Giffords, Schneiderman Visit Saratoga Gun Show

Posted by Alex Hodor-Lee

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman traveled to Saratoga Springs on Sunday to attend the Saratoga Arms Fair.

It was Ms. Giffords' first visit to a gun show since she was shot during a January 2011 campaign event and, having since become the face of gun safety in America, she paired with Schneiderman to highlight New York State's progressive gun safety standards.

Giffords-accompanied by her husband Mark Kelly-perused the exhibition hall-stopping to talk to vendors and occasionally surveying the antique knives, handguns and rifles on display. The couple noted that they themselves were gun owners before calling for unity in the battle to end gun deaths in America. 

"Stopping gun violence takes courage, the courage to do what's right-the courage of new ideas," Giffords said in a press conference following the gun show. Her stutter was a powerful reminder of the Tuscon shooting. "Now is the time to come together, be responsible. Democrats, Republicans, everyone."

The former Arizona representative's presence was met with applause and a few boos and jeers from vendors, many of whom wore buttons expressing fierce aversion to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, as well as their opposition to the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (SAFE Act).

The Saratoga Arms Fair is one of the largest gun shows in New York State and Saratoga Springs's fourth exhibition since the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., which left twenty elementary school students dead and the nation shocked. New York State lawmakers responded to Newtown by passing some of the nation's most progressive gun safety policies,  including one of Gov. Cuomo's signature laws, the SAFE Act-which has vexed many gun owners in the State.

Sunday's gun show, however, was not about the SAFE Act, according to Schneiderman, who admonished Washington lawmakers for their inability to pass any major gun legislation. The Attorney General also reflected on New York State's vanguardism on the issue, which he noteed could not have been possible without collaboration from gun enthusiasts. 

"The most important thing is that we work out a system cooperatively," Schneiderman said. "You don't solve this problem by sitting in your respective camps shooting shells at each other. You solve the problem by going out and talking."

In January 2011, the Attorney General's office revealed new model gun show procedures to curb illegal sales of firearms through the "gun show loophole." The new standard mandates instant background checks on gun buyers. The mutually agreed upon procedure also requires tags for every gun brought into a gun show so that upon exit, buyers can prove they underwent a background check before purchasing. 

"This is an example where government can work together with gun owners and federally licensed firearms dealers to have a solution that's commonsense that most people agree on," the Attorney General said.

With the prolonged government shutdown signaling Washington policy stagnation, the shaping of transformative gun laws is now left to the states. For Schneiderman, New York State is a shining example of lawmakers' ability to work through partisan gridlock and pass reformist policies. 

"I think it's an example of what can happen when everyone calms down the politics and we're able to implement policies we all agree on."

Campus Safety Reports: October 4 to 10

Incidents of Note:

• Friday, Oct. 4-Animals: A large snapping turtle reported at 8:18 p.m. on the second floor walkway between the Scribner Library and the Saisselin art building. Officer dispatched returned the turtle to Haupt pond unharmed.
• Saturday, Oct. 5-Larceny: A flag reported missing at 12:15 p.m. from the field hockey flag pole in the Williamson Sports Center field. Dispatched officer who filed a report.
• Monday, Oct. 7-Missing Person: Report received at 12:45 p.m. that a family member visiting campus this weekend had not returned home. Officers advised. All appropriate parties contacted. Subject located unharmed.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Oct. 4:

• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 2:35 a.m. for the Wait Hall lobby area. Dispatched officers reported there were several students talking loudly in the lobby. Students dispersed.
• Criminal Mischief: While doing a check at 3:09 a.m. of the art exhibit outside of the Tang Teaching Museum, the officers noticed that all of the cones surrounding the art had been thrown. No damage to the piece of art.
• Medical: Assistance requested at 5:17 p.m. to the reporting person's vehicle at Harder Hall. Officer dispatched provided assistance.
• Medical: An ill student reported at 8:50 p.m. at the Williamson Sports Center. Sergeant and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service evaluated the subject, who was transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Drug Law Violation: Report of a faint odor of marijuana received at 9:10 p.m. on the ninth floor of Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched reported a drug violation in plain view. Report issued.
• Medical: The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service requested at 9:48 p.m. for an intoxicated female on a bench inside the Williamson Sports Center. The SCEMS advised and the patient refused medical attention. Report issued.
• Medical: A sick female reported at 9:40 p.m. on the front stage right of the gym in the Williamson Sports Center. The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service evaluated her and she refused any further medical attention.
• Intoxicated Subject: Officers witnessed a subject at 10:05 p.m. kick the front door of the Williamson Sports Center upon exiting. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Officer requested transport at 11:02 p.m. for a student who was punched/assaulted at the concert at the Williamson Sports Center. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: 911 emergency call received at 11:23 p.m. from Cane Crossing. Call reported to be accidental. Officers confirmed.
• Medical Assistance: Evaluation requested at 10:10 p.m. by the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service for a stubbed bleeding toe at the Williamson Sports Center. The SCEMS evaluated and bandaged the injury. Report issued.

Saturday, Oct. 5:

• College Violation: A possible party reported at 12:01 a.m. at 1 Moore Way. Officer dispatched to check and reported the area quiet at the time.
• Suspicious Odor: Student reported smoking pot at 12:10 a.m. outside the front doors of Jonsson Tower. Officers reported that the students were gone on their arrival. No one in the area at this time.
• Medical Assistance: Evaluation requested at 1:16 a.m. from the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service at Wilmarth Hall. Officers and the SCEMS dispatched. Escort provided to the Saratoga Emergency Room.
• Contraband Confiscation: Officer reported several times in violation of College policies confiscated at midnight at an event at the Williamson Sports Center.
• College Violation: A loud noise reported at 2:35 a.m. on the second floor of Penfield Hall. Officer dispatched and reported that the area was quiet at the time.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 2:52 a.m. on the eleventh floor common area of Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched and reported that all parties dispersed upon request.
• Medical Assistance: Campus Safety requested at noon for assistance with a student in pain at Kimball Hall. Dispatched officer and toned out the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Student evaluated by the SCEMS and RMA.
• Medical Assistance: An ankle injury reported at 2:50 p.m. in Howe Hall. Dispatched officer and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Reporting person transported to the Wilton Medical Arts.
• Suspicious Odor: A male caller reported a suspicious odor at 4:59 p.m. on the eleventh floor of Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched. unable to locate the source.
• Medical Assistance: A male student requested a medical evaluation at 5:58 p.m. in Jonsson Tower. Officer and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched.
• Liquor Law Violation: Officer reported a liquor law violation at 10:20 p.m. in the front of Penfield Hall.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:32 p.m. on the first floor of McClellan Hall. Dispatched officers who reported finding on problem on their arrival.

Sunday, Oct. 6:

• College Violation: Subject reported that loud music work her up at 1:45 a.m. in the Sussman Apartments G. Dispatched officer.
• Campus Safety Assistance: Transportation requested at 3:24 a.m. from 8 Cane Crossing to the hospital. Officer requesting the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service to respond to the scene. Toned out the SCEMS.
• Criminal Mischief: Property damage reported at 10:30 a.m. in Kimball Hall. Officer dispatched.
• Medical Assistance: Report received at 4:21 p.m. from residence at Sussman Apartments J that they may have inadvertently mixed household cleaners. Officers dispatched. The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service requested and dispatched. After an initial evaluation by the SCEMS, students refused any further medical attention.

Monday, Oct. 7:

• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 10:54 a.m. for the Hillside B Apartments. Dispatched all Units and contacted the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Officer reported no smoke or fire as the cause was a cooking error. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assistance: A check requested at 3:03 p.m. on the reporting person's son in McClellan Hall who has not responded to the parent's calls. Officer dispatched reported that the subject was located. Report issued.
• Larceny: Report received at 4:33 p.m. that the subject had left a mattress in a study room in Jonsson Tower and is now gone. Dispatched officers investigated and issued the report.

