Lockdown on Skidmore College Campus

By Jacob Reiskin, Arts Director and Staff Writer This is a developing story.  Check soon for updates.

Suspect is in custody.  Lockdown has been lifted.

4:00 PM:The President's office has invited the campus community to an open forum in Gannett Auditorium at 5 p.m. today for an update on the situation and a review of our emergency procedures.  Northwoods is still being searched by a strong police presence.  Students have been asked to stay away from the area.

10:12 AM: Staff and faculty may report to classrooms. Campus Safety requests that everyone keep an eye out for suspicious items that may be evidence

9:57 AM: Classes to resume at 11:15 AM. The Dining Hall is open. Campus Safety requests that students, staff and faculty stay out of North Woods.

9:18 AM: The Skidmore News has put in a request for a comment from the President's Office.  Awaiting confirmation.

9:16 AM: 

9:04 AM:  Campus is still in lockdown for evidence search with all classes and activities still called off.

8:58 AM: Campus Safety confirms that the suspect is Shane Harding and that he is in custody.

The Saratogian has confirmed that Harding, wanted in Troy for sexual assault has been arrested on the Skidmore College Campus.

Harding, 25, is wanted for allegedly violating parole in connection with an attack described to them by an alleged victim. Harding was declared a Level 3 sex offender after a 2008 conviction in Rensselaer County. Troopers say he may be in possession of a handgun.

Photo of Suspect (Published by The Times Union):

Skidmore News reported the last lockdown in 2013

8:20: Fire fighting personnel seen leaving Sussman village.  Connection still unknown.

8:14 AM: From Skidmore Alert Email:

Suspect in custody on campus - Campus remains closed until police conduct evidence search.

8:09 AM: Fire truck has been spotted near the Sussman Apartments.  Connection to lockdown is unknown.

8:08 AM: Police appear to be dissipating from Wilson Chapel Area.  Police patrols still circling campus.

The Times Union has posted an article on the lockdown with the suspect, Shane Harding, 25 shown.

Police have now converged on the perimeter of North Woods, near Wilson Chapel.  No word on any findings.

Saratoga Police and State Troopers are patrolling campus in large numbers, with a report that entrances are being blocked.

As of 8 am this morning, classes have been canceled and email updates continue to stream to students.

At 7:04 an email went out to all students announcing a lockdown on campus, as seen below

Students Resolving Conflict in a Constructive Way at Schenectady High

By Sarah Rudgers-Tysz, Executive Director of Mediation Matters

Schenectady and Albany, NY – For over 12 years the Schenectady High School Peer Mediation Program has been training students as mediators and empowering them to resolve conflict between fellow students without violence or bullying. Mediation Matters, a local non- profit dispute resolution center, coordinates the program with a full-time staff person at the high school.

In recognition of the program’s success, Mediation Matters is honoring the dedication and commitment demonstrated by the program’s key contributors and the school’s administration at its Second Annual Fundraising Dinner. The individuals being honored at the event are the program’s student leadership, program coordinator Kashiff Thompson, Schenectady High School Principal Diane Wilkinson, and Schenectady School District Superintendent Laurence T. Spring. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Albany Yacht Club, 75 Broadway, Rensselaer, NY.

Through the program the peer mediators learn how to approach conflict constructively, practice active listening skills, and model this behavior for their peers. Along with the valuable life skills the students learn and the conflicts resolved through mediation, the program also reduces the need for disciplinary action, with 174 cases mediated last school year.

The Peer Mediation Program is one of the many ways Mediation Matters is making a difference in the community. The organization provides a place for families, businesses, educators, students, and other community members to resolve their conflicts through mediation. Mediation is a voluntary, neutral, and confidential process where people involved with a conflict have the opportunity to be heard and work to develop their own solutions to their own problems, outside of court. Between April 2013 and April 2014, 795 cases were mediated at the center. The organization also facilitates conflict resolution trainings and workshops, group discussions, and restorative justice circles in a variety of settings.

With excellent staff and invaluable volunteers, Mediation Matters’ services are available at little to no cost in each of the counties it serves: Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Warren, and Washington Counties. In recognition of the value of a peaceful community, Mediation Matters has been providing the skills and processes that help people handle conflict in a constructive way since 1979.

To learn more about Mediation Matters, visit their website at www.mediationmatters.org, message them through their contact form on the website, follow them on Facebook and Twitter, or give them a call at 518-446-0356.

SGA Fall 2014 election results

By Noa Maltzman, Staff Writer

This past week, students had opportunities on both Thursday, Sept 18 and Friday, Sept. 19 to vote online or at Case Desk, the Dining Hall or Thursday night's Rock the Vote Student Band Showcase at Falstaff's. Even with these opportunities to vote, the turnout in this election was small with only 605 students participating.  While this is significantly less than half the student body, it surpasses both turnouts from last year. Last year’s fall election had a voter turnout of 507 students and the spring election had 560 voters.

The low voter turnout was foreshadowed by the prior night’s election speech, which also had a small turnout despite the event’s enticing announcement that Plum Dandy Cookies&Milk was to be served.

During the election speech, the candidates were questioned about their running. These questions included more practical issues regarding their qualifications and goals for the future, as well as some less serious questions like, “if you had one dollar to spend on something for your class what would it be?”

The student candidates sought eight different positions. However, there were many more open positions available. , “Not all of the positions were filled because we have a lot of positions, and we very intentionally allow people to get involved throughout the year,” SGA President Addison Bennett '16 said.

Only three positions were contested: junior class treasurer freshman class president and vice president for Diversity Affairs—a position on the executive SGA committee.

From the class of 2018, Maddie Hoffman and Themba Shongwe ran for freshman class president, with Shongwe eventually winning.

Posted on SGA’s Facebook page were the candidate platforms and campaign videos. Here, students could learn about and compare the candidates running for contested positions. Shongwe included three primary points on his platform posters, the first of which was “making SGA relevant to freshman.” His competitor, Hoffman, had different goals in mind. Among her goals was “to unify the campus as a whole.”

“We don’t want to shut the door on people joining SGA in September,” Bennett said. For those of who missed the boat on elections and want to get involved, there is ample time and space.

The student government would “love for more people to join Senate, a committee, or their class council, and luckily we have the open seats for people to join through willingness to serve,”  Bennett said.  To apply for a position through willingness to serve, students should go to the SGA site.

Below is a complete list of the Fall 2014 elected SGA officials:

First Year Class President: Themba Shongwe

First Year Class Secretary: Rachael Thomeer

First Year Class Treasurer: Alyssa Bueno

First Year Class Vice-President: Tayler Salvatore

First Year Senator: Kalika Likhi and Olivia Golden

Junior Class Treasurer: Ramsey Daniels

Sustainability Senator: Lauren Scauzzo '15

Vice President for Diversity Affairs: Sibo Gama '15

Campus Safety Reports Sept. 12-18

INCIDENTS OF NOTE: * Sunday, September 14 -ASSAULT AGGRAVATED 3:12 am .RP in office reporting a male is being assaulted in Sussman Apartments. Dispatched Officers. 3:13 AM- RP reports hearing screams for help. Advised Officers and dispatched SCEMS, 911 and SSPD. Two arrests made.

