Candidates speak at SGA Speech Night: Students running for open positions campaign to students at large [Updated with results]

Posted by Andrew Shi

On Wednesday night nearly 80 students attended the presentation of speeches for the Student Government Association elections in the Spa from 6- 8 p.m. A live feed allowed those in the dining hall to also watch. Ten first year students ran for the open offices for the class of 2015, while six junior candidates presented their platforms as well. Speeches were limited to three minutes and candidates were asked to avoid mentioning opponents. Each session of speeches was followed up by a Q &A with the audience.

First years Jarred Green, Liliana Riveraand Tobi Ewing are all running for class social chair. The candidates spoke of their past experiences in government, and emphasized the importance of disseminating information and organizing new events on campus, as well as raising funds to support said events.

Nile Nair '15 and Rebecca Shesser '15 are both seeking the position of class treasurer. Nair said that he would not be "limited to bureaucracy and monetary restrictions" and would do what was in his power to fund events that the student body wanted. Shesser offered ideas as to how she would raise money, including sports and game tournaments that would have a participatory fee.

Vice president candidates are Nikhita Winkler '15 and Noam Yossefy '15. Winkler said that as vice president she would, through planned events, "foster class community" and "create an environment to accept and respect one another." Yossefy said that she would improve existing first year orientations and housing questionnaires for future classes and also reform the tutoring system.

Soraya Attia '15, Chantal Moore '15 and Allan Brown '15 are all vying for class president. Attia focused her platform on issues concerning dorm wireless, limited library hours and a flawed point penal system, while Brown spoke about designating rooms to bands and musicians, fundraisers through raffles and t-shirts and adapting the dining hall projector to "show popular shows and movies," in addition to the sports it now commonly airs.

Moore introduced herself as someone with "the ability to understand diversity" and, hence, would not be "subject to one voice, one group, one idea." All three candidates emphasized the importance of advertising new events throughout the year.

Once the first year speeches ended, the unopposed Class Secretary Julia Hutson '13, through her proxy Evan Friedler '13, pronounced her determination to organize more Junior sponsored events.

Also unopposed was Will Wygal '13, who is seeking class social chair. He emphasized his openness to new ideas and his desire "to promote school music talent." He also spoke about bringing novel themes to the Junior Ring, such as Mad Men.

Four candidates, Skylar Sasson '12, William Heidepriem-Baird '14, Stephen Yell '13 and Luke Conley '14, are running for the two open seats of senator at large.

Heidepriem-Baird cited his work at the U.S Senate where he was able to examine the mechanics of the Senate, which, according to him, "ignited [his] passion for change." At the forefront of his concerns is Skidmore's "carbon footprint... and environmental sustainability." One step Heidepriem-Baird offered to mitigate this issue was to replace facility bathroom hand towels with hand dryers.

Yell's spoke about his desire to create a union of bands. This union is something he and other band members have already conceptualized and are mobilizing to create.

Conley, meanwhile, stated that the campus, especially Case Center, should be offered as canvases for student aesthetic creation, which will liven up the school.

Lastly Sasson, a veteran of student government, having been active since the sixth grade, promised to achieve what she could by "working within the system." One point she made was to boost the budget for Northwoods and Scribner Houses.

For the first year senator position vied the unopposed Ben Polsky '15. Polsky, who sees Freshmen especially as "Guinea Pigs," promised to "poll classmates about newly implemented policies," to see what worked well.

Eva Frieden '15 is running unopposed for Jonsson Tower vice president. She said that she would organize events for her dorm and pointed out that she had already "implemented on her floor an opinion board."

The last speech of the night was delivered on behalf of unopposed Sean O'Brien '13 for Scribner Village senator. O'Brien says that as senator he would promote more artwork for Scribner's bare walls and to ascertain for the Village "softer toilet paper and block parties."

SGA voting will be open Thursday the 22 from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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Election Results:

Voters: 813 in this election

Class of 2015 President:

Soraya Attia

Class of 2015 Social Chair:

Jarred Green

Class of 2015 Treasurer:

Nile Nair

Class of 2015 Vice President:

Noam Yossefy

Do you agree to the following changes to the SGA Constitution?:

Agree

Do you agree with the following changes to the SGA Constitution?:

Agree

First Year Senator:

Ben Polsky

Jonsson Tower Vice President:

Eva Frieden

Junior Class Secretary:

Julia Hutson

Junior Class Social Chair:

Will Wygal

Scribner Village Senator:

Sean O'brien

Senator At Large:

Skylar Sasson

Luke Conley

Editorial: Ambiguity and uncertainty in the new AOD policy

Posted by the Editorial Board

Hardly anyone aware of the troubles that our college faced last year by way of substance abuse could be surprised in seeing a noticeably harsher Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) policy this fall. Last October, the tongue-in-cheek title of Moorebid Ball was gravely apropos, setting the tone for an academic year that would see increased incidents of disorder and vandalism; the sort of abuses that only certain "substances" can generate.

As it happens, the administration actually began the process of AOD revision a full year earlier than the aforementioned events took place. But it is safe to assume that had there not already a revision in process, Moorebid's torrent of hospitalizations and the $40,000 worth of property repair would have sparked one anyway. So setting the question of origins on one side, we are left to pick apart the brand new, five-tier, "point-based" AOD policy – a document which has already angered enough students for college authorities to schedule a public discussion on the matter for the first week of October.

