Continental Winter 2016

continental the

winter 2016

ROGERS GLEN

DUMP GNAR CLUB What’s Next for the Literature Department

PODCASTS

contributors winter 2016

the continental campus magazine

editors in chief Mara Wilson ‘16 Abigail Pynchon ‘16

creative director Sarah Moore ‘16

photography director

instagram: @contmag twitter: @contmag facebook.com/contmag

Ben Balick ‘16

issuu.com/hamiltoncontinental

section editors

letters to the editor, advertisers and sponsors: email contmag@hamilton.edu

talk of the town Courtney Somerville ‘16 features Alex Scheuer ‘18 on the hill Jacob Slovin ‘18 style Ali Gay ‘17 travel Abby Homer ‘16 entertainment Bridget Lavin ‘18 editors at large Caroline Langan ‘18 Olivia Paradice ‘18 Emily Fisher ‘16

a product of the Hamilton College Media Board

writers Carrie Solomon ‘16 Jessye McGarry ‘16 Caroline Langan ‘18 Jake Slovin ‘18 Julie Katter ‘18 Emily Fisher ‘16 Deasia Hawkins ‘18 Olivia Paradice ‘18

Liz Morris ‘16 Penny Tornes ‘18 John Rufo ‘16 Fiona McLaughlin ‘19 Andre Burnham ‘18 Matt Lebowitz ‘18 Alex Scheuer ‘18 Gabe Myerson ‘16

Xenia Tiajoloff ‘16 Samantha Donahue ‘18 Maddy Fredrick ‘17 Jean Shim ‘17 Elza Harb ‘18

photographers

layout designers

Lillia McEnaney ‘17 Charlotte Bennett ‘17 Mike Verostek ‘16 Jack Hay ‘19 Tina Mangelova ‘16 Adam Markhoff ‘18 Zach Batson ‘16

Rachel Newman ‘16 Sarah Wallack ‘16 Julia Gorlovetskaya ‘19 Caitlin Becker ‘18 Bridget Lavin ‘17 Helena LaPorte-Burns ‘18 Alyssa Carlson ‘19

illustrators

Cover Photo by Adam Markhoff

contents 6

11

12

13

18

ON THE COVER

“THE DUMP IS A REALLY BAD BLEMISH ON WHAT COULD BE A BEAUTIFUL GLEN�

20

- PROFESSOR TODD RAYNE

Hamilton College

22

29

1

8

6

9

12 14

15

10

11

16

19

18

17

20

21

24

23

26

27

29

35

38

5

7

13

22

2

3 4

25

28

30

31

32

33

34

36 37

38

39 41

40 42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52 53 54

ACROSS

DOWN

2 Give presentation tips 4 Campus turtle 5 Hall of ________ 8 Pyrenees countries 10 New career center director 13 Coveted finals week spot 15 Tangy sporting event 16 Former senator and alum 19 Most popular major 20 Former ambassador and current professor 22 Spring's newest arrivals 25 Barn party locale 26 Sleeping bag owner 27 School song 29 Kirkland 30 Latest on campus housing

1 2 3 6 7 9

Computer help Set of musical compositions There are 11 of them 46 peak locale Face of Commons What 61% of students do... or what hamilton international programs # 52, 21, 13 refer to 11 American philanthropist or dorm 12 Professor or dorm 14 Famous panini 17 Where to get lost on campus 18 Social sciences hub 21 A cow's paradise 23 D1 Hamilton team 24 Trustee who never visited campus 28 Previously chair-less seminar room

letter from the editors Just as our society deems Wednesday “hump day,” the midpoint of a typical working week, we consider January and February to be “hump months,” the midpoint of the school year. We know what you’re thinking. It doesn’t have to be like that. We’re talking bitter cold (apparently not if El Nino has anything to say about it), grey skies and lots of time spent in bed, Netflix and chilling. This issue of The Continental attempts to redefine these stale bread months by providing students with articles that journey beyond campus, both physically and metaphorically. In our cover article (page 13), “The Rogers Glen Dump,” Alex Scheuer investigates the environmental hazard on the outskirts of our campus. Meanwhile, Carrie Solomon and Jessye McGarry initiate Hamilton College into the Ivy League (page 4). If you’re looking for a more actionable escape, go straight for the jugular with Liz Morris’ “How to Get Through to Spring Break” (page 36). She provides a list of suggestions, in the form of a calendar, on how to pass your time for the next month and a half. You can personalize her suggestions by visiting one of Gabe Myerson’s Utica restaurant recommendations ( page 27) or trying one of Andre Burnham’s favorite beers at the Little Pub (page 11). In addition to providing reading material and suggestions for getting through these hump months, The Continental continues to address relevant issues to encourage students to engage in thoughtful and constructive conversations. John Rufo’s political commentary on the use of the Oxford Comma (page 8) and Olivia Paradice’s reporting on the controversy surrounding the Oscars (page 38) provide you with a starting point. Though these articles aren’t specific to the Hamilton community, it’s important that we address them as a student body. The winter months serve as a time to get creative; whether it’s taking a Tai Chi class, watching live stand-up, or taking your stimulating conversations from the classroom to your candlelit (sorry Campo) common room. We hope this issue provides that extra push to get you through these dark months. The GNAR Club (page 20) made winter fun; so can you.

+

talk of the town

Literally so over not being in the Ivy League

NOBODY PUTS

HAMILTON IN A CORNER

We’ve all been there. You tell someone that you go to Hamilton College, and their response is neither praise nor worship, but instead the dreaded, “Where’s that?” Sometimes they’ll feign familiarity and offer an “I think I’ve heard of that,” or a “Oh, I knew someone who went there.” It’s infuriating how few people know about our school: we’ve even managed to have this conversation with the workers at the ol’ Utica Pin-ORama. If someone has heard of Hamilton, it’s not necessarily better. When your dad’s business buddy, who only wears pink polka dotted ascots, verifies with you that “it’s one of the Little Ivies, right?” your spirits sink. Little Ivy is a condescending term. We are not meant to be a “Little” Ivy. We are meant to be a Big Ivy. We are not just the Harvard of New Hartford, we are the Harvard of America. If Hamilton took it’s rightful place in the real Ivy League, then we’d finally get the notoriety we desire. Private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States constitute the Ivy League. We are a private institution of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The Ivy League is an athletic conference, and we certainly fit into that as well, since Dave Thompson often hosts meetings to discuss physical education. Seven of the eight Ivy League schools were founded during the colonial period. The one that wasn’t is Cornell. We firmly believe that Hamilton should replace Cornell in the Ivy League. We were founded earlier than Cornell. We are located both more North and East than Cornell. Our motto is written in Greek (which is an older language than Latin and therefore more regal), while all of the non-Cornell Ivies have Latin mottos. Cornell’s is in English! And we know how to spell “gorgeous,” unlike everyone in Ithaca.

By Carrie Solomon & Jessye McGarry 4

the continental | winter 2016

We’ve developed one method, with thousands of sub-methods, to achieve Big Ivy status. The only obstacle is that we are not well known enough for anyone to notice Hamilton.

And until they notice us, we’ll never be in the Ivy League, and then they’ll really never notice us. However, there is a Hamilton everyone’s talking about: Hamilton The Musical. Have you heard of it? People are losing their minds Mac-and-cheese-inCommons-style over this musical. We need to use the popularity of the musical to market the college. Here are the first ten items in our plan of action:

1. Mail Hamilton College flip flops

to people who listened to the Original Broadway Cast Recording on Spotify.

2. Feature Hamilton College staff in the Playbill alongside the cast.

3. Lin-Manuel Miranda takes a hot

dump on a Colgate sweatshirt at the end of every Hamilton The Musical performance.

4. Every time you say “I want to go see

Hamilton The Musical,” a black and white cookie (A Utica Original!) hits you in the face.

5. Relocate Chair Massage Tuesday

from the Fitness Center to the Richard Rodgers Theatre in NYC during the show’s intermission.

6. Rename Hamilton The Musical to Hamilton The College.

7. Resurrect Alexander Hamilton and

have him donate to a Kickstarter so we (Carrie and Jessye) can see Hamilton The Musical.

8. Duelly Noted opens for Hamilton The Musical.

9. Invite current Ivy Leaguers to watch

the cast of Hamilton The Musical perform at our benefit gala at Club Lava.

10. Lin-Manuel Miranda replaces

Joan Hinde Stewart as president, therefore moving the location of Hamilton The Musical from Broadway into its new, permanent home in The Wellin. In the musical, Alexander Hamilton declares, “I am not throwing away my shot.” We’re not about to do that either, since a Hamilton student would never throw away a shot, whether it’s a chance at fame or just some flavored Svedka.

