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May 9, 2008 Volume 124, Issue 25
The Scarlet and Black First College Newspaper West of the Mississippi
The Scarlet and Black First College Newspaper West of the Mississippi
Grinnell College Grinnell, IA
‘Smokefree’
Ban to affect the smoking lounge
BY PETER HENRY
It looks as if Cleveland Lounge will finally be quitting cold
turkey. A last-minute amendment to the Smokefree Air Act that
extended the smoking prohibition to cover “private educational
facilities and common places” will snub out the lounge’s smoking
privileges by the beginning of the fall semester.
This week, the college’s legal council reviewed the act and
briefed college administrators on the impact of the law. “It appears
as if Grinnell College is directly and thoroughly affected by the
Smokefree Air Act,” said President Russell Osgood.
The Smokefree Air Act, which goes into full effect July 1, pro-
hibits smoking in all places accessible to the public, including, but
not limited to, bars, restaurants and outdoor seating at sporting
events. A specific pro-
vision was added to the
original act to include “Its shocking. The state allows
all private universities. smoking in casinos, and we
Controversially, exemp-
tions have been made can’t do it in people’s residence
for casino floors, veter- halls.”
ans’ hospitals and the
Iowa State Fair. Russell Osgood,
“It’s shocking,” said
Osgood. “The state al-
President
lows smoking in casinos, and we can’t do it in people’s residence
halls?”
Osgood said he opposed the ban’s applicability to Cleveland
Lounge on the grounds that it is a residential area. “I don’t think
smokers should be treated as criminals, particularly since, for many
students, its equivalent to a home rather than a public place.”
The effect of the ban on smoking outdoors is currently uncer-
tain. According to the act, smoking will be prohibited on “School
grounds, including parking lots, athletic fields, playgrounds, tennis
courts and any other outdoor area under the control of a public or
private educational facility.” The administration does not know
whether this refers to the entirety of a campus or just individual
outdoor facilities. Smoking is already prohibited in loggias.
Smoke, see p. 3
Progress made
on wind turbines BY JAI GARG
SGA President Megan Goering gives the State of the School address on Wednesday night this week. PAUL KRAMER
With the windmill at CERA in full twirl, the college has
Goering delivers State of the College
begun the process for the next step in bringing wind energy to
Grinnell.
Since last October, the college has utilized wind models and
BY M ATT ZMUDKA John Burrows ‘10, SGA VPSA-elect, explained that the identified six potential sites that would most suit the four wind
Preceding the last Joint Board of the year, on Wednes- new cabinet viewed the speech as a launching point for turbines. The administration is currently in the process of negoti-
day SGA President Megan Goering delivered the State next year. “We’re definitely using the speech as a starting ating leasing rights to land property located north of campus.
of the College address, describing abundant progress to a point to gauge what’s been done well this year and which By leasing the land as opposed to purchasing it, the school
scant crowd of Grinnell students. projects need to be picked up again next year,” he said. hopes to work with landowners rather than alienate them. “This
Goering addressed several issues, including student The address, rescheduled from a week prior, drew less is a way for people to continue to get benefits throughout the
advocacy, student life, policy changes and goals for future than ten students who were not present or future members life of the turbine,” said Vice-President of Institutional Planning
SGA administrations. She also spoke at length about new of Joint Board. In an e-mail statement sent to the S&B, Marci Sortor. Since the school will be leasing the land, landown-
administrators that had been hired, notably Special Assis- Goering wrote that the address was initially cancelled be- ers will receive continuous compensation for the turbines, even if
tant to the President on Diversity Elena Bernal and Vice cause “SGA hit overload this past weekend because of the a new landowner moves in.
President of Student Affairs Houston Dougharty. coming together of the Board of Trustees, Pride Week, Though there is no specific timetable for negotiations, wind
Nick DePetris ‘08 said that this was his first State of SGA reform in Joint Board and a number of other projects advocates hope to have the land leases acquired by the end of the
the School speech, but he learned much by attending. “I including personal academics.” summer. “We have had really positive results,” said FTP member
know some people think that a lot of the issues SGA deals DePetris, who attended the speech, thought that its Emily Stiever ’09. “As of now, we have not had any sort of nega-
with are somewhat pointless, but hearing everything they timing during ‘Hell Week’ limited attendance. “Hell Week tive feedback.”
have accomplished in a giant, 45 minute long list has really is never a good time for things to be held, although obvi- Apart from acquiring the leasing rights, many obstacles will
changed my perspective,” he said. ously it is an appropriate time for a summary of the year need to be cleared in order for the wind turbines to be construct-
Near the end, Goering addressed the recent hate crimes to occur,” he said. Burrows agreed, adding “I think that in ed. Since the turbines will not be located on campus, the school
and campus responses, including the recent fracas involv- order to get more people to come it, should be held at a must run wires from the turbines to campus. The wires will be
ing pride flags in the dining hall. To that end, Goering different time and maybe with free food.” underground and run mostly along the railways and roads leading
wants future SGA administrations to examine “what kinds Goering listed next year’s priorities as gaining 24-hour to campus.
of policies we have lurking around campus that can be det- building access, reviewing international financial aid, and Though the wires will not affect landowners, several proper-
rimental to students and how to move those in a direction adding student voices to college marketing, to name a few. ties in town could be affected by the disturbances caused by the
to support more students.” Wind, see p. 3
Catered Cabinet lunch- This week’s movies: Meet the girls of Yel- The triathalon was
es lead to debate over westerns with Ausies, low House where hard? David Paige ’09
funding and perks with- blood and sexy egg cooking, cuddling and swims marathon for
in SGA.....................p. 3 yolks........................p. 7 concerts reign......p. 9 CMT awareness....p. 14
2 edited by Ari Anisfeld and Johnny Buse
anisfeld@grinnell.edu; busejohn@grinnell.edu
S&RLCs hired, two left to go
NB
Two new
EWS May 9, 2008
World News: BY R EBECCA PARK of haven’t necessarily have had the philosophy of self-governance,
• Death tolls in Burma have been projected to reach 100,000 When students return to campus next fall, first-years won’t be so it’s been a little bit frustrating. So now I’m able to be in a place
people after a cyclone struck the region on May 4. Over the only new faces, as four new RLCs will be joining the college’s that will allow me to kind of practice what I preach.”
a million have been left homeless and the area is largely student staff. The college continues to search for two candidates McCarthy expressed similar sentiment. “I’m interested to get
without electricity and running water while Burma’s cur- but has already filled two spots by hiring Jim McCarthy, Leader- to know self-governance … to see it in action,” he said.
rent military regime has blocked most outside aid. A small ship Development Coordinator at Canisius College and Christo- McCarthy said he was enthusiastic about getting to know
number of United Nations planes have been allowed to land pher Bylone, a graduate student at Eastern Michigan University. Grinnellians and was impressed by the students he met. “The stu-
in the country to offer aid and several other disaster relief McCarthy, who is currently working and living with students dents were brilliant … they were very intriguing, interesting,” he
organizations are on standby in hopes that the junta will lift in the halls at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, will likely be placed said. “You can’t really pigeonhole them in one group.”
restrictions. in Smounker. Bylone is currently attending graduate school at Bylone also said he is eager to work with students and look-
Eastern Michigan University completing his Masters of Arts in ing forward to the job’s challenges. “I know without a doubt that
• Fighting has flared again in Lebanon as supporters of Educational Leadership. they are going to challenge me every day, and that is probably the
Hezbollah sparred with supporters of the current govern- The students who interviewed McCarthy and Bylone were most exciting part about this job,” he said. “And I want that as a
ment. Hezbollah has accused the current American-backed generally positive about the new hires. “I was really struck by [Mc- professional. I want the students to challenge me to make sure I
government of a “declaration of war” by turning off their Carthy’s] easygoing nature. He came across as very genuine,” Al- am being the advocate they need and want.”
communications network. According to security forces, at yssa Penner ’10 said, an SA involved in the hiring process. While there are two more RLC positions that need to be filled,
least ten people were killed as skirmishes continued in Bei- Loosehead HSC Brian Davis ’09, who also took part in the no concerns have been expressed about being able to find qualified
rut through the day. hiring process, attended dinner with McCarthy and said that he candidates. “We still have several people coming to campus, so I’m
easily fulfilled his basic RLC requirements by being approachable optimistic,” Andrews said.
National News: and easy to talk to. “When I was at dinner, I felt like [McCarthy] Loosehead HSC Brian Davis ’09 compared this year’s job
• Ninety-six men, including 76 students at San Diego State, was a friend of mine who I had known for a while,” Davis said. search to the multiple RLC search two years ago. According to
were arrested in San Diego on Tuesday in a drug sting on One concern when searching for staff is the adaptability of Davis, this year they were able to start the hiring process earlier,
the campus. Officials have reported that over $100,000 of potential RLCs to self-governance. “We’re looking for … people and have been able to attract more candidates. “I feel like we’ve
marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy was confiscated after under- who have some understanding of what self-governance is and also been able to choose more who we’re actually interested in, rather
cover police infiltrated the student-run drug ring. Following have an interest in being in a self-governing community,” Sheree than taking someone who is ready and able … to come.”
the arrests, the university has suspended six fraternities that Andrews, associate dean and director of Residence Life, said. Penner said she is confident about having new RLCs on cam-
were purportedly involved in the drug trade. Bylone and McCarthy both said they were excited to work in pus. “I will be on the student staff of a new RLC,” she said. “It will
a self-governing community. “Self-governance … is something I be interesting knowing I have more experience at Grinnell than
Iowa News: believe in very much, so it’s really nice to be able to practice that in my ‘boss.’ But I feel like the people who they hire, obviously they
• A blind man from Alta, Iowa bowled a perfect game last my profession,” Bylone said. “The universities that I’ve been a part know that and they’re going to be open to student input.”
Saturday during a league match. The 78-year-old Dale Da-
vis was the first person to bowl a flawless 300 at Century
Lanes. Davis, whose average score is at 180, has been bowl-
New system will text message alerts
BY M ATT ZMUDKA e2Campus program is in use by 500 colleges nationwide accord-
ing for 60 years. Ever yearned for alerts of thundersnow to be accompanied ing to the company’s website, and is “not expensive”, according
by polyphonic renditions of the 1812 Overture? Thanks to Se- to Briscoe; for 1000 users, it costs $2600 per year.
curity and ITS, that could soon be a reality. Similar text message systems are now in use at the University
—Compiled by Ari Anisfeld & Johnny Buse Grinnell Campus Security recently activated its new “Pio- of Iowa and Iowa State University. Iowa State’s was activated for
neer Alert” system, which will notify students, faculty and staff the first time during their spring break in March, when a gun-
of emergencies on campus via cell phone text messages. Using man was reported in a residence hall. Those systems also allow
offsite software, an alert issued by Security will automatically be parents to receive messages, a feature Briscoe says isn’t included
sent to any subscribers. on Pioneer Alert yet but may be added in the future.
Stephen Briscoe, director of Campus Security, said that the In addition to cell phone alerts, Security is also exploring the
•Joint Board rejected a resolution to restrict cabinet spending office decided to install Pioneer Alert after a security committee possibility of installing a campus-wide intercom system. “Some
on weekly lunches. last year issued findings that most faculty and students have cell of our buildings have intercoms, but we’re looking at extending
•The Brandon Martinez Award for Outstanding Service to phones. Briscoe said the system will be used for urgent mes- that to all of our buildings,” Briscoe said.
SGA was awarded to Lauro Franco. sages, such as “violent intruders, natural disasters and tornado Currently, the system does not have many subscribers, but
• Three budgets were approved for Water Polo, Cycling Club warnings.” Briscoe has encouraged people to sign up via a recent all-cam-
and Block Party. The e2Campus system allows Briscoe to issue e-mail and pus e-mail and hopes first-years will sign up at next year’s New
text message alerts with one click of a mouse. “What we’re do- Student Orientation. “We hope to get lots of people to sign up,”
—Compiled by Chris Neubert ing is looking at multiple methods of getting information to Briscoe said.