Much of the present debate over this significant alteration to our college's disciplinary code has centered on the new "association" rule included in the first tier of violations. Among the offenses of Level I – old standards such as "open container" and "underage possession of alcohol" – there lies an innovation: students simply in the presence of alcohol are to be penalized, after a courtesy free pass for the first offense. There, in print, we are told that a student who is not drinking, but only within range of those who are, can accumulate fines and heavy sanctions if written up more than once.

This clause is not only superfluous but also irrational. First, if we are to understand the rule's purpose as a way to account for those drunken, disorderly students who nonetheless carry no trace of intoxicants, there is already a Level II violation that authorizes Campus Safety to write up such individuals – a violation labeled "public intoxication/disorderly conduct." For what reason should our new code contain a statute to potentially penalize students who are neither in possession of alcohol nor causing any trouble?

Pressing this question further, what about those students who choose to act as designated driver, or walk inebriated friends home safely? What about those who, relying on the college amnesty policy, call an emergency in to campus safety? Choices of this kind are rightly preached to us as responsible, and realistically they are made more than just once in a lifetime, as the new policy would limit. Now these choices would entail a Level I violation and we are faced with a potential situation in which students end up penalized for not only harmless but also responsible behavior.

Both of these incarnations of the "association" problem hinge on the separate but related question of Campus Safety's enforcement of the new code. Legislation is one thing, and execution another; what is the enforcement policy concerning these new rules? Realistically, if Campus Safety were to break up, say, a Scribner apartment party, the obvious impracticality of collecting every student, most of whom slip out the back of the house within seconds, dictates how closely officers could enforce the code in that case.

But when it comes to busting parties held in dorm rooms with no back door escape route, will Campus Safety lock every person inside the room and proceed to take names? Operating off of this harsher and more pervasive legislation, it would seem as though anything but that kind of thorough round up would be plain negligence on the part of the officers.

Further clarification on enforcement, then, is essential to form a coherent picture of what campus will look like under this new policy. The language of the document, highlighting the use of "discretion" on the part of the authorities, is far too vague.

The topic of discretion leads finally to the looming question of appeals. After sifting through the above issues that arise from the policy's text, one notices the text that is glaringly absent: any mention of the Integrity Board appeal system and how this new code would impact it.

The appellate process for disciplinary matters is of course located in the Student Handbook and stands on its own, but the new AOD policy remains incomplete without an articulation of how that process is affected. There is a clause that allows additional points to be assigned to any case, through the administration's discretion, but no corollary where points my be subtracted on account of amnesty or lenience. This door should swing both ways.

Without a doubt our college will be engaging in this discussion for months to come, but before any reasonable dialogue can happen it is up to the administrators to provide everyone with a clearly articulated policy. Right now, there are too many contradictions and foggy principles to soberly assess the new AOD code.

Thoroughbreds fall to Cazenovia, 1-0

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College men's soccer team suffered a 1-0 loss to Cazenovia in Tuesday night's non-league matchup at Wachenheim Field.

The Thoroughbreds fall to 4-4, while the Wildcats improve to 3-4.

The game's lone goal came in the 26th minute when Tim Hartill '13 blasted a free kick from outside the box and got it past Skidmore keeper Ben Harwick to make it 1-0.

The Thoroughbreds' best opportunity came early in the second half on a penalty kick from Diego Reinero '12 where Cazenovia goalie Riley Battaglini made a diving save to keep the Wildcats in the lead. Skidmore had the ball in the offensive zone late but was unable to capitalize as Cazenovia held on for the win.

Harwick made two saves on three shots for the Thoroughbreds, and Sam Cimino finished with one save, playing the final 6:36 of the first half.

Skidmore returns to action on Saturday for a Liberty League contest at St. Lawrence.

Skidmore Athletics

The Hindustani melodies of Professor Veena Chandra: Chandra and son Devesh entrance in Zankel Music Center

Posted by Dale Obbie

On Sept. 10 the College's sitar instructor Veena Chandra performed in the Arthur Zankel Music Center's Ladd Hall with her son Devesh accompanying her on the tabla hand drums.

Chandra began the concert by playing a long improvisation on the sitar. Known as the alap, this section serves to introduce the melodic material of the raga. Note by note Chandra painstakingly developed the Bageshri raga, a musical mode. She gave each tone in the scale its due attention and often bending the strings of the sitar to color the sound of the raga with microtonal notes.

This introductory section continued for nearly an hour before Devesh started to play. Once he did, the hypnotic alap gave way to a much livelier section of the raga, brought to life by his inhumanly fast yet impeccably precise drumming patterns. Chandra built upon Devesh's drumming with her sitar improvisations, weaving in and out of the pre-composed melody or "hook" of the song. She said that they chose to play Raga Bageshri because "it is a night melody that is very melodious and supposed to be romantic [and] because it was one of my father's favorite ragas."

For their second piece — which began an hour and twenty minutes into the concert — Chandra and Devesh chose to play a medley of different ragas, stringing them together and flowing seamlessly from one to the next. Every raga is associated with a different time of day, so by playing a medley, they were able to "incorporate some ragas that are rarely heard."