* Wednesday, September 17 – SEX OFFENSE- FORCIBLE 1:46 PM RP called to report a sexual assault on campus.

Friday, September 12, 2014

* COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE noise complaint made at 1:38 AM. Officers dispatched to Cane Crossing, students complied with request to quiet down.

* FIRE ALARM-OTHER- fire alarm activated at 1:54 AM from Sussman Apartments. Units dispatched, due to shower steam. Report generated.

* FIRE ALARM-OTHER – Fire alarm received at 8:19 AM from Sussman Apartments. Units dispatched, due to cooking. Report generated

* COMPLAINT – report of 11:06 AM of problem between two employees. Report generated.

* FIRE ALARM-OTHER- fire alarm activation received at 12:22 PM from Sussman Apartments. Units dispatched, due to cooking. Report generate.

* ACCIDENT- report at 4:32 PM of car damaged in sports center parking lot.

* WELFARE CHECK- 9:46 PM welfare check requested to Howe Hall. Officer dispatched. Spoke with roommate, report generated.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

* SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – at 12:24 report of a female acting suspicious in Wait Hall. Officers checked, appeared to be dumping water in sink with residue.

* COLLEGE VIOLATION- NOISE 1:44 AM, noise complaint made on Dayton Drive. Officer reports no disturbance noted.

* COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE report of loud noise on Moore Way at 1:56 AM. Officers report loud music lowered and group dispersed.

* COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE report of loud music coming from a parked car near Sussman Apartments at 3:02 AM. Officer states care is leaving.

* CAMPUS SAFETY ASSIST- 3:00 PM RP provided assistance with fire extinguisher training for 48 students who work in chemistry labs

* SUSPICIOUS ODOR- 3:50 PM report of possible gas smell in Jonsson Tower. Maintenance reports odor unfounded.

* COLLEGE VIOLATION- 10:34 PM report of a game of mass consumption in Wait Hall. Report generated.

* FIRE ALARM- OTHER – 11:14 PM Fire alarm activation receive. Units dispatched, due to cooking. Report issued.

* LIQUOR LAW VIOLATION- 11:01 PM RP reports loud noise in Howe Hall. Students found with alcohol, report generated.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

* COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE 12:34 AM report of noise complaint in Sussman Apartments. Officers spoke to students who remedied problem

* CRIMINAL MISCHIEF at 10:42 AM Officer discovered hole in stairwell in Wilmarth Hall, report generated

* CRIMINAL MISCHIEF at 11:18 AM RP reports street sign on the roof of Starbuck Center. Grounds assisted to removed, returned to DPW.

Monday, September 14, 2014

* COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE at 1:00 AM Excessive noise complaint in Sussman Apartments. Responding officers report residents lowered volume upon request.

* COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE 12:32 AM Noise complaint received. Responding officers report residents lowered volume upon request

* COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE 1:30 AM Noise complaint received in Wilmarth Hall. Responding officer reports three people in common area asked to lower the volume of their voices. Subjects complied with request.

* DRUG LAW VIOLATION- 8:30 AM Officer observed a drug law violation. Items confiscated. Report made.

* FIRE ALARM 3:09 PM Fire alarm received in Sussman Apartments. Dispatched all units. Advised SSFD. Due to cooking. Report made.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

* FIRE ALARM-OTHER – 10:30 AM, Fire alarm received. Dispatched officers, maintenance and advised SSFD. Due to burnt food.

* FIRE/SAFETY ORIENTATION- 6:30 PM Fire and Safety Orientations were conducted at 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM in Filene Music Hall.

* FIRE DRILLS- 8:31 PM in Sussman Apartments Unannounced fire drill was held in one of the buildings.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

* LARCENY FROM BUILDINGS 11:00 AM report of items missing in a room in Jonsson Tower. Officer responded to the report. SSPD contacted.

* FIRE/SAFETY ORIENTATION at 6:30 PM a Fire and Safety Orientation was conducted in Filene Music Hall.

* COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE at 11;44 PM, RP reports a noise complaint outside the dorm. Officers dispatched and found students playing string instruments. Instructed to stop and counseled about noise at this hour.

Thursday, September 18 2014

* FIRE ALARM-OTHER – 8:45 AM Fire alarm activation received in Jonsson Tower. All units dispatched. SSFD advised. Alarm due to burnt popcorn.

* BURGLARY-NO FORCE 6:05 pm report of computer missing from room in Wilmarth Hall. Report made. SSPD contacted.

* FIRE DRILLS – Officers conducted fire drills at various times in Wilmarth Hall and Northwoods Apartments.

Moorebid Cancelled

By Andrew Shi '15, Editor-in-Chief

After years of unyielding issues, Moorebid, the popular dance held to celebrate Halloween, and named after Moore Hall, an off-campus residential hall that closed in 2006, has been cancelled for this year and the foreseeable future. The decision to cancel Moorebid—a perennial consideration but never coming to fruition until now—was advocated after last year's event by Joshua Nelson, Director of Leadership Activities, and supported by Director of Campus Life David Karp and Dean of Student Affairs Rochelle Calhoun.

The cancellation of Moorebid comes as a surprise to many, as last year's dance is considered one of the more successful in years. Nelson acknowledged as much in a private interview and in a letter to the editor. "Truly last year was one of the best, if not the best, planned Moorebid in the history of the event. Nonetheless, the meaning behind the tradition was lost amongst the students using drugs and alcohol to fuel a night of no-rules and destructive actions. The concern was not the event itself, but the pattern of high-risk, sometimes life-threatening behavior that accompanied Moorebid."

According to SGA President Addison Bennett '16, "The cancellation was a result of a trend of Moorebids that the administration felt were unsafe and disrespected. The Office of Leadership Activities articulated to us that due to the cultural expectations of the event, they do not feel there is any way to hold the event in a safe way."

Nelson estimates that eleven people were sent to the hospital at least year's event, and Bennett also noted that the number of people treated by the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service during the dance was a cause for concern. "We believe Moorebid was generally a success last year. To be clear, there were obvious safety concerns, including the sheer number of people in the event at once or the number of SCEMS dispatches for alcohol-related calls, " Bennett said.

Moorebid has a history of being hazardous and has been shut down multiple times before due to overcrowding. In 2010, the event made national news when 11 students were treated for alcohol poisoning at Saratoga Hospital. After that year, the venue for Moorebid was switched from Case Center to the Recreational and Dance gyms to mitigate overcrowding, however, after approximately 1,400 students tried to squeeze through the halls of the Williamson Sports Center to reach the dance floors, the dance was shut down early. In 2012 the event ran its full course when it was hosted in the big gym of the Sports Center and student participation was capped at 800. Seven students were hospitalized that year for alcohol poisoning, but only four from Moorebid. The others were from the residential halls.