[people] on campus in emergency situations,” Briscoe said. The
May 9 - May 15 Movie Times on Page 5
9
Friday 10
Saturday 11
Sunday Monday 13
Tuesday 14
Wednesday 15
Thursday
ART EXHIBIT CU- GIMP CABARET CAMPUS WIDE KANSAS CITY BBQ: LABYRINTH WALK: FINALS WEEK FILM: FINALS WEEK FILM:
RATED BY ALANNA PERFORMANCE: Main RUMMAGE SALE: JRC Courtyard, 5-7 Forum South Lounge, HAIRSPRAY: Harris 10 THINGS I HATE
NISSEN ’09: Burl- Hall Lounge, 7 p.m. Central Campus, 9 p.m. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Center Cinema, 7 ABOUT YOU: Harris
ing Library Print OLD FASHION GOSPEL a.m.-5 p.m. FINALS WEEK FILM: COMMUNITY MEAL: p.m.,9 p.m. Center Cinema, 7
& Drawing Room, CONCERT: Herrick DRAKE FACULTY ENTER THE DRAGON: Davis Elementary BELLY DANCE PER- p.m., 9 p.m.
1-5 p.m. Continues Chapel, 7 p.m. BRASS QUIN- Harris Center Cin- school, 818 Hamilton FORMANCE: Bucks-
through May. SGA FILMS: 3:10 TET: Bucksbaum ema, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. Avenue, 5:30-6:15 baum Flanagan
EXPLORING THE SYM- TO YUMA: Athletic & Sebring-Lewis Hall, p.m. Theatre, 8 p.m.
BOLISM OF PURPLE: Fitness Center, 8:30. 2 p.m. FINALS WEEK FILM: COOKIES AND MILK
Goodnow 105, PANCAKE STUDY TOP GUN: Harris STUDY BREAK: Burl-
4:15-5:30 p.m. BREAK: Harris Center Cinema, 7 ing Library, 9-9:30
FREE THE PLANET Center Concert Hall, p.m., 9 p.m. p.m.
BONFIRE: Bonfire Pit, 8-10 p.m. COOKIES AND MILK
9 p.m. STUDY BREAK: Burl-
ing Library, 9-9:30
p.m.
DINING SERVICES ICE
CREAM STUDY BREAK:
JRC 1st Floor Lobby,
9-10 p.m.
May 9, 2008
S B cabinet lunches 3
Senators raise concern over
&
NEWS edited by Ari Anisfeld and Johnny Buse
anisfeld@grinnell.edu; busejohn@grinnell.edu
BY OMAR MUÑOZ
Free lunches from Chuong Garden and other local restau-
rants have long been one of the perks of pouring hours into stu-
dent government. But recently, some senators have been taking
steps towards ending this mealtime practice.
This week Joint Board voted on and rejected a resolution to
end spending on lunch for cabinet members. Though the reso-
lution failed, students, Cabinet members and the SGA advisor
are considering new options.
Laura Lienemann ’08 originally raised the issue in Joint
Board during the soapbox portion of a February Joint Board
session. According to the February 27 Joint Board Minutes,
Lienemann expressed her disapproval of free lunches for cabi-
net members from restaurants in town during their bi-weekly
meetings.
More recently Loosehead Senator Anna Gilbert ’09 for-
mulated a proposition to end spending on cabinet lunches a
resolution with fellow Clangrala Senator Greg Hudson ’09.
Gilbert said that cabinet members should be able to provide
their lunches.
“The Cabinet money, that money does come from SGA,”
said Gilbert. “And I find it difficult to believe that students who
are on meal plans and salaried through Cabinet can’t provide
their own lunches.”
According to Assistant Treasurer Emily Wax ’09, in Febru-
ary cabinet began buying groceries instead of ordering food for
their noontime meetings. Wax said costs are now one third of
what they were last semester, dropping from $1800 to $600 per
semester.
Kim Hinds-Brush, Loosehead RLC and SGA Advisor, ex-
pressed concern over efforts to eliminate spending on lunches
that she finds necessary. “Monday [lunches] are kind of up in
the air, but on Wednesdays, they’re asking administrators to
Members of the SGA cabinet no longer dine on twice weekly meals from places like Lonnski’s and Chuong Garden. Instead members of cabinet now
come and expecting them to bring their own lunch is pretty
enjoy PB&J during their meetings with administrators. CLARE PATERSON
rude. This is students meeting administrators and saying “don’t
go to lunch, come talk to us,” said Hinds-Brush. rently earmarked for Cabinet Discretionary funds.” However, According to Burrows, the resolution failed this semester
Hinds-Brush explained that other options had been con- Lienemann said that spending on lunches is not necessary be- primarily as a result of the language in the resolution and not
sidered but that none proved to be effective or an improvement cause Cabinet members have easy access to food in the JRC. as a response to the effort to end spending on student lunches.
on current spending. “We looked into [dining hall catering] “Now with pay increase and with the dining hall, the grill and “Resolution didn’t have strict guidelines saying what cabinet
and it would cost just as much, if not more than to buy stuff. [outtakes] and the offices near each other, they have access to can not do. Next fall there should be a resolution with stricter
Even if they use meal plans, there are still people who live off food,” said Lienemann. She added that faculty does not have guidelines,” said Burrows.
campus and administrators who don’t have meal plans,” said lunch paid for during faculty meetings and that they pay for Some members of SGA, such as incoming Treasurer Emily
Hinds-Brush. Hinds-Brush also said that they looked into ei- lunches themselves. Wax ’09, believe that there are larger issues than purchasing
ther having everyone getting outtakes or just eating in the din- John Burrows ’10, Senator for OCNCO and Vice President weekly lunches. “If you want to be worked up about something
ing hall but she said that wasn’t feasible because it would take of Student Affairs elect, said he does not support the complete [in the budget], there are a lot of larger issues to be worked up
too long and people wouldn’t be together at the same time. elimination of spending, especially during meetings with ad- about,” said Wax.
Lienemann recognized that current funding for lunches has “no ministrators. “We’ll still have to spend some money when ad- —Additional reporting by David Logan and David Montgomery
direct effect on funding for other groups as the money is cur- ministrators attend meetings,” said Burrows.
Wind turbines themselves. “There
Smoke
from p. 1 from p. 1 “We’ll see whether there’s
is going to be financial provi- any room for maneuver, but
sions for those that are within a certain distance at the moment it looks like there isn’t any,” said
of the turbine and the turbine is not directly on Osgood.
their land,” said Associate Director of Facilities The manner in which the ban will be en-
Management Whitney. “Within a quarter mile forced on campus has not been decided. Russ
there is an audio and visual impact, and we will Motta, Security, declined to comment, as admin-
compensate the landowners for that.” istrators have not yet determined how it will be
The initial cost of the turbines will be ap- incorporated into campus policy.
proximately $8 million; the school expects a re- Vice President of Student Affairs Houston
turn on their investment in about 14 years. The Dougharty said that changes would be made
school plans to use all of the energy that the tur- to campus smoking policy. “If it’s a state law, it
bines generate. “To avoid [wasting electricity], means that we have to change campus policy,” he
FM suggested to use the energy to heat water said. “It would be our responsibility as a college
since we always have boilers going,” said Sorter. to be sure that we are in compliance with state
Once the school is able to acquire the land law.”
and clear certain hurdles, including permitting, Dougharty said he believed the most direct
the school will then begin to take proposals enforcement would be through self governance
from different wind turbine manufacturers. The and the RLC. “One would hope that self gov-
school plans to build four 900-kilowatt turbines ernance would rise to the occasion, too, and say
each generating three to four megawatts of ‘you guys, we don’t have a choice here, this isn’t a
power. choice we made,’” said Dougharty. “My hope is
Even with such progress on the turbines, that it would get resolved in that way. But cul-
current juniors should not expect to see them tures are difficult to shift.”
before they graduate, as they won’t appear on Changes would also be made in the process
the Grinnell landscape until mid 2010. With of making the lounge a smoke-free area, but
size and location taken into consideration, the Dougharty said he could not speak to specifics.
turbines will be visible from the second floor of “I think it’ll have to be kind of an educational
the JRC. “I’ll come and visit,” said FTP mem- campaign,” he said. “There may be some paint-
ber Andrew Fair ’09. “But most importantly, ing and some other things that happen in there
students need to keep carbon reduction on the The wind turbine at Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA) provides adequate energy for the research over the summer to give a fresh look and a fresh
front burners.” facility. BEN BREWER feel.”
Though many students are distraught about
the smoking ban, many are also skeptical about
Don’t sleep late. how seriously students will take the change.
“Taking away the smoking lounge isn’t too big a
deal,” said Charlie White ’09. “People will prob-
FINALS WEEK: MAY 13-16 ably just smoke in their rooms, and there is really
very little that can be done about that as long as
it isn’t bothering anybody.”
4 edited by Ari Anisfeld and Johnny Buse
anisfeld@grinnell.edu; busejohn@grinnell.edu
S&
NB EWS May 9, 2008
Sewage pipe break leads to flooding of Darby
Last Saturday evening, as students filled the Darby Gym for Spring Waltz, the building’s basement was flooding with water from a broken sewage pipe. The
flooding started after a construction crew broke a pipe while preparing the ground nearby the gym for the college’s new natatorium complex. Security reported
the breakage to FM on Saturday and while the festivities were not cut short by the backed up floor drains, the entire gym was closed the next day due to health
concerns, said Richard Whitney, associate director of Facilities Management for Construction and Maintenance. “We also had a compromised sewer line out-
side of the building and wanted to prevent further sewer backup from water usage,” said Whitney. FM cleaned the area for the gym to be reopened by 11:30
on Monday morning. According to Whitney, there was little damage done by the flooding aside from contamination. “The water had receded when we started
the cleanup, which was essentially sanitizing contaminated surfaces,” said Whitney. NICK HECKER
College selects incoming Class of 2012
BY C L A IR E R EEDER Seth Allen, Admission calibrates geographic diversity
After a grueling selection process the Class of 2012 is within and between classes. “We continue to try to bal-
getting ready to head our way. ance out and tweak the classes geographically,” said Allen.
The Class of 2012 will feature fewer international stu- “We’d like to see more students from the East and West
dents than in past years, but will cover more countries, Coasts.”
NUMBER5
Applicants to the
while the domestic geographical representation remains A Facebook group, “The Grinnell Twelves,” created by
similar to previous classes. Despite being seperated by Marisol Casorla ’11, has offered incoming students a peek
vast distances, the “Grinnell Twelves” have been able to into their future at Grinnell. Many incoming students
3,888 class of 2012
interact via Facebook. have been using Facebook to make early acquaintances
The Class of 2012 will also represent more countries and find answers to question about Grinnell.
than in the past, particularly from “A group like ‘Grinnell Twelves’
the Middle East. “Next year we is helpful because I can ask any
will have students here f rom Iran,
“A group like ‘Grinnell Twelves’ [on questions that probably wouldn’t Percentage of
Egypt, and if everything works
out, f rom Iraq,” said Director of
Admission Nancy Maly ’61. New
bode well with counselors, like
Facebook] is helpful because I can ask which teachers are best,” said Salil
Kalghatgi ’12 of Iowa City. “It was
33.5% applicants ac-
cepted for 2012
students also hail from other cur-
any questions that probably wouldn’t good finding out which other stu-
rently unrepresented countries, bode well with counselors, like which dents would be on the golf team
including Albania, Bosnia, Brazil teachers are best.” with me next year just so I can
and Costa Rica. talk to them about the upcoming
Similar to the current first- Salil Kalghatgi ‘12 season, and I’m sure other people Percentage of
years, the majority of international
students will be f rom Southeast
Asia, according to Maly. The larg-
have started talking because of
similar hobbies or tastes.” Discus-
sion board topics include “favorite
40.5% applicants ac-
cepted for 2011
est applicant pool came from China, and it was also the music?,” “Why Grinnell?,” and one where they discuss
most competitive: of the 400 Chinese applicants, only 15 potential majors.
were admitted. Regardless of initial encounters made via the Internet, Number of peo-
There will be little domestic geographical difference incoming students say they are excited for face-to-face
ple in “Grinnell
between the class of 2012 and 2011. There are more in- interaction. “Knowing that people behave differently on-
coming students from the Mid-Atlantic, New England line than they do in person, I’m really just more excited
and the Midwest, with fewer f rom the South and South- to actually meet people in August,” said Tucker Bush ’12
261 Twelves” on
Facebook
west than last year. The number of Iowans remains rough- of St. Louis, MO.
ly the same from past years. The new Grinnell Class of 2012 will arrive on campus
According to Dean of Admission and Financial Aid for New Student Orientation on Saturday, August 23.