What was most impressive about this concept was that Chandra had not planned which ragas she was going to play before beginning the piece. "I had some idea of which ragas I wanted to get into and what ends up happening in this process is that other ragas come to you and inspire you to play them," she said.

"It is like going to a garden and picking out flowers. You know you want to pick flowers and as you go there you just pick and decide how many and of what variety. It ends up taking its own shape and form."

Professor Chandra, who has been playing sitar for 55 years, said that music has always been a part of her life. "I started my formal training with my father when I was 12, but I have had access to it since I was a baby. He introduced me to music — he played sitar, flute, tabla, harmonium, banjo, etc."

Likewise, Devesh also grew up with music. "People would come for lessons and he would be there sitting. We have always had music in the house. Also, I would take him everywhere to concerts, performances and workshops. I have pictures of him playing at two years old," Chandra said.

Despite the highly technical nature of Hindustani music, Chandra said that it can be appreciated in a purely emotional way.

"One can feel the vibrations of the sitar in the audience. Ragas and these vibrations have been derived from nature. They are connected to our souls. My dog goes into a trance when we play. This is a dip into the sea of music, so understanding formal elements helps, but dipping into the sea with a clear soul is what is important."

Despite competition, Green Mountain coffee remains popular with students: Eco-friendly McCullagh tries to unseat the longstanding retailer to no avail

Posted by Adrian Appleman

On Wednesday Sept. 7, McCullagh Coffee set up shop in the Atrium of the Murray-Aikins dining hall, handing out free samples of its product to students. Only a few feet away stood jugs of Green Mountain Coffee, which has been the campus caffeine authority for approximately eight years. After tasting the visiting brand, students then filled out surveys to gauge whether or not the school might see Green Mountain coffee replaced.

The overwhelming response, according to Sharon Foley, supervisor of retail operations for dining services, was that students loved the sustainable packaging of McCullagh, but that Green Mountain was the better coffee.

"It's a better, stronger tasting coffee," said Bill Canney, director of dining services. "Even Sharon, who doesn't drink coffee, thought so."

McCullagh Coffee, centered in Buffalo, came to the college promoting its sustainable "Ecoverde Coffee," which is Rainforest Alliance and Free Trade certified. The representative also showed the students the company's new compostable coffee packaging, which worked as a selling point for most students.

However, as only two blends of the brand's coffee offer this certification, not all of them met the criteria to which students responded so positively.

"We simply want to know what's out there," Foley said. McCullagh Coffee went through a preliminary taste testing over the summer in The Spa and received a response justifying another test when the campus was in full swing.

"We looked to see what they have to offer, but our clientele love Green Mountain," Foley said, before adding, "We listen."

Green Mountain coffee has had a longstanding relationship with the college and is well known for its environmentally conscious initiatives. Its "Newman's Own Coffee" is packaged in renewable material, it distributes using trucks running on bio-deisel fuel and it has a much more substantial selection of Fair Trade Certified and Organic products. Green Mountain calls their approach, "Brewing a Better World."

Students do not hesitate to praise the current provider. "There's no comparison," said Elizabeth Hopkins '15. Sarabelle Wrigley '15 shared similar sentiments. "I really like it. It's a lot better than Starbucks."

Last year, an estimated 23,005 cups of freshly brewed Green Mountain coffee were purchased and consumed by various members of the college community. This number, which does not take into account the thousands of cups consumed at the dining hall, at catered events or the Frappuccinos purchased from dining service retail locations, illustrates why coffee quality and availability is a main concern for Dining Services.

"All things considered, I would double our retail numbers and say we're close to 50,000 cups of coffee per year, easily," Canney said. "That's a lot of coffee."

"It's perfectly acceptable," Lyle Reed '12 said. "I like coffee that is locally-sourced. However, I do associate the brand with gas station coffee. Not that there's anything wrong with that," he added as an afterthought.

In light of the prevalent coffee-consuming culture on campus, Dining Services has addressed all the comments about the year old Library Cafe's deficiencies. It now offers freshly brewed Green Mountain Coffee, in lieu of the environmentally ques-tionable K-cups, along with a whole new array of snacks, sandwiches and fruits.

Also, the hours have been altered to better accommodate campus studying habits, opening from 9 a.m.- noon, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.- 12 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.- noon. on Fridays, and 8 p.m.- 12 a.m. on Sundays and daily spe-cials are now offered to give more variety on a regular basis.

Soon, all the campus Dining Services retail outlets will also have a napkin suggestion board, just like the one in the Dining Hall, so that concerns and complaints can be more effectively addressed in a time-efficient manner.

"My main thrust this year," said Canney, "is to get Skidmore students, faculty and staff drinking their coffee out of reusable mugs."

Any coffee purchased in a reusable mug, regardless of the size, will be charged as if it were a small coffee. This is to help promote environmentally sound coffee consumption, as well as distribution, which is a high priority of dining services.

Taking a nod from the coffee makers, the dining services is also offering many more perks. "Samplings have seemed to become part of our mantra this year," Canney said. Every day from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Spa is offering free samples of its new selection of signature sandwiches and salads.

