The Colby Echo

Trayless week sparks student debate

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

To tray or not to tray, that is the question. Or at least that is the question students at the College have struggled with this past week. Sparked by the disappearance of trays for Earth Week, students have engaged in discussion and debate and to that purpose utilized e-mail lists, the Digest of Civil Discourse and personal conversation.

Accreditation report prompts further study.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The following article is the second of a two-part series seeking to explain important outcomes of the self-study done by the College surrounding the Nov. 2007 visit of an evaluation team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of New England.

Lecturer promotes green initiatives.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On April 24, 2008, Director of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Richard Opper P'10, spoke to students and faculty about environmental policy in a lecture sponsored by the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civil Engagement. In the talk, Opper discussed past and present green policy in Montana and the environmental issues currently facing a state known for its beautiful, natural scenery.

Relay for Life slated for Friday

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Relay for Life, an all-night fundraising event benefiting the American Cancer Society, will take place this Friday, May 2 on the College Green. The event has occurred annually at the College since 2005. Seniors Kristin Weigle, Ling U and Kristi Boman have been involved with planning Relay since 2005 and this year will serve as event chairs.

Fulbright winners named.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Three students and one recent College alumni were recently selected to receive Fulbright teaching and research grants. Next year, William Fong '08, Hannah Coleman '08 and Gretchen Markiewicz '08 will teach in Colombia, Taiwan, and Bavaria, respectively. Danielle Preiss '07 will be conducting research in Nepal through a grant provided by the Fulbright Program.

College receives award for science education.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute recently chose some of the nation's top undergraduate institutions to be awarded a total of $60 million in grants to help improve undergraduate science education. The grants were determined through the selection of the best responses to the following challenge, issued a year ago by HHMI to 224 undergraduate colleges nationwide: identify creative new ways to engage students in the biological sciences.

College continues green legacy

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

During the 2007-2008 year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tracked collegiate green energy purchasing and usage on a conference-by-conference basis as part of its College and University Green Power Challenge. The College was declared this year's challenge champion for the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

Track to close for renovation project

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This April, trustees approved a new construction project to renovate the College's Alfond Track and Seaverns Football Field. The project will improve these facilities to a level comparable to that of other NESCAC schools and small colleges.

The new track and field, once opened, will be known as "Alfond Stadium," in recognition of the project's main benefactors, Harold and Bibby Levine ('38) Alfond.

Mule makes interest rate decisions.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

When the Federal Open Market Committee met this week, thousands of alumni around the country watched and listened with a careful eye, but only one Mule has a seat at that table: Eric Rosengren '79.

Rosengren has served on the FOMC-the committee that decides interest - July of 2007 when he was appointed president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Radio looks to future with community outreach initiatives.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Even in a small corner of the country, we still have the ability to spread new music, to be a presence," president-elect of WMHB 89.7 FM Adam Lowenstein '09 said. This past year, Lowenstein, under the guidance of Tim Williams '08, 2007-2008 president of WMHB, has worked toward substantiating and expanding this ability.

Proposed club looks to keep guns on Hill.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Hunting is a Maine tradition," Rob Kievit '09 said. "But at Colby, [the tradition] exists only among a fragmented community." Kievit, along with friends Jared Luther '09 and John Roberts '09, hopes to change that with a proposal to the SGA to start the Colby Sportsmen Club, for enthusiasts of fishing, hunting and other shooting sports.

Senior talks pasta, Batman, gadgets

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Bill Whitledge '08 is a quiet sort of friendly. A member of the Nordic Ski team, an active participant in the Outing Club, an I-Play enthusiast and a physics major with an economics minor, he has had plenty to keep him busy during his time on the Hill. None of these commitments, however, keeps him from finding time to spend with his friends.

Hooked, dating explored.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

According to the Health Center, requests for the morning after pill are highest after event filled weekends such as Loudness that tend to lend themselves to facilitating the ever-infamous "random hook-ups." Countless students spend Friday and Saturday dinners discussing the "mad hook-ups" they hope will occur during another night of socializing.

