The race for the 2008 Presidential election has been unprecedented in every sense of the word. The U.S. has witnessed its first African American Presidential nominee, its most popular female Presidential nominee, and its first Republican female candidate for vice president in history. Just as significant as these firsts is the surge in youth political participation. This year’s primaries and caucuses brought more than 6.5 million people under the age of 30 to the polls and youth participation in November’s election is expected to break national records. So how do Hamilton students factor into this unprecedented political trend? The Continental sat down with Kevin Rowe—campus coordinator of Hamilton Engage ’08—to find out what his organization is doing to make sure Hamilton students do precisely that this November: engage.
Hamilton Engage ’08 is a pet project of the campus chapter of Democracy Matters, a national student non-profit that promotes civic engagement and pro-democracy reforms. The project, Rowe maintains, “has been evolving since last fall” when Democracy matters held a voter engagement drive. The drive featured a series of voter registration drives, a faculty panel on the 2008 election, and a film showing. “In the spring,” Rowe remembers, “several of us got together and started brainstorming about how to make the biggest possible impact on campus as we approach the election.” The answer was Hamilton Engage ’08: a non-partisan, student-run effort to engage students in the political process and facilitate creative, inclusive, and productive political discourse on campus.
The predominant focus of the Hamilton Engage ‘08 campaign, Rowe explains, is on “registering voters and providing absentee ballot applications.” These efforts have already proved successful. As of September 22, Rowe and others have registered over 200 new voters and helped nearly 400 students get absentee ballots. The project, however, extends beyond voter registration. “We also want to help facilitate students’ efforts to make informed choices on Election Day by providing a series of resources,” Rowe explains. These resources include seven side-by-side issue comparisons in the dining halls, watch and discussion parties for each of the four debates, an organizational blog (engage08.hamiltoncollegeblogs.com) and a series of small-group discussions on political issues in collaboration with other groups on campus. These, Rowe hopes, will provide opportunities for political dialogue and information on a wide variety of election issues such as health care, energy and the environment, social issues, Iraq and Afghanistan, immigration, youth and students, and the candidates’ biographies.
Rowe agrees that the 2008 election is a historic and exciting time for youth in politics. He can see evidence of this unprecedented youth political fervor here on campus. “Based on the response to our project,” he asserts, “it seems that students are really energized by this election.” Ultimately, however, Hamilton Engage ’08 hopes to facilitate political involvement on campus beyond the November election. Rowe believes that the political dialogue on campus leaves much to be desired. Most Hamilton students, he claims, are “turned off by politics. They may register and vote every two years, but a lot of them rightly feel disconnected and unrepresented by state and national politics on a day-to-day basis.” Rowe also believes that the political dialogue at Hamilton is largely unbalanced. “There is a fairly small group of students actively involved in political groups on campus, and they are by and large progressive. I think the campus would benefit from more outspoken and active conservative students and groups.”
While Hamilton Engage is geared towards the 2008 election, it is clear that its goals extend far beyond November. Rowe and others want to make sure this year’s increased youth participation becomes the political rule, not the exception. “That’s why we’re calling the project ‘engage’,” Rowe concludes. “We want to encourage students to engage in the political process not just this fall, but more importantly for their entire adult lives.”
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welcome to contmag.com!
11.14.2008
Hamilton Engage
Unique Summer Internships
As soon as the last final was turned in, and the frenzy of packing and celebrating finally ceased this past May, a majority of the student body vacated the Hill to enjoy three homework-free months of summer. While some of us refused to acknowledge that our carefree years at Hamilton are slowly coming to an end, others geared up for a dose of real world responsibilities that come along with a having a summer internship.
Summer internships can be found in many different places and forms. With the election season in full swing, many students looked for internships involving the campaign or in business firms on Wall Street. Not all students, however, chose this route. Three students went beyond these common boundaries and adventured into a different world of internships.
When deciding to apply for an internship for the summer, one of the first things to consider is where you want to be located. Peter Woodruff ’09 decided to look for an internship in the backcountry. After looking at different options through the Student Conservation Association, Peter finally decided to look on his own and received a job as a ranger at the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Reserve in Alaska.