Along with this, more tastings, much like the McCullagh Coffee display and the Naked Juice Company samplings last Wednesday, are scheduled to take place on Wednesdays throughout the semester. Next week, PepsiCo will be providing free samples, followed the week after by Tasty Bite, which offers ready-to-eat meals that require no cooking.

As for Skidmore's coffee brand, the college house blend is still Green Mountain Coffee. "We have a good working relationship with Green Mountain Coffee," said Canney, "and the brand provides us with the product we need. It's packed-in with variety, and it's eco-friendly. Most importantly, you guys like it. We listen, and you guys are our primary customer."

Grant family confirms toxicology report: Young man's death was not caused by any use of narcotics

Posted by Rebecca Orbach

Earlier today the family of Alexander Grant – the 19-year-old Boston College student found dead in Putnam Creek earlier this year – released a statement confirming that, according to the final autopsy and toxicology report, Grant was not on any narcotics the night he died.

On March 5 Grant attended a party at 146 Church Street while visiting friends at Skidmore College. Reports say Grant was last seen at the party at 11:30 p.m., about an hour before the Saratoga Springs Police Department arrived in response to a noise complaint.

Grant was found dead in Putnam Creek on March 8.

Video surveillance footage taken at 1:15 a.m. inside a medical office building at 3 Care Lane shows Grant breaking in through a small window and cutting his Achilles tendon on the glass on his way inside.

He appeared to be disoriented at the time of the break in, wearing only a t-shirt, boxer shorts and one sock. After spending a short time in the building he left through the front door.

His body was found in the creek only a few hundred yards away from the medical facility.

Officials had hoped the toxicology report would shed some light on Grant's behavior the night of his death, but now, six months later, his friends and family are still without answers.

"…The autopsy results fail to answer key questions as to how the young man we loved so much could have sustained the state of disorientation that characterized his last few hours on this earth," his family said in a letter to the Saratoga Springs Police Department.

The statement went on to thank SSPD for its dedication to the search for their son and also thanked the Medical Examiner and the District Attorney, Jim Murphy III.

"It is our impression that extra recourses and focus were required on their part to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the report, and we want them to know we are grateful for these exertions," the letter said.

Despite the Grant family's gratitude, they also expressed their frustration with the lack of information made available to them regarding their son's death. "We remain disappointed and disheartened that some of the people involved in this tragedy have not come forward with the information necessary for us to understand what happened to Alex on the night of March 5, 2011," they said in their letter.

They ask that anyone who may have information about Grant's last night come forward to either them or SSPD.

Lieutentant Veitch of SSPD said that although SSPD has the toxicology report, they are not yet ready to comment on it.

Since Grant's passing the family has established the Alexander Maxwell Grant Foundation to advance "the deep philosophy and spirit" of Grant, a pianist and cellist. A 5K run next month at Boston College will benefit the organization, which can be found online at alexgrant.org.

Stories I Never Quite Finished, Part 2

Posted by Kevin Kerrane

To refresh your memory on the first story I never quite finished, click here.

I have tried writing fiction – everything from vignettes to the great American novel. But I have – fortunately, perhaps – been found lacking. This article is one in a series of several stories, of one type or another, that I never quite finished – usually because I had neither the energy nor the heart to do so. After each story a short criticism follows. The criticism is offered to me, but of course you may profit from it too.

You may notice, incidentally, that in some cases the criticism is longer than the actual story reprint. This conclusively proves what has been a major contention of mine for some time now: namely that critics make things grow. How? I think that any farmer knows what makes things grow.

---

I wrote the second story that I never finished when I was 14-1/2. It purports to be a detective novel, and its title is Sex, Murder, Violence and You Know What – A Shell Steel Mystery.

"I inadvertently pressed my left elbow against my left shoulder, and felt the slight bulge of the M-1 beneath my magenta sport coat. I lit a Lucky Strike, and then watched the match burn slowly down to my fingers. It hurt, but I could take it. My name's Shell Steel. I'm an ex-Marine. I'm tougher than a 10-cent steak. So watch out.

"While I was pondering this (and watching my fingers burn slowly down to my palm), I happened to look at the knees of my baggy pants. There, in the shiny reflection of my leather knee patches. I saw a man standing in front of me. He had a .22 caliber Browning semi-automatic rifle ($69.50 retail) pointed directly at my right eyebrow.

"I took a long drag off of my Lucky. ‘Hi,' I said. Then very deftly, I…"

Criticism

It must be noted in passing that the constant emphasis on detail promotes even more vividness than before, though the dialogue is a little weak. There is, in the first sentence, possible ignorance of biology shown. This piece shows the writer's obvious desire at 14 to be a gun-toting, deft, one-fisted detective (and/or Marine), and a cigarette smoker (the only ambition which has since materialized).

There seems to be a mercenary aspect to the writer's character. He has progressed to the use of the first person, though, and a certain element of suspense is present. But let's face it–there's something wrong with the darn thing!

Come back next week to peruse my attempted drama.

Details announced for second Kenneth A. Freirich Business Plan Competition: The best business plan wins big prize in funds and business services

Posted by Julia Leef

Preparations have begun for the second Kenneth A. Freirich Business Plan Competition, open to all enrolled students of any year or major. The competition offers at least $25,000 in cash and business services for the students who write the best business plans.