Photos by Ben Balick

the continental | winter 2016

5

talk of the town

NEIL deGRASSE TYSON By Penny Tornes

“I lose sleep at night wondering whether we are intelligent enough to figure out the universe. I don’t know.” That eloquent and humbling quote was from one of the most renowned astrophysicists of our time, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. But it could’ve easily been spoken by anyone, regardless of their knowledge of astronomy, as it is a basic and grounding question we all wonder. The beauty of Dr. Tyson is that an interest or knowledge of physics or outer space is not a prerequisite for admiring and enjoying his work. The only requirement is simply to be curious about life itself. This extremely influential astrophysicist is also an educator, an entertainer, and could even be thought of as a spiritual guru. He somehow makes some of the most intensely complex and mindboggling concepts comprehensible for all. Watching Dr. Tyson speak stimulates you in the purest sense. It’s not just the baffling topics being discussed, but his delivery of them that make him a good speaker. His passion for discovering the mysteries of life and the enthusiasm he has is contagious.

6. The Cosmic Connection by Carl Sagan: This book is an absolute staple within the astronomy community. Written by one of Tyson’s mentors and one of the most well renowned astrophysicists in his own right, this book discusses a variety of topics but focuses on the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. Take back the love of reading that scholarly articles and textbooks have stolen from us.

It’s clear why so many people adore Tyson. He not only has the ability to discover and build upon complicated concepts, but also has the talent of being able to inspire and engage those who do not understand them as easily. We are lucky to have such an inspiring figure come to our campus. But don’t wait until his presentation in April to realize that—check out some of the resources above and see for yourself. You won’t regret it.

6

the continental | winter 2016

7. Before watching the highly

anticipated new Star Wars film, hit the oldies and watch the 1968 hit film 2001: A Space Odyssey to further develop an appreciation of astronomy and classic film making. It portrays space exploration and travel through the adventure of finding alien intelligence (and also happens to be one of Dr. Tyson’s favorite movies).

1. Wikipedia: Though most are often

dissuaded from using Wikipedia, it’s found to be a very helpful and informative source when beginning to learn about someone. Check out Neil deGrasse Tyson’s page to get the basics of Dr. Tyson’s background, quotes and accomplishments. It’s surprisingly riveting.

Has this convinced you to become completely enthralled with Neil deGrasse Tyson yet? Most likely not. Here are some resources to better familiarize yourself with Hamilton’s upcoming Great Names Speaker and his areas of interest.

2. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey:

This show is considered to be the most influential factor leading to many people’s infatuation with Dr. Tyson. Cosmos was a show launched in 2014 and is currently available on Netflix. Cozy up with a glass of red wine or a cup of hot tea and spend an evening lost in this entertaining and truly fascinating series.

5. If interested in watching a

longer video, watching his keynote speech at the 28th National Space Symposium in 2012 offers an excellent example of Dr. Tyson’s powerful public speaking ability. Consider it to be one of the most rewarding ways to spend an hour.

4. Almost any interview

conducted with Dr. Tyson: The most entertaining (and of course informative) include his interview with Stephen Colbert at Montclair Kimberely Academy in 2010 (fast forward to 9:00 if looking to watch it on YouTube) and any of his multiple interviews with Jon Stewart on The Tonight Show.

3. StarTalk: Started in 2009 and running

until 2014 was a podcast Tyson hosted and invited celebrity guests to co-host and discuss the worlds of science and entertainment. It is no longer a podcast, but rather is a TV show on National Geographic, which is also available online. Say good riddance to Netflix and Chill, and hello to StarTalk and stimulating conversations.

the continental | winter 2016

7

about e th

o x f or d c

Chad, his girlfriend, and Mom

A Fuck

talk of the town

Chad, his girlfriend and Mom

I give

om

m

a

By John Rufo

T

o enter into the debate concerning the Oxford comma is to engage in a fascist enterprise. For the very foundation of “correct” grammatical constructions and the finer turns of speech is the colonialist violence engendered by the British empire upon peoples populating what are now considered the nations of India and Pakistan. A colonized person, in today’s war-torn world or yesterday’s, cannot learn English without having all the minutiae of their speech patterns analyzed and controlled: not even the breath-marks, which is to say the punctuation patterns and stray pieces indicating when and where one can be silent amidst the words in their nefarious sentence-play, are left alone to the creative capacity of the subaltern. When the breath is itself colonized, an entire human being’s life is held captive to the insidious grammar of hierarchy and the negotiating fist of its power. Two examples: 1. Gender, race, and sexuality frequently intersect. 2. Gender, race and sexuality frequently intersect. The first example seems to say that all three identity-formations often intermingle; the second would lead a “careful” reader to believe that race and sexuality together in many instances intersect with gender. These are small potatoes that manifest in extended and ceaseless practice by oppressive powers (read: all powers) as actualized and figuratively parallel prison disciplines that create real-live starvations. The name “Oxford” is appropriate to be saddled with this use of the comma; it is a useless, puffed-up, and elitist institution built on hubris and fake-ass manipulations resulting in dead bodies.

Illustration by Sarah Wallack 8

the continental | winter 2016

on the hill

Career Center Takes New Approach to Engage Students `By Fiona Mclaughlin

S

ince hiring Sam Welch ’86 as the Assistant Vice President/ Executive Director of the Career and Life Outcomes Center last spring, there have been, and will continue to be, numerous changes to the Career Center. In an interview with Sam Welch and Janine Oliver, Associate Director of Career Development, they commented on how the Career Center has and will benefit from these changes. In this interview Sam Welch mentioned how much he has enjoyed his transition to Hamilton, saying “it’s intellectually stimulating to do something completely new.” Janine Oliver added

Photo by Lillia McEnaney that, “having someone who comes with a different point of view is very healthy for any work environment.” The changes being undergone by the Career Center aim to reach more students earlier in their experience at Hamilton, and in more purposeful ways. The new methods will actively reach out to students and encourage them to use the many resources the Career Center has to offer. Mr. Welch also wants to “take the blinders off that students may enter Hamilton with” by fostering an environment for open-minded personal and career-related thinking. The Career Center has also been

the continental | winter 2016

9

on the hill trying to eliminate the misconception that students need to have certain career goals and ideas before seeking help from the Career Center. In reality, the Career Center has many resources that are available specifically for students who are unsure of their professional path. Ms. Oliver and Mr. Welch see the Career Center as a resource for students to explore potential careers early, instead of waiting to figure it out on their own.

counselors and open up to career exploration. For Ms. Oliver, the new model, “emphasizes the fact that we can help students no matter what class year they are or stage of exploration they’re in.”

Secondly, the Career Center will form “Discovery Teams” and “Connect Teams” to replace the current Peer Advisor and Peer Presenter staff. The Discovery Teams will be advisors and presenters who help students explore their interests through campus activities and concentrations, as well as help with writing resumes, cover letters, and networking. In addition, Discovery Interns will make themselves available to groups of students within residence halls on a has also been trying regular basis.

They also emphasize the “know thyself” component of Hamilton’s mission statement as they implement these changes. Mr. Welch mentioned that “In work, people are most successful (and happy) “The Career Center when they play to their passions, to eliminate the misconception that strengths, and values. We need to students need to have certain career The Connect Teams will work with help students clearly understand goals and ideas before seeking help students further along in the career and articulate these before exploration process by providing from the Career Center.” they take the first step in career opportunities to learn about specific exploration.” Not only does “knowing thyself” aid in students’ personal careers via group and individual meetings, alumni panels, and more. development, but in their career searches as well. As Mr. Welch put it “The role of the Connect Teams is to do exactly what it sounds like... provide a richer connection for students interested In the upcoming semesters the Career Center has several plans that will in a specific industry or field with relevant information, and alumni make significant changes to how it operates. Firstly, it will be moving and parents embedded in those fields. These parents and alumni are away from the current career counselor model, where there are several the best resource for our students, and we wanted to facilitate our counselors who specialize in certain career paths. Starting in the Fall students access to that resource.” The first Connect Team will be piloted semester of 2016, counselors will serve as generalists for students this Spring semester, and will be targeted towards the business and interested in any career field and will each be assigned a cohort of communications fields. In the Fall of 2016 these teams will expand into freshmen students. This model will allow counselors to establish a close education & nonprofit, medicine & STEM, arts & entertainment, and relationship with students from the moment they join the Hamilton government & law. community. This will also allow the students to trust their career

Photo by Zach Batson

10

the continental | winter 2016

T

Sipping Away at The Little Pub By Jacob Slovin and Andre Burnham

he staff at The Little Pub constantly updates the drinks with a diverse selection of local, and non-local, craft beers and ciders. Below are reviews for the staff’s top five favorite drinks, all of which they have promised will be available during the winter months. If any of these options are no longer available, it only attests to the Pub’s commitment to providing fresh and new options. Craft beer enthusiast Andre Burnham provides his thoughts on the following: 1911 Hopped Cider (Beak and Skiff Orchards, NY 6.9% APV) I don’t really drink much cider, so this is going to be harder for me to give my opinion on. It is very sparkling, which I know can vary with different types of cider. I almost want to say it is champagne-like, but I think I will be sounding like a fool. It is not too sweet, which I really enjoy. This is really what a beer-guy drinks with dessert, or maybe even for dessert. I would definitely drink a whole glass of this.

Ommegang Hennepin (Cooperstown, NY 7.7% APV) It tastes like I’m walking into a candy store. The initial taste is almost like licorice, but then it transforms to mint. I really like it. You can really taste the spices in there and it’s a pretty light beer. I imagine this would be perfect for drinking in front of the fire, or on Christmas morning. The unique flavors make it hard for me to suggest a food accompaniment, but this is one you have to try to understand. This may be my favorite so far.