Since we often only hear of ranger duties through childhood cartoons like Yogi the Bear, it was interesting to hear the range of tasks that Peter was required to do. While daily tasks required maintaining historic public-use cabins, clearing brush, and chopping and stocking wood, Peter also got to go on aerial patrols and learned to navigate a powerboat through the sloughs of the Yukon. One trip in particular stuck out to Peter as his most memorable. This trip gave Peter the opportunity to fly north to the “Gates of the Arctic National Preserve” where over the course of nine days, he and one other took part in a backpack patrol over 80 miles in the Brookes Range. He says that having never spent more than one week in the wilderness, this was one of the most glorious experiences he’s ever had.
Xin Wang ’09 used her experience interning in major art institutions the past two summers to land an internship in one of the most prestigious auction houses in the world at Sotheby’s New York City Headquarters. While her previous interning experiences focused mainly on art, working in the contemporary Asian Art Department at Sotheby’s allowed for Xin to explore the corporate and business side of art. Her main duties included assisting the preparation of tasks such as cataloguing, contacting clients, and handling property for the September 17th Contemporary Art Asian auction.
Wang explained that one of the most important parts of the preparation is cataloguing—putting relevant information like name, year, artist, provenance, estimate, literature, and previous exhibition records on each piece of artwork together in order to produce a detailed book of the best work in Contemporary Chinese Art. While this was a lot of hard work, Xin said that this was one of the best parts of her internship.
Amanda Nardi ’11 had the best of both worlds this summer when she found two internships involving two of her passions, fashion and journalism. Amanda interned at Amy Bradshaw Designs in New York City where she worked on the wardrobe set of the independent film, Once More with Feeling. Some of her responsibilities included researching up-and-coming designers for product placement, shopping for character ensembles, conducting fittings for actors and actresses, and maintaining inventory for the wardrobe department. The other half of Amanda’s summer was spent interning at the award-winning newspaper North County. During the course of Amanda’s internship at North County News, she had articles published in the News, Business Beat, Lifestyles, and Community sections. In spite of her crazy summer, Amanda comments that her experience is one that hopefully not only gives her connections but leaves her with valuable lessons that she can apply to aspects of both careers.
With all the problems currently facing the economy and a poor outlook for future jobs in the business world, we may find that more and more undergraduates are looking for different opportunities like the ones Peter, Xin, and Amanda have had. It never hurts to look outside the box at all the other opportunities that are available for us to try. Who knows, maybe I’ll try something different this next summer. The “big bad real world” really doesn’t have to be so bad after all.
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Utica's Hidden Gems
That Place:
216 Bleeker St
Sick of Bundy parties? That Place has it all: Gays, straights, DJ, pool, darts, karaoke on occasion, and of course dancing, dancing, dancing.
Café Domenico:
2011 Genesee St
Need Coffee? Procrastinate by Driving to Café Domenico and try out some new vibes and some new brew. With cozy chairs and a diverse crowd, this is a fabulous place to perk up.
Café Florentine:
667 Bleeker ST.
If that sweet tooth has started to kick in then head to Café Florentine. It’s an adorable little café with outdoor seating, wifi, cannolis, and other pastries to die for.
Pho Mekong House of Noodles
601 John St.
It may look like a beat up shack, but there is so much more to it! Hiding inside is authentic and delicious Vietnamese food. It’s a little rustic and you might have to scrounge for your own silverware but it is definitely worth it in the end.
Virgo Bat’s Retro Collective
722 Varick St
An eclectic assortment of men’s and women’s vintage clothing from the 1940’s through 1970’s with handmade accessories and used vinyl records, CD’s, tapes, and music memorabilia. Great if you’re looking for a funky costume or just simply a weird outfit.
Space 26
24 bank Pl
This swanky nightlife hot spot caters to a more professional crowd rather than the frat boy shit show scene, so if you’re in the mood for getting down to jazz and electronic tunes with Utica’s best, this is your spot.
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Students Experiences at the Conventions
For most Hamilton students, the first couple days back on the Hill after summer break are about catching up with friends, starting new classes, and having fun before homework starts piling up. But for students Stacey Klein ’09 and Samuel Cowan ’11, the first days of this semester were very different. Spending the first days of school off the hill entirely, Klein attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver August 25th through 28th while Cowan attended the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis September 1st through 4th. Their experiences at this year’s conventions may have been different, but their reflections on their time spent there were the same—both consider their days at the 2008 conventions the opportunity of a lifetime.
