Middlebury Campus 2009-01-15, Volume 107, Issue 12

17.4 MB·

by  Middlebury College

Middlebury Campus
Vol. 107, No. 12“
Thursday, January 15, 2009 Since 1905
Applicant numb ers
fall amid recession
By Cloe Shasha_ timately withdrew their applications
than is the case at similar liberal
STAEF WRITER
arts colleges. This year, the College
The country’s stumbling econ-
requested the application fee or the
omy has led to a drop in applicants
request for a fee waiver at the start of
to private colleges — including
the application process.
Middlebury: In January of 2008,
“Due to this change, we were
soon after the regular decision dead-
already anticipating about 700 to
line, the College had received 7,641
800 fewer applicants this year than
applications. This year, by the same
we had last year, and that appears to
time, the number had dropped by
have been about on target,” Clagett
12 percent to 6,771 applicants. The
continued.
final count, however, is likely to
Sofia Zinger *11, a student tour
change once more applications are
guide, has noticed some changes in
„processed.
the numbers of prospective students
“Ultimately, that number grew
visiting Middlebury.
from 7,641 to 7,823 last year, said
“There is always a drop in the
Dean of Admissions Robert Clagett,
number of people who attend tours
referring to the eventual increase in
in the winter season, so it’s hard to
applicants following the Jan. 1 dead-
tell if the economy has had an effect
line. “So I am guessing that the num- Andrew Ngeow, Photo Editor-
on applicants,” Zinger said. “But this
ber will increase somewhat this year past summer I worked in the admis- Ceramics CLUB BREAKS INN EW FACILITY
as well.”
A procedural change may also sions office, and starting in July and Afterm ore than two years of struggling to garner funding and support,t heM iddleburyC eramics Club
continuing into the fall there were
have contributed to the decrease in _ opened iit sd oors at 75 Adirondack View last week and began to recruit members. For more, see page 3.
fewer people interviewing.”
applicants, said Clagett. Until this Budget deficit forces job cuts
According to The New York
year, Middlebury did not require an
“Times, some schools are suffering as
application fee up front. As a result,
a greater petcentage of students ul- SEE APPLICATIONS, PAGE 3
value of the Colleges endowment, next year, according to Vice Presi-
By Kelly Janis
which supports 25 percent of the dent for Administration and Chief
News EDITOR
budget. Financial Officer Patrick J. Norton.
The College is mobilizing to
“Our long-term financial “The impact to our operat-
cope with an anticipated $9 million
model assumes a nine percent an- ing budget will therefore be felt for
to $10 million budget shortfall for
nual return on the endowment, but longer than three years,” Liebowitz
fiscal year 2010, eliminating at least
instead of growing, our endow- wrote, “and, because deficits com-
100 staff positions and weighing
ment shrank by 19 percent between pound each year, it is crucial that
cuts or changes to auxiliary opera-
July 1 and Nov. 30,” President of the we make reductions sooner rather
tions such as the Snow Bowl, golf
College Ronald D. Liebowitz wrote than later.” ;
course, bookstore and The Grille.
in a Dec. 22 message to the College To this end, the Budget Over-
The losses are a product of di-
community. sight Committee (BOC), which
minished philanthropic support in
The extent of the decline is ex- convened in the fall to recommend
light of the global financial crisis,
pected to reach 25 percent by the budget cuts to the president, is in-
as well as a dramatic decline in the
= end of the College’s fiscal year in creasing its number of meetings
June. This marks the second time from one to two a week during the
LaBolt dissects 08 election
in two years that the endowment Winter and Spring terms.
return has been negative. Current
projections suggest a flat return for SEE BUDGET, PAGE 2
Sharpton to deliver
By Jaime Fuller LaBolt’s lecture focused on a
News EDITOR topic that even politically attentive
` audience members may not have
Former Press Secretary for been familiar with, the high level me- civil rights address
Barack Obama Ben LaBolt ’03 dis-
sected the President-elect’s suc- chanics of running a successful po-
cessful campaign strategy in a lec- litical campaign, which he acknowl-
ture sponsored this Friday by the edged is “not something you learn
Rohatyn Center for International at Middlebury.” His remarks served By Jaime Fuller and Tamara Hilmes speaker” to come to the campus.
Affairs and the Career Services Of- as a quick course of “Campaigning
fice. LaBolt’s remarks, titled “What 101” for the crowd of students, fac- News EDITORS This year, the committee decided
to spend their $40,000 budget to
It Took: Reflections on Barack ulty and community members, and The Middlebury College Activ- bring Sharpton to Middlebury af-
Obama’s Unlikely Path to the Presi- as an exclusive look into “one of the ities Board (MCAB) announced on ter months of deliberation.
unlikeliest campaigns for the presi-
dency,’ provided an inside glimpse Jan. 13 that activist The Reverend The committees budget,
into the 2008 election season, and dency in U.S. history.” Alfred Sharpton, Jr. will be speak-
were especially relevant in light of LaBolt acquired much experi- ing at the College on Feb. 11. SEE PREACHER, PAGE 3
ence in campaign management af-
Obama’s approaching Jan. 20 inau- Sharpton will speak at Mead
ter his graduation, working as press
guration. Chapel, and a live feed will allow
Leng Professor of International secretary and legislative assistant to Andrew oNeg eow, Photo Editor people to watch the address from
Politics Allison Stanger introduced Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky Obama spokesperson LaBolt ’03 the newly-renovated McCullough
LaBolt, informing the audience of (D-Ill.) and spokesman for then- Times. Student Center, and possibly Dana
his unique distinction of being one Congressman Sherrod Brown’s (D- Obama’s win in the Iowa caucus Auditorium.
of two students who decided to take Ohio) successful race for the U.S. was described as being instrumen- The MCAB Speakers’ Com-
an oral examination in lieu of a writ- Senate. He also learned how a healthy tal to his victory in the Democratic mittee is also working on creating
ten one in her course on American campaign could fail suddenly while primary, and LaBolt said that the a free ticketing system that will pri-
foreign policy. He aced the exam, working for Vermont Governor win was “part of the original strat- oritize students so that those who
and Stanger noted that she was not Howard Dean’s unsuccessful bid for egy that [we] would have incredible attend Middlebury will be able to
surprised that LaBolt now made a the presidency in 2004. LaBolt’s role momentum out of the Iowa caucus fill the front rows and not have to
living by speaking. as Obama’s spokesperson has lifted that couldn’t be stopped.” wait outside for what will most
“The dirty little secret about him to the eye of a national audi- The New Hampshire primary likely be a well-attended event.
the oral presentation was that I ence, and he is often quoted by such helped give the campaign some per- The Speakers’ Committee is Courtesy
political news standbys as Politico,
just couldn’t write another paper,” annually responsible for planning Rev. Al Ges will speak on social
LaBolt replied. CNN, MSNBC and The New York SEE ANECDOTES, PAGE 2 and providing funds for one “big justice and civil rights at the College.
Midd Moolah _ Budding Buddhists? Go Big, or Go Home
Middlebury mint goes Workshops by Tibetan _ Johnson Memorial Building
monks and scrapbooking _ -~ graced by large-format
into business as town creates
a open oyes, page 12. drawings, page 1| 6.
Campusnews
2 15 January 2009 |g
Budget to face major
reductions next year
EaURw Rm RAB
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 spokesperson was intended to ensure that
the group’s message is consistent, and that
bka d
Some of the measures it is considering confidential items are not leaked to the pub-
are drawn from the 150 to 200 cost-cutting lic. He will continue to relay this message to
ideas submitted online by members of the the community in a series of open meetings
College community. Norton said that al- -planned for Winter Term.
though those suggestions are reviewed and
Some members of the Student Govern-
“taken very seriously,’ many of them — such
ment Association criticized one such pre-
as using less paper, or adjusting the thermo-
sentation given in the fall. A Nov. 6 article in
stat — are dealt with on the local level, rather
The Middlebury Campus noted that “certain
than being put before the committee.
senators expressed reservations about the
“We want to deal with big ticket items,
glib and polished nature of the presentation,
where we can get the most bang for the buck,”
and skepticism about the large volume of
Norton said.
information thrown at the joint session in a
Chief among these items are auxiliary
short period?
operations such as The Grille, The Juice Bar,
“I get the feeling they're trying to sell us
The Snow Bowl, Ralph Myre Golf Course,
on something,” senator Annie Weinberg 10
The College Bookstore, catering services
said after the meeting.
and the new student social space at 51 Main
Norton laughed when the passage was
Street.
recited to him. He said he took “polished” as
“The budget provides a tremendous
a compliment, and acknowledged that there
subsidy to keep these units operating the way
are bound to be critics of the plan.
they’re operating,” Norton said.