May 9, 2008
SB &
NEWS edited by Ari Anisfeld and Johnny Buse
anisfeld@grinnell.edu; busejohn@grinnell.edu 5
Rabbi Darkside ’00 brings MTV to KDIC
BY PATRICK CALDWELL
While KDIC has upgraded its digs since
moving into the JRC, it is still far from being
a professional music studio. However, earlier
this week the big leagues came to tape at the
college’s radio station.
On Tuesday May 6th, MTV came to cam-
pus to film an episode of the reality television
show Made in the KDIC studios. The show
follows one high school student who, over the
course of a few weeks condensed into one hour
of TV time, to acquire a new skill or accomplish
some endeavor. A typical show might show a
prom queen-type becoming a skateboarder, or
vice versa. To help the teenagers learn their
new talent, MTV hires a “Made Coach,” an
expert in the field who serves as a mentor.
For an episode set to air in early June in
which a girl from Cedar Rapids, Iowa wishes
to become a DJ and beat-boxer, MTV hired
a Grinnell alum, Sam Sellers ’00, aka “Rabbi
Darkside,” to serve as her coach. “I’m an MC,
and a DJ, and a beat-boxer, in that order,” said
Sellers.
MTV decided to utilize the KDIC studio
to show the student acquiring firsthand expe-
rience in a radio studio. “It was just to get some
shots of them around some real equipment,”
said Ben Lebsack ’08, who hosted the KDIC
show that MTV filmed. “The Made girl did a
little beat-boxing and I had an interview with
[Sellers].”
While the show attempts to portray a
sense of realism, Lebsack said he thought that
even though the show sought to portray it as
an example of practical experience, the filming
lacked authenticity.
“They made me do a lot of fake stuff,
which I feel like I’m going to look kind of Sam Sellars '00 aka DJ Rabbi Darkside (standing) serves as “Made coach” to a Cedar Rapids girl (lower left) during Ben Lebsack ’08’s (upper right) radio
weird,” Lebsack said. “They couldn’t record show MTV would not release the girls identity before the show airs. Tom Langan (bottom left), Made’s producer, filmed the show on Tuesady in the
with music in the studio because they don’t KDIC studios. NICK HECKER
want to have to deal with getting the rights to After MTV hired him, Sellers pushed to “I went there to do some hip-hop living work for a non-profit who sets me up in with
the songs. So I’d have to turn off the music and involve Grinnell College in the filming of the and teach some kids, and I was a public school residencies in public schools.”
pretended to scratch with no music on.” show. “My production input on the show was teacher for four years,” he said. While Seller has traveled a long way since
While Lebsack said he was not particularly ‘hey, we should take a day, go to Grinnell, visit Sellers is no longer a public school teacher his time at Grinnell, including a European
impressed by the girl who was being made, he KDIC, chill out,’” he said. and instead has chosen to take a new career tour, he still found the community welcoming
found Sellers to be an exciting presence in In addition to his career as Rabbi Darkside, track in combining his love of music with his on his return. “I think Grinnell is the kind of
the studio. “He was pretty talkative and loud,” Sellers has taught children ranging from first work teaching kids. place where once you’re a student, once you’re
said Lebsack. “He said he wished we could be grade to high school. After graduating from “I teach performance poetry, turntablism, an alum, you’re always part of this community,”
drinking in there.” Grinnell, Sellers moved to New York City. music production, song writing,” he said. “I Sellers said.
6 S&old, new & weird forms
AB
edited by James Anthofer
anthofer@grinnell.edu
Experience Westerns i ld
in l
RTS May 9, 2008
tarist, Johnny Greenwood. Most noteworthy
might also be Robert Elswit’s austere cinema-
tography, whose long tracking shots endow
the film with a quality that could be likened to
metaphysical artwork.
In presenting seemingly naturalistic fig-
ures, objects and actions in a controlled scenic
space, the universe depicted in There Will Be
Blood appears mysteriously still, elegiac, once
removed from the historicized Wild West.
I think There Will Be Blood is a fine film
to end the semester with. The final 30 min-
utes of the film might be the most comedic
and tragic sequence of events I have ever seen.
Regardless of whether you view the movie as
a political allegory or just a joke (with quite
possibly the most elaborate and psychologi-
cally involved set up to date), this movie asks
for a reaction.
—Lawrence Sumulong
Tampopo
(1985)
Unique film combines
West and East in love
If you love crazy ‘80s style cinematography,
old westerns, weird sex scenes, and ramen soup
(among a plethora of other Japanese foods),
then you’ll love Tampopo.
The eponymous main character (Nobuko
Miyamoto) owns a ramen shop in Japan and
makes awful noodles. In a style reminiscent of
Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) greets the crowd at his church in the the Academy-Award winning and wholly unique There Will Be Blood. the Old West, milk-truck drivers Goro (Tsu-
HTTP://WWW.ALLMOVIEPHOTOS.COM
tomu Yamazaki) and Gun (Ken Watanabe of
tegrity. Bale’s haunted reticence complements ment, critics from many publications ap- The Last Samurai) stroll into her restaurant
Crowe’s roguish relish rather well, and their praised the film to be something of a rare gem. to rest their weary eyes from a long night of
3:10 to Yuma interactions form the selling point of the mov- Regardless of its place in history, the film as-
ie, which seems a bit ironic, as Crowe (from sures Anderson’s status as an auteur and Dan-
driving and to satisfy their appetites. Their
entrance sets in motion the long chain of vi-
(2007) New Zealand) and Bale (Welsh), are acting in iel Day-Lewis’s virtuosity as an actor. gnettes and adventures that the movie goes
the quintessentially American format of the The plot seems fairly straightforward. At through to eventually transform Tampopo’s
Western. the turn of the century, the ambitious but strug- noodles from the bottom to the top of the ra-
Crowe, Bale face off in wild Perhaps the all-American supporting cast, gling silver miner Daniel Plainview (Lewis) men shop heap.
comprised of Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol, Ben accidentally discovers oil amidst the haggard The film as a whole should not be taken
remake of Western classic Foster and Dallas Roberts, help the film still deserts and gaunt homesteads of the American too seriously. Tampopo’s escapades are, for the
A remake of a 1957 film of the same name, feel authentic. West. The movie then follows Plainview’s rise most part, adorably absurd. She and Goro pick
3:10 to Yuma is probably the best Western pro- 3:10 To Yuma skillfully captures the rug- into fortune and descent into madness as he up a noodle-making master by saving an old
duced in Hollywood since Clint Eastwood’s ged landscape of New Mexico, and James slowly withdraws from the world in building man’s life, recruit a defeated opponent to help
Unforgiven. Viewing it this Saturday evening Mangold’s direction is up to the mark as well. his empire of oil. redecorate the noodle shop, and meet a gang of
in the JRC courtyard, underneath the setting The screenwriter has also definitely earned his The interpolation of greed with corruption “renegade-hobo” gourmet chefs who also help
Iowa sun, can do nothing but further bring out money by penning the witty dialogue. seems as old as sin. Furthermore, the trailer teach her the secrets of fine ramen.
its greatness. Only two factors prevent 3:10 To Yuma and the title itself seem to suggest that the film Their predicaments usually end up in their
The plot in 3:10 to Yuma, as in most from being a classic. First, it’s too long. At 117 might be little more than one of the innumer- favor and are at least in good fun. The movie
Westerns, moves in a straightforward fashion. minutes it goes at least 25 minutes longer than able cautionary tales concerning money and also includes random interludes that take what
Dan Evans (Christian Bale) is an impover- the original, although it adds nothing substan- corruption. The brilliance of this film arises would be dramatic scenarios and infuse them
ished rancher and a Civil War veteran and Ben tial to the new version. Second, the script is from its eccentric and elaborate articulation of with culinary flair. Among the many bizarre
Wade (Russell Crowe) is an outlaw who loots rather linear. There’s an air of predictability such themes and its self-conscious design. and humorous scenes, one intriguing side story
an armored stagecoach early in the movie. about the action, and the length only accentu- The film is based loosely off of Upton follows a man in a white suit and his mistress
Without wasting too many words on details, ates this drawback. Sinclair’s novel Oil!, a book which combines (this is the infamous “egg yolk sex scene”).
Evans basically agrees to hold Wade to make In all, however, 3:10 to Yuma is an excellent Sinclair’s abilities as both a muckraker and an Tampopo’s other fine qualities include the
some money while they await a train to go to movie that definitely entertains. eloquent writer and John Huston’s classic film dialogue, which was never overbearing, but in-
court in Yuma at 3:10 in the afternoon. Chaos -Arunabh Singh The Treasure of Sierra Madre. It remains well stead remained light and witty. Though it was
ensues. aware of its roots and the cultural and cin- spoken in Japanese with subtitles, the director
The movie sets itself apart from a generic ematic contexts it inhabits and departs from. Juzo Itami (who has near-legendary status in
run-of-the-mill Western through excellent
performances. Bale is one of the few screen ac-
There Will Be Blood As a result, I believe someone may dismiss the Japan) gets across a quick and humorous tone
breadth and ambition of the movie as preten- that everyone could relate to.
tors who can convincingly shed the trappings (2007) tious. Also, character development was excellent
of modernity. His character is no mere movie However, the visual and auditory experi- in the Tampopo storyline and even somehow
star in costume. With his gaunt, haggard face ence that I felt was well worth the 150 minutes surpasses expectations in the short time frame
and wide, awe-struck eyes he seems to have New Western masterpiece I set aside during Hell Week, and could not, of the scattered shorts.
stepped out of a daguerreotype or a murder
ballad. combines tragedy, humor at least to me, be defined by its influences or
self-consciousness.
The Films committee has organized a spe-
cial event for the viewing of Tampopo on Fri-
On the other hand, Crowe’s character, the What you have heard is true. There Will Beyond Anderson’s clear-headed direc- day night at 7:30pm in South Forum. In honor
prodigiously effective outlaw, is a more familiar Be Blood might be P.T. Anderson’s directorial tion and Lewis’s intimidating performance, of this cinematic masterpiece’s rich apprecia-
creature- a sociopath whose twinkling charm masterpiece. the film also succeeds with its emotionally taut tion for fine cuisine, free ramen and tea will be
masks both his ruthlessness and perverse in- Although such claims take time to sedi- and unnerving score by Radiohead’s lead gui- served to all.
J S Speed Racer
H There Will F Tampopo 3:10 to Iron Man Forgetting Sarah
MOVIE A Be- 4:30, 7:30 &
Blood R Yuma T Marshall
Fri. - 7:30 & 10 Fri. - 4:20, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Fri. - 4:10, 7:10 & 9:45 p.m.
O p.m. Sat. - 1:30, 4:10, 7:10 & 9:45
R Fri. p.m.
10:30 R Sat. - 7:30 & 10 C Sat. - 8:30 p.m.
In JRC
R Sat. - 1:45, 4:20, 7 & 9:30
p.m.
