Sports
Community
Arts
Faulconer Gallery screened a Hatian film on openly gay voodou practitioners.
"Grinnell experienced no murders in 2017."
Indoor track and field conference will be smokin'.
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Scarlet & Black Volume 134, Issue 17
SGA election season heats up
By Maxwell Fenton fentonma@grinnell.edu Student Government Association (SGA) elections are imminent. The student body will be able to vote for candidates for SGA executive positions on online polls that will open at 8 a.m. today, Feb. 23 and close at 8 a.m. tomorrow, on Feb. 24. There are six candidates in total, all members of the class of 2019, running for three different positions. Myles Becker and Dylan Welch are running for SGA President. The race for Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) includes Riley Murphy and Joseph Robertson. Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) is a matchup between Kadiata Toumbou and Takshil Sachdev. The issues: Key issues that candidates have chosen to focus on in this election cy-
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February 23, 2018 • Grinnell, Iowa
cle are largely tied to the offices they are running for. For VPSA candidates Toumbou and Sachdev, improving student quality of life is the linchpin of their platforms. Sachdev counts “promoting student safety and wellness and representing the student body's interests when dealing with issues related to Title IX, mental health and diversity” as areas of focus. Toumbou is interested in tackling issues related to “inclusivity and diversity on campus, mental health and cyber bullying.” Sachdev in particular is interested in improving Grinnell’s institutional memory after having seen student activist and political efforts hurt by a failure to adapt when students depart. “I want to institutionalize the mechanisms for leadership transition among critical identity-based and activism oriented student organizations who might be involved in dealing with issues with the administration or the community in the long-term. This
would enable these organizations to thrive even as students themselves come and go,” Sachdev wrote in an email to The S&B. VPAA candidates Murphy and Robertson have both focused on the irregularity and intractability of many campus academic resources, although they approach the issue in different ways. “Supplies like adequate (and working) printers, A/V equipment and proper lighting should be available at a much higher rate around campus,” Murphy wrote in an email to The S&B. “Additionally, more students should have opportunities for non-classroom academic growth, like with internships or research projects.” Robertson, on the other hand, emphasized the curricular. “One [goal] that I’m really passionate about is more transparency in terms of curriculum, and what is going >> See SGA page 3
Jasmeen Patheja and Action Heroes confront gender-based violence
Demonstration at Brownells coincides with national activism
CONTRIBUTED
Community members protested gun violence at gun distributor, Brownells. By Alice Herman hermanal17@grinnell.edu On Wednesday, a week after the deadly shooting that killed 17 at a high school in Parkland, Florida, high school students flooded the Florida state capitol and performed walkouts at schools around the country to demand stricter gun control. The same day, a group of organizers from Grinnell and other parts of the state
gathered for the second week in a row to protest the sale of assault-style weapons by local firearms distribution center, Brownells. Like last week, this week’s protest was coordinated by 26 Days of Action Against Gun Violence and represented part of a larger effort to put pressure on firearm distributor and National Rifle Association (NRA) President Pete Brownell. Several protesters explained that >> See Students page 7
College faces ongoing health services challenges By Kate Irwin irwinkat@grinnell.edu
HELENA GRUENSTEIDL
Jasmeen Patheja conducted multiple workshops on campus and discussed her work in JRC 101. By Lauren Miller millerla@grinnell.edu Jasmeen Patheja is the founder and facilitator of Blank Noise, a community of activists, termed “Action Heroes,” who are fighting to make collective change against gender-based and sexual violence in India
and around the world, according to the Blank Noise site. Patheja visited campus this past week to talk about her work with Blank Noise. Since the first time she experienced street harassment outside Srishti, a university in Bangalore, India in 2003, Jasmeen Patheja was determined to make a change in the
Urban Education Symposium draws crowd
By Zoe Fruchter fruchter@grinnell.edu
Although the urban education systems of cities may seem far removed from rural Grinnell, last Thursday, Feb. 22, the Urban Education symposium covered just that. In reality, though, urban education is not as far removed from the Iowa corn fields as one might think. “It’s important to know that education was the second most common immediate career field for the College’s class of 2016,” wrote Dan Covino, director of the Education Professions Career Community within the Center for Careers, Life, and Service and the Rosenfield Program, in an email to The S&B. Covino also noted that of the alumni that go into teaching work, many teach in urban areas. “Although urban education Saturday Slavic Coffeehouse JRC 101, 5:30 p.m.
way women are treated in public spaces. Patheja began by taking photos of men who had harassed her and posting them online. “That is where the first community started getting built,” she said. After receiving support through >> See Patheja page 2
Water Panel to discuss the quality of Iowan water By Kelly Page pagekell@grinnell.edu
might seem far removed from Grinnell, it is a common career destination for our graduates. I hope the symposium provides students who are considering teaching in cities with some idea of the policy questions urban districts confront and the realities urban teachers face,” Covino wrote. Beyond post-college career choices, the topic of urban education holds relevance for various members of both the College and local communities. “Many of the issues (e.g. school choice, segregation, unequal access to educational opportunities) that our speakers will discuss affect education across the United States, not just American cities. … Since these issues affect education across locations, I hope many community members from Grinnell and surrounding communities will >> See Urban Education page 2
This Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m., Bucksbaum 152 will host a panel discussion entitled “Where Does Our Water Come From & Where Does It Go? A Look at Water in Grinnell and Poweshiek County.” Coming shortly after the passage of a $282 million water quality bill in the Iowa legislature in late January, which aims to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous in Iowa water, this discussion is extremely timely and will offer a chance for Grinnellians to ask experts on local water about how state wide water-related patterns play out on a local level. There are many issues with water in Grinnell that may provide discussion points on Sunday. In Iowa, runoff from farming cause chemicals like nitrates to seep into water supplies. Additionally, in 2016 the Iowa Department of Natural Resources found
Sunday Al-Bustan Takht Concert with Grinnell Singers Sebring-Lewis Hall, 2 p.m.
Monday African American Music and Civil Rights Herrick Cinema, 8 p.m.
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This past Tuesday, Feb. 20, Grinnell College held its 10th Annual Student Wellness fair. The fair provides an opportunity for campus resources, such as departments, offices and student groups, to publicize what they have to offer the student body. These resources for wellness range from academic advising, to physical and mental health, to identity support groups. Additionally, community resources, such as the Grinnell Regional Medical Center, were present at the fair. Having community resources present reminds students that opportunities for wellness extend beyond the campus. “[The resources offered] are meant to remind them that it's important to take care of yourself
before the semester gets too far into it and you get too busy with work,” said Connie Herchek, administrative support assistant for student affairs. “I think it's good to just be reminded of what [resources] are out there. I think at Grinnell there's so many different resources that sometimes we forget about the ones we need, because there's so many different opportunities to do things or go places.” There is no budget exclusively for the Wellness Fair. Each group and organization in attendance uses their own budget to supply necessary items. If in need of funding, student organizations go through the Student Government Association, as they would with any other event. Organizations such as SHACS or the Wellness Lounge have their own budgets for this event and allocate >> See Wellness page 2
that upwards of 6,000 Iowans may have been exposed to unsafe levels of lead in their drinking water. Although Grinnell was not one of the affected communities, many Grinnellians probably want to know for sure just how safe the town’s drinking water is. The water quality report on the City of Grinnell’s website has not been updated since 2016, when Grinnell’s drinking water did not violate federal contamination limits. Professor Peter Jacobson, biology, who will moderate the discussion, said, “At the national level people hear about Flint, Michigan and other areas where water quality is a significant issue, so folks may want to know how safe Grinnell’s tap water is.” Interestingly, some water taste judges say Grinnell’s water is some of the best-tasting in the country: it was a finalist in the National Rural Water Association’s Great American Water Taste Test, so that, according to the Center for Prairie Studies email about
the event, “[it] is a point of local pride that the Poweshiek Water Association is providing its customers with some of the best tasting water in the country.” Additionally, Grinnell’s current wastewater treatment plant is outdated and its emissions are not in compliance with federal guidelines, so the City is in the process of updating their current facilities, which may be another issue attendees will want the panel to address. On the panel, which was assembled by Professor Jonathan Andelson, anthropology and prairie studies, will be Jan Anderson, water resources director; Chad Coburn, executive director of Poweshiek Water Association; Mindy Siek, watershed coordinator with the Poweshiek Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD); and Matt Tapken, the Poweshiek Water Association’s chief operations officer. Each member of the panel will >> See Poweshiek page 2
Tuesday Micha Cárdenas: Public Talk
Thursday Black Education Panel
JRC 101 7:30 p.m.
JRC 209, 6:30 p.m.
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Edited by hermanal17@grinnell.edu & mettleca@grinnell.edu
Poweshiek water among best-tasting in Patheja workshops nation, experts say address gender-based
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give a ten-minute presentation, and afterwards there will be a chance for audience members to ask questions. Anderson has worked closely with Grinnell’s water treatment facilities since 1979, after he recieved a Master’s in geology from the University of Iowa. He has overseen upgrades to the wastewater treatment
plant and the water treatment plant, and helped the community construct a deep water well in 2000. Coburn has worked in rural water for 17 years, collaborating with state and national government and several Iowa communities. Mindy Siek’s focus since 2008 has been improving the quality of water and soil in Iowa and Kansas. Finally, Tapken is an expert in water treatment and groundwater, as well as
making water taste good. This dream team of local water experts are a perfect set of people to field questions about what comes out of Grinnell’s taps. Do Grinnellians need to Brita filter tap water and buy fancy bottles of water at Walmart? Or should they savor the local water’s supposedly top-tier flavor? This Sunday in Bucksbaum is the perfect time to find out.
Task force to address mental health services, conduct review Continued from Front Page any needed money out of their regular funding. Along with making resources known to students, SHACS has recently expanded their services to include a male identity support group and have a counselor on site at the athletic facilities. “We have more mental health resources than ever before,” said Jen Jacobsen, director of wellness and prevention. Currently, SHACS has full time and part time counselors, a partnership with the University of Iowa where doctoral student serve as a resource and counselors from a Masters of Social Work practicum. “The number of hours they're providing this year is more than ever before,” Jacobsen said. However, despite events such as the Wellness Fair that publicize resources and resource expansions, some students feel that the resources at Grinnell College are not sufficient, especially in the realm of mental health. One solution to addressing this problem is the implementation of a Student Mental Health task force. “Its purpose is to ask the questions and asses what are our needs, what are our recommendations so that the college can move forward in a strategic way,” Jacobsen said. Two weeks ago, in part of this strategic move forward, external reviewers from the directors of counseling from Hamilton and Knox
Colleges visited Grinnell College. They met with different groups and organizations to get feedback and asses the adequacy of the resources Grinnell College has to offer. As the external reviewers come from small, rural, liberal arts colleges, their perspective allows them to better understand the needs that students at Grinnell College have and utilize related work on their respective campuses. “It creates some objectivity in making their recommendations,” Jacobsen said. After completing the report, the external reviewers will summarize their findings and give recommendations of what still needs to be addressed to President Raynard Kington, Mike Latham, dean of the College and Angela Voos, vice president for strategic planning. Both Latham and Voos are co-chairs of the task force. “I think we're at a really exciting time that there's an investment in that task force to make recommendations to where our greatest needs are,” Jacobsen said. Additionally, the National College Health Assessment was recently sent out to students over email. This assessment is important as it tells groups, such as the task force, how students are doing and what is and is not being addressed. “[The National College Health Assessment] informs a lot of the work that we do,” Herchek said. “It has a huge impact on our work and the
resources that we're able to advocate for, whether it's additional staff or additional programing or funds.’ The National College Health Assessment is open until March 5. Jacobsen urges that all students take the assessment so that resources, especially for mental health, can be addressed and further improved. Jacobsen has ideas that she would like to see addressed to better mental health. “When I think about the mental health promotion side, I think about ‘how do we create an environment that both promotes mental health and supports help seeking behaviors?’” Jacobsen said. Jacobsen believes that the college environment needs to be changed so that students are more able to make decisions that promote positive mental health. Such environmental changes could be in the classroom, such as having more detailed syllabi from professors, or at the institutional level, such as implementing a breakfast on Sunday mornings at the Dining Hall. “I want us to think more about how we incentivize the behaviors that are helpful and support the students and make it easier for students to make those choices,” Jacobsen said. While resources for mental health at Grinnell College may not have reached their potential, the College is attempting to address these issues and make the necessary changes to improve mental health at Grinnell College.
violence
Continued from Front Page her blogging community, Patheja described a “snowball effect” as one step led to the next, the community expanded and others helped to spread the word. This project was not launched without pushback, however. Patheja explained that at first, some classmates brushed off street harassment as “not a big deal,” saying that “boys are like that,” or even that she should “focus on more serious issues” in response to her discomfort at being stalked, groped, stared at and nudged in public spaces. Still, Patheja had a large group of support within the Blank Noise community, as well as university faculty who helped her get the project up and running. The Blank Noise community has launched a number of projects encouraging women to not be afraid in public spaces. Some of the projects have been “Being Idle,” in which Action Heroes stood in public and were encouraged to make eye contact and not be afraid of the consequences, as well as “Meet to Sleep,” in which Action Heroes slept in a public park. “Through collective action … [the goal of these projects] is really about unlearning fear,” Patheja said. Traditionally, women are taught to walk as fast as they can and avoid eye contact in public spaces. Blank Noise has been revolutionary in challenging those norms. Patheja acknowledges that these actions do not come without possible dangers, which make them so boundary-pushing in the first place. To combat potential harm, Patheja said that with all Blank Noise projects, participants “negotiate fear in their own way,” and that people can take action at their own pace. “We can’t assume everyone is in the same place. What we can assume … is that there is something still connecting us” Patheja said. While they do not offer crisis intervention, Patheja stresses that the communi-
ty does offer a network of support between one another. Blank Noise gained even more ground after a tragic incident in December of 2012, when a female medical student was gang raped and murdered on her way home from the movies in Delhi. Patheja said that the incident “forced and enabled a lot of conversation,” which marked a significant shift in public conscience and in the conversation on harassment. Regarding the evolution of her own beliefs, Patheja said that while at first her experiences with harassment seemed personal, she has contextualized them through her work at Blank Noise. “I’m experiencing it, which is valid, but I’m also learning to see it as something that is systemic.” Blank Noise itself is also becoming more intersectional, as women across all identities experience harassment.