Klein, a communications major, worked as an intern at CNBC during the summer, and attended the convention as part of the Press Pool. During her two weeks in Denver, she initially worked as a runner for CNBC and then MSNBC, with responsibilities including setting up workspaces in the press tent, finding office supplies, and even helping to prevent altitude sickness.
As CNBC shut down all of their stations, all broadcasts were made from Denver, which only increased Klein’s opportunities. Assigned to MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, Klein worked as Chris Matthews’ personal assistant. She researched stories, contacted delegates and super delegates for interviews, and provided security for panel discussions. Security was also an important part of her job, as the convention was held on public property and anyone, including vocal protestors, could attend. Klein often escorted guests to wherever they needed to go—giving her the opportunity to meet and network with many influential people in both media and politics. Some of the highlights of these included Eugene Robinson, Pat Buchanan, Norah O’Donnell, and Jimmy Carter. After her incredible experience working at the convention and other earlier internships, Klein says she definitely intends to pursue TV new production, covering both business and politics.
Cowan, a sophomore from Minnesota, had a completely different experience at the Republican National Convention. Unlike Klein, he worked at the site of the convention for the entire summer, from June 2nd to the end of the convention on September 4th. Sam was assigned to work on the Committee on Arrangement, which essentially was responsible for running the convention. Sam’s main responsibilities included recruiting professional and basic volunteers, assigning volunteers to specific tasks, and providing security.
Because the 2008 convention staff was the smallest ever, Cowan enjoyed the clearance to go just about anywhere in the Xcel Center. This gave him the opportunity to meet politicians such as George H.W. Bush and Newt Gingrich. One of the most rewarding parts of his summer, Sam claimed however, was being able to see the impact of his work. Having worked at the convention from start to finish, he said it was amazing to influence something that Americans had so eagerly anticipated. Always passionate about politics, Sam’s experience at the Republican National Convention reinforced his desire to work in Washington, DC after graduation.
Both students have plenty of stories and advice to share regarding the upcoming election. Klein and Cowan naturally have their favorite candidates and are eagerly anticipating the outcome of the election. Even more importantly, however, they get to watch this November to see how their hard work and dedication to their respective parties has paid off. Even if defeated, they know that their invaluable work at the conventions helped spread important messages to the American people that will impact all of our lives in the upcoming years. Not too bad for a summer’s work.
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5.12.2008
closing time
four years,
millions of memories,
one final week to enjoy it all
photographs by liza rueckert '08
Senior Week is full of fun activities, and it demands versatile outfits that can take you from mimosa morning to lawn games, happy hour to the Last Chance Dance. Take a cue from seniors Ryan Murphy, Katie Plummer, Manny Rosario, and Emily Tang and you will have great looks for every Senior Week event.
Click here to view the Senior Week 2008 schedule.
Pick up the Spring Issue of The Continental to see more photos and information on Senior Week. Read more...
5.11.2008
behind closed doors
Bob Paquette is not a man of few words. He is well-known on campus for being outspoken, defined equally by his boisterous personality and his intellect. It is not surprising that Paquette—a tenured history professor at Hamilton—has been outspoken about one issue that faculty hardly ever talk about publicly: salaries.
Last spring, Paquette received his annual salary letter but there was something absent from the letter … a raise. In a letter dated May 25, 2007, Dean of Faculty Joe Urgo wrote to Paquette, “Bob, despite your publications in 2006 and your efforts at teaching effectively, I cannot see clear to increasing your salary in 2007-2008. While we were disappointed in the outcome of discussions surrounding the Alexander Hamilton Center, it is incumbent upon us all to handle such disappointments in a professional manner.” These words set-off discussions amongst faculty about the policies and processes surrounding salary determination, and the reaches of academic freedom. In the process, an interesting mix of faculty banded together, leftover animosities over the failed Alexander Hamilton Center (AHC) were revealed, and students were once again left in the dark about what’s really going on at Hamilton behind closed doors.
Determining Salaries
Salaries are based on three factors: teaching, scholarship, and service. During the spring semester, faculty members write a self-evaluation and a personal statement that they submit to their department chairs. The chairs read the reports and write assessment forms for each faculty member in his or her department. Typically, the Dean will meet with chairs to discuss the reports before determining raises, but there is no formal procedure or requirement to meet with chairs. “I met with those chairs where I had questions,” said Urgo, although he did not meet with the chair of the history department. Salary letters were previously not reviewed by the president; last year, however, President Joan Hinde Stewart reviewed each salary letter. Raises for the 2007-2008 academic year ranged from zero-to-seven percent, with most faculty members receiving a three-to-four percent raise.