"I am really excited for the 2011-12 competition," said Freirich, a member of the class of 1990 and current president of Health Monitor Network, for whom the competition is named.

Freirich, who started his own business as a sophomore, began this competition when he returned to the college as its first Entrepreneur in Residence. "Last year was amazing. I got inspired by the incredible creativity, growth and learning that took place with all of the student teams that entered the competition, regardless of how they fared."

Last year the prizes for the winners totaled $17,500 and were distributed between the first, second, and third place teams. Trevor Mengel '11 and Samuel Brown '12, who took first place, used their winnings to help them develop Slingshot, which, according to ScopeOnline, is "a website interface and smartphone application that enables users to quickly join or organize pick-up games of any sort."

The success of this competition led to its renewed sponsor by Freirich along with alterations that allow for broader participation among students.

"We want to see more submissions from students who are majoring in departments outside of Management and Business," said Tim Harper, chair of Management and Business. "We want to encourage creative students in all fields to develop their entrepreneurial potential."

Students will have four months to develop their plans, and must submit them by Jan. 25. In order to help students along, Roy Rotheim, professor of economics and coordinator of the competition, has recruited senior students from the Skidmore-Saratoga Entrepreneurial Partnership to conduct weekly workshops, which will be mandatory for the participants.

Alumni mentors will also aid finalists, who will be announced in early February, to prepare for their final presentations on April 13. These finalists will be determined by a panel of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, accountants, lawyers, executives and members of the Department of Management and Business.

"My goal in this competition continues to be to foster entrepreneurship and create real operating businesses," Freirich said. "I don't want this to be just an academic exercise. I know this can be a life-changing experience for students."

Students may either work by themselves or in a team, and the prizes will enable students to start new businesses or to help them further develop existing ones. Students must declare their interest by October 10 through an "intent to compete" form, which will have them describe the basics of their business plan and list team members.

Students who are interested should attend an informational meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Palamountain 202. Freirich will be among those in attendance.

Racing in the streets: Skidmore's women's tennis team joins the Saratoga Palio Half Marathon

Posted by Sarah Barry

On Saturday morning at 6:20 a.m. the Skidmore women's tennis team assembled to join other volunteers for the Saratoga Springs Palio Half Marathon. The 13.1 mile race traveled through campus and ended with the final stretch down Broadway.

Natally Mendoza '13, the tennis team co-captain, was pleased with the turnout for the event."It was great to see the range of ages, from 12 to the oldest runner. There was a lot of determination, people were pushing each other and although it was individual, people were also supportive," she said.

The half marathon is titled the Saratoga Palio Melanie Merola O'Donnell Memorial Race. It honors a local resident who spent her life volunteering. The day also included a 5K, which began just after the official start of the half marathon. The races serve to honor Melanie and the causes she supported.

"I was at the water station around the 12 mile mark, so it was an intense part of the race. Everyone was really grateful for the volunteers, and it made me feel great," said Tory Engros '12, tennis team co-captain.

Thomas O'Grady age 26, of Latham, NY won the half marathon with a time of 1:11:29, and Shaun Donegan, age 25, of Saratoga Springs won the 5K with a time of 16:30. There were 830 finishers in the half marathon and 429 in the 5K. Ages ranged from 12 to 70 for the participants of the half marathon.

"The race was well run and well organized with good fan support, but it still had a small town feel," said Ben Shanks, another half marathon runner.

"It was nice running through Skidmore and seeing my friends cheering me on - that's really important for a runner," Carly Sacks '12 said.

Saturday morning offered cool but clear weather for the race and there were many families and spectators waiting in downtown Saratoga. "It was great to see so many people out there giving it their all, and to see so many people running in teams for causes," Hannah Brechka '12 said.

Coco Chanel: the woman and the legend: Professor Simon's new book reveals defiant side of Coco Chanel

Posted by Kelsey Nichols

 "Defiant people." That is what Linda Simon, associate chair and professor of the English department, reveals as her favorite subject. Her most recent book, "Coco Chanel," is a biography on the world famous fashion icon, a woman who was nothing if not defiant.

Since Simon's first book, "The Biography of Alice B. Toklas," was published in 1977, she has written about individuals celebrated more for their intellectual abilities than their fashion sense. William James and Gertrude Stein are some of her previous subjects. But the inspiration to research Chanel came suddenly and powerfully.

"One morning I just woke up and thought, whoa!, Coco Chanel would be so much fun to write about!" she said. Simon found this emblematic celebrity to have much more than just a knack for picking out the right handbag.

Born in 1883, this eventual fashion goddess was raised in a world far removed from the glamor she projected. Chanel was born an illegitimate child and experienced extreme poverty. Her father also abandoned her family when she was quite young.

Simon says that her father's abandonment led Chanel to become a lonely woman who was constantly afraid of losing everything. This was especially the case with regards to love, and Chanel used her petite and flat chested frame as a model for her clothes in order to foster some control over her life. This choice led to an epidemic of extreme dieting among women.

According to Simon, Chanel was a "bundle of contradictions" who tried to mask the loneliness she felt in her personal life by saying and doing radical things in public. However, even though Chanel may not have had the most upstanding moral character, Simon still finds intensely admirable qualities within this woman. She greatly respects Chanel's ambition and her tenaciousness.