Tuesday, Oct. 8:

• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 1 a.m. from a picnic table behind the Hillside Apartments. Officer dispatched reported that subjects had vacated the area upon his arrival.
• College Violation: Noise complaint received at 3 a.m. in Penfield Hall. Officer reported that residents complied with the request to lower the television volume.
• Larceny: Larceny of equipment reported at 12:26 p.m. from a lab in the Dana Science Center.
• Campus Safety Assist: Transportation requested at 1:50 p.m. for a student from Health Services to the Wilton Medical Arts. Transport completed by dispatched officer. Report issued.
• Complaints: A call received at 9:37 p.m. to report that the intramural softball team had alcohol on the Williamson Sports Center field. Dispatched officers reported making a thorough check and that there was no alcohol in visible sight on the field.

Wednesday, Oct. 9:

• College Violation: Report received at 12:51 a.m. about drums playing at 14 Whitman Way. Officer dispatched and reported that the drum playing was over, as the students had left the apartment.
• Property Damage Auto Accident: Officer reported at 3:15 a.m. that he had backed into a rock outside of Harder Hall, scratching the rear bumper on the passenger's side.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 5:22 a.m. at the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Officers, maintenance, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised and dispatched. Problem with fire panel determined to be the cause of activation.

Thursday, Oct. 10:

• College Violation: Report received at 12:13 a.m. of males running down the hallways in Penfield Hall. Officers spoke with numerous males who agreed to quiet down.
• Parking Vehicle Booted: Officer reported booting a vehicle at 1:03 p.m. in the Palamountain Lot for being parked in violation and having numerous tickets or various violations. Report made.
• College Violation: A mess with cake and icing all over reported at 10:21 p.m. on the second floor of Penfield Hall. Dispatched officer. Notified housekeeping.
• College Violation: A loud noise and possible party reported at 11:47 p.m. at 8 Cane Crossing. Dispatched officers.

Faculty Meeting for the month of October

Posted by Julia Leef '14

Faculty members discussed the upcoming COACHE survey, the Faculty Workload Group update, and a review of the General Education Requirements last Friday, Oct. 4, at their monthly meeting in Gannett Auditorium.

The meeting began with a moment of silence for Alma Becker and David Yergan, two professors in the Theater Department who recently passed away. President Philip A. Glotzbach then gave the President's Report informing the faculty of the upcoming Middle States Accreditation review, for which the College will spend the next two years preparing.

President Glotzbach also outlined the primary principles the College intends to follow for this review: to be clear about its mission and to act to fulfill it, to demonstrate evidence that students are learning what they ought to be, to show that the College is providing sufficient resources to support primary activities that have the sustainability to carry on into the future years and to develop appropriate data about institutional issues.

Vice President for Finance and Administration & Treasurer Mike West concluded the President's Report by announcing that the College is currently working with the town of Greenfield to install solar panels on the land near the baseball field which would generate approximately 12% of the College's electricity.

"I'm hopeful that we will be able to do this," President Glotzbach said, adding that the College had received some opposition from its neighbors about the project "but it's not done until it's done."

Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Beau Breslin provided a report on the Collaborative On Academic Careers and Higher Education (COACHE), a Harvard program that surveys and compares campuses in terms of their work-life balance. Faculty members have taken this survey previously in 2006 and 2010, the results of which aid the College in its own improvement and development.

This year's survey will be sent out during the week of Oct. 14, and the results will be compared with one of the College's fellow consortium members: Colgate University, Hamilton College, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Union College or Macalester College. Categories will include tenure, nature of work, work and home, climate/culture and global satisfaction.

After Breslin spoke, Mary Odekon, professor and chair of the Physics Department, gave the faculty members an update on the Faculty Workload Working Group, which was constituted last March and is set to continue its work through this December by gathering information from various surveys and focus groups to establish its priorities for discussion.

The group intends to discuss establishing clear, formal language for the faculty handbook, improving support for department chairs and program directors, changing the faculty government system to a faculty senate model, and creating more community building activities, among other topics.

Faculty members then voted on two motions that were discussed at the previous month's meeting. The motion to update the "Division of Disciplines" to add Arts Administration to "Pre-Professionals," Asian Studies to "Humanities," International Affairs to "Social Sciences" and Neuroscience to "Natural Sciences" in the Faculty Handbook passed with a total of 132 votes, with 122 voting yes, two no and eight abstaining. The second motion to adopt the 2013-2014 Faculty Handbook also passed with a total of 123 votes, with 113 voting yes, three no and seven abstaining.

A new motion was proposed and discussed to modify the language in the faculty handbook to clarify the requirements for all faculty versus tenure/tenure-track faculty, giving non-tenure faculty the option not to attend faculty meetings or commencement, although encouraging them to come. This change would not affect their voting status. The motion was tabled to be voted on in the following meeting.

After the discussion of this new motion had concluded, Professor of Economics Joerg Bibow ran a twenty-minute discussion regarding a review of the General Education Requirements. Of particular interest were the goals for Student Learning and Development, which covered Knowledge, Intellectual Skills & Practice, Personal and Social Values and Transformation.

Many rotations of the student body have passed through since the College adopted the current general education requirements five or six years ago and there is a greater need for the faculty to think about what students need today, according to Professor of Art History Penny Jolly. The first draft of the goals was created based on the language of the College course requirements to reflect what the faculty wanted students to learn.

Professor of History Jennifer Delton brought up the fact that the learnings were voted on under the view that they would not all necessarily be enacted in the curriculum and that a review of them would have to take this baseline into consideration in terms of examining their role in student learning and development. Peter von Allmen, Professor and chairman of the Economics Department, asked the faculty to bring up anything fundamental that may be missing from these goals in accordance with the College's current agenda and curriculum.

The meeting concluded with several announcements, including the introduction of the members of the Student Government Association Executive Committee, an update on the restructuring of the Faculty Interest Group from Professor of English Jacqueline Scoones to discuss the possibilities that would be available for faculty and undergraduate students if the College created a restructuring program in graduation studies, an invitation from The Zankel Chair in Management for Liberal Arts Students Pushi Prasad to the Skidmore Research Colloquium at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 regarding how maps began to conquer the imagination from functionality to fiction, and an invitation to a community reception at the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery from Dayton Director and Professor of Liberal Studies Ian Berry for a student-curated project with a collection of African objects and the Classless Society show. 

Campus Safety Reports: September 27 to October 3

Incidents of Note:

• Sunday, Sept. 29-Intoxicated Subject: The Saratoga Springs Police Department reported an unidentified intoxicated student at 12:08 a.m. at Church and Clinton Streets. Student identified and transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Sunday, Sept. 29-Criminal Mischief: Report received at 3:07 a.m. that the exit signs had been torn off the walls on the second floor of Wiecking Hall. Officers dispatched and the perpetrator identified. Report issued.
• Tuesday, Oct. 1-An anonymous male caller reported a personal injury at 10:33 p.m. on the Thomas Terrace involving a motorcycle. Dispatched officers, the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the Saratoga Springs Fire Department and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. The SSFD Emergency Medical Service removed the motorcycle driver to the hospital for treatment. Motorcycle removed by a tow truck. Officers cleared. Report issued.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Sept. 27:

• Campus Safety Assist: Excessively loud noises of fighting reported at 12:12 a.m. in the hallway of Wiecking Hall. Officer dispatched reported that the area was checked and no further problems were detected at the time.
• Criminal Mischief: Damage reported at 12:50 a.m. to the south entrance of Wiecking Hall. Unknown perpetrator at the time. Investigation initiated. Report issued.
• Accident: A broken front door window reported at 9:55 a.m. in the Sussman Village apartments. Dispatched officer recorded the damage. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: A student observed with an open container at 6:58 p.m. driving a vehicle in North Woods. Dispatched officers initiated investigation. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 8:05 p.m. from Sussman Village. Dispatched officers and maintenance. Advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Student called stating that the alarm was due to a cooking error. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: Officer reported a liquor law violation at 9:55 p.m. on the seventh floor of Jonsson Tower. Report issued.