“Salaries are recompenses,” said Stewart. “We try to reward merit, so there are going to be tough decisions and relative decisions to be made.” Salary letters are sent out at the end of May and include the faculty member’s raise for the upcoming academic year and a short message from the Dean of Faculty, although many professors described their letters as vague and the reasoning less than transparent.
The Exception...?
In the spring of 2007, Paquette predicted to his co-founders of the newly-founded Alexander Hamilton Institute, Professors James Bradfield and Doug Ambrose, that he would not receive a raise in response to his vocal criticisms of the administration about the AHC. At the time, Bradfield and Ambrose laughed it off. “I told him he was crazy,” said Bradfield. “My view was that the College just wouldn’t do that thing. And I was dead wrong.”
Based on the three criteria for determining salaries—teaching, scholarship and service—it is difficult to understand why Paquette would be one of the few singled out for a zero increase. His classes are popular and he receives positive evaluations from students. “In 27 years here, maybe on two occasions I have cancelled a class. My students know I am in my office seven days a week,” said Paquette. “So it’s clearly something else that bothered them.” Paquette has also been consistent in his publishing and is respected for his research. This leaves only the third criterion—service.
Urgo claims that service (or lack thereof) was one reason for Paquette’s zero percent raise. He believes Paquette acted unprofessionally during the debate of the AHC charter. The failed AHC has taken form in the Alexander Hamilton Institute in the village of Clinton. In the aftermath of this debate, the administration was faced with resentment from conservative alumni who supported the Center and the resignation of one of the College’s most loyal trustees, Carl Menges ’51, who now financially supports the AHI. Paquette was the chief architect of the AHC and the failed attempt to bring it to campus left him bitter and frustrated with the administration.
Urgo, Paquette, and Bradfield met on August 16 and again in the fall to discuss the reasoning for Paquette’s zero percent raise. Paquette also submitted six requests for a fuller explanation of how his salary was determined. On each account, Paquette felt Urgo dodged the issues and could not specifically state what actions were deemed unprofessional. Urgo contends that he supplied Paquette with plenty of answers and that Paquette is just unwilling to hear them. “Often people say they’re not being told something when really they just disagree,” said Urgo.
The Zero Percent Raise
A zero percent raise is highly unusual. “It’s all very strange because this sort of thing never happens,” said Professor Jay Williams ’54.
Zero-percent raises are usually given in an effort to warn an underperforming faculty member. But as Williams noted, “Bob Paquette has not gone to sleep. He is very active. Why would you punish him?”
Urgo maintains that a zero percent raise is not a punishment, but a standard, although many faculty members disagree. “A zero percent raise in this economic situation functions as a pay cut and it is a pretty serious step to take,” said Professor Margaret Gentry. “Whatever he had done in terms of scholarship or teaching seemed to be trumped by concerns about his relationship with the College. I’m concerned that one area of one’s professional life erases the teaching and scholarship.”
The Role of Collegiality
In 2006 Dean Urgo published an article entitled “Collegiality and Academic Community” in Sympoke. Collegiality is buzzword amongst higher education circles, relating to the cultivation of positive relationships among colleagues. Examples of collegiality include serving as an effective advisor for students and being respectful of other professors. Paquette’s outspoken nature has at times run against the ideas of collegiality among his colleagues and the administration. Although these personal differences are rarely discussed publicly, it is easy to see why collegiality would come into play in this instance.
Urgo recognized that collegiality was becoming a fourth pillar in personnel and salary decisions at some schools, but believes that collegiality should be incorporated within the three main factors for salary determination at colleges like Hamilton. Still, the faculty is divided on this issue: “One of the sticking points of collegiality, is that there are no criteria for what good collegiality is and what bad collegiality is,” said Professor Robin Kinnel. “Even if it is measurable, it would come after teaching and scholarship.”
The basic role of collegiality is accepted by most faculty members, but its ties to salaries are new and somewhat unsettling. “Urgo is the first to raise these kinds of issues in a salary letter and somehow tie a lack of collegiality to pay raises,” said Professor Tim Elgren.
