ARTS P. 8 Images runs Oscarnominated 'Call Me By Your Name'
SPORTS P. 12 Men's swim and dive takes second at NESCACs
The Independent Student Newspaper at Williams College Since 1887 VOL. CXXXII, NO. 16
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018
College employee taken into police custody
Williamstown Police Department officers respond to CSS report of disturbing remarks By NICHOLAS GOLDROSEN EXECUTIVE EDITOR
On Sunday, a College Dining Services employee was taken into custody by the Williamstown Police Department (WPD) in Paresky Center. The employee had made statements that alarmed other employees, leading to concerns that he might be a danger to himself or others. Campus Safety and Security (CSS) contacted the WPD at 5:45 p.m., according to a WPD media release. As such, WPD officers took him into custody for psychiatric evaluation. “As a result of preliminary investigation, WPD officers issued, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 123 Section 12(a)(b), a temporary involuntary hospitalization order,” WPD investigator Sergeant Scott McGowan wrote in a media release to the Record. “The individual was later transported by ambulance to Berkshire Medical [Center’s] Pittsfield campus for a mental health evaluation. The individual was released hours later after being cleared by medical staff.” At least one student observed the incident and could identify the employee as a Dining Services staff member. “I was distracted when I entered Paresky through the back door, so I didn't notice anything until I got through the door and saw a police officer on his way out, leading a man in a Dining Services uniform before him in a position that indicated the man was handcuffed. Several other Dining Services workers were
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAMSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Following a CSS report on Sunday of a Dining Services employee making a series of disturbing remarks, WPD officers took the individual into custody from Paresky Student Center. gathered in the doorway of the nearby office,” Joelle Troiano ’20 said. After being released from Berkshire Medical Center, the
individual was interviewed by police and consented to a search of his home and computer, according to McGowan. “No suspicious or illegal items or ma-
terials were located,” McGowan said in the release. The employee has been charged with two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
Admissions office reaffirms policy regarding prospective students involved in peaceful protests By WILLIAM NEWTON EXECUTIVE EDITOR In the wake of the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. that left 17 dead, there has been a growing movement among students to hold walkouts and other forms of demonstrations as a means of protesting gun policy and the current administration’s response to the tragedy. Survivors of the Florida shooting, in particular, have been among the most active in voicing concerns over current U.S. gun policy, planning trips to speak to Florida lawmakers and rallying high school students across the country to participate in a joint walkout. Some school districts, however, have made it clear that
students who miss class to participate in demonstrations will be subject to disciplinary action. For example, Needville Independent School District (ISD), a public school system in Texas, threatened suspensions for any students who participated in a walkout or similar protest. “Please be advised that the Needville ISD will not allow a student demonstration during school hours for any type of protest or awareness!” a letter from Needville ISD Superintendent Curtis Rhodes read. “Should students choose to do so, they will be suspended from school for three days and face all the consequences that come along with an outof-school suspension. Life is all about choices, and every choice has a consequence,
whether it be positive or negative. We will discipline no matter if it is one, 50 or 500 students involved.” In response to this statement, which quickly made waves through national media, a large number of colleges and universities, including Williams and all the other NESCAC schools, stated that they would not penalize applicants for any discipline they receive as a result of participating in any peaceful protest. The College made its announcement public through an update to its admissions page and a Twitter post on Friday. “In the aftermath of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, students around the country have announced planned protests against gun violence,
and some school officials have responded with threatened punishments for anyone who participates,” the statement on the College’s admission website reads. “At this time of deep divisions in America and worldwide, Williams sees thoughtful political engagement as every person’s right and obligation. We assure you that no Williams applicant will be disadvantaged in our application process for taking part in constructive political activity of any kind, including peaceful protest.” Joining close to 100 other colleges and universities with similar statements, the College made it clear that high school students should not let a fear of disciplinary action dissuade them from taking part in peaceful protest and activism.
KATIE BRULE/PHOTO EDITOR
On Friday, the College announced that prospective students will not face admissions consequences for disciplinary action resulting from peaceful protest.
Vice President for Campus Life Steve Klass stated that the individual in question is no longer employed by the College. “While we do
not comment on confidential employee issues, we can confirm that the employee is no longer with the College,” he said.
College nears end of reaccreditation process By REBECCA TAUBER NEWS EDITOR Last week, the Office of the Provost published online documents detailing the accreditation process that the College is currently undergoing. The College completes accreditation review every 10 years, with the last round occurring in 2008. An interim review was also completed from 2012 to 2013. The College is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). NEASC defines itself as “an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization” that “work[s] to establish and maintain high standards for all levels of education.” Provost David Love defined the goal of accreditation as ensuring that institutions of higher education meet specific standards. “It also demonstrates institutional commitment to improvement, and also sufficiency of resources (financial and human) to allow us to continue meeting those standards,” he said. The accreditation process involves three main steps: self-study, peer review and follow-up. The College completed the yearlong selfstudy last fall. Love, who served as assistant director of the self-study, explained the scope of the project. “The self-study is so extensive that it touches upon almost every facet of what we do,” he said. “It drew upon the energy and expertise of many people across campus.” The Accreditation SelfStudy Steering Committee (ASSSC) consisted of 28 administrators, faculty members and students. Professor of English Stephen Fix di-
rected the committee. “Steve led the charge and had the challenging job of tying together the work of many authors into one cohesive document – a job he performed exceedingly well,” Love said. Fix explained why the task appealed to him. “I knew it would be both challenging and interesting to try to weave together a detailed, coherent narrative about SEE REACCREDITATION, PAGE 5
WHAT’S INSIDE 3 OPINIONS A discussion of the accessibility of the Davis Center 4 NEWS Local nurses cancel planned strike 7 FEATURES Examining student sleep habits 8 ARTS Sinkane performs at MASS MoCA 11 SPORTS Profiling squash's head coach Zafi Levy '01
USPS 684-6801 | 1ST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID WILLIAMSTOWN, MA PERMIT NO. 25