Fri. - 4:30, 7:20 & 9:40 p.m.
Sat. - 2, 4:30, 7:20 & 9:40 p.m. p.m.
TIMES R Sat. - 1:30 p.m.
I
S
U p.m.
M
Courtyard A
N
Sun. - 1:45, 4:20 & 7 p.m.
Mon.-Thurs. - 4:20 & 7 p.m.
Sun. - 2, 4:30 & 7:20 p.m.
Mon.-Thurs. - 4:30 & 7:20 p.m.
Sun. - 1:30, 4:10 & 7:10 p.m.
Mon.-Thurs. - 4:10 & 7:10 p.m.
D
May 9, 2008
S B features 5 shows
Grinnell Independent Theatre
7 &
ARTS edited by James Anthofer
anthofer@grinnell.edu
BY M ATT ZMUDKA GIT Co-leader Christian Ricci ’08 was excited about tional.” However, the Wall was a more formal performance
Last Saturday afternoon, a full crowd packed the Wall the quality of the plays that were submitted. “This year space than he would have liked. “It was difficult to find
to enjoy a strange taxicab conversation, the apocalypse and was encouraging due to the fact that a lounge because most were preparing
the musings of the Cedar Rapids Chess Club all in one we didn’t have a playwriting class,” he for their various pre- or post-Waltz
sitting. said. “We didn’t have a guarantee of “This year was encouraging due to the parties,” he said. “The Wall was really
This collision of styles and settings is typical of Grinnell plays being available, but they came fact that we didn’t have a playwriting a last resort—it was smaller than I’d
Independent Theatre (GIT)’s annual One-Act Festival, in.” hoped.”
which has shown student-written and student-directed Dunaway, another first-time writ- class.” After fall’s Neverland Players
plays since 2006. er, credits GIT’s first student-written Christian Ricci ’08 and the American Theateras its third
project in
This year’s festival featured five plays written by Jo one-acts performance two years ago April, GIT can claim this
Krukowski ’08, Sean Dunaway ’08.5, Ben Halliburton ’08, with inspiring him to write his play, production this year. “GIT has been
Sarah Mirk ’08, and Rachel Walberg ’09. Krukowski’s play “Frivolous.” “First year, I saw GIT and growing compared to where it was be-
“Apocalypse Huh?” about a trip to a 7-Eleven just before an got inspired, and that was when I actually wrote this play,” fore I came,” Ricci said, adding that he’s grateful for under-
asteroid hits Earth, won the Theatre Department’s Barbara he said. class interest as playwrights, directors and actors.
Clark Playwriting Contest this year. In addition to writing his own play, Dunaway filled the “It’s just a great chance to act, even if you don’t have a lot
The play was her first playwriting experience, but she lead role in Krukowski’s play, showing the cooperative na- of experience,” said Dunaway. He encouraged men to join
loved the response that she received. “It’s a little intimi- ture of GIT. “[I guess she] couldn’t think of anyone who GIT, citing a small pool of male actors to choose from.
dating to put your work up in front of people, but it also embodied the character as well as me,” he said. “I tried Krukowski agreed but also added that the hidden tal-
makes it really satisfying when you do strike a chord with to keep my mouth shut as much as possible in rehearsals ent on campus helped to inspire her. “You don’t need to go
[them],” she said. “After my play, I heard a bunch of people (though)”. very far to find great ideas and great actors, great stuff to
say ‘Dude, let’s go to the 7-Eleven’”. Ricci loved the audience turnout, calling it “excep- produce,” she said.
8 Sf Bf kids, videos, improv
edited by James Anthofer
anthofer@grinnell.edu
life
Kate Thomas: a busy lif of
&
FEATURES May 9, 2008
BY A BBY R APOPORT inappropriate for me,’” she said with a smile.
You may know her as one of the most tal- Apparently, teaching was not inappropriate,
ented people in improv, but for Kate Thomas given that she will be moving to Cambridge,
’05, improv is only the beginning of her talents. Mass. to begin work on her master’s degree in
Thomas, a virtual celebrity on campus for her elementary education and special needs educa-
performances with Ritalin Test Squad, brings tion at Leslie University.
the same descriminating sense and acumen to In moving, Thomas will leave Grinnell, the
her many other activities. town she’s called home for the last seven years,
Thomas, by all accounts, excels at a shock- as well as shocking students who are accus-
ing number of activities, from volleyball to tomed to her frequent performances.
painting. In her “spare time” she works full However, Thomas’ performances don’t stop
time with special needs elementary school stu- with improv. When she’s not working, paint-
dents and holds a part-time position at Family ing or improv-ing, Thomas also plays guitar in
Video. a local bluegrass group, Buckthorn. “I’m classi-
“All together, it kind of fills the time,” she cally trained, but … no body else is,” she said.
said, seemingly unaware that so many activi- “So I play my classical guitar at the bluegrass
ties would clearly exhaust almost anyone else. group, which I think looks a little funny.”
For most days over the past several weeks, she Thomas’ ties to the community also come
has worked at her job at Fairview Elementary in her recent play performance in town and
School from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., worked at her participation in multiple town volleyball
Family Video from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then teams, continuing from her college career on
had play practice for the community theater the team. “We were co-ed champions,” she
until 10:30 p.m. bragged. “I’m supposed to get a shirt testify-
Her schedule may be a little wild, but ing to the fact that I was on the team. It was
whether she’s playing a crazed murderer or a so exciting to be like ‘I’m on a team that won
love-crazed girlfriend, Thomas does every- a trophy!’”
thing with a sense of purpose and order. One senses that such experiences make
Thomas has a member of the improv their way into her hilarious images of life in
group Ritalin Test Squad since her junior year improv. Certainly, she borrows from her in-
in college—giving her four and a half years credible knowledge of film.
experience entertaining Grinellians. “Kate is a She’s familiar with old movies and new
rock of improv,” said Renee Lynch ’08, an im- ones, foreign and mainstream. “I think she’s
prov member and a friend of Thomas. Lynch probably the most over-qualified person [to
credits Thomas as the “historian” of the group, work at Family Video] in history.”
the one who ensures that performances are re- Thomas is happy talking about movies
corded and remembered. both specifically and in theory. “Any movie
Perhaps some of her amusing charac- that is predicated on the notion of women be-
ters and observations come from her job as a ing victimized—you always have to watch it
pair educator at Fairview Elementary School. and be like ‘What’s the objective?’” she said.
Thomas has two students she works with one- She even loves classic scary films such as
on-one. From 7:30 a.m. until noon, she works Psycho. “The famous shower scene in it I don’t
with a nine year-old girl, whom she’s been find scary,” she explained a little later. “It’s in-
working with for the last year and a half. In tense. I don’t find scary. There’s a later death in
the afternoons, she works with a kindergar- it that makes me jump every time.”
tener with autism. But when she’s not analyzing films, Thomas
Although she works specifically with two sometimes finds more bizarre ways to be witty.
students, Thomas has come to know many Though she said she only paints “amateur-ish-
kids at the school, and she’s gotten used to ly,” Thomas is nonetheless excited about work-
working with a younger world view than at ing on a collection of paintings of animal puns.
the college. “They’ll say weird stuff because “Caught lyin’” shows a lion chained to a wall
they’re slightly misinformed about something and “Barely there” depicts a faint outline of a
and sometimes you try to steer them right a teddy bear with “very clear eyes.” Her favorite
little bit,” said Thomas, “and they’re like, ‘Your is “Spring Robbin’”. “It’s just a little robin, and
conception of the universe is clearly wrong— I’m still happy because the robin actually looks
I’m seven, I know how it works.’ And you’re like a robin,” she said. “And it has a little ban- Kate Thomas ’05 works as a pair educator at Fairview Elementary School. REBECCA TAYLOR
like ‘Oh no you don’t!’” dit mask on, and there’s just like a little bag of
While Thomas had been interested in money next to it. I thought it’d be a really fun draw lines between her life on- and off-cam- As she leaves Grinnell and improv for the
teaching at Grinnell, she decided to try work in kids’ book thing,” she said. pus. “I’ve sort of made a concerted effort not East Coast, students can assume she will ap-
the local school district before entering gradu- As Thomas emphasizes, she’d rather watch to make my social life around the college,” she proach all her activities with the same dry and
ate school. “I didn’t want to pay $30,000 for a movie or paint a picture than go out to par- said, adding later that “most of my social stuff funny attitude that has characterized her time
a master’s degree and then realize ‘Oh, totally ties. This preference makes it easier for her to is very activity- oriented.” here.
Kate’s Picks: Five movie recommendations from Kate Thomas
The Good the Bad and the Ugly High and Low Wings of Desire
“It’s great. Clint Eastwood wears a poncho in “It’s about this guy who’s really wealthy and “So, good I thought. Colombo is in it, Peter
it. There is so much clothing lust that goes on he’s pooled all of his money and liquefied it … Falk is in it. There were parts of it that I just
when I watch old Westerns.” and his son is outside playing with the chauf- thought were so cool.
feur’s son and the chauffeur’s son gets kid- There are so many movies that are remakes
napped but they think it’s the rich guy’s son. of foreign movies and I just want to say—No
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders And they make this huge ransom demand and Reservations? Mostly Martha.”
“This weird Czechoslovakian new wave film the chauffeur can’t pay it and he has to beg the
about this girl. It’s like this whole big analogy rich guy. Martin
for female sexuality, but it’s got these weird The first half is sort of a class-politics thing— “It’s about this guy named Martin, and he
whole layered mythologies in it and some bi- should he pay for the chauffer’s son? And the thinks he’s a vampire. And one of the linger-
zarre sequences. It’s kind of a cool portrait of second half is this weird police investigative ing questions throughout the movie is is he or
how puberty and becoming an adult can be thriller … it’s that old-school police investiga- isn’t he?
scary and exhilarating. You won’t forget it.” tion stuff. There are like 17 movies who com- The guys who plays Martin—he is so good.
pletely ripped off entire sequences [from High He looks like a real person. He’s strangley
and Low].” charismatic for such a strange person.”
May 9, 2008
SB
&
FEATURES edited by Ali Sargent
sargenta@grinnell.edu 9
Singing, spooning and sentimental seniors
Landlord issues aside, the moderately mellow Yellow House has had a drama-free senior year
BY SARAH ERVIN
In a yellow house on Park St., seven girls eat chocolate
chip pancakes for dinner and sing along to the Rent sound-
track. Here, family dinners such as this are a weekly experience
for Julie Ault ‘08, Emily Carson ‘08, Meagen Scott ‘08, Anne
Eaton ‘08, Rachel Engh ‘08, Amanda Lewis ‘08, and Marta
Grabowski ‘08, the residents of 1429 Park St., or Yellow House.
The housemates said they take turns cooking–except for Car-
son, whose culinary skills include ordering pizza and picking
up beer.
The girls, who came to live together through the network-
ing of mutual friends, have stayed tight-knit and drama-free
throughout the tribulations of senior year. “We’re a house that
has our shit together,” said Carson.
Although seven students in a small house could be a recipe
for disaster, the living
situation has been ideal
“We’re a house that has our shit forhousemate for every
a
the group. “There’s
together.” occasion,” said Ault.
you want to
Emily Carson ’08 “Whenthere’s someone
study,
studying. When you
want to drink, there’s
someone drinking.” At this, all the girls look at Eaton and burst
into laughter.
To ensure smooth sailing, the girls had a house meeting at
the beginning of the year. “We were like, ‘what are your quirks?
What really annoys you?’” said Scott. “Like how I hate cabi-
net doors being open, for example.” There were some intimate
rules established as well. “We also try to avoid house-cest,”
joked Eaton.
Cuddling, however, is not only acceptable–it’s a Yellow
House staple. “We like spooning a lot,” said Carson, “But with
each other–not just anyone.” Of course, cuddling also has its
practical advantages. “It’s cold in the winter, but when we spoon
it’s not that bad,” said Grabowski.