“I don’t think being critical of the administration or Board of Trustees constitutes non-collegiality,” said Williams. “If we’re not free to criticize the Dean when he does something wrong, Heaven help us! We’re in real trouble then.”
Faculty Support
News of Paquette’s zero percent salary spread through the faculty during the summer and fall of 2007. “It just seemed puzzling to the senior faculty that were there that Paquette would get a zero raise, especially in the wake of his conflict with the administration because it looks punitive,” said Professor David Paris, who previously served as Dean of Faculty. By November, a group of 17 tenured professors had gathered to informally discuss the allocation of a zero percent raise.
Supporters of Paquette include a diverse sampling of the faculty, who are mostly drawn together for the sake of principle rather than personal reasons. “The amazing and amusing thing to me is that this incident has brought together the most conservative and most liberal faculty members,” said Williams.
“Bob [Paquette] and I rarely agree on anything politically, but I certainly would never approve of anyone being penalized for being outspoken,” said Professor Esther Kanipe. “I believe in freedom of speech.”
The 17 senior faculty members met with Urgo on December 17 for almost two hours, but everyone walked from the meeting unsatisfied. “We gave the Dean every opportunity to answer our concerns, and he chose not to,” said Elgren.
Hamilton History
Hamilton’s recent history has highly influenced today’s campus climate, making it impossible to understand this new salary incident without taking a trip down memory lane. “Hamilton is a deceptive looking school,” said Professor Bonnie Urciuoli. “It looks like a beautiful place and it looks simple, but it’s complicated.”
In 2002, the Womyn’s Center invited Annie Sprinkle, a self-described prostitute-porn star turned sexologist, to campus for a lecture on sex toys. Paquette protested the lecture, stating that it violated New York State obscenity laws. “Academic freedom is not an absolute,” stated Paquette in a September 25, 2002 interview with the Associated Press. “I would have to conclude that this administration is both intellectually and morally vapid.”
Later that same year, a faculty member discovered President Eugene Tobin had plagiarized some of his speeches and Tobin subsequently resigned. “The Board of Trustees liked Tobin very much and they didn’t want to lose him,” said Urciuoli, who noted that some board members are said to have strong views about the faculty members that brought Tobin’s plagiarism to the forefront.
In 2004, the Kirkland Project for the Study of Gender, Society, and Culture invited Susan Rosenberg to teach a writing class entitled “Resistance Memoirs: Writing, Identity, and Change.” Rosenberg was a member of the radical Weather Underground, and was in the midst of serving a 58-year prison term for weapons possession when President Bill Clinton pardoned her in 2001. After vocal criticism of Rosenberg on the Hill and off, she stepped down from the appointment.
A few months later, scandal would again rock the campus. The Kirkland Project invited Ward Churchill, a professor at the University of Boulder, to speak at Hamilton. Professor Ted Eismeier did a simple Google search on Churchill and discovered that Churchill had written an essay that compared the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center to “little Eichmanns.” Everyone from New York Governor George Pataki to Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly weighed in on the incident and the event was eventually cancelled due to security concerns.
In 2006, Paquette, Bradfield, and Ambrose introduced the charter for the AHC with enthusiastic fanfare and support from the administration. During the fall of 2006, however, debates over the governance structure for the Center derailed the project.
Paquette’s account of Hamilton’s recent history is summarized in his article, “The World We Have Lost: A Parable on the Academy,” which is published in the May 2008 issue of The New Criterion. In the aftermath of the disintegration of the AHC charter, Paquette claims he was viewed as “intransigent, paranoid, perhaps even mentally unstable.” In response, Paquette states that “paranoia means irrational fear. Hamilton College’s recent history, he points out, makes his fears eminently reasonable.”
Next Steps
Most faculty members interviewed for this article stressed the need for more communication between the faculty, administration, and Board of Trustees and a greater degree of transparency. “The institution is a work in progress that requires good communication among all parties,” said Kinnel.
At the March faculty meeting, the faculty passed a motion by a vote of 69-20 to have the Academic Council report to the faculty next year on the process for sanctions related to salary decisions, as stated in the Faculty Handbook. “If anything comes out of this, hopefully it’s that the administration has learned that this is a very dangerous thing to do because it does have consequences which are not good,” said Williams.
