« April 06, 2008 - April 12, 2008 | Main | April 20, 2008 - April 26, 2008 »
April 17, 2008
VSA pushes back spring election dates
Julianne Herts
Following changes to the room draw schedule, the Vassar Students Association (VSA) has decided to delay its spring elections until April 30. Consequently, this year’s new VSA Council members, unlike their predecessors, will not take office until after Spring Convocation.
Committee looking closely at two 2:2 staffing plans
Hayley Tsukayama
Continuing their examination of Vassar’s current course loads and staffing plans, the Committee on Curricular Policy (CCP) has decided to focus on two academic programs—environmental studies (ENST) and political science—as case studies for what would be a fundamental switch in the way the College operates.
Colleges experience record-high applications
Brian Farkas
This April, high school seniors around the country will conclude their thorny struggle with the college admissions process. 2008 and 2009 will mark the demographic peak of applications to colleges and universities, meaning that Vassar and many of its peer institutions have received record numbers of applications and, in turn, rejected a record numbers of students.
Staff Editorial | Retreat plasma screen should be used creatively
The Green Glance | Europe champions alternative energy, emissions reductions
Nathan Zucker
Despite growing national advocacy for "going green", the United States is still the nation of SUVs, coal plants and fast food. Fortunately, there is an alternative to the reckless environmental policy that characterizes the U.S. government. It is, without a doubt, the European Union.
The Voting Booth | As Obama errs, Clinton misses big opportunity
Allison Good
While Bill Clinton clings to Bosnia in an effort to save Hillary’s campaign and scramble for the co-presidency, Obama has created some “Obamadrama” of his own.
Absolut World ad offends, fails to offer solution
Steve Keller
Backpage | Aramark is here to tray
Admission of past faults and promises of a better future from our campus food provider.
Fresh face for annual Earth Fest celebrations
Rukshana Jalil
As Earth Day approaches, the Vassar Greens are engaged in a flurry of preparations for the numerous preliminary events aimed to raise environmental awareness around campus including Earth Fest on Saturday, April 19.
CDO reaches out to seniors: Ready...set...401K!
Mike Alberti
Seniors, are you ready to balance your checkbooks? Throughout the month of April, the Career Development Office (CDO) is hosting four workshops intended to help graduating seniors prepare for life after college. Reality check!
Blogs a new forum for campus commentary
Acacia O'Connor
One Vassar student recently commented that “If you want to know what we think, all you have to do is put up a blank sheet of paper.” The popular new “blank sheet of paper” on college campuses is the campus Weblog, a forum for news, gossip and commentary on campus life.
Ultimate clinches spot in Division III nationals
Acacia O’Connor
Vassar's Swinging Monks and Boxing Nuns move closer to snatching the ultimate title.
Protect the Dream provides student mentors
Stephanie Damon-Moore
The Protect the Dream Youth Program, a non-profit organization run out of the FAmily Partnership Center in Poughkeepsie helps kids with their homework and are part of a reading program. But it’s not just about helping with school work.
Fresh faces give new life to rowing teams
Kelly Capehart
Members of the Vassar men’s and women’s rowing teams train hard—at hours considered ungodly by most college students—over the course of nine long months in order to compete in fewer than a dozen regattas each year.
VJU celebrates Passover holiday with traditional seder meals
Jesse Small
On April 19-20, millions of Jews across the globe will celebrate Passover, which commemorates the ancient Jews’ release from slavery in Egypt and coincides with the beginning of spring, looking forward to the days ahead.
Penetrating Questions | Tolstoy contracted syphilis, and so could you
Jina Ashline
Did you know that STDs can affect your brain? Practice safe sex for your peace of mind (and your mental health.)
The College Court | Do student-athletes deserve college credit?
Emma Carmichael
The effort, dedication and rigor necessary to play varsity sports can equal the energy needed to be on one's academic A-game.
Weekly Spotlight | SASA Fest celebrates South Asian culture
Chelsea Mitamura
April is a month of festivals at Vassar, hosted by everyone from the ALANA Center to Strong House. SASA Fest, which will be on Sunday, April 20, is continuing the trend of celebrating spring on April weekends—this time with bhangra and South Asian food.
Sports Briefs | Men’s volleyball takes second at Division III Championship
Amelia Maxfield
Library offers new resources for stressed students
Sarah Goetz
If that term paper looks intimidating and you are not sure where to begin your research or writing, it may be time to turn to the wealth of resources that the Library offers to alleviate end-of-the-year stress.
Get intimate and go crazy with Unbound
Jackson Reeves
Unbound explores the troublesome topics of alcohol, liasons and soymilk in unconventional and intimate locations this weekend, April 16-20, as it presents Intimate Space Theater’s “3 Things to Make You Crazy.”
Student production company shoots for the sky
Molly Arnn
Remember the name Shoot the Sky Productions—you may see it credited on the silver screen one day. Vassar filmmakers Seth Cuddeback ’08, Aaron Naar ’08 and Woodrow Travers ’09 created the company in January 2008, but it has already found astounding success
‘Bare’ sings troubles of high school students
Sarah Rebell
A name such as Future Waitstaff of America (FWA) might suggest low ambitions, but its members are setting the bar high with their production of “Bare” this semester. A musical reminiscent of “Rent” and “Spring Awakening,” “Bare” will be performed Thursday, April 17 through Saturday, April 19 in Sanders Classroom.
Music Box | Overlooked Albums | Loftus
Mike Newmark
The album was pitch black except for an animal’s jawbone sitting on top of a small gold square, with no identifying information save for the story I’d just read. Naturally, I bought it.
The Chance keeps rocking with Drowing Pool
Gülfem Demiray
As a part of their North America tour, alternative metal band Drowning Pool will visit Poughkeepsie and perform downtown at The Chance Theater on April 18 at 8 p.m.
Music Box | Flight of the Conchords
Mike Newmark
People cried bloody murder when the Flight of the Conchords Season One DVD didn’t include music videos for any of the songs featured in the episodes, but it ended up being a smart move.