The circumstances that make Moorebid so problematic are multifold. One is the culture of excessive-drinking that surrounds the dance, and perhaps Halloween in general, as Nelson iterated. Some also believe that because this is the first large community dance, first-years may overzealously drink for the event. The Big Show hosted earlier in October is supposed to steal some of this enthusiasm, and the introduction of Fall Fun Day in 2012 was to serve a similar purpose in part.

The second issue is overcrowding.  One of the most popular events on campus, the venues for Moorebid—Case and the Sports Center—are incapable of accommodating. Even after students had to buy tickets, overcrowding remained problematic and reports of student trampling continued.

"We tried various venues around campus (entire Case Center, Williamson Sports Gym, Recreation Gym, SPA). We tried to increase capacity; we tried limiting capacity. We increased on campus safety officers and hired outside security to help staff the event. We partnered with the Office of Health Promotions in awareness campaigns and even offered discounted tickets if you attend an alcohol awareness event prior to Moorebid. Nothing seemed to curb the riotous behavior of students," Nelson wrote in his letter.

A third issue, often overlooked, is the aggressive behavior of students during the event. Nelson recounts having beer bottles and other detritus thrown at him last year when they wouldn't let students enter; students shoving other students; disrespect toward Campus Safety officers; and a massive bill from facilities for having to work overtime to clean up vomit across the building and campus.

Still, Bennett thought the event went pretty well overall. "I think Moorebid went about as well as it could have last year. The SGA event planners thought of every detail, the safety concerns were generally well managed, and most importantly, students obviously enjoyed it."

In lieu of Moorebid, SGA will look to fund other events, one being the Founder's Day barbecue that occurred early September. Nelson also mentioned that other clubs plan to fill the void with their own events, including a haunted house and slew of film screenings. SGA will also continue the discussion on Moorebid and the possibility of reviving it in the future. "We will keep the conversations going for sure," Bennett said.  "I’ve already spoken to many administrators about the future of Halloween events at Skidmore, and I’m hopeful for good solutions in the future. One of our many jobs is to put on enjoyable student events, and we won’t forget that mission."

President Glotzbach and SGA President Addison Bennett address issues at Skidmore College

By Jessica Kong '16, Staff Writer

President Philip A. Glotzbach and SGA President Addison Bennett '16 spoke to the most pressing issues on campus, including sexual assault, discrimination and student wages, on Friday Sept. 19 at the Arthur Zankel Music Center, in the first annual State of the College Address. Anticipation from student and faculty alike was palpable as Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Rochelle Calhoun introduced Glotzbach and Bennett to begin the State of the College Address.

Bennett acknowledged he is empowered to speak on behalf of the student body, but asked us all to become more involved in the community decision-making process. "All of us, not just student representatives, have a role. Without the participation of the student body, representatives cannot effectively do their jobs and Skidmore will not be able to make meaningful change to move towards the ideals our community holds.”

One of the most important points brought up by Bennett was the issue of alienation and exclusion, which has been a recent movement in our community, taking form in projects like I, Too Am Skidmore and last semester's theatre production entitled On The Record.

The consequential and newly minted SGA Inclusion Task Force is working hard to reach out to those who feel like they cannot actively participate in the community. Two new methods have been set to promote inclusion: the Student Activity Financial Aid Fund, which covers extra club event costs of individuals that may be excluded by financial shortcomings. The second is the Student Opinion Polling, which would allow students to express popular opinion in a concrete and influential manner.

Bennett next began on sexual assault, a disturbing matter for this community and an ongoing national issue. Particularly, this issue resonates after the exposed sexual assault incident involving a Campus Safety officer over the summer. "I know I speak for many students when I say I am disappointed by the months-long delay in notifying the community of the recent arrest on sexual assault charges of a Skidmore employee. I appreciate the delicacy of the personnel-side of the situation, and I am glad that swift, proactive action was taken against this person; however, the fact that many students learned about this breach of trust through rumors, social media, or the news is disturbing. We had every right to be scared and disappointed this summer. In this case, communication clearly fell short."

However, according to Bennett, the problem goes far beyond one previous Campus Safety Officer. President Obama's "It's On Us" campaign has been brought to Skidmore, and the message promulgates raising awareness for effective consent and fostering an attitude of zero tolerance toward sexual assault. In regards to the movement, Bennett said, "for SGA’s part, we have committed ourselves this year to fighting the causes of sexual assault and standing up for survivors.”

Bennett also addressed the matter of on-campus student wages, which are under the New York minimum but legal due to the College's not-for-profit status. He requested for the school to respect the quality of work put in by student workers, as well as their financial needs. "I was disappointed last year by the lack of progress in raising the minimum wage for student workers on campus, despite the New York State law that raised the minimum wage to $8 per hour. I join many students in feeling that the school should pay us a wage commensurate to our work and the legally established cost of living in this state, even if it is not required due to Skidmore's non-profit status."

As a final point, Bennett emphasized the need for unity and active participation in the community: "One Skidmore," an embracive byword that recognizes differences in opinion directed in an overarching sentiment of community betterment. He signed off with a tip-of-the-hat to social responsibility: "any student can become a leader." Though “taking action” was a commonly phrased, no clear actions were outlined.

Glotzbach converged with Bennett's agenda. "It is important that we pull in the same direction if we're going to get anything serious done. We are making a concerted effort this year to enhance communication in all kinds of ways across campus." As part of this effort Glotzbach announced that the number of community meetings was increased to once a month, and he established office hours during which anyone can meet with him.

Glotzbach revealed the fiscal year of 2014 concluded with a balanced budget. The current endowment is $340 million, which externally validates the stability of the institution. Moody's issued a stable outlook for Skidmore College this year, an exception to the often negative outlook of higher education in general.

Glotzbach next talked about the robust student body. The class of 2018 was picked from a pool of 8,700 applicants. Of those accepted and attending, 22% are domestic students of color and 10% are international students. The financial aid budget has been increased to $42 million. 42% of student receive financial aid; of those that do, 90% is need based. 100 Thoroughbred athletes were recognized for maintaining a GPA of 3.67 or higher this past spring.

The President happily announced that 32% of our electricity now comes from renewable resources. 40% of campus is powered by geothermal energy. This past August, Skidmore hosted the NY EXCEL Cleantech boot camp (http://www.skidmore.edu/nyexcel/about.php.), during which environmentally-friendly entrepreneurs learned about the most up-to-date business models and strategies that integrate people, profit and planet. Glotzbach spoke highly of the new program. "We saw the introduction of…NY Excel, which is a program to train executives in new business opportunities in renewable energy and energy efficiency."

Answering Bennett's concern for student wages, Glotzbach stated that the Institutional Policy and Planning Committee will begin to review the student minimum wage. "We are looking very seriously at the question of minimum wage. The IPPC will pick that up and I expect to see some movement on that this year."