"Everyone has the ability to influence public space." Jasmeen Patheja, founder of Blank Noise As a question to students at Grinnell, Patheja asked, “How can you contribute to a safe space?” Argued that while it is easy to believe it is someone else’s responsibility, each person has a role in building a safe campus. On a broader scope, on June 16, Blank Noise is facilitating a “Meet to Sleep” event where anyone can participate in taking naps in public parks across the world. An advertisement for the event read: “Sleep. Alone. Together. We sleep to fight fear, through trust and belonging. In sleep we assert our right to be defenseless. In sleep we protest.” Patheja’s visit serves as a reminder of the fact that everyone can take steps to better our campus environment. As Patheja said, “Everyone has the ability to influence public space.”
Urban Education Symposium addresses impacts of inequality Continued from Front Page benefit from the symposium events as well,” Covino wrote. The Symposium consisted of three events: “School Segregation in the 21st Century: Conflicts over Education Equality and Community Control” presented by Rachel Moskowitz ’06, assistant professor of public policy and law at Trinity College in Connecticut; “Inside the Urban Classroom,” a panel discussion between alumni urban educators Emily Kugisaki ’09, Anna Taylor ’06 and Erin Whalen ’12; and a keynote speech by New York Times investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, followed by a discussion with Stephanie Jones, professor of education. “When designing the symposium, I sought to include events that would cater to the interests of different audiences. For example, I know from advising
appointments with students that many are interested in education policy. [Dr. Rachel Moskowitz] is a professor whose research focuses on the politics of urban education reform. Her talk will provide insight for all attendees, but especially for those who are primarily interested in education policy reform. Likewise, since I know many students in the Ed Pros community are interested in teaching, I wanted to include a space to hear current teachers’ voices. I was lucky enough to add the alumni panel of teachers,” Covino wrote. The keynote address was delivered by Hannah-Jones, whose invitation was the impetus for the Symposium’s topic. “Shortly after starting in my position as the Director of the Education Professions Career Community, in mid-July, I knew I would be planning a symposium for this spring but I hadn’t chosen a topic,” Covino wrote. “I asked
Education Department faculty members for ideas about topics and speakers they would be interested in bringing to campus. Professor Stephanie Jones (Education) suggested that [Hannah-Jones] would make a great keynote speaker. Since much of Nikole’s work is about the re-segregation of American urban schools ... the theme of urban
education grew from there.” Hannah-Jones presented a keynote entitled “Focusing on the Role of Inequality and Segregation in Public Education.” This keynote address speaks to Hannah-Jones’ expertise within the field of racial segregation. She was awarded the MacArthur Genius Grant in 2017 for her reporting on school segregation
SOFIA MENDEZ
Lauded journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones spoke on campus this week.
and reports on this topic for The New York Times Magazine. HannahJones is currently writing a book about school segregation entitled “The Problem We All Live With.” Hannah-Jones also helped found the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, an organization that aims to increase the amount of investigative reporters of color. The Symposium is mainly sponsored by Grinnell College Education Professions Career Community, with help from the education Department, the gender, women’s and sexuality studies department and the political science department. “The symposium’s underlying themes are multidisciplinary, which is one reason why several departments co-sponsored this event. I hope that the symposium provides insights for students across the campus, not just future educators,” Covino wrote.
Edited by hermanal17@grinnell.edu & mettleca@grinnell.edu
Continued from Front Page to be offered. I feel like if there was a live updated document [of courses] … that’s being constantly arranged [it] would be very helpful,” Robertson said. Robertson is also interested in creating positions similar to that of community adviser for each major. “I don’t know right now what it would look like exactly. I don’t know if it would be an individual thing, a group thing or by affinity,” Robertson said. The office of SGA President has broad powers, and the platforms for both candidates are correspondingly wide. In interviews with The S&B, both Becker and Welch spoke of general goals they have for SGA if they are elected. As a general goal, Becker is particularly interested in fostering a better relationship with administration, SGA and the student body. “I’ve worked with administration pretty closely in a variety of different areas for a variety of different things, and as students know they’re not the easiest group of people to work with, and I think for a variety of important reasons. Financially, if students got everything they asked for, I don’t think that would be a smart decision for the school. I think I’ve shown a strong voice,” Becker said. Welch is motivated by a desire to improve SGA’s reputation and role in the student body. “I think the first priority is always listening to student concerns and translating them into effective policy. For example, I feel that SGA, whether it is a fault of leadership or just how SGA is perceived by the student body, is not necessarily the go-to for students when they have concerns,” Welch said. “We have [Facebook] pages like Grinnell Thumbs Down where people go to rant … and it would be a priority of mine to build an SGA that people come to when they have issues like that. As a member of SGA and someone who cares about SGA and cares about representing students, it feels like we aren’t doing our best job when we aren’t hearing about that earlier.” Endorsements: Endorsements provide a way for interest groups to make their collective voice heard in politics, and SGA elections at the College are no different. A number of Grinnell organizations and entities have issued endorsements for this cycle. The Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers (UGSDW) put out a list of endorsements on its Facebook page on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The Union endorsed Becker for President, Toumbou for VPSA and Murphy for VPAA. UGSDW Vice President Quinn Ercolani ’20 explained the reasoning behind these endorsements. “The Union endorsed those candidates because those were the candidates our members voted for. … Those are the candidates that won because the members of the Union feel they will represent them the best,” Ercolani said. But the UGSDW is not the only organization to endorse candidates this election cycle. Some of Grinnell's meme pages have bolted into politics, offering endorsements of their own. The Twitter account @CleveSmellsLike endorsed Welch's candidacy, saying that Cleveland Hall smelled “like the sweat juice of student government” in a exhortatory tweet from Feb. 18. On that same date, @GrinnellSafety endorsed Becker, offering the support of Campus Safety and “all sleeper agents.” Though they are generally intended for humor, meme accounts have quickly become a new frontier for political discourse on the Grinnell Campus as students blend the absurd with the civic. Though he mentioned he was “less well-versed in the Twitterverse” than others, Becker was appreciative of the endorsements of various Twitter accounts. “I know there are several parody accounts that my friends run … and I think they have done some campaigning for me there. Twitter definitely has a presence on campus, though it’s not the biggest,” Becker said. Social media and campaign strategy: The endorsement of Grinnell’s meme pages underscores the importance of social media this election cycle. Social media has played an obvious and important role in elections in the past, particularly through the use of Facebook pages. “I’m using Facebook to share my platform with the student body, specifically, I am using student pages such as Grinnell Current Students, and Multi-cultural pages to help outreach for my campaign,” Toumbou wrote. In addition to Toumbou, four other candidates this semester have Facebook pages for their campaigns, and rely on the amplifying power of social media to make their voices heard. Welch was particularly confident about the power of social media in elections. “I think it does a lot of good when people see from someone else’s perspective. … I think it’s nice to hear about a candidate in someone else’s words. I think social media really streamlines that because there’s such a network of Grinnellians on Facebook, Twitter or what have you.” But not all candidates have utilized social media in their campaigns; Robertson sees Facebook as more of a possible liability than a benefit, and unlike other candidates, does not have a Facebook outreach page.
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“I’m not very adept with online social media, and I’m also hesitant because there’s a campus rule that says you can’t send out an email to more than two people at a time. It feels strange to have mass messages to people. I pay attention to some emails about as much as I pay attention to a new Facebook post,” Robertson said. Postering remains an important part of outreach for candidates, providing visual political messaging to the student body across campus. Becker in particular has been vigilant about postering. “I think we’re looking at somewhere in the high 350 to 370 [posters] range at this point. … That’s been my nightly activity for many, many days now.” Other candidates have utilized the poster formats in interesting ways. Murphy has expanded into more creative postering, including “[him] photoshopped over iconic movie posters and replacing the title with ‘MURPHY FOR VPAA.’” In particular, he has posters themed after iconic films like “Back to the Future” and “Home Alone.” Robertson has incorporated humor into his postering strategy, stating that he would be “happy to be number two.” Robertson stated that “[the] poster is meant to be funny. … I was hoping people would say ‘he has a good sense of humor and I’ll vote for Joseph.’” Campaign strategy takes many different forms, particularly when students are not on campus to oversee their campaigns and the election cycle. This is the experience of Sachdev, who has spent the past year in the United Kingdom for off-campus study. Though Sachdev acknowledges campaigning has been difficult from 4,000 miles away, given it denies the personal aspect of politics, he was clear about the importance of friends and social media in maintaining connections from far away. “I have tried to use social media to get my name out there as far as possible and I am doing my best to reach out to all the people I am connected to at Grinnell who might not know my motivations for running,” Sachdev wrote. The competition: Each candidate offers a unique perspective towards SGA and campus politics. To explore these differing perspectives, The S&B asked each candidate what they could bring to the table that their opponent could not. Murphy believes his experience in SGA and academic affairs affords him a unique and experienced perspective in government, particularly for the role of VPAA. “I have been senator, presiding officer, S&B business manager, classics SEPC co-chair, Liberal Arts in Prison tutor and a member of a half dozen committees. … Because of this, I think I’m the most qualified candidate to efficiently and comprehensively improve academic affairs at Grinnell and to advocate students’ best interests firmly and honestly with administration,” Murphy wrote. His opponent Robertson also spoke about his idea of a campaign. “Overall I just really want to be receptive to people. I really have trouble asking people to vote for me, I hate the idea of that. I prefer asking people how academic affairs can be improved to shoehorn into a larger discussion about things,” Robertson said. “I think I can be more articulate ... consistent ... and persuasive and ‘hustle aplenty.’” In regard to the VPSA race, Sachdev argues his experience living many places and interacting with many people affords him a unique perspective and ability to communicate. “I am very outgoing due to my upbringing in eight cities across continents. I can interact effectively with people from many different backgrounds. I can use this ability to be approachable and understanding in my interactions with the student body while being respectful yet determined when representing their interests to the administration,” Sachdev wrote. His opponent Toumbou believes her identities and sociability gives her the edge as a communicator. “I have a lot of identities on campus that connect me with a variety of students, for example, I am Muslim, African-American, POSSE scholar and student-athlete just to name a few. … I think it’s important as an executive cabinet member to get to know the student body you’re representing, but also it’s equally important for the student body to know you as an elected official,” Toumbou wrote. With respect to his competitive qualities as a candidate, presidential candidate Becker said that, “Acting as a voice for high-financial need students as well as first-gen students is a unique opportunity that I have … and I think dedication ... whether that’s going around putting up posters all the time, or being as accessible as possible.” Welch highlighted his own role in SGA and personal qualities as important to his candidacy. “What I can offer is a commitment to SGA since my second year, in which I’ve steadily taken on more and more responsibility. … My first semester, I was on one committee, the Diversity and Outreach Committee … and I really got a feel for how SGA operates. … I feel like I’ve budgeted my time wisely throughout my career in SGA and otherwise,” Welch said. SGA elections open at 8 a.m. on Feb. 23 and close at 8 a.m. on Feb. 24.
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Presidential Candidates Dylan Welch
"I've been able to give my whole self to every role I undertake, and I hope to do the same as president."
Myles Becker
"As a student who comes from a low income/high financial need background, I'm not sure that my voice has ever been successfully heard as a student. … I want to act as a voice for those students."
Vice President of Student Affairs Candidates Kadiata Toumbou
"I want to improve a student's sense of inclusivity on campus. … I hope to be a constructive outlet for students to come to with suggestions, concerns, frustrations and hopes."
Takshil Sachdev
"My job is to represent students and their interests to the administration. I'm going to tell administration what I think the priorities are."