Photo by Sarah Moore Saranac Legacy IPA (Utica, NY 6.5% APV) [Smirks] I know this one well. Citrus flavor, right off the bat. It’s a light-tasting beer, but has that nice, hoppy bitterness that you look for in an IPA. I have to say, this is way better in the glass than in the bottle or can. From experience, I can tell you that this pairs really nicely with some wings, especially dry rubbed wings. Saranac ranks top 5 in my list of favorite breweries. This beer is a must try for those who think Genesee is the taste of Upstate New York.

Founders Dirty Bastard (Michigan 8.5% APV) Hmm. Honestly, this one tastes like cough syrup. When I sip on it, it feels like something medicinal. I’m not really sure I have ever tasted a beer like this before [the bartender informs him it is a scotch ale]. It has almost a smoky taste, now that I am thinking about it in a scotch context. Going down, this beer feels like it’s clearing my throat of that persistent winter cold. Not sure what I would drink this with, but it should only be consumed by the half-pint.

Middle Ages Scotch Porter (Syracuse, NY 6.5% APV) Okay, so for this one, I am getting a dark chocolate and coffee taste. It’s the heaviest beer I have had tonight and, like the last beer, it’s the kind of thing I would imagine drinking during the winter. A hearty beer like this would go great with meat and potatoes. Definitely one that you drink with your friends at dinner. A beer you can talk about.

the continental | winter 2016

11

on the hill

Future of Literature Department

Photo by Jack Hay

T

he spring of 2015 marked a monumental transition for the concentrations of English/Creative writing and Comparative Literature. The key difference between the two departments was a focus on English texts versus a focus on literature from many different languages and cultures. Professor Margie Thickstun, the chair of the Literature department, expressed that the merger became necessary because, “over time the distinction between the two departments came to feel increasingly artificial: we all approach literary texts, whatever the language in which they were initially written, with the same variety of theoretical approaches; faculty in what was called “English” worked across national literatures and in multiple languages.” The differing organizations of each department, English is the study of literature by time period and Comp Lit is the study of literature outside of its national boundaries and also the study of literature and other disciplines, was viewed as arbitrary as students and professors approached the texts in nearly the same way. Despite the changes, the first semester of the newly named Literature Department has gone very well. The new approach to literary study has opened new opportunities to students and professors alike. As Professor Thickstun explains, “instead of organizing study by time period or by geographic location only, we identify seven ways to approach literature and ask students to explore at least four of these methods: history, theory, single author, genre, inter-media, theme, and identity and difference.” The department has sought to create a universal study of literature and has succeeded thus far. Exciting as these new changes are, some feel a sense of loss. For instance, Nancy Rabinowitz, a professor of comparative literature, 12

By Julie Katter

the continental | winter 2016

regrets “the loss of the Comparative Literature department with its intimacy and high level of intellectual engagement between students and faculty, and the greater emphasis on language study.” Yet, she notes that “the new concentration is very exciting and will allow students the kind of interdisciplinary work which was part of the old Comp Lit major as well as more traditional literary study.” Hannah Meisels ’18, a Psychology and Literature double major, says, “The new department encourages students to focus on the crossover elements of literature in other courses, and to look at broader thematic similarities across different departments and courses, which I think is really great.” The broader range of options allows students to explore a greater variety of topics and authors. It is worth noting, however, that underclassmen, and all future students, will never get a chance to experience the advantages that the separation of the departments offered. The department is very excited about its future. Thickstun noted that students will have the opportunity to create their own concentration focus. She describes this as, “an open curriculum within the open curriculum.” The department requires concentrators to take a course in creative praxis. Students will have the option to reproduce what was an “English” major or a “Comp Lit” major, but they will also be able to focus in ways that the older concentrations did not allow. Whereas Comp Lit always expected students to study two national literatures or literature across two disciplines, now all students are able to broaden that scope. Concentrating in Medieval literature, drama across language boundaries, and the intersection of print and visual narrative are now all possible for all Literature students. Thickstun expresses that, “We are energized as a department by the opportunities for innovation and growth and plan to hold a retreat in January to explore possibilities.”

features

THE FORGOTTEN ROGERS GLEN DU M P I

Photos by Adam Markhoff

BY ALEX SCHEUER

f you walk north on Campus Road, down past the Co-op and the turf field parking area, you will soon arrive at the intersection of the road and the Rogers Glen stream. If you walk down the embankment of the stream and walk downstream for a few minutes, you will encounter the strikingly sizable, and largely unknown Rogers Glen dump-site. You will see that a large portion of the left embankment of the stream valley is coated with trash of all kinds. You will see remains of things like old chemical containers, chairs, drawers, TV’s, old mattresses, and electrical equipment. This waste came from Hamilton, and was disposed of by College workers directly into the Glen. There is no landfill-like the continental | winter 2016

13

features

M

“...IT IS OBVIOUS HOW MUCH OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL--AS WELL AS AESTHETIC --BURDEN THE DUMP IS ON O UR CA P U S .” lining to protect the ground and stream water from the dumped trash, so the trash simply rests on the Glen embankment and frequently washes into the stream. Since the dump-site was closed in the 1980’s and is not easily visible from campus, it is largely forgotten. Years may have passed since the active use of the dump-site, but the waste is still prevalent and disruptive. It is unclear why this waste wasn’t taken to a proper disposal site, however, it is obvious how much of an environmental-- as well as aesthetic -- burden the dump-site is on our campus.

The Rogers Glen dump-site was used for waste-disposal by Hamilton College around the 1970’s. Once upon a time, before cram-and-scram began recycling unwanted dorm items on campus, the college needed an easy place to dispose of forgotten dorm room items as well as large items such as old beds. While it is unknown what the federal regulations on waste disposal were at the time, there appears to have been a disregard of appropriate waste disposal in the landfill. Regardless, workers dumped the trash down the embankment of the Rogers Glen stream. Since the Rogers Glen is not a developed and manicured trail with regular visitors, the dump-site is hardly seen, unless someone (like me) is looking for it. As years of leaves and dirt begin to cover some of the waste, the dump-site is buried both physically and figuratively more and more every year. However, not everyone has 14

the continental | winter 2016

forgotten about the Rogers Glen dump-site. Professor Todd Rayne, a Geosciences professor, hydrologist, and published author here on campus, takes his introductory classes there annually so that they can better understand waste disposal and the environmental concerns surrounding it. Professor Rayne has studied the Rogers Glen dump-site’s origins and its effects on the Rogers Glen.

Little information regarding the dump-site is now available from the Physical Plant since most of the college workers who were on campus when the dump was in use are now retired or have left the college. There is also no documentation of the dump-site in the College Library’s Archives. “Neither the history nor the extent of the problem is clearly understood,” said President Stewart when asked about the dump-site. It took Professor Rayne years of asking around and only getting little pieces of information about the dump-site in order to formulate a concrete story surrounding the history. According to Professor Rayne, the dump started out as a place to dump trash off the edge of the embankment of the stream valley in order to rid the college of unwanted material. Over time, as the seasons and years passed, the mass of waste was extensively spread along the embankment and around the stream. “The dump

is a really bad blemish on what could be a beautiful glen,” Professor Rayne said, when asked about his thoughts on the dump-site. “I consider it an eyesore…and would love to see it cleaned up,” he said. “It would take a lot of money…I’m sure it would be millions of dollars,” he said. Professor Rayne also found that there were large metal pipes installed along the stream next to the trash, so that the stream water would flow through the pipes and avoid being dammed by the large amounts of waste. “It looks like they tried to engineer a little solution down there so that they could continue to dump waste without damming the stream…this failed, the stream undercut the pipes, and they broke at the seams,” said Professor Rayne. “Sections of pipe ended up being washed downstream.”