Residents said that the only source of anxiety for Yellow Anne Eaton ’08 and Marta Grabowski ’08 cook dinner for their housemates in Yellow House, located on the corner of 10th Avenue and
House this year has been dealing with a difficult landlord. “It Park Street. Will Boney ’08, a frequent visitor, looks on. CLARE PATTERSON
took him more than two months to fix our bathroom,” said
Ault. “And he stole my lamp ‘cause he said it was broken. He
didn’t give it back,” said Carson.
But the girls find creative and productive outlets for their
frustration. “We wrote a song about him to the tune of I’ve
Been Working on the Railroad,” said Engh. “I guess we’re kind of
passive-aggressive.”
On the note of singing, conversation at the table turned to-
ward the upcoming senior showcase, where the girls will per-
form for the first (and last) time as a house band. “No, I will not
play the cowbell!” laughed Scott.
Only a few of the girls can actually play an instrument, but
they said they’re not concerned. “We’ve only really practiced
twice, but we’ll practice more,” said Eaton, “Plus, we’re already
really good!”
When not cooking studying, or practicing for their question-
able band, the girls play their official house game, “Liebrary”–
in which players create fake opening lines of famous books–or
watch the official house movie, “The Holiday.” “I think ‘work
hard, play hard’ is the motto of the house,” said Grabowski.
Half-inflated balloons are scattered around from last week’s
pride parade, and the walls of the living and dining rooms are
still covered with paper snowflakes and colored lights from the
Christmas party they threw last semester.
Over an empty 30-rack, a giant paper snowman with an
empty beer can taped to it guards the entrance to the kitchen.
“We’re going to have to hide some stuff when my grandma
visits,” said Lewis.
When the girls graduate in a couple of weeks, they will all
go separate ways, with Grabowski going as far as West Africa
to join the Peace Corps. When the topic of moving out of Yel-
low House comes up, the girls grow uncharacteristically mel-
low. “We just love each other very much,” said Scott. Grabowski
agreed. “One of our friends said that we love each other too
much.” Yellow House members enjoy their weekly family meal in a tradition they have come to call “Mormon Monday”. Though none of the
residents is Mormon, they liked the idea of coming together as friends once a week to share a meal. CLARE PATTERSON
10 &
FEATURES
edited by Ali Sargent
sargenta@grinnell.edu May 9, 2008
Cleveland Lounge: smoke-free, not community-free
SB
BY CHLOE MORYL “I don’t think it’s actually going to work for campus. “After you start getting fined, there’s
The Smoke Free Air Act may be extin- the first few months,” said Cleveland resident only so much you can take until you find some-
guishing Cleveland Lounge’s cigarettes (see and lounge frequenter Ashley Bennett ’11. where else to go smoke,” said Saunders. “I just
story on page 1), but the lounge’s community “People are still going to smoke here.” feel like not having a smoking lounge is going
will likely continue to burn bright. Aja Saunders ’09, who lives in Dibble but to make people smoke more in their rooms or
After Younker Pit lounge was converted frequents the lounge, agreed. “I in the loggia.”
into the Stonewall Resource Center in the think they will listen—just not “Not having a smoking lounge Even without the
summer of 2007, Cleveland First lounge be- at first,” she said. smoking lounge, resi-
came the only lounge on campus to provide Another issue of speculation
is going to make people smoke dents said Cleveland will
shelter to this campus’s many smokers. is what will become of Cleve- more in their rooms or in the still maintain at least a
But as of July 1, the law will effectively ban land’s expensive smoke ventila- loggia.” spark of its old culture.
smoking in both public and private buildings, tion system. “I seriously doubt it will
including Grinnell’s cherished haven of smoke. Even if changes are made Aja Saunders ‘09 have the same culture,”
But students question security’s success in en- to the building, the residents said Kenyon, “but I don’t
forcement, and maintain the belief that using themselves will probably make think it’ll [revert] to a
Cleveland as a smoking lounge may be the few changes until Grinnell Security takes se- normal dorm lounge or a normal computer
hardest habit to break. rious action. “It really de- lounge.”
“The thing is, most of “It’ll be like any other issue with pends how security decides Though smoke may be absent, many of the
Cleveland lounge culture is same faces will appear in Cleveland lounge next
built around having smokers security—there are some secu- to enforce [the law],” said year. “So many of the kids that live here now are
Saunders.
around and having a place rity personnel that’ll be stringent Some students doubt living here next year,” said Mac Pohanka ’08.
to hang out and smoke or
write a paper and smoke,” and some security personnel that whether that serious “It’ll “Not a lot of people knew [the law] was going
forcement will occur.
en-
to affect Cleveland.”
said Cleveland resident Van will be lackadaisical.” be like any other issue with But a smoke-friendly environment wasn’t
Kenyon ’10. security—there are some the only advantage drawing students to the
With so many students Van Kenyon ‘10 security personnel that’ll be residence hall. “Cleveland is an exception for a
accustomed to using the stringent and some security lot of reasons,” said Pohanka, “it’s not just be-
lounge during inclement weather and at all personnel that will be lackadaisical,” said Ke- cause it has a smoking lounge.” It seems the old
hours of the night, it remains uncertain wheth- nyon. “It’ll probably be similar to a drug issue.” adage applies: you can take the smokers out of
er residents and Cleveland frequenters will If security does crack down, Grinnellians Cleveland, but you can’t take the Cleveland out
obey the new law–at least initially. will likely see more smoke in other areas of of the smokers.
May 9, 2008
S B policies
No limits: expanding neutrality
&
OPINION edited by Morgan Horton
hortonmo@grinnell.edu 11
Jim Malewitz ‘09 thinks that the dining hall should remain neutral on matters of pride
If you hear the word “neutrality,” what this issue has nothing to do with ideological with someone on the weekend, I cannot ex-
images come to mind? Besides perhaps a pre- intolerance. hibit pride in a characteristic which I do not
World War I Woodrow Wilson or a crossed- In close examination of this situation, I hold. This is the concept these flags represent
out Fox News logo, I’m guessing this concept would bill it as a clash between pragmatism – pride in a personal attribute exhibited with-
paints a whole lot of nothing upon your men- and ideologically-motivated narrow sighted- in a respectable campus group. The colored
tal slate. ness. stripes specifically represent diversity within
But while neutrality may seem to represent As said in the article, Dick Williams, di- the LGBT community, not our population as
a rather dull topic, this unassuming concept rector of Dining Services, administration ex- a whole. I would not be offended by the pres-
took center stage in a conflict two Fridays ago, ercises neutrality “in order to respect the rights ence of pride flags in the dining hall. But just
illustrating a reactionary narrow-sightedness and beliefs of all students.” But as per one flag- as I may a Canadian, South African or Mem-
which sometimes plagues members of our bearing student, this explanation simply “up- phis Grizzlies flag, I would question their ap-
campus. set” the group, propriateness.
As reported by Things to Check Out in Town
who construed What if the dining hall chose to abandon
the S&B last Fri- it as an accusa- its practice of neutrality? Would it go unno-
day, a group of stu- tion that “people ticed if I set up a small nativity set by the plat Friday, May 9, to Thursday,
dents were denied would be of- du jour as Christmas approached? How about May 15, 2008
access to the dining fended by the a crescent moon and star for Ramadan? And
hall because they flags.” don’t forget to hang an effigy on Guy Fawkes Grinnell Community Theatre
planned on dis- Arguing in Day. presents the Big Five-
playing pride flags this manner, The dining hall could turn into a mad- OH!: The dinner theater
within its walls. the flag-sneaking students have completely house, adding at least a few more minutes to production will take place at
Dining Services refused them entrance by missed the policy’s sound logic. my wait in line for the blue light special. AJ’s Steakhouse on Friday,
citing that the planned display would have vi- Perhaps this is just another case in which This is why the principle of neutrality ex- May 9 and Saturday, May
olated the hall’s previously-established policy ideological fervor has prohibited a group of ists — to enable all students to enjoy chicken 10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.,
of neutrality. But in typical Grinnell fashion, students from looking at a situation with any nugget and macaroni day without controversy. dinner is served at 6 p.m.,
the students involved defiantly snuck the flags semblance of open-minded rationality. With its carnivorous, vegetarian and vegan op- and the show starts at 7:30
into the dining hall and petitioned adminis- While the LGBT movement may have tions for everyone, the dining hall continually p.m. Tickets are available
trators to change the long-standing rule in many champions on campus, it isn’t appropri- goes the extra mile in tolerating our diverse at Brown’s Shoe Fit. Adults
question. ate to treat participation as a universal value. and often fickle pallets. $25.00, Seniors & Students
This episode comes on the heels of a simi- Whether or not you deem it your obliga- So what shall we take from this contro-
lar quarrel over whether or not the adminis- $20.00.
tion to exhibit gay pride, the simple reality is versy? While it is easy to get caught up in the
tration should permit students to display the that not everyone possesses this same emo- fervor which may accompany the passionate
pride flag on the outside of campus mailbox- tion. For herein lies the key operative in Wil- support of a cause, we shouldn’t let it cloud our Bike Trail Ribbon Cutting:
es. liams’ s explanation of the dining hall’s policy: overall sense of rationality. Don’t miss the first 2nd
So let’s get to the root of this conflict. Are it protects “all students,” not just a specific We all have our priorities, but not all of Saturdays event of 2008!
we to look at this issue as another obstacle group. While tolerance should be universal, them coincide. While observance of the quiet Choose from a 5k run-walk,
impeding the forward progress of the LGBT pride is personal. principle of neutrality may prove annoying for a timed event, or a 5k, 10k
community? Do these policies showcase a I accept people regardless of race, creed, outspoken members of our campus, it exists or 20k recreational bike
lack of understanding on the part of Dining sexuality or preference of baseball teams for a greater reason. ride. This year’s kickoff will
Services? Should we view the flag bearers as (unless they cheer for the Yankees). But this It is irresponsible and irrational to expect be at 10 a.m. on Saturday,
the Rocky Balboa to the administration’s Ivan doesn’t mean that I should be expected to ex- to change a broad set of well functioning rules May 10, following Imagine
Drago? hibit pride in all Hispanic bisexuals, practic- simply to accommodate one person or group. Grinnell’s ribbon-cutting
I understand the students’ passion in sup- ing Judaism whilst cheering for the Toronto But by simply stepping back and taking time ceremony. The ceremony
porting and defending the LGBT cause — Blue Jays. to peer through some pragmatic peepers, we starts at 9:30 a.m. @ Lions
especially in light of the circumstances gov- While such characteristics would have will be much better able to stop and smell the Park (8th & Sunset). For
erning this semester. But to the objective eye, no bearing on whether or not I chillaxed gooey butter bars. more information, please
call Imagine Grinnell @
236-6311.
Kites Over Grinnell Festival:
Mark your calendars for
Kites Over Grinnell to
A last word from the managers of Lyle’s pub take place in Grinnell on
Saturday, May 10th. There
will be a breakfast at
In last week’s issue of the S & B, the pub tial investments. majority of earnings in tips. Our menu is
was depicted as mismanaged and disorga- Last week’s article appears to question limited to items we can prepare in our mi- Veteran’s Memorial Building
nized. In their article, Katie McMullen and our experience and foresight in terms of crowave and toaster oven—the two items at 7:00 a.m., a kite parade
Matt Zmudka asserted that the pub “faces se- managing a start-up business. As managers, budgeted for which actually matriculated at 11:00 a.m., and a mass
rious issues concerning sales ratios, financial we draw from a wide background in food- (originally, the pub was also budgeted for a ascension of kites to follow.
solvency, and management communication.” service. We have served students and faculty restaurant-quality deep-fat fryer). We have Visit http://kitesovergrinnell.