Vice President of Academic Affairs Candidates Joseph Robertson
"As long as the leaders of Grinnell are aware of the needs of the students of Grinnell ... then the criteria of [self-governance] is met."
Riley Murphy
"I want to work at the intersection of academics ... and community service."
Photos by Sarina Lincoln, Elena Copell, Sofia Mendez and contributed.
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Faculty fam
Edited by weberama@grinnell.edu
Arabic Department plans course expansion
By Ahon Gooptu gooptuah@grinnell.edu
MAHIRA FARAN
Patrick Armstrong ’18 and Professor Todd Armstrong, Russian, spend time together at home and during class. By Michael Sundby sundbymi@grinnell.edu For many of us here at Grinnell, going home is a trek. It may involve travelling several hours in a packed car with a dresser in your lap. It may involve long delays at the Des Moines airport, courtesy of our Iowan climate. For some students, though, home is just a few blocks away. Chris Sharpe ’18 and Steven Sharpe ’21, sons of Professor Leslie Lyons and Professor Lee Sharpe, both chemistry, and Patrick Armstrong ’18, son of Professor Todd Armstrong, Russian, are among a few Grinnellians attending the college where their parents teach and work. Both Patrick and the Sharpe brothers have lived in Grinnell since they were born. But none of them knew while growing up that they would attend their parents’ place of employment. “I desperately wanted to get out,” Patrick said. But ultimately, Grinnell was the best option. “I’d taken classes here and I liked it. I’m glad I came, but it sort of changed the way I experienced it.” For Steven, the college search was a little different. “I was using Grinnell as a reference point for what I wanted from a college,” he said. “And then I realized, nothing is going to be as Grinnell as Grinnell.” For both the Sharpe brothers, our state-of-the-art swimming pool also played a significant role in their decisions. Some students attending a college just minutes from their parents might worry about their indepen-
dence. That was not an issue, however, for any of these students. “That first semester, we sort of pretended not to see each other,” Professor Armstrong said. “You just make separation,” Chris agreed. Many college students might think that taking a class from their parent would be an odd, if not horrifying, experience. It is one that Chris, Steven and Patrick have all witnessed. Professor Sharpe likes to tell stories about his kids in class, according to Chris, who said it was a bit funny when he was the subject of one. “The way that they present themselves in class is different than the way they present themselves out of the class,” Steven said. It was “familiar, yet strange,” he added. “I think we can keep our professional hats on,” Patrick said. “I was a little apprehensive at first, because I’d never done it,” Professor Armstrong said. “But overall it’s turned out to be pretty normal.” Professor Lyons and Professor Sharpe agreed. Both submit their sons’ tests to colleagues for grading, just to be safe. Professor Lyons also recalled a time when she sent Chris out of the house so she could draft the test for a chemistry class in which he was enrolled. While going to college within a mile of their parents has had its quirks, each student acknowledges how nice it is to grab a home-cooked meal every now and then. And through this new lens, each has grown to respect their parents in new ways. “He’s my ultimate tutorial prof, you know,” Patrick said of his father. “He taught me how to live.”
MAHIRA FARAN
Professors Lee Sharpe and Leslie Lyons, chemistry, pose with their sons, Steven Sharpe ’21 (left) and Chris Sharpe ’18 (right).
Arabic seems to be gaining momentum at Grinnell College, both musically, with the Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble performing with the Grinnell Singers this Sunday, and also academically. Currently, Arabic study exists under the French and Arabic department of the College and offers two five-credit introductory courses (Beginning Arabic I and II) and two four-credit intermediate courses (Intermediate Arabic I and II). “The course load [for Beginning Arabic] is a moderate amount, but that amount is required to have a good understanding of the language and to start not only thinking in Arabic but also beginning to increase fluency,” said Mary DaVega ’21, who is currently taking Beginning Arabic II.
"So we played a little bit around [with] how we are going to offer classes, which made it possible for us to offer third year Arabic. … I'm so happy!" Professor Mervat Youssef, Arabic However, in the 2018-2019 academic year, courses beyond these four classes will be offered to the students for the first time. “It was possible because the Dean’s Office gave us the ‘go ahead’ on hiring an [American University in Cairo] Arabic Fellow,” said Professor Mervat Youssef, one of two instructors of the Arabic classes, who is currently on sabbatical. “So we played a little bit around [with] how we are going to offer classes, which made it possible for us to offer third year Arabic… I’m so happy!” Several alternative programs of study, such as intensive guided readings in the various branches of Arabic—Jordanian, Egyptian, Moroccan)—have been made available to students who have approached the Arabic faculty with enthusiasm. They always look forward to their students asking them to provide more for them and they try to cater to their needs. “What appears in the books does not represent what we do … when you look at what we have been able to accomplish with what we have, you’d be surprised,” Youssef said. For DaVega, her inspiration to study Arabic in college stems from discontentment with media portrayals of Muslims and people from the Middle East. “As an American, I was upset at the way that Muslims and Middle
MAI PHUONG VU
Professors Mervat Youssef and Sahar Ramadan, Arabic, look forward to a potential expansion of their department's courses. Eastern people are portrayed in the media,” she said. However, the lack of an Arabic concentration persists to be an obstacle for many students who are enthusiastic about the language. “One of the things that I, as a student studying it, want is at least a concentration because I need to be able to build up the skill. People will say, ‘There is not enough demand to take Arabic, so why make it a concentration?’ but they are looking at it as a cause when really it’s an effect of the fact that there is no concentration or minor, so students aren’t seeing the value in learning it if it won’t count on paper and only in theory,” DaVega said. When asked what she had to say about the non-existence of an Arabic concentration in Grinnell, Professor Sahar Ramadan, the only professor teaching Arabic this semester, laughed and said that the question “is like a weekly assignment” for her, even in her third year at the College.
that’s all regular instruction, which is amazing!” Youssef and Ramadan hope that this endeavor meets the support and enthusiasm of the students and that they will be able to carry on the third year Arabic course in the future. The limited number of classes has not held the Arabic professors back on their goals. “This year, for the first time, we [are offering] two short courses. They are content classes, where we cover the historical, cultural, social background of Arabic literary translations,” Ramadan said.
"When you look at what we have been able to accomplish with what we have, you'd be surprised."
Mary DaVega '21
Professor Mervat Youssef, Arabic “We are working within these limits — it’s a baby program, kind of — you have to go step by step, but more importantly, it’s about how solid your education has been during these two years,” Ramadan said. “We have been working so hard to make it possible for people who want to pursue Arabic to actually be able to pursue Arabic. So in a better world, we would be able to have more offerings. But given what we have, I think we fare well,” Youssef said. “Next year is going to be one of these glorious years, when you can actually do first year, second year, third year [Arabic courses] and
"I think in America, some people have reservations about the language and the culture, and for more people to learn it, that would not only show people that might be close-minded in America how similar we are as humans."
Youssef also emphasized that, in the past, Arabic has opened doors for a couple of her students, who acquired reputable internships and job positions in Washington, D.C. because they “dared to do something different” by going out of their way to gain the “cultural literacy that comes with an Arabic class.” She still recalls one of her former students telling her, “Had I known that I would be here today, I would have paid more attention to Arabic!” “I think in America, some people have reservations about the language and the culture and for more people to learn it, that would ... show people that might be close-minded in America how similar we are as humans,” DaVega said. “Also, depending on who is in office, we may have a lot more [Arabic speaking] immigrants or refugees, so why not learn it?”
The Old Glove Factory: A History
SARINA LINCOLN
The Old Glove Factory is a fixture of Grinnell architectural history. By Candace Mettle mettleca@grinnell.edu All of the College’s financial administrative duties happen at the Old Glove Factory, one of Grinnell’s most historic buildings — and arguably the most beautiful, with its high skylight and winding staircase — located on 733 South Broad St. However, before the College bought it in the late 1990s, the Old Glove Factory was, well, a factory. Over a hundred years, the brick building on Broad Street has been a jacket factory, a shoe factory and glove factory — one of the longest operating glove factories in the U.S. The current building on 733 South Broad St. has been there since 1892, after a fire destroyed its original location. Monica Chavez-Silva, leader of the Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement, has worked in the Old Glove Factory since 2000, when she gained the position and when the renovations by Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck Architecture based in Des Moines, IA, were completed. Part
of what makes the office space great, in Chavez-Silva’s opinion, is its large windows that bring in natural light, serving as the perfect meeting location among community partners. “From the perspective of community development, I think the most interesting thing about the Glove Factory is the way that it was an early “anchor” to this side of the downtown,” Chavez-Silva wrote in an email to The S&B. “At a time when it wasn’t popular to redevelop old buildings, the historic preservation of this building was an interesting example that has since taken hold across the community. In addition, when the College first decided to rehabilitate the building, there wasn’t as much activity in this corner of town and that’s changed dramatically over the years.” Samanike Hengst ’18 works as a human resource assistant, located in one of the basement level offices, and was inspired to research the building for Professor Fredo Rivera’s “Modern Architecture and Globalization” course in Fall 2017.
“In my research, I found that it was one of the first buildings built in Grinnell. It was built along the railroad. Its industrial kind of brick façade was supposed to look modern, like the future of industry of Grinnell to what Grinnell was aspiring,” Hengst said. “I really liked [the Old Glove Factory] because I like how it blends glass with brick,” Hengst added. “I really like old buildings but also love windows and I love natural light … When you come in there’s this light pouring in from above. … The [skylights] are key to the building. I also like the feeling of how everything branches out from the center part and how it’s integrated with the original courtyard coherently with the rest of the building.” Frederic Morrison established the Morrison-Schults Tannery in 1856 shortly after moving to Grinnell. His father, William Morrison, was an associate of J.B. Grinnell and owned a tannery in New Hampshire. According to a newspaper article published in 1967, the company “had been growing with Grinnell almost since the day Grinnell was founded.” Based on its central location at the intersection of railroads crossing, the factory indeed was a strong representative of the town. The business expanded over the decades and gained new partnerships and U.S. locations including Puerto Rico, as well as national recognition due to its high profits, innovative advertising campaigns and style of gloves. One notable partner was the prolific and infamous alumnus B.J. Ricker, who after various bad investments related to his personal life and the factory, including being unable to pay back loans he got from the College’s Board of Trustees and misusing
his position as director of Merchants National Bank, fled to California in the 1920s. He was partly responsible for the failing finances of the company, according to an article written by Professor Emeritus Dan Kaiser, history. Morrison-Schults Manufactory Co. managed to rise. In the 1940s, Chuck DeLong, a Grinnell Glove salesman, handmade and sold “blouses” to the community. DeLong’s business grew and gained attention from Morrison-Shults. In 1964, Morrison bought the remaining shares of DeLong Jackets. Before the turn of the century, the manufacturing company ceased to exist and remained in bad state before the College bought it. The renovations made sure to maintain some of the notable structures of the building, while heightening the ceiling and making the building more accessible. “They tried to keep the original slant of the ceiling that they had when they were renovating. My argument for the paper was that the new space was kind of a meeting of the old and
the modern in the center and the courtyard is kind of everybody enters into it and sees the rest of the building in its rather original form,” Hengst said. For anyone who visits the Old Glove Factory, whether to take in its beauty or to run a payroll errand, Hengst believes that knowing the history is key to appreciating the architecture. “I think knowing of its history is integral to placing it in context with its renovated state,” Hengst said. “It’s one of my favorite buildings in the city and after doing this project I realized this more, and I think just recognizing that we have that piece of history in this town and what it means to the College.” Chavez-Silva also echoes the importance of remembering history to appreciation of the Old Glove Factory. “I love that people we work with remember the old building and see the difference,” Chavez-Silva said. “People have stories about working in the building and sometimes even send us memorabilia.”
CONTRIBUTED
A photo from the Historic Iowa Postcard Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Grinnell College Libraries shows the factory in its youth.
Arts
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Edited by suetamay@grinnell.edu
He Jinlin '18
it. She defines this nuanced style of movement, primarily using the eyes to express emotions, as “euphemistic.” Despite doing everything in her power to avoid going to her classes, she would ultimately have to attend them nonetheless. “I don’t think I really realized that dance is something I can do, I can initiate. … Previously it felt like something I had to do,” He said. “But then in high school I became a K-pop fan and started emulating a lot of group videos. … I started to realize that I appreciate myself in my movement.”
"I don't think I really realized that dance is something I can do, I can initiate. … Previously it felt like something I had to do." He Jinlin '18
TAKAHIRO OMURA
He Jinlin ’18 started exploring contemporary dance and the idea of conveying messages through dance after coming to Grinnell. By Ahon Gooptu gooptuah@grinnell.edu Passions do not always start out as passions. Sometimes, we discover that the activities initially forced on us by our parents become something bigger and more important in our lives. For He Jinlin ’18, her story as a dancer began with a “literally
painful experience.” He has been dancing since the age of five. She recalls growing up in Chongqing, China under the reign of “tiger moms,” who would push their children to do splits if they failed to do so on their own. Thus, as a child, she engaged in traditional Chinese dance and the complementary “physical pains” that came with
He spent her first year of college at UCLA, where she could not resist being a part of the incredible hip-hop dance scene. Being generally shy, she felt that hip-hop allowed her to play around with her identity and let her be open and wild. “I feel that’s where I started to kind of use dance to release my identity,” He said. She mentioned that she feels this way while acting as well. “It definitely feels more liberating. … Because I am not completely myself, because I’m playing around with my identity, I’m free to do anything. On the stage, I’m not just myself but I’m free to create some other characters.”
