February 23, 2012 - Issue 4 Spring '12

Page 1

Trailblazers win after seven straight losses

expand programming

Noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells releases sophomore album. A&E editor Mary Redstone weighs in

NEWS, page 3

Arts and Entertainment, page 8

SPORTS, page 9

This week: Do students Campus radio streams to live up to the slogan of world MCLA? Hopes to increase exposure and OPINION, page 12

Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Mass.

Men’s basketball snaps streak

The Beacon

Volume 75 Issue 4 Thursday February 23, 2012

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President’s move to Blackinton frees space in Eldridge By Ed Damon Editor in Chief

Photo by Ed Damon/Beacon staff

The Blackinton House, formerly where the Admissions Office was located, will house the President’s Office starting in March.

The top floor of Eldridge Hall will soon belong to the students. The Center for Student Success and Engagement (CSSE) will move to the third floor, where the President’s Office currently resides. The President’s office will move to the Blackinton House, the former site of the Admissions Office. The Admissions Office relocated to the Smith House over winter break. Deborah Foss, Associate Dean of Advising Services and Director of CSSE, described the space move as part of a domino effect, one that will ultimately benefit students. “I think it’s a great move, and great it’s coming sooner rather than later,” Foss said. Foss said the move will change CSSE from a “virtual center” to one with a central campus location. “One of the blocks in helping students understand how CSSE functions is that it exists in three areas on campus,” she said. Advising Services, Career Services and Learning Services are

part of the CSSE “umbrella.” Advising and Learning Services are currently in the Freel Library, and Career Services is in the bottom floor of Eldridge. Foss said students will definitely benefit by these offices being in one central location. “We’ll be able to better integrate our functions,” she said regarding the new location. “Three distinct offices can only work together so much.” The Administration expects the President’s Office to open in the Blackinton House in March. Advising and Learning services will then be relocated to the top floor of Eldridge. In Feb. 17’s edition of “Notes and News,” President Mary Grant described the reasoning behind the move. “With the former Admissions building open for new use, we considered moving CSSE to this location, but determined that the College’s primary academic resource center should be at the heart of the campus,” Grant wrote. “We are also mindful of the disruption that will be certain to occur as the construction site swings into full activity at the end of February.”

Dubai’s residents trade rights for wealth By Holly Johnston Staff Writer

Dr. Syed Ali, a professor at the Long Island University, spoke at the College Thursday, Feb. 16. The event titled “Permanently Impermanent: Dubai’s Migrant Workers,” discussed the unique country’s political system. “I study immigration around

the world,” Ali said. “I was interested in the idea that foreigners in Dubai could never access citizenship. They are not wanted or accepted. I wanted to know how they would assimilate.” Only 10 percent of Dubai’s population are citizens. The other 90 percent are classified as visiting workers. Most people have had family in Dubai for generations, but still cease to be a part of the

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country, or hold any rights. “Dubai feels like a free place, but it is far from it. Workers are kept impermanent. If you lose your job you have to go.” Ali said. “Quality of life is secondly important.” However, there is a bargain for foreigners living in Dubai. “You must give up your political rights, but you gain economic freedom and a supposed better

life,” he said. The poor live in the country and send money back to their suffering families. Unfortunately, income is their only benefit, and the conditions they live under are far from comfortable. “Wages are usually held at the beginning of jobs. This is so the worker won’t quit,” Ali explained. “The vast majority of laborers have no mobility. This

IN THIS ISSUE News

2-5

Op-Ed

12-13

A&E

6-8

Science & World

14

Sports

9-11

Comic & Games

15

Photo Essay

16

Campus Comment 12

means, they cannot run away, or it will be in violation of the law and they can be jailed. Many get exploited on the job force, specifically maids.” On the other hand, the middle class can stay in Dubai without much pressure from the government, and even bring their families over. Dubai continued on page 2

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