They imply that we have failed to cope with at Café Phoenix, Grinnell Coffee Company, also been constrained in the amount of hours googlepages.com/ for the
“start-up costs, unfamiliar markets, and un- Lonnski’s Pub and Deli and Grinnell Col- we are open. complete festival schedule
tested organization strategies.” In response, lege Dining Services to familiarize ourselves In less than three months of being open, and more information on
we—as graduating managers—would like to with our market. Manager Susan Klumpner the pub has hosted a number of community events.
state our perspective on the progress of the helped run Lawrence University’s Campus events, such as concerts by Vegetable Medley
pub under our tenure, our analysis of current Pub. In many of these businesses, we have and Con Brio, a reception for Senior Chal- GRMC Annual Fund Drive
finances and our vision for the future of the held leadership positions, helped train em- lenge, a Departmental Trivial Pursuit tour- Letter Signing: Monday,
pub. ployees, maintained operations in the ab- nament and weekly Quizzo. Some nights, May 12th from 5-6:30 pm
When the pub conducted its experi- sence of managers, managed finances and the pub has been filled nearly to capacity,
mental opening February 16, a substantial participated in the opening of new ventures. other nights we have entertained only a few
at the Grinnell Golf and
portion of the current deficit had already We integrated these experiences into our regulars. We have experimented with both Country Club. For more
accrued, according to figures provided by design of the pub. hours and offerings in an effort to promote information contact Mindy
Accounting. Indeed, the majority of this Furthermore, the pub’s challenge is to food sales and gauge our own market. Uitermarkt at 236-2961.
figure appears to constitute start-up costs, create a space on campus that is accessible We envision the pub as a community
such as the $5,465.80 spent in equipment and enjoyable to as much of our campus space, a vehicle for campus unity. We want UPCOMING EVENTS:
acquisitions this semester, the $2,357.10 community as possible. A city ordinance to reach sustainability expediently, but not
spent in taxes, insurance and licensing costs states we must maintain a sales ratio of a at the expense of quality of service in our Farmers’ Market: The East
and the $1,811.70 in wages dispensed in the maximum 50% alcohol sales versus all other opening period or our institutionalization side of Broad Street between
month of February. After accounting for sales in order to pemit entrance to 18-20- as a campus fixture. We don’t see our debt 4th and 3rd Avenue,
sales and expenditures, we estimate our defi- year-olds. We do not want the pub to be a as insurmountable. This debt is quite man- Thursday, May 22, 3 – 6
cit through February to be $13,230.42. A dividing space on campus. In addition to ageable and frankly typical for this kind of p.m. and Saturday, May 24,
deconstructive analysis of the financial data making the pub accessible to all we also venture. The bottom line is that this is your 10 a.m. – Noon.
on the pub creates a different picture than want to achieve a certain level of financial pub. It takes the investment of a community
McMullen and Zmudka’s conclusion on our sustainability. The pub pays a student wage to build a place like this on campus.
progress. It takes capital to purchase infra- of $7.50/hour whereas bars pay below mini-
structure, and it can take years to recoup ini- mum wage and let their servers collect the —Connor McGee ’08 and Jordan Lee ’08
12 S B to the blog*)
edited by Morgan Horton
hortonmo@grinnell.edu
Stuff Grinnellians like (apologies
&
OPINION May 9, 2008
Campus Bikes off Loggias: Simply moved by security for trying to start a er evening than beer pong can provide, this adjective before coming here, you’ve
because it “seemed like a good idea at fight because some guy “threw off your Moose is always there. Plus we love the probably been converted by now under
the time,” we truly do enjoy the simple groove?” chance it provides to confuse opposing the sheer frequency of its usage. What
feat of hurling a campus bike off the Hating on Cesar Pelli: We know that basketball teams every time there’s a free isn’t “sketchy” after all? Kum & Go hot
2nd floor loggias. And putting back the Italy is relaxed, at least in Mr. Pelli’s world. throw. dogs, alums, [gargjai].
chains, of course. And to be honest, no one is really on time [Plans]: Plans is to Facebook what Squirrels: Grinnellians love squir-
Complaining about Wal-Mart, here. But eight weeks without clocks, just McNally’s is to Wal-Mart. While we can’t rels because they eat anything and ev-
Then Going There cause he’s got a vision, give up the convenience of knowing ev- erything we give them. We love them
Anyway: We know is irritating. He will eryone’s birthday, Plans makes us feel all because they think they are domestic
it’s evil, really we live in infamy forever. warm and cozy inside. Checked your animals—and we wish they were. Critical issues
do. But dammit, Hawkeye: The planlove lately? Warm and cozy. Stalkernet: While sketchy (see resolved
those prices are low. quick and dirty. Cost- Prospies: We love Prospies because above) neighbors must rely on Myspace
Sorry McNally’s, ing a mere $11-13 a after seeing the same faces for an entire to get in their share of cyperstalking, here On Monday, Johnny
but Valu-mark spa- handle (depending on year, it’s nice to try and get someone else at Grinnell, db is all we need. Here’s to Buse and Jai Garg
ghettios for 50 cents if you’re classy enough drunk for a change. Not to mention feel- looking at [you]. polled 100 students,
is too much to pass up. to shop at McNally’s or not), this is the ing much older and wiser, even as a first- Stephen Briscoe Emails: Without asking:
Dining Hall Staff: For homesick vodka of choice for those of us hell bent year. Briscoe’s gems of wisdom and warning,
Grinnellians, there’s nothing more com-
forting than the combination of food
on making as many poor life decisions in
as small of a time frame possible.
Remembering the Forum: Even
first-years reminisce about the good old
we would be forced to check weather.
com before leaving the house. With
Filthcat or Waltz-
and grandparental figures. So what if The Idea of Self Governance: Finally days of FX and the Forum Grill. Noth- “thundersnow” and “unauthorized so- filth?
Phil takes five minutes to swipe your out of their parents’ houses and attending ing like instilling fake nostalgia. Don’t you licitors” plauging campus, Steve never
p-card, and Betty and Marie sometimes
turn fierce when they catch you trying to
one of the “top” liberal arts colleges, we’re
so progressive and socially responsible we
miss CPP?
RKO in short-shorts: There is
hesitates to use the handy campus-wide
email and is always ready to take a bite
61%
sneak out an extra piece of fruit. Those should be the ones running the entire nothing better than taking your “walk of out of crime. Filthcat
sweet old smiles soften even the most country, much less the school. But let’s shame” at 5:30 in the morning only to Categorizing and Memorializing
jaded student’s heart.
Harris: What’s not to love about
face it, after a few shots of Hawkeye (see
above), we aren’t even capable of govern-
find RKO running through the east log-
gia in his little red short-shorts. And those
Grinnell: Yeah, we know you disagree
with us. But hey, isn’t that the Grinnell 39%
free booze, dry humping your fellow
Grinnellians and getting forcibly re-
ing our own gag reflexes.
Moose: When you feel like a classi-
dogs always seem to be judging.
Sketchy (word): If you weren’t a fan of
tradition at its best? We’ll miss [you]
seniors!
Waltzfilth
*stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com
Lay off the photographers alter her handwriting; as she was one of only a few girls
in the class and worried that the professor would rec-
ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE COURSE
EVALUATIONS Odd Iowa Laws
Please be nice to the S&B photographers. We ognize her handwriting. This approach to class evaluations would have A man with a
have nothing to do with the content of the newspa- PROBLEMS WITH THE CURRENT SYS- many advantages including the alleviation of all three moustache may never
per. On Sunday nights we are given very vague as- TEM major problems with the current system of course kiss a woman in public.
signments, often only “x event is happening at some First, class evaluations take time out of class. Instead evaluations. This solution takes no time from end-of- One-armed pia-
point soon. contact y”, that we must decipher, ar- of professor stalking through one last point before final semester classes, allows students all the time they need no players must per-
range, photograph and turn in by Wednesday. So, exams, they must either give up class time or hold a to fully fill out the evaluations, and, most importantly, form for free.
please don’t yell at, deride or mock us if we don’t have class late. In rare instances, such as percussion ensemble does not reveal students’ handwriting.
Kisses may last
all the details. Also, please don’t take out your frustra- this year, we were never even given the evaluations. Additionally, using this format would allow profes- for no more than five
tion with the S&B’s reporting errors on us. I’m very Second, evaluations crammed into the last few min- sors to append any additional questions that go beyond minutes.
sorry that you were misquoted, but it happens to us utes of class results in hurried and less accurate feedback. the scope of the standardized evaluation. Many profes-
too. We turn in our photographs with our name in Third is the handwriting issue. Even if professors sors already do this as well as have midterm evalua-
the title and with the caption embedded in the file; are give nevaluations after finalizing grades, it is almost tions, and this would allow faster and more efficient
yet our photographs are often misattributed. It is a bit
sad to see a really cool photograph that you took be-
impossible to avoid taking classes from certain profes-
sors multiple times. This means that every negative
data collection.
Another advantage of online evaluations is that the
OVERHEARD
ing attributed to someone else, even if the someone is or positive evaluation could still affect future student- data would be crunched and displayed immediately by ON [PLANS]
a good friend of yours. professor dynamics. PioneerWeb. This would remove the time required to
PS: If you are going to be interviewed, you can and AN ALTERNATIVE: ONLINE COURSE “scantron” the data and would give professors the ad-
should insist that the reporter record the interview. EVALUATIONS ditional option of even cross-tabulating or doing other Thinly veiled
Very few of the S&B’s interviews are recorded, mak- The easiest way to fix these problems would be more advanced data analysis. threats! not just
ing the paper vulnerable to factual errors. to move evaluations onto PioneerWeb. This scenario In passing this idea by a few people, I have heard the name of my
future garage
—Clare Patterson ’08 would look something like this. At 4:05 on the Friday only positive responses, although it is open for criti- band— i’ve had
Editors’ note: It is the S&B’s policy that all reporters of hell week, every “course area” on PioneerWeb would cism. An informal administrative inquiry gave me the to resort to
record their interviews. If this is not possible, they are contain a class evaluation survey. impression that this system would not be hard to im- coercion to get
Students would then have the next two or three plement if the college chose to do so. my professors to
expected to check quotes with their sources. meet with me.
Fix prof. evaluations weeks to fill out all their class evaluations. The single
biggest problem with this approachis making sure
I see no reason why this system cannot be in place
by the end of next semester, and I call on SGA’s cabi-
—[gibbonsa]
A friend of mine recently sat in philosophy class everyone fills them out; however, this could easily be net-elect to push for the implementation of this system
www.grinnellplans.com
filling out a class evaluation. While she stopped short solved by requiring that evaluations be filled out before by the end of next semester.
of using her left hand, sheconsciously felt the need to students’ grades are released. —Mark Root-Wiley ’09
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.
May 9, 2008 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 upon request. Letters will be
printed at the discretion of the editor. The S&B reserves the right to edit any
and all submissions. The deadline for publication in Friday’s paper is Tuesday
Editors-in-Chief Patrick Caldwell Features Editor Ali Sargent of the same week. Please do not include footnotes in letters to the editor.
David Logan News Assistant Johnny Buse The opinions expressed in letters to the editor, opinion columns and
Ad Designer Sean Miller News Editor Ari Anisfeld advertising do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the S&B, SPARC or
Arts Editor James Anthofer Opinion Editor Morgan Horton Grinnell College.
Business Manager Sean Miller Photo Editor Ben Brewer
Advertising inquiries should be directed to the business manager, who
Copy Editor Neil Finnegan Sports Editor Jai Garg can be reached at sandbads@grinnell.edu or by mail at Box 5886, Grinnell
Design Editor Margie Scribner Honorary Editor Haterz College, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Subscriptions to the S&B within the United States cost $25 per semes-
The Scarlet & Black is published on Fridays by students of Grinnell College and is printed by Marengo Publishing Corporation. The ter. Subscriptions outside the U.S. are $55 for surface mail and $85 for air
newspaper is funded in part by the Student Publications and Radio Committee (SPARC) and also relies on advertising revenue to cover mail per semester. Again, send all inquiries to Box 5886 or newspapr@grin-
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consent from SPARC.
