together to raise money for Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.

The Skidmore Red Cross Club is planning a Dodgeball Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 14, to benefit relief efforts with the entirety of its proceeds.

"We will also be using previous funds from a raffle we did during Celebration Weekend and the money we raised from last year's Dodgeball Tournament to help fund the relief efforts," Melvin Alvarez '15, chairman of the Fundraising Committee for the Red Cross Club, said.
 On Friday, Nov. 2, campus religious groups Hillel, Christian Fellowship and Newman Club stood outside the atrium of the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall collecting donations for the relief efforts.
 The Honors Forum is also organizing an event to help those who were affected by Sandy.

"Typically, the members take a field trip each fall in September to see a Broadway play and attend a museum. With the hurricane, my first impulse was to cancel the trip," Director of the Honors Forum and Professor of English Dr. Catherine Golden said.  "It seemed too indulgent for us to come to New York for culture and fun while people are without heat and electricity and basic necessities."

When Golden learned that they could not be refunded for the bus or the show tickets, Idalia Sepulveda, academic web coordinator, approached her to ask if they could use the storage area of the bus to bring supplies to victims in the city. Idalia is also a member of the Legacy Center, a multi-service Community Development Center serving communities in Queens and Brooklyn. The Legacy Center will pick up the donations at Bryant Park on Sunday, Nov. 11.

"The bus company agreed to transport the donations, we arranged for a room for drop-offs by coordinating our efforts with Michelle Hubbs [director of Community Service Programs], and we publicized this to the community--not only the Skidmore community but the Saratoga Springs community," Dr. Golden said, adding that many student members of the Honors Forum supported this initiative. "Many HF students have family who lost power and belongings in the hurricane, so our efforts also touch close to home."

Many areas not far from Saratoga Springs also are in need of aid. Schools in parts of Westchester County and Southern Connecticut have just re-opened after a week of shutting down due to the loss of power and flooded roads.

"There was no electricity for two weeks at my house but my mom was pretty prepared with lights and lanterns. The heat was off for a while so the nights were tough, but once her office reopened three days after the storm she was fine," Heather Zhang '15 of Cresskill, New Jersey said.

In other New Jersey areas such as Summit and Chester Township, the power is still out and transportation is still down. Students who wish to donate or get involved with these relief efforts may contact Hubbs at mhubbs@skidmore.edu.        

Taylor's Heroes to honor the memory of a lost soldier and son: The program is dedicated to helping young adults begin and maintain healthy lifestyles

Posted by Julia Leef

This Saturday, Nov. 10, the Universal Preservation Hall at 25 Washington Street will host a Rock of Ages-themed birthday party celebration for Taylor Miller, a young soldier who was killed in Afghanistan two years ago at age nineteen. This event will also kick-start this year's Taylor's Heroes, a program designed to help young people learn the importance of and practice healthy eating habits and lifestyles.

The program was founded and is organized by Leslie Miller, Taylor's mother, along with the help of her sister, Suzanne D'Iorio, and a board of people who handle various aspects of the program. The board includes a secretary who serves as the membership liaison coordinator for the Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce, a pro bono lawyer and a retired reserve from Iraq who participated in the Iron Man.

Miller began the program last year in the hopes of helping children avoid the struggles her own son had to go through growing up.

"Taylor started out very thin, very energetic," Miller said. "But then he got very lethargic and it just progressed until he was about 60 pounds overweight. It meant bullying, it meant not filling in as well as he could have. Where some people would lash out, he actually internalized it and it made him stronger, but I'd rather see kids not go through what he did. We wanted to do something that would have an impact."

The four youths participating in the first session, whose ages range from 12 to 18 years, were referred to the free program by physicians, school nurses or guidance counselors who had heard about Taylor's Heroes. They will participate in a weekly class and two physical activities of their choice through the Saratoga Regional YMCA. There will also be a monthly cooking and nutrition class that will teach the participants how to make healthy snacks. These classes are a new addition to the program this year.

Each session will run approximately five to seven weeks, depending on the program dates of the YMCA center, and Miller said they will encourage the kids to go through two sessions, which will run throughout the year. Participants will also have the opportunity to win prizes for meeting goals.

"We have all these resources at our fingertips, and it's just so wonderful to be able to tap into that," Miller said.

One of those resources includes the College's own Paul Arciero, professor of Health and Exercise Sciences, with whom Miller has consulted in establishing an efficient program for young adults.

"I'm hoping that we will have more of that partnership as time goes on. Right now, he's sort of like my mentor," Miller said.

"We've known each other since before her son had passed away, but just very informally. I never met Taylor, but I feel I've gotten to know him through her more than anything in the way she talks about him. He was a fun-loving, young man with a great attitude who was always willing to help other people, but at the same time had this kind of life-long battle with his weight," Arciero said.
Arciero helped Miller shape the program by identifying realistic goals to expect from the participants, based upon current recommendations for structured exercise and nutrition goals.
 "What I hope I've been able to provide is just a sensible approach to take with helping young boys and girls navigate our culture with healthy lifestyles strategies for exercise and nutrition," he said. "So many of these exercise programs are unrealistic, they're time-consuming and don't leave you with much time or energy to do anything else."