Saturday, Sept. 28:

• Campus Safety Assist: An on-going, possible allergic reaction reported at 12:51 p.m. at the Hillside Apartments. The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Subject transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Ankle pain reported at 1:53 p.m. from a fall in McClellan Hall. Subject transported for medical attention. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service requested transportation at 2:28 p.m. for an injured student from McClellan Hall to the Wilton Medical Center. Transport completed.
• Drug Law Violation: Officer reported a drug law violation at 10:15 p.m. at the Falstaff's Pavilion. Report issued.
• Intoxicated Subject: An intoxicated male reported at 11:36 p.m. on the tenth floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Subject transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.

Sunday, Sept. 29:

• Medical Assistance: Officer reported an intoxicated female at 1:02 a.m. on the Perimeter Road crosswalk near Jonsson Tower. Officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Subject transported to the Emergency Room by the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Report issued.
• Intoxicated Subject: An intoxicated student reported at 2:21 a.m. on the second floor of Wiecking Hall. Officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Subject transported to the Emergency Room via the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Report issued.
• Intoxicated Subject: Officer reported an unresponsive person at 4:13 a.m. parked in the Arthur Zankel Music Center lot. The Saratoga Springs Police Department and the Emergency Medical Service responding. Subject identified and treated. Report issued.
• Medical: Officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service responded at 8:20 p.m. to a call for a puncture wound to the hand at the Ceramic Studio in the Saisselin Art Building. Officer treated and transported the patient to the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Room. Report issued.
• College Violation: Loud noise reported at 3 a.m. coming from the kitchen area of the first floor of Wiecking Hall. Officer responded and found no damage and any parties were vacated.

Monday, Sept. 30:

• Suspicious Activity: Report received at 5:19 p.m. of observing a student exiting an unauthorized area in the Filene Music Hall. Area checked but no disturbances were noted and the area was secured.
• Criminal Mischief: A broken light bulb was reported at 8:52 p.m. in the Jonsson Tower penthouse near the pool table. Determined to be a possible criminal mischief incident. Officer dispatched recorded the damage and issued a report.
• Suspicious Activity: Officer requested back up at 8:25 p.m. for a suspicious person near the bus stop at Case Center. Officer reported that the individual entered the Scribner Library. Subject caused no disturbance.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 11:45 p.m. on the fifth floor of Jonsson Tower. Officers dispatched and reported that the group of students complied with the request to lower the volume.

Tuesday, Oct. 1:

• Campus Safety Assist: A welfare check requested at 2 a.m. on an injured student at Cane Crossing. Officer checked on the subject.
• Medical: Student injured her finger at 7:16 p.m. at Moore Way. The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched along with Campus Safety. Subject treated. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 7:27 p.m. for the Hillside A Apartments. Dispatched Campus Safety, Unit 10 and notified the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Activation due to a cooking error. Report issued.

Wednesday, Oct. 2:

• Campus Safety Assist: An escort requested at 4:50 a.m. from Kimball Hall to the hospital. Officers dispatched transported the subject to the hospital. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: Reporting person advised of a possible odor of marijuana at 6:18 p.m. on the fifth floor of Jonsson Tower. Officer responded but did not detect any odor.
• Medical: Report received at 6:32 p.m. of a visiting swimmer falling in the women's locker room of the Williamson Sports Center. Campus Safety and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Report issued.

Thursday, Oct. 3:

• Campus Safety Assist: Student in need of medical assistance reported at 3:01 a.m. Student was feeling dizzy and fell in Wiecking Hall. Officer and the Skidmore College Medical Service dispatched. Subject transported to the Emergency Room. Report issued.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 5:27 p.m. at Whitman Way. Dispatched officer reported that the subject lowered the volume upon request.
• Suspicious Activity: A group of students reported at 6:29 p.m. smoking marijuana on the south side of the Barrett Center. Officer arrived and observed no violations.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 8:59 p.m. at Dayton Drive. Dispatched officer reported observing no noise.
• College Violation: Noise complaint received at 11:59 p.m. at Sussman Village G. Officers dispatched reported that the noise was due to a loud television. Volume lowered.

Skidmore College hosts second annual Graduate and Professional School Expo

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins '15

Skidmore College's second annual Graduate and Professional School Expo will be held on Tuesday Oct. 8 in Case Center. Representatives from over 45 Graduate and Professional School programs will be handing out information on the 2nd floor of Case between 11:30 am and 2:00 pm. Schools visiting Skidmore for the Expo include Northeastern University, Columbia University, and Bard College.

Students can register for the event at "My CDC Account." The first 50 students to register will receive a free bag for all admissions materials they receive at the event. Additionally, a raffle for school memorabilia will be drawn during the Expo.

Additional information sessions will be held on Tuesday night in Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, Palamountain Hall and Ladd Hall. These sessions will give students a more in-depth look into graduate programs.

The following lists the schedule of events for the Expo:

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Skidmore Graduate and Professional School Expo, Case Center, 2nd floor

5:15 PM
What You Need to Know: Admissions Exams & Personal Statements; Kaplan Test Prep, Murray-Aikins Room 1

6:15 PM
Admissions in the Arts: Architecture, Creative Writing, Film, Music, Graphic & Fine Arts, Murray-Aikins Room 3
Featuring: Alfred University, Suffolk University, Corcoran College of Art & Design, Stony Brook Southampton & Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam
Co-sponsored by the Skidmore Studio Art Department & Career Development Center

Biz 6 at 6: Accounting & Business, Murray-Aikins Room 1
Featuring: Northeastern University, Clarkson University, Union Graduate College, Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business, Clark University, & Babson College
Co-sponsored by the Skidmore Management & Business Department, SkidMarket, & Career Development Center

Creative Thought Heals: Public and Global Health, Murray-Aikins Room 4
Featuring: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health & The Medical School for International Health
Co-sponsored by Skidmore's Health & Exercises Science Department, Pre-Health Club, HPAC, & Career Dev. Center

Environmental Science & Sustainability, Palamountain 303
Featuring: Antioch University New England Environmental Science Program & Bard Center for Environmental Policy
Co-sponsored by Skidmore's Environmental Studies Department & Career Development Center

Skidmore Master of the Arts in Liberal Studies, Murray-Aikins Dining Hall Room 2
Social Work Information Session, Ladd 307
Featuring: Columbia University School of Social Work & New York University Silver School of Social Work
Co-sponsored by the Skidmore Social Work Department & Career Development Center

Syracuse University School of Information Studies, Ladd 106

7:15 PM
Creative Thought Heals: Osteopathic Medicine, Murray-Aikins Room 4
Featuring: NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
Co-sponsored by HPAC, Pre-Health Club, & Career Development Center

Teaching What Matters, Murray-Aikins Room 2
Featuring: Bard College Master of the Arts in Teaching Program
Co-sponsored by Skidmore Education Taking Action (SETA) & Career Development Center

Letters from Law School, Ladd 106
Featuring: University of Connecticut School of Law
Co-sponsored by the Skidmore Pre-Law Society & Career Development Center 

What Was Miley Thinking? Scholar to take critical look at American pop music : Oct. 10 lecture is first in Skidmore?s Judy Tsou ?75 Music Scholar Series

University of California ethnomusicologist Deborah Wong will launch a new musically oriented lecture series at Skidmore College with a critical look at contemporary American pop music.

Her talk, titled "The Summer of 2013: White Heterosexist Performance and the Critical Consumer (or, What Was Miley Cyrus Thinking?)" is scheduled at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Arthur Zankel Music Center. It is the inaugural lecture of the Judy Tsou '75 Music Scholar Series at Skidmore. Admission is free and open to the public.

What's been going on with American popular music over the last few months? Wong will consider how white heterosexist desire and longing drives our expectations in popular music. Was Miley's twerk-tastic dance racist? How are unspoken ideologies of difference dependent on our willingness to enjoy them without questioning their terms?