Writers@Grinnell welcomes Ocean Vuong by Mayo Sueta suetamay@grinnell.edu For this week’s Writers@Grinnell event, the College welcomed poet and essayist Ocean Vuong to campus. He read from his debut collection of poetry, “Night Sky with Exit Wounds,” which won the 2018 T.S Eliot Prize, the Whiting Award, the Thom Gunn Award and Forward Prize for Best First Collection, and was deemed “A Best Book of the Year” by multiple publications including but not limited to The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian, according to his website. His works have been translated into several languages, making him a renowned artist around the globe. According to The New Yorker, Vuong was born in Saigon in 1988 and later emigrated to Hartford, Connecticut, living in a one-bedroom apartment with six of his relatives. The magazine mentions his poem
“Notebook Fragments” as a work in which Vuong talks quite literally about how he came into existence: “An American soldier fucked a Vietnamese farmgirl. Thus my mother exists. / Thus I exist. Thus no bombs = no family = no me. Yikes.” Vuong is a captivating reader, and received a standing ovation at the reading. His voice stirs up a particular mood while one listens, leading one to wonder what he feels when he writes his works. In an interview for The Creative Independent, he described his mood while writing as “curious.” “When I’m lost in the work, I’m curious. I don’t know if curiosity is a balm, because it often gets me in trouble, but it gives me control. It becomes fuel, and it brings me out of myself and into the world, even if I’ve just been sitting at my desk and thinking about spirals, which is what I’ve been thinking about this morning.” At the reading, Vuong talked
about the “golden age” of poetry which has come at the sacrifice of many writers' voices, particularly the voices of writers of color. “We are in a real golden age of poetry … and … the way these poets support each other … the idea that the fallacy of a hierarchy ruled by one person is starting to be dismantled in ways that are very refreshing. But it took a lot of sacrifices, particularly for POC voices. … For every POC writer you see there's dozens of phantoms behind them.” He also talked about the power of language, saying, “Only through language can we get even further. We literally carry language, even after departing, even after we've lived and died, we carry magic. As magic. What else can do that?” Vuong is currently working on a novel, and anyone who has had the opportunity to read any of his previous writings will be waiting in anticipation for his new work.
HELENA GRUENSTEIDL
Ocean Vuong received a standing ovation after reading from his debut collection of poetry, “Night Sky with Exit Wounds,” on Thursday night at 8 p.m.
While California may have been the place to stay in terms of the rich dance scene, she is glad she made the decision to come to Grinnell. She felt that she “was being held back” in her previous school and decided to continue her academic and artistic growth in the middle of the cornfields. Until she came to Grinnell, He did not really know too much about using dance to convey stories. Contemporary, interpretative dance opened up a new world for her. Previously, she perceived dance merely as a performance that the dancers enjoyed. But working with Professor Celeste Miller, theatre and dance, has been a life-changing experience for her. “Here it’s more of ‘what do I want to convey to my audience?’ Dance as a useful medium to convey a message,” she said. Since discovering this, He has choreographed multiple original performances and performed them whenever possible. During her time in Grinnell, she has taken part in the drag show and the ISO Cultural Evening, besides other events, and each time she has found joy in “the process of creating something that’s new and thought-intriguing.” However, she admitted that she often finds herself going back and forth regarding what dance means to her. At first, the very concept of relaying spoken words through her movement intrigued her to a great extent. But at times, she also feels fatigued by the burden of that power. “What if I just like dance? I don’t have to convey anything,
don’t have to have this audience in mind. I just dance because I enjoy the movement,” she said.
"What if I just like dance? I don't have to convey anything, don't have to have this audience in mind." He Jinlin '18 One dance group that she admires is the Japanese dance group S**t Kingz. She enjoys watching videos of their funky choreography on YouTube, because they allow her to look at dance in a new light and wonder about its endless possibilities. Each of their videos “is almost like a play,” as the content just makes you want to watch more of it. “It’s a combination of craft and ideation — it’s very fun,” she said. In a few months, He will be graduating as a computer science major with a statistics concentration. She sees herself working in the STEM field, even though she knows dance will always be a part of her life. For the time being, Jinlin hopes to enjoy her remaining time in Grinnell and treasure her weekly Friday cooking night with her friends. “Grinnell will definitely have a special place in my memory,” He said. “I really like the description someone gave about Grinnell — everyone here is very weird in their own way — and I really appreciate that. Before I graduate, I kind of want to spend [time getting to] know everyone a little bit more, [rather] than just saying ‘hi’ and ‘bye.’”
"Black Music in The Fight For Civil Rights" to be performed
CONTRIBUTED
Damani Phillips will perform on the saxophone and vocals. by Mayo Sueta suetamay@grinnell.edu On Monday Feb. 26 from 8 to 9 p.m., the Harris Cinema will be featuring “Black Music in The Fight for Civil Rights,” a musical performance and presentation addressing the relationship between African American music and the Civil Rights movement. Damani Phillips, associate professor at the University of Iowa School of Music, came up with the idea for this program when the Office of Communications at the University of Iowa requested “a program that discussed how jazz intersected with the fight for civil rights in the United States” for their MLK day celebration in 2014. Then, Katy Zart, program adviser at the Office of Intercultural Affairs at the College, stumbled across the performance at a conference and decided that the program would be a great one to bring on campus. “I was at a conference, actually, around civil rights in Iowa, and
Damani had performed … so [the performance on Feb. 26 will be] the same exact performance that I saw back in October, and I thought it was really cool and I thought it would be perfect for Black History month, and so I reached out to Damani and it was really awesome because … he used to work here at Grinnell College. … He told me … he would be thrilled to come back and do this performance,” Zart said. Phillips believes that examining African American music when thinking about significant African American cultural movements, such as the Civil Rights movement, is essential. “While commonly thought of as separate, yet connected entities, AfAm culture and Af-Am music are legitimately one and the same,” Phillips wrote in an email to The S&B. “To truly gain an understanding of one, it is absolutely essential that the other is closely examined. In that sense, it is difficult to examine any major elements of Af-Am culture or its major cultural movements without, too, examining the trajectory and nature of the music being produced at the same time.” He hopes that the audience leave with “a different kind of ‘ear’” that is able to understand that music is not only a source of entertainment but also a reflection of “the culture from which it emanates.” “If all goes as I hope, that new ‘ear’ will be extended to the music we listen to in contemporary society as well; and perhaps come to shape our expectations for the music and musicians we currently choose to listen to,” he wrote. Phillips will give a presentation and then perform on the saxophone and vocals along with Rob Ankum, vocals and guitar; David Altemeier, bass; and Mike Woods, drums. With all the ingredients to make a great performance, this is one not to miss.
Arts Grinnell Singers to perform with Faulconer Gallery screens "Of Gods and Men" Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble 5
Edited by suetamay@grinnell.edu
by Jackson Schulte schultej@grinnell.edu
On Sunday, Feb. 25, the AlBustan Takht Ensemble will perform in collaboration with Grinnell Singers in Sebring-Lewis Hall. The concert will be the first of its kind in the world and is an opportunity that Professor John Rommereim, music, and the Grinnell Singers are not taking for granted.
"Over the space of almost a year, we worked it out to bring the players [to campus]."
a piece called “Embroidered Verses.” The core of this weekend’s concert will be two new works composed for choir and Takht ensemble, the Arabic-based orchestra which includes violin, cello, qanun and an oud. The latter two instruments are the main instruments in the ensemble. The qanun is a string instrument normally played laid on a flat surface, and the oud is, Rommereim says, “sort of like a loot but with no pick and no frets.” If this sounds like an extremely unique musical opportunity for a group of college singers in Iowa, it’s because it is.
"Tackling the crazy rhythms John Rommereim and time signatures has probably been the most challenging thing about singing The relationship between Grinin Arabic." nell and Al-Bustan was forged when Rommereim heard a piece they commissioned last year online and reached out to their director. “Over the space of almost a year, we worked it out to bring the players [to campus],” Rommereim said. “I have an interest in Andalusia, a period in medieval Spain where the three Abrahamic religions were at least cohabitating. So, I was also especially drawn to this project because of that.” Last semester, through the connection with Al-Bustan, Grinnell Singers had the opportunity to work with composer Kareem Roustom on
“Tackling the crazy rhythms and time signatures has probably been the most challenging thing about singing in Arabic,” said Grinnell singer Ahon Gooptu ’21 in an email to The S&B. “But once we overcame that and learned what the lyrics mean, singing the music in (sometimes six- or seven-part) harmony with the rest of the choir has been so rewarding.” The ensemble comes to campus on Friday, which also means several-hour rehearsals on Friday and Saturday.
"It's a really special opportunity to be inside this ensemble that's in a different tradition than everyone in this choir. It's sort of a journey, even though we're not leaving this town."
Ahon Gooptu '21
John Rommereim
“It’s a really special opportunity to be inside this ensemble that’s in a different tradition than everyone in this choir. It’s sort of a journey, even though we’re not leaving town. We’re the only choir to do this music since it was premiered,” Rommereim said. “It’s truly unique, [Grinnell] is the only place in the world that we’re doing this particular music.” Learning how to sing in Arabic comes with its challenges.
“It’s a bit of a marathon for the choir,” Rommereim said. “We’re doing two rehearsals both days: afternoon, evening and morning, afternoon.” With a project that is nearly a year in the making, you won’t want to miss it. The Al-Bustan and Grinnell Singers will play their collaborative performance on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Sebring-Lewis Hall in the Bucksbaum Center for the Arts.
SARINA LINCOLN
The Grinnell Singers will perform an Arabic piece alongside the Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble on Sunday 2 p.m. in SebringLewis Hall.
HELENA GRUENSTEIDL
Students gathered at Faulconer Gallery for the screening of “Of Men and Gods” on Wednesday. by Emma Friedlander friedlan@grinnell.edu The student curated exhibition “En Voyage: Hybridity and Vodou in Haitian Art” in Faulconer Gallery continued its event series last Wednesday, Feb. 22 with a film screening of “Of Men and Gods.” The documentary explores the lives of openly gay vodou practitioners in Haiti and the relationship between their sexuality and religion. The event was co-sponsored by the Stonewall Resource Center. “The main tension of the film, between the religious leaders of vodou and these men who are openly gay, is that the religious leaders of vodou argue that loa (spirits) can only ride you during ceremonies. It’s not a constant possession,” explained Viv Makos ’19, a student curator who worked on education for the exhibition and a Faulconer Gallery intern. “Whereas the openly gay men will say Ezruli (one of the loa) is riding them constantly, that’s why they’re the way that they are. This gives them a protection in that they’re not harassed, and their families are then okay with their sexuality.” The 2002 documentary follows several men in Haiti, examining how their religion and sexuality intersect with one another, as well as their social, professional and family lives. In 2017, the creators were interviewed by “Women & Performance” in honor of the 15th anniversary of the documentary, and revealed that all but one of the film’s interviewees had died during the AIDS crisis. When choosing which film to screen in conjunction with the gallery, Makos found herself torn between two documentaries: one was “Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti,” shot by Russian expressionist Maya Deren between 1947 and 1953, and the other was “Of Men and Gods.”
Although both films tied in well with the theme of vodou in the Haitian art exhibit, Makos ultimately decided that “Of Men and Gods” had the most interesting relevance and was most palatable to the Grinnell audience. “In [‘Divine Horseman’] there’s a scene where a goat is sacrificed and it’s a little extreme. And because of Maya Deren and the time it was made, it’s from a very white viewpoint,” Makos explained. “‘Of Men and Gods’ does so many things for the exhibition. It ties in with our theme of vodou, but also the fact that it shouldn’t be stigmatized and that it actually does good.” Additionally, one of the men featured in the documentary, Haitian singer, dancer and Vodou priest Erol Josué, will be giving a performative lecture on vodou traditions and religious music in Faulconer Gallery on March 14. Although the art in Faulconer Gallery can speak for itself, the incorporation of other forms of media and educational events serves to provide further opportunity to explore so many other things related to Haiti and Haitian art. “Other forms of media can reach out into the topics that otherwise we can’t talk about in hundred-word wall labels,” Makos said. “How are you able to talk about the intricacies within modern Haitian vodou practitioners and the religion and how that affects modern communities if you’re looking at, let’s say, a piece of metalwork from the 1990s? There’s a big gap there. By accessing other media, that might be made more contemporary. … Not to say that art can’t also express those things, but there’s a limit. We have word limits unfortunately.” “En Voyage: Hybridity and Vodou in Haitian Art” will continue its run through March 18. Upcoming related events include Community Day in the Gallery this Saturday, Feb. 24 and Erol Josué’s performance on March 14.