One of the ways Arciero hopes to reach out is through a mobile application he is currently developing that will help assess a person's current metabolic health at any given time, bringing a new aspect of portability to monitoring one's lifestyle. The application is still in the preliminary stages, and will need funding before it can progress further, Arciero said, but he hopes one day the young adults in Miller's program will be able to use this technology to further themselves towards their own health goals.

"The realistic aspect in terms of the day in and day out message and operation of what they're trying to do is becoming harder and harder because of our current culture," Arciero said. "We just don't have a culture that makes it conducive to maintain healthy lifestyle habits. Taylor's Heroes has to stay vigilant with its ability to adapt, especially in terms of technology."

Saturday's event, which will take place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. will have live music, food and a silent auction with all proceeds going towards the program. It is open to the public, with a fee of $45 for those aged 18 to 29, $75 for those 30 and up and $450 for a private lounge seating for six with a waitress and a view of the band.

"It's got such an incredible story behind it, and that in and of itself is so compelling and so long lasting when you're paying tribute to a loved one who has lost his life while doing something as noble as defending our freedom, to me, that always speaks to the eternity of it. How could you not want to continue to support something with such a noble cause?" Arciero said.

"You've got so many nice people out there, but in all fairness I hope that nobody ever has to establish a 'Taylor's Heroes' in someone else's name," Miller said.

People who wish to learn more about Taylor's Heroes or to purchase tickets for the celebration on Saturday may visit the program's website at taylorsheroes.org or on the Facebook page. 

Skidmore College to host 2012 presidential election activities on campus: Post-voting activities and events will take place in the Tang Teaching Museum starting at 5:30 p.m.

Posted by Julia Leef

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, students will have the opportunity, many of them for the first time, to vote in the 2012 Presidential Elections. A voting machine will be available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on campus in the Inter-Cultural Center in Case Center.

The College's promotion of student voters stems, according to its website, from the federal Higher Education Act, which requires colleges and universities to provide voter registration forms to all students, and from the College's Strategic Plan, which lists registering and voting to mark the actions of an informed citizenry, one of the main goals of the plan.

"There's been a lot of interest in voting, a lot of people who want to register to vote," Aaron Shifreen '13, who volunteered as a campus coordinator for Obama for America alongside the League of Women Voters at the Tang Museum, said. "We've registered probably 200-300 students, and that's not counting the students that Skidmore Democrats register."

The College has had many proponents of the election on campus, including Government Professor Robert Turner. Turner, who could not be reached in time for this article, moderated the "Saratoga Springs City Charter Open Forum" on Oct. 4. This forum helped educate voters about the proposed new charter for the City of Saratoga Springs that would create an Council/Manager form of government for the November ballot.

Dan Nathan, professor of American Studies, also contributed to the political atmosphere with his essay on presidential politics as the American pastime. The essay, which was published online on The Conversation, compared the intense rivalry and competitiveness of politics to sports.

"Like athletes, political candidates are written about and widely seen as heated rivals-for popularity, power, and prestige," Nathan said in his essay. "Presidential politics in the U.S., in particular, draw on the rhetoric and iconography of sport."

"It's your civic duty to vote, you live in a democracy The way people get authority and gain their power is through the citizenship, so if you don't necessarily vote, you're sort of disregarding the principles on which this country is founded on," Shifreen said. "People take that for granted and we are in a generation where nearly the majority of the country doesn't necessarily take the time to stay informed and make choices for themselves."

Regardless of these efforts, Shifreen said that there have been difficulties in getting students to register to vote. According to him, some of the efforts to increase student participation in politics, such as posting phone banks every Tuesday for the past month, were received with little to no interest from the student body.

"People have wanted to register to vote, which is good," Shifreen said. "But it's been very difficult to get people to do more than that. We tried to spread the word out as much as possible, and it just wasn't working."

After voting, students will have the opportunity to participate in the "Election Returns Extravaganza," a Student Government Association-planned event that begins at 5:30 p.m. and will run throughout the evening at the Tang Museum.

The event offers door-prizes for students wearing "I just voted" stickers, food, coverage of the election returns on CNN, MSNBC and Fox, live-streamed website coverage, and campaign and debate reaction highlights from shows such as Saturday Night Live, the Daily Show, Mo Rocca and The Colbert Report.

Ron Seyb, chairman of the Government department, will also be present at the event at 5:45 p.m. to discuss the swing states using interactive maps and polling data.

"Before you vote, really do stay informed on the issues that are most important to you," Shifreen said. "Even if you may not agree with each candidate on every issue, find the one that you feel like you agree with the most. It doesn't have to be Barack Obama, it doesn't have to be Mitt Romney, it could be Jill Stein or Gary Johnson. Your vote does count, and you should take it upon yourself to do your duty."

Skidmore faculty discusses recent bias incidents in Nov. 2 meeting: Some suggest emphasizing the non-Western diversity requirement to educate students on bias

Posted by Emily Singer

On Friday, Nov. 2, the Skidmore faculty came together in Gannett Auditorium for the monthly discussion on campus happenings, which included the recent bias incidents on campus.

President Philip A. Glotzbach addressed these incidents and expressed how disappointed he was that these events took place, especially on a campus that is supposed to be welcoming and supportive of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and religion.

