Kudos
When things go wrong, we are quick to criticize the administration, the social systems, and even the students. Too often, we say nary a word when things go right. A weekend ago, it was both Halloween and Homecoming, yet everything seems to have gone very smoothly, in sharp contrast to the problems of the fall of 2007. Kudos.
The following are condensed versions of two articles that appeared in the Record.
Homecoming celebrations go off without a hitch
By Elleree Erdos - Staff Writer (Record)
Event organizers began and ended Homecoming weekend in celebratory fashion, hosting a number of concerts and themed parties without glitches. Party planners were pleased with the turnout at events in celebration of both Halloween and Homecoming.
ACE took charge of Friday night’s lineup, starting the night off with a concert in Lasell, featuring hip-hop artist Charles Hamilton and Grammy Award-winner Rhymefest….
Halloween-themed events followed the concert, beginning with a Freaky Friday dance in Goodrich from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. and the Late Night Thriller party in Brooks from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m….
During the day on Saturday, the neighborhoods held a Cluster Cup tailgate competition, which Spencer won with its spread of KFC chicken and biscuits, homemade caramel, white chocolate and chocolate-dipped mini apples, cookies, chips and dip, mini molten lava cakes and cheesecakes.
“In my opinion, the weekend couldn’t have gone smoother,” said Franny Barrett ’12, the Wood Neighborhood social chair. The neighborhoods hosted two parties on Saturday night following the football game: the Masquerade Ball in Goodrich featuring DJs Dirty Deeds and D-Lo and the Late Night Trick or Treat in Prospect Basement.
This year all four neighborhoods sponsored both of Saturday’s events. Instead of having simultaneous parties, the events were staggered throughout the night to allow for greater turnout. “The Late Night Trick or Treat gave people something to do until 3 a.m., so a lot more people stayed out later,” said Ali Barrett ’09, ACE president….
Weekend sees few incidents, damages
By Yue-Yi Hwa - News Editor (Record)
“From our point of view, this weekend was amazing,” said Bea Miles, director for Facilities. According to Miles, the only billable incident this weekend was in Tyler Annex. “They broke a chair and had a bio-cleanup,” she said, adding that there were brownies scattered around the area.
Miles also noted that kitchens in dorms were slightly messy Monday morning as students had done a lot of cooking over the weekend, but “it’s nothing we’ll complain about.”
…“Overall we would like to thank the campus for a wonderful weekend,” she said.
Jean Thorndike, directory of Security, also offered a positive assessment. “The weekend went smoothly and there weren’t any major security issues,” she said. “It was relatively uneventful and the calls we handled were similar to incidents that occur on a regular basis.”
Thorndike added that none of the incidents stood out as significant or specifically related to Homecoming. “During past Homecomings, there was usually more activity on campus,” she said, noting the difficulty of comparing Homecoming weekends “because every other year we host Amherst.”
Kyle Johnson, Williamstown Police Department (WPD) chief, agreed that the weekend had been quiet and uneventful. “This has become the norm since the alcohol policy at the football game has changed,” he said, noting that he was only aware of one summons for an alcohol violation and no arrests.
On Saturday, two WPD officers had been assigned to patrol and four more were on duty at the football game. That evening, three officers were on patrol and two additional officers were assigned to the event at Eastlawn Cemetery….
Eph Word of the Day: Palinode
From A.Word.A.Day at Wordsmith.org:
palinode
PRONUNCIATION:(PAL-uh-noad)
MEANING:noun: A poem in which the author retracts something said in an earlier poem.
ETYMOLOGY:From Greek palinoidia, from palin (again) + oide (song). It’s the same palin that shows up in the word palindrome…
NOTES:The illustrator and humorist Gelett Burgess (1866-1951) once wrote a poem called The Purple Cow:
I never saw a purple cow,
I never hope to see one;
But I can tell you, anyhow,
I’d rather see than be one.The poem became so popular and he became so closely linked with this single quatrain that he later wrote a palinode:
Confession: and a Portrait, Too,
Upon a Background that I Rue!
Oh, yes, I wrote ‘The Purple Cow,’
I’m sorry now I wrote it!
But I can tell you anyhow,
I’ll kill you if you quote it.USAGE:“The more lighthearted palinodes were more successful, such as Geoff Horton’s recantation of his youthful view that a martini should be shaken rather than stirred.”
Jaspitos; I Take It Back; The Spectator (London, UK); Jan 24, 2004.
Items to discuss may include hallucinogens used by Mr. Burgess, the proper construction of a martini, and whether Mrs. Palin will issue a palinode.
After-School Fun
Good to see an idea from Williams infiltrate the University of North Carolina:
Last year, graduate student and teaching assistant David Ticehurst had a few students from his Astronomy 101 class over for dinner.
Ticehurst went out and got barbecue, and he and his students discussed the stars until late in the evening.
He thought it was such a good idea that now he is trying to secure funding so professors and TAs can host similar events without taking money out of their own pockets.
Ticehurst, who spent his undergraduate years at Williams College, a small liberal arts school in Massachusetts, said his former school has a similar program that helped shape his undergraduate experience.
“I think it’s a really good idea,” he said. “It gives the students a chance to see the real world outside of the classroom.”