“We didn’t want to make the presenta-
As a result, discussions of how to make
tion less informative,’ he said. “What I heard
them more profitable are underway.
from some students is that they were thankful
“There will be some changes,’ Norton
we didn’t dumb it down for them. As far as
said. He predicted that the majority of them
selling? It’s all there. We're being as transpar-
— particularly in the case of the Snow Bowl
ent as we can. It’s definitely not a sell job.”
and golf course — will be rooted in mat-
Norton called the committee’s evalua-
ters of management and pricing, rather than Grace Duggan, Photo Editor
tion of recommendations “a good process,”
drastic overhauls of service. .
and suggested it might’ continue, in some
As the College’s vice presidents exercise a
form, in the future.
process of “prioritization” to extract five per-
“Obviously, were doing this under the
cent of all discretionary spending from their
duress of the financial challenges,” Norton
budgets, there may also be changes made to
said. “But maybe when we're not under du- eAOOmtM ~
social events and other components of stu-
ress, we could do it as well.”
dent life. The social life on campus may have
Anecdotes provide electione hi
to be altered if students do not want to see
the comprehensive fee rise yet again.
“We're not going to be raising tuition a
huge amount to cover this shortfall,” Norton
said, but added that determining the com-
none of the staffa ree there.” said LaBolt. “I’m also noted the problem of McCain’s strategy of |
prehensive fee is “a part of the budget pro- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
starting to get less and less information, and rallying the base when the base was consider-
cess” and remains to be seen until a meeting
spective — they realized that Sen. Hillary Rod- the press is getting more and more hungry for ably smaller in this election cycle. Because this
with Trustees in February.
In an effort to approach the situation ham Clinton (D-N.Y.) was still a formidable numbers or something concrete ... and they strategy was unsuccessful, he had to resort to
opponent and that Obama’s victory was not start surrounding me. I get a call back from the tactic of saying ‘I will win this election by
from what Norton called “a position of
strength,” College officials are seeking silver inevitable. headquarters, and they say ‘you should prob- making Obama appear toxic.”
LaBolt remembered thinking that ably get out of there, were not going to make After LaBolt finished his remarks, Profes-
linings to the budget troubles.
The “financial challenge FAQs” on Obama’s high popularity among college stu- itan sor of Political Science Matt Dickinson took
dents in Hanover would not necessarily de- Less time was spent on analyzing the the podium to challenge some of LaBolt’s
the budget office’s Web site suggest, for in-
liver victory, especially when they had failed to general election, with LaBolt conceding that statements, “pointing out the very few in- oe
stance, that spending cuts may accelerate the
achievement of carbon neutrality “if the ulti- support the young senator at campaign events “while the primary election felt epic, the gen- stances where [he] thought [LaBolt’s] analysis
on the day of eral election felt was wrong.
mate reductions are made in areas that typi-
the primary. While the primary like a plateau.” Ac- “A lot of the things you cite are things
cally contribute to the institution’s carbon
The cam- ` Š cording to LaBolt, that journalists find important but things that
footprint.”
paign hadspon- election felt epic, the Obamas message
political scientists ... find less important,’ said
Norton reported that the “shiny, new”
sored an event at k of change, while Dickinson.
$11 million biomass facility behind the Ser-
Dartmouth Col- g eneral election felt never faltering, had Dickinson believes that the general elec-
vice Building is already burning wood chips.
lege, but the col- to be supplement- tion outcome was fixed after the conclusion of
When it is fully functional by the end of the like a plateau.
lege population ed with responses the Democratic primaries, and that the Flor-
month, he said, it will “get us a long way to-
ward carbon neutrality.” in attendance — Ben LaBolt ’03 to the sometimes ida and Missouri controversies — involving
was sparse while negatively charged the disputed allocation of delegates between
“We would look at any financially posi-
the overwhelm- remarks provided the two primary candidates — were part of
tive ideas around carbon neutrality, for sure,”
ing number of approximately 550 journalists by the Republican Party and its candidate. the reason Obama was able to defeat political
Norton said. “If it makes economic sense, we
was daunting, especially with the forecasted Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), he said, was behemoth Clinton.
would look at any idea.”
victor’s foreboding sense of defeat permeating the Republican Party’s perfect choice for an- Dickinson also said that McCain had the
Recommendations will be made pub-
lic on the College’s Web site as they are ap- the state race. opponent for Obama because of his place as opportunity to change the course of the elec-
proved. Norton said he expects the first batch “Tm in the room with all the media, and “every Democrat’s favorite Republican.” LaBolt tion with his vice presidential pick, and if he
had refused to get involved with the first in-
to be posted shortly.
carnation of the bailout of the failing financial
“We're trying to be as open and honest
sector, the election could have turned in his
and transparent around this process as is
favor.
possible,” he said.
LaBolt answered that McCain “took ex-
Nevertheless, members of the nine per-
perience off the table [when he picked Alaska
son committee of administrators, faculty,
Governor Sarah Palin]” and a less aggressive
staff and students have been instructed to
role for the vice presidential candidate featur-
remain tight-lipped.
ing “softened lipstick and less pig” could have
Although Assistant Banquet Chef Patri-
helped close the gender gap.
cia McCaffrey initially agreed to an interview, eRea TeE ee
After the lecture and a period of questions
she later declined.
and discussion, LaBolt took part in a career
“Regrettably, we were all reminded this
conversation with students interested in poli-
morning that only Patrick Norton, the com-
tics. LaBolt had two recommendations for stu-
mittee chair, is to be the spokesperson for the
dents: get involved locally and take advantage
committee,” she wrote in an e-mail. “All in-
of Middlebury’s international connection.
terviews are to be referred to him. About all
“Students can get involved right here by
I can say is that I am Staff Council President
supporting initiatives they'd like to see passed #
this year. That is why I was asked to be on the
in the next four years, and by helping their
committee to represent staff. Sorry — I can-
members of Congress,’ LaBolt said. “Also,
not comment further.”
leave Middlebury and find where you can
The remainder of the committee’s mem-
make an impact, either in a small community
bers were similarly unavailable for com- Andrew Ngeow, Photo Editor or through the entire country’s challenges.”
ment. Norton said later that his role as sole Ben LaBolt ’03 explains the Obama campaign’s successful strategy to an attentive audience.
INRT EN
15 January 2009 3
Campusnhews
college
Preacher
shorts
scheduled
- By Jaime Fuller, News Editor
for Feb. 11
GWU prepares for record-
breaking inauguration
With less than a week to go, George
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Washington University (GWU) is
preparing events for President-elect
which is allotted by the Student Government
Barack Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Association (SGA) Finance Committee each
Over four million people are expected
year, consists of $20,000 to bring high-profile
to attend the event, and the day is being
speakers to the campus. Because the going
observed as a national holiday by most
rate for these speakers is usually higher, ac-
of Washington, D.C.
cording to co-chair of the Speakers’ Commit-
Because of the volume of visi-
tee Trevor Lee ’10, the committee made the
tors coming to the capital for Obama's
decision to invite a speaker every other year,
historic inauguration, security will be
so that the budgets from both years could be
“really, tight,” according to John Petrie,
combined — enabling the committee to at-
GWU’s assistant vice president for public
tract a more sought-after personality.
safety and emergency management.
“[Sharpton] appeals to a wide majority
“Talks of university security are in-
of people,” Lee said. “He doesn’t appear as
creased this time because of the number
intellectual as others. One thing you look for
of people,’ he said.
in a speaker is how intelligent he is and what
Despite the logistical nightmare,
he’s published, but you also need someone
Petrie said that GWU “students should
who can actually speak. We don’t want any-
expect a wonderful experience.”
one being bored or falling asleep in Mead.”
Leo Ribuffo, professor of history at
Lee also mentioned that the committee
the University, believes that the inaugu-
had managed to save money this year and
ration serves as an excellent introduc-
could potentially bring in another rather im-
tion to the new president, but that such
portant speaker sometime in March, though
optimism usually does not hold strong.
nothing is set in stone.
“I think Americans understand re-
“When we found out that Al Sharpton
ally that an inauguration is like a gradua-
was available with our limited budget, we
tion or a wedding,” said Ribuffo. “There’s
thought he would be the influential icon we
a kind of rhetoric of great optimism and
were looking for to galvanize Middkids,” said
then afterward, well, maybe the graduate
Diana Chiu 710, a member of the Speakers’
doesn’t get the greatest job in the world.
Committee.
Maybe the marriage is a little rocky. But
To determine who the speaker would
today, at least, let’s look on the bright
be, the committee first surveyed the student
body in the fall to determine who they would In the end, Sharpton was the top choice Democratic presidential nomination was side.”
-~ — The Associated Press and The
like to see brought to campus. largely because of his ability to engage audi- unsuccessful, Sharpton has been a promi-
“About one-fifth of the student body an- ences and speak about current events and nent player on the American political scene GWU Hatchet
swered the survey, and we chose the speaker politics. for decades.
Born in Brooklyn in 1954, Sharpton was Sharpton last sought the presidency in
based on the responses,” said Jeanine Buzali
’09, co-chair of the MCAB Speakers’ Com- ordained as a minister in the Washington 2004, and prior to that, ran several times for
Temple Church of God in Christ at the age the U.S. Senate and New York City mayor’s Study finds students not
mittee.