In an MMMBOP they're gone.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In just a few weeks, we'll scatter across the world in order to return to our houses, campsites or apartments. We tell ourselves now that after May 19, we'll finally be home after nine months of living with strangers in a dorm. But of course it's not nearly that simple.

Giving thanks.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Echo editorial board had a difficult time deciding what to editorialize on this week. Between the seemingly endless debate over dining hall trays, student issues with housing and residence hall floods of Biblical proportions, we had a lot of material to choose from.

The reluctant hippie.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The environment is something about which I care deeply. I really do care about climate change, about endangered species (especially baby pandas), about desertification in Africa, about the destruction of the Amazon, about the increased homogenization of the national landscape, etc.

Reflecting on room draw: an unfair and flawed proccess.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Though I have been impressed by the efforts made by Campus Life to successfully match compatible first-years, and have heard very little about the ills of this process, the plethora of problems regarding the current housing system for students already on campus must be addressed.

A letter to the Class of 2011.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

You're really quite remarkable, aren't you? I'm not being sarcastic. Look at you! A bona fide magician who tonight wraps up a series of three shows. A foot-and-fist whirlwind who's established a martial arts outpost that a worldwide organization officially recognizes even if for some reason the College doesn't.

Still a force to be reckoned with.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's always tough to think about an entire school year and try to pick only a few things that stick out as important or memorable. This year has been so full of campus-wide events and occurrences that's it's tough to focus on just one thing. We've had everything from the very troubling to the very refreshing, from the tremendously serious to the downright entertaining.

Staying out of the beehive and keeping it real.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Recently I was sitting flipping through the Boston Globe. Casually scanning article titles, I found one entitled "The dance of the bees." I dove in head first. What ensued was a college professor's series of observations that mirrored my own on the current college generation.

Laughing out loud. Smiley face.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This being the last Bassett column for this school year, I had hoped to leave you all in stitches with some howlers dominating the newspapers and magazines I read. But an article by Anick Jesdanun, an AP Internet writer, tripped me up. So this last effort features Bassett the curmudgeon :(, not Bassett the sweet old man :).

Come together now.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Last week, Senator Hillary Clinton won a major victory in the state of Pennsylvania. Her margin of victory was wide enough for her to remain in the race, prolonging a contest for the nomination that should have ended months ago.

Although it may seem that Clinton won by a convincing margin, few note that her lead in Pennsylvania at one point exceeded twenty points.

Loudness Preview: Indie rock band set to perform outside, weather permitting.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

SPB's Concert and Live Music Committee (CLM) has recently brought a variety of acts to campus, satiating a large array of musical tastes. They have been great at scheduling performers who are both up and coming or already big, and getting the student body excited for each one.

A display of a multitude of talent.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Strider Theater was packed last Friday night with an eager audience waiting to see this year's Colby Dance Theater performance. Colby Dance Theater demonstrated both student and faculty work in this contemporary program that spoke to the audience members' emotions through body movement, color, light and sound.

Putting it together

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On a rock far out at sea sat Greek mythology's sirens, singing the most beautiful music ears could hear. Passing sailors felt compelled to jump ship and swim to them. Some like to think that the sirens then ate the sailors. But it's not clear that they were malicious.

Senior working to complete young adult novel.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Julie Wilson '08 has a ubiquitous smile, making her a presence wherever she goes on campus. Wilson is an English major with a creative writing concentration and hopes to go into book publishing after graduation.

One of Wilson's more memorable moments at the College was moving in during first-year orientation.

A dark, challenging first book of a fantasy epic.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As an avid fan of non-mainstream fiction (anything from historical to fantasy), I am constantly in search of the quintessential, hearty adventure novel. Admittedly, the inclusion of knights and kings often scores a reading of the summary, and tossing in a dragon almost guarantees my skimming a few pages.

Show doesn't make grand comeback after strike.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Over this past semester I have found myself working far more efficiently than in the past. This newfound energy, while nice in some ways, irked me and I tried repeatedly to figure out what it was. Then it came to me. All the shows that I had ended first semester still watching were still off the air due to the writers' strike.

