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December 09, 2005
Staff Editorial | Addressing the violation of our safe spaces
In recognizing the importance of ensuring the safety and comfort of every student everywhere on campus, we can hope to create a truly safe space.
Lathrop students hold events against hate
John Palmer
Two Lathrop residents each organized events in reponse to swastikas written on the walls of the dorm.Southern Slant | Exploring cultural imperialism’s domestic impact
Graydon Gordian
Cultural imperialism is a dangerous thing: dangerous because of the injustice it does, and dangerous because of the kind of reaction it may inspire. The values and traditions of a people are complex. To rob this from a people is a great injustice.SAVP works to prevent sexual violence on campus
Jen Dixon
Since receiving a grant in 2003 from the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women, Vassar College Security has been developing a Sexual Assault Violence Prevention Program (SAVP).Exploring Bard’s intimate music scene
On- and off-campus, small budgets go far, but mostly for Pitchfork fans
Sam Bloch, Freddy Deknatel
Part two of The Miscellany News’ coverage of campus music explores band bookings, student impressions of performers, and the quality of venues at Bard College.Exercise safety on Farm running paths
Sarah Palermo
Rain, snow or shine, cross country team members and other devoted runners make the journey to the running paths on the Vassar Farm. This year, however, the team will take extra precautions for their safety, and they hope that other runners do the same.Amid student protests, final exams modified
Molly Finkelstein
After a large student protest, which the administration mistakenly believed to be about final examinations, College officals have taken action to promote alternative testing methods.Marijuana sends students to hospital
Asya Magazinnik
On Friday, Dec. 2 at 8:30 a.m., two students requested transport to Baldwin because of a severe reaction to marijuana they had ingested the night before.Student chefs cause more fire alarms
Ariel Schwartz
Students living on campus have experienced an inordinate number of false fire alarms this year. According to Associate Director of Security Kim Squillace, students cooking cause a majority of the false alarms.Presidential search continues as semester ends
Lauren Sutherland
The Presidential Search Committee is working on narrowing a list of candidates who possess extensive managerial and leadership experience, strong skills in communication and fundraising, and commitment to the promotion of diversity.CIS installs new print station system
Matt Leung
New printing stations, currently under testing in the reference area of the library and the DML Lab of Computing and Information Services (CIS), are CIS’s long term solution to facilitate printing while keeping the current open computing environment. They will be in full operation in Spring 2006.News Briefs
Letters to the Editor | Moderate posturing a threat
Letters to the Editor | Concerns with Alcohol policy
Letters to the Editor | Racism at Vassar a concern for all
Winter holiday events bring cheer to campus
Nate Kimball
As the holiday season approaches, Vassar has been hosting a series of events to celebrate winter.Global Relief expands efforts, plans aid dinner
Hayley Tsukayama
Global Relief, formerly the Tsunami Relief Task Force, is continuing and expanding its charitable efforts this year.Flu shots still available, supply limited
Jen Dixon
As the campus braces itself for the hectic final weeks of the semester, Vassar is also preparing for the flu season. In planning its flu vaccination clinics, Health Services follows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for each year in terms of what to expect for the specific season.ASU collects books for Njala University
Asya Magazinnik
The African Student Union (ASU) is organizing a book drive for Njala University in Sierra Leone, which was severely damaged due to the recent civil war in the region.This Week at Vassar in 1985
Vassar bands cope with lack of campus practice spaces
Sam Bloch
For many informal student musicians there is no adequate practice space. According to administrators, there are only two dorm practice spaces currently available, both of which many students believe are inadequate for their musical needs.Music Box | Tristeza
Mike Newmark
a review of A Colores by TristezaLil’ Kim retaliates with jail yard confessional
Marcella Veneziale
a review of The Naked Truth by Lil' Kim.Harry Potter film guilty of gender stereotyping
Judy Jarvis