The Ripple Effects
Not surprisingly, receiving no raise for the 2006-2007 academic year has done little to silence Paquette. “To think that a zero will in any way silence me is laughable,” said Paquette. “The zero was meant to provide a chilling effect, but I can make up the difference with two speeches about the Alexander Hamilton Center. And if they do it again, I will give 10 speeches. And if they do it again, I will give 20 speeches.”
Although Paquette is free to discuss this issue publicly and has waived confidentiality, the administration and members of the faculty are limited in what they can divulge in the public sphere.
“This is not being done for Bob Paquette,” said Paquette. “This is being done for a principle.” Most parties involved would agree.
5.08.2008
founder's note
In the beginning, there were just two Katies exchanging emails on different continents. I was in DC and Katie Stinchfield ’07 was in Paris, and somehow we managed to communicate all our hopes and ideas for a new campus life magazine that we would call The Continental. Starting a magazine is no easy task- a realization that became evident to me, Stinch, and the staff as we traded free time, sleep and sanity to produce the premiere issue of The Continental. With each subsequent issue, we have worked out the kinks in the system and learned a lot along the way about the role of campus media, and the challenges and benefits of a diverse readership.
After spending countless hours working on the magazine, one of the hardest things about running the magazine is hearing negative feedback about The Continental. Every one-liner in Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down, every issue of The Duel Colonial and The Hessian, and every overheard comment used to drive me crazy. I couldn’t understand how our fellow students could attack their peers’ work, and have no regard for the people who had worked so hard to pull together the magazine.
I can’t remember the exact moment when I realized that this criticism was really much-needed feedback, but over the course of the last two years I have learned to see it as such. Every comment now brings us one step closer to understanding what readers want to see in the magazine. Every satirical issue of The Duel Colonial shows us where we pushed too many buttons, or where we fell short. Every bit of feedback has influenced some aspect of the magazine’s development, and for that, I am grateful.
Throughout this experience, our editorial board has learned a lot about the Hamilton community. We’ve discovered that it is too easy to rely on the stereotypes of “darksider” or “lightsider.” We’ve found that students want to see as many groups as possible featured in the magazine because they want their Hamilton experience to be captured in the pages of student publications. We’ve learned that horses and photo shoots aren’t a good mix. We learned to survive on advertising dollars. We’ve figured out ways to please as many readers as possible, without losing the uniqueness of the magazine. And in the process, we’ve found a balance—offering everything from hard news stories to advice on what to wear to a tailgate.
I could not be more proud of The Continental’s editorial board and staff because they continually push themselves to outdo the last issue. From our first issue to this 100-page issue, every one has worked hard to improve the content and design of the magazine. Additionally, this year we launched a great website—contmag.com—which allows readers to comment and be more involved in the magazine.
My greatest accomplishment at Hamilton has been the magazine that you hold in your hands. Although it is still in its infancy, I have high hopes for the future of The Continental and look forward to seeing how the magazine develops in the next few years.
deutschland with drew
alumnus drew lafiandra misses hamilton. badly. from a bar in the land of beer and leather, he penned this love note to the student body.
Last year I left our sacred plains of Academia and came to the Fatherland a.k.a. Germany; Deutschland; Dutchington; the Land of Beer and Leather—whatever jiggles your pudding. I received a Fulbright grant to teach English in German high schools, improve my own language skills, and, unbeknownst to my students, frolic around Bavaria in leather duds tasting local brews from modest, liter-sized sample glasses.
Just like on the Hill, you fall into a schedule and I’ll be jiggered if I can fall out of it. I wake up earlier than a milkman (that’s right, a milkman) and I actually have to get ready in the morning. I actually shower, groom, eat breakfast, pack my briefcase (thank you Salvo) and leave the apartment when it is still dark out. At what point did the era of Bacchalian Tuesdays abandon this poor twenty-four-year-old German major?
I know, I know. You’re saying, oh bananas! That’s how it is outside of this resort on the Hill? Well, yes and no. Though your post-college experience may differ from mine, I work four days a week with Fridays off and have a grueling three-hour work day. On long weekends, I travel as far as my paychecks take me, which is usually to the Turkish single’s night on the first floor of my apartment building. But sometimes, I take the hour-long train ride to visit classmate Andy Mention ’07 in Munich. There is this great deal in Germany: when traveling in only one Bundesland (e.g. Bavaria, a state), you can buy a pass for only €27 (approx. $4582 American), and up to five people can travel with it for the whole day. The catch, of course, is finding four Germans to split the ticket. Those of you who have spent any time in this wonderful country will note that the natives are great people. They lead the modern world not only in low greenhouse emissions, but also in being some of the weirdest, most awkward people to walk the earth. The fact that the German language has no word for ‘awkward’ alone makes conversing a relatively hilarious endeavor. Anyhoo, my best experience whilst “training” around was splitting the ticket with four blond fillies that were studying—you guessed it, English. I was like, holler?