Professor Rayne is also skeptical about the likelihood that the College administration will take on this environmental issue. “I’m sure that just about everyone in the administration would prefer that it just went away by itself,” Professor Rayne remarked. But that doesn’t seem to be happening. There is no indication that this environmental hazard will be cleaned up soon. “In response to the inquiry by The Continental, the College reviewed old files and ascertained that water discharge past the site was tested twice, in 1986 and 1988. We plan to evaluate the site again in the spring,” said President Stewart weeks after our initial interview. Today, the Rogers Glen dump-site continues to pollute the glen and remains a grotesque landmark and an environmental embarrassment on our campus. Special thanks to Professor Todd Rayne, Michael-Mac Bolster Houghton, Steve Bellona, and the College Library Archives staff.

zxzx

TODAY, THE ROGERS GLEN DUMP-SITE CONTINUES TO POLLUTE THE GLEN AND REMAINS A GROTESQUE LANDMARK AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL EMBARRASSMENT ON OUR CAMPUS.

the continental | winter 2016

15

features

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE,

Photos by Lillia McEnaney

the more they stay the same BY MATT LEBOWITZ

16

the continental | winter 2016

Still the same, however, is the prevailing spirit of Hamilton College. Welch describes it as “a

brother and cousin, who graduated four

general atmosphere of ‘nice,’” and expresses hope

and eight years after her, respectively, with

that the “quality of the students, faculty, and

the years between her attendance and her

administration, and the focus on excellence” will always stay the same.

keeping her connected to Hamilton during employment. Welch sees greater diversity in the student body, as well as greater diversity in extracurriculars and in course work. “There are just so many ways that a Hamilton student can now expand their own horizons,

H

and their view of the world. This is a great College. As former students who studied

change as our students prepare to enter an

under the “core curriculum” system, different

increasingly global economy, and need to

to currently employ a number of its own

faculty members have different views

have a much broader world view,” said Welch.

graduates as valued professors and faculty

regarding its effects. “I think the new open

members, many of whom lend extraordinary

curriculum directly encourages pursuing

Still the same, however, is the prevailing spirit

insight into some of the most important

things that you love, instead of taking courses

of Hamilton College. Welch describes it as “a

changes and continuities that have occurred

that are required. Hopefully the college can

general atmosphere of ‘nice,’” and expresses

on the hill. For Executive Director of the

instill this as a road map for life,” said Welch.

hope that the “quality of the students,

amilton College is fortunate enough

Career and Life Outcomes Sam Welch ‘86,

faculty, and administration, and the focus on

working at his alma mater adds an extra

Visiting Instructor of Dance and Movement

excellence” will always stay the same. Many

dimension to his work with students. “As

Studies Paris Wilcox ’97 sees the value in the

of these faculty members fondly remember

an alum, I can visualize their lives, and the

open curriculum, but notes that the closed

their college years, especially when the

things that they’re going through,” said Welch.

curriculum did broaden exposure to different

physical evidence of change is so apparent.

Although she doesn’t think her interactions

subjects. “Without those requirements, I

“My first two years here, The Little Pub was

with students “have been strongly influenced”

likely would not have taken several courses

in the Bristol Center, we didn’t have Beinecke,

by the fact that she attended Hamilton

that were very challenging and ultimately

and Martin’s Way didn’t exist. Cafe Opus

herself. Founder and General Director of

rewarding,” he said.

had just started and was the coolest place to

the Hamilton Adirondack Program Janelle

be,” Professor Wilcox recalled. “Many of my

Schwartz ’97 agrees that “there is a bit of the

These faculty members experienced a

former professors are on campus, and I do

“double life” effect going on. I have a keen

Hamilton that was both different and

enjoy relating both motivating and humorous

understanding of the dorm life specific to

much the same as it is today. For instance,

memories of their classes. The students

this campus, as well as to several of the social

both Wilcox and Schwartz attended the

and their drives for success are constant

activities made available. Oftentimes I do

College during one of its most tumultuous

similarities for all present and prior classes,

find myself starting sentences with ‘When I

periods: the 1990s. During this decade, the

and that is much of the glue that binds the

was a student...,’ which admittedly makes me

Administration implemented an alcohol

purpose of this institution together. That,

feel a bit old, but also proud to share my own

policy for the first time as well as purchased

certainly, has remained unchanged,” said

history with/at this institution.”

the off­campus houses of multiple Greek

Wilcox.

organizations. “It was at times chaotic and at The consensus among several of these faculty

times surprisingly refreshing,” said Schwartz.

members is that the institution of the open

Despite this change, she doesn’t find her

curriculum has been the most significant

current life at Hamilton very different from

recent change to academics at Hamilton

her time as a student. Schwartz credits her

the continental | winter 2016

17

CELEBRITIES BY EMILY FISHER

@withalmondbutterontop, UNFILTERED Meg Josephson, a sophomore here at Hamilton, has over 16 thousand followers on Instagram. Her handle, @withalmondbutterontop (I suggest you get out your phone), is brimming with photos of jaw-dropping vegan creations. After stalking her feed for a shameful amount of time, I got the opportunity to talk with her about veganism, photography, and her social media fame. Meg explained that during her senior year of high school, she started to care more about where food came from and what it was doing to her body and the environment. She then went vegan overnight after she watched the documentary “Earthlings.” After a few weeks of feeling weak, Meg said that she struck the right balance of nutrients for herself and began to love the way veganism made her feel. “Portion control is not a thing for vegans,” she emphasized. Then, Meg began instagramming because she was bored the summer before her Jan semester in London. In London, she continued to do so with the help of inspiring food Instagrams and the city’s exciting, plant-based restaurants. It was also in London that the first company reached out to Meg for collaboration; they offered to pay her for creating recipes. “Now, I get free products from companies to test them out and possibly promote them on the page,” Meg explained. It’s a symbiotic relationship: not only is she able to help small, local businesses get their starts, but she also gets to discover the best products. Her favorite? Bai5, which was one of the first companies to contact her, makes antioxidant-infused drinks with no artificial sweeteners. Koco Cacao Hot Chocolate, another favorite, is made with raw cacao and nothing processed or refined.

Photos by Meg Josephson

18

the continental | winter 2016

When I asked Meg for details on her photo-taking process, she laughed. “It’s not very glamorous,” she explained. “I’m usually pressed against the door for natural light and my dogs are jumping up at the food.” She said that she just tries to make the food look nice, #nofilters involved.

ON CAMPUS

Photo by Charolette Bennett

Harrison King, a senior at Hamilton, has earned his social media following through DJing and music production. His SoundCloud account, Sharp Veins (https://soundcloud.com/sharpveins), has almost three thousand followers. Harrison first took an interest in making music in high school. He says his style was “rudimentary back then,” but he was inspired by hip-hop and EDM to begin making mixes. He took time off when he first arrived at Hamilton, but eventually became more serious about his music. Now, he spends more time working on production than on DJing so that he can send music off to others to play. Harrison’s SoundCloud tracks are such an eclectic mix of sounds, rhythms, and moods, but he weaves these sonic paradoxes together in a way that makes for a whole, heady sound. “My inspiration comes from anywhere,” he mused. “Random youtube samples, sounds from people going to Sea World in 1999, a walk through a rainforest, things like that,” he said, as though explaining why two plus two equals four. At my look of bewilderment, he laughed. “It’s a weird process, it’s never quite the same.” Harrison uses Ableton Live software for both production and DJing, which seems to fit his creative process to a tee. The software markets itself as perfect for “creating musical ideas, turning them into finished songs, and taking them onto the stage.” Once Harrison makes his rhythmic ideas into reality, he then puts them on SoundCloud and sometimes plays gigs in New York City. When I asked him about his SoundCloud following, he said that most of the time, “None of it feels real, it’s all just numbers.” His feelings about the online support system are mixed. He explained, “It’s gratifying, obviously, but also unhealthy because it can ruin some creative instincts… SoundCloud has changed from what it initially was. Now it’s a community of listeners, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just different.” On the flip side, Harrison noted that it’s possible to find excellent music on SoundCloud, even from people who are getting no recognition. “If I’m lucky, something great will be sent to me [by another artist],” he explained. Otherwise, he uses random word generators to search for gems.

FALLING INTO THE WRITING WORLD Amy Zhang is a sophomore at Hamilton and the author of the popular young adult novel, Falling into Place. She began to write the novel at age 16, after her family moved from St. Louis to a small town in Wisconsin. “My way of dealing with that was to start writing,” she says. When she was 18, Falling into Place was released by Harper Collins. Critics call the nonlinear novel haunting and universal: “On the day Liz Emerson tries to die, they had reviewed Newton’s laws of motion in physics class. Then, after school, she put them into practice by running her Mercedes off the road.” The novel began as two short stories, Amy explains: one for English class, and the other a piece of fiction. When I ask if it is difficult to work on her writing while at Hamilton, Amy laughed and nodded fervently. “I used to be better about disciplining myself,” she explained, “But I’m trying.” She says that positive feedback keeps her going. “It’s encouraging to talk to people who have read your work. When someone says something [about my books], it’s so gratifying.” She says that most of the time, though, her writing career feels very separate from her life at Hamilton. Part of being a published author means keeping up with a fan base through online presence. Amy explains that it can be overwhelming to keep up with social media sometimes, but she tries her best to reply to emails, Tweets, and the like. “Twitter is very big in publishing,” she noted, “That’s my big medium. But sometimes, I fall off the planet with it. I also have a website and a blog, which I try to update.” Amy’s second novel, This Is Where the World Ends was published this past September. The novel is a mystery and a meditation on the dark side of growing up, friendship, and trust. Her third novel is set to come out in March of 2017. the continental | winter 2016