Dai Burger, Uniiqu3, Palm and Spirit of the Beehive make it a concerts filled weekend by Kelly Page pagekell@grinnell.edu This Friday at 9:30 p.m., make sure to boogie on down to the world-famous Gardner Lounge for rappers UNIIQU3 and Dai Burger. UNIIQU3 is a proud member of the Jersey Club movement, a genre that originated in her hometown of Newark, New Jersey. The genre incorporates heavy bass and breakbeat rhythms into hip-hop music. In an interview with The Fader, UNIIQU3 said, “Jersey Club is your morning coffee and your midnight Red Bull. It’s the best genre, ranging from 130 to 140BPM with hard kicks and catchy vocals.” Though the genre was born in the ’90s, musicians like her are keeping it relevant in 2018. When UNIIQU3 first got involved in the Newark music scene it was solely as a singer, but eventually she also started producing, DJing and rapping. Since then, UNIIQU3 has performed for Boiler Room and Givenchy, and has appeared onstage with artists like Rae Sremmurd, Hudson Mohawke and Skepta. Seven months ago, UNIIQU3 released a remix of Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” which reimagines the hit song through Jersey Club. UNIIQU3 puts Cardi’s verses over racing Newark rhythms, which shift and evolve throughout the track. The remix has 53,000 listens on SoundCloud and thousands of comments that say “fire.” In December of last year, UNIIQU3 released another significant track in her career, a new single entitled “LIKE ME,” where she raps
“Ain’t no bitches like me/ getting shmoney like me/ getting Euros in Pari/ takin Jersey overseas,” words that succinctly sum up her career so far. In her live performances one can expect to see UNIIQU3 DJing while she raps and dances, incorporating her Jersey Club music with R&B. She is a versatile performer who keeps her music exciting for listening and dancing, a perfect fit for a Friday night in Gardner. Also performing on Friday is rapper from Queens, New York Dai Burger. Burger’s career in music began when she toured with Lil Mama as a background dancer, but since then she has forged a path for herself as a solo rap artist named after hamburgers. In an interview with Bedford and Bowery she explained her beef-patty-inspired name saying, “I like to think that I’m stacked, and juicy, I got the cheese, got the buns and I eat every time I show up.” Dai Burger has been on the come-up in hip-hop music since her single “Soufflé” debuted in 2013, with a music video that is a weird, colorful homage to candy, dancing with friends and Burger’s notorious sense of fashion. Shortly after, in April 2014, Rolling Stone named Burger an “Artist to Watch,” and those who have been watching her since then have not been disappointed. Before even releasing an album, she opened for Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz on Lil Wayne’s America’s Most Wanted Tour. Her debut album, “Soft Serve,” shows more of what fans have come
to love about Burger: feminism, self-assurance and a sense of humor. In her track “Where My Girls,” she supports and empowers other women around her as she also calls on them to “whip their hair everywhere.” Dai Burger makes fun, interesting rap music which will make this Friday night fun for anyone who goes to see her perform. On Saturday, Feb. 24, also in Gardner Lounge, bands Palm and Spirit of the Beehive will rock the worlds of all who attend.
According to their record label, Carpark Records, “Palm play rock music backwards.” With rhythmic guitars and melodic drums and bass, nothing about their sound is typical. Having met at Bard College in upstate New York, since 2011 Palm has made music that sounds like a weird, rhythmically complex mixture of Sonic Youth and early Animal Collective. Their latest album “Rock Island,” which they recorded in a barn in upstate New York, sounds like music that would play at a tropical resort
in a dream. Spirit of the Beehive, a band named after a Spanish cinematic masterpiece, has been generating a buzz in the music world with their releases. Pitchfork described one of their albums called “Pleasure Suck” as “an equally compelling and impenetrable album most bands are either too square, too scared or too savvy to make themselves.” Their hazy lo-fi rock will be sure to blanket Gardner in warm guitar and echoey vocals.
ART BY STEVEN DUONG
Rappers Dai Burger and UNIIQU3 will perform on Friday, and bands Palm and Spirit of the Beehive will perform on Saturday, both in Gardner Lounge.
Community
Edited by mikekben@grinnell.edu
Reynolds proposes state legislation to Clay Harrold hired as new middle school compliment national tax reform principal
By Seth Taylor taylorse@grinnell.edu
The final days of 2017 saw Washington in a furor of activity, as President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress passed a sweeping federal tax overhaul, temporarily lowering rates for all manner of individuals and entities. Despite controversy surrounding the bill’s passage, according to Governor Kim Reynolds, it is now Iowa’s turn to follow suit. In a Feb. 13 press release, Reynolds made the case that tax reform in Iowa is imperative now more than ever because of a provision in the Iowa tax code that allows Iowans to deduct their federal taxes from their state taxes. While Republicans at the federal level intended their legislation to lower taxes, this peculiarity of the Iowa code may lead to an actual tax rise for many Iowans, according to Reynolds. Tax reform has been a goal for the Governor since she replaced Terry Branstad, now U. S. Ambassador to China, on May 24. “Our tax rates are some of the highest in the nation, and our code books are filled with a patchwork of exemptions, deductions and credits.
… Our tax code should be simple. It should be fair. And it should inspire — not inhibit — growth,” Reynolds said in her inaugural speech. The Governor’s office recently released more details on Reynolds’ vision for tax reform, which her office has dubbed the “Reynolds Reform Plan.” The office’s press release calls the plan “the most significant tax reform package in decades,” and claims that it will provide “immediate relief to middle class workers, small business owners, farmers, families and teachers across Iowa.” In her first Condition of the State Address, Governor Reynolds specified that to fully revamp taxes in Iowa would take a “multi-year effort,” especially due to Iowa’s current budget woes. She expressed a desire to lower uncompetitive corporate taxes but acknowledged that, due to budget considerations, “this is not the year.” If Governor Reynolds, who is up for reelection in 2018, maintains her position as Governor, she will likely push for a more complete reform package in the years to come. For now, Reynolds’ plan will cut tax rates by up to 23 percent, resulting in $1.7 billion in tax savings through 2023, according to her office.
CONTRIBUTED
Governor Reynold's tax proposal is designed to complement the recent sweeping federal tax reform.
Of those cuts, the middle class will receive a significant portion. Small business will be able to deduct more from the federal Qualified Business Income Deduction and online sales will face increased taxation, a boon to businesses in Iowa that struggle to compete with Internet behemoths like Amazon. The press release also stipulates that “state budget priorities [will be] protected” and that this reform will, in the end, simplify the Iowa tax code. These are only the preliminary details of Governor Reynolds’ plan, and the full bill will change as it is introduced and debated in the Iowa House and Senate. Democrats, who are in the minority, say they are willing to work with Governor Reynolds and Republicans, but they are wary of the impact such tax cuts would have on the state budget. While no official plan has been submitted by Democrats, Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to Governor Reynolds in June 2017, outlining her own requirements for tax reform. “We must avoid changes that would make our tax system less transparent, make low-income and middle-class Iowans pay more taxes, and prevent us from addressing the budget priorities of our constituents,” Jochum wrote in the letter. She also requested that legislators look into the corporate tax in Iowa. In an email to The S&B, Grinnell’s Representative Dave Maxwell said that he would be unable to make any commitments until a full tax plan was released in the House and Senate, but that he would be open to working with Republicans and Democrats alike to create an acceptable plan. The potential impacts of the tax plan on Grinnell College are likewise difficult to gauge, given the current sparseness of detail on the plan. Whatever the result of Governor Reynolds’ reform effort, Republicans in Iowa have placed the issue front and center in this year’s legislative session, and it is sure to shape Statehouse races, not to mention Governor Reynolds’ own reelection campaign, in 2018, and may very well might affect Iowan’s taxes for years to come.
Students, community members gather to protest gun violence
Continued From Front Page Several protesters explained that it was their exposure to gun violence that drove them to participate. Vivian Cheslack ’19, who carried a sign bearing the names of the seventeen killed in Florida, spoke about her relationship to the issue. “I’m from South Florida and Douglas is the county over from me, and my brother is in a high school in the same area. They play soccer games against Douglas. And my mom knew the athletic director who died. And my aunt actually lives in [Newtown], she’s a middle school teacher there. ... Soon everyone’s gonna have [a connection], and it hits closer and closer to home,” she said. Kathryn Bowen ’20 recalled a recent scare at her brother’s high school. “Today, my brother texted me ... that there was a threat of a school shooting at the high school today, and the school’s been on lockdown all day long. And it’s really terrifying — they’re all safe, but it’s really terrifying and I want to at least come here. ... It feels like action. [Because] this is a really helpless feeling,” Bowen said. That the issue of gun violence is a deeply personal one for many was evident at the protest. Less obvious was the complex relationship between community members and the Brownell business. NRA president and business owner Pete Brownell and wife Helen Redmond have donated to numerous local organizations, including the Grinnell Area Arts Council, the College’s Ignite
Movies at the Strand
Program and recently, the creation of the Brownell Emergency Center at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center. The philanthropic relationship is at least partially a reciprocal one; in 2013, the City of Grinnell arranged for a $5.8 million property tax abatement over the course of 20 years for the gun distribution center. Frank Appleton, originally from the East Coast but now retired in Grinnell, noted the complicated nature of protesting a local business, especially one as enmeshed in the local economy as Brownells. “It’s a little tough, because I know a lot of people who work here. It’s an awkward situation, but we have every right to say, ‘we don’t believe in all these weapons,’” Appleton said. Over the course of the protest, employees and shoppers came and went — some giving a thumbs up and others, a middle finger.
John Clayton, Poweshiek County soil and water commissioner, joined the gathering on Wednesday hoping to “put pressure on Joni Ernst.” Senator Ernst, according to the New York Times, has netted $3.1 million in NRA funding, making her seventh-highest on the list of senators by NRA-funding. Iowa Congressman David Young, who has received $707,662, is the member of Congress third most highly funded by the NRA. According to the 26 Days of Action Facebook page, the organization held a “silent funeral vigil” outside Ernst’s Sioux City office, and encouraged “people from across Iowa or in DC to do the same at her other offices. People who gather may consider peacefully taking turns going into her office to request staffers share with her the names of people who have been massacred as a result of the influence of the NRA.”
HELENA GRUENSTEIDL
Clay Harrold will begin to serve as the principal of Grinnell Middle School at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year. By Rachel Eber eberrach@grinnell.edu When school starts up next fall, Grinnell-Newburg Middle School will have a new principal. With 14 years of educational experience under his belt and excellent reference recommendations, Clay Harrold has been selected for the job. “We recieved about 36 applications for the position,” said Grinnell-Newburg Superintendent Dr. Janet Stutz. Stutz and the middle school staff developed a list of characteristics to look for in the search, including leadership ability, middle school experience and the capacity to build strong relationships with staff and students. Once the pool of applicants had been narrowed down to three candidates, groups of students, staff and parents interviewed each applicant. From there, the pool was narrowed to two, leaving Stutz to make the final decision.
“I had trouble, becuase the two finalists were equally qualified. So I always look at, okay, what is the clincher that is gonna make me select this person." Janet Stutz, superintendant of Grinnell Newburg Schools “I had trouble, because the two finalists were equally qualified,” Stutz said. “So I always look at, okay, what is the clincher that is gonna make me select this person?” Ultimately, Harrold’s references were the “clincher” for Stutz’s decision. “I had several references that said, ‘please don’t take him from us’ and ‘he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us,’” she said. Most importantly, his references highlighted his ability to build relationships, work with people, and foster positivity — all of which aligned well with the
“I've always felt a calling to education. Both my parents were long-time educators."
Clay Harrold, new principal of Grinnell Middle School
CONTRIBUTED
Protestors were greeted with mixed reactions from passers-by.
BLACK PANTHER
Showtimes: 3:40 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:20 p.m. Not to be confused with the documentary on jaguars playing in the next theater.
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qualities Stutz and the administrative team were looking for. Harrold is currently the pre-K-12 principal at Tri-County Schools in Keswick, Iowa, where he has been for the past two years. Prior to that, he worked as a behavioral interventionist at South Tama High School for a year, and before that, he spent 11
THE 15:17 TO PARIS
Showtimes: 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 9:10 p.m. The real lession from this film: the United States needs to adopt 24-hour time.
years teaching special education at a few different schools. “I’ve always felt a calling to education,” Harrold said. “Both my parents were long-time educators.” Harrold said he feels drawn to special education in particular because of his experience growing up with an older brother who struggled in school.