Glotzbach said he does not want another biased incident to occur, and that both the students and the faculty need to make an extra effort towards creating a more accepting campus. He said that there should be room for conversation without the fear of being judged or threatened, and that any type of behavior that is not accepting will not be tolerated.
This led to a discussion of the possibility of changing the all-campus requirement for students to take a non-Western course to have a greater focus on the diversity of any of the categories listed above. Some professors said they believe educating the students would help prevent aggressive behavior.

Glotzbach, along with several other faculty members, stressed the importance of having a safe, open environment for students to live in. He said if there is any type of feeling causing students to believe that they are not in a safe place, something must be done immediately to fix this.
The meeting also touched on a new document called "Policies on Policies", an outline which states the actions that must be taken before new policies are established, and which people must be involved in order to have new policies instated on the campus.

President Glotzbach also announced the College's recent achievements, such as receiving the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education award for using renewable geothermal energy to heat the school buildings. Only four schools in the country received this award for geothermal energy, and Glotzbach said he hopes to have the campus operating on at least 50% geothermal energy by 2020.
The discussion also briefly mentioned student debt and whether students can manage the amount of debt from their college tuition by the time they graduate. It was understood that students from Skidmore College graduate with a manageable amount of debt, and that it can easily be paid off a few years after graduating.

Campus Safety Reports: Oct. 26 to Nov. 1

Posted by Julia Leef

Incidents of Note:

• Sunday, Oct. 28: Campus Safety Assist: The Saratoga Springs Police Department reported at DUI at 4 a.m. on North Broadway and requested assistance for Skidmore students. Report issued.
• Monday, Oct. 29: Drug Law Violation: Officer located a marijuana pipe and a small amount of marijuana in a plastic bag at 11:22 p.m. while checking purses for alcohol in the lobby of the Williamson Sports Center for the Moorebid Ball. Paraphernalia and drugs confiscated and owner advised of report issued.
• Monday, Oct. 29: Power Outage: Campus-wide power outage occurred at 5 p.m. due to Hurricane Sandy. Proper emergency procedures were followed. Report issued.
• Thursday, Nov. 1: Trespass: One of the contractors reported at 11:32 a.m. witnessing a homeless person exiting the new construction site carrying a pillow and a blanket. Subject gone upon the officer's arrival. Report issued.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Oct. 26:

• College Violation: An excessive amount of people reported at 12:08 a.m. causing a loud disturbance in a room in Wiecking Hall. Officer dispatched reported that the group dispersed.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 2:01 a.m. at Penfield Hall. Officer dispatched reported that the subjects complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Campus Safety Assist: A transport requested at 4:31 p.m. from Jonsson Tower to the emergency room for an ill student. Transport was completed by the dispatched officer. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Intoxicated students reported at 4:45 p.m. in front of the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Officers dispatched reported that the subjects were gone upon their arrival.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 6:59 p.m. from Northwoods residence. Officers, maintenance, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department were dispatched. Cause of activation was due to marijuana smoke. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: A transport requested at 9:03 p.m. from Jonsson Tower to the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Room for a cut finger. Officer provided the transport. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:23 p.m. on the third floor of Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched determined the source of the odor, but found no physical evidence in plain view.

Saturday, Oct. 27:

• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 3 a.m. at Whitman Way. Officer dispatched reported that the residents complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Criminal Mischief: A removed manhole cover causing a hazard on Moore Way reported at 6:40 a.m. Officer and maintenance replaced it to its proper position. No damage reported. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Transport requested at 10:41 a.m. from an off-campus location to the Wilton Medical Arts. Dispatched officer completed the transport for medical attention. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 11:11 a.m. in the Sasselin Art Building. Dispatched officers, maintenance, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Alarm was due to a system error. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 1:46 p.m. for 2 Moore Way. Dispatched officers, maintenance, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, who were unable to determine the cause of the alarm. Report issued.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 10:13 p.m. from a nearby apartment at Cane Crossing. Officers dispatched reported that the noise had ceased.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 10:28 p.m. from a neighboring apartment on Dayton Drive. Officers dispatched reported the subjects dispersed upon the their arrival.
• College Violation: Loud music and a large gathering reported at 11:20 p.m. on the Northwoods Apartments grounds. Officers dispatched dispersed the crowd.
• Intoxicated Subject: An intoxicated female student reported at 11:24 p.m. just off campus on State Street. Officers dispatched located the female and escorted her to her residence. No further problems reported.
• Medical: A vomiting female reported at 11:41 p.m. outside McClellan Hall. Officer dispatched located the subject and transported her to the Emergency Room via Emergency Medical System. Report issued.

Sunday, Oct. 28:

• Medical: Officer reported an intoxicated female at 12:09 a.m. at the Williamson Sports Center in need of medical assistance. Emergency Medical System transported the subject to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Graffiti: Officer reported graffiti at 12:09 a.m. from the North Woods construction area into Scribner Village. Record of damage taken. Investigation initiated and pending.
• Medical: An intoxicated male reported at 12:15 a.m. in need of medical assistance on the first floor of Wiecking Hall. Subject transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Medical: An intoxicated male reported at 12:31 a.m. in the men's locker room at the Williamson Sports Center. Subject transported to the Emergency Room via Emergency Medical System. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Neighborhood complaint received at 12:31 a.m. regarding excessively loud music at the Williamson Sports Center. Administration advised.
• Suspicious Activity: Individuals reported at 12:41 a.m. smoking behind Wait Hall by the Basketball court. Officer dispatched reported the subjects were smoking cigarettes. No problems reported.
• Medical: Intoxicated female reported at 12:42 a.m. on the main floor of Moorebid Ball at the Williamson Sports Center. Emergency Medical System used to transport her to the Emergency room.
• Suspicious Activity: An officer observed a male and a female sitting at 12:52 a.m. on the floor of the Williamson Sports Center and requested that they stand up. Female yelled something about the male and fled the area. Investigation revealed a domestic dispute. Subjects separated. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Officer reported an escort at 1:08 a.m. from the Williamson Sports Center to McClellan Hall.
• Criminal Mischief: Officer reported observed damage at 1:57 p.m. to the exit signs on the first and second floor of Howe Hall. Report issued.
• Medical: An intoxicated male reported at 1:08 a.m. on the third floor of McClellan. Emergency Medical System transported the subject to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Excessive noise reported at 1:15 a.m. from a neighboring Skidmore house. Reporting person contacted the police and was making an advisement to the College. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Officer provided an escort at 1:17 a.m. from McClellan Hall to the West Avenue Bus station for a non-student. Report issued.
• Medical: An intoxicated female reported at 1:21 a.m. at the Williamson Sports Center. Emergency Medical System transported the subject to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 2:10 a.m. at McClellan Hall. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Burned food in the microwave determined to be the cause. Report issued.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 4:35 a.m. on the North Woods Apartments grounds. Officers dispatched reported that subjects lowered the volume upon request.
• Campus Safety Assist: Officers provided several return transports at 6 a.m. from the Saratoga Emergency Room to Campus. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: The Saratoga Springs Police Department requested information on a student at 9:08 a.m. Assistance provided.
• Campus Safety Assist: A female student on a bike reported in need of assistance at 12:06 p.m. at Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched located the female and provided assistance. Report issued.
• Medical: Person reported a deep cut to his right hand at 9:21 p.m. Officer responding at Jonsson Tower provided first aid and transported the subject to the Emergency Room.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 11:24 p.m. for Cane Crossing. Officers, Unit-10 and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Cause of activation determined to be marijuana smoke. Report issued.

Monday, Oct. 29:

• Accident: Person completed an accident report at 9:57 a.m. for an injury sustained when she was dropped while rehearsing in Dance. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 12:56 p.m. in McClellan Hall. Dispatched officers discovered the odor to be diesel fuel from a parked garbage truck outside McClellan. Odor dissipated within ten minutes.
• Suspicious Odor: Suspicious odor reported at 5:53 p.m. at the front door of Wait Hall. Dispatched officer reported a subject smoking a cigarette. No other problems found.
• Forcible Sex Offense: Person in Campus Safety office at 8:10 p.m. to file a sexual misconduct report for an incident at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. Report issued.
• Forcible Sex Offense: Person in Campus Safety office at 8:10 p.m. to report an act of sexual misconduct at 7:20 p.m. that day in Wait Hall.

Tuesday, Oct. 30:

• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 8:59 a.m. for the Field House. Prior to contacting the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, Campus Safety received a report that the alarm activation was due to paint fumes. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Person requested an escort at 11:10 a.m. from Jonsson Tower to the Williamson Sports Center Dance Theater as she is on crutches and has not been able to make the appropriate accommodations yet. Officer dispatched provided assistance.
• Parking: Officer reported towing a vehicle at 1:07 p.m. as it has received numerous tickets for various violations. No attempts to rectify the situation. Report issued.
• Security Alarm: Security alarm activation received at 7:02 p.m. in the Schick Gallery. Officer dispatched checked the entire gallery and reported that the motion alarm was due to a curtain blowing from the circulation unit. No other disturbances noted.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 9:08 p.m. being played on a laptop at the front door of Wait Hall. Dispatched officer reported that all subjects left the area prior to his arrival.
• College Violation: Two subjects reported at 10:15 p.m. on the roof of Rounds Hall. Officer dispatched reported the subjects located and escorted from the area. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Person requested a welfare check at 9:13 p.m. on a student. Dispatched officer made contact after several attempts. Student found satisfactory.
• Drug Law Violation: A suspicious odor reported at 10:36 p.m. on the third floor of Penfield. Dispatched officer reported drug and liquor law violations. Report issued. Paraphernalia confiscated.

Wednesday, Oct. 31:

• College Violation: Students reported at 12:54 a.m. being too loud in the second floor common area of Wait Hall. Officer dispatched reported that the four loud students dispersed.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 4:44 a.m. at Dayton Drive residence. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Officers reported a strong odor of burned marijuana and smoke determined to be the cause. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 6:27 a.m. at Moore Way. Officer, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Officers reported a strong odor of burned marijuana and smoke determined to be the cause. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 10:06 a.m. at Dayton Drive. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Officers reported a strong odor of burned marijuana and smoke determined to be the cause. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: An odor of marijuana reported at 3:46 p.m. at Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched reported the odor in the hallway, but no odor in room. Source of odor undetermined.
• Medical: Medical assistance requested at 10:10 p.m. for a bump to the head at Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer and Emergency Medical Transport. Officer examined the subject and advised that she seek further medical treatment. Subject transport to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:20 p.m. on the eleventh floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers noted no suspicious odor at that time.