So after all of this, it doesn’t sound like I miss you all that much. Well, there my dear friends, you are wrong. Being able to find some broham at four o’clock Monday morning and drinking a celebratory I-just-finished-my-Anthro-final bottle of whiskey will never be matched here. Dressing up as Severus Snape to frighten little children and adults just isn’t appreciated here. Grinding with biddies at the ELS Rocky Horror party won’t happen anyplace other than Hamilton—trust me on that one. Hamilton holds a painfully permanent place in my heart. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night thinking that I have once again crashed on the sofa in the Fireplace Lounge, but wake up to realize that I am actually wearing clothes, negating the possibility of the former scenario. I then go to the Hamilton website and I see what y’alls are up to. Shout outs to Greg and Magda: Watson fellows I presume? Also, to the Curling team: Respect.
So the next time you whip out your key to shotgun some brewdogs or beerhammers or whatever the devil you kids call them nowadays, remember that somewhere in Germany there is a kid who is missing the hell out of it. In the meantime, there are four blond German women trying to get into my apartment. Toodles. Read more...
at home with joan
On a recent sunny spring afternoon, I had the opportunity to meet with Hamilton’s President Joan Hinde Stewart at her home at 11 College Hill Road. How many of us drive up the hill each day and stare at the house, a charming combination of a rustic cottage and Queen Anne style? But let’s face it: no one really gets to see much more than this routine view except for seniors who gather there for concentration dinners and brunches. Here’s a private look inside the house.
In 1910, Hamilton’s Professor of Law, Frederick Davenport, built the house to be used as his family’s summer home. The summer cottage provided the Davenport family with over forty years of leisure and tranquility until 1955 when the professor gave the house to President Robert McEwen as the new official abode for the college’s President. For over half a century, the house’s inhabitants have worked with the college to keep it impeccably maintained so that its proud history can be kept alive.
My first surprise was a carriage house near the back entrance. And before even introducing myself to President Stewart, I met the famous Elihu Vedder statue “Fountain with Standing Boy.” Vedder originally created the fountain and its statue for the Rogers Estate back when its patio was used for more stately purposes. The statue is so beloved that Physical Plant encases it with plexi-glass to protect it from the severe Clinton winters.
The interior aesthetic is even more impressive than the exterior. The sitting room is spacious and welcoming. Its natural tones and classic appeal direct focus to the many pieces of artwork that adorn the room. It is not commonly known to the student body that Hamilton’s president has unlimited pemission to borrow art from the Emerson Gallery to display in the house. President Stewart typically decorates the house with classical and 19th century art, but ultimately she prefers works that hold meaning for the college.
One such piece, her most cherished work of art in the house, rests above the mantel: a portrait of Samuel Kirkland. Painted posthumously in 1873 by Augustus Rockwell, the painting illustrates the lasting legacy of Kirkland, who died in 1808. Atop two bookcases stand several Romantic 19th century bronze statues by Antoine Bayre. President Stewart also shares her home with an elderly inhabitant: a fantastically grown Christmas cactus that is over fifteen years old. It has been in the house longer than President Stewart and even has its own caretaker! Next to the cactus is an elegant piano that was built in 1928. After many years of both love and abuse, the college gave President Stewart the piano because its keys could not take any more long hours of practicing.
“I truly love this house. My greatest hope is that it is comfortable and welcoming for the community which so generously allows me to live in it.”
My favorite room in the house is the grand kitchen. Done in a dark, warm mahogany and red, the room is invigorating with its Provincial-style hanging pots and pans rack and expansive Viking stove. Best of all, President Stewart has a plasma TV, so she can watch any of her favorite black and white films while she dines on whatever specialty her culinary enthusiast husband concocts for dinner. It is endearing to know that after a long day’s work, President Stewart enjoys these smaller pleasures.