Wong is an ethnomusicologist and professor of music at the University of California, Riverside, who specializes in the music of Asian America and Thailand and has written two books: Speak It Louder: Asian Americans Making Music (Routledge, 2004) and Sounding the Center: History and Aesthetics in Thai Buddhist Ritual (University of Chicago Press, 2001). She was president of the Society for Ethnomusicology from 2007 to 2009 and is very active in public sector work at the national, state, and local levels. She is a series editor for the Wesleyan University Press Music/Culture series and sits on the editorial committee for the University of California Press. Wong holds an M.A. and Ph.D. (1991) from the University of Michigan and a B.A. magna cum laude (1982), in anthropology and music from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Judy Tsou '75 Music Scholars Series is designed to introduce music students to prominent music scholars, especially those specializing in the interdisciplinary study of class, race, and gender. Tsou, a 1975 graduate, established the series to enable Skidmore's Music Department to invite distinguished scholars to campus, where they can share their research/work on a range of musical topics.

For advance reservations to the inaugural Judy Tsou '75 lecture by Deborah Wong, please visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel or call the Zankel box office (518) 580-5321 for more information. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired. For more information, please visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel.  

Students convene for first Committee on Student Life Town Hall meeting: Discussion includes information on Moorebid, Oktoberfest and student concerns

Posted by Julia Leef

This week's Oktoberfest and the upcoming Moorebid Ball were just two of the topics discussed at the first Committee on Student Life (CSL) Town Hall meeting, held at 10 p.m. on Wednesday in the Spa. Approximately 25 students attended and posed questions to members of the Student Government Association ad-hoc committee.

Led by Hannah DeGraaf '15, vice president for Student Life, the committee welcomed students with the promise of being available to listen to their concerns.

"This town hall meeting is part of an effort for the SGA to be more transparent to the student body," DeGraaf said.

The first announcement concerned Moorebid Ball, which has been approved for this year despite its past troubled years. DeGraaf announced that the Halloween dance will take place on Oct. 26 in the Spa and on Porter Plaza outside of Case Center. There will be a limited number of tickets as well as a re-entry policy. To give students unable to attend an alternate activity, there also will be a simultaneous screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Falstaff's.

President of the senior class, Xavier Hatten '14, promoted the events of Oktoberfest, an annual event sponsored by the Senior Class Council that will include a Professional Burlesque and Striptease at 9 p.m. on Thursday and a Spectacular Freak Show Dance at 10 p.m. on Saturday, both in the Spa, in accordance with this year's theme, "Classic Freak Show."

There will also be a performance, hosted by the Student Entertainment Company, from Danny Brown and Action Bronson at the Big Show at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, in the Big Gym of the Williamson Sports Center, to which $5 tickets are being sold.

SGA President Sam Harris '15, spoke about his involvement on the Institutional Policy and Planning Committee, which he serves on alongside co-Chair Rochelle Calhoun, dean of Student Affairs, and other members of the President's Cabinet.

Among the topics the IPPC is discussing are the Student Bill of Rights, improving the College's hazing policy, increasing the number of sessions per student available at the Counseling Center, increasing the library hours, obtaining more transportation for students in the form of Zipcars and rented cars, and fixing the poor cell phone reception in the North Woods apartments, for which Hatten will distribute a petition amongst the student body.

Harris also mentioned that he is currently involved in the debate regarding the College's smoking policy, but that he was unable to disclose any information at this time.

DeGraaf also mentioned changing the College's Study Day policy to allow for events, and announced that the chairperson position of the Late Night Committee is now an elected position, and that the committee would be required to host an event every other weekend.

The meeting then opened up to address concerns from the study body, many of which involved issues with various residences on campus. These included improving the communication between students and their Unit Advisors in North Woods, simplifying the work order process with facilities, improving the garbage situation in North Woods, which currently attracts animals with its mounds of overflowing trash, as well as loud construction outside of Wiecking Hall at 7:30 a.m. DeGraaf promised to bring these issues up in her next meeting with Don Hastings, director of Residential Life.

Several students also brought up the closing of the North Woods entrance near Wait Hall, but Hatten responded that the North Woods village was meant to be a pedestrian area, and that the gate was never meant for cars.

Questions about the union conflict were also raised, to which DeGraaf responded that, according to what she had been told by workers during Senate meetings, students who wish to help should ask workers questions and say "I stand with the workers" to those who ask.

A final concern about creating designated smoking areas was brought up, to which Harris responded that while he could not say anything on the subject, he would keep the matter in mind.

The CSL Town Hall meetings will take place on a monthly basis, and until further notice will be at the same time and place.

Campus Safety Reports: September 20 to 26

Incidents of Note:

• Saturday, Sept. 21-Criminal Mischief: Unknown persons reported at 1 p.m. walking on the roof of a vehicle in Tower Lot causing damage. Saratoga Springs Police Department involved and report issued.
• Sunday, Sept. 22-College Violation: A large gathering of people reported at 12:15 a.m. outside of Penfield Hall with subjects urinating on the wall. Officers cleared the area and could not find anyone urinating.
• Thursday, Sept. 26-Property Damage Auto Accident: Grounds reported at 7:40 a.m. a possible hit and run in the parking lot of the New Apartments near building G. Broke tail light on the vehicle. Officer dispatched.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Sept. 20:

• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 12:30 a.m. outside of McClellan Hall. Officers dispatched and reported a small gathering of students talking loudly. Subjects complied with the request to lower the volume.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:45 a.m. coming from a parked vehicle in West Lot. Officers dispatched reported the vehicle exited the lot as they arrived.
• Emergency Tests: Conducted semi-annual test of the emergency management system at 2 p.m. All systems operational.
• Campus Safety Assist: A records check requested at 2:40 p.m. for employment on a former student. Request was made via letter with a signed waiver attached. Check conducted and results forwarded.
• Campus Safety Assist: An escort requested at 4:08 p.m. at the Jonsson Tower Lot. Dispatched officer provided the transport. Report issued.
• Emergency Phone: Emergency telephone call received at 6:56 p.m. from the elevator west phone in Case Center. No voices could be heard and no response received. Dispatched officer reported that no one was in the area/no problem existed.
• Drug Law Violation: A suspicious odor reported at 8:23 p.m. in McClellan Hall. Dispatched officers issued report for drug and alcohol violations.
• Medical Assistance: An Emergency Medical Service response requested at 9:15 p.m. in Howe Hall. Dispatched officers and notified the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Report issued.
• Liquor Law Violation: Officers observed an alcohol violation at 10:20 p.m. in plain view in Kimball Hall. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:06 p.m. in Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers checked the rooms above and below. No odor detected at the time.
• Graffiti: Graffiti reported at 11:49 p.m on the second floor stairwell of McClellan Hall as well as in the third floor hallway. Dispatched officers recorded the damage.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 11:55 p.m. on the eighth floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer reported no problems noted.

Saturday, Sept. 21:

• Campus Safety Assist: Two people reported arguing at 12:21 a.m. in the area of the New Apartments F. Officer reported making a check on the two subjects and reported no further problems at the time.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 1:02 a.m. on the eighth floor of Jonsson Tower. Officer reported the residents of the room complied with the request to lower the volume.
• Intoxicated Subject: A highly intoxicated subject reported at 1:07 a.m. in Jonsson Tower. Medical and officers provided assistance. Report issued.
• Medical: Medical assistance requested at 2:37 p.m. in Penfield Hall from the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Officer and the SCEMS dispatched. Student was treated and remained on campus. Report issued.
• Campus Safety Assist: Verbal altercation report received at 2:30 p.m. involving employees in the Jonsson Tower Lot. Supervisors and Human Resources advised.
• Medical: Contact requested at 4:45 p.m. with the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service at Penfield Hall. Officer advised the SCEMS and subject was evaluated. Report issued.
• Medical Assistance: Advised of a minor injury at 6:10 p.m. from tree climbing outside of the Tang Teaching Museum. Officer and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical System responded. Subject evaluated and transported to the Emergency Room by friends. Report issued.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 10:18 p.m. at Cane Crossing. Officers dispatched reported that the residents complied with the requests to lower the volume.
• Liquor Law Violation: A suspicious odor reported at 10:43 p.m. in Wait Hall. Dispatched officer located liquor and drug violation in plain view. Report issued.
• Medical: A highly intoxicated male reported at 11:14 p.m. in Penfield Hall to be checked by the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Officers and the SCEMS dispatched. Student transported by the Emergency Medical Service to the Emergency Room. Report issued.