MCAB originally considered holding of ten. He is known for his belief in the non- office. Despite his efforts, Sharpton has never as studious as expected
the event at Pepin Gymnasium, but high violent philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, as been elected for any position. He continues
Fouzia Siddiqui, a neurology stu-
production costs, coupled with the College’s well as his participation in the civil rights to preach and currently has his own nation-
dent at the University of Toledo Medical
financial difficulties, led them to choose to movement of the 1960s. ally-syndicated radio talk show entitled “The
Genter, has just published an article in
hold the event at Mead Chapel instead. Though his recent bid for the 2008 Al Sharpton Show,” which airs daily.
the journal Sleep Medicine concerning
Applications decline by 12 percent the uncommon phenomenon of sleep
e-mailing.
One patient she studied, a 44-
year old woman, was an insomniac
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and came to Siddiqui’s clinic to seek
medical attention as she had episodes of
much as a 30 percent drop in their applicant sleepwalking. The patient sent an e-mail
pool. Applications are currently down 16 per- while sleeping with the subject “!HELP
cent at Hamilton College. Colby College’s regu- ME P-LEEEEESE” to three of her
lar admissions applications are down by about friends. The e-mail was an invitation to
14 percent, while early decision applications dinner the next day.
were higher than usual. Colleges that publicize “The intriguing point on this spe-
their generous aid programs have fared better cific case was that she actually went on
this application season, with Yale, Dartmouth the computer and typed in her user-
and Duke University all having higher applica- ` name, typed in her password and went
tion rates than ever. on the Internet and typed her username
The College’s admissions office will not and password again,” Siddiqui said. “The
know until Feb. 1 how many students have ap- next day, her friends called her back; she
_ plied for financial aid. was unaware and was shocked. That's
“Since we make our admissions decisions when she sought medical attention.”
on a need-blind basis — at least for all domes- Another little known activity Sid-
tic applicants — we don’t actually know in the diqui focused on was “Sexomnia,’ which
Admissions Office who has applied for aid and involves performing sexual activities
Nick Sohl
Student workers in the Office of Admissions sort regular decision applications after Jan. 1. who hasn’t,” Clagett said. while asleep, a medical condition that
public safety log December 13, 2008 - January 12, 2009 can place one at risk of being accused of
sexual assault.
These two rare but troubling
DATE TIME INCIDENT CATEGORY LOCATION DISPOSITION conditions led Siddiqui to prescribe a
more regular sleep schedule for college
students.
12/14/2008 10:00 p.m. Computer charger Battell South Referred to Commons Dean “You need a good night's sleep to
perform better in the day, and if you
don’t get a six hour sleep, no matter
how much you're doing that day, the
performance would not be to the level
1/7/2009 11:00 a.m. Theft from Mop bucket with ringer DKE Alumni House where you get a good night’s sleep,” she
ublic space said. “[A lot of people think], ‘What if I
don’t sleep and [nap for] an hour here
„and there?’ or ‘Maybe I can make up
1/12/2009 7:26 a.m. Vandalism Vending machine Hepburn No Suspects during the weekend. It doesn’t work like
that.”
The Department of Public Safety reported giving six alcohol citations between December 13, 2008 and January 12, 2009. — The Independent Collegian
NIIREG NTRR R
Campusnews
4 15 January 2009
Lindholm assumes leadership of Cook Commons
By Tamara Hilmes
The Middlebury Career of Karl Lindholm
News EDITOR
Former Dean of Advising Karl Lind-
holm was appointed dean of Cook Com-
mons on Jan. 8 by Gus Jordan, acting dean
of the College. Lindholm, who is also an as-
_ 2001 Acting Faculty Head,
sistant professor of American literature, had 1980 Associate Dean of —
Brainerd Commons
served as acting dean since the departure of
1967 Recieves BA from Students
1992 Director, Pre- f
former Dean of Cook Commons Matt Car- Middlebury College 1988 Dean of Students
Enrollment Program :
luzzo this past August.
Carluzzo himself had succeeded David
Edleson, one of the founding members of 1986 Associate $
the 1998 decentralized commons system. Dean ofthe 1991 Faculty Head, Atwater 2000 Interim Faculty il
1976 Works as assistant dean
Edleson decided to take leave of the Col- College Commons Head, Ross _ 2007 $
of students and dean of off-
lege in 2007 due to the emergence of what Commons
campus study Acting Dean, Cook
he described as a “top-down” decision-mak- ` 2008 Dean of Cook CommoConmmsons |
$
ing culture.Lindholm, much like Edleson, $
is old hat when it comes to the commons $
i
system, and was asked by Jordan to step into
3
Carluzzo’s old role this past fall on an in-
definite basis. nacott, and Dean of Advising.” went on to call himself a “true hybrid,” re- five commons, though he admits that he still
Lindholm graduated from the College Lindholm explained that he has always ferring to his ability to combine his inter- has a lot to learn about Cook. “I’m so grate-
in 1967, and worked as assistant dean of been ready and willing to play whatever role est in providing great “student services” and ful to the team that was already here,” he
students from 1976 until 1991, when things the College needed — though he is particu- more academic goals, such as a few writing said. Lindholm said that people like Cook
were “reshuffled.” larly excited about his new position as com- projects that he would like to complete be- Commons Coordinator Linda Schiffer, as eceee
He has been involved with the com- mons dean, which he sees as an opportunity fore he turns “100 years old.” well as C.A. Dana Professor of Italian and
wminet I have always been twoi th sctoundneenctts Aside from research and writing goals, Cook Commons Head Patricia Zupan, have
Lindholm does not have an extensive road- helped him immensely in adjusting to the
fmirst itbt s avaiel able to piG nch-hit% for dotehn t-opnr aos fteus-- ` map for the year ahead. According to him, new environment. Commons Residential
after next year, his future is still rather indef- Adviser Andy Mittelman ’08 has also been a
centralio zed the Dean [of the College]. soonr baas is moarned inite. He explained that he has no particular crucial resource.
goals within the commons system because it “Tm dependent upon them,” explained
B19e9e1n, wsh o — Karl Li° ndholm, perso“ntalh elreveel'. s Lindholm. “I have not wanted to intrude and
to disrupt the conventions theyv e found. So
pale Dean of Cook Commons houw h far I have defined the job very narrowly, and
haven't gone to things like the commons
within the work of com- council meetings. I let Andy continue to be
mons deans,” my link there.”
dorms, but
in administrative buildings. Lindholm Overall, Lindholm admits that this ap-
Between 1991 and 1999, Lindholm explained. “Broken windows and broken pointment was made “quite by accident”
hearts. Basically what we encounter are and that when he was asked to stand in as
and his wife, Reginald L. Cook Professor of
American Literature Brett Millier, served as very intense relationships with individual acting dean, his subsequent appointment as
the faculty heads of Atwater Commons. students in a crisis. Essentially both the be- dean of the commons was not guaranteed.
“I like the commons system,” said Lind- ginning and ending of the relationship are Though it came somewhat as a surprise,
holm. “I’ve been involved with it from the based in the crisis.” Lindholm is thrilled with the opportunity.
outset.” He went on to explain his various The ideal dean, according to Lindholm, “Tm happy. This is a role I like,” he said.
roles in the student affairs sector of the Col- would combine an interest in student life “The length of time is indefinite, but Pm
lege. with an interest in academics. In his newly old. I graduated in 63 and my future does
“Thave always been available to pinch-hit acquired position, Lindholm will still be en- Courtesy not loom out before me. I'll do next year,
Lindholm, Dean of Cook Commons.
for the Dean [of the College], said Lindholm, couraged to teach at least one course a se- then we'll see. Pm a lot older than the other
who has published several articles and pre- mester, a task he eagerly anticipates. is something “natural and organic.” deans, but they've been nice to me,” Lind-
sented several times on the subject of baseball. “Tm glad,” he said, “It makes good use Over the course of his career at the Col- holm joked. “I fit the job description exactly
“T have been a faculty head, Dean of Won- of my skills and background.” Lindholm lege, Lindholm has been involved with all — I’m just 25 years too late.”
briefs
Anti-kidnap expert alum abducted in Mexico
by Tim O’Grady, Staff Writer
Four faculty members promoted to position of On the evening of Dec 10., Felix Ba- _ restaurant revealed that there was an SUV
Associate Professor, effective July ` tista 77 was abducted outside of an up- parked outside and that Batista entered
scale restaurant in Saltillo, Mexico. the vehicle. However, the police are unsure
by Dana Walters, Staff Writer Batista resides in Miami, Fla., where whether he was hauled into the SUV force-
he works as an anti-kidnapping expert. fully, or if he got in willingly.
On Dec. 4, the Board of Trustees University Press published her book, So
granted promotions to four faculty Great a Light, So Great a Smoke: The Be- He is widely known and has success- The incident occurred just a month
fully negotiated the release of hundreds after Batista said in a television interview
members. This July, Assistant Professor guin Heretics of Languedoc. She is currently
of Psychology Jason Arndt, Assistant in the process of writing Medieval Heresy: of kidnapping victims in Latin America. that Mexico is one of the worst places in
Professor of History Louisa Burnham, The Church’s Struggle for Orthodoxy and According to ASI Global, a firm that pro- - the world to be kidnapped.