Thursday, Nov. 1:

• Suspicious Activity: Suspicious activity reported at 9:21 a.m. in the North Woods trails. Officer dispatched located the area of concern but did not witness any further problems.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 7:23 p.m. from Hillside Apartments B. Dispatched officers, maintenance, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Cause of activation was due to burned food. Report issued. 

NYU scholar to discuss "stereotype threat" in Skidmore presentation: Joshua Aronson will speak in a lecture this Monday in Gannett Auditorium

Joshua Aronson, associate professor of applied psychology at New York University, will discuss "Stereotype Threat and Its Implications for Colleges and College Students" in a free public talk scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5 in Gannett Auditorium. A reception will follow.

Aronson collaborated with Claude Steele of Stanford University to publish a 1995 landmark study on "stereotype threat," which they described as a performance-inhibiting phenomenon that occurs when students confront negative expectations of the particular stereotypes assigned to them.

"Being targeted by well-known cultural stereotypes can be very threatening," Aronson says on his webpage (http://joshua.aronson.socialpsychology.org/). "It engenders a number of interesting psychological and physiological responses, many of which interfere with intellectual performance and academic motivation."

Aronson earned a B.A. degree in psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and master's and doctoral degrees in social psychology at Princeton. His awards and honors include a Career Award from the National Science Foundation; being named a fellow by the Society of Personality and Social Psychology (2011); a teaching excellence award from the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (2009); and receiving NYS's Daniel E. Griffiths Research Prize.

Aronson's work has shown how stereotype threat depresses the standardized test performance of African American, Latino, and female college students.

"Changing the testing situation, even subtly, to reduce stereotype threat can dramatically improve standardized test scores," Aronson said.

According to Aronson, much can be done to boost students' achievement and enjoyment of school by understanding and attending to these psychological processes. He asserts that we must fight the power of stereotypes and prejudice that foil the academic aspirations of young people subjected to suspicions of inferiority.

In a profile published on the NYU web site, Aronson said his research focuses on the psychological reasons for the gap between minorities and whites in terms of academic achievement and enjoyment of school.

Aronson said he traces his interest to his childhood, during the time of de-segregation.

"I had friends who were black and Latino who were tremendously smart, but once they got into the class they were not so smart," Aronson said. "I remember being puzzled by that and wondering why it happened."

Aronson's visit is co-sponsored by the offices of the Dean of Faculty, Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Skidmore Faculty Network. 

Moorebid Ball runs its full course for the first time in two years: Incidents decreased from previous years and the Ball saw an improvement in crowd control

Posted by Julia Leef

For the first time in two years, Moorebid Ball, the College's Halloween tradition, hosted 800 members of the student body for its full duration from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m on Oct. 27.

The event, which ticketed a limited number of students and was priced at $10, was hosted in the Big Gym of the Williamson Sports Center. According to Jessica Sonnenfeld '14, vice president of Residential Affairs, class treasurer, and one of the organizers of the event, the Student Government Association sold 750 tickets prior to the event, and by midnight had sold the remaining 50. Thanks to the "Cinderella Policy," which stated that all tickets not brought into Moorebid before midnight would expire and go back on sale, 20 more students were able to enter the gym for the remaining two hours.

"I haven't spoken to anyone from administration yet, but I'm thinking, I'm hoping that the feedback will be mostly positive," Sonnenfeld said, adding that so far she has heard positive feedback from several students, and that she invites anyone with comments or concerns about Moorebid to contact her. She can be reached by her email at jsonnenfe@skidmore.edu.

This year also saw seven hospitalizations of students due to alcohol-related incidents, four of which were called in from Moorebid, and the other three came from residential halls. This number is a drop from the eleven incidents from two years ago. All hospitalized students were later sent back to campus. No other incidents occurred, according to Sonnenfeld.

"I think it's on par, we always have too many hospital transports, but we're always dealing with the same age group here," Director of Campus Safety Dennis Conway said, adding that he approved of the limit on the number of tickets sold for Moorebid.

Conway also said that nothing seemed to come out of the "Occupy Moorebid" movement started on Facebook in protest of the cap on attendance at Moorebid.

When asked if there was any aspect of Moorebid she was already considering adjusting, Sonnefeld said she hopes to obtain a larger budget for the SGA next year in order to decrease the price of tickets for students. This will be determined at the end of this academic year.

"I fully anticipate change for Moorebid in the future," Sonnenfeld said. "I expect the prices of the tickets will be lower, but I can't say definitely."

Conway said, as in years past, a post-Moorebid committee would form to discuss the pros and cons of this year's Moorebid, as well as any change to make for next year.

Peter Beinart to speak about "The Crisis of Zionism" at Skidmore College: The political writer will be the featured speaker of this fall's Jacob Perlow Series lecture

Peter Beinart, political writer and associate professor at the City University of New York, will be the featured speaker in this fall's Jacob Perlow Series at Skidmore College, presented under the auspices of the Office of the Dean of Special Programs.

The author of a recent book called The Crisis of Zionism, Beinart will discuss the responses to his book and answer questions put to him by a panel. The free, public event will take place at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, in Gannett Auditorium.

Beinart was the editor-in-chief of The New Republic magazine, which he took over in 1999 at 28 years old. More recently he has been a staff writer for Newsweek and The Daily Beast. His book on Israel and the Middle East attracted national attention after an excerpt appeared in The New York Review of Books in 2010 under the title "The Failure of the American Jewish Establishment."