Music successfully brings out sound of summer.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Like Jay-Z said and as Common echoed in concert: "Niggas want to bring the '80s back, that's okay with me that's where they made me at." How long has this '80s revival been going on, anyway? You would think we'd be tired of ironically un-ironically celebrating that decade of bad hair and big synths, Reaganomics and Phil Collins by now, but hey, if it's okay with Jay-Z and Common, maybe I can let it slide--they made me in the '80s too, kinda.

WMHB DJ of the week: Julia Stuebing '08 and Julie Beko '08

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Name of DJ: DJ Julie and DJ Julia
Day and Time Show Airs: Sunday, 4-6 pm
Kind of Music: Kid's Tunes
Name of Show: Radio J

A little about your show: Lots of old and new kids' favorites- everything from Raffi to They Might Be Giants. We usually have a theme, like animals, or numbers.

Women's lacrosse earns fifth seed.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The women's lacrosse team kept on rolling this week with two successful games, including a first round win in the New England Small College Athletic Conference playoffs. On Friday, the Mules took on Amherst College, ranked ninth nationally and second in the conference, in the final game of the regular season.

Two Mules win NESCAC track titles.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Anna King '08 surely is the queen of the 3000m steeplechase. Last weekend, King won the event at New England Small College Athletic Conference Championships for the second year in a row. Her time of 10:34.65 broke own meet and school record, rendering King the fastest steeplechaser in the history of Colby's program and the NESCAC Championships.

Baseball clinches winning season.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As the baseball season heads into its last week of scheduled games, the Mules are sure of one thing. Their team has clinched a winning season for the first time in ten years. Colby, 16-13 overall and 3-8 in the NESCAC, will not be part of the conference playoffs but has ultimately made a huge leap this year.

Cyclists compete

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Over the weekend of April 26-27, the Colby men's and women's cycling teams competed in the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Championships, held this year at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. The races of the weekend consisted of time trials, road races, and criterium, which are short courses (usually less than five kilometers) held on closed off city streets.

Softball has strong weekend.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The softball team notched three victories this weekend against Bowdoin College and Maine Maritime Academy. These wins will provide important momentum into next season, although the Mules will miss the playoffs this year. In the New England Small College Athletic Conference Tournament, Tufts University will host the championships against a field comprised of Trinity College, Wesleyan University and Williams College.

Colby falls in final two games.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Whit McCarty '10 did all he could to carry the Mules to victory in the last two regular season games. He led the Mules in scoring in both games against Keene State and Amherst College, netting four and three goals in the respective games. Despite his and the team's best efforts, Colby fell twice this past week in away games.

You really should watch the NBA playoffs.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A lot of people really don't like to watch professional basketball. The arguments against watching are generally legitimate-the players are too selfish, the stars are unlikable, the crowds are unenthusiastic. And, until last year's playoffs, I agreed.

I will preface the rest of this article now by saying I have been a huge Celtics fan since the days of Larry Bird, so my perspective is not quite unbiased.

Focus on Fantasy: NFL draft thoughts

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

My NBA predictions are looking good so far except for Dallas, which isn't totally surprising. I never thought I would see a game where Jason Kidd would get worked up and down the court but Chris Paul is absolutely abusing him in that series. On a related note, it's nice to see that the Celtics can forget how to play basketball and lose to a mediocre Hawks team, but they'll still win the series.

Devastator: Kate Sheridan '09

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

HOMETOWN: Hingham, MA

POSITION: Midfield

CAREER POINTS: 196

KEY?STATS:?Sheridan leads the NESCAC with 47 goals and 31 assists for 78 points this season.

WHY:?
In Colby's 22-14 quarterfinal playoff win at Tufts, Sheridan had one goal and four assists to move within four points of 200 for her collegiate career.

Nescac Roundup

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday, April 29, the NESCAC All-Conference Track and Field Team was announced, comprising of the top three finishers in each event during the 2008 Conference Championships, which were held April 26 at Hamilton. As determined by the conference coaches, the Most Outstanding Performers were Williams senior Carrie Plitt, who set a meet record in the 200-meter dash (24.