19

style

style

gnar w

e’ve all heard of GNAR Club, but most of us will still say we are a little foggy regarding what exactly this club is all about. GNAR Club describes its mission as this: to rediscover the genuine core of the alternative lifestyle that has been lost to mainstream culture. The common campus association with this club is its reputation for throwing some of the most successful and inspired parties on campus, more often than not unsanctioned by Hamilton College’s administration. But this is not exactly the main function of the club, whose members rally around the ideal of performance of original and alternative thought—a sort of “nouveau alternative” to quote a member of the club with whom I spoke. Trapped by a collectively experienced social monotony on campus and inspired by the “gnarly” predecessors of the club who were “the tits,” GNAR’s members want to remind people, and ultimately themselves, that an atmosphere of social creativity can be sustained on our isolated hill. The club takes a great amount of pride in not only its objective, but in its continued support and presence within the community. “When we have meetings we consistently have approximately 20 people show up to them. [How many other clubs] can say that?” These meetings often 20

the continental | winter 2016

by xenia tiajoloff occur in secluded locations on campus, known only to the close-knit GNAR community. The anonymity and the secrecy allow the club to operate in such a way that the events surprise and potentially unite the campus. But most importantly, just like any club on campus, it is really a collection of students who simply want to do what they want to do because they are inspired to do it. Their imagination takes them in many different directions, not limited to their most popular genre of event—crazy dance-filled and notoriously trippy parties. This semester, they held a successful slip-and-slide event, notably sanctioned by the college. Similarly approved, the snow sculpture in the spring semester of 2015 was a mammoth undertaking. Its purpose was to stand as a monument to what can be achieved if people are willing to put time into a project. “It was performance art … of community activism simply in the definition of each word: community building and strengthening.” In fact, the lumber from this project was then used in constructing the igloo that became the site for the party that still stands in infamy. It was a construction project that took many people working approximately 6 hours a day for a few weeks until its finished product was used, after which it stood for only one day before the sun and warmth took it as victim—a

fitting reminder of the ephemerality of a good performance. But as is typical with this club, it mixed things up very quickly. It was through fast-acting social media like Snapchat that GNAR quickly found an audience of eager party-goers. In fact, it is this underground minimalist advertising that the hosts of the Halloween Party in the Hub this past fall used to equal success. The reason for the popularity most likely stems from the same frustrations with campus life that drives GNAR—people are looking for something new, something exciting, and something creative. The party in the abandoned List building in the spring semester of 2015 was advertised to no more than 15 people by oral invitation, was conceived and realized in only a matter of hours, yet resulted in a couple hundred attendees. The Electric Playground, another event, was crafted in a matter of days - a testament to the clubs spontaneity. It is important to note that in their quest for personal expression and excitement, they have not always met the administration on favorable terms, with members having been disciplined many times in the process. The GNAR Club member I interviewed repeatedly made it clear that he/she understands the position and angle of the institution and its employees regarding risky nightlife activities, but he/she sees a disadvantageous cautiousness. “Their attitude towards safety and risk management is the same management that really conservative states have towards sexual education. They don’t tell you how to [run independent social gatherings] safely, and they don’t show you how to do it safely; they just tell you not to do it. Essentially it’s a type of abstinence [education].” Despite these occasional confrontations, the interviewee was markedly proud of his/her club’s ability to host events that have, in his/her opinion, successfully proved the opposite of Hamilton’s stance on large group gatherings. To his/her knowledge, GNAR Club has never supplied alcohol at any function of theirs, nor has any individual ever been harmed.

Essentially, GNAR Club is a catalyst for the unexpected on Hamilton’s campus. They want to break the geographical and social limitations we traditionally experience on this campus, while simultaneously helping the student body to let its guard down. GNAR club members are inventive and imaginative—creativity is all that they will accept. So yes, this club is a little out of left-field, eccentric, and alternative. But if they were any other way, would the general student populace search out their parties as fervently? I bet not.

photos provided by gnar club the continental | winter 2016

21

Spotted BY JEAN SHIM

T

hough it might be unexpected given the campus’s location in what many consider to be “the middle of nowhere” or “cow country,” we all have to admit it: Hamilton students know how to look good. Of course we have a prevalent preppy style on campus (we are a NESCAC school, after all), but our sense of style doesn’t stop at Barbour coats and Brooks Brothers button-downs – our student body’s approach to dressing is as varied as the courses we are able to take here. While Hamilton students as a whole dress well, there are always a few students whose styles stand out in the crowd. The “Spotted” article in each of our issues features two such students; we get to hear what they have to say about their style and style inspiration. When it comes to Tyler Ridley ’17, a World Politics major but whose special expertise is in China, the Social Chair of the Brothers Organization, and a member of both the Democratic and Republican clubs 22

the continental | winter 2016

PHOTOS BY TINA MANGELOVA (only a few of his many obligations on campus), his style changes with the day. He explained his approach to us: Q: How would you describe your personal style? TR: I would say I cross various boundaries in fashion. I would definitely say that my style is a mix from my neighborhood to my school – so it goes from sort of a preppy-boy look on occasions, to more of a hip-hop style. It varies, sometimes I’ll mix the two and wear Timbs and a preppy-boy sweater. Other days, I get dressed up and wear boat shoes and salmon shorts. It really depends. Q: Who or what inspires your wardrobe? TR: I wouldn’t say there is a singular source. Whatever I see that catches my attention I typically go for, and then I’ll find what to mix and match it with afterwards. I’ll try things later on and see how they work, and I’ll test them out and see how it feels and what it looks like to me. Q: Favorite labels or designers? TR: Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. I do very much like designers, but I like stores like H&M, Zara. But I also like Y3, so I also do a little bit of off-brand shopping. I just like to do a little bit that is not in the mainstream, because sometimes you’ll find something that is very exotic and very interesting. Q: Are you into thrifting? TR: My little brother got me into it a bit. I wasn’t initially, but I see the benefits of engaging that style – making something unique for yourself. Q: What is your go-to outfit, or one of your favorite outfits? TR: I really like this burgundy sweater that I have. It’s a pretty safe look, so I try not to wear it too often. I have these new Polo Ralph Lauren boots with this sort-of beige hoodie with a long-fitted beige undershirt to go with some black…they’re not exactly sweatpants, but stretch sweatpants. It’s a “Kanye look,” apparently. I like it a lot.

Nora Demere ’18, also a World Politics major with a focus on North Africa and the Middle East, has a look that she describes as “all over the place.” Like her personality, her approach to style is relaxed, nonchalant, but oh-so her. Here’s what she had to say about her look... the continental | winter 2016

23

style

Q: How would you describe your style? ND: Eh, I wear what I want. I only wear comfortable pants, and tights. Comfort is so important. When I’m getting dressed, I don’t think about whether I look good. On weekends, I want to look and feel good in what I’m wearing, but I don’t really care if it makes other people feel uncomfortable. Q: Are people usually uncomfortable with the way you dress? ND: I don’t care about what other people think of me. I have nip slips all the time and I like it, and if I make someone uncomfortable, isn’t that good? They either have to get over it or don’t judge me. I try not to judge other people, because style is one of the only ways to show people who you are. Q: What are your style inspirations? Who is someone you look up to? ND: Patterns. But I also look at Zoe Kravitz’s Instagram. Our styles aren’t similar, but it’s kind of the same thing where she doesn’t care about other people’s perceptions of her.

24

the continental | winter 2016

Q: Do you feel like your style has changed since you got to Hamilton? ND: Since coming here, I’ve been thrifting. Usually Salvation Army, and cheap thrift stores in New York City, which is where I usually get my comfy pants. It’s frustrating because I don’t want people to judge me, but there’s like bad judgment and good judgment…I don’t care what people think, but I also want to be true to myself, because I’m bad with words. But clothes are cool…I’m all over the place on the inside and all over the place on the outside. Q: What kind of accessories do you go for? ND: Socks are the best accessories! I will not give up on socks. You can also tell a person by their shoes. I will wear my Birkenstocks as long as there’s no snow on the ground. I also express myself through jewelry. I love finding cool rings. My favorite ring is this one of naked people spooning. Q: What is an everyday essential you can’t live without? ND: My Led Zeppelin shirt that I cut myself. It’s a children’s shirt, and I have had it for a very long time. It’s my favorite band.

WINTER RECIPIES

We’re back.

School has begun, and with the unending reading and constant snowfall we yearn for the comforts of the holidays— specifically, holiday eating. Yes, the holidays are a time for indulgence, but I believe we should comfort ourselves with food all year round. Whether it’s warm soup, some spiced nuts, or a fudgy brownie, comfort food has the power to heal inside and out. I share these healthy comfort food recipes with you in the hope that you may bake away your winter worries and nourish your body and mind.

Fudgy Walnut Espresso Brownies These fudgy brownies satisfy on any and every occasion, especially when you need a little pick-me-up. In addition to being indulgently delectable, the cocoa and walnuts in the brownies are known to contain powerful health benefits. Cocoa is packed with freeradical fighting antioxidants and flavonoids, which can lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Omega 3s in walnuts improves memory and cognitive function, and helps with bone health. Ingredients: ¾ C cocoa powder 2 cups pitted medjool dates 1 pinch sea salt 1 C raw, unsalted almonds 1 ½ C walnuts 1 t Espresso powder Directions: Place 1 C walnuts and 1 C almonds in food processor, process. Add cocoa powder, espresso powder, and sea salt. Pulse to combine. Remove from bowl and set aside. Process dates, remove from bowl and set aside. Add nut and cocoa mixture back into food processor and as processing, add in dates 1 at a time. Add brownie mixture to small parchment lined cake pan or loaf pan. Add remaining chopped walnuts on top. Place in freezer to chill.