Assistant Professor of Economics Jessica Survival. : vides security experts to protect high- Mexico is infamous for its high num-
Holmes andA ssistant Professor of Film Holmes focuses on health economics profile businesspeople and their families, ber of kidnappings. Some independent
and Media Culture Christian Keathley and economic development. She and her Batista acted as a response coordinator groups claim that roughly 500 people a
will each assume the post of associate colleagues, Associate Professor of Eco- whose primary job- was to secure the month are kidnapped in the country.
professor. nomics Jeff Carpenter and James B. Jer- release of captives instead of jailing kid- Just a few weeks before Batista was ab-
nappers. _ ducted, the state of Coahuila made a public
With the exception of Holmes, who main Professor of Political Economy Peter
joined Middlebury in 2001, each of these Matthews recently received a National Sci- The police invited Batista to the . plea to reinstate a now-defunct law that sen-
- professors began their career at the Col- ence Foundation award to study charity Mexican state of Coahuila to give semi- tences convicted kidnappers to the death
lege in 2002. Both Burnham and Holmes auctions. Holmes teaches a diverse array nars on security issues. He was not as- penalty. Some believe that Batista’s kidnap-
previously occupied positions on the of courses, including “ The Economics of signed to handle a kidnapping during the ping was a direct response to that plea.
time of the abduction. Batista graduated from Middlebury in
Faculty Council, while Arndt acted on ‘Sin,’ the economics of social issues and
According to friends, Batista stepped 1977 and earned an M.A. in Spanish from
the Institutional Review Board and Ke- “Public Finance.”
athley served on the Curriculum Com- Mark Carlough 12 described Keathley, outside the restaurant to answer a cell the Middlebury College Language School
mittee. his first-year seminar instructor, as “a pro- phone call. A security camera outside the in 1991.
Arndt has taught a variety of cours- fessor who really tries to get his students to
es, from the psychology department’s think about the material.” Keathley helped
introductory course to a seminar on ani- start a service-learning project for the Ver-
corrections
mal cognition, and focuses his research mont Folk Life Center and is currently
on human memory and recognition. He working on a book entitled The Mystery of In the Dec. 4 issue of The Campus, it was incorrectly reported that an anonymous
has published articles in Memory and Otto Preminger. oe donor will contribute $1 million to the Senior Class Gift if the Alumni Office gets 60
Cognition and the Journal ofM emory and “Tt was a temendous joy for me to percent of alumni to donate. In actuality, the Office of College Advancement’s goal of
Language. - receive tenure,’ wrote Keathley in an e- 60 percent alumni participation will lead to an anonymous donation of $1 million to
Burnham has taught courses en- mail, “mainly because it means I will the College. Every member of the senior class who makes a donation will be matched
titled “The Making of Europe” and “The for sure be stayingi n a community that with a $100 contribution from an anonymous donor. The Senior Committee set a 96
Mediterranean World.” In 2008, Cornell I love -- both the college and the town. percent participation goal for current seniors. The Campus regrets the error.
moar apo y oy oa e
tee
15 January 2009 lO C al
The Middlebury Campus
Reaching DEEPER
By Lea Calderon-Guthe
STAFF WRITER
Town gift
certificates aim
to boost local
NOTE 19 LEGAL TENTER
ron Moers. PUBLIC AMO PRIVATE: economy
As businesses na-
tionwide reported de-
FS HOTE 13 LEGAL TENTER
clines in holiday sales, y mt S AAD TRNAS 5 x F 86u20915655
the Middlebury com-
munity appreciated WASHINGTON, D.C.
stability in local sales
partly due to a gift
certificate program
called Middlebury
Money. Community
members purchased
the certificates, which
can be used at more
than 100 stores in the
MIDDLEBURY MONEY
Middlebury area, as a promise to shop
locally, but some participating business
A Gift Certificate
owners remain skeptical of the program’s
usefulness.
redeemable at participating businesses in Middlebury, Vermont
Since its introduction in 1997, sales
of Middlebury Money have seen mod-
erate success in the community, but as
the national economy spirals down-
ward, concern for the local economy
has remained strong. According to Gail
i Boe> Parana Ty eaarr, front
Freidin, Executive Director of the Better
_ Patina Beard by Miad Basings Association oia NaGonal Bank af Midero.
Middlebury Partnership and one of the
creators of the Middlebury Money pro-
gram, the community expressed its concern through purchasing record amounts of the money.
“Last year $20,000 of [Middlebury Money] was sold, and the year before, $22,000,” Freidin said. “This year, we sold $28,0 00 worth. That’s a 37 parean in-
crease. It speaks volumes about people’s renewed commitment in a down economy to support local businesses.”
In 1997 the Middlebury Business Association (MBA) — now the Better Middlebury Partnership — introduced Middlebury Money as a way to encourage
local spending. Instead of a true local currency that can be recirculated, Middlebury Money works more like a gift certificate. Local consumers buy an amount
of Middlebury Money at the National Bank of Middlebury with an equal amount of U.S. dollars and then redeem the bills at participating local businesses. The
businesses then cash in the Middlebury Money for U.S. dollars as if they were cashing a check.
In the weeks before the holidays, the National Bank of Middlebury (NBM) featured a promotional campaign for Middlebury Money on its website and the
Addison Independent ran a series of ad campaigns for shopping locally. Middlebury Money has close ties with the Addison Independent, as a former director of
advertising was one of the key players in its creation.
When the concept of Middlebury Money was first discussed, Freidin and the other community members involved in its creation did not intend to create a
local currency, but they did want to stress the importance of shopping locally. At the time, universal gift certificates like Middlebury Money were available and
successful in Rutland and on Church Street in Burlington. Freidin attributes the continued success of Middlebury Money to the fact that the stores that accept it
are not required to give a discount to consumers. This encourages stores to participate because there is no monetary loss involved in accepting the bills.
“It’s seamless for businesses to accept [Middlebury Money], Freidin said. “Having a lot of businesses accept it is key to selling a lot of Middlebury Money.”
Recent publicity has highlighted local currencies such as Burlington Bread and Berkshares in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. These communities print
their own bills for local use as wages and for bartering. Although this has sparked discussion: aia local currency in Middlebury, Freidin does not think Middlebury
is ady yet.
“People running the businesses need to know that they can buy product or pay rent or E with a local currency,’ Freidin said. “We’re not quite there
_ yet. It involves going deeper into the local economy and getting to wages and product. For a lot of stores that exist locally, their product doesnt come from Ad-
dison County, so they have to pay U.S. dollars for product. Most employees need to get paid in dollars that will be accepted for taxes and rent.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
‘Newly Brewed Ales Wall Street to Main Street A Family Affair
Otter Creek Brewery servesupthree Changes come to downtown Sculptor Bob Crystal and son Aaron
new lagers for the winter season, __ _ Middlebury, page 6. showcase art at the Town Hall
page7. Theater, page 6.
6 15 January 2009 | localnews
New year sees openings, closings on Main St.
_ By Amanda Cormier
Loca News EDITOR
This holiday season, Middlebury shop-
pers, like many American consumers nation-
wide, witnessed the repercussions stemming
from the deceivingly abstract crises on Wall
Street. But there is reason to believe the ca-
sualties were less severe for local businesses,
especially in comparison to their counterparts
and competitors in other states.
Indeed, the changing face of Middlebury’s
most prominent bloc of businesses — which
includes the closing of a store, the opening of
a restaurant and a change in ownership of a Eleanor Horowitz
flagship establishment — is not just a another ly-grown food, will open a new branch in late
product of the nationwide economic crisis. spring in a major downtown space. Rumors of
“Generally, the businesses said things the diner occupying the space currently held
weren't as bad as expected this holiday sea- by Tully and Marie’s could not be confirmed
son,” said Gail Freidin, executive director of or denied by the diner’s owner, Tod Murphy.
the Better Middlebury Partnership. “That’s In December, Murphy held a community
not a terribly positive statement in light of the dinner regarding the restaurant’s role in town
national and world economy, but it’s pretty to widespread support.
Andrew Ngeow, Photo Editor
darn good. Although December business was “I asked people in the community for
The face of downtown Middlebury will see several changes through the spring. Glass Bead
down, the year finished either at or about references [for local suppliers],’ Murphy said.