The Harry Potter characters are older. In the fourth installment of the J.K. Rowling’s series, voices are deeper, curves are more pronounced, and lust is omnipresent. But for screenplay writer Steve Kloves, adolescence also equals the disbanding of Rowling’s carefully crafted personalities to fit narrow gender roles.What’s to do? | New York City and beyond
Intramural Sports
Steve Buonfiglio
Young swim team shows togetherness, enthusiasm
Acacia O'Connor
The Vassar women’s swimming and diving team is headed in the right direction. This weekend, the team had a strong showing at the Liberty League Swimming and Diving Championships, placing fourth out of the nine teams competing.Athlete of the Week
Sarah Palermo
Anna-Sieglinde Moser ’06 understands the balance that is necessary for being a student-athlete. Holding the number one spot on the nine-player women’s squash team and the role of captain, she still refuses to take her sport “too seriously.”Weekly Calendar 12/9-12/15
Vassar spends week embracing healthy sexuality
Sarah Brown
Events in the first week of December helped to make it one of the sexiest of the semester. Each of the sex-related events was designed to promote healthy attitudes about sexuality on campus, and occurred around the thirteenth annual World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) and the 16 days of activism against gender violence (Nov. 25-Dec. 10).December 08, 2005
December 02, 2005
Swastikas reported on walls of Lathrop stairwells
Anita Varma
Three swastikas drawn on the walls of Lathrop were discovered on Wednesday, Nov. 23. The swastikas are on the walls of stairwells between the first, second, and third floors.Staff Editorial | Longer late-night library hours needed
Despite the fact that finals are approaching, the Main library as well as the Art and Music libraries will still close before 2 a.m. during exams. As an academically rigorous institution, these library hours constrain students’ study times.Stimpson’s health food haven a hop away
Sarah Brown
Stimpson’s House of Nutrition opened 35 years ago as a vitamin and body-builder supply shop, and even though it expanded 15 years ago to offer health foods, you’d never know it from the Collegeview Avenue.David Childs, from zoology major to Freedom Tower
Freddy Deknatel
The Miscellany News spoke to architect David Childs, who will visit the Vassar campus. His work includes the politically charged Freedom Tower.Basketball looks to experience, depth
Danny Fahey
On the weekend of Nov. 18, Vassar opened their season by winning the Stevens Tech Invitational Tournament. The women defeated host Stevens Tech in the first round of the tournament and Rutgers University Newark in the championship on Saturday.New Junior Year Abroad programs focus on exploration
Molly Finkelstein
As the application deadline for permission to go abroad approaches, the Study Away office is promoting their newest JYA programs.Marist student dies from bacterial meningitis
Sarah Brown
On the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 16, Marist College student Caitlin Boyle ’07 died of complications from meningococcal (bacterial) meningitis. Every student admitted to Marist College is required to be immunized against meningitis prior to coming to the College. However, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), meningococcal vaccines cannot prevent all types of the disease.Campus-wide wireless network coming in ’06
Asya Magazinnik
Computer and Information Services (CIS) is currently working on upgrading wireless technology on campus, as well as instituting several changes in webmail and printing in the library. As a result, the Internet connection and Vassar webmail have experienced slower performance.VSA places moratorium on recognizing clubs
Hayley Tsukayama
At the Nov. 20 Vassar Student Association (VSA) Council meeting, secretary Laureen Cantwell ’06 announced there would be a moratorium on the recognition of new VSA organizations.White supremacist Hal Turner holds rally in Kingston
Nate Kimball
In Kingston, NY, 15 miles north of Vassar and across the Hudson, New Jersey talk show radio host and known white supremacist Hal Turner organized a rally on Nov. 19 as a demonstration against recent racial violence in Kingston High School between white students and students of color.News Briefs
Bringing home the realities of the Iraq war
Eyes Wide Open a reminder of shared humanity
Max Shmookler
Southern Slant | Reviving “Great Works” curriculum, classes
Graydon Gordian
A little bit more direction and aid on the part of the College may be necessary to ensure that every student’s education is as robust and multi-faceted as it should be, and that while at college they are constantly challenged by a multiplicity of perspectives, rather than being indoctrinated by one.On the Fence | SAEJ’s tactics questionable
