April 10, 2008
Exclusive Interview with M.I.A.
M.I.A. speaks about her early influences, newest album, and favorite song "Amazon".
April 03, 2008
McCullough to spend weekend at Vassar
Brian Farkas
“David McCullough does not want to be called a national treasure, but he is,” said actor and producer Tom Hanks, at the Boston premiere of the HBO miniseries John Adams on March 18.
John Adams is HBO's newest flawed hero
Acacia O'Connor
It's not easy being a founding father. Such is the story of John Adams as played by Paul Giamatti in the new HBO miniseries, adapted from David McCullough’s
Treasures abound at Special Collections
Alexandra Matthews
Deep beneath two floors of books, tucked away in the corner of the ground floor of the Library, lies a little-known gem that is home to a multitude of historical treasures: Vassar’s Archives and Special Collections.
March 13, 2008
Web update: Vassar moves to eliminate loans from financial aid packages
Brian Farkas
Vassar College will replace loans in the financial aid packages of students with calculated family incomes of up to $60,000 with scholarship grants, President Catharine Bond Hill announced in an all-campus e-mail on Monday, March 10.
March 04, 2008
Web update: Prentiss Field renovations not completed by spring season
Elizabeth Pacheco
For Vassar’s spring athletes, the opportunity to play on their own “field of dreams” remains just out of reach.
September 08, 2007
Reporting from the Field: The MISC B.Y.O.A.
During the “Build Your Own Adventure” day of Freshman Orientation for the Class of 2011, The Miscellany News invited freshmen to spend a day “Reporting from the Field.”
VSA president aimes high, invites student voice
The newly-inducted Vassar Student Association (VSA) President Sam Charner ’08 intends to bring the voice of the students to the forefront of the institutional agenda. “I wanted to continue on the work that was done last year,” Charner said. After years of discussion, the structural revisions to the VSA Executive Board are finally in place.
Hudson Valley native bridges town-gown gap in new position
On Jimmy Kelly’s ’09 walls, posters of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi remind him of the focus upon community and collaboration that he has tried to bring to each of his positions within the Vassar Student Association (VSA).
Young coach brings pro experience to women's basketball
Already a familiar face on the Vassar campus, Angel Mason, who has been the Athletics Operations Manager since 2005, was appointed the Women’s Basketball Head Coach this year. She hopes her experience on the Vassar campus will lead to a smooth start as head coach.
ViCE director looks to broaden Vassar entertainment scene
Vassar wasn’t his first choice, but when Evan Altshuler ’09 visited the school on Admitted Students Day, he was impressed. Two years later, he is the director of Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE), the organization that manages all entertainment hosted on campus.
Phocus takes freshmen on Snapshot Safari
Amielle Major Plamen Ivanov Eleanor Albert Tim Taber...May 03, 2007
Pens From the Pen |Vassar and Otisville prison program participants collaborate
Lauren Sutherland
Getting these articles to you has been extremely difficult,” began Marlon Peterson in the foreword to a compilation of writings submitted to The Miscellany News by a group of four men incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, N.Y.
Pens From the Pen | Rehabilitation must begin with personal choice
Oftentimes, we look for change outside of ourselves. Change is a fundamental part of the human condition, due to environmental and institutional factors that may arise.
Pens From the Pen | Freedoms realized within the confines of prison
When I was growing up, my parents drilled into my head that I had opportunities I took for granted in the light of war-torn El Salvador; at Otisville I am reminded how ungrateful and selfish I am about my situation in comparison to incarcerated men in this small upstate town.
Reflections on Prison Life
March 01, 2007
Spring Break Arts Calendar
February 23, 2007
Former Ambassador speaks on U.S. foreign relations
Ilyse Kramer
The ambassador outlined some important regional economic policies currently in development, such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
February 15, 2007
V-Week at Vassar
Emma Epstein
Lauren Sutherland
Baize Buzan ’10’s eyes do not stray far from the page in front of her as she delivers the somber, almost deadpan meditation on war and compassion that concludes this year’s production of “The Vagina Monologues.”
November 30, 2006
Inside Resources and Recruitment | The Courting Game: Employment recruiting
Acacia O'Connor
Lauren Sutherland
In some ways, the Career Development Office is like a dating service. The CDO advisers consider your wants and needs, and then bring you together with your mate in what is intended to be a blissful union.