Game, a women’s apparel store, announced its closing in late 2008.
even, possibly up or down 1 or 2 percent.” “Eggs seem to be the big issue. There are not
The holidays provide downtown stores makes it difficult for businesses on the market season. enough local eggs. Lots of people were excited
with the majority of yearly income, with the to find buyers. Glass Bead Game, a women’s “I do think that consumers demonstrated to hear that a family-priced restaurant that
off-season supplemented by college parents, apparel store on the College end of Main stronger loyalty to local businesses rather than -is so locally oriented is coming to town. We
alumni and tourists. High rent on Main Street Street, announced its closing after time on the just going and spending money anywhere.” spend about 73 cents of every dollar within
can make it difficult for stores to withstand market yielded no buyers. “The fact that Glass Real estate shifts have also expressed in- 50-70 miles of the restaurant.”
the months of May through October. For this Bead Game will close doesn’t mean there creased desire to keep Main Street money lo- Murphy said he hopes that The Farmer’s
reason, Woody Jackson, artist and owner of won't be a business there — there may be a cal. Ben Franklin, Main Street’s flagship gen- Diner can have a high degree of involvement
Holy Cow, Inc., moved his studio out of its little shuffling going on,” Freidin said. “Some- eral store, was recently sold to a local family with the community and College organiza-
prominent Main Street location in late Octo- times there is a flurry of that, and other years that plans to retain its identity as a general tions. The Diner has developed several new
ber. Now, it is occupied by his wife’s business, there is not much change. I would say there merchandise store. Bonnie Gridley, owner of menu items to appeal to student budgets, such
Ingrid Jackson Real Estate. hasn't been a lot of change lately.” RE/MAX Champlain Valley Properties, said as a $5 breakfast.
“The stores that can survive [on Main The relative stability of business in town the sellers expressed a desire that the business “We think that having the College nearby
Street] are the ones who can generate better — despite the usual difficulty of maintaining stay in local hands. is going to be great, and we expect our mission
income, like professional service industries,” a Main Street retail location — can be partly The strength of the local economy was statement to appeal to a lot of Middlebury
Woody said. “For Ingrid, it’s the perfect loca- attributed to Middlebury’s focus on the lo- also the focus of a new restaurant opening on students,” Murphy said. “A lot of the student
tion. It gets a lot of foot traffic.” cal economy. According to Freidin, custom- Main Street in the spring. The Farmer’s Diner, body’s worldviews on local economies seem
The high rent of a Main Street location ers were more cautious with their money this a diner in Quechee that serves primarily local- to be similar to those in Addison County.”
Cornwall sculptor exhibits new work with son
___By Kaity Potak _
What began as fascination with its func- agonals, but also allows for the imperfect edges Aaron to help facilitate the creation of these
Loca News EDITOR
tionality has since evolved into an apprecia- that only the kiln can create. In terms of how massive works: “I was always playing with clay
Memory may be the last thing one would tion for the aesthetic elements of clay. Now in the ideas for his murals come about, he said in my dad’s studio when I was a little kid,” said
expect to find at the bottom of a coffee cup. his 40th year in the ceramics studio, Crystal’s spontaneity is very much a part of his process. Aaron, who is now pursuing a degree in studio
But it is memory that separates clay from any focus is shifting from the practical to the orna- “Shape?” said Crystal, making a graceful arts. Aaron initially began helping out with the
other artistic medium. Just as clay retains the mental. “I started out making functional pot- sweeping gesture with his right arm and very larger pieces that his father worked on, but has
movements of those who give it shape and tery and then less and less functional things, nearly closing his eyes, “It’s just a matter of get- since become a regular force in his father’s stu-
form, Bob Crystal vividly remembers the first making them for art’s sake,” said Crystal. ting started.” dio. Collaboration II, the second serious mu-
time he sat down at a wheel at the University ral that Crystal and
of Delaware in 1969. Throwing for the first This move has resulted in the ceramic I loved the idea of pots for use, Aaron worked on to-
time, it was the physicality of throwing and murals that currently adorn the walls of Mid- gether, is a source of
the practicality of its result that brought Bob dlebury’s art gallery in the Town Hall Theater. that something I made might pride for both father
Crystal to pottery. i While Crystal’s show actually opened on New and son. Cosmos, a
“The dynamic quality of wheel work made Year’s Eve in the gallery, Crystal hosted a recep- become part of someone’s piece Aaron created
me a thrower, and functional clay became my tion on Jan. 9, and ensured that he was avail- entirely on his own,
everyday life.
focus,” he has said. “I loved the idea of pots for able for discussion with those attending. was, also successful
use, that something I made might become part The murals themselves, some of which at the show as its
of someone’s everyday life.” A black-and-white . reach over 15 feet wide, manage the remark- — Bob Crystal rich midnight blue
photo from 1974 shows just this — Crystal la- able duality of being both abstractedly modern andterracotta-toned
boring over a pottery wheel, surrounded by an and also organically earthy. Crystal sometimes glazes garnered the
Crystal began creating wall-sized master-
array of pots and bowls designed not for china cuts the large slabs of clay into specific curves attention of everyone in the room.
pieces two years ago in his Cornwall studio. He
cabinets but for coffee and cereal. . and shapes, often with strong interrupting di- ‘Tve always loved the deep blue glaze,”
has since recruited the artistic talent of his son
Aaron says in response to a comment on his
color choice, “It is so different from a lot of the
other pieces.”
Like Aaron’s color choice, the desire to
` discover something different seems to be what
drives Crystal’s art. “I am no longer limited by
the wheel,” said Crystal of these newest mu-
rals. “I am now able to create whatever space -
challenges me.” One of the most striking fea-
tures of these murals is the color palette that
enhances the murals’ commanding presence.
Using naturally colored glazes such as browns,
greens, gold and black, Crystal claims that col-
or determines his approach.
“My inspiration is almost reverse of what
you would expect. Rather than approach a
piece with some specific theme, I approach it
with color in mind,” said Crystal, “I take the
biggest brush I can find and I attack the piece
with it, making the biggest stroke first. Then
the rest of it is accentuating and balancing it.”
Crystal’s work and the emerging art of
his son, Aaron, prove that such an attack can
have wildly successful results. Crystal said he’s
embracing the freedom of uncertainty in the
Grace Duggan, Photo Editor
This mural, entitled Orchid is one example of the wall sized works that Bob Crystal is showcasing with son Aaron at the Town Hall Theater. future of his work.
localnews 15 January 2009 1
Brewery unveils new 2009 brews
ase s
Imperial and All-American redefine Otter Creek lineup
of an American organic farmer, following the Will Stevens’ Pumpkin
By Andrea Glaessner
~~ Locat News EDITOR — - Ale, which is brewed with local Vermont pumpkins. To top it off, the
brewery is also bringing back two all-time favorites — the Kölsch style
While most Americans ring in the new year with promises to
Spring Ale, as well as the infamous Mud Bock. As usual, the brewery
cut back on everything from carbs to cigarettes, Otter Creek Brewery
is keeping its doors open for customers to stop by and sample the new
shows no signs of holding back with the release of four creative brews
(and old favorite) beers on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.
due out this spring season. The local craft brewery has upped the ante
to 6 p.m.
on its selection of microbrews with the introduction of its new, high-
When a reporter was sent to weigh in on the four spring ’09 brews,
alcohol content Imperial series. First up in the series is the new Russian
‘the response was overwhelmingly positive — two thumbs up for the
Imperial Stout, containing 10.6 percent alcohol for the noblest of beer
new Russian Imperial Stout, the Pat Leavy’s All-American and the re-
connoisseurs.
turning Mud Bock. The Kélsch Spring Ale will not be out until next
„Balancing out the global with the local, Otter Creek has also just
month, as it has yet to be tasted by brewmaster Mike Gerhardt. Origi-
released the latest addition to the Farmers’ Series — Pat Leavy’s All-
nating from Cologne, Germany, the bright golden Spring Ale Kölsch is
American, made with all-organic and all-American ingredients. Brewed
a pleasing brew for everyone — complex enough for craft beer aficio-
with Leavy’s organic Fuggles, Goldings and Magnum hops, Pat Leavy’s
nados but mellow enough for lightweights. 3
All-American is the second beer from Wolaver’s to be named in honor
Tour, bringing devo
Japan — last year’s selection wasa sake-in-
- fused rice brew called Otter San — to the hills
of Vermont.
a deep,
Local currencies coupled with discounts
who would buy Middlebury Money would “We want to see [Middlebury currency]
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
spend their money in town anyway — whoev- happen through things like Central Vermont
Before the town even considers its own er buys Middlebury Money is likely to already Public Service saying they’d take 10 percent
currency, Freidin said a few steps need to support local business.” _ off bill pay in Middlebury currency as part
be made towards an intermediate form of Israel also says her store took in a little of our commitment to re-localizing,’ Freidin
Middlebury Money — in particular, there more Middlebury Money this year than usual, said. “It needs to be that integrated. That’s
needs to be more incentive for businesses to but that she would have made the same profit kind of the next step from where we are.”
heighten their involvement with a currency. with or without Middlebury Money. She cited Middlebury Money has enjoyed particu-
Paula Israel, owner of Wild Mountain Thyme, no significant change in profit for her store lar success this year as the community tries to
does not see much value in the current pro- since Middlebury Money’s inception. defend its economy. But without the potential
gram, though she happily accepts Middlebury For Middlebury to incorporate its own next steps Freidin suggests, the program will
Money. currency, Freidin said she feels larger busi- remain a far cry from becoming a currency ni
“I think [Middlebury Money] is OK,” Is- ness entites would have to make a signficant the true sense of the word, with complete in-
rael said. “I don’t know if it necessarily keeps and lasting commitment to re-localizing the tegration into the local economy.
money in town because maybe those people
economy.
inions
Op
4
15 Januar 201
he Middlebury Campus
The Middlebury Campus
THe Mystery oF We Ely
Managing Editor Editor-in-Chief Business Manager
Tess Russell Brian Fung . Grace Close
News Editors Local News Editors Opinions Editors
Jaime Fuller Amanda Cormier Peter Baumann
Tamara Hilmes Andrea Glaessner Ian Trombulak
Kelly Janis Kaity Potak-
Features Editors Arts Editors Sports Editors
Aylie Baker Melissa Marshall Kevin Carpenter
Rachel Jennings Andrew Throdahl Jeff Klein
H.Kay Merriman Emma Gardner
Photo Editors. Online Editors
Grace Duggan Ling Fang
Andrew Ngeow Erin Hansen
Ernest Russell
John Birnbaum
Editorial
Totes from the desk: Peter Baumann
Everybody has an opinion. Share it.