“[Grinnell-Newburg Middle School] is a very progressive school, and I think it has an untapped potential. There is still a lot of progress we can make." Clay Harrold, new principal of Grinnell MIddle School “I was always just kind of naturally working with [my brother] on different things. School was hard for him, and I just felt a calling to answer,” he said. Harrold has lived in Grinnell since 2013 with his wife, who has just finished her fifth year as a basketball coach. As a dedicated member of this community, he is looking forward to working for Grinnell-Newburg, his home district. Despite high hopes about the progress of the middle school, the Feb. 6 failed bond proposal, which would have provided funds for extensive renovations and the construction of a new school, will inevitably set the middle school back, but they are still optimistic for the future. “[Grinnell-Newburg Middle School] is a very progressive school, and I think it has an untapped potential. There is still a lot of progress we can make,” Harrold said. Stutz says she hopes to see Harrold continue to develop the school’s Spanish program, which began last year. Additionally, she looks forward to working with him and the rest of the staff on reading and writing initiatives across all subjects. Harrold says his first goal will be to build strong relationships with the students and staff and to get a feel for the culture of the school. “[Every school district has] their own climate, you know, they have their own culture,” he said. “Just because we’ve had some initiatives that we’ve accomplished very well at Tri-County, doesn’t mean they’re necessarily gonna be things that fit at Grinnell.” Harrold’s official contract does not begin until August 1, so he will not take on his role untill the 2018-2019 school year. However, he will begin the transition process this spring.
PETER RABBIT
Showtimes: 3:50 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 9:00 p.m. Are opposable thumbs necessary to use dynamite? Find out in 93 minutes.
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Community Veterans Commission gains Calls to police spike while arrests decrease member, moves ahead with fundraising
Edited by mikekben@grinnell.edu
By Chloe Wray wraychlo@grinnell.edu
HELENA GRUENSTEIDL
The Grinnell Police Department released their annual report at the end of January, showing an increase in calls, but a decrease in arrests. By Carter Howe howethom@grinnell.edu The Grinnell Police Department (GPD) recently released its 2017 annual report, which contains crime statistics for the year as well as details of police operations. The report showed that crime in 2017 stayed relatively close to the 2016 numbers, though with notable increases in narcotics and sexual abuse cases and decreases in burglary, theft and overall arrests. Grinnell experienced no murders in 2017. In an email to The S&B, Police Chief Dennis Reilly noted that better recordkeeping, rather than actual changes in crime frequency, may explain the increase in the number of calls for service. Continued implementation of new records management software at the department might be behind the increase in the overall number of calls for service, since it includes topics from reports of criminal activity to traffic enforcement and medical and fire emergencies. Explaining why the number of calls for service increased while arrests decreased, Reilly said that increases in calls for service do not always generate proportional increases in arrests and said that much of the increase came from large increases in minor categories such as nuisance property complaints or fireworks complaints. “The reduction in arrests equates to just over one less per week. I will say that I have noted, and this is more of a personal observation in reviewing reports and working night shifts periodically, that our public intoxication arrests appear to be less. We have also seen a decrease in OWI arrests over the last couple of years,” Reilly wrote. In 2017, there were 100 narcotics related investigations, a 30 percent increase from 2016. Reilly wrote that this increase could be the result of increased reporting because of better community-police relations and the work of GPD’s narcotics investigator. GPD lost grant funding in 2012 for the officer’s salary because of federal budget cuts, but was able to reallocate resources and rehire a dedicated narcotics officer in 2016. In terms of types of narcotics, Reilly stated that drug crime in Grinnell is concentrated mostly in methamphetamines and marijuana, and that, thankfully, problems with opioids have been minimal. Grinnell also saw a 31 percent increase in sexual assault over 2016, and Reilly thinks it is difficult to pinpoint the factors behind this issue.
He wrote that continued cooperation between GPD, the community and the College is paramount, and urged students and community members to be vigilant, especially at parties and in situations involving alcohol and other substances. “GPD works closely with our local sexual assault advocates, whether they are based out of Grinnell College or Crisis Intervention Services. Not being a sexual assault prevention expert, we rely on these advocates to be the experts in not only addressing the needs of sexual assault victims but also in awareness and prevention components,” Reilley wrote. “Often times, these acts take place when the victim is under the influence of alcohol or some other substance. We need to make sure that party hosts and attendees are aware of this, seeking to identify those who may have had to [sic] much to drink and ensuring their safe return home.” Additionally, Reilly looks forward to GPD collaboration with advocates for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and says that GPD is committed to respecting the wishes of survivors of sexual assault. “Sexual Assault Awareness Month is April, where our advocates will campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault while educating individuals on how to prevent this violence. It is my hope that our advocates will include law enforcement in these awareness and prevention presentations since it is important for individuals to be acutely aware of law enforcement’s approach to sexual assault investigations,” Reilley wrote. “[GPD seeks] to respect the wishes of our victims as it relates to sexual assault investigations while seeking to collect evidence and obtain statements while memories are fresh. Unless there is an identified risk to public safety, GPD will not proceed with criminal prosecution until the victim is ready.” Finally, Reilly stated that GPD seeks to maintain a strong relationship with the College and student body and enumerated some of the ways in which GPD works to build that relationship. “GPD is continuously working to strengthen and build relationships,” Reilley wrote. “We are always looking for opportunities to broaden our engagement activities on campus, and I would be hard pressed to recall an invitation that we turned down.” Thus, with cooperation key to preventing or reducing crime, the GPD is looking forward to a new year with a safer community.
The Grinnell Veterans Memorial Commission has a new member, Randall Hotchkin, who has been vying for a seat on the commission for almost two years and was appointed by the City Council on Feb. 5. Then, on Feb. 19, the City Council unanimously approved the hiring of Amperage, an Iowa-based fundraising company, by the commission. The Veterans Memorial Building, located in Grinnell’s Central Park, may now finally be moving towards renovation. Once the contract with Amperage is finalized, the group will begin conducting a feasibility study, which will help the commission determine whether raising $3 million for the renovation of the Veteran Memorial is a viable option. According to Leo Lease, chair of the Veterans Memorial Commission, the study will cost about $24,300,
fundraisers,” Hotchkin said, and the commission is hopeful that contracting with Amperage will be worth the investment. “[The feasibility study will] be definitive, and it’s something we need to know — whether or not this is something reasonable to proceed with and put all the time and effort in to make it work. It’s definitely a worthwhile goal with regards to the veterans’ memorial and to drawing the community together,” Lease said. If the study indicates feasibility, Amperage will begin reaching out to donors nationwide. Both Lease and Hotchkin expressed excitement about the prospect of a potential artist residency program, which would see funding and space provided for one artist at the veterans memorial. The plan, which is included in the $3 million renovation, was proposed by Tom Lacina in January 2017. The artist residency program is seen as a way to
Whether it be through murals, sculptures, music or plays, the residency will help revitalize the veterans memorial and Central Park. Hotchkin also hopes that veterans themselves apply for the residency and that there may be a possibility of holding art therapy classes for veterans. “If enough veterans apply, it will be more of a veterans’ function than [the building] has ever held in the past,” he said.
“The support of the program in the future will not be nearly as expensive as the refurbishing of the building to do it right, and so that's where the private funds come in." Leo Lease, chair of the Veterans Memorial Commission Despite these optimistic hopes,
HELENA GRUENSTEIDL
The Veterans Memorial Commission will contract with Amperage to conduct a study of the feasibility of raising $3 million for the renovation of the Veteran Memorial in Central Park.
and will be financed with the fruits of previous commission fundraising efforts. Though voters did approve a tax levy to generate about $125,000 per year for the operation of the memorial beginning in April 2019, the building, which has been plagued by a host of issues for several years, still needs to undergo serious renovation. Thus, the $3 million needed for renovations is separate from the tax levy passed in November. “[The tax levy] was for support and management of that building. It has to do with an ultimate goal of an appropriate veterans memorial. … What that will look like in the future will depend on a lot of things, mostly money,” Lease said. “The support of the program in the future will not be nearly as expensive as the refurbishing of the building to do it right, and so that’s where the private funds come in.” “None of us are professional
draw donors, veterans and community members to the new space.
“If we become known for the [artist residency], people might come here, and they might stay in our hotels. ... There are a lot of things that can make a city more vibrant, and hopefully this will be a piece of that." Randall Hotchkin, member of the Veterans Memorial Commission “If we become known for the [artist residency], people might come here, and they might stay in our hotels. … There are a lot of things that can make a city more vibrant, and hopefully this will be a piece of that,” Hotchkin said.
much remains in the years-long saga of the Grinnell’s veterans memorial. “There’s a lot of work to get done, but hopefully it keeps going in this direction. … It’s all a slow process, and it might be too slow for some people, because it’s already been sitting there as kind of an eyesore for a long time but we’re making every effort we can,” Hotchkin said. “If people have questions, we need to encourage people to participate. This is something that has a lot of definite positive outcomes for the community,” said Lease. “[We want people to] understand how it works and where the money comes from, and get rid of some previous opinions about what’s going on — those may be in error. We want to get those [questions] answered.” The Veterans Memorial Commission meets on the second Monday of every month, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate.
Hey Students! Complete the confidential National College Health Assessment and you'll be entered to win one of three $100 Amazon Gift Cards. It will take about 20 minutes to complete It will be open from February 18 - March 5. Look for an email from Jennifer Jacobsen at ncha-web@acha.org for the link. If participation exceeds 50% of Grinnell's student population, there will be a thank you day later this spring for all students with food trucks and smoothies! Questions? Email Jen at jacobsen@grinnell.edu
Sports
Edited by schultej@grinnell.edu
Both swim and dive teams are Midwest Conference champions
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Men's and women's track ready for indoor conference at Ripon
By Alice Herman hermanal17@grinnell.edu
CONTRIBUTED
The women's swimming and diving team won their sixth Midwest Conference Championship title in a row last weekend. The men's team also won their third title in a row. By Will Telingator telingat@grinnell.edu Another swimming and diving season is over, and both the men’s and women’s teams won the Midwest Conference Championship (MWC). Winning this title has become something of a routine for the swimming and diving teams, as the Grinnell women claimed their sixth Midwest Conference title in a row — and 19th in the last 20 years — while the men won their third consecutive championship — 15th in 17 years. A lot of their success can be attributed in part to Head Coach Erin Hurley, who just completed her 23rd season as Grinnell’s head swimming and diving coach. In her time leading the program, Hurley has been named MWC Women’s Coach of the Year five times, MWC Men’s Coach of the Year nine times, and MWC Coach of the Year three times — in addition to one year where she was named Co-Coach of the Year. Such a history of success breeds high expectations, and the swimming and diving team entered the season with their sights set on defending their crown. “As defending conference champions for both men and women, we did have team goals to repeat as MWC champions,” Hurley wrote in an email to The S&B. However, Hurley also notes that the team had goals beyond winning the title. “We are looking for personal improvements from each member of the team. They all have individual goals and our focus as a team
is to help them reach their personal goals.” The teams achieved both of these goals this weekend, as a series of amazing individual performances culminated in a team championship for the men’s and women’s teams. Among some of the standout performers on the women’s team were Maria Venneri ’18 and Madeline Peak ’21. This season, Venneri was named the MWC Swimmer of the Year for the second time in her career, and she added to her spectacular season with two more victories on Sunday, giving her a total of nine league titles in her career. Furthermore, Madeline Peak ’21 had a breakout first season in the MWC, as she was named MWC Newcomer of the Year and finished competition on Sunday with five league titles. On the men’s team, a pair of firstyear stars helped lead the way to victory. Paul Cover ’21, the MWC Swimmer of the Year and Mitch Sevier ’21, the MWC Newcomer of the Year, won their respective events and now each have five league titles to their name. Fourth-year diver Katie Parrish ’18, who placed third in the three-meter diving event for the third medal of her career, is quick to acknowledge the integral role that the first-year class played in the team’s success this season. “We had a killer first-year class come in. They are incredible kids. Not just talented at swimming, but just wonderful people.” Paul Cover ’21 also credits team chemistry with being a key factor in winning the conference champion-
ship. He notes that the upperclassmen worked hard from the outset of the season to cultivate a tight-knit team community. “As a team we knew we wanted to get everyone involved and working together both inside the pool and out of it. Our upperclassmen are really careful to build a collaborative, great culture, and once they set the standards for us as a group we all came together well,” Cover wrote in an email to The S&B.
"we knew we wanted to get everyone involved and working together both inside the pool and out of it. Our upperclassmen are really careful to build a collaborative, great culture, and once they set the standards for us as a group we all came together well."