Academic affairs are prosperous and growing rapidly. The plans (http://www.payette.com/project/2331088-center-for-integrated-sciences.) for the Center of Integrated Sciences have been completed. This 100,000 square foot building will stand behind the Dana Science Center, and construction should begin in the near future.

Although the college campus is alive and well, Glotzbach reminded us that there is always room for improvement. "In student affairs, the focus is creating a community of care and responsibility," he added. "We are all adults. Who decides what we believe? Who decides what we think? Who decides the nature of our social reality? We do." President Glotzbach assured that "we are in this together."

The sound of race, gender, and authenticity to ring out Oct. 2 at Skidmore's Zankel Music Center

By Shelley Curran, managing director; Andrea Wise, director of media relations

Maureen Mahon will deliver a lecture titled “And the Colored Girls Go: African American Women Vocalists and the Sound of Race, Gender, and Authenticity in Rock and Roll” at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in the Arthur Zankel Music Center on the Skidmore College campus. The talk is the latest in Skidmore’s Tsou Music Scholar Series.

Mahon, a professor at New York University, is a cultural anthropologist who studies African American music and culture; the construction and performance of race and gender in music; and the relationship between race, class, generation, and culture. She is the author of a book called Right to Rock: The Black Rock Coalition and the Cultural Politics of Race (Duke University Press, 2004), and has published articles in American Ethnologist; Journal of Popular Music Studies; Women and Music: A Journal of Gender and Culture; and Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture, and Society. Mahon’s many fellowships include a 2013-14 National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship.

The lecture will focus on the experiences and musical style of African American women including P.P. Arnold, Ava Cherry, Merry Clayton, Venetta Fields, Gloria Jones, Clydie King, Claudia Lennear, and Doris Troy. In the late 1960s and 1970s these artists collaborated with such musicians as David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones. Mahon will demonstrate how the African American women helped create the “authentic” sound sought by the white artists with whom they worked. She hopes to highlight the intersection of race, gender, and authenticity in the music of the classic rock era and draw attention to “an under acknowledged aspect of black women’s cultural production.”

Judy Tsou, a member of Skidmore’s Class of 1975 established the Tsou Music Scholar Series to provide both formal and informal interaction of music students with prominent music scholars. The series is designed to extend Skidmore students’ musical education and to provide an introduction to prominent scholars and their work.

Admission for the Thursday, Oct. 2, event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For advance reservations or more information, visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel or call the Zankel Box Office at (518)-580-5321. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired.

New Smoking Policy

 

By Noa Maltzman

This year Skidmore welcomed a new smoking policy. The policy restricts smokers to certain designated areas on campus. Specifically, the interior of the main campus – including the tables outside the Burgess Café – has been declared “smoke free.”

Listed on the Skidmore College website, the smoking policy explains that the purpose behind this new development is "to limit the potential exposure of students, faculty, staff and visitors to the effects of second-hand smoke, reduce the risk of fires on campus and provide the community with a healthy, respectful working and learning environment.”

This year’s academic handbook gets into thick details regarding the smoking policy, unlike in the 2013-2014 handbook, which merely stated, “in compliance with New York State law, smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas of the College, including dining halls and the Spa. In addition, all residence halls and apartments are smoke-free buildings. Cigarettes are not sold on the College campus.”

No one is allowed to smoke indoors on campus, including residence halls and the dining hall. Nor is smoking permitted in college-owned vehicles, within 25 feet of a campus facility or in the designated smoke free areas. The interior of the college along the quad is one of the major smoke free areas. All college events are non-smoking and no smoking areas are provided.

Overall, the student reactions have been varied. The Skidmore News posed an online survey to the Skidmore community asking, “this semester, the College rolled out a new smoking policy that prohibits smoking in certain areas around campus. Do you support the new smoking policy?” The results showed in favor of the new policy. However it’s important to point out that the poll contained a mere 20 participants (16 in favor of new restrictions with only 4 counts against).

A few students – whom asked to remain anonymous – were smoking outside the library on Tuesday, the 16^th. Students have been spotted smoking in other smoke-free areas as well.

Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs, Rochelle Calhoun, said simply, “we expect our students to follow the rules” (in regards to the new smoking policy). For those not sharing Calhoun’s enthusiasm for policy respect, the new smoking policy details the consequences for those who choose not to comply. Consequences vary depending on your connection to the campus. For example, a faculty or staff employee of the college should know that, “violations of this policy will be addressed through educational and corrective measures as outlined in Human Resources policies and procedures.” As a student, you’ll be sent to the integrity board. Lastly, visitors refusing to comply with the policy may be removed from the building, the event they are attending, or from the campus and may not be readmitted.

For smokers who wish to quit smoking should seek the assistance the college has made available. “We have additional services in place to help people stop smoking,” said President Glotzbach. On the Skidmore College website under the listed smoking policy, you’ll find resources from the NYS Smoker’s Quitline, Glen’s Falls Hospital, Employee Assistance Program, and Community Health Centers for those seeking to quit. On campus, Health Services can provide counseling, and even prescription medicine for more drastic cases.

The College plans to revaluate the smoking policy in spring of 2017, and hope that by the fall of 2017 the campus will be completely smoke free.

Preview of first annual State of the College Address: student participation, sexual assault and more

 

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Photos by Meredith Simonds, Co-Arts Director

By Andrew Shi, Editor-in-Chief

The first, annual State of the College Address will give students a peek into the plans and intentions of the college administration and the Student Government Association. Scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Arthur Zankel Music Center, the event will include speeches from President Philip A. Glotzbach and SGA President Addison Bennett '16.

In a preview of what is to come, Bennett summed up the main message of his speech to be, "the state of Skidmore is one of potential and growth. Making our school the way we want it to be will require all of us (students included) to buy into a culture that cares and works for Skidmore."

Much of the speech includes a plea to students to participate in campus life, especially the student government, whether that be through elections, which were held on Thursday, Sept. 18, or by direct communication to SGA officials.

Bennett's speech will also touch upon the summer's arrest of a Campus Safety official for sexual assault, last year's failed motion to increase wages at Skidmore, the minimum which hovers well below that of New York's mandated minimum, and the introduction of  a Student Activity Financial Aid Fund to help clubs pay for additional expenses when the alternative would be the exclusion of student participation due to socioeconomic disadvantages.

It is not yet determined what Glotzbach will speak about, but his speech will likely mention the recent smoking policy that was rolled out, and the stronger, more aggressive sexual assault policies implemented in conjunction with (but not because of, according to the administration) the nationwide, collegiate initiative called for by the Obama administration.

Speeches will be followed by an opportunity for Q&A from students and faculty. There will also be prizes, giveaways and food. For more information, check out the Facebook event page.

Campus Safety Reports Sept. 5-11

Incidents of Note:

• Saturday, September 6- BIAS INCIDENT/HATE CRIME – At 12:26 AM individual stated he had filed a bias incident report on line regarding a computerized application and would like to file a report with campus safety. Report taken.
• Monday, September 8- BURGLARY – at 2:20 PM individual reported someone entered her secured office in Dana Science Center over the summer and removed items. Report issued.