The staff editorial represents the official opinion of
The Middlebury Campus as decided by
the editorial board.
Looking back, looking The funny thing about a comfort zone is that sections of his message, I could see a degree of relax-
it is exactly that — comfortable. You could be there ation and calm return to her complexion. She hasn't
because it is what you know, or what you are good at even gotten to Cuba yet and she is already establish-
forward or simply where you find yourself most at home. For ing a new comfort zone. One that she would have
me, I was comfortable as editor of the sports section never known existed had she not stepped outside
of The Middlebury Campus. During my year and the original.
For most Middlebury students, Winter Term represents a a half I got to interview fascinating people, watch My second anecdote comes from Erin Quinn
cherished exercise in relaxation. Free afternoons afford ample great games and work with a group of staff writers 86, the College’s Director of Athletics. In an inter-
opportunity for skiing, snowboarding and exploring the sur- and co-editors that (sometimes) made spending the view last semester, I asked him what compelled him
rounding Vermont hinterlands, while a diverse array of eye- wee hours of the morning tucked away inside the to give up his successful career as a lacrosse and foot-
opening workshops allow students to develop new skills or hone | Hepburn basement seem worth it. ball coach to move into an administrative position.
existing ones. Here at The Campus, we welcome this interruption So why did I shift sections? In a move that still He said that there was more he wanted to accom-
to the typically frenetic pace of the academic year as we bid fare- is surprising even to myself, I decided following plish and that while he will always miss coaching he
well to a dedicated group of mid-year graduates and anoint the the graduation of that quintessential opinions edi- saw the position of Athletic Director as a chance to
new leadership of our Spring 2009 editorial board. tor, Alex Garlick 08.5, I would take over the reins expand and enhance his influence and vision. Today,
These administrative changes also mark the beginning of an of his section our Department
aggressive plan to fully transform our presence on the Internet. and embark Try something new. Join a of Athletics stands
At a time when print media organizations have begun recogniz- upon a journey as a shining exam-
ing the importance of multimedia and immediate reader feed- for which, I,. by club,:take a new class, do. ple. of everything
back, we have responded by enlisting some of our knowledgeable any objective right with Divi-
something that would have
peers to design and bring online a new, more robust Middlebury standard, am sion IH athletics in
Campus Web site that will offer support for streaming video, woefully unpre- large part because
bloggers, extensive commenting and more. pared. seemed inconcievable mere of the stamp that
Yet, even amid the excitement of this ambitious project, we I still don’t Quinn has placed
months ago. You may be
_ have not lost sight of our foremost responsibilities — to preserve know exactly upon it. He made
Middlebury history, to provide an expressive outlet for students what came over surprised by what you find. the inherently ter-
at the College and, as always, to ask tough questions and offer me, but I have rifying decision to
incisive reporting. As part of an effort to better fulfill those du- a pretty good step outside of his
ties, we look forward to expanding the reach of our content and idea. You see, comfort zone and
being more proactive in communicating with other students. the problem with a comfort zone is that it is tough anyone who has been touched by his vision can at-
In this issue, we unveil a new and improved Opinions poll to really find out what makes you tick when you are test to his success.
that will incorporate more detailed replies than in the past. In inside of one. I moved to the opinions section of Okay, I’m sorry. What’s the point? The point is
the months ahead, we will also strive to feature a wider range of _ the newspaper because I wanted a new challenge to encourage each of you to try something new. Join
community members on our pages and to shed light on evolving — something that might cause me fits in the short a club, take a new class, do something that would
but unexplored topics through special investigative series. term, but in the long term will emerge as an inher- have seemed inconceivable to you mere months ago.
One of the most invaluable resources we have as editorsi s the ently positive experience. You never know — you may be surprised by what
feedback we get from friends and fellow students every Thursday I’m sure by now you're wondering what the you find.
morning, in the dining halls and in class. Ultimately, the barom- point of this column is. Good question. The point In the same vein, take a moment to submit
eter of our success is the trust and loyalty of our readers, so tell of this column is to try to encourage you to step out to the opinions section. Sure, that sentence was a
us what you think — what you most enjoy reading about and of your own comfort zones, but before I get to that I shameless self-plug, but think of what these pages
how we can better tailor this newspaper to your interests — by _ need to first tell a few stories. represent. This section is a place where the varying
sending an e-mail to [email protected] or by filling out One of my best friends is leaving in three weeks sentiments of the college community can congre-
one of the surveys we plan to distribute in the near future. to spend the spring semester in Havana, Cuba. If my gate and be heard. Don’t like an article you read?
As we move ahead into the new year, your responses will - move across the office was a step outside my comfort Write a letter to the editor and let us know how you
help The Campus turn over a new leaf. Let's get cracking. zone, her trip will be a gigantic leap. Over the past feel. Disagree with something the administration
few months I have slowly started to see bouts of ner- has done? There exists no better place to air your
vousness creep into her eyes when someone men- grievance than here. My goal for the rest of the year
tions her trip, but this morning an amazing thing is to cultivate the kind of dialogue that encourages
happened. As the two of us were sitting at breakfast debate within the College community. I need your
her BlackBerry beeped, indicating an e-mail from a help. Everyone has an opinion. Step outside your
mutual friend of ours who had just returned from comfort zone. Share it.
contact the campus spending his fall semester in Havana. As my friend
PETER BAUMANN 10 1S THE OPINIONS EDITOR.
spent five minutes reading the “to bring” and “to do”
HE Is FROM DENVER, COLO. OSAA2AESNSE S IAE R IS
To contact The Middlebur ‘Campus Publications
campus policies and information
with story tips or content suggestions, e-mail:
— campus@middlebury. edu
or find us on the web at: Thec opies pages of The Middlebury Campus provide a forum for constructive and respectful dialogue on substan-
. www.middleburycampus.com tive issues. With this in mind, The Campus reserves the right to deny publication of allo r part of a submission for any
reason. This includes, but is not limited to: the making of assertions based on hearsay; the relation of private con-
versations; the libelous mention of unverifiable events; the use of vulgar language or personal attacks. Any segment
of a submitted article that contains any of the aforementioned will be removed before publication. Contributors will
The Middlebury Campus (USPS 556- 060), the student newspaper of Middlebury Col- be allowed to reference prior articles published in the Opinions section or announcements for the public record. If a
ldeagye o,f i st phueb laicsahdeedm ibcy yTehaer, Meixdcedplte bduurryi ngC aomffpiucasl cPoulblleigcea tviaocnast.i oPnu bpleirciaotdiso na nisd efvienrayl eThxuarmsi-- reference is made to prior articles, the submission will be considered a letter to the editor. The Campus will not ac-
Cnaotliloengse.. ETdhiet orMiiadl dlaenbdu rbyus iCneasms poufsfi cies s parroed ulcoecda teodn i nA Hppelpeb uMranc iHnatlols hA nnceoxm,p uMtiedrdsl eubsuirnyg cceopltu monrs ,p riendti taornioanl ycmoomuisc s leattnedrs .o tThheer ocpoimnmieonntsa erxyp,r easrsee dv i|beyw s c oonft rtihbeu tionrdsi vtiod utahle cOopnitnriiobnust orsesc tainond, daos wneoltl naes cersevsiaerwisl,y PRAEENANAESA E EE O A
_ Adobe InDesign 2.0 and is printed by the Press Republican in N.Y. The advertising reflect the opinions of the newspaper. The a welcomes letters to the editor at 250 words or less, or opinions
deadline for all display and classified advertising ii s 5 p.m. Friday for the following submissions at 800 words or less. Submit works directly to the Opinions Editor, Drawer 30, campus@middlebury.
