News Briefs

Students protest coal mining method

On Nov. 16, the Vassar Greens and the Student Activist Union will be performing and protesting in front of Bank of America on Raymond Avenue. Bank of America has been facing criticism from environmental activists for their support of companies that use mountain top removal process for mining coal. Rather than remove coal from the earth, this method essentially removes the earth from the coal.

Throughout the Appalachian region of the United States, entire mountain ranges are flattened by clearing forests, and then by using explosives to loosen up the top layers of rock. Giant cranes then expose buried coal by scraping billions of tons of dirt off the mountain and dumping the debris into neighboring valleys.

Between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., an estimated 15 students will hand out flyers to passersby and dress up as bankers, coal miners and activists to do skits. The Poughkeepsie protest will be only one of many, in what is to be a national day of action against Bank of America and CitiBank.

—Brian Farkas, News Editor

Follow your nose

Detecting a strong odor of marijuana on the third floor of Lathrop House shortly after 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 6, Security identified six individuals at the source of the odor, two of whom admitted to smoking.

—Elysia Glover, Assistant News Editor

Into the woods?

At 11:09 p.m. on Nov. 8, Security responded to a noise complaint at the South Commons. The authorized event’s 150 party-goers were ordered to cease and desist. Security reported seeing several individuals running into the adjoining woods upon their arrival. —E.G.

Bicycle theft

On Nov. 8, a $450 bike was reported stolen from the Chicago Hall area. It was locked and has been missing since Nov. 2. The bike was not registered with security. —E.G.

Last good-byes

On the third floor of Strong House, shortly after 11 p.m. on Nov. 9, Security shut down an unauthorized party. The party’s organizers stated they were saying goodbye to their temporary room. —E.G.