Friday, September 5^th 2014

• COLLEGE VIOLATION- At 12:00 AM reported gathering of students outside Sussman. Officers dispatched report of unregistered party with several violations.
• COLLEGE VIOLATION- At 12:07 AM anonymous person reported loud music at Dayton Drive. Dispatched Officers report situation corrected. Residents lowered volume.
• COLLEGE VIOLATION- at 12:38 AM Anonymous person reports a noise complaint for Dayton. Dispatched Officers report loud bass music was turned down at officer’s request
• CRIMINAL MISCHIEF – 12:58 AM Individual reports broken molecule sculpture in Palamountain by unknown person. Dispatched Officers recorded damage and issued report.
• LARCENY – At unknown time individual reported tools stolen from unsecured vehicle outside Dana Science Center. Report issued.
• MOVING VIOLATIONS – At 12:52 AM Officers report male subject driving recklessly the wrong way almost causing a head on collision in Sussman Apartment Complex. Subject warned and ticketed. Report issued.
• SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – At 3:20 AM Two suspicious males observed exiting the woods by the Chapel. Officers requested identification and the subjects ran. SSPD dispatched. Subjects under arrest warrant.
• CAMPUS SAFETY ASSIST- At 5:51 PM individual reported an off campus large gathering of students causing a neighborhood disturbance. SCSD advised.
• LARCENY – at 7:05 PM Individual reports a hubcap from vehicle in Wait Lot was stolen. Report issued.
• FIRE ALARM- at 7:02 PM Fire alarm activation in Sussman Apartments received. Maintenance, SSFD, and Officers dispatched. Activation due to cooking error. Report issued.
• FIRE ALARM- at 9:23 PM Fire alarm activation received on Whitman Way. Maintenance, SSFD, and Officers dispatched. Activation due to cooking error. Report issued.
• SUSPICIOUS ODOR- at 10:13 PM Officer reported a strong odor of natural gas. Notified SSPD and SSFD. Area shut down due to gas leak. National Grid on scene for repairs. Report issued.

Saturday, September 6^th 2014

• COLLEGE VIOLATION/NOISE- At 1:23 AM individual called to report a noise complaint. Dispatched officers reported speaking with residents who agreed to clear out the apartment. No further issues.
• AUTO ACCIDENT- At 8:15 AM Sgt. Sullivan discovered grass and dirt on lower driver’s side door. Door appeared to be slightly bent out from frame. Report made.
• SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY- At 9:40 PM Officers report suspicious activity on Perimeter Road. Officers observed three individuals with office furnishings. Report made.

Sunday, September 7 2014

• CAMPUS SAFETY ASSIST – At 2:17 AM individual requested assistance with removing an unwanted subject from her residence in Sussman Village. Officer provided assistance with no problems reported.
• COLLEGE VIOLATION – At 1:33 AM report of excessive noise on Cane Crossing. Group disbanded upon officers’ arrival.
• FIRE ALARM – Activation received at 8:46 PM. Officers, maintenance and SSFD dispatched. Activation due to cooking error. Report issued.

Monday, September 8, 2014

• FALSE PERSONATION- at 9:15 AM individual turned over found identification in Wiecking Hall. ID found to have false information on it. Identification turned into College administrator.
• SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – at 11:14 AM Officer observed male carrying what looked like a traffic sign. Upon interview male stated he found the sign abandoned. Municipality contacted and sign was reported stolen. Report issued.
• SUSPICIOUS ODOR – at 2:45 PM Individual reported the gas line near Colton House on North Broadway was just broken. All officers, SSPD, and Fire Department dispatched. Area evacuated. Problem fixed. No injuries. Report issued.
• FIRE ALARM – at 7:40 PM Fire alarm received in Sussman Apartments. All officers, maintenance, and SSFD advised. Activation due to burned food. Report issued.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

• SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – 6:52 AM individual reported two males sitting in car on North Broadway near trails. Officer dispatched. Officer reports GOA.
• POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY- at 8:48 am individual requests an officer retrieve balloon stand that was taken from the front entrance of the college. Disp. Officer who reports the balloon stand was located and returned to RP. Report made.
• CRIMINAL MISCHIEF – 11:58 AM received call stating there is a hole in the wall near the bathroom on the second floor of Jonsson Tower. Officer dispatched. Report made.
• COLLEGE VIOLATION/NOISE- at 12:27 PM individual reports loud music coming from McClellan dorm room. Dispatched Officer reports he is unable to hear any loud music in this area. Case unfounded.
• FIRE ALARM – at 1:10 PM Fire Alarm reported on Moore Way. Dispatched Maintenance, Officers and notified SSFD. Officers report alarm caused by steam from shower.

Wednesday, September 10^th 2014

• DATING VIOLENCE – at 12:58 PM individual reports incident that occurred on Campus about 3 years ago. Report made.
• SKATEBOARDING ON CAMPUS – Report of subject skateboarding on hill by Perimeter Road. Officer dispatched.
• ACCIDENT /OTHER- at 8:37 PM individual reports a truck off in a ditch on North Broadway. Dispatched officers who state that the driver has requested a tow truck. Notified Matt’s. Officers report no damage to vehicle and no damage to college property.
• SUSPICIOUS ODOR – at 9:31 PM report of a suspicious odor in Kimball Hall. Officer dispatched.
• LARCENY FROM BUILDINGS – at 6:20 PM individual in office to file report of a missing speaker. Report taken.
• SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – 10:23 PM individual called to report males with alcohol. Dispatched officer who checked the area to no avail; subjects GOA.
• FIRE ALARM – at 11:20 PM activation received. Dispatched Officers, Maintenance and notified SSFD. Officers’ report burnt food. SSFD advised.

Thursday, September 11 2014

• SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – 1:33 AM received a call about two males sleeping on the second floor of Case Center by the elevator. A cab was called for the two non-community members. Report made.
• PROPERTY DAMAGE AUTO ACCIDENT – at 3:18 PM received request for an Officer to take a report of a property damage accident that occurred in North Hall a day earlier. Dispatched officer. Report made.
• LARCENY FROM BUILDINGS – at 4:15 PM received report of a bicycle stolen from Kimball Basement.
• COLLEGE VIOLATION-NOISE – at 11:00 PM report of a noise complain on Dayton Drive. Dispatched Officers reported speaking with residents.

New Bikeshare Program

By Noa Maltzman Recently, in major cities across the world, bike share programs have sprung up into the public use. People rent a bike at one rack location, pedal around for a while, and simply drop it off at any bike rack in the city. As of June, Skidmore has expanded their bike share program from last year’s. Originally started in Fall 2013, bikes were checked out like library books, from the library desk. Now, individuals have a personalized pin. “Before we were relying on the library and the library hours and now people have 24 hour access to the bicycles,” said sustainability coordinator Levi Rogers.