PHOTOS BY JACK HAY

BY MADDY FREDRICK

Thomas Keller’s French Onion Soup Sorry if it’s pretentious to title this as “Thomas Keller’s” French onion soup, but it’s like making Julia Child’s Beef Bourgogne without including her namesake. This dish is time consuming but incredibly easy. My dad simply pours the onions in and lets the soup do its thing for the whole day. Someone in the family will always be lured in by the smell and stir the onions. Additionally, you’ll be happy to know that the phytochemicals in onions can improve the function of Vitamin C in the body – so you can say adieu to flu season! Ingredients: Sachet: 2 Bay leaves, 12 black peppercorns, 6 sprigs thyme Soup: 8 lb. (8 large) yellow onions, 4 T unsalted butter, 4 T olive oil, kosher salt, 1 ½ t all-purpose flour, 3 ½ quarts beef stock Directions: Melt butter and olive oil in a large heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and 1 t salt, reduce heat to low. Cook onions for five hours, stirring pot every 15 minutes or so. Sift in flour, add beef stock and sachet. Simmer for one hour. Season to taste with salt, pepper and a few drops of red wine vinegar. Soup can be eaten as-is, or topped with baguette slices. For the bread slices (3/8 in. thick): brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Broil to golden brown. Pour soup into ramekins, top with bread slices, and finish with a sprinkle of aged Comte or Emmentaler cheese.

Spiced Maple Roasted Nuts Granted, these are not chestnuts roasted on an open fire, but we do what we can. Nuts are known to contain ample amount of fiber and healthy fat, and will keep you full and satisfied all season long. The zinc in pure maple syrup also protects and prevents various cardiovascular disorders – who would have thought? Good for your heart inside and out? Happy holidays to us. Ingredients: 1 C raw walnuts 1 C raw almonds 1 C raw pecans ½ C maple syrup 5 T granulated cane sugar ½ t ground ginger ½ t ground cinnamon Optional: pinch of cayenne Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine sugar and spice ingredients, and warm over medium heat. Pour warm sugar and spice mixture into bowl, dump nuts into bowl. Make sure nuts are evenly coated. Spread out nuts on a thickbottomed baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flip nuts, then bake for another 10-15 minutes. Let cool for another two minutes. the continental | winter 2016 25

style

A Look at Cara Delevingne’s Career By Samantha Donohue Known for her thick, dark eyebrows and androgynous style, Cara Delevingne embodies the tough girl image. Her dry sense of humor and strong persona can sometimes be misread as rude, like in an interview about her role in Paper Towns with Good Day Sacramento, in which the reporters accused Delevingne of “being in a mood.” However, to Cara Delevingne’s many fans and impressive 23.1 million Instagram followers, her bold, carefree attitude is her biggest asset. The actress doesn’t care for the judgment of others and is unapologetically herself. She posts countless selfies, often with humorous props, such as her dog or french fries, and makes goofy faces. She is also famous for photobombing people on the red carpet – licking the face of an unsuspecting Naomi Campbell at the Golden Globes is just one instance of her goofiness. Delevingne clearly doesn’t take herself too seriously and definitely doesn’t play by the rules, which gives her a down-to-earth and relatable quality that many of today’s supermodels lack. In fact, Cara Delevingne’s security in herself is quite inspiring given her long battle with depression. Her modeling career provided her with success and fame, starting with her appearance in Vogue Italia at age 10, but it also fed into her depression. Delevingne was constantly critiqued and molded into the image society wanted her to be, not necessarily who she wanted to be. Acting has allowed Delevingne to break out of that mold and has given her the freedom to shape her own roles while continuing to channel her love of being in front of the camera. Following her success in Paper Towns, Delevingne will continue her career as an actress. She can be seen in the upcoming films Suicide Squad and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Some have predicted that Cara Delevingne will eventually be better known for her acting career than for her modeling, and while that may be true, it is unlikely that Delevingne will stop influencing the fashion world anytime soon. Most recently, she has participated in a swoon-worthy partnership with Kate Moss, modeling for Spanish retailer, Mango, and Burberry. She was also named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. It’s hard not to judge a book by it’s cover but perhaps Cara Delevingne shouldn’t be boxed into the categories of supermodel or actress at all and should rather be embraced as the feminist, style icon, and comic that she is, whose discovery of loving herself is a lesson we can all learn from.

26

the continental | winter 2016

Illustration by Sarah Wallack

travel

Photo by Sarah Moore

Three Utica Restaurants Worth a Visit By Gabe Myerson

F

or me, seeking out small family-run restaurants in Utica, a quick 20 minute drive from campus, has been one of the great pleasures of going to Hamilton. Utica is a major hub for foreign refugees, so it makes sense that it’s the perfect place to go for cheap, delicious, and authentic ethnic food. Thankfully, for Hamilton students, most restaurants in Utica are built on this exact premise. But, to find the good stuff, you might have to change your standards regarding restaurant atmosphere. The owners of these restaurants are often refugees or immigrants, so they put the

majority of their money and effort into ingredients and cooking, rather than window treatments and elaborate outdoor signage. In my opinion, a spec of dust or lacking tablecloths is never an impediment to a great meal. In fact, the atmosphere at these family-run places in Utica (as well as the food) offer a change from the fast food giants of New Hartford or the monotonous pizza options of Clinton. More often than not, expect numbered menus and being surrounded by regulars. You can also expect a cheap, massively portioned, delicious meal, served by people who care deeply about offering a genuine taste of their homeland, wherever that may be.

the continental | winter 2016

27

travel

Pho Mekong House of Noodles (601 John St., Utica, NY)

While many of the best

restaurants in Utica rest in unassuming buildings or on quiet streets, Pho Mekong tops them all, as a standalone building located in a vacant lot. With faded pictures of menu items and Vietnamese television playing in the background, Pho Mekong serves fresh, vibrantly flavored Vietnamese and Thai dishes. Pho ($6.95 for a large bowl)—a

Vietnamese beef and noodle soup– is obviously the thing to get here. With deeply flavored broth and cuts of beef ranging from tender brisket to springy meatballs, it’s all served in a bowl larger than your head. Beyond the pho, the fresh spring rolls ($3) are a good bet if you’re looking to round out your meal. Do as many others across Southeast Asia do, and get some noodles for breakfast (or brunch) to crush your hangover on the weekends.

Photo by Sarah Moore

El Barajo

(672 Bleecker St., Utica, NY )

You’ll find a handful of Latin American restaurants in

Photo by Ben Baliick

Utica that all serve basically the same stuff, but El Barajo rises above the competition with its flavorful stews, rice, and beans. Though the restaurant sports white tablecloths, the food is ladled from warming trays (a la Chipotle) into compartmentalized styrofoam takeout containers. And although there’s a menu, the best thing to do is order what looks and sounds best. Stews are the thing to get here, ranging from beef and chicken for the traditional to oxtail for the more adventurous. Everything is between $7 and $10 and is served with a mountain of rice and beans, which are crazy good. This food may come from the tropics, but it’s made for upstate New York winters. Warm, and deeply satisfying, this is wool sweater food. Pro tip: the women behind the counter speak mostly Spanish, so if you don’t, just point to what you want and say yes to every question they ask; your patience and trust will be rewarded.

Zeina’s Café

(607 Varick St., Utica, NY)

Zeina’s is located on the same street as the

Saranac Brewery, whose daily tours deserve their own article. Anyway, the point is that with such a major tourist attraction on Varick Street, there are a lot of crappy, overpriced restaurants that prey on customer overflow from the brewery—not Zeina’s, though.

28

the continental | winter 2016

The decent-sized café is run by a warm, welcoming Lebanese family, and you can taste the pride they have in their food. The reasonable prices are just an added bonus. Don’t leave without getting the hummus; it’s light and smooth, and worth the $4 as a great side to anything you get as an entrée. That entrée should involve meat, whether it be

the chicken shwarma or lamb strips (or both), and should come in a gyro ($7.50), warm pita bread wrapped up around lettuce, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese, and a yogurt-based tzatziki sauce. It’s huge (easily enough for two meals), and with some hot sauce, it’ll put you right where you need to be on a cold winter afternoon.

A Self-Designed Semester By Caroline Langan

“Jans realize it’s a unique experience, and make the bold decision to arrive on campus one semester later than their freshman peers”

Every January, Hamilton welcomes

approximately 35 new first-year students, affectionately known as “Jans.” This select group of students are chosen from the regular acceptance pool due to their independence, intellectual curiosity, strength of character, and other personal qualities, all of which lead the Office of Admissions to believe they will make good use of the Fall semester. While starting in January is not an option all students are comfortable with, Jans realize it’s a unique experience, and make the bold decision to arrive on campus one semester later than their freshman peers.