In his book, Beinart argues that the policies of the Israeli government have been disastrous for its standing in the world. This is especially true regarding the government's treatment of its Arab citizens and the its handling of the settlements that began to proliferate in Gaza and the West Bank after the Six-Day War in 1967.

He argues, moreover, that major Jewish organizations in the U.S. have adopted what he calls an "Israel right or wrong" position. These organizations are refusing to criticize Israeli policies, with the result that most liberal American Jews are no longer reliable supporters of Israel. Things are bound to get much worse, in Beinart's opinion.

"I'm trying to live as a critic of Israeli policies inside the American Jewish community," Beinart said, although he has been accused of hating Israel. In The Jerusalem Post, one critic wrote that Beinart's problem wasn't with Israel but with Judaism.

However, Beinart's book has received positive feedback by Paul Krugman and Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times, David Remnick of The New Yorker magazine, and by former President Bill Clinton, among others.

Beinart will respond to questions put to him by Professor Robert Boyers, editor of Salmagundi magazine, and Professor Jennifer Delton of the Skidmore Department of History. A reception and book signing will follow the discussion. 

Campus Safety Reports: Oct. 19 to 25

Posted by Julia Leef

Incidents of Note:

• Tuesday, Oct. 23-Campus Safety Assist: Person reported at 9 a.m. a tent set up in the North Woods area with a fire pit around it. Officer dispatched to locate the unauthorized site and reported locating the tent and the fire pit. Officer took photos and a report was issued. Items to be removed by the Grounds Department.
• Tuesday, Oct. 23-Person reported a suspicious acting male at 3:38 p.m. walking around the North Woods parking lot. Officers dispatched identified the subject as a Facilities Supervisor who was checking out areas for new lighting. Reporting person was advised of the same.
• Wednesday, Oct. 24- College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:52 a.m. in the lobby of Penfield Hall. Officers responding reported the noise was from a group of students playing "Zombies" with nerf guns. Officer requested that the activity be ceased. Subjects complied.
• Wednesday, Oct. 24- Fire Alarm: Person reports a fire at 10:34 p.m. on the third floor of McClellan Hall. Campus Safety, the Saratoga Springs Fire Department and Maintenance dispatched. Officers on scene reported the fire was out at the time. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department and the Saratoga Springs Police Department were on scene.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Oct. 19:

• Campus Safety Assist: Officer received information at 11 p.m. regarding an alleged theft of property. Investigation initiated. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Reporting person requested officer assistance at 5:31 p.m. with locating a parent vehicle at Case Center lot. Officer successfully assisted.
• Fire Alarm: Officers responded at 6:24 p.m. to the Sasselin Art Building fire alarm activation. Saratoga Springs Fire Department, maintenance, and all units responded. Cause of alarm unknown at this time. Report issued.
• College Violation: Officer responded at 10:35 p.m. to receive confiscated alcohol from Wait Hall. Officer returned alcohol and placed it in evidence at Campus Safety. Report issued.
• College Violation: Person reported noise and a large gathering of people at 11:57 p.m. at Dayton Drive. Officers dispatched dispersed the large group. No further problems.

Saturday, Oct. 20:

• Suspicious Odor: Person reported suspicious odor at 12:07 a.m. in Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched reported a faint odor was detected, but no source determined.
• Intoxicated Subject: Person advised of a nineteen year-old, highly intoxicated female at 12:28 a.m. in Case Center. Emergency Medical Transport officer assessed the subject and requested transport to the Emergency Room. Subject was transported and report issued.
• College Violation: Person advised of noise complaint at 12:41 a.m. at the Pine Apartments. Officers dispatched dispersed the large group and band. Report issued.
• Intoxicated Subject: Officers reported a sick/intoxicated subject at 1:26 a.m. at Penfield Hall. Emergency Medical System dispatched and transported the subject to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• College Violation: Person reported excessive noise at 1:41 a.m. at Dayton Drive. Officer dispatched reported the noise had ceased. No further problems.
• Accident: Person reported a Property Damage Auto Accident at 1:46 a.m. on Perimeter Road. Officers and the Saratoga Springs Police Department on the scene reported no personal injuries. Vehicle towed and reports issued.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 4:22 a.m. at McClellan Hall. Officer on the scene reported that the noise had ceased. No further reports.
• Campus Safety Assist: Person requested a personal escort at 7:25 a.m. to Jonsson Tower as she was concerned for her safety in the fog. Officer assigned completed the transport.
• Campus Safety Assist: A two car vehicle accident was reported at 9:22 p.m. at the corner of East Avenue and North Broadway. Dispatched officer ascertained whether there was student or parent involvement. No Skidmore parties were involved.
• Criminal Mischief: Person reported damage at 11:23 p.m. to the walls in the Kimball Hall north stairwell. Damage recorded and report issued.