May 9, 2008 &
SPORTS 13
Substances galore: improve your athlethic performance!
SB edited by Jai Garg
gargjai@grinnell.edu
In their final appearance, our heroes proclaim how much and which substances to take before stepping up to bat
BY JOHNNY BUSE BY J AI GARG
Forget the combo of booze and baseball. things the medically unenhanced could only It was brisk autumn night, and the Bos- a player strikeout or miss the game-winning
Major League Baseball needs another sort of dream of: Jacked muscles, huge heads and in- ton Red Sox were down 3-0 in the series, a goal because of nerves.
pre-game substance added to the mix: ste- flated stats. There’s nothing for the sports ob- proverbial hell from which no team had ever Consider a first-year, right before the first
roids. server to hate. emerged the victor. This, however, was no or- game of the season, never having played col-
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for pre-game In those glorious days of 1998, we trusted dinary team, for in their arsenal they possessed lege competition. Not only would the nerves
drinking. Whether the moderate, Gin & Tonic McGwire and his intense work ethic as the a source of power so great that they could not be full octane, but also the lack of confidence
before a sweaty game of croquet back in the old leading producers of his wide-girth biceps. be stopped, a bottle of Jack Daniels. 25 shots would be apparent to anyone watching.
country, or the excessive, kegs and 40-year-olds When his steroid use became evident, part of of Jack and 3 hours later, the Red Sox had Now, let’s consider the same first-year af-
at a summertime slow-pitch softball game, im- America pulled the plug on their hero. Detrac- defeated the sober and uptight Yankees. Jack ter a shot of Jack. What one would see is a
bibing is a great way to make otherwise point- tors and pretentious “purists” kicked McGwire and the Red Sox did not look back, as they more relaxed and confident individual, ready
less sports enjoyable, and even exhilarating. to the curb and reeled off 8 wins in to conquer and defeat the opponent at a mo-
But when there are faithful fans such as my- with the trash. The a row on their way ment’s notice. All of this, without the harm-
self watching a sport, I want to see something chances of him to vanquishing the ful side effect of being drunk, while still hav-
more than the sauce. I want the juice. making the Hall of 86-year-old curse ing the attributes necessary to succeed in the
Steroids, while illegal, saved baseball. After Fame after smash- that plagued them. sporting world.
the 1994 strike, baseball was slowly slipping ing the sweetest It doesn’t mat- I am confident that there are many ath-
out of America’s conciousness. Players came record in baseball? ter if it’s a beautiful letes who have consumed alcohol right before
off as greedy, games as boring, and the whole About nil. Sunday afternoon a game and righteously so, as there are no
sport as distant. Then, transported out of the But why? Why baseball game or a Saturday night at Harris, NCAA rules against it.
cess pool of California and dropped under the do we shun baseball users and their steroids? Is American’s love drinking. In fact, per capita There is no one who can argue consum-
great blue Midwestern sky, Mark McGwire there anything more exciting than a 500 foot we consume 2.24 gallons of grain alcohol a ing alcohol before a game does not have a
landed as a savior in St. Louis. home run? By banning steroids, we prevent year, a staggering number considering all plethora of benefits, including alleviating the
McGwire was huge and he could hit, far. already Ruthian players from becoming some- those among us who don’t indulge in the nec- hangover from the night before.
He was a serious B.A.M.F., and captivated thing greater and even more badass. With the tar of the gods. So even though your coaches might not
America as he chased down the comparatively issue of steroids, we should turn to baseball’s Studies have shown that alcohol increases approve, next time your lacing up your shoes
weak Roger Maris. He brought baseball roar- most pure fans-children. And I promise you, blood flow to the brain and in moderation before the big game, reach into your gym
ing back to life with his 70 home runs, and next time you’re watching a baseball game, find is even good for your heart. Given its physi- bag, kick back a couple shots and win one for
ticket sales and fandom have been riding high your 6 year old cousin/sister/babysitee and ask cal benefits, it’s surprising that alcohol con- home team.
since. them what they want to see happen next. I sumption isn’t more prevalent in the sport-
Steroids give professional baseball players promise you they’ll say a home run. ing world. For too many a time, I have seen
Grinnellians
Run, Swim, and
Bike for Charity!
Carpe On Sunday, May 4, the
annual Grinnell triathlon
took place. The profits from
Scrotum the event will be donated to
Bike and Build, which raises
funds for affordable housing
SAT.
projects.
Women’s Results:
1st Place College Student
YOUNKE Lara Meyer ’11 (1:18.04),
R 1st Place Non-College
10 P.M.* Student Nettie Vaverka
(1:19.59).
Men’s Results: 1st Place
College Student Anders
Ahlberg ’10 (1:02.42), 1st
Place Non-College Stu-
dent Andrew Broadmoore
*Wear a togA. (1:09.22).
1st Place Relay: Glenn
Clark ’10, History Professor
Rob Lewis, David Mont-
gomery ’10 (:58.19).
Anders Ahlberg ’10 won Sunday’s triathalon with a time of 1:02.42. CONTRIBUTED
14 S B for CMT awareness
edited by Jai Garg
gargjai@grinnell.edu
David Paige ’09 to swim marathon
&
SPORTS
ORT
RT
PORTS
ORT
PORTS May 9, 2008
BY A LI SARGENT trate on it I can feel it.”
When David Paige ’09 was just eight years There is no known cure for CMT, and the
old, doctors told him that by the time he turned best way to fight off the muscle deterioration
22 he would be unable to walk. Now 21, not is to remain extremely physically active. “Fitness
only can Paige walk, but this August he hopes to has always been this huge part of my life,” said
swim a marathon distance of 26.2 miles to raise Paige.
awareness for Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT), a Aware of what his son was going to face,
disorder he has been overcoming his whole life. Paige’s father was extremely proactive and taught
According to the Charcot Marie Tooth As- Paige to swim at an early age – the one form of
sociation, CMT patients slowly lose normal use exercise that couldn’t be taken away from him.
of their feet/legs and hands/arms as nerves to “I learned to swim when I learned to crawl,” says
the extremities degenerate and the muscles in Paige. He was swimming competitively by the
the extremities become weakened because of age of six, and has been an active member of the
the loss of stimulation by the affected nerves. Grinnell swim team for the past three years.
Many patients also have some loss of sensory “He is definitely one of our most energetic
nerve function. and spirited team members,” said Hurley, who,
Both Paige’s father and grandmother suf- aware of Paige’s disorder, has never seen it im-
fered from CMT, and since the disease is inher- pact him. “He’s never complained. He’s never
ited, Paige was tested and found positive for it used that as a crutch,” Hurley said. “There’s
at birth. Even as a child, Paige felt the effects of never been any way that [CMT] has changed
his condition. “Every kid wants to be the stron- his involvement with the team because he won’t
gest and fastest,” he said. “I was always super let it.”
clumsy.” Indeed, most Grinnell students, including
This summer, Paige has decided to take mat- Paige’s team members, probably had no idea
ters into his own hands, he will raise awareness that Paige had any kind of disorder, due to his
for CMT by swimming a marathon. “I wanted active involvement. And while that attests to
to do something over the top. Something that’s Paige’s success in combating the disease, it also
kind of larger than life,” said Paige. “I wanted highlights the main difficulty in dealing with
people to sit up and be like ‘wow, that’s a long the disease, lack of awareness.
freakin’ way to swim’”. Even though CMT is the most common
26.2 miles is a long freaking way to swim. neuropathy (1 in 2700 people have it) very few
head swim coach Erin Hurley and Paige did the people have heard of it. This means that not
math, and 26.2 miles trans- only is there a lack of support
lates into 890 full laps – a feat for patients, but that there is
that should take Paige an es- “He’s never complained. He’s never a smaller community work-
timated 11 and a half hours. used that as a crutch, there’s never ing towards a cure. Paige said
But Hurley, who is helping that most medical progress
Paige develop his summer been any way that [CMT] has has come from doctors who
training plan, isn’t worried. changed his involvement with the have CMT themselves.
“He’ll do it,” she said. “And team because he won’t let it.” Paige also sees his success
he’ll do it with style, class,
and pizzazz,” she said.
wake up call to the
Erin Hurley as a hugewho, when he was
doctors
Paige’s two main goals in Head Swim Coach just eight years old, laid out
swimming the marathon are his future as though it were
to raise awareness of CMT set in stone. “I think there
and offer support to others who have it. He is a global misunderstanding about this idea of
hopes “to speak to people with CMT and say disability,” said Paige. “That because you have x
‘don’t think for one moment that because you you can’t do y.”
have this disease you can’t do something.’” Paige is where he is today entirely because of
CMT wasn’t explained to Paige until he was his own strength and refusal to take his diagno-
eight, when doctors told him that he’d be wear- sis as an inevitable fact. “I don’t listen to a lot of
ing leg braces by age 17, and that by age 22 he doctors,” said Paige. “I do my own thing. I live David Paige ’09 plans to swim a marathon for CMT-awareness. BEN BREWER
would no longer have the power to walk. While the way I want to live.” ten on campus,” says Paige, adding that the fa- and people who don’t,” said Paige.
Paige hates the cliché that having CMT forced So far, support for the marathon swim cebook group he created to raise awareness for This summer, Paige also plans to create a
him to grow up quick, he said, “It affected me has been tremendous. “I’ve heard form people his marathon has been “a great forum for people video documentary of his training. Students
very strongly.” around campus that have started talking about with CMT to talk about what it’s like to have are invited to join Paige’s facebook group and
One aspect of CMT Paige has had to adapt it” said Hurley. She noted that the swim team CMT with people who don’t know what it is or check out the CMT Association’s website. But
to is the pain. “Most people who lose limbs will be an especially huge source of support. have no exposure to it.” the best way to help support Paige in shining
describe a phantom sensation, it’s kind of like “There are a lot of people on the team he’s made “I think ultimately what this is about is some more light on CMT? “Come to Obermier
that.” But it doesn’t hinder him on a daily basis. a real positive impact on.” she said. working towards building bridges and under- pool on August 30th,” said Paige. “And watch
“You habituate to it,” Paige said. “If I concen- “I really appreciate the support that I’ve got- standing between people who have this disease me swim.”
Health-concious dining puts stop to Cereal Bowl
Annual competition between athletes eating massive amounts of cereal in jeopardy if new location is not found
BY M IKE K LEINE ity and image, Williams believed it best to served as a way to escape the vicious cycle of somebody’s got to do it.”
When athletes have too much free time, not have this event take place. “We work very classes at Grinnell. Held a day before Hell Swimmer Ian Warlick ’10 said that the
weird things happen. From hosting Block hard with nutrition, balance and eating disor- Week, it has served as a pleasant study break. Dining Service’s decision to withhold from
Party auctions to streaking on Mac Field, ders,” said Williams. “Then to have an eating “The Cereal Bowl has been going on since hosting the Cereal Bowl next year is due to
Grinnell’s athletes are good at contest where you’re before I started work- the “binge-eating” aspect of
finding interesting activities to gorging your throat is ing here,” said Bauman, the competition. “Dick Wil-
pass the time. Among these ac- “The Cereal Bowl has been going not the image or the making the event over “My training consists mostly of eating liams and I came to a com-
tivities, the swim team, soccer on since before I started working presentation dining 11 years old. large meals very quickly ... Althogh I promise,” said Warlick. “We’d
team, frisbee team and cross wants to be about.” While some athletes
country team compete at the here.” Safety has long train for the event, oth-
wouldn’t recommend it to others. It’s have but next dining it would
it in the hall this
year year,
annual Cereal Bowl. Lyle Baumen been a concern due to ers look at the Cereal a tough life, but somebody’s got to need to be somewhere else.”