The majority of Jans opt to spend the fall studying in London through the Arcadia Fall in London Freshman Program. However, there are a handful of Jans who elect to take a different route, which might include studying abroad in a different location, doing community service, working an internship or full-time job, or pursuing a particular interest or talent. For example, Andrew Sinclair ’18, who grew up thirty minutes north of London, decided to spend his first semester in Bentonville, Arkansas, where his family had just moved. He took classes at a local school and spent time with his family and friends.

the continental | winter 2016

29

travel

Designing your own semester is often a unique opportunity to explore your independence and discover new things. One student worked at a local barn, vegan

café, and organic farm, while also spending time horseback riding. Other students spent their time exploring the nature and beauty of the Bahamas, backpacking in

the Alps, and recording and performing music. Amy Sedgwick ’18, earned her first real job working at Starbucks from August to Christmas, while also taking a class at Indiana University Bloomington. “I would not say it was an easy first job! Working at a Starbucks with a drive-through was an experience in itself, especially if I was working in the morning. In the morning, people want their Starbucks, and they want it fast! I learned a lot about myself and enjoyed being challenged,” recalls Sedgwick. Others used the semester to focus on a talent or to follow their passions. Gabe Skoletsky ‘16 explored his passion for music while also taking classes at NYU and Hunter College in New York City. “In the end, it was quite an enriching semester. I was in New York with the freedom to do almost whatever I wanted. Plus, I could devote a ton of time to music,” says Skoletsky. He particularly enjoyed performing “Mr. Cleanhead Blues” with professional musician Tim Hauser. As the

30

the continental | winter 2016

name implies, the song is about the plight of a bald man—so Gabe chose to wear a bald wig in solidarity with Hauser, his bald-headed duet partner. “I don’t remember having more fun during a performance since. Without a doubt, it was the highlight of my semester, and perhaps all of college,” says Skoletsky. When the Jans arrive on campus at winter’s peak, they are thrown into life on the Hill. While entering as a Jan can be an intimidating experience, entering as a Jan who did not go to London can be even more daunting. Luckily, they are often known throughout campus and are always welcomed with open arms. “While the integration process was difficult, people were welcoming and I love meeting new people, even as a sophomore,” says Sedgwick. For others, the transition was seamless. “After my semester living at home alone, I was just so excited to be at Hamilton that I met everyone I could. I never really felt like an outsider at all. My freshman year dorm was like one big family, and I was quickly welcomed into their group… they became my closest friends,” recalls Hallie Skripak-Gordon ‘16. This special group of students, who have taken the time to acquire unique experiences get to connect with each other in a special way. Jans, whether they went to London or not, create a support system for each other and help one another find their niche on campus. “My advice for future Jans is to come with an open mind and a willingness to get involved. Hamilton will welcome you with open arms; you just have to put the effort in and make the Hill your home,” said Sinclair.

Photos by Andrew Sinclair, Hallie Skripak Gordon and Gabriel Skoletsky the continental | winter 2016

31

entertainment

entertainment

Podcasts: Where to Look and What’s Worth a Listen By Olivia Paradice

32

the continental | winter 2016

As any podcast lover can tell you, listening to podcasts can be just as addicting as binge-watching TV shows on Netflix. Podcasts can be a learning mechanism, a way to keep up on recent events, a form of entertainment, and as an added benefit, it’s super easy to multitask while listening to them. The difficult part is knowing where to get started. iTunes provides its users with an app that includes detailed categories, but each category contains hundreds upon hundreds of podcasts, amounting to thousands of hours of content. Since beginning podcast listeners might not know where to start, this can be extremely overwhelming. We at The Continental hope to make that transition easier by suggesting some truly highquality podcasts.

First things first — if you enjoyed “Serial,” the first podcast said to have gone “mainstream”, try listening to “This American Life” or “Criminal.” While “This American Life” isn’t directly related to “Serial” in terms of content, “Serial” began within “This American Life”, and many of the instrumental creative minds behind “Serial” also work on “This American Life.” Regardless, “This American Life” is a great starting point for anyone looking to get into podcasts. Each episode features 3 or 4 stories focused around a theme or topic, which varies from the extremely vague (‘Regrets’) to the incredibly specific (‘What has been happening in the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans since Katrina?’). On the other hand, “Criminal” is closely related to “Serial” in terms of content, but while it doesn’t spend weeks focusing on a specific case, it is a “true crime” podcast that details the circumstances behind specific criminal cases. If you’re a history buff, check out “Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History”, but be warned; if you choose to listen to this podcast, you are committing yourself to some very long episodes. Most are 3+ hours long, and some are even divided into multi-part series, in which each episode is well over an hour. But you’ll soon learn that the length is entirely necessary, as Dan Carlin really digs deep into various historical events, mainly focusing on the colorful anecdotes that aren’t always taught in traditional history classes. If you’re a fan of surrealist humor, I would highly recommend “Welcome to Night Vale.” “Welcome to Night Vale” is a fictional podcast that takes place in a tiny desert town where librarians are the most fearsome creatures imaginable, there are strange glowing clouds in the sky, the Secret Police are always watching you, and whatever you do, you should not go anywhere near the dog park. The show takes the form of a community radio program, and reports on the nightmarish news and events of this town as if they were totally mundane, expertly walking the line between utter absurdity and genuine horror. To those who aren’t already interested in economics, the idea of listening to a podcast about the subject may sound boring, challenging, or both. I know that when a friend recommended “Freakonomics” to me, a Literature student with very poor math skills, I was skeptical. However, I soon discovered that the way “Freakonomics” incorporates economics into its episodes is anything but boring. “Freakonomics” explores “the hidden side of everything,” attempting to answer questions such as ‘Do more expensive wines taste better?’ ‘Why do people keep having kids?’ and ‘What’s the best way to fight terrorism?’ And don’t think that just because you’re not an economics major you’ll find this podcast difficult to understand; the way these topics are presented is both accessible and fascinating, making direct connections between economics and everyday life. If you enjoy movies and comedy (and more specifically, making fun of bad movies) there are a surprising number of podcasts dedicated to this topic, but I personally enjoy “How Did This Get Made?” and “The Worst Idea of All Time.” In “How Did This Get Made”, three comedians and a guest star meticulously review bad movies like After Earth, Con Air, and the Sharknado franchise. Segments of the show include “Would this be better with Nicolas Cage?” and “Second Opinions” (a.k.a 5-star reviews pulled from Amazon). “The Worst Idea of All Time” apparently would be to watch a horrible movie every week for a year (Grown Ups 2 for Season 1, Sex and the City 2 for Season 2), during which the two hosts slowly but surely go insane. The hosts willingly subject themselves to this in an attempt to find out if there’s some sort of meaning beneath the apparent meaninglessness of these films; the hilarity of it all comes from listening to these poor men descend into madness as they discover that no, there is absolutely not. Once you’ve tried out some of these recommendations, it should be easier to figure out what types of podcasts you enjoy, and make the task of sifting through the hundreds of podcasts out there to find ones you would like a little simpler. Happy listening!

the continental | winter 2016

33

entertainment Hamilton College 1

2 3

4 5

7

8

6

9

10

11

12 13

14

15

16 17

18

19

22

20

21

23

24 26

27

25

28

29

30 31 35

32

33

34

36 37

38

39

40 42

41 43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52 53 54

ACROSS

DOWN

2 Give presentation tips 4 Campus turtle 5 Hall of ________ 8 Pyrenees countries 10 New career center director 13 Coveted finals week spot 15 Tangy sporting event 16 Former senator and alum 19 Most popular major 20 Former ambassador and current professor 22 Spring's newest arrivals 25 Barn party locale 26 Sleeping bag owner 27 School song 29 Kirkland 30 Latest on campus housing 32 "Official" winter shoe 35 Center located in CJ 36 1812 37 Student Activities slogan 38 The way 42 Hamilton _______ Academy 44 Uptown _______ 47 Number of fraternities 48 Chapel symbol 49 Number of campus publications 51 How freshman first made friends 52 Red building 54 Previous mascot

1 2 3 6 7 9

Computer help Set of musical compositions There are 11 of them 46 peak locale Face of Commons What 61% of students do... or what hamilton international programs # 52, 21, 13 refer to 11 American philanthropist or dorm 12 Professor or dorm 14 Famous panini 17 Where to get lost on campus 18 Social sciences hub 21 A cow's paradise 23 D1 Hamilton team 24 Trustee who never visited campus 28 Previously chair-less seminar room 31 "If I were not a ____ I wonder what I would be" 33 One AHI Founder 34 Where to find sushi 39 General who laid the cornerstone 40 Know Thyself 41 Struggle for grey siders 43 Faculty McEwen frequenter 45 Hamilton rival 46 Controversial social media app 50 East or West? 52 Little red book country 53 Bodily fluid building

Answers will be released via email on February 25th! Created by Elza Harb

34

the continental | winter 2016

Hint: This picture should help with 26-Across and 6-Down.

Photo by Tina Mangelova

the continental | winter 2016

35

entertainment

The

C U N T D O W N (thirty days until Spring Break)

By Liz Morris 36

the continental | winter 2016

sunDAY 14.

Now that Valentine’s Day is over, we’re headed into the final stretch before spring break. Each day is a chance to make the most of what’s on the Hill, so take a look at how to keep things hot even as the temperature stays cool.

MONDAY 15.

Only three more Mondays until break, so kick up your feet and watch the

Grammy Awards tonight.

tuesday 16.

Green thumb feeling underused in the winter weather? Karen Washington, a community activist, will speak about gardening and social justice.

21.

22.

23.

28.

29.

1.

6. Monk Rowe will be performing jazz in the pub from 4-6.

7.

8.