Ticehurst still needs funds for the program. Last year he sought $5,000 for the program from the Graduate and Professional Student Federation in addition to a matching contribution from the provost’s office.
“It’s like the University was just waiting for someone to come along with this idea,” he said. “They are always talking about developing a more intellectual climate, and that’s what this does.”
He said he is planning on designing a Web site where instructors can submit proposals and share stories about programs.
He also wants to make a presentation in front of the Faculty Council to get them excited about the program, which initially evolved out of class discussions.
Having the students over for barbecue was something Ticehurst, who is a certified barbecue judge, had talked about with his students all semester, he said.
When it came time to host a pilot event, he thought that would be the perfect time to try it.
Michael Johnston, a sophomore who was in Ticehurst’s astronomy lab, signed up to help Ticehurst after enjoying the first program.
“It was funny at first because you’re seeing all of these faces you’re used to seeing at 8 a.m. when nobody is awake,” Johnston said. “It was awkward at first, but we found enough to keep the conversation going.”
Johnston also said seeing the instructor outside of the classroom setting makes him or her more approachable.
“It makes it seem like you have some sort of connection to this person that’s teaching you,” Johnston said. “Instead of just seeing this giant brain at the front, you see a little more of a person.”
I have no doubt that the evenings I spent drinking wine and chatting with professors till late at night were more valuable to me than a good many of my classes. I only regret that I did not do it more often.
Once upon a time in the Berkshires, 1976
Not for the glam, nor glory, but as a record of how it was at times for some of us. What a pointless exercise we undertook. Why is it, some places in time, and indeed some boys and men, are just plain belligerent?
I am sure there are people here blogging who can relate.
I recall I was ten at the time. Tight T shirt, first dance, I was just starting to feel and act on that pre adolescent urge of kissing girls, and groping around clumsily in the dark for a breast through a shirt. Anyhow, there I was. All dressed up. Looking good. I had checked myself out in the mirror several times before getting a ride to that dance at the YMCA. North Adams. Plenty of young pretty girls and boys going through the awkward age of pre puberty in small town rural America at the dance at the Y.
Local swimming hole #3
The Tubs
This is private property, so I am not going to give the exact location on the internet. It is in Pownal just off of Rt 346, about fifteen minuets from town. If you want to check it out, make friends with a townie and they will show you the way. It is a very beautiful location.
Warning- the terrain is rough and not really suitable for children.
There was some trash on the site. If you go, please bring an extra garbage bag and clean up after yourself and those who have decided to litter.
Cheers!
Reefer Madness
The Record highlights the consequences of a disturbing recent change in the College’s treatment of marijuana usage (emphases added):
Five Williams students will face court charges for marijuana possession on Thursday. These summons are in part due to a change in the College’s protocol regarding incidents of marijuana possession, which took effect last July.
Previously, the College dealt with matters internally, but its new “see it, smell it, report it” policy calls for Campus Safety and Security to report all marijuana incidents directly to the Williamstown Police Department (WPD). The WPD has recently seen an increase in charges against individual students. “From March 1 to date, we have criminally charged eight people with marijuana possession. All of these appear to have been students,” said Kyle Johnson, WPD Chief.
“Eight charges in a six week period appears to be more than usual,” he added, noting that the weekend before spring break, the charges were “dispersed around campus.”
Jean Thorndike, director of Security suggested that the temporary increase in incidents could be due to room inspections that took place during spring break.
Describing the consequences of being charged for marijuana possession, Johnson said, “A person arrested is brought to the police station for booking procedures. They then go to Northern Berkshire District Court for an arraignment in front of the judge. There are numerous options at this point: plea, trial, etc.”
“We’ll see how it goes,” said a student who has recently been charged with marijuana possession. “In court, I’ve heard that we’ll probably get a fine or probation,” the student, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “I don’t think it will go on our record.”
I suppose that, Williamstown being such a quiet little burg, the WPD and Security must find some way to spend those idle hours, or they might turn to drink. One can only hope that their unwonted zeal, bless their little hearts, does not leave a permanent black mark on the records of dozens of Ephs. Although it might stimulate the local lawyer economy, this sounds like a fantastically stupid use of tax and tuition dollars.
Tri state grandfather clause living
I remember a day when a drive to Pownal meant drinks. Just south of Bennington, at a place that is now a small office park, was a local haunt called Rogers Roost. Known by the locals as “The Roost”, it was a haven for 18-21 year olds from New York and MA, which made it one hell of a place to party in the 1980s. Williams Students, North Adams State students,and townies from all over the tri state area would drive to the Roost to drink and meet people. It was a great time to be a teen.
Roger was a foul mouthed parrot who lived in a cage above the bar. Right over the center of the bar top. Everyone fed him shots and beer, and taught him the most vile vocabulary, until he died of an overdose in the mid 1980s.
Nova and Chevelle Super sports, Trans Ams, Mustangs, Corvettes, GTO’s- a case of beer for the after hours ride to the nearest swimming hole or latest hook up. Spring Street sprang with activity - fast cars and youth. The number of players from the College were small in number, but they existed. They mixed freely with locals and partied like townies, always a State girl by their side. It was mostly a Williams male phenomenon, mostly. Interesting times then… has there been something lost?