Sunday, Sept. 22:

• Medical: A welfare check requested at 12:09 a.m. on a student who was vomiting in Jonsson Tower. Officers evaluated the subject and found that person was ill and not intoxicated. Subject declined medical attention. Report issued.
• College Violation: A group of people reported at 12:36 a.m. being excessively loud at Dayton Drive. Subjects lowered the volume upon request.
• Medical: Report received at 1:20 a.m. that a friend was very intoxicated and semiconscious in the New Apartments. The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service and officers responded. Subject taken to the Emergency Room via ambulance. Report issued.
• Intoxicated Subject: A non-resident student reported at 2:13 a.m. vomiting all over a bathroom suite in Wait Hall. Dispatched officers. Subject alert and responsive. Report issued.
• Medical: A student reported at 3:42 a.m. vomiting on the third floor of McClellan Hall. Officers evaluated and the subject was alert and responsive. He declined medical attention. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 6:09 p.m. for Dayton Drive apartments. All available officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department dispatched. Burned food determined to be the cause. Report issued.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 6:43 p.m. from the New Apartments. Resident called immediately and reported a cooking error. Report issued.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 11:03 p.m. from a Wait Hall basement room. Officer reported that the resident lowered the volume upon request.
• Medical: Report received at 11:08 p.m. that a friend had injured her toe in Howe Hall and requested assistance. The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service and officer dispatched. Student was transported to the Saratoga Emergency Room. Report issued.
• Moving Violation: Officer observed an SUV at 11:37 p.m. driving recklessly on Perimeter Road. Tickets and report issued.

Monday, Sept. 23:

• Fire Drills: Fire alarm activation received at 10:08 a.m. for the Greenberg Child Care Lodge. New York state-mandated drill conducted. Good drill. Report issued.
• Accident: Employee, at 2:55 p.m., backed into a Campus Safety vehicle. Associate Director Lawrence Britt advised. Vehicle checked and no damage noted. Report issued.
• College Violation: A vacated room reported messy at 7:26 p.m. in Penfield Hall. Dispatched officer recorded the incident. Report issued.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 9:16 p.m. on the eleventh floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers reported that the odor had dissipated upon arrival. Source could not be located.

Tuesday, Sept. 24:

• Fire Orientation: Fire extinguisher training conducted at 4 p.m. for 41 students and two faculty members in the Jonsson Tower Lot using the Bullex fire extinguisher training system. Attendees were taking/teaching chemistry courses.
• Campus Safety Assist: Transportation requested at 12:31 p.m. for a student from Campus to the Wilton Medical Center. Officer dispatched. Transport completed.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 5:11 p.m. for the Hillside Apartments. Dispatched all units and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Activation due to a cooking error.
• Criminal Mischief: Criminal Mischief reported at 7:45 p.m. on the first floor of Wilmarth Hall. Damage recorded and report issued.
• Medical: student called at 8:29 p.m. from the front lobby of the Arthur Zankel Music building to report having a possible allergic reaction. Dispatched officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Subject evaluated and refused further medical attention. Report issued.

Wednesday, Sept. 25:

• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 4:49 p.m. on the tenth floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer.

Thursday, Sept. 26:

• Campus Safety Assistance: An escort requested at 12:33 a.m. from the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater to the reporting person's vehicle in the Arthur Zankel Music building parking lot. Dispatched officer. Escort provided.
• College Violation: A check requested at 12:40 a.m. of the second floor of Kimball Hall for noisy subjects. Officer spoke with the subjects who agreed to keep it quiet.
• Medical Assistance: A report received at 7:40 a.m. of finding a student passed out in the bathroom in McClellan Hall. The reporting person stated that the student was conscious and alert. Officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched.
• Criminal Mischief: Damage reported at 8:48 a.m. to a car in the Falstaff's parking lot. Dispatched officer was able to locate the owner. Owner stated that it was prior damage that had happened off campus.
• Medical Assistance: Assistance requested at 12:24 p.m. as the subject was unable to get out of bed in Wilmarth Hall. Officer dispatched, arrived, and requested the Emergency Medical Service to respond. EMS notified.
• Fire Alarm: A fire alarm received at 2:46 p.m. for 8 Cane Crossing. Dispatched all officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Officers reported a resident was burning a candle which set off the building alarm. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department advised.
• Parking Vehicle Issues: Report received at 8:26 p.m. that a vehicle was parked in a reserved parking space in North Woods. Dispatched officer.
• Liquor Law Violation: A liquor law violation reported at 10:08 p.m. on the second floor of Wiecking Hall.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 10:54 p.m. on the third floor of Kimball Hall. Dispatched officer. Officer reported finding infractions.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:10 p.m. at the front door of Penfield Hall. Dispatched officer. Officer reported no problems upon arrival.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 11:30 p.m. at the front door of Penfield Hall. Dispatched officer who spoke with the four subjects playing the guitar who said they would disperse the area.
• Larceny: Report received at 11:46 p.m. that the vending machine in the Jonsson Tower basement was open. Dispatched officers. Vending machine employee came into the Campus Safety office at 7:25 a.m. to claim property and found property receipt completed.
• College violation: Loud music reported at 11:47 p.m. on the eighth floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer who reported conducting a check of the floor at 11:56 p.m. to no avail. All quiet at the time.

Since Princeton Review's controversial rankings, Skidmore continues ongoing policy revisions

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins '15

This past August, Skidmore College caught local and national attention when it made No. 1 in "Reefer Madness" in the Princeton Review. The ranking was based on a Likert scale, which gives participants a five-point ranking scale in response to a single question. Students answering this particular survey were asked: "How widely is marijuana used at your school?"

"The study is nonscientific," said Jennifer McDonald, Director of Health Promotion for Counseling Center and Teaching Associate for Health and Exercise Sciences Department. The Princeton Review does not publish the number of students or percentage of the school that participates in the survey. The Review did release the information that, according to the survey, an estimated thirty percent of Skidmore students are reported to be active users of marijuana. But this figure is based on student opinion only.

"Perceptions never match reality," McDonald said. "If you ask Skidmore students how much pot they smoke, they will give a number that's way higher than reality." The misperception of drug use at Skidmore may offer one explanation for Princeton Review's annual rankings.

"I think because Skidmore is such a small school, it's very concentrated," Aster Gross '15 said when asked her thoughts on whether Skidmore. "I do think Skidmore is geared toward pot-smokers. However, because of our size, I don't think we're deserving of the title."

Regardless of Skidmore's worthiness of the ranking, the Princeton Review's rankings certainly have the potential to perpetuate the stereotype that Skidmore has a dominant "weed culture." But the publication does not necessarily confirm that Skidmore has a higher number of drug and alcohol-related instances than any other liberal arts school.

"We looked just about as bad as everyone else," said Rochelle Calhoun, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs. Many small liberal arts colleges like Skidmore share similar data on drug and alcohol users, .McDonald said.

Regardless of the ranking or how Skidmore compares to other schools in this matter, the administration will continue working to enforce policies on alcohol and drug use. "We do have issues with drugs and alcohol," President Phillip Glotzbach said. "It's a roulette wheel when people use drugs and alcohol to excess." One cannot predict the consequences of abusing alcohol and drugs.

Skidmore does not intend to revise its drug and alcohol policy in response to the Princeton Review rating but is continuously working to improve it. A group of faculty, administrators and students are in the process of collaborating to form an alcohol and drug task force, the goal of which will be to develop a five-year strategic plan on tackling drug and alcohol-related problems through policy, prevention and programming. The College initiated this plan before the rankings were released in August and hired consultants from outside of Skidmore in spring 2013 to review Skidmore's policies and programs related to alcohol and other drugs. The school awaits their report and continues to work on a comprehensive approach to alcohol and drug use. 