Tools of the trade for job searching, networking
Amanda Melillo
When starting a search for a summer internship or full-time job, many students may not know where to start.
October 24, 2006
Vassar Technology Today: Extras Online
Extras Online contains additional tips, links, and information to supplement the printed Vassar Technology Today column.October 19, 2006
Anti-slavery symbol sails to Hudson Valley, greeted by educational festival
Visitors to the Amistad event from Oct. 12-Oct. 14 had a chance to actively explore the history of slavery in America, a history with which many would be surprised to learn that the Hudson Valley is quite intimately linked.October 08, 2006
New vendors, visitors flock to expanded street fair
Beaded necklaces, belly dancing, a cappella, and Ecuadorian wool hats: Raymond Avenue is never as eclectic and energetic as it is every fall during the Arlington Street Fair.October 01, 2006
VSA fall elections conclude, results delayed
Shahreen Saifie
At 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, students began voting on-line for their choice candidates for the fall Vassar Student Association (VSA) elections.
September 08, 2006
After drive up from Florida, new House Advisor settles in
Among the multitude of new faces at Vassar this fall is Scott Radimer, House Advisor for Cushing and Noyes. Radimer has been on campus since late June, settling in and preparing for the 2006–2007 school year.
Habermann, with master’s in college
Like one-fourth of the student body, Assistant Director of Campus Activities Megan Habermann is new to the Vassar campus. In this position, Habermann is responsible for the organization and management of campus events, ranging from concerts and performances to lectures and meetings.
VSA President urges “open mind” for new year
Vassar Student Association (VSA) President Abel McDonnell ’07 has several plans and goals for the upcoming academic year. These goals range from improving the technology that VSA uses for elections to engaging in discussions about improving financial aid with new College President Catharine “Cappy” Hill.
May 10, 2006
New VSA Council passes new by-laws
Hayley Tsukayama
On Sunday, May 7, the 2006-2007 Vassar Student Association (VSA) Council met for the first time, immediately after the final meeting of this year’s VSA Council.April 28, 2006
Architectural innovations enhance campus spaces
Fergusson makes mark in The Miscellany News
John Palmer
President Frances Daly Fergusson has made news since arriving on campus in 1986. The Miscellany News talked with Fergusson on April 25, 2006 to reflect on the last 20 years of Miscellany News coverage. Fergusson is concluding her final school year at the College.20 Years at the Top: Past building projects reshape campus, renovations continue
Acacia O'Connor
President Fran Fergusson has often been lauded for her campaigns to renovate and construct buildings that improve the College campus. The piece-by-piece restoration of Vassar’s buildings and grounds led by Fergusson will continue up until her departure at the end of this term.Chairman of Trustee Board retires
Hayley Tsukayama
As the current Chairman of the Vassar College Board of Trustees, Van Demark has made a quiet name for himself as a humble and hard-working man. As we celebrate the Fergusson years, students should be thinking about the Van Demark years as well. As Board Chair, Van Demark has worked with the College for 22 years.Presidential Remarks
March 10, 2006
David Sedaris to bring unique brand of self-deprecating humor to College
Marcella Veneziale
Sedaris will be the Alex Krieger '95 Memorial Fund speaker for 2006.November 11, 2005
Time managment proves a challenge for busy scholars
Deborah Temkin
Between preparing, grading and holding class, serving on committees, completing their required research and being available for student advisees, professors often feel like they have little time for their lives beyond Main Gate.Visiting assistant or tenure track?