With grant funding from the Margaret Cargill Foundation, the bike share program changed. “After our [old] program became so successful, we sought funding to expand the program, both in size and functionality,” said co coordinator of the program senior Emily Durante. Rogers explained that the old program was so successful that, “when we first launched that program the library kind of felt overwhelmed because all the bicycles were being taken out over and over again. So as soon as a bike came in, that same bike would leave.”

So from now until November (or when the snow arrives) then starting again in

late March, for any member of the Skidmore community in need of some wheels need not worry because there is a new bike program called Bikemore. “Once a user obtains a personalized PIN from the Sustainability Office, they have access to the bikes 24/7,” said Durante.

“The program is open to the entire college community, so I think it’s really cool to see faculty/staff biking to a lunch meeting or students biking downtown to explore Saratoga Springs,” Durante said.

The new bikes came from a Rhode Island company called On Bike. Unlike the old ones, these new bikes are designed for bike share programs and are very durable. The old bikes were donated by Bikeatoga and, because used, they required lots of maintenance and repair.

Currently the only bike share rack is located outside the library. However, it is likely the bike share program will grow to include the larger Saratoga Springs community. Durante talked about how, “over the summer, the City of Saratoga Springs launched a pilot bike share program that went incredibly well, so the prospect of a city-wide bike sharing program is definitely on the horizon and Skidmore would naturally be involved.”

Skidmore College to observe Jewish high holy days

Skidmore College to observe Jewish high holy days

The holiest days on the Jewish religious calendar are approaching. Known in Hebrew as hayamin hanoraim—the Days of Awe—or in English as the high holy days, these holidays include the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

Religious services for both holidays will be held on the Skidmore College campus in the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater, sponsored by college’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life in conjunction with Temple Sinai, the Reform synagogue of Saratoga Springs. Rosh Hashanah services will begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, and 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25; Yom Kippur services will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and continue throughout the day on Saturday, Oct. 4, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding with a break-fast after dark, at approximately 7:30 p.m. These services will be led by Rabbis Linda Motzkin, Skidmore’s Jewish chaplain, and Jonathan Rubenstein, who together are the co-rabbis of Temple Sinai. There will also be a service for the second day of Rosh Hashanah at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at Temple Sinai, 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

All the high holy day services are free and open to the public. For further information, contact Rabbi Motzkin, lmotzkin@skidmore.edu; 580-5683.

Campus Safety Reports Aug 29-Sept 4

By Andrew Shi, Editor-in-Chief August 29

•  At 3:02 p.m. near Wiecking Hall, there was a report of a street sign being taken out of someone's vehicle. The sign was returned to the City of Saratoga
•  At 4 p.m. there was a driving complaint in the Jonsson Tower Lot. The visitor that caused the complaint was banned from campus.
•  At 9:45 p.m. there was a report of suspicious activity in the Sussman apartments. Campus Safety Officers and SSPD were dispatched.

August 30

No reportable Clery Act incidences recorded on this date.

August 31

•  At 10:16 a.m. a fire alarm was set off by burnt bacon in the Sussman apartments.
•  At 1:16 p.m. A welfare check was carried out for a student in Jonsson Tower.

September 1

•  At 2:44 a.m. the SSPD advised that two male students were causing criminal mischief and larceny of city property. One student was located in Jonsson Tower and arrested.
•  At 10 a.m. there was reported that a sexual assault had occurred on campus approximately two years ago. No further information disclosed.
•  At 2:15 p.m. there was a report of observed alcohol in a Penfield Hall room. Officer dispatched to speak with student and discard remainder.
•  At 2:56 p.m. there was a report of marijuana or incense odor coming from a room in Wait Hall. Officer dispatched.
•  At 5:08 p.m. the blue light emergency phone new the Tang Teaching Museum was activated. There was no response from the caller, and the dispatched officer found no one at the phone but noted several subjects walking in the area.
•  At 7:44 p.m. there was a report of a suspicious male sitting in a vehicle in the Tang parking lot. Officers were dispatched and the subject was identified and left campus without incident upon request.
• At 10:43 p.m. there was a report of a possible party on the third floor of Wait Hall. Dispatched officers report subjects gone on arrival.

September 2

• At 5:44 a.m. a fire alarm in the Dayton apartments was activated due to humidifier running
• At 3:19 p.m. a fire alarm in the Sussman apartments was activated due to cooking.
• At 9:07 p.m. there was a report of a suspicious odor in Jonsson Tower. Call unfounded.
• At 9:19 p.m. there was a report of a suspicious odor in Wait Hall. Odor unfounded.
• At 10:43 p.m. There was a report of a suspicious odor in Jonsson Tower. Odor due to incense.

September 3

• At 12:56 p.m. a fire alarm in the Sussman Apartments was set off due to cooking.
• At 8:46 p.m. a call was made requesting a welfare check on a student. Officers dispatched and found student in the Zankel Music Building. Student okay.
• At 8:43 p.m. a call was made requesting assistance in locating off-campus housemate. Housemate located.

September 4

•  At 2:41 a.m. an emergency phone was activated in the Arts Quad A. Officers dispatched but found no one in the area.
•  At 10:26 a.m. the SSPD called requesting assistance in locating a missing person off-campus. Officers assisted but no one located.
•  At 3:23 p.m. a fire alarm in the Cane apartments was activated due to cooking.
•  At 3:20 p.m. a student found a dent in their vehicle hood. Officer dispatched, took photographs and report.
•  At 4:13p.m. a fire alarm in the Sussman apartments was activated due to cooking.
•  At 5:50 p.m. a fire alarm in the Sussman apartments was activated to due cooking, again.

Campus Safety Report: April 18 to 24

Posted by Julia Leef '14

Incidents of Note:

• Sunday, April 20-Suspicious Activity: Officers reported at 6:19 p.m. finding 10 students on the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater roof. Students were asked to leave and complied. 
• Tuesday, April 22-Campus Safety Assist: Report received at 3:29 p.m. of a suspicious male carrying a rifle and getting into a vehicle by the Zankel Music building. Dispatched officers identified the subject as a professor and that the weapon was a prop for a play.
• Thursday, April 24-Criminal Mischief: Reporting person was in the Campus Safety office at 8:54 a.m. stating that person(s) unknown have hit the new directional sign post at the main North Broadway entrance on Perimeter Road, breaking it. Dispatched officer who took photos and made the report. Maintenance will replace the post.

Further Incidents:

Friday, April 18:

• College Violation: A loud argument was reported at 12:45 p.m. on the second floor of Jonsson Tower. Officers dispersed the parties.
• Moving Violations: The reporting person issued a moving violation at 2:46 p.m. on Perimeter Road.