Public opinion swells as labor union negotiations continue

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins '15

On Thursday Sept. 19 at 8 a.m., a group of students gathered silently on Case Green for an hour in a stand of solidarity for Skidmore College employees, whose contracts with Skidmore College expired this year. Students at the event last Thursday sought to show support for workers on an issue that "affects their livelihood," Joseph Alvarez '16, a member of the new Skidmore Labor Student Alliance (SLSA) said.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United is currently in competition with the United Professional and Service Employees Union (UPSEU) Local 1222, contending for the ability to represent Skidmore service employees. According to Skidmore administrators, service employees as a group have three options; they can vote to reinitiate their contract with SEIU, sign with a different union, or vote to forgo any union representation at all. A vote was taken this past August, but it resulted in stalemate. Negotiations have continued, and are being monitored by the National Labor Relations Board.

This process of renegotiation has been ongoing since the 1970s, according to SLSA members, and was an issue of contention just three years ago, Skidmore administration officials say.

Employee benefits remain the principle issue concerned in this compromise. Employees currently represented by SEIU receive healthcare and pension benefits from the union, not directly from Skidmore. If employees do not renew their contract with SEIU, these benefits could change, depending on whether or not they vote for a different union. Should employees forgo union representation all tother, Skidmore would provide benefits like healthcare and pension plans directly. "Employees are generally concerned," said Skidmore Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer Michael West, continuing "This is their future."

In a letter to the service employees, Skidmore President Phillip Gloztbach urged the employees to forgo union representation, arguing that it would bring the Skidmore community closer together. Skidmore currently maintains that employees would receive a higher level of benefits should they forgo union representation, and that--even though it would raise costs--it has a vested interest in ensuring its employees have a high quality of benefits.

As a result of the recent publicity on the issue and the flurry of student response to the issue, the negotiations have entered the minds of many students on campus. The SLSA has made extensive efforts to meet with Skidmore employees in order to gain a better understanding of the negotiations and why students might want to become aware of the issue.

On Tuesday Sept. 17 the student group met with employees to discuss the negotiations. "What was important in meeting with the workers was hearing their narratives," Brian Fredericks '16, another member of SLSA commented. Some students who have been following the negotiations wish to demonstrate support for employees by showing that they are simply aware of recent events and wish to stay informed about topics that concern workers. "The most important thing is to get this in people's minds," said Alvarez.

Student awareness has also increased significantly after Dean of Student Affairs Rochelle Calhoun sent an email to the student body and faculty last week to clarify the confusion surrounding the negotiations.

When asked about the student demonstrations, West and Glotzbach urged students interested in the ongoing labor situation to explore the SEIU contract that Skidmore negotiated in 2010, and under which the service workers are currently employed. The contract is available on the Skidmore website here.

Negotiations are ongoing and will continue until a consensus between labor unions, employees, and Skidmore College is reached.

Updated as of September 30, 2013:

Update: On September 30, the Skidmore community received an email from Barbara Beck, Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration and Director of Human Resources in regard to the SEIU union contract. Skidmore College and SEIU Local 200United, the labor union that currently represents 147 Skidmore employees, reached an agreement to "extend the current union contract until November 30, 2013."

A second run-off election will be held to determine which union Skidmore employees would most like to represent them. Skidmore awaits a response from the National Labor Relations Board about the details of the election.

Barbara Beck also addressed the claims by SEIU that Skidmore College acted inappropriately during the last vote in August in its communications with Skidmore employees. This accusation has "been found to be without merit."

Updated as of November 14, 2013:

On November 13, 2013, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ran a run-off election between SEIU Local 200United and United Professional and Service Employees Union Local 1222. The results were 64 Local 1222 and 63 SEIU. Two ballots remain under review. As a result the NLRB has not yet reached a final decision. Skidmore College's contract with SEIU Local 200United continues until November 30, 2013.

Sussman Village opens ahead of schedule to positive reaction

Posted by Julia Leef '14

This October will mark the official coronation of the Sussman Village, previously known as the "New Apartments," marking the end of the three-phase construction plan which has been underway since January 2012.

The entire village reconstruction project cost $42 million, according to Michael West, Vice President for Finance and Administration and treasurer, $12 million of which was donated to the College by Trustee Emeritus and chair man of the College's investment committee, S. Donald Sussman, for whose family the village is named and whose daughter, Emily Sussman '04, is a Skidmore alumna. Sussman also has the privilege of renaming the individual apartment units if he so chooses.

The Sussman Village apartments have the capacity to house 238 students, although currently about five apartments, which each host four bedrooms, remain open, according to Donald Hastings, Director of Residential Life.

"So far it's beautiful," Hastings said, when asked about the general student reaction to the new apartments. "It's brand new and everybody loves it. The general feel has been real positive." Hastings also said that with the departure of the Class of 2014 this May, the College's largest graduating class to date at 772 students, the College may be able to finally reach its 90 percent student housing goal as more on-campus residences open up.

The new apartments boast larger living rooms and kitchens than their Northwoods counterparts, although the bedrooms are slightly smaller. Students may also park directly behind their apartment complexes, eliminating a lengthy walk to their homes. The new apartments add approximately 170 new beds, resulting in a grand total of 466 apartment-beds on-campus.

"They're really spacious and comfortable," Lucy Flanagan '15 said. "I think the mapping out of them is not very fluid. But the actual buildings themselves are very nice."

"I like the layout of the kitchen," Ariel Strobel '14 said, "and although the bedrooms are smaller I feel that the apartments have a more comfortable vibe than the old Scribner apartments. I wish the parking lots and roads went two ways. I've seen many people just go through the wrong way because they don't want to go all the way around to their apartment, and it's dangerous."

The effort to provide students with on-campus apartment housing has been a long one, starting with the experimental creation of Scribner Village (now the site of Sussman Village) in 1973, which was built with the back-up plan of selling the apartments if they did not work well as student housing.

Years later, when the College sold Moore Hall, a 1957 residential building on Union Avenue for sophomores, in the spring of 2006, the College opened up the Northwoods village that fall on an old staging site. Another complex, Whitman Way, was opened in that village in January of 2012, followed by the Hillside apartments in September of 2012 and concluding with the Sussman apartments that opened at the start of this semester.

The Sussman Village was originally slated to open in November or December of this year. Although the original projection date of completion was at the start of the semester, the College thought this too ambitious of a date, according to Hastings. And even so, only five of the seven units were supposed to be ready by the planned date.

According to Hastings, the Office of Residential Life received word around the second week of August that Apartment F would be ready in time for the new semester, and near the beginning of the semester learned that Apartment I would also be available. The Office of Residential Life reached out to the more than 100 Juniors and Seniors living in the residence halls, and were able to fill most of the newly opened apartments.

"It's been a great project," Hastings said. "As you go up and down the eastern seaboard, I haven't seen anything like it. It's very nice housing."

With more Juniors and Seniors living in apartment housing, Hastings said that he hopes to decrease the number of triples in the residence halls, eventually opening the school year with only 50, as opposed to the 90 percent of the Class of 2014 that had triple housing at the start of their academic year.

With these changes also come considerations to changing the current format of the room selection lottery, leading the Office of Residential Life to consider such possibilities as flipping the order of on-campus and off-campus housing selections or giving sophomores preference in the residence halls over upperclassmen, thus encouraging more upperclassmen to move into the apartments or off-campus.

Hastings also said that he hopes to see a community center built in Sussman Village where students can host parties, meet in groups or attend programs. This building would be located in the space of green between Apartments L and F and would serve to unite students for community activities and meetings.

The Office of Residential Life may be looking to remodel the residence halls again. This works on a cyclic system, with Jonsson Tower being the first of the halls to receive a renovation and Wiecking being the most recently refurbished. Now, Hastings said, the decision lies with whether to start over with Jonsson again, or to take a building out of the cycle for the year and completely redo it.

"We need to look at our residence halls and see what the next generation going out will need or want," Hastings said, adding that this continuous reworking has always been a part of the College's history. Originally, the halls in the south and north quads served as dorms instead of living spaces, with the Starbuck building serving as the common area for the south quad and the Barrett Center for the north quad.