Sunday, Oct. 21:

• Campus Safety Assist: Person requested at 1:30 a.m. from Whitman Way to be placed in contact with a counselor. Officer contacted the counselor who will return the reporting person's call.
• Campus Safety Assist: Person advised at 6:36 a.m. that an unknown individual had taken photos of her without her permission at Moore Way. Officers dispatched issued a report and an investigation is ongoing at this time.
• Criminal Mischief: Person reported the discharge of a fire extinguisher at 10:35 a.m. in the kitchen area of Wiecking Hall. Dispatched officer recorded the damage and issued a report.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 12:52 p.m. for the Sasselin Art Building. Officers, maintenance, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Continuous problem with the fire system was determined to be the cause.
• Campus Safety Assist: Person requested transport at 7:16 p.m. from the Art Center to the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Room. Officer dispatched completed the transport. Report issued.
• College Violation: Person reported a loud party at 8:35 p.m. in a second floor Wait Hall room. Officer dispatched reported five people attending a birthday party in the room. No alcohol was present. Officer requested that they keep the volume of the event lower and they complied.

Monday, Oct. 22:

• College Violation: Person reported excessive noise at 12:10 a.m. at Whitman Way. Officers dispatched were unable to locate any noise violations at that time.
• Medical: Person requested medical assistance by an officer at 8:33 a.m. at the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Responding officers requested Emergency Medical System assistance. Subject was transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Medical: Person reported receiving a concerning text message from her friend at 1:25 p.m. Officer dispatched provided assistance. Report issued.
• Drug Law Violation: Person reported a strong marijuana odor at 2:38 p.m. on the second floor of Rounds Hall. Officers dispatched issued a report for drug law violations.
• Campus Safety Assist: Person requested contact with her daughter at 4:48 p.m. at Jonsson Tower. Officer noted that there was no contact order for the person. Report issued. No information given to the person.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm reported at 6:53 p.m. at Cane Crossing. Patrol units, unit 10 and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department notified. Burned food determined to be the cause of activation. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Person reported at 9:54 p.m. that she heard a scream in the village area of MacRury Apartments. Officers dispatched and canvassed the area on foot. No further disturbances reported.
• Suspicious Odor: Person called reported a suspicious odor at 11:15 p.m. on the second floor of Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched and reported no odor detected at the time.

Tuesday, Oct. 23:

• Campus Safety Assist: Person requested transportation at 10:14 a.m. for a student from Health Services to the Emergency Room. Dispatched officer completed the transport. Report issued.
• Person reported emergency phone activation at 11:18 a.m. in the South Elevator of Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched reported the elevators clear. Accidental activation determined.

Wednesday, Oct. 24:

• Suspicious Odor: Person reported suspicious burning odor at 12:46 a.m. in the kitchenette of the third floor of Wiecking Hall. Officers responding reported that the odor was due to burned popcorn. No alarm activation received as of that time.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 1:42 a.m. in the common area of Wilmarth Hall. Officer responding reported a group having a birthday party celebration. Officer requested that the volume be lowered. Subjects complied.
• Medical Assist: Person reported at 7:46 a.m. that her roommate in Jonsson Tower has passed out in the shower. Officers and the Emergency Medical System responded. Subject transported to the Emergency Room.
• Medical Assist: Person called at 12:51 p.m. stating that she is having an allergic reaction to something, needs medical attention and would like transportation to the Emergency Room. Dispatched officer. Transport provided.
• College Violation: Person reported loud music at 10:15 p.m. at the Hillside Apartments. Officer dispatched and spoke with the student who was playing the guitar. Student stopped for the evening.

Thursday, Oct. 25:

• Campus Safety Assist: Person requested a medical transport at 9:40 a.m. from Jonsson Tower to the Saratoga Emergency Room. Dispatched officer. Escort provided.
• Campus Safety Assist: Person reported at 11:01 a.m. a female on the ground in front of the Tisch Learning Center who is semi-conscious and appears to be having an allergic reaction and trouble breathing. Dispatched officer and the Emergency Medical System. Female was transported to the Saratoga Emergency Room.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 5:10 p.m. for the Hillside Apartments. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised. Officer reported smoke from burnt food.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 9:40 p.m. for the Sasselin Art Building. Officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department notified. On-going problem reported to Facilities Services.

Moorebid Ball undergoing new changes to promote safety: Tickets are limited at 800 with a $10 charge to cover budget expenses

Posted by Julia Leef

Saturday, Oct. 27's Moorebid Ball will mark a new change in the dance's tradition as the event is ticketed at $10 and is also limited to 800 students due to safety regulations.

Although this is not the first time Moorebid has been ticketed, it is the first time it has happened in the history of the current student body, according to Jessica Sonnenfeld '14, who is vice president of Residential Affairs, class treasurer and one of the organizers of Moorebid.

The increased emphasis on safety is a response to the previous two Moorebid Balls, which ended early due to hospitalizations and dangerous overcrowding.

"A lot of people didn't want Moorebid to happen unless we could execute it perfectly, so this is our way of doing that," Sonnenfeld said.

The Student Government Association received the 800-person limit from facilities based on the maximum capacity of the two courts in the Big Gym of the Williamson Sports Center that will host this event. The third court of the gym is reserved for athletic purposes.

"These large events don't house the entire student body, not everyone wants to go," Sonnenfeld said in response to concerns about excluding two-thirds of the campus, adding that last year only approximately 800 people attended Junior Ring, which did not have a cap on attendance.

"If you have the numbers and if you are knowledgeable about the students who will go, it doesn't seem as scary," Sonnefeld said.