One thing is certain: President Stewart has many passions and luckily, they incorporate into her multifaceted role at Hamilton. President Stewart states that her two passions are higher education and 18th century French literature and remarkably, she is able to integrate these great loves into her life on the Hill. President Stewart’s class with Professor of English John O’Neill explores 18th century French and English literature. President Stewart reflects, “The student response to the coursework is so enriching. I am able to read through the lens of student familiarity, which is one of the most gratifying aspects of my job.” 18th century French literature is alluring to her because it was not a part of the era’s literary canon—its acclaim is very recent. President Stewart is devoted to furthering her scholarly career through raising the awareness of often overlooked, immensely gifted female French writers. President Stewart recently announced that she will take a sabbatical next spring to immerse herself in research of these writers, exploring the correspondences between the female writers’ aging processes at a time when only 10% of the female population lived past the age of sixty.
President Stewart’s love of all things French is evident in the small touches that make up her home. A blue and white Provincial tile proudly displays her address next to the back entryway. A vibrant painting evoking the Impressionist style, “The Tuileries” by John Supplee ’69, hangs over the staircase and reinforces President Stewart’s love of French spirit. Adjacent to the magnificent painting is a 19th century French parasol President Stewart found at an antique store. President Stewart has also purchased two tranquil Bruce Muirhead paintings, which are done in a trompe l’oeil style. These paintings pull together the old and new pieces of art throughout the house.
President Stewart’s taste also has remarkably snazzy touches. She is self-proclaimed “chandelier-obsessed” because they instantly jazz up any room. She has installed two whimsical chandeliers, one in the foyer and the other in the dining room. President Stewart’s collection of hand-painted eggs also reveals her eccentric taste, and allows her to commemorate the countries she travels to. These small yet personal touches blend perfectly with the house’s classic aesthetic.
President Stewart remarks, “I do not want anything too idiosyncratic in the house because the privilege of living here is merely a mandate from the College to be a good steward.” President Stewart continually emphasizes that her greatest disappointment would be letting the College down if she made the house too reflective of her personal tastes. She is committed to restoring the historical aspects, like the portico that was rebuilt last summer, and the home’s antiques. She admits, “I truly love this house. My greatest hope is that it is comfortable and welcoming for the community which so generously allows me to live in it.”
the future of television
Internet. Television. Between the two of them, they pretty much have the market covered on your spare time. But with advances in streaming time and the cost of producing a television show each increasing exponentially each year, what can be said about the mixture of the two? What about internet TV?
There are a few different ways of looking at internet television. First, we have the age-old (and by age-old I mean about a year old) practice of watching your favorite shows from NBC, CBS and ABC on the respective websites. It’s handy and takes care of those nasty commercials. Score one for the corporations keeping in control, but that’s not quite what I’m getting at here. The only ways in which that’s really revolutionary is that it means you don’t need a TV to watch TV. Pour the champagne.
Second, then, is YouTube. I love YouTube. I could write sonnets to YouTube. But in and of itself, YouTube isn’t really a form of television. It’s more like a really long episode of America’s Funniest Home Videos, without the commercials, but plus some really creepy stuff. Plus, even here, copyrighted content sneaks in. YouTube has a tendency to host anything except for porn, which leads to a lot of illegal scans of TV shows and movies. And, well, funny as YouTube is, it’s not really known for its scripted content.
Which brings me to number three, scripted internet content. That’s right, there is television on your internet. Sure, it may not be that great, but it’s there. The best example of scripted content which would ordinarily be on a television network is the show Quarterlife. It’s a sort of soap opera about being in your mid-twenties. It’s melodramatic and angst-y, and since the longest episode is about eleven minutes, ridiculously addictive. All you have to do is load up a couple and start watching, and before you realize it, you’re hooked. You can’t help but cheer every time Jed gives Dylan a puppy eyes look. Plus, every episode is right there for you. Right. There.
And that is why the internet actually makes a fair point here. Let’s face it. Television has all the good content: Lost, House MD, Heroes, How I Met Your Mother, etc. What the internet has is archiving. Quarterlife may be a craptastic show, but I can watch every episode in order whenever I want, without waiting for a marathon, and the only other show that lets you do that is Law and Order, but that’s just a fluke of nature.
We may need to give the internet some time to get its act together, but it’s getting there. I mean, what’s not to love? Every episode available, you don’t have to buy a TV, and after all, there’s always YouTube.
-rachel frazier
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