_ lweegee,k ’Msi idsdsluee.b uMrayi,l iVntg., a0d5d7r5e3s.s :O fTfhicee Mpihdodnlee:b (u8r0y2 )C 4a4m3p-u5s7,36 .D rBauwseirn es3s0 , pMhiodndel:e b(u80r2y) C44o3l-- edu or via the paper’s web site at www.middleburycampus. com. To be considered for publications, ssuu bmissions
5737, Please address distribution concerns tot he pcs Director. First class Ponta must be received by 5 p.m. Sunda The Campus reserves the right to ee all- o -o —
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campusopinions | | ; 15 January 2009 9
Lupo Fiasco: Kate Lupo
The Sexism of Laughter
Arent women funny? Arent we interviewed some of America’s most
just hilarious? Do you know the names important and prominent faces. Both
of any female comedians besides Ellen Barack Obama and John McCain made
` DeGeneres? No? Me neither. On the appeararices on “Ellen” during their
flip side, Pm sure if I asked my read- campaign for the presidency. Before
ers to name male stand-up comedians, interviewing Barack Obama, Ellen had
they would probably be able to provide the audience in hysterics as she and
a solid list. I will argue that, at least Barack grooved to “Crazy Right Now”
in our current society, it is hard for a by Beyonce. In her interview with John
_ woman to be funny without seriously McCain, however, Ellen had the choice
compromising her beauty, talent and of keeping things lighthearted, but in-
intellect. Everyday, both Hollywood ac- stead decided to tackle the elephant in Shenanigans: Alex Garlick
tresses and regular plain Janes have to the room. Ellen nailed McCain on the
deal with the sexism of laughter. issue of gay rights and viewers watched What I’ve learned at Middlebury
Let’s look at some pop culture as he writhed in his seat, saying that
examples of recently successful female he and Ellen would only be able to
comedic moments and analyze why “respectfully disagree” on the topic. In The numbers are staggering: seven semesters on to hide, but as presently constructed, my conversations
they made both sexes laugh out loud. that moment, Ellen showed that she is campus, three J-terms, $159,870.50 in tuition, fees, with students indicate that impression permeates the
Reese Witherspoon’s role as Elle Woods passionate, intelligent and informed. parking tickets, and deposits, thousands of printer judicial environment. There are other areas that could
in “Legally Blonde” was hilarious be- These aspects of Ellen’s personality, and pages that Count Paper is fretting over and a GPA that use reform as well, so all I recommend to the student
cause, at least in the beginning of the particularly her intelligence, make her a would have been sterling if my Spanish was “bueno” body is to take its rightful ownership over this process,
movie, she played the role of one of the successful comedienne. (sadly, it was “mucho mal”). However, there is no way and ensure that fairness will not be an issue.
dearingy Itis hard for a woman , |, , to put a number on the amount I have learned here at 7. Intramural Sports: You can learn all you
t b? LA O
Middlebury. But I’ve never let imposing odds get in need to know about a man, or woman, from playing
dumb and to be funny without Middlebury
the way of me taking on a challenge, except for when I intramural sports with him or her. So for all of you
a compromising her aes k quit the football team in my first year, so let me see if I calling weak fouls in basketball or`plowing through
can count what I’ve learned at Middlebury. girls during co-ed soccer, know that you will be judged,
en that intellect. have a few 1. Political science. I have read so much Fareed in this life or the next.
has ever truly hilari- Zakaria and Larry Diamond that I feel like we’ve shared 8. Professors: Taking a class with a professor
graced the silver screen. How comical! ous women on campus. When I say a Proctor paninis. I’ve also learned that political science you've already had is great. It takes less time to figure
Similarly, “Saturday Night Live” darling “truly hilarious” woman, I mean some- does a really good job of describing what just happened, out what’s going on, and you usually do much better.
Tina Fey’s career has recently sky-rock- one who can make both sexes laugh distinguishing it from history which describes what's In short, the second time is great. However, I wouldn't
eted due to the popularity of her most using her intelligence, wit and knowl- been happening, use this advice
amazing impression of Alaska Gover- edge of current events. She does not and economics I’ve read so much Fareed when it comes to
nor Sarah Palin who, though an admi- have to act dumb or fall on her face to which has now chicks or dudes
rable woman, is not the sharpest crayon get a laugh. Although I wont mention shown that it can Zakaria and Larry Diamond you “Bunked” with
in the box. Also, a lot of people think names, I look up to the women of the show what will on Friday night —
“Knocked Up” is a hilarious movie, es- Otter Nonsense Players who are among not happen next. that I feel like we’ve shared sometimes, once is
pecially when those shrill, bitchy wom- some of the funniest women I have ever 2. Speak- aaa enough.
en scream at the top of their lungs in had the pleasure of laughing at. They ing of econom- Proctor paninis. ee Cia
every scene — now that’s funny. are every bit as funny as their male co- ics. I do love the reer Services: They
When we are laughing at Reese conspirators and equally contribute to dismal science, work hard, but they
Witherspoon as Elle Woods or Tina the hilarity of their improv scenes. On although to ease the enrollment, they should call it don’t work miracles.
Fey as Sarah Palin, we are laughing at that note, if you have never seen an Ot- “Economics — Not Business.” Also, “Intro to Macro- 10. Majors: Whatever happened to the beauty
the stereotype of the “dumb, ignorant ter Nonsense show, then you are truly economics” could use actual unemployed econ majors of the single major? There’s no need to take on mul-
woman’ which should not be funny at missing out on one of the best aspects to demonstrate the Phillips curve. tiple majors if that action thereby defeats the purpose
all. Furthermore, most of us are prob- . of Middlebury College. 3. Dining Halls: Here is another teaching tool. of having a major at all, to gain acute expertise of a
ably guilty of laughing at portrayals of So ladies: the next time you find Mexican food: short term benefit, long-term conse- subject matter. A triple major with a side of pre-med
fat women, ugly women and women yourself acting dumb to get a laugh out quences. probably only has expertise in anxiety and Banner-
with disabilities. What female historical of your guy friend, stop yourself and 4. How to be a Feb: First advice, try not to an- Web.
figure is the easiest to laugh at? That’s instead, try a little irony, sarcasm or tagonize the entire Reg population with any satiric let- 11. Pre-med: If you are wishy-washy about go-
easy: poor, blind Helen Keller! wit. If you need inspiration, try study- ters to the editor of The Campus in your first semester. ing pre-med, make sure you drop it as soon as it be-
Why, then, is Ellen DeGeneres the ing famous comedians of the past, plus Besides that, there’s not too much to it. comes apparent it’s not going to work out. Otherwise,
only female comedian who has scraped you will truly impress your guy friends 5. Diversity: No Elite Prep School Left Behind. the only thing that will make it to medical school is
the glass ceiling of the male-dominated if you can quote a whole tract from 6. The judicial board: After three and a half your GPA in cadaver form.
world of comedy? What does she bring Dave Chapelle’s “Killing Them Softly.” years on the community judicial board, which hears 12. Senior Week: It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
to the table that other women don’t? Instead of glazing over when your guy conduct cases, I can happily report to the campus that - And it’s easy to tell who the sprinters are on gradua-
She succeeds because she follows no friends discuss Dane Cook, actively try it is blessed with hardworking, considerate and com- tion morning.
stereotypes. In fact, because she is gay, to be a part of the conversation. Be in- passionate individuals on its judicial boards. These And so as I finally approach my own graduation
Ellen has created her own brand of formed and be confident in your abil- people are very successful at providing the fundamen- morning, I will take all this knowledge with me as I
humor which allows her to both make ity to make a joke, and with time and tal fairness they set out to bestow on accused students, bid the campus, and The Campus, adieu. Thanks for
fun of and embrace the “feminine” and practice, you will have us all rolling in however challenging this may be. Unfortunately, the reading all this time.
“masculine” aspects of her personality. the aisles. entire judicial process is flawed by its institutional de-
Ellen’s television show is incred- KATE LUPO ’10 Is FROM sign, specifically, a lack of transparency that replaces ALEX GARLICK 708.5 IS FROM
ibly popular and on the air, she has Weston, CT. clarity with confusion. The judicial board has nothing NEEDHAM, Mass.
campusopinions
1 0 15 January 2009
Elephant in the Room: Stefan Claypool ID Hes WEEKS
GODIOCKSA
The Definition of Insanity
Dek AND
Thirteen months into a historic recession, then again in the 1970s, in the hope that this
it’s become clear that President-elect Barack time, with this administration, maybe it will
scr ALONG |
Obama plans to address the crisis with a com- work. It’s understandable — we want to believe
bination of neo-Keynesian policies and care- that a benevolent government can harness the T |
fully lowered expectations. As he prepares to ` power of the economy for good, but the fact of
unleash a $775 million stimulus package on the matter is that no managerial entity can ever iR US ue
our country, Obama has worked hard to con- truly control an economy simply because of the Ne
vince Americans that we are on the cusp of the challenges of size and information. (I highly
next Great Depression, aided and abetted by an recommend Leonard E. Read’s essay “I, Pencil”
eager-to-please media desperately searching for for a wonderful explanation of this principle.)