There is also a discussion of what to do with the Hillside apartments, which has been considered in the past for sophomore-only housing. The discussion includes the debate of whether to make themed housing (spinning off of first-year seminars, clubs and organizations or members of the Honors Forum). This decision, Hastings said, will have to be made before room selection begins for the fall of 2014. 

Campus Safety Reports: September 13 to 19

Incidents of Note:

• Friday, Sept. 13-Sex Offense: Report received at 3:43 p.m. of a sexual assault that had occurred in an unknown location three years ago on campus, possibly in the fall. No further information available. Report provided by a third party. A second report received at 4:31 p.m. of a sexual assault that occurred during the fall of 2012 on campus. No further information available. Report provided by a third party.
• Sunday, Sept. 15-Theft of Services: Report received at 3:20 a.m. that a student refused to pay the taxi fare from a Dayton Drive location. Officers dispatched.
• Sunday, Sept. 15-Criminal Mischief: Reporting person called at 2:49 p.m. stating that he and his roommate were just woken up by someone throwing something at their window, shattering the glass. Dispatched officers. Report made.
• Tuesday, Sept. 17-Sex Offense: An incident of sexual misconduct reported at 3 p.m. that had occurred on Sept. 1 on the campus grounds. Investigation continues.
• Thursday, Sept. 19-Officers made checks at 8:15 a.m. at the Civil Disturbance/Demonstration involving students at the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Officers reported a gathering of approximately 80 students shoulder to shoulder from Case walkway to Howe walkway. All students conducted themselves in a peaceful manner with no disturbance to the workers or daily operations.

Further Incidents:

Friday, Sept. 13:

• Suspicious Odor: A group of people was reported at 12:12 a.m., possibly smoking marijuana outside of Wait Hall. Officer dispatched to investigate. Subjects gone on arrival.
• College Violation: Report received at 12:23 a.m. of people running up and down the hallway and being loud. Officers dispatched to check the area. Subjects gone on arrival. All quiet after officers' arrival.
• Moving Violations: Officers observed three violations at 6:36 a.m. of vehicles being driven the wrong way on a one-way thoroughfare on the North Woods and New Apartments grounds.
• College Violation: Officer reported a college violation of alcohol found at 6:36 p.m. while granting access to a room for a maintenance call in Wiecking Hall. Alcohol confiscated. Report made.
• Medical Assistance: Caller reported an intoxicated person at 10:25 p.m. on the first floor of Kimball Hall. Dispatched officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Ambulance contacted and person transported to the Saratoga Emergency Room for further medical treatment.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 9:01 p.m. in Wait Hall. Dispatched officer. Call unfounded.

Saturday, Sept. 14:

• College Violation: A noise complaint received at 1:39 a.m. from Wiecking Hall. Dispatched officers reported finding drug and liquor law violations as well. Items confiscated. Report made.
• Medical Assistance: Reporting person called at 2:21 a.m. from Cane Crossing requesting to be checked out by the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service. Officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Reporting person evaluated.
• Medical Assistance: Medical assistance requested at 2:20 a.m. for a student in Penfield Hall. Officers and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Student evaluated.
• Medical Assistance: Reporting person contacted the Campus Safety office at 10:22 a.m. looking for the hours of Health Services as she had a foot injury and pressure could not be put on it. Advised the person that the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service and an officer were en route to Wilmarth Hall to evaluate the injury. Advised the officer and toned out the SCEMS. Reporting person evaluated.
• Complaint: A call received at 2:58 p.m. that a College vehicle was being operated in a reckless manner in the New Village roadway. Report taken to be turned over to the Director for further follow up.
• Medical Assistance: The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service requested at 3:25 p.m. for an injured ankle in Penfield Hall. Dispatched officer and toned out the SCEMS. Injury evaluated.
• Medical Assistance: Medical assistance requested at 5:27 p.m. for a student on the first floor of Penfield Hall. Officer and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Person evaluated.
• Medical Assistance: The Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service requested at 5:40 p.m. for an injured person at the Williamson Sports Center. Campus Safety and the SCEMS dispatched. Person evaluated.
• Intoxicated Subject: A possibly intoxicated person reported at 9:55 p.m. on the third floor of Penfield Hall. Officers dispatched. Unfounded.
• Liquor Law Violation: A liquor law violation reported at 11:13 p.m. on the second floor of Wiecking. Items confiscated. Report made.
• College Violation: A large group reported at 11:58 p.m. gathering outside of Whitman circle. Dispatched officers, who reported that students were leaving in taxi cabs.

Sunday, Sept. 15:

• Medical Assistance: Reporting person requested the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service at 12:13 a.m. to be dispatched for an intoxicated person at Falstaff's Pavillion. Toned out the SCEMS. Person evaluated.
• Medical Assistance: Medical assistance requested at 12:41 a.m. for an intoxicated person in Penfield Hall. Officer and the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service dispatched. Person evaluated.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 12:45 a.m. at Cane Crossing. Officer dispatched and reported loud talking. Voice lowered. No further problems.
• Fire Alarm: A stopper alarm received at 12:45 a.m. from the second floor of Wiecking Hall. Officers dispatched and reset the alarm.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 2:16 a.m. in Penfield Hall. Dispatched Officer Vance who reported that the call was unfounded. Area quiet upon his arrival.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 11:28 a.m. from the New Apartment G. Dispatched officer, maintenance and advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Officer reported that the alarm was due to cooking. Advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department.
• Graffiti: Reporting person called at 11:56 a.m. to state that someone had drawn a penis on her white board in Wait Hall and took her marker. She took photos of the picture and then removed it. Dispatched officer who filed a report of the incident.
• Medical Assistance: Reporting person called at 1:24 p.m. to have the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service sent to check on her roommate. Dispatched officers and the SCEMS. Student's condition evaluated.
• Accident: Request received at 3:22 p.m. for an officer to take a report as someone had hit the reporting person's vehicle while parked in West Lot. Dispatched officer who filed a report.
• Larceny: Reporting person stated at 4:06 p.m. that her cell phone was stolen last evening at an off-campus location. Officer dispatched. The Saratoga Springs Police Department called.
• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 11:37 p.m. coming from the New Apartments G. Officers dispatched.

Monday, Sept. 16:

• Escort: An escort requested at 2:25 a.m. to the reporting person's residence in the New Apartments G. Officer dispatched.
• Medical Assistance: Officer reported at 2:15 p.m. that a window had fallen on a student's head at Wilmarth Hall. Dispatched officer, maintenance and carpenter. Report made.
• Suspicious Odor: A gas odor advised of at 3:17 p.m. in the Williamson Sports Center. Dispatched officer.
• Suspicious Odor: A gas odor detected at 3:17 p.m. in the Dana Science Center. Officers dispatched but did not find the source of the odor.
• Suspicious Odor: A burning odor reported at 10:35 p.m. coming from a heater in the stairwell between the Howe and Rounds buildings. Notified maintenance who stated that everything was okay. No odor detected upon arrival.

Tuesday, Sept. 17:

• College Violation: A loud noise reported at 2:33 a.m. in Wait Hall. Officers sent to investigate. Noise had stopped. No one in the area upon the officers' arrival.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 11:10 a.m. for the New Apartment complex J. Dispatched officers, maintenance and notified the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Report made.
• Larceny: A call received at 12:52 p.m. that someone had stolen head phones from an office in the Williamson Sports Center. Dispatched officer, who filed a report of the incident.
• Animals: A skunk reported at 10:50 p.m. near a Northwoods apartment. Notified housekeeping.

Wednesday, Sept. 18:
There were no reportable Clery Act incidences recorded on this date.