Despite it being a time-hon- the risk of choking; the Bowl simply as a way to do it.” Warlick mentions that next
ored tradition, the future of Ce- Dining Hall Supervisor event has evolved over take their minds off their
real Bowl is in doubt as admin- time to address these schoolwork. Tim Heder- Tim Hederman ’10 year, the Cereal Bowl will be
more inclusive, brining in
istrators, citing health concerns, concerns. “They didn’t man ’10, who is a return- more sports teams and other
have prohibited future Cereal always use cereal,” said ing veteran, prepares in student groups.
Bows from occurring in the dining hall. dining hall supervisor Lyle Bauman. “They advance for Cereal Bowl. “My training con- “[Cereal Bowl] is more of an instinct
This year was the first time that Head used to use chicken patty parmesan, and I sists mostly of eating large meals very quick- sport,” said Warlick. “You either got it or you
of Dining Services Dick Williams became talked them into switching it to cereal.” ly,” said Hederman. “Although I wouldn’t don’t.”
aware of the event. For reasons of both liabil- For many students, Cereal Bowl has recommend it to others. It’s a tough life, but
May 9, 2008
SB&
SPORTS edited by Jai Garg
gargjai@grinnell.edu 15
Hoofin’ It: students, faculty and community run for a good cause
On May 3, the Grinnell College community participated in Hoofin’ It, a 5k Run/Walk benefiting the Mid-Iowa Community Action
Group (MICA).MICA is a community organization that provides aid for low-income families, such as home weatherization assistance
and propane fuel. The race took place at 10 a.m. at Merrill Park. LAWRENCE SUMULONG
Tennis Teams reach for new heights at regionals
Men claim first-ever victory at regionals after winning the MWC championship, Women compete in regionals long after conference
BY SARAH ERVIN BY JAI GARG
For the first time in school history, the Grinnell Men’s Tennis “There was a procedural error, but they have a wonderful shot After winning the MWC championship in the fall, the
Team captured a victory at the NCAA Division III Tournament. for next year.” said Hamilton. “They’re definitely on the regional Grinnell Women’s Tennis team had to wait till the spring sea-
With strong overall play the team defeated Westminster Col- and national radar.” son to compete in NCAA Regionals. Aside from Regionals, the
lege 5-0 in the first round of the tournament. Unfortunately, the Despite the disappointment, the team was still happy with team is looking forward to doing well next season.
team’s success was accompanied by some disappointment when its success at the Division III Tournament, capturing the his- With such a long break between conference and regionals,
doubles players Dan LaFountaine ’09 and Nate Fox ’09 had their toric first-time win. Hamilton cites improved team solidarity as a the team was left at a disadvantage. “It’s really hard because most
invitation to nationals later revoked. prime factor in its record-breaking success. “This team is unusu- of the teams that were going to regionals have been playing since
The invatation was rescinded in response to a protest from ally connected,” he said. “I can’t take credit for it, but it enhances the end of January,” said Camila Alarcon Cordon ’08. “We played
Denison College. The protest was lodged because Coach Andy the playing, the traveling, the recruiting, everything.” really well considering the limited amount of practice time.”
Hamilton ’85 is a member of the committee that determines Following the victory, the Pioneers faced a challenge against Even though the team had not played in sometime, the
player’s ranks. “The NCAA released the nationals selection, the number two-ranked D-III team in the nation: the Wash- team performed strong this spring, going 5-2 heading into the
which included Dan and Nate, on Monday ington University bears. Even though the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament. “This spring season
afternoon,” said Hamilton. “On Tuesday, a Pioneers put fourth a valiant effort, they were we played extremely well,” said Susan Klumpner ’09. “With the
team which was left off the invitation list filed “This team is unusually connected, I unable to overcome the Bears. exception of our Florida games, we won all of our matches be-
a protest due to me being involved in setting can’t take credit for it, but it enhances The team ended the season with a 21-7 fore regionals.”
the rankings.” the playing, the traveling, the recruit- record, including winning their 5th consecu- Grinnell’s lineup changed substantially from the fall season,
The committee evaluated the records of tive MWC championship. “We really came as Maya Lipert ’09 went abroad and new doubles teams had
the two doubles teams and ultimately decided ing, everything.” together as a team this year,” said LaFoun- to be formed. Even with those changes Grinnell played strong
instead to invite the other them. “[The com- Andy Hamilton taine. “Even though we had some heartbreak- throughout opening round match, even though they eventually
mittee] determined that the other team held a ing losses.” lost to Coe College 5-0. “ If we presented our fall season lineup,
slight edge over Dan and Nate based on one Head Tennis Coach Next year the team will struggle with the we would have had a better chance,” said Klumpner. “We could
variable—record versus NCAA tournament losses of senior players D.J. Warden ’08, Jor- have beat Coe 6-3 or 5-4.”
participants,” said Hamilton. dan Lee ’08, and Daniel Malarkey ’08. “Our With the spring season now over, the women’s tennis team
The overturning of the invitation did not goal for next year is to challenge for the Mid- is now looking towards next year, where they will be without
come as good news to the doubles pair. “The NCAA overruled west conference championship,” said Hamilton. “I also want to Cordon, Margaret Block ’08, and Rachel Engh ’08. Despite the
the regional committee, so we’re screwed.” said Fox. “There’s not provide a challenging schedule so that our top players can achieve fact the team will be losing three seniors, there will be a new
much we can do now.” Their invitation was given to a team from the best regional ranking possible.” crop of first-years to replace them. “We have two top recruits
Denison College, and they are now listed as “off-site doubles al- With the Pioneers set to do well next year, many on the coming next year,” said Klumpner. “We hope to put them first
ternates.” team have high expectations. “I’d like to see us pulling some wins and second singles.”
Fox and LaFountaine are already looking ahead to their se- against the top tier teams,” said returning singles player Sam With the infusion of new players, the team expects to repeat
nior years and their last bid for Nationals. “We were so close, we Raife ’10. “And continue our good performance at the NCAA as conference champions, citing team cohesion. “On the whole,
tasted it,” said Fox. tournament.” we have a great team dynamic,” said Alarcon. “We all have the
same goals.”
Sarah Mirk ’08
The Back PageThe Best Thing Since the Front Page BS
Conjoined twins: why
two brains are better
&
For those of you not lucky enough to have a palace single in Norris, be consid-
erate of your roommate. I know, I know, you two get along great. You visited her/
his parents at Christmas, even though you’re Jewish. I get it, you’re not just room-
mates—you’re soul mates. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that you sometimes send
your mate hate rays in his/her genderless sleep, and that you secretly resent them
for their stench/superior social skills (depending on which half of the odd couple
you are).
Now imagine him/her tagging along when you go home. And to the grocery
store. And to the bathroom. You’ve entered the life of conjoined twins, of whom
there are many happy and healthy sets throughout the world. One such set, with
separate brains (and personalities) but a shared torso lives in my native Minnesota,
where despite the fact that each twin controls one leg and one arm they are quite
mobile—particularly since they recently got their joint driver’s license.
Another pair of conjoined twins, Brits this time, who were born conjoined at the
head 18 months ago, are thriving nicely. Like all conjoined twins, they are unique
people, and their mother explained (probably with a hilarious accent…take that, Ra-
chel Fields!) that her
girls have to- tally differ-
ent personal- ities. Their
heads just happen to
be “zippered” together.
Now, try not to get
too excited about this
next fact: there is a
little bit of brain stuck in the zipper. The twins have a “bridge” of brain tissue con-
necting them, leaving room for the possibility that they may be able to transmit
thoughts between themselves.
How’s that for an invasion of privacy?
The level of connection, and arguably coolness, decreases from conjoined, to
identical, to fraternal twins, and is downright boring between regular ol’ siblings.
While everyone knows that even identical twins have different personality traits,
new research shows that they have genetic differences too.
Identical twins have the same DNA, but environmental differences can affect
which genes are switched on or off, called epigenetic modification. A study of 80
pairs of twins aged 3 to 74 showed that 50-year-old twins had 3 times the number
of modifications as 3-year-olds, with especially large differences between twins who
had spent most of their lives apart.
Even if they are separated at birth, all twins are, obviously, together in utero.
Another study on twins showed girls with fraternal twin brothers, who are no more
genetically related to each other than regular siblings, are impacted by the sex of
their “womb-mate.”
LIVE JAZZ OUTSIDE OF THE JRC: There is nothing more Girls with fraternal twin brothers are more likely to be “mannish” in a variety
refreshing than smooth jazz, swing dancing, a summer of ways, including being aggressive, adventurous, and prone to road rage. This is
because they are taking testosterone intravenously. All fetuses start out genderless,
breeze and the glow of the Joe Rosenfield Center at night. but at about 10-12 weeks after conception the soon-to-be male fetuses experience a
hormone surge of androgens, encouraging his little sorta-overies to drop like a rock,
and become the stones of little men.
GCCF PANCAKES: Free pancakes are one of the best things It’s a good thing fetuses can’t talk. Can you imagine the whining? “Moooom-
in the world. It is too bad Grinnellians are so busy that mmm, Raymond’s hormones are on my side of the uterus again!” I personally can’t
imagine sharing my luxurious living arrangements on campus, let alone the womb.
they have to stay up until 3 a.m. to eat them. Moreover, I’d make a terrible conjoined twin. I’m really clumsy, but if nothing else,
having another Darcy to compete with when eating or talking would not mesh well
with my style of communication and consumption.
SMOKING BAN: It was bad enough when smoking was On the other hand, when everyone else was sick of us sharing weird facts, we
resticted to specific areas on campus, but with the new would have each other to whisper to late at night. “Hey Other Darcy, did you know
that when the sea lion is gestating…” oh, it could have been wonderful. Thanks a lot
ban in effect, there is nowhere for students to smoke. Mom, nine months in the womb, and all I got was a lousy placenta.
!!!@#8(&%>$$*?&!!!@!@!!#?& 8th avenue needs a makeover Don’t forget your laundry!!!
random ...Wait a second. Let me get this straight:
every member of the Grinnell Symphony Or-
8th Avenue between the JRC and Noyce is both
the busiest and ugliest part of campus. 8th Avenue
Please stop leaving laundry in the machines for
ridiculous amounts of time. When I got there to-
rants chestra worked our tails off putting together a needs to be removed and the empty space filled with day, there were already six wet piles, and when I was
performance of Britten’s War Requiem, a con- plants, sculpture and places to sit. Hopefully the en- done drying two hours later, they were still there,
cert which conflicted with Titular Head, and dowment could provide for a giant Grinnell Pioneer slowly getting colder and harder like Downy-fla-
this is how the S&B headlined the review of centerpiece fountain . . . but I would be satisfied with vored Jell-o. Maybe if it happens again I’ll just steal
Students speak the concert: “Grinnell Singers, other perform a little green. your clothes, how about that? Or maybe I’ll just
about what’s on War Requiem”? EXCUSE ME?!? Was our labor dump them all in a pile on the floor and mix them
their minds in 142 less important than the Grinnell Singers??? Are up. You could have a sweet little moment with the
words or fewer, we less of a Grinnell institution?!?! (How about guy from down the hall, disentangling your lacy
and you’re invited! the Grinnell Community Chorus??????) We all underwear from his gym socks, bonding over how
If you have a rant, worked our golly dang tails off, and all we get is inconsiderate you both are. And when you become
e-mail it to that indignant lump with “others.” I... am.... so.... two of the 98% of Grinnellians who marry each
[hortonmo]. Com- ANGRY!!!@#*(!&%^#$*&%$!*!!!@#@!# other and he turns out to be kind of a jerk, who’ll be
plaining in a public laughing then? I will, because you should’ve taken
your laundry out on time.
forum is always
more fun than do-
ing it alone.
—Ian Orr ’08 —Howard Krohn ’08 —Julia Stewart ’10
web.grinnell.edu/sandb/ S&B on the Web thesandb.blogspot.com