Sonnefeld approximates that 1000 students attended Moorebid Ball last year, and said that attempting to increase that number would be dangerous. She said 800 is the highest legal capacity of any venue on campus, adding that the Case Center, which hosted Moorebid two years ago, only has a capacity of 700 people.

"We're not going to make a lot of people happy, but people aren't going to be hurt," Sonnenfeld said. "We're focused this year on keeping everyone safe-that's the main priority."

Students have also expressed concerns about the high cost of tickets, but Sonnefeld explained that the money from ticket sales will only be used to cover expenses for the event.

According to Sonnenfeld, the SGA is usually given a budget of $5,000 for Moorebid. However, since Moorebid this year will take place in the Big Gym immediately following a volleyball tournament, $4,000 of the budget will be used to pay facilities for overtime in preparing for and cleaning up after the event.

The two photo booths that will be at Moorebid cost an additional $1,695 to rent, the sound system and lighting will cost $2,110, food from Dining Services is $1,059.85, and the pipe and drape cost $3,281. Other expenses will go towards ticketing and posters to advertise the event.

In addition to these changes, the SGA will instigate a new "Cinderella Policy" that states unused tickets will expire at midnight, after which they will go back on sale for purchase at the door.

"This will ensure that we are absolutely at 800 people," Sonnenfeld said. "This way, the entire student body has an equal opportunity to get into Moorebid again." The price of the tickets at the door will remain at $10.

Sonnenfeld also spoke with members of Campus Safety regarding security for the event, which she said would most likely be divided proportionally to the number of people in each potentially active area. These area include, in addition to the Big Gym, Northwoods Village and Case Center, in response to "Occupy Moorebid-Operation Case Center," a Facebook event dedicated to "taking back Halloween" due to the limitation of attendance at Moorebid.

When asked if she feared a loss of community because of this limitation, Sonnenfeld said that that had been one of her initial concerns.

"That's one of the reasons I pushed for Fall Fun Day so much," Sonnenfeld said. "So that we would have that opportunity to come together as a community. Fall Fun Day is one of our lowest days of incident, according to Campus safety, and that's why we did it."

When asked if Fall Fun Day would one day serve as a replacement for Moorebid, Sonnenfeld said that was not the case.

"Fall Fun Day was a way to balance out the semester. We don't have anything in September, we don't necessarily have anything to feel like we're all coming back as a community," Sonnenfeld said, referring to the fact that most of the College's major fall events, such as Moorebid, Junior Ring and the Winter Carnival, all take place towards the latter half of the semester.

As of Wednesday, Oct. 24, approximately 500 students had purchased Moorebid tickets, and Sonnenfeld said nearly 300 had been bought on the first day of sales. The event will run from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

"There are people who are going to understand why we had to do it this way," Sonnenfeld said. "I'm hoping there's going to be a little more positive atmosphere around Moorebid this year."

Panel discussion on civic engagement to feature trustees

Posted by Community Relations

On Wed. Oct 24 at 5 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium, the College will host "Civic Engagement 101: A Conversation with the Trustees." The panel, which will feature four of the College's trustees, will discuss volunteerism and civic responsibility.The panel is sponsored by the Skidmore Civic Fellows, a group of faculty members working to highlight the role of civic engagement within a liberal arts education. The event is open to the public free of charge.
The experience of the trustee panelists ranges from international human rights and national professional organizations to volunteer firefighting, school advocacy and service to the College. Below are brief descriptions of the panelists.
Julianne Cartwright Traylor '68, is a former chairperson of Amnesty International USA and a founding member (1978) of the non-governmental organization Human Rights Advocates, which has consultative status at the United Nations. She has been an active volunteer within the College community, with activities ranging from mentoring students to participating in reunion planning. The College awarded her an honorary doctorate for her human rights work in 2001.
Polly Skogsberg Kisiel '62, is a highly active volunteer at the College who has served as class president, officer of the Boston alumni club, chair of her 20th reunion and regional chair for the Wide Horizon Campaign. As a trustee, she has been chair of the Advancement Committee and a member of the Creative Thought. Bold Promise Campaign Executive Committee. Outside of the College, she has served a number of organizations including the Boston Children's Museum and the Penikese Island School, an innovative, 35-year-old school for troubled teens. She received the College's Outstanding Service Award in 1997.
Andrew Hughes '92, is an independent marketing consultant who has served on the board of the National Association of Securities Professionals. The association continues the strides made by women and people of color in the financial industry and provides educational tools for youth interested in the financial field. Hughes has also served on the board of the Portledge School, a college preparatory school in Locust Valley, N.Y. At the College, he has been a class, reunion, and admissions volunteer.

Antonio Mojica '02, is Vice President of Iberia Bank and a 16-hour-per-week volunteer firefighter in Alief, Texas. He is active with the Latino Bankers Association, the National Society for Hispanic MBAs,and the Adelante Mentorship Program. While at the College, he volunteered for a federally funded program that replaced outdated appliances with energy-efficient versions for low-income families, among other activities.
"This is a rare opportunity for our students to hear about civic responsibility from the very individuals who form the volunteer backbone of Skidmore College," said Janet Casey, director of the College's First-Year Experience and professor of English. "These men and women give of themselves every day, in a variety of ways, and are role models and resources for faculty and students alike. We are delighted that they have agreed to share their views and experiences."