As Grinnell track and field prepares for its indoor conference meet, both athletes and coaches look forward the event with excitement and nerves. Both Will Freeman, men’s track and field coach, and Evelyn Freeman, coach of the women’s team, have high expectations for the distance and sprint medley relays. Ally Cottrell ’21, who will run the 800-leg of the distance and sprint relays, the 4x400 and the mile for the women’s team, said that she looked forward to the meet, and, considering the number of events she’ll run, anticipated “not dying, hopefully,” and emphasized that she was “excited to run the relays — [they have] more of a team atmosphere.” Evelyn Freeman noted that Cottrell was among few runners participating in so many events, and said Cottrell’s would be races to look out for. The men’s distance medley relay team promises a competitive race as well, according to Will Freeman. The anchor of the relay, Matt Lieberman ’21, said that this was the event he had most be looking forward to. “I think we have the chance to get all-conference or even win it. I think that’ll be an exciting race,” he said. 1600 meters, the longest leg of the distance medley relay, is not the longest distance Lieberman will run at conference, however. For his second event, the 5K, Lieberman will lap the 200-meter indoor track 25 times. Both coaches emphasized the intermediary nature of indoor conference, and situated the meet within the trajectory that will lead the teams to outdoor conference in May. “I think always the goal is to improve over what they’ve done before ... for our distance runners at least, ... you
can’t have a triple peak. You can have a double peak; cross country and outdoors, [though], so we’re progression training through May,” Will Freeman said. He added that the team had performed impressively so far this season. “The workouts they have done — absolutely remarkable. I’ve been here a long time, I can take you through a season of ‘hard day’ workouts and compare, and there was just not a bad workout, not [this] indoor season,” he said. Evelyn Freeman added that the indoor meets serve “as little tests to see how the training’s going. … [H]opefully backing off on the training a little bit, we’ll see some performance bests of the season. We’ve already started seeing those even though we haven’t backed off much. So that’s gratifying to see,” she said. “Our goal is to be unified as a traveling team, support each other, we hope to see seasonal best performances and the information that we gather at the end of the meet will help us plan for the outdoor season.” For some, however, the meet represents the last of their season. Andrew Shults ’19, who has had a “banner season,” according to Will Freeman, will part with track and field to start his baseball season after indoor conference. “There are gonna be some nerves, about this being the last meet of the season and the pinnacle of inter-season for pretty much everyone ... but I just remind myself that we put in all this work and as long as I leave it all out on the track I have no regrets,” Shults said. For others, such as pole-vaulter Tori LaVerdiere ’20 of the women’s team, indoor conference will be the first of many during the outdoor season. The conference meet is at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin this Friday and Saturday.
Paul Cover '21 Standout diver Summer White ’18, who qualified for regional competition in San Antonio, has won the Midwest Conference Championship in every year that she has competed at Grinnell. “It was a good way to go out,” White says. “It was nice to have a celebratory moment as the season came to a close. For the fourth-years, it was a really good capstone on what’s already been a positive experience for so many people for so many years.”
ELENA COPELL
John Osler ’20, Matt Lieberman ’21 and Jackson Schulte ’20 prepare for this weekend's indoor track conference in Ripon.
Rueter's Digest: United States Soccer Federation PresidentElect Cordeiro brings hope to U.S. soccer fans and players By Sam Rueter ruetersa@grinnell.edu After months of campaigning, Carlos Cordeiro bested seven other candidates and emerged on Feb. 10 as the newly elected president of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). Cordeiro most recently served as the vice president of the USSF under former President Sunil Gulati, who announced he had no intention to run for re-election following the U.S. Men's Soccer team's humiliating defeat away to Trinidad and Tobago — a result which ended any hopes of World Cup qualification. Although throughout the election
cycle Cordeiro was portrayed as a continuation of the old regime by his opponents and detractors, in reality he possesses a unique skill set and comes from an unconventional background. Born in India, Cordeiro immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 15 with his mother and siblings, eventually earning a scholarship to Harvard University, and, later, Harvard Business School. Following his time in Cambridge, Cordeiro worked in international finance for 30 years, including notable spells as an analyst helping South Africa's post-apartheid government and as a partner at Goldman Sachs. Experience in business and finance is likely a large part of Cordeiro's draw, as the USSF has continually struggled
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CONTRIBUTED
Americans are increasingly turning to soccer as a form of sports entertainment.
to effectively invest in soccer at the grassroots and club level, especially in comparison to other world football powers, such as Germany, France, etc. A key piece to improving the financial outlook of the program hinges on securing North America's right to host the 2026 World Cup, a decision which could bring in large revenue shares as well as introduce American soccer fans to the world's biggest clubs and players and vice versa. Furthermore, greater revenue streams would also enable the federation to re-invest in youth soccer education programs throughout the country, which would hopefully make the game more accessible to socio-economically disadvantaged groups. For too long American soccer has been a game disproportionally played by white and middle-class children and families, and with club soccer team fees costing upwards of $5,000 a year, it is fair to the say the worlds game is leaving a whole lot of people behind. A fundamental tenant of Cordeiro's campaign was his commitment to equity and inclusion, and once elected he says he will appoint “a fulltime, paid director of diversity and inclusion to promote equality across all programs for all athletes, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, socio-economic background or disability.” In addition to opening the game up to minority groups, the USSF also has an obligation to its female athletes, who, despite their prolific record in
international play, have yet to receive equal treatment, recognition and pay when compared to their male counterparts. These three issues — generating revenue, opening the game up to more people and leveling the playing field — will all be important for Cordeiro to address in his first few months in office. However, the biggest obstacle that he and his associates face is how to help grow soccer culture in America, as opposed to simply promoting soccer itself. America is a relatively new presence in the greater football sphere, as four major hegemonic sports — basketball, baseball, American football and ice hockey — have long received the majority of interest and attention from our most impressionable and impassioned sports fans. From an anthropological perspective, soccer in America is a reconfiguration, rather than a reconstruction, of identity. We market star players vastly differently, our stadiums are more sanitized and even the fact that we call the game “soccer” reveals important ways in which we have co-opted a global phenomenon to make it fit our local, idiosyncratic needs. Further complicating soccer's place is its vulnerable role as a supposed affront to the androcentric nature of violent, individualized sports like the NFL, MMA and UFC. Although stereotypes that portray soccer players as “soft” athletes have started to die down, it will always be
hard for some fans to accept a game which, when played at its highest level, is about one team functioning as a smooth, single organism. Despite these challenges, there is hope for the future. In recent decades hockey's popularity has begun to dip and many youths are leaving football due to concussion research findings, two facts that, combined with a growing focus on America's burgeoning immigrant population, have led to the rise of Major League Soccer (MLS). In addition to following local franchises, Americans have also turned out in droves to watch the World Cup, with television ratings indicating that the US — at least during the Cup cycle — consumes soccer at a clip comparable to its global contemporaries. Thus, while the game readily dissipates to various corners of the country, it is having trouble permanently sticking in our cultural sports zeitgeist, a problematic notion that the new USSF president-elect hopefully has the tools to address. In his role as an economic insider and a racial and cultural outsider, Carlos Cordeiro possesses the business acumen and the empathetic nature required to grow the American game in a way which is most accessible to the largest number of people. Such an undertaking relies on a conception of American soccer as a global game practiced, played, and perfected in a local space — a notion which I believe Cordeiro understands better than most.
Sports
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Edited by schultej@grinnell.edu
Vinny Curta ’19 and Sean Cullinane ’18 topple records as men’s basketball season ended
By Quan Tran tranminh2@grinnell.edu
Another Pioneer men’s basketball season has ended with two major records broken. Last weekend, as the men’s team wrapped up at Illinois College, both Sean Cullinane ’18 and Vinny Curta ’19 etched their names in history. Cullinane is now the school record-holder for career 3-point percentage (47.5 percent), while Curta has set the national Division III record for both free throw attempts (327) and free throws made (252) in a season. Men’s basketball head coach David Arseneault Jr., in an email to The S&B, emphasized the impact Cullinane and Curta have had on the program. “I’m proud of both Vinny and Sean. It’s exciting that their names will be etched in the record books for their accomplishments and they deserve all the credits for their hard work and determination,” Arsenault wrote.
"I'm just thankful I didn't have any serious injuries this years." Vinny Curta '19 For Cullinane, who is now a senior, this is an incredible ending to his basketball career. Being considered one of the best 3-point shooters in school history is no small feat when playing in “The System.” Cullinane was recruited out of high school to assume the role of a 3-point shooter, so this record is a culmina-
“I can get people to jump and get out of their comfort zone defensively. So [getting to the free throw line] is just about working on being creative around the rim,” Curta said. Nevertheless, working to draw fouls of big men and guards who are chasing you down also means putting yourself in awkward positions in midair. Many times during games Curta would go down in ways that may seem like an easy way to get hurt. To Curta, however, it’s only a part of his job.
ELENA COPELL
Sean Cullinane ’18 and Vinny Curta ’19 each broke records during the final game of the basketball season. tion of all the hard work he’s put in for the past four years to perfect his shooting. “[Over the years] I gradually get more accurate; my release gets quicker. I started getting more shots in the game,” Cullinane said. What is even more impressive about Cullinane’s record is the frequency with which he shot 3-pointers throughout his career. Yet, his numbers don’t lie. With an astounding career accuracy of 47.5 percent from beyond the arc, Cullinane is, in Arseneault’s words, “one of the best pure shooters in GC history.” This season in particular, he’s also developed a
better isolation game. “Sean was effective off his own dribble this season and did an incredible job creating his own shot attempt when defenses overextended to him,” Arseneault wrote. While Cullinane was busy knocking down jumpers from the outside, Curta was causing mayhem in the paint. With a career 29.2 3-point percentage, Curta admits he’s developed a better inside game than outside game. This season, he made 252 shots from the charity stripe, a factor which helps contribute to another high mark of Curta’s, his division III best in points per game at
32.7. “It’s all about trying to pick up fouls on the other team. When we pick up fouls and get their best players out, it helps our defense because the [opponents] have to put their bench players in,” Curta said. This is the one part of the Grinnell system that many people don’t talk about. To kick the ball out to open shooters outside the arc, the point guard must first drive into the teeth of the defense, attack the paint and force it to collapse on him. This works great for Grinnell because that’s where Curta makes his breadand-butter.
"I'm proud of both Vinny and Sean. It's exciting that their names will be etched in the record books for their accomplishments and they deserve all the credits for their hard work and determination." David Arsenault Jr., men's head basketball coach “Yes, I think there are more consequences when you play like that. It’s [always] more challenging to stay healthy when you’re constantly being aggressive, and especially with me trying to pick up fouls on other guys. I’m just thankful I didn’t have any serious injuries this year,” Curta said. Although Cullinane will leave his 3-point legacy behind at Grinnell when he graduates in May, Curta returns for one final push next year, and it’s not unimaginable that other records will be broken along the way.
Students speak:
What's the craziest thing you've seen in the Olympics so far? With the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games upon us, The S&B's Ahon Gooptu and photographer Mai Phuong Vu asked students about the craziest things they've seen in the games so far. From specific athletes to event logistics to figure skating and even memes Grinnellians have a lot of different thoughts about this exciting winter event — dangerous, emotional, excessive and fire are only a few of the words used.
“I think luge is one of the craziest things, because it’s so fast and so dangerous.” —Esmé Kayim-Yanko ’21
“The craziest thing I saw was Nathan Zhou doing his long performance in men’s figure skating singles last Friday, where he had had such a terrible week that he was just falling all over the place in his first program and then he just killed it in his long performance — didn’t place, but totally redeemed himself. I was very emotional.” —Megan Tcheng ’19
“The drums in the opening ceremony. It looks very, very excessive.” —Justin Chen ’21
“It was only yesterday or day before that I saw the German team bobsledding and after they crossed the finish line, they completely fell but they were still uninjured and still placed first.” —Devansh Chandgothia ’21
“The fire memes on Instagram.”
“I saw this U.S. gold medalist, I think he was a snowboarder, and his name is Red Gerard and he almost missed his final ’cause he overslept and missed his alarm and I think that represents a lot of students in college.” —Vidush Goswami ’21
—Kirtimay Pendse ’19
Edited by fentonma@grinnell.edu
Loudspeaker: Revisiting Karen Carpenter
by Maxwell Fenton On Dec. 17, 1982, a frail Karen Carpenter made her last public appearance as a vocalist in the “multi-purpose” room at the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California. She sang Christmas carols for her godchildren and their classmates as part of the school’s holiday concert, performing without her brother Richard who made up the other half of their musical duo. Everyone in attendance who was old enough to remember her at the height of Carpenters fame was shocked to see her now, a gaunt and sickly figure in contrast with the Christmas cheer around her. A short two months later, Carpenter would be discovered collapsed on the floor of her parents’ home, having gone into heart failure precipitated by anorexia nervosa and bulimia. She would be the first modern celebrity to die from an eating disorder, dead at the age of 32.
Even at the height of their fame in the 1970s, the Carpenters were lampooned as too soft and too innocent, a musical contrast to the bloated and often druggy world of 1970s rock. It has only been with recent critical re-evaluations that the true nature of the Carpenters’ music has been discovered, its emotional resonance as echoing as Karen Carpenter’s powerful contralto voice. For years prior to her death, Carpenter had struggled with anorexia. In 1973, at the peak of the Carpenters’ fame, she began a crash diet, starved herself and obsessively took laxatives and medication to increase metabolism. At this point, she weighed 120 pounds. By 1975, after two years of this regimen, she would drop to a fragile 91 pounds. Audiences were shocked that the once seemingly healthy Carpenter looked so gaunt in a matter of years, precipitating fears that she was dying of cancer. Even as the Carpenters’ fame slowly wound down by the 1980s, Karen would continue her unhealthy regimen, convinced she was gaining weight even as she slowly wasted away. But what instigated this tragedy?