Saturday, April 19:

• College Violation: Loud music and chanting reported at 12:33 a.m. at 7 Dayton Drive. Officers dispersed the people, who cleared out after a second call an hour later.
• Criminal Mischief: A hole reported at 1:18 a.m. in the wall on the third floor of a stairwell in Kimball Hall. Report taken.
• Criminal Mischief: Unknown persons observed at 1:47 a.m. setting off a fire extinguisher outside of Wiecking Hall. Report taken.
• Criminal Mischief: A broken window reported at 7:18 a.m. in the north stairwell on the first floor of Wilmarth Hall. Report taken.
• Criminal Mischief: Damage reported at 8:41 a.m. to a vehicle in West Lot. Report taken. The Saratoga Springs Police Department advised.
• Liquor Law Violation: A liquor law violation reported at 9:14 p.m. on the second floor of Wiecking Hall. Report taken. Alcohol violation referral.

Sunday, April 20:

• Fire Alarm: A fire alarm reported at 12:28 a.m. in the Sussman Apartments B. Alarm was due to cooking.
• College Violation: Loud music reported at 1:14 a.m. at Whitman Way. Students agreed to lower the music.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 2:07 a.m. at Kimball Hall. Criminal mischief found and report taken.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 9:22 p.m. at the Sussman Apartments H. Alarm was due to cooking.

Monday, April 21:

• Criminal Mischief: Damage reported at 8:41 a.m. to the exit light in the hallway of the ground floor of Case Center. Dispatched officer documented the damage and issued a report.
• Suspicious Odor: Report received at 10:06 a.m. of a burning plastic odor in Admissions. Dispatched officer and maintenance. Odor determined to be caused by dust on wires. Report issued. Dust removed.
• Suspicious Odor: An odor of marijuana reported at 1:12 p.m. in Wiecking Hall. Officer dispatched reported that the call was unfounded. No marijuana odor was detected.

Tuesday, April 22:

• College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 1:39 a.m. causing a disturbance to an apartment complex at Moore Way. Officer was dispatched. Residents lowered the volume upon request.
• Graffiti: Officer reported graffiti at 6:47 a.m. on the wall in the Starbuck Center staircase.
• Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 11:24 p.m. on the third floor of Penfield Hall. Dispatched officer canvassed the area with negative results.

Wednesday, April 23:

• Suspicious Odor: Reporting person called at 10:48 a.m. to state that there was a sulfur odor on the first floor of Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officer and maintenance.  Officer reported that the odor had dissipated and could not find any problems or the cause.
• Fire Alarm: Fire alarm sounded at 11:43 a.m. for the Sussman Apartments L. Dispatched all officers, maintenance and advised the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Alarm was due to burnt food.
• Graffiti: Reporting person stated at 12:06 p.m. that there was graffiti on the sidewalk behind the Sussman Apartments B. Dispatched officer who took photos of the writing. No known witnesses at the time.
• Accident: Reporting person stated at 4:13 p.m. that she would like to file a report due to an injury sustained during dress rehearsal at the Dance Theater. Dispatched officer. The reporting person sought medical attention via Health Services. Accident report filed.

Thursday, April 24:

• Larceny: Reporting person stated at 10:05 a.m. that person(s) unknown have taken 10 of the black seat cushions measuring 2'x2' from the Wilson Chapel. Dispatched officer.
• Property Damage Auto Accident: Reporting person in the Campus Safety office at 7:32 p.m. stated that she struck a vehicle while attempting to park in the West Lot. Dispatched officer.
• College Violation: A noise complaint reported at 11:14 p.m. at a North Woods apartment complex. Dispatched officers located a small gathering and requested that the noise be kept down. Group dispersed.

Task Force Assembled to Lead the College To Divestment

Posted by Danny Graugnard

A couple of months ago, the student body as well as general members of the College had been debating, discussing, and demanding that Skidmore College should divest from companies that do not appeal to the College's expectations and philosophies of sustainability.

In order to finally move forward in the process of divestment, the college has assembled a task force composed of three faculty members, three staff members, three students, and one trustee, all who have been carefully put through various willingness-to-serve processes and have their own respective constituency groups.

The task force will proceed to attain divestment in two focused phases detailed in the president's charge to the task force.

Phase I will be primarily research and brainstorming. The task force will be exploring what divestment means. "The purpose of this initial inquiry is to understand what this call for divestment is intended to accomplish in advancing the goals of sustainability and responsible operations." The task force will be researching what other similar colleges and universities have done regarding the issue of divestment, such as Middlebury or Colby. The task force is expected to complete the first phase by the end of the academic year.

Phase II focuses on taking all of this information and determining how divestment will affect the College's endowment, annual budget, financial aid, and other areas. Phase II is expected to be completed by the end of January 2015. 

Grant from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Supports Skidmore's New Visual Communication Program

 Skidmore College has received a grant of $750,000 from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for "Project VIS," an initiative to advance strategic, pedagogical, and liberal learning goals in the area of visual literacy and communication.

Project VIS will help expand and focus Skidmore's efforts to help students both create images that can effectively communicate their thoughts and evaluate critically the complex meanings embedded in images. The college believes these proficiencies are fundamental to critical thinking and responsible citizenship in the 21st century. John Anzalone, professor of French and Class of 1948 Professor for Excellence in Teaching, will oversee the grant's implementation.

The Andrew Mellon Foundation grant will support the creation of three innovative, integrative, and complementary teaching and learning initiatives. The John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative will be an interdisciplinary center where the stories of human life are translated into documentary forms. Activities within the Moore Center will include courses, exploration of the contemporary and historical life of Saratoga County and Skidmore College, and a summer "Storytellers' Institute" that will afford students the opportunity for an intense and focused period of documentary study with faculty members and outside experts. A new interdisciplinary academic minor in Media and Film Studies explores the function and structure of written, aural, and visual communication systems, while a Visualization Forum will both overlap and reach beyond the network of faculty involved in the Moore Collaborative and the new minor to enhance, increase, and diversify the number of coached visual projects across the curriculum.

The awarding of this grant represents "a wonderful endorsement of Skidmore as a college on the cutting edge of liberal education," said Skidmore President Philip A. Glotzbach. "The focus on visual communication is critical, considering the growing ubiquity of images in our lives and students' consequent need to achieve a more sophisticated understanding of visual communication and all that it entails for our society."

Funds from the grant will support two postdoctoral positions. One, in Media and Film Studies, will engage students in the theoretical, aesthetic, cultural, and practical aspects of the discipline. The other, in Visualization Technologies, will complement existing Skidmore faculty expertise. The grant will also support workshops, residencies, a speaker series, and community partnerships.

The Moore Collaborative is being launched with support from John B. Moore, son of Skidmore's second president, Henry T. Moore; John's wife Bettina Towne Moore, Skidmore Class of 1941; and Bettina's son and daughter-in-law James and Sue Towne. 

Project VIS complements, and is an intentional outgrowth of, the pedagogical work, funded with an endowment challenge grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, associated with Skidmore's Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery. Borrowing from the Tang's Mellon Seminar model of faculty engagement, with this grant Skidmore intends to create a cohort of faculty with growing expertise in visualization techniques and technologies by offering support for the development of pilot courses that especially foreground visual literacy.