Vassar hires variety of instructors for distinct positions
Anita Varma
Different types of professors have different duties on campus. An outline of what each position entails is outlined in the Governance of Vassar College. There are 10 ranks of professors and types of researchers listed, and other faculty positions such as coaches and curator positions are described as well.From novels to Turkish research, College funds diverse faculty projects
Jen Dixon
In addition to their work in the classroom, Vassar faculty contribute to the intellectual life of the College by pursuing independent research and projects. In order to provide funding for these projects, the Vassar College Committee on Research awards grants twice a year. The most recent application date was Nov 1.Faculty undergo rigorous application process
Jen Dixon
The process of hiring new faculty members for the College typically requires multiple rounds of applications and interviews with students, faculty, and the Office of the Dean of Faculty. When an academic department decides that it needs a new faculty member, the vacant position is first authorized by the Dean of Faculty’s Office.September 30, 2005
Sixth annual fundraising campaign assists social service agencies of Dutchess County
Aaron Biberstein
As the calendar turns to October, administrators, faculty and students are working to prepare Vassar’s sixth Community Works campaign.Field work city bus tour spotlights campaign-supported service agencies
Deborah Temkin
On the “Follow Your Contributions” tour, participants meet with representatives of eight of these organizations and witness the great need that resides within the Hudson Valley.Campaign gives advance share to Red Cross for hurricane relief
Rachel Wolff
Four different events to raise support, funds for Community Works Campaign
John Palmer
Community Action makes a personal connection
Jen Dixon
April 08, 2005
Financial Aid at Vassar | The Demographics of Aid
How Vassar's financial aid figures stack up
Published here are the percentages of total students receiving aid over the past ten years.
Financial Aid at Vassar | Going to Vassar for free
Emma White
While 52.5 percent of Vassar students are on financial aid, over the last year 27 students had their tuition waived to attend the College through an employee benefit program.
Financial Aid at Vassar | Blowing bucks or pinching pennies?
What Vassar students buy in a week
Rachel Wolff
The Vassar Student Association works to make things on campus either free or very affordable for all students, creating a campus where students don’t need to worry about having money on them in order to attend events. But is it really all that easy to operate with no money on campus?
Financial Aid at Vassar | Crunching the numbers
Aid at peer institutions
Peer institutions have a variety of policies and terminology for their aid policies, ranging from need-blind aid to need-sensitive to aid based in departmental excellence instead of need.
Financial Aid at Vassar | One big piggy bank
Need-sensitive policy and financial aid on campus
Amanda Melillo
Vassar’s official policy is that the College is “need sensitive” when admitting students, which can be a misleading term.
November 12, 2004
Behind Academics at Vassar
Tiffany Chow / The Miscellany News
A special report on the numbers, policies, and programs that define academics at the College.
Now and Then
Taking a look at the popularity of majors, 30 years ago and today
Larissa Pahomov
In 1974, 34 courses of study were available to students as a major. In 2004, the number had increased to 47. In the interim, the College has seen changes in which majors attract the most students.
How to major in everything
Multidisciplinary programs turn ideas into reality
Laura Attanasio
Today, the College offers 13 multidisciplinary programs available as majors, and all of which have been created in the last 50 years. The trend toward multidisciplinary learning is one general reason that so many programs have developed and flourished in a relatively short time, but the story of how each program was created is different.
Going Independent
Independent Program lets students pursue their own ideas, but not without serious planning
Aaron Biberstein
The independent major allows students to craft their own focus to their coursework.
Tripling your major
Katie Aberbach
The next time you find yourself regretting this semesters five class course load, or your decision to double major, think of Steve Gilhool. The senior has not one, not two, but three (thats right, three) majors: astronomy, physics, and Japanese. He is the sole triple major in the entire Class of 2005.
The Ratio Game
Emma White
Though the number of faculty who actually teach each year varies due to sabbaticals and administrative assignments, these absences are filled by visiting faculty members.
October 08, 2004
Nutrition and Fitness at Vassar
Tiffany Chow / The Miscellany News
A special section looking into the trends and practices of the college when it comes to matters of the body.
Statistics: The use of counseling services at the College
Who goes to Metcalf for help, and for which reasons?
Facing eating disorders at Vassar
Larissa Pahomov & Amy Rubin
How the College deals with the fact that 10 percent of all college-age women have a clinical or near-clinical eating disorder.
These boots were made for walkin'
Ever wanted to know just how much of a daily workout you get walking around campus? Meet Rachael Wolff and her pedometer.
Staying "In The Pink" while on the go
Amy Rubin
Behind the myriad of fitness program available at the College stands one man: Roman Czula.
Survey: Student Habits and Perceptions
How often do you go to the gym? An anonymous poll about the nutrition and fitness of the campus.
Dietician brought to campus
Laura Attanasio
Demand is high for the dietician who visits the College weekly. But that doesn't mean the pizza and ice cream will be going away anytime soon.