Thursday, Sept. 19:

• Animals: Reporting person stated at 4:14 p.m. that he had been advised of a turtle that was stuck inside the Sasselin Art building. Dispatched officer reported that the turtle was outside the building upon their arrival.
• Sex Offense: Reporting person conveyed a sexual offense at 4:36 p.m. that had been reported through a hotline.
• Larceny: A theft reported at 4:49 p.m. of a sweatshirt and the reporting person's ID from the Williamson Sports Center. Report made.
• Animals: A turtle reported at 5:18 p.m. on the green in front of the Scribner Library. Dispatched officers escorted the turtle back to the pond.
• College Violation: Cigarette smoke odor reported at 7:18 p.m. coming in through the air vents at Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer conducted a walk through but could not located the source of the odor.
• Propped Door: Officer reported at 7:44 p.m. to speak with students in Wait Hall who had propped a door. Area secure.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm received at 7:52 p.m. from the New Apartments G. Dispatched officer, maintenance and advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department.
• Animals: A skunk reported at 10:57 p.m. outside of an apartment in Cane Crossing. Student was advised to stay away from it. Reporting person stated that the compost was outside of the apartment and the skunk was getting into it. Student was advised that this area should be cleaned up.

David Yergan of Skidmore's Theater Department passes away

Posted by Andrew Shi

David Yergan, theater manager and technical director for the Theater Department at Skidmore College, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, after experiencing a stroke late last week.

Yergan first arrived at the College 37 years ago as a student of the class of 1980. He graduated with the Margaret Ellen Clifford Award, studied at NYU and moved to Albany to work at the Capital Repertory Company. In 1987 Yergan returned to the College as technical director, lighting designer, production manager and theater manager for the Theater Department. Over the past 26 years he has set up and managed the scenic shop, founded numerous theater courses and produced the lighting and sound for innumerable productions.

Yergan was very active in the Saratoga community as well, working as lighting designer and director of production for Opera Saratoga and technical director for the Saratoga Shakespeare Company's production of The Tempest. During summers he worked with the Saratoga International Theater Institute.

A short meeting among Yergan's colleagues and students in the theater department was held Monday afternoon at the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater. Department Chair Lawrence Optiz broke the news to the students and shared a short biography which he has posted on the Skidmore Theater Department Facebook page. Students were then given the opportunity to share their memories of Yergan. A moment of silence brought the short meeting to a close, and rehearsals for the night were canceled, to be resumed the next day.

A memorial service has been tentatively scheduled for the end of the semester. To share your own memories of David Yergan, visit the Skidmore Theater Remembers David Yergan Facebook page.

Author Jonathan Franzen named Skidmore's Steloff Lecturer: Fall lecture scheduled Oct. 3

Critically acclaimed novelist Jonathan Franzen will deliver this fall's Frances Steloff Lecture at Skidmore College at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. The reading and discussion, titled "Jonathan Franzen: The Novel and the World," will be in Gannett Auditorium of Palamountain Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

The program will include the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Franzen; a book signing by the author will follow the formal program. Franzen's books will be available for sale.

Born in Western Springs, Ill., in 1959, Franzen graduated from Swarthmore College.

His debut novel was The Twenty-Seventh City, his second novel Strong Motion. But he was widely hailed as a major voice in American fiction with the publication of his 2001 novel, The Corrections, which won many prizes, including the National Book Award, and stirred considerable debate on the merits and prospects of the social novel.

Franzen's most recent novel, Freedom, published in 2010, was widely praised and led to Franzen's appearance on the cover of Time magazine alongside the headline "Great American Novelist." In The New York Times Book Review, Sam Tanenhaus wrote: "Jonathan Franzen's new novel, Freedom, like his previous one, The Corrections, is a masterpiece of American fiction....Freedom is a still richer and deeper work-less glittering on its surface but more confident in its method...Like all great novels, Franzen's does not just tell an engrossing story. It illuminates, through the steady radiance of its author's profound moral intelligence, the world we thought we knew."

His newest book, The Kraus Project (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), is to be released Oct. 1.

Franzen has also written essays-for The New Yorker, Harper's and other magazines-on a great many different subjects, taking on everything from Twitter and e-books to the disintegration of Europe and the self-destruction of the United States. A number of his essays are collected in the volumes How To Be Alone and Farther Away. His 2006 memoir is titled The Discomfort Zone.

Skidmore's Steloff Lecture is a high point of the fall semester. Endowed in 1967 by Saratoga native Frances Steloff, the lecture series was designed to bring outstanding literary and artistic talent to Skidmore. Since 1968, Skidmore audiences have heard from such authors as including Ana??s Nin, Joseph Campbell, Arthur Miller, Seamus Heaney, Nadine Gordimer, Chinua Achebe, William Kennedy, Ha Jin, and last year, Zadie Smith.

Skidmore's Current Geothermal Expansion Project: Skidmore College adds a third geothermal unit outside of Wiecking Hall.

Posted by Maddy Tank '16

Last year, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Education (AASHE) presented Skidmore College with the 2012 Sustainability Leadership Award for the successful implementation of a complex geothermal heating and cooling system to serve campus buildings. In 2007, when the Northwoods Village apartments were completed, Skidmore installed its first geothermal system, and since then, both the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall and the Arthur Zankel Music Center have been made geothermal. Construction is currently underway to add a third geothermal unit under the Arts Quad, which will service Wiecking Hall, the dance gym, and the Tang.

Geothermal wells are typically drilled down to a depth between 400 to 500 feet below ground level, and heat or cool buildings by harnessing temperatures below the Earth's surface. Proponents of Geothermal laud that it is remarkably sustainable, environmentally friendly, dependable and cost effective.

Though the well behind Wiecking hall is still under construction, Paul Lundberg, the Capital Projects Supervisor for Facilities Services, said, "By December 2013, it is our plan to have all three buildings (Wiecking, the Tang and the dance gym) up and running on that field."

At the completion of the current project, 30 percent of the Skidmore campus will operate geothermally. Lundberg hopes that in the next couple of years the energy load provided by geothermal will reach 40 percent.

Marie Nicol '14, an Environmental Studies major, was excited by the geothermal project, calling it "a wonderful step that Skidmore is taking towards renewable energy" that does not "spew tons of toxins into the atmosphere or deplete our natural resources."

"Skidmore is making the initiative says a lot about our school and our effort towards true sustainability," she added.

The cost to install the geothermal systems is expected to reach roughly $1.4 million by the time it is completed-a cost which includes engineering and design, equipment, drilling bores in the well field, digging and backfilling wells and pipes. While most of the funding for the project was provided through Skidmore's normal capital budget process, Skidmore received additional funding from multiple sources including NYSERDA, the National Grid and the New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program. 

SGA Fall 2013 Election Results

Posted by Julia Leef

The following are the results for the Fall 2013 elections for Student Government Association positions. There were 502 total votes received.

First-Year Senators:

• Nick Friedman '17
• Dorothy Parsons '17
• Kevin Wang '17

First-Year Class President:

• Abude Alasaad '17

First-Year Class Social Chair:

• Bernice Langyintuuo '17

First-Year Class Treasurer:

• Julia Elstein '17

First-Year Class Vice President:

• Madison Plummer '17

Senators-at-Large:

• Breyton Croom '17
• Brendis Gonzalez '16
• Anya Hein '15
• Luca Mobilia '17
• Maggie Patterson '15
• Lauren Scauzzo '15
• John Schreur '17
• Megan Shachter '17
• Matt Sickles '17
• Zach Stiller '17
• Charles Tetelman '16
• Ibrahima Thiam '16

Senior Class Treasurer:

• Jessica Strasser '14

Senior Class Vice President:

• Sarah Dinkelacker '14

Vice President for Diversity Affairs:

• Britt Dorfman '14

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

Posted by Taylor Ray '17

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Candidates running for office:

Senator-at-Large Positions:

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

First-Year Positions:

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

Other Positions:

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

Campus Safety Reports: September 6 to 12

Incidents of Note:

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

Further Incidents:

Friday, Sept. 6:

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

Saturday, Sept. 7:

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

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

Sunday, Sept. 8:

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

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

Monday, Sept. 9:

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

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

Tuesday, Sept. 10:

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

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

Wednesday, Sept. 11:

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

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

Thursday, Sept. 12:

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

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

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

Posted by Elizabeth Hopkins '15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Skidmore's discussion on sustainability

Posted by Rachel Dyckman '16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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