"I, Too, Am Skidmore" Aims to Express Individual Experiences On Predominantly White Campus

Posted by Danny Graugnard

"I, Too, Am Skidmore" is a campaign organized by a group of students in order to express voices of students of color and the experiences they've had on Skidmore's not-so diverse campus. The campaign is seeking to collect written opinions and experiences from both students and faculty.

Their mission statement reads: "As people of color our voices and experiences are all too often silenced. Our presence here is questioned. This campaign centers our voices and sheds light on our myriad experiences on Skidmore's predominantly white campus. We are here. Our voices matter. We, too, are Skidmore." Anyone interested may submit a piece of writing that can be an anecdote or opinion regarding their own personal experiences as minorities on campus.

The campaign has also launched a petition on change.org. The petition itself has made very specific demands about the College's curriculum, requirements, and more.

"We demand that Skidmore invest in an Ethnic Studies Department that focuses on the transnational experiences, cultures, histories of colonized and exploited groups around the world including, but not limited to African American, Caribbean American, Arab American, Indigenous, Latin, and Asian Pacific American courses. We demand that the courses in this department be taught by faculty of color."

Overall, the petition demands that topics such as race, ethnicity, and racial micro-aggressions, should be included in the curriculum in some form for the purpose of raising awareness of the presence of diversity in the College. At the moment, the petition, which requires at least 300 signatures, has reached more than 150 signatures. 

Campus Safety Reports: April 11 to 17

Incidents of Note:
? Friday, April 11-Intoxicated Subject: Report received at 12:08 a.m. of three possibly intoxicated prospective students. Two of the students were located and escorted to their proper temporary residences. No medical attention necessary. Report issued.
? Monday, April 14-Accident: Reporting person stated at 12:15 p.m. that he struck a student with his car in the Sussman Village. The student was not seriously injured and left the scene hastily.
? Monday, April 14-Criminal Mischief: Reporting person stated at 7:50 p.m. that person(s) unknown had thrown a rock through his window in McClellan Hall. Dispatched officers who recorded the damage. Report issued.

Further Incidents:

Friday, April 11:
? College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:18 a.m. at Moore Way. Dispatched officers reported that residents lowered the volume upon request.
? College Violation: A large disruptive group was reported at 12:25 a.m. outside of the Sussman Apartments. Officers reported that the crowd had dispersed prior to their arrival.
? College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 12:30 a.m. at Dayton Drive. Officers dispatched reported that the occupants lowered the volume upon request.
? Drug Law Violation: Loud music and a suspicious odor reported at 12:30 a.m. at Wait Hall. Officer dispatched advised of a drug law violation. Report issued.
? Fire Alarm: Fire alarm activation received at 4:35 a.m. in Wilmarth Hall. All officers, maintenance and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department were notified to respond. Officers reported finding a faulty smoke head.
? Campus Safety Assist: A neighborhood complaint received at 8:30 p.m. of a disruptive party at a Skidmore-rented house. Police advised.

Saturday, April 12:
? Criminal Mischief: Report received at 1:44 a.m. that unknown subjects had thrown food on the stairwell in Penfield Hall. Officer was dispatched and the damage was recorded.
? College Violation: Loud music reported at 10:24 p.m. at Moore Way. Officer dispatched reported not detecting any noise.
? Campus Safety Assist: A neighborhood complaint received at 2:02 p.m. for excessive noise from an event at Case Center. Organizers were notified.
? Drug Law Violation: Officer detected drug use at 2:58 p.m. near Haupt Pond in violation of the New York State drug law and Campus policy. A marijuana pipe was confiscated with a report.

Sunday, April 13:
? College Violation: A noise complaint received at midnight in Kimball Hall. Officer reported that the complaint was unfounded at the time.
? Criminal Mischief: An empty vending machine with shattered glass reported at 7:07 a.m. in the Howe/Rounds lobby. Report issued.
? Criminal Mischief: Report received at 7:19 a.m. of a hole kicked in the wall at Wilmarth Hall. Officer dispatched recorded the damage and issued a report.
? Criminal Mischief: A discharged fire extinguisher reported at 8:21 a.m. in the basement of Penfield Hall. Report issued.
? Criminal Mischief: Criminal mischief reported at 7:39 p.m. in West Lot. Officer dispatched recorded the damage and issued a report.

Monday, April 14:
? College Violation: Noise complaint received at 12:03 a.m. at Whitman Way. Officers reported that residents lowered the volume of voices upon request.
? College Violation: Excessive noise reported at 10:50 a.m. at Moore Way. Officer dispatched reported being unable to detect any noise in the area.
? Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 10:08 p.m. in Jonsson Tower. Dispatched officers reported that the odor had dissipated prior to their arrival. Subjects were gone on arrival.

Tuesday, April 15:
? Campus Safety Assist: Assistance requested at 5:02 p.m. with a welfare check in the Sussman Village. Dispatched officer located the subject and provided assistance. Report issued.

Wednesday, April 16:
? College Violation: Noise complaint received at 12:26 a.m. in Wait Hall. Officers who were dispatched reported that the residents lowered the volume upon request.
? Suspicious Odor: A suspicious odor reported at 9:08 p.m. in the Barrett Center. Dispatched officers reported that subjects fled the area upon their arrival. An odor of marijuana was detected.

Thursday, April 17:
? Suspicious Activity: A man on a motorcycle was reported at 4:09 a.m. conducting suspicious activity at the Zankel Music Center. The person was identified and no suspicious activity noted.
? College Violation: A loud noise was reported at 11:28 p.m. on the third floor of Wiecking Hall. Dispatched officers reported locating a loud noise on the second floor and that the subjects dispersed from the

Campus Safety Statistics Report 2013

Posted by Compiled David Goroff

A compilation of all the Campus Safety Reports from the year 2013.

Spring Round II Election results are in

The results for the Spring Round II Elections were emailed to students Friday morning. A total of 275 votes were cast in this election, approximately half of those cast for the first round. Here are the results:

Vice President For Communications and Outreach: Lyssa Jackson '16

Senators-at-Large:  

Julia Elstein '17

Orr Genish '17

Justin Ho '16

Luca Mobilia '17

Wenting "Lexi" Pan '16

Alex Salerno '16

Emma Starr  '16

Student Entertainment Committee (SEC) Chair: Jeff Sadueste '15

Late Night Committee Chair: Musa Komeh '15

Speakers Bureau Chair: Hope Spector '15

Traditions Committee Chair: Lauren Scauzzo '15

Senior Class Social Chair: Jarred Green

Sophomore Class Secretary: Leah Schwaikert

Student Life Delegate: Meg Caccavale '16

SGA Constitutional Changes for ??'Club Affairs Committee Policies and Procedures,' 'Establish a Residential Life Seat on Senate' and 'Late Night Committee Change' were also Approved.

Several positions still remain open, including VP for Diversity Affairs. Students interested in filling these positions can go through Willingess-to-Serve and should contact Madeliene Kanazawa at mkanazaw@skidmore.edu.