a way to boost ratings and newspaper sales. Although it has become fashionable to
But what is being billed as the greatest in- blame George Bush’s economic policies for the
crease in government's role in the private sector crisis, it must be noted that Bush’s method of
since the Roosevelt administration will most handling the recession is not radically different
likely result not in a successful economic turn- from what Obama is proposing. In fact, the ma-
around, but rather in a continued downward jority of Obama’s plan is merely a “What Bush
spiral that could very well make Obama’s pre- did, but more” package, similar to how many
diction of a depression a self-fulfilling proph- of Roosevelt's New Deal programs were simply
ecy. The critical point that Obama’s team seems the logical extensions of Hoover policies. Bush
to be missing is that wealth and prosperity are increases the federal budget-by $1.5 trillion in
derived from markets with free-flowing capital eight years? Obama says he'll boost it by an ad-
and risk-taking entrepreneurs, rather than fed- ditional $1 trillion in one hundred days. More
eral programs and massive works projects. bailouts? More deficits? Check and check. Not
In one of the more egregious instances exactly change we can believe in.
of shared cultural self-delusion, modern his- And for what? So that we can shamelessly
tory books proclaim that Franklin Roosevelt’s rehash failed policies in the desperate hope
New Deal rescued the American economy and that maybe this time, with the right people in
ushered in a new era of prosperity. In reality, charge, we can spit in the face of economic
the Roosevelt programs resulted in only mini- reality and suffer no consequences? President-
mal shifts in the unemployment rate, despite a elect Obama’s plan isn’t about innovation and
sharp increase in the number of government- change, it’s about a return to the failed policies
sponsored jobs and public works projects. Fur- of the 1930s and the 1970s, the Keynesian med- -
thermore, Roosevelt’s Keynesian policies actu- dling that has consistently proved ineffective
ally removed valuable capital from the private but is touted by elites because it shows that the
sector by reassigning equipment and personnel government is “doing something.” Well, count
to government jobs. Massive tax increases did me among the declining number of Americans
little to aid the turnaround as well. It wasn’t who would rather see a solution dedicated to
until World War II that the fabled Roosevelt utilizing our strengths than to stifling them.
economic boom happened, about a decade too The longer we kid ourselves that this benevo-
Sam Dakota Miller |
late and for reasons beyond the administra- lent form of nationalization that President-elect
tion’s control. The obvious lesson: that this sort Obama and his economic team are thrusting
of Keynesian meddling is about as useful as a upon us is the solution to all of our problems,
urinal in a convent. the longer we will suffer for it. Instead, give us
Unfortunately, that’s not the lesson we a plan that emphasizes the creative powers of Have something to say? We're listening.
took away from the experience, and now we our private sector and provides incentives for
are cursing the Greedy, Evil Corporations™ Americans from all walks of life to help get the
for destroying our economy and expecting Big economy back on its feet. e-mail [email protected]
Brother Government to step up and step in to
save us from ourselves. And so we're repeating STEFAN CLAYPOOL 710 IS FROM
the mistakes that we made in the 1930s, and MEQUAN, Wisc.
Op-Ed: Matt Dickinson
The Obama Presidency: What Can We Expect?
What can we expect from an Obama presidency? The next by David Axelrod, Obama gains both experience and loyalty and nomic downturn. Obama’s first legislative priority will be working
two years will be the critical period for his administration. It is the avoids the crucial staff-induced errors that dogged the previous with Congress to pass an economic stimulus package designed to _
time when presidents exercise maximum influence, often with an two Democratic administrations in their first days in office. ameliorate the worst impact of the recession as soon as possible.
attitude of hopefulness tinged with hubris borne from winning a In foreign policy, Obama will need to deal constructively with Undoubtedly such legislation will be less economically targeted and
two-year struggle to obtain the nation’s highest office. Obama will the inevitable tensions that will arise between his National Security more pork-laden than desirable, but that is the price of doing busi-
soon discover, however, that campaigning is not the same as gov- Adviser James Jones and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. By vir- ness with a geographically-based representative body in a system of
erning; it is far easier to promise change than it will be to imple- tue of proximity and institutional allegiance, this conflict is almost shared powers. The hope will be that the stimulus package does not
ment it. always won by the NSC adviser. Despite this, Obama would be well send the wrong economic signals in the form of a drastically bigger
We have seen, during the transition period, early indications advised to create the public perception that Clinton is the chief budget deficit and excessive regulations that conspire to lengthen
about how Obama plans to govern: from the center, presumably foreign policy spokesperson if for no other reason than to keep her the time for market forces to reverse the economic downturn. With
through a strategy of political moderation and incremental policy from straying too far too soon from the reservation. luck, the economic rebound will occur early enough for Obama to
change. His key cabinet and White House appointments are, for Obama's foreign policy in its broad outlines is not likely to take some credit in the run up to the 2012 election.
the most part, long on experience with a demonstrated commit- differ much from the Bush administration’s: no retreat from the Obama will find that efforts to change the “tone” of political
ment to the Clinton administration’s New Democrat strategy of global war on terror, a lengthy (albeit slightly diminished) pres- discourse in Washington are hampered by the reality that the deep
navigating between the parties’ ideological extremes. Such prag- ence in Iraq and a beefed up security commitment in Afghanistan. partisan divide is largely rooted in differing, strongly-held beliefs of
matism has been the hallmark of Obama’s public life dating back To be sure, Obama will certainly try to mend fences with the in- Democrat and Republican lawmakers regarding what government
to his days heading the Harvard Law Review, when he shunned the ternational community, but he will learn that there are limits to should do. These differences are exacerbated by a 24/7 blogger-
progressives who backed his candidacy in favor or reaching out to how far one can overcome basic policy conflicts rooted in differ- driven news media fixated on viewing policy debates through the *
conservatives for political backing. ent perceptions of national interest. Ironically, Obama will benefit lens of political strategy and participants’ personalities. Obama’s
The critical lesson that Obama will learn in the
next 24 months is that far from being the “most power- The Presidency teaches humility. words alone cannot bridge this partisan divide. Instead, if
he hopes to fulfill his promise to create a more bipartisan
ful position in the world’, the presidency is in fact a very
weak office. Except in those rare instances — FDR's first No one is truly prepared for it. tone, he will need to make significant political conces-
sions to Republicans that will undoubtedly infuriate the
100 Days, Bush during the immediate aftermath of 9/11
left-wing of the Democratic Party.
— when events conspire to temporarily centralize deci-
A final thought: The presidency teaches humility.
sion-making power in the Oval Office, presidents typically exercise from Congress’ and the judiciary’s pushback against the Bush ad- No one is truly prepared for it, and mistakes are inevitably made.
very little unilateral authority. Instead, their effectiveness depends ministration efforts to broaden the scope of presidential authority Obama will learn that expectations for what he can accomplish far
on their ability to persuade members of Congress, the executive in the national security realm; new limits negotiated in the areas
outstrip his capacity to deliver. How quickly he learns from his er-
branch and the public that what the President wants iss wim they of domestic eavesdropping, torture, and the treatment of prison- rors, and how he handles the inevitable frustrations of office will
should want too, but for their own interests. ers means Obama will be spared the need to fight these battles
go a long way to determining his place in history. We, as citizens,
are stWeiptsh iOnb atmhae sec acno ntsatkiet utto imonaaxlilmyi-zien duhciesd g olviemritnsi,n gh oewfefveecrti,v entehsesr.e fcarnotm hsucrrdaltecsh;. OTbhiasm ai s nfoacte st oh asrady tchheo icreosa d ata hheoamde irs ewgiatrhdoiuntg csilgonsiifnig- mcaand eh elapn dt hjautd gpero cOesbsa.m aW e acnceoerdd intgo lyr.e coMgonriezoev etrh,a t omni smtoasktes cwoinltlr ob-e
First, he needs to foster a creative tension between his principle Guantanamo Bay, restoring confidence in the nation’s intelligence versial issues, many — sometimes a majority of — Americans will
White House and cabinet advisers, rather than allow any single services, and generally balancing the need to protect the nation’s not share our perspective. That does not make their views any less
iconndtirvaisdtu alt o tBoi lbl eCcloimnet onp riwmhuos aicnttievre lpya rerse.s isTtoedw aradpp otihnatti negn d,v eatenrda nisn bBoursdhe rdsi dw i—t hotuhta t sianc rtihfei cisntgr ugbgalsei c toci vbial lalinbceer titehse. tHweo , witlhle fwienidg h—t oasf legitimate. When Obama takes the oath ofo ffice on Jan. 20, he be-
of the Carter presidency, Obama has leavened his White House and constitutional responsibilities will push him toward securing na- comes president of all Americans, and not just of those who share
our political convictions. We are all in this together.
cabinet with ex-Clinton aides. Presumably the hope is that by pit- tional security first.
. ting Clinton holdovers such as chief of staff Rahm Emmanuel and Domestically, Obama’s ability to fulfill key campaign promises
economic adviser Larry Summers against campaign operatives led on health care, entitlement reform and middle-class tax cuts will be MATT DICKINSON Is A PROFESSOR OF
hampered by the need to address the credit crunch-induced eco- POLITICAL SCIENCE. /