"She really wanted something in life. She believed in her own talent and she worked very, very hard for what she got."

From Simon's initial revelation about Chanel until the publishing of the book in September 2011, the process of creating this examination of the fashionista's life took a little more than two years. Fortunately, the project was far from tedious. Simon began her research in the summer of 2009, and in the fall of the same year, she was given permission to tour and research within the Chanel Archives in Paris, France.

Simon described the experience as something that is not akin with reality. In the archives, one comes across diamond cuffs fine as lace, and the gown that Robin Wright wore to the Cannes Film Festival hangs on the door. Drape after drape of beautiful fabric rests in a way that Simon said was enormously glamorous, a compliment that Chanel would have surely reveled in. After returning from her time in France, Simon took a sabbatical to concentrate on her research and to finishing the book.

Simon admits that her complex subject has created an equally complex message for the biography. "Coco Chanel was not a nice person. I would like people to think about why they admire the people they admire and what that says about us and our needs," Simon said.

Simon's current project is a cultural history of the circus and will be her second work for Reaktion Books, a publishing house based in London.

Thoroughbreds finish second in Union Invitational

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.-- The Skidmore College volleyball team went 3-1 to finish second in the Union Invitational Tournament, Friday and Saturday.

The Thoroughbreds are off to an 8-3 start.

Skidmore dropped its first match, 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-17) to Cortland before coming back to beat Oswego 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-15), Hartwick 3-1 (25-14, 20-25, 25-22, 25-11) and Sage 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-19).

Cortland finished first in the seven-team event.

Middle hitter Corinne Palmer ‘14 made the all-tournament team after an outstanding performance.

In the Cortland match, Palmer had 12 kills, three blocks and a .571 hitting percentage. Kelley Vershbow ‘12 added nine kills, while Olivia Glassman ‘15 had six aces.

Skidmore bounced back to beat Oswego behind Glassman's double/double of 10 kills and 11 digs to go along with three aces. Setter Mallory Mendelsohn ‘13 had 36 assists, while Kylie Deutschman ‘15 added eight digs and four aces.

In the Hartwick win, Palmer had 14 kills, four blocks and a .433 hitting pct. Mendelsohn rang-up 45 assists and 14 digs, while libero Sam Friedman had 22 digs. Glassman collected another double/double with 15 kills and 16 digs.

The Thoroughbreds wrapped the tournament against Sage.

Vershbow had 10 kills, with Palmer contributing eight kills and six blocks. Glassman had nine kills and four aces, giving her 16 for the tournament.

Skidmore opens Liberty League play at home against Union College on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.

Skidmore Athletics

Plattsburgh downs Skidmore 2-0

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-- The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team broke open a tight game with two goals in the final 23 minutes on the way to a 2-0 win over Skidmore College, Saturday at Wachenheim Field.

The Thoroughbreds fall to 4-3, while the Cardinals are a perfect 6-0.

Neither team could score until Plattburgh's Pat Shaughnessy scored off a goal line scramble at 67:31 from Steve Zacharczyk. Zacharczyk made it 2-0 when he dribbled past the Thoroughbred defense from the midfield on a breakaway for an empty net goal at 74:19.

Plattsburgh outshot Skidmore 15-6. Cardinal goalie Andy Heighington had two saves, one in each half, for his third shutout of the season. Ben Harwick ‘12 had four saves over the first 67:29 for the Thoroughbreds, while Nick Peterson ‘12 had two saves over the final 22:31.

Skidmore hosts Cazenovia College on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in a non-league contest.

Skidmore Athletics

Skidmore wins Duke Nelson Tournament at Middlebury

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

MIDDLEBURY, V.T..-- Leading by four strokes after 18 holes, Skidmore fired a 292 on day two to capture the 27th Duke Nelson Tournament hosted by Middlebury College. The Thoroughbreds finished with a 588, followed by Williams (607), defending champion Rensselaer (608), Springfield (609) and Middlebury (611). There were 24 teams competing in the event.

Skidmore's Anthony DiLisio ‘13 captured medalist honors with a 72 and 70 for a two-day total of 142. Action took place on the par 71 Ralph Myhre Golf Course.

The Thoroughbreds placed all five players in the top 19 in the tournament that featured 118 players. John McCarthy ‘13 (74-72—142) was third. Garrett Colgan ‘13 (74-76—150) and Scott Pinder ‘14 (76-74—150) tied for 10th, while Zach Grossman ‘15 (77-76—153) tied for 19th.

Skidmore heads to Clarkson next weekend for the Liberty League championships.

Skidmore Athletics

Food for thought: Veganism isn't only a personal pursuit?it just might save the planet

Posted by Eva Hagan

"You ask people why they have deer heads on the wall. They always say, ‘because it's such a beautiful animal.' There you go. I think my mother's attractive, but I have photographs of her." –Ellen DeGeneres

It seems like these days we're plagued by a thousand different environmental calamities in our backyard, each asking for its own solution. And who are we to pick and choose which matter and which don't? At times I find myself so overwhelmed that all I want to do is go hide in a tent in the North Woods.