Hamilton routinely brings top musical talent to campus; if you haven’t checked out any performances yet, be sure to see English and Strong perform a Schubert masterpiece.

Finish your work early tonight because the Academy Awards is hosted by Chris Rock this evening.

Do yourself a favor and wash your sheets today, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?

DIY Nachos. Grab chips from the taqueria station, beans from the salad bar, black olives if that’s your type, and cheese from the sandwich station. Assemble and throw it in the microwave until the cheese melts. De Lacy Davis, a former NJ police officer and founder of Black Cops Against Police Brutality, will give a talk on preventing police brutality in our country.

Succumb to the emails and sign up for Chair Massage Tuesday. Your upper back will thank you. Order in a pizza with the suite and borrow a DVD from Burke Library. You know you’d all watch Netflix anyways, so make it a group activity.

Trivia Night is at 8pm. A team of up to six is all you need! Once you go once, it’s hard to stop returning.

wednesDAY thursday

friday

saturday

17.

18.

19.

20.

24.

25.

26.

27.

coming to campus to do stand-up comedy. You may need a few laughs to get through this hump day.

12-1 in the Fitness Center. Go in your socks and realign your energy.

2.

3. Understanding the “O”— Program on the Female Orgasm. There’s no way you know everything about this, so go for an entertaining and informative afternoon.

4.

10. Make a March Madness Bracket

11.

CAB is sponsoring a beer tasting in the Little Pub, so if you’ve got an asterisk on your HillCard, head over after classes.

Need some more calm to get you to the weekend? Meditation club meets at 6.

Joel Chasnoff is Tai Chi is from

It’s Read Across America Day. Instead of checking your phone before going to bed, read a chapter of a book that isn’t assigned for class. You’ll sleep better.

9.

Only two days left! Open up the windows, air out the room, go through your junk drawer to do a bit of spring cleaning.

with friends! The games start in five days and this time around you’ll know who to root for in each match-up.

Syracuse University’s Black Celestial Choral Ensemble will perform gospel music in the chapel at 4.. don’t miss out!

The Levitt Center Scholar in Residence is James Jacob, be sure to check out his workshops during this week.

Go for a walk in the glen. If the snow’s melted, wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. If the snow is still piled up, rent some snowshoes from the Glen House! #optoutside Unplug the minifridge, water your plants, high-five your professors, we’re outta here!

Hundreds of high school juniors will be visiting campus today; sit down with them at lunch and answer their questions. They’ll be the ones using the blue trays.

The Saranac Brewery tours run

at 1pm and 3pm. Even if you aren’t 21, you can see how beer is made right next door in Utica.

5. DIY Root Beer Float in Commons (ingredients: vanilla ice cream, root beer, spoon).

12.

Photo by Nancy L. Ford the continental | winter 2016

37

entertainment

#OscarsSoWhite: The Racial Politics Behind the ACademy awards By Olivia Paradice

W

hen the illustrious but highly contested Academy announced their nominations for the prestigious Academy Awards in filmmaking on Thursday, January 14th, there was immediate backlash. For the second year in a row, all twenty nominees for the highest honor in film acting were white. This lack of nominees of color is unfortunately a common occurrence. Throughout the 87-year history of the Academy Awards, actors of color have received a depressingly low number of nominations: black actors have been nominated only 65 times and won only 15, Latino actors have only 20 nominations with 6 wins, and Asian actors have a mere 17 nominations and 4 wins. Furthermore, underrepresentation of people of color is not restricted to acting categories. From directing to producing, writing to cinematography, the Oscars have always been overwhelming white, and the 2016 nominations fail to disrupt this norm. Most of the discussion surrounding the oversaturation of white nominees centers on one question—why? Why are actors, directors, and other filmmakers of color not nominated? Is the Academy overlooking their efforts in favor of white nominees, or is Hollywood as a whole simply not racially diverse enough? As with most issues of this caliber, it seems to be a little of both. For one, the Academy voters (those who decide the nominees) are 94 percent white and 77 percent male, with an average age of 63. Furthermore, Academy membership terms are lifelong, meaning that members who have not worked in the industry in decades, and are likely out of touch with current filmmaking, tend to vote for the ‘old favorites’ like Steven Spielberg and Meryl Streep. Yet despite their inherent biases, they have the same voting power as contemporary filmmakers. One can easily argue the lack of diversity in the voters is what lead to performances like Benecio del Toro in Sicario and Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson in Creed being snubbed, and Jennifer Lawrence receiving a fourth Academy Award nomination for Joy, even though she has previously won two awards or Eddie Redmayne getting his second nomination in as many years. Last year’s film Selma was one of the most wellreceived movies of the year, yet while it was nominated for Best Picture, director Ava DuVernay and lead actor David Oyelowo were both overlooked for individual accolades. However, the Academy voting base is not the sole problem 38

the continental | winter 2016

in the lack of diverse nominations. After all, while people of color have undoubtedly been snubbed in the nominations, the fact still remains that people of color are a huge minority in Hollywood as a whole; the likelihood of them being nominated is low due to the lack of opportunities within the business. The public has known for a while that racism is a problem in Hollywood, and in fact, last year’s Sony email hack revealed that many producers are hesitant to hire actors of color because they don’t believe films starring actors of color will make as much money as films starring white people, especially overseas. In the 100 top-grossing films of 2012, only 10.8 percent of characters were black, 5 percent Asian, and 4.2 percent Hispanic/Latino. These numbers are even lower when it comes to directors. When there are only 3 or 4 major “Oscar-worthy” films each year starring and directed by people of color, there is going to be a discrepancy in the nominations. To sum up the issue, there are not nearly enough films being made that feature people of color either in front of the camera and/or behind the scenes, and those that are made are often overlooked, due in large part to the lack of racial diversity amongst Academy voters. Although many have acknowledged the lack of diversity for years, no one has made an effort to fix the problem. However, this year, the entertainment industry felt a veritable shake. People outside small corners of the Internet noticed and started to really discuss this issue. Prominent figures in the entertainment industry are discussing the racial politics of the Academy Awards on popular late night talk shows and news programs, actors and filmmakers like Will Smith, Spike Lee and Mark Ruffalo (one of the nominated actors), and more are considering boycotting the ceremony in protest. Even more, 2016 host, Chris Rock, reportedly plans on addressing the issue of racial underrepresentation in his opening monologue. Perhaps more importantly, the Academy itself has finally responded; they have decided to make some ‘radical’ changes to their voting requirements, recruiting process, and governing structure, with the goal of doubling the number of female and minority voting members by 2020. The change that will likely be most immediately impactful is the decision to remove the voting status of members that haven’t been active in the industry within the last 10 years. Time will tell if these changes will have any effect, but with any luck, we will start to see nominees that reflect the rich racial and cultural diversity of our country.

How much do you know about the Oscars? 1. What is the only film to ever win an Academy Award in every category it was nominated for? a. Titanic b. The Godfather c. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King d. The Silence of the Lambs 2. Who was the youngest person to ever win an Academy Award? a. Shirley Temple b. Tatum O’Neal c. Hayley Mills d. QuvenzhanÊ Wallis 3. Who has won the most Academy Awards for Best Director? a. Steven Spielberg b. Billy Wilder c. William Wyler d. John Ford 4. What was the first animated movie to be nominated for for Best Picture? a. Beauty and the Beast b. Up c. Toy Story 3 d. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Illustration by Caitlin Becker

5. Who had the shortest on-screen performance to win an Academy Award? a. Beatrice Straight, Network b. Anthony Hopkins, The Silence of the Lambs c. Judy Dench, Shakespeare in Love d. Nicole Kidman, The Hours

Answers: 1. c 2. b 3. d 4. a 5. a the continental | winter 2016

39

Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend a In Clinton, we’re right where you want to be We are The Arbor Inn of Clinton Hamilton College and Clinton’s go-to accommodations include both Griffin House Bed & Breakfast – situated on five acres overlooking the Mohawk Valley – and Williams Street Lodging Village Guest Suites – located in Clinton’s historic village near eateries and shopping. Both are minutes from Hamilton College, just choose your setting and you’re right where you want to be.

We know you expect excellence (so do we) TripAdvisor awarded The Arbor Inn of Clinton the 2015 Certificate of Excellence, an honor reserved for the top 10% of businesses listed on the world’s largest travel site. (You should see what they’re saying about us!)

Guests return so often, they consider us friends We enjoy meeting new guests and welcoming returning ones. Our friends count on us; they know they can expect impeccably appointed, comfortable rooms, homemade cookies, convenient Keurig® machines, and amenity baskets during their visit.

For a wonderful stay at either location, call us to book your reservations at 315-859-1790 We are Dave and Ellen Varecka, your Innkeepers at The Arbor Inn of Clinton; we look forward to sharing our hospitality with you. Our goal is that you arrive as a guest and leave as a friend.

Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend. a 3919 Griffin Road | Clinton, NY 13323 | 315-859-1790 | innkeepers@arborinnofclinton.com | www.arborinnofclinton.com

Yard Sale Everything must go! Raising money for unpaid internship!

the continental campus magazine let us know what you think contmag@hamilton.edu

Thank you to all of our contributors! Photo by Tina Mangelova

Photo by Adam Markhoff