Ian Saxine
Led by the Students Allied for Equality and Justice, (SAEJ) Vassar’s own self-appointed crusaders for justice, we scream about the need for “dialogue,” while simultaneously working to shut down the only real publication on campus that expressed some sort of disagreement with Vassar’s collective worldview.Mercurial weather affects students’ moods
Loss of daylight, temperature changes to blame
Ilyse Kramer
Do the weather’s sudden shifts cause the moods of students to experience similar fluctuations? After all, it is impossible to ignore one’s environment.Protecting yourself from e-mail snoops
How to prevent data theft and webmail hacking
Matt Leung
The security problems inherent in e-mail communication are much greater than those involved with telephone or fax communications. If someone wants to eavesdrop on your telephone line, they might have to climb a telephone pole and risk electrocution while trying not to catch too much attention from people on the street. On the other hand, if someone wants to eavesdrop on your e-mail, they need only be connected to the Internet.International education week cultivates awareness
Nate Kimball
Two weeks ago, the Vassar community was exposed to a multitude of cultures during the annual International Education Week. Perhaps the most noticeable application of Internationalism confronted the palates of students eating at ACDC, where a different regional specialty was served every day, with choices ranging from a Portuguese shrimp stew to a Korean noodle bowl.Letter From Abroad: Copenhagen, Denmark
Fabian Arzuaga
This Week at Vassar | 1973
Emma Epstein
Catchy Tarantella checks comics to Murakami
Mike Newmark
Tarantella—the Vassar three-piece consisting of keyboardist/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Jeff Alford ’06, guitarist/vocalist Chris Sparks ’06, and bassist/vocalist Mark DeWilde ’06—specializes in a kind of music that Sparks calls “sleaze pop.” It’s hooky, it’s sweaty, it bumps, and it grinds.Music Box | Death From Above 1979
Mike Newmark
a review of the new Death from Above 1979 albumPride and Prejudice Americanizes classic
Amanda Bates
This film isn’t heavy, ponderous stuff. It often seems so light that it might float off the screen. But for those in the mood for a charming and funny confection, the newest Pride and Prejudice should hit the spot.What's to Do? | Vassar Edition
Ahtlete of the Week
Sarah Palermo
Fencing is an individual sport, and while the Brewers work together in many ways, individuals still shine. Kristina Poznan ’08 is one of the shining spots on the roster this year, especially after an 8-1 finish on Nov. 20 against CCNY, Sacred Heart and Marist.Academics, sports test student-athletes
Acacia O'Connor
For students here at Vassar, full and busy days are expected. But imagine having classes all day long, seminars, meetings and hours of papers and reading, and practice two to three hours per evening. Throw in a couple meals and a few hours of sleep in there somewhere (maybe), and you’ve got the typical day for a student-athlete.Intramural Sports
Steven Buonfiglio
during this festive time of year, all the little IM-ers are busy writing letters in the hopes of being deemed nice. Here are some examples that may or may not ring true, which is to say, they are all tongue in cheek, except where they reflect positively on someone—the good stuff is always true, the bad is all lies (Republican credo #318).The tall tale of Mike Alton
Miyo Davis
There is a legend that is whispered o’er the campus, old as the Hudson herself. For ages, ships have sailed up and down the seductive embrace of her river banks, yet some secrets she cannot swallow up. One such is the legend of Vassar rowing, the tall tale of Mike Alton.Beginnings, endings in this week’s sports headlines
Ross Weingarten
While the NFL season is heating up as the playoffs loom, pro football is not the only sport worth watching. As a result, I present a list of all the noteworthy headlines and stories in the world of sports.Sports Calendar December 2 - December 8
Weekly Calendar 12/2-12/9
Inside Vassar’s campus music scene
Do campus clubs, bands provide the sound students seek?
Sam Bloch
Which national touring acts can the Vassar student body expect to see? Though it is ViCE’s responsibility to try to satisfy as much of the student body as possible—their mission statement identifies them as “the programming board for the campus”—it does not forbid them from occasionally booking smaller and less accessible acts.
But according to ViCE CEO Jeremy Robinson-Leon ’07, ViCE rarely does so because these acts are expensive ventures. More importantly, it is difficult to get students interested in these smaller acts.