But I don't. I've decided to take a step forward in reducing my carbon footprint, one bigger than canvas shopping bags or shutting the lights off (though these are important, too!). I've chosen to reject the meat, egg, dairy, leather and wool industries and instead invest my consumer dollars elsewhere. I've chosen veganism.

In 2006, the U.N. found that the meat industry produces more greenhouse gases than all of the transportation industry combined. Cattle are, in fact, the largest source of methane emissions, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide — something certainly not helped by the largely corn-based diet we insist on feeding cows in this country.

Beyond greenhouse gases, the runoff from livestock yards and other industries presents a large problem for water quality. Manure from meat and dairy cows contains nitrates, phosphates, antibiotics and other unpleasant things, which affects water quality in a variety of different ways such as algal blooms, which can cause eutrophication and essentially kill a particular ecosystem.

It's also paramount to move our food system back to one that is locally based. Rather than letting the things on your plate travel thousands of miles, buying vegetables from farmers' markets and growing your own make a significant difference by reducing the fossil fuels necessary to transport them. Who's to say you can't be local AND vegan? Simultaneously rejecting the resource-intensive processes of dairy and egg farming and the travel of one's tomatoes from South America is an important choice.

This article is only a brief introduction to veganism with some food for thought. And even if such an abstemious diet isn't for you, being equipped to make informed decisions and reducing your consumption of factory-farmed meat, eggs, dairy, wool and leather are important as well.

For more information please check out:

http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/vegan.htm

Women's soccer cruises to 4-0 win at Manhattanville

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

PURCHASE, N.Y. - Four different players scored a goal as the Skidmore College women's soccer team won its fourth straight game, defeating Manhattanville 4-0 on Saturday afternoon.

The Thoroughbreds improve to 5-1, while the Valiants fall to 0-7.

Michelle Finan ‘13, Elena Stansky ‘12, Kelsey Yam ‘13 and Abby Benton ‘12 scored for Skidmore.

The Thoroughbreds dominated the game from the start, finishing with a 23-2 shot advantage after every dressed player saw time. The bench accounted for 13 of the 23 shots.

Goalie Gab Lawrence ‘14 earned the shutout after making two saves.

The shutout was the fourth straight for the Thoroughbreds, who open Liberty League play at home on Sept. 21 against nationally ranked Union.

Skidmore Athletics

Field hockey opens league play with 7-3 win over RPI

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Kelly Blackhurst '14 tied a program record with 10 points to lead the 5th-ranked Skidmore College field hockey team to a 7-3 win over RPI in Saturday's Liberty League opener at Thoroughbred Field.

Blackhurst scored four goals and had two assists, becoming the fifth player in school history with 10 points in a game and first since Emily Clark [class year?] in 2005.

The Thoroughbreds improve to 5-0, improving [new word? Repetitive] their home winning streak to 21 games.

Blackhurst got Skidmore on the board one minute in when she took a crossing pass from Pauline Searles ‘15 and beat RPI keeper Briana Earle. Just over seven minutes later, Lauren Tobias ‘12 scored on a crossing pass from Jackie Slocombe ‘12 to make it 2-0.

The Engineers cut the lead to one at the 24:41 mark on Alissa Peterson's third goal of the season, a blast from the top of the circle. But less than a minute later, Blackhurst pushed the lead back to two when she put home a rebound for her second of the game. The Thoroughbreds made it 4-1 with less than a minute left in the half when Sam Skott ‘15 redirected a cross from Blackhurst for her second goal of the season.

Blackhurst opened the scoring in the second half as well, beating a defender one-on-one and scoring from the center of the circle to make it 5-1. Tori Elliot cut the lead to 5-2 at the 44:43 mark, taking a pass from Kierstan Ryan and beating the keeper for her first goal of the season.

Exactly one minute later, the Thoroughbreds answered back when Ceilidh MacNeill ‘13 redirected a shot from Blackhurst for her first goal of the season. Skidmore capped off its scoring at the 52:23 mark when Sam Revera ‘15 fed Blackhurst in front of the goal and she put it home for her fourth of the game and ninth of the season.

The Engineers were able to add another score with eight seconds remaining as Liana Viaggio scored off a corner to make it 7-3. Peterson and Sarah Krolus assisted on the goal.

Freshman goalkeeper Haley McDougall earned the win for the Thoroughbreds, making two stops in 67:43 of action.

Skidmore held a 15-7 advantage on penalty corners and outshot the Engineers, 27-6.

Skidmore Athletics

Skidmore shuts out Nazareth 6-0

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Skidmore College field hockey team remained undefeated with Sunday's 6-0 non-league win over Nazareth.

The Thoroughbreds, ranked fifth nationally, improved to 6-0 and have now won 22 consecutive games at home.

Annie Rosencrans ‘12 put Skidmore on the board first at the 17:22 mark, lifting a shot over the keeper off a corner insert from Lauren Tobias ‘12. Tobias put the Thoroughbreds up 2-0 in with three minutes remaining in the first half, putting home a rebound for her sixth goal of the season.

With 10 seconds remaining in the half, Rosencrans took possession and sprinted down the field on a breakaway and was able to feed a pass to Ceilidh MacNeill ‘13 who put one home with 1 second remaining in the half, giving Skidmore a 3-0 lead at the half.