Opinions
Media coverage at the time of Karen Carpenter’s death was focused on the shock of it all, that a clean-cut and innocent figure could die in such a tragic and, for the time, unusual way. Even at the height of their fame in the 1970s, the Carpenters were lampooned as too soft and too innocent, a musical contrast to the bloated and often druggy world of 1970s rock. It has only been with recent critical re-evaluations that the true nature of the Carpenters’ music has been discovered, its emotional resonance as echoing as Karen Carpenter’s powerful contralto voice. If the Carpenters claimed a musical emotion for themselves, it was the feeling of longing. Karen Carpenter’s voice contributed to this in no small part with its resonance. “They Long To Be (Close To You)” is arguably the Carpenters’ most well-known song, hitting #1 on US Billboard Charts in 1970. It is a song about infatuation, opening with the lyrics, “Why do birds suddenly appear/ Every time you are near?/ Just like me, they long to be/ Close to you.” Other hits include “Superstar,” the story of an unrequited love affair with a musician on the road, or “Rainy Days and Mondays,” a song about loneliness and ennui. Karen Carpenter’s voice was the key to the emotional thrust of these songs, adding a vibrancy and echo to source material that already captured feelings of yearning and heartsickness. In spite of their musical qualities — or more likely because of them — the Carpenters were perpetually haunted by the spectre of uncoolness in their time in the spotlight, too soft for rock and too wholesome for pop. But time has been kind to their music. In particular, the avatar of rock ‘n’ roll cool and former Sonic Youth member Kim Gordon is a fan of the Carpenters. This affection was made musically clear with the song “Tunic (Song for Karen),” an internal monologue from Karen Carpenter’s perspective which appears on the 1990 album “Goo.” Gordon even wrote an open fan letter to Karen years after her death. Like any fan letter, Gordon concludes the letter with a series of questions, asking “Did anyone ever ask you that question — what’s it like being a girl in music? What were yr dreams? Did you have any female friends or was it just you and Richard, mom and dad, A&M? Did you ever go running along the sand, feeling the ocean rush up between yr legs? Who is Karen Carpenter, really, besides the sad girl with the extraordinarily beautiful, soulful voice?” In spite of musical re-evaluation over the past three decades, it seems we are not closer to answering that question. 35 years on, all that remains is Karen Carpenter’s exquisite voice and those same feelings of longing that colored her music.
Film in Stock: The Oscar races
by Martha Beliveau This week, I’m evaluating a few of the most contested Oscar races. Here’s my prediction of the winners, as well as thoughts on the most deserving nominees. While most cinephiles frown upon awards shows, I love them. The Academy Awards are my Superbowl. My Stanley Cup. My NASCAR race thing. Best Picture Nominees: “Call Me by Your Name,” “Darkest Hour,” “Dunkirk,” “Get Out,” “Lady Bird,” “Phantom Thread,” “The Post,” “The Shape of Water” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Unfortunately, I think “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” will pull out a win this year. The storytelling is definitely not without problems, such as the Sam Rockwell character’s seemingly unprovoked revelation two-thirds of the way through the film, hence my frustration at this film’s continual critical praise. If the Oscars are attempting to distance themselves from the critiques of the film’s mishandling of race, then they’ll go with “Phantom Thread” or “The Post.” “Phantom Thread” is worth a watch, but “The Post” is a bit of a bore. Historically, the Academy hasn’t taken chances with this category, and tends to choose the safe option, even if that safe option is an inferior film. For example, how could the film “Chicago” have won a Best Picture Oscar?
Dusty
Or “Gladiator”? Much more deserving prospects include Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird,” Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” and Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me by Your Name.” If you’re evaluating this category in terms of storytelling, as I do, then any of these three offer necessary characters, with clean and tight scenes that serve the overall narrative. All three of these films are near perfect and definitely worth your time if you’re trying to get caught up before the Oscars on March 5. Best Director Nominees: “Dunkirk,” Christopher Nolan; “Get Out,” Jordan Peele; “Lady Bird,” Greta Gerwig; “Phantom Thread,” Paul Thomas Anderson; “The Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro I expect Guillermo del Toro will win, keeping with the Golden Globes outcomes. While the “The Shape of Water” was stylistically singular and intensely personal to the filmmaker, Jordan Peele really should win this one, hands down. Even though the category of directing is difficult to evaluate by nature of its expansive scope, Peele stands out for his well-coordinated vision and ability to bring that into fruition. “Get Out” contained my favorite scene from all of film in 2017: when Allison Williams’ character drinks milk through a straw while eating Froot Loops one by one and listening to generic pop music, a description which admittedly does not do it justice. Through scenes like this, Peele creates such a specific tone which has questioned my preconceived notions of the genres of horror and “art house.” Needless to say, Peele has my vote. Best Cinematography
11
“Blade Runner 2049,” Roger Deakins; “Darkest Hour,” Bruno Delbonnel; “Dunkirk,” Hoyte van Hoytema; “Mudbound,” Rachel Morrison; “The Shape of Water,” Dan Laustsen Being overly concerned with the semantics of film, I must admit that cinematography is my favorite category. This year’s winner will probably be Dan Laustsen for “The Shape of Water,” which is totally justified. From the greenish-blue coloration of each individual shot to the dedication to an early 1960s feel that somehow manages to be both cold and warm at the same time, Laustsen has improved since his impressive first collaboration with Guillermo del Toro, 2015’s “Crimson Peak.” On the other hand, the Academy may fall down on the side of Deakins’ work on “Blade Runner 2049,” which is similarly understandable. Deakins’ marriage of intentional silhouettes with pop art color schemes makes “Blade Runner 2049” worth a watch, even at a nearthree hour running time. It’s impossible to talk about this category without mentioning the great Rachel Morrison, the first woman ever to be nominated in the category of cinematography. While it’d be great for Rachel Morrison to win, I don’t think “Mudbound” did anything visually risk-taking, especially compared to “Blade Runner 2049” or “The Shape of Water,” or even “Phantom Thread” which didn’t even earn a nomination. This is not to criticize her or director Dee Rees, but historical drama doesn’t lend itself to pushing visual boundaries. Nevertheless, I’m sure that Morrison will be nominated again in the coming years, and as the cinematographer of “Black Panther,” she won’t be out of work anytime soon.
by Phoebe Schreckinger
Letter to the editor: On the state of SGA I am privileged to say that this is the second semester I am serving as the OCCO Senator. It’s a job I love. However, on March 7, Max Hill ’20, the Administrative Coordinator (AC) of SGA, will be constitutionally obligated to motion for my impeachment. On March 7, I will have officially missed three sessions of Campus Council, despite my best efforts and the best efforts of many others, including LaKerRoJe Senator Regina Logan and Professor Lesley Delmenico, theater and dance. Like I said, I love being a part of SGA. I go to my committee meetings, I hold regular office hours, I help run student initiatives and I even try to make mini-minutes as short as possible. However, there is another activity that has me bound in certain time constraints: I do theater. Like a theater and dance major, I receive academic credit
for department productions and am required to attend rehearsals from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Sunday through Thursday. Unlike majors, however, I am not required to be a member of four department productions in order to graduate. Campus Council has historically met on Wednesday nights from 8 p.m. to about 9:30 or 10. This was designed so that people would be able to eat dinner, attend athletic practices and do work they needed to do before the session in order to promote accessibility. The location has changed around, but the time has been kept the same. At a recent session of Campus Council, Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) Kahlil Epps said that, because the traditional time has never been a problem, SGA isn’t to blame for not having changed it. In other words: it wasn’t broken, so it wasn’t
The Scarlet & Black Staff Editors-in-Chief News Editors Features Editor Sports Editor Arts Editor Community Editor Opinions Editor Copy Editors Graphics Editor Photo Editor Video Editor Business Manager Staff Writer Honorary Editors
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fixed. I think more accurately, no one noticed it was broken, so no one fixed it. I said it was broken. I went before Campus Council, and I made it clear that faithfully sticking to a single time and place prevented an entire major of students from serving for at least four semesters of their time at Grinnell. I said that maybe the reason no one in SGA was aware of this problem is because the people affected by it weren’t able to serve in SGA. I acknowledged that there is never going to be a perfect time, but at the very least we can work to find a time that doesn’t make people choose between their job representing their constituents and their career plans and academic success. Logan and I attempted to find a new time for Campus Council to meet, and I plan on continuing to work with SGA this semester to find a time that works best for the most people.
However, SGA has faithfully stood by their routine, continuing to ignore the academic needs of an entire subset of the student body. This problem was brought to Council three times. The first was when we didn’t even attempt to fulfill our constitutional obligation to set the time and date in a way acceptable to all members. Then again, at my last session when I brought forth the necessity of this change, I was told it has never been an issue before. And then for a third time it was brought up by Senator Logan before Cabinet motioned to limit the debate to one second before a sufficient conclusion was reached. Because of this failure to act, on March 7, Hill will be forced to begin impeachment proceedings. More importantly, however, because of this failure, the students majoring in theater and dance spend at least half of
their time being barred from serving as an elected member of Student Government. It is not explicitly the fault of any one person within SGA or Cabinet — this is a long-standing problem that has been ignored and unseen for some time now. However, the blame does now rest on the shoulders of the current members of SGA. A problem was presented but the pursuit of a solution was ignored for the sake of convenience and tradition. I’d like to be shocked and appalled, but I’m not. It is indicative of the state of SGA on the whole. Just like any other bureaucracy, SGA is quick to defend itself but slow to change. I hope that the next round of executives will be able to address this problem, as it seems the ones we have now see no need to have this problem fixed. — Quinn Ercolani ’20
SPARC Policy The Scarlet & Black is published on Fridays by students of Grinnell College and is printed by Times Republican of Marshalltown. The newspaper is funded in part by the Student Publications and Radio Committee (SPARC) and also relies on advertising revenue to cover operating costs. All publications funded by SPARC are copyright of SPARC and cannot be reproduced elsewhere without specific written consent from SPARC. Contributions The Scarlet & Black welcomes story ideas from students, faculty and other members of the town and college community. If there is any story that should be covered, please email newspapr@grinnell.edu or visit thesandb.com Send letters to the editor via email at newspapr@grinnell.edu or mail them to Box 5886. The author’s name must be included, but letters can be published anonymously in certain occasions. Letters will be printed at the discretion of the editor. The opinions expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial staff. The S&B reserves the right to edit any and all submissions. Advertising Advertising inquiries should be directed to the business manager, Riley Murphy, who can be reached at sandbads@ grinnell.edu or by mail at 1115 8th Avenue Grinnell College Box 5886, Grinnell, IA 50112.
the
Back Page Volume 134, Issue 17
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ANDREW TUCKER
Arbitrary Analysis Social Calendar Mears in the mists.
Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Snedge
This week, Maxwell Fenton '19 and Lily Bohlke '19 polled students asking: Ants In My Pants or Ooze In My Shoes?
Friday
North Loggia
9:00 p.m. Unique and Daiburger @ Gardner Lounge 9:30 p.m. "I, Tonya" @ Harris Cinema
Saturday
9:00 p.m. Palm and Spirit of the Beehive @ Gardner Lounge 10:00 p.m. 90s Harris @ Harris Center
Pub Quiz
1. Dunkin Honuts 2. Born to Bake, world is a bean, kill em all 1908 I am Bush how many dead cops 3. Netflux and Chill
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South Loggia
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Rants & Raves:
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"The best thing since the front page!"
Codeine
The Signs as Different Types of Trash
Aries: Care Bear stickers Taurus: Crusted sponge Gemini: Mayonnaise jar full of toenails Cancer: Broken ant farm Leo: Used makeup wipe Virgo: Mildewed Pillow Pet Libra: Crumpled newspapers from 1985 Scorpio: Stained leopard print high heel Sagittarius: Crisper drawer full of bread twist ties Capricorn: Unopened Nickelback album Aquarius: Cool Ranch Doritos bag in puddle Pisces: Cardboard box full of broken light bulbs — Sister Aurora Impulse
Students speak about what’s on their minds in 80 words or fewer, and you’re invited! If you have a rant or a rave, email it to [newspapr] or [fentonma]
Call for transparency
On Ocean Vuong
Crying over cheese
D-hall clarity
At Grinnell College, an institution with a razor-thin admission rate of less than 20 percent, students can look forward to being the raw materials that are fed into the hopper of the administration. They can sit back and relax, because all the decisions that impact them are made by a confusing gauntlet of opaque committees and autocratic directors that operate behind a veiled curtain. Who needs open communication with our administration overlords?
*speechless, in a really good way*
All I wanna do after a stressful day is stuff myself with brie, camembert, those Babybel rounds, Kraft singles...but every time, my body is in such wratfhful agony for the rest of the evening! Why must my sweetest release result in my most dire and tummy-grumbly demise?
Students treat dining hall workers like crap. It's your responsibility not to make a huge fucking mess.
- Dylan Bremner '20
- Every teary eyed student leaving Ocean Vuong's Writers @ Grinnell event
- Dairy Darling
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- Cassidy