The Thoroughbreds continued to control the game offensively in the second half, going up 4-0 at the 49:57 mark when Pauline Searles ‘15 put home a rebound for her first collegiate goal. Exactly 40 seconds later, MacNeill made it 5-0 when she put home a rebound for her second of the game. The scoring capped at the 55:23 mark with Kelly Blackhurst ‘14 taking a pass in front of the goal from Anna Wahl ‘13 and putting it home for her 10th goal of the year.

Haley McDougall ‘15 earned her second shutout of the season, making two saves.

Skidmore outshot Nazareth, 31-4 and held an 18-3 advantage in penalty corners.

The Thoroughbreds return to action on Sept. 23, when they host William Smith in a Liberty League contest at 4 p.m.

Skidmore Athletics

Thoroughbreds outshoot Bard in Liberty League opener

Posted by Jesse Shayne ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – A golden goal from Gordon Bray ‘15 (New Canaan, CT) off a corner kick from Diego Reinero ‘12 (Princeton, NJ) lifted the Skidmore College men's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory over Bard in the Liberty League opener for both teams on Wednesday night.

Reinero struck a corner kick that arched right into the box, where Bray headed it home among a group of 11 other players in the penalty area in the 98th minute. The goal culminated a long period of dominance by Skidmore that bridged the last 20 minutes of the second half and the first part of the overtime.

Skidmore (4-2 overall, 1-0 Liberty League) dominated possession, save for a 10-minute stretch in the first half when play was even. When Reinero struck the corner that would end the game, it was the 19th corner of the match for the Thoroughbreds. Bard was held to none.

Skidmore outshot Bard, 16-5, and got two saves from keeper Nick Peterson '12 (West Hartford, CT).

Next up for the Thoroughbreds is SUNY Plattsburgh, at home on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Field hockey victory extends home winning streak

Posted by Jesse Shayne Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Eight different players recorded a point as the Skidmore College field hockey team improved to 4-0 with Wednesday afternoon's 5-1 victory over Oneonta Red Dragons at Thoroughbred Field.

With the win, the Thoroughbreds remain undefeated and extend their home winning streak to 20 games.

Skidmore got the scoring started early as Lauren Tobias '12 scored twice in the first five minutes to give the Thoroughbreds the early advantage. Her first goal came at the two minute mark when Annie Rosencrans ‘12 sent a pass across the circle; her second goal came off a rebound from Celidih MacNeill ‘13 less than four minutes later.

Sam Skott '15 made it 3-0 at the 32:16 mark when she redirected a pass by Molly Gile ‘13 from outside the circle for her first collegiate goal. Just a few minutes later, Gile tallied her first of the season on a blast from the top of the circle off of a penalty corner. Hilary Cranston ‘13 and Annie Weis ‘14 both assisted on the goal to make it 4-0 at half.

Skidmore pushed the lead to 5-0 on a goal from Kelly Blackhurst ‘14 at the 47 minute mark off a pass from Tobias on a corner.

Oneonta was able to get on the board late when Andrea Day sent a pass across the goal to Kristen Jerauld for her first of the season making it 5-1, but the Red Dragons were unable to build on that goal as the Thoroughbreds secured the victory.

Haley McDougall ‘15 improved to 3-0 on the season, stopping all five shots she faced over the first 60 minutes. Amy Beck ‘15came in for the final 10 minutes and allowed one goal.

Skidmore held a 9-3 advantage on penalty corners and outshot Oneonta, 26-9.

The Thoroughbreds open league play on Saturday, when they host RPI at 1.

Field hockey tops Oneonta at home

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Eight different players recorded a point as the Skidmore College field hockey team improved to 4-0 with Wednesday afternoon's 5-1 victory over Oneonta Red Dragons at Thoroughbred Field.

With the win, the Thoroughbreds remain undefeated and extend their home winning streak to 20 games.

Skidmore got the scoring started early as Lauren Tobias '12 scored twice in the first five minutes to give the Thoroughbreds the early advantage. Her first goal came at the two minute mark when Annie Rosencrans ‘12 sent a pass across the circle; her second goal came off a rebound from Celidih MacNeill ‘13 less than four minutes later.

Sam Skott '15 made it 3-0 at the 32:16 mark when she redirected a pass by Molly Gile ‘13 from outside the circle for her first collegiate goal. Just a few minutes later, Gile tallied her first of the season on a blast from the top of the circle off of a penalty corner. Hilary Cranston ‘13 and Annie Weis ‘14 both assisted on the goal to make it 4-0 at half.

Skidmore pushed the lead to 5-0 on a goal from Kelly Blackhurst ‘14 at the 47 minute mark off a pass from Tobias on a corner.

Oneonta was able to get on the board late when Andrea Day sent a pass across the goal to Kristen Jerauld for her first of the season making it 5-1, but the Red Dragons were unable to build on that goal as the Thoroughbreds secured the victory.

Haley McDougall ‘15 improved to 3-0 on the season, stopping all five shots she faced over the first 60 minutes. Amy Beck ‘15came in for the final 10 minutes and allowed one goal.

Skidmore held a 9-3 advantage on penalty corners and outshot Oneonta, 26-9.

The Thoroughbreds open league play on Saturday, when they host RPI at 1.