Out & About in the Campus Center

Hello,

I recently paid a visit to a fairly new restaurant by the name of “Cal’s” in West Springfield. My party and I arrived and were informed the wait would be about 50 minutes or so which was fine as we didn’t have any pressing commitments that would have prevented us from enjoying (or so we thought) our dining experience.  While waiting, we couldn’t help to observe the waiting area was quite full but the design of the facility was such that servers were passing through the waiting area with open plates of food.  This was a concern for us but we opted not to seek another dining option as it was getting late.

After a 60 minute wait, we were seated and proceeded to wait approximately 15- 20 minutes before a server acknowledged our presence.  We proceeded to order soft drinks and the beverages were served 10 minutes later at which time the server took our dinner orders.  No less than 45 minutes passed when we were informed our orders would be “out soon”. 

Well, you get the picture by now and we waited until our hot meals arrived When they did arrive the food was served cold.   I happened to order the Fish n’ Chips but next time I’m hankering for seafood, I’ll proceed to head to the cape, do some fishing and head home for a nice home cooked “fish fry”. 

It’ll be much quicker, less expensive, and the quality will most definitely be better than Cal’s.

MG

Each year a group of dedicated Smith students organize, produce and direct the campus production of the Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler.  This poignant, funny and thought provoking production is a labor of love.  This year Grace Goodrich and Pam Weir has dedicated hours of their life to making this production the best the campus has seen.

A cast of 35 Smithies will give the Monologues life and passion.  Each year I stand in the back of JMG amazed by the talented students on stage and the passion and support in the audience.  It speaks volumes about who we are as a community and what we believe in.  In addition to the hard work, the Vagina Monologues play an important role in raising awareness about local, national and international issues affecting women.

Once again this year proceeds from the show will go to support the work of Safe Passage, a Northampton organization that provides crisis intervention, support, and advocacy services to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence.   Over the course of the past 4 years, ticket sales from the performance of the Vagina Monologes has allowed students to donate  over $20,000.00 to support their work.

This year’s spotlight campaign is “Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource, Power to Women and Girls of DRC.”  This campaign aims to call attention to the wide-scale atrocities committed against women and girls in Eastern DRC and demand an end to the impunity with which these crimes are committed.

Join the Smith community as we make change in the world a reality and treat yourself to s wonderful evening of student performances.

The Vagina Monologues

Saturday, February 14

8:00pm

$10.00 General Admission.

$5.00 Smith student tickets available in advance through your HP.

http://newsite.vday.org/

http://www.safepass.org/index.html

Hello all,

I’ve often wondered what it would be like to live down south or perhaps in a warmer state like California, Arizona or Texas. I tend to think about “other options” after a barrage of snow, ice, freezing rain and uncomfortably cold temperatures hit the New England region. After pondering the idea of heading to warmer weather, reality sets in I come to realize New England is where I want to be.  The fact of the matter is I love New England and all it has to offer. Residing here in Western Massachusetts you’re just a few hours away from just about every activity you can imagine. You can visit mountains, beaches, city life, historic attractions, sporting events, live theatres, museums, national seashore beaches and clear water lakes, rivers and streams.

New England has so much to offer that oftentimes residents tend to forget what they have right in their own back yard and should take the time to re-discover the fabulous area in which they live.  Personally, I have experienced skiing in Vermont at Killington and also in local area resorts. Every year I head to Cape Cod and spend a week on the beach where the bay meets the channel and the sunrises and sunsets are quite spectacular. I’ve attended live shows from plays to concerts in Boston, Hartford, Worcester and Springfield. If you’re into sports there’s never been a better time to be New England. The Boston Red Sox have finally won the World Series, the Boston Celtics are currently NBA champs, The new England Patriots have won three Super Bowls and the Boston Bruins are now a strong contender for the Stanley Cup.  Local attractions such as the Basketball and Volleyball Hall of Fame are just minutes away as well as Six Flags, Tanglewood, and of course The Eastern States Exposition.

So….the next time you’re contemplating a move from the New England area take a moment and think about it.  You may just discover New England is THE place to be.

MG

So another year has come and gone.  Good-bye 2008 – Hello 2009!  Winter is here now and the ground is covered with snow but soon the birds will be singing and the crocus on the side of JMG will be in full bloom reminding us that the end of another academic year is coming to a close.

It is a toss up for me which semester seems to pass more quickly.  The fall is filled with the hope of new beginnings – adventures to be had and new things to learn.  Orientation starts and in a blink students are leaving for fall break.  Students come back and we are thinking Thanksgiving and final exams.  I am always amazed at how much we fit into the fall – speakers, performances, dinners, trips and to think of the academic load – papers, exams, reading…I am constantly amazed at how much we accomplish in four short months.

Spring semester hits and while we walk through snow banks and live through mud season students are preparing to leave.  There are just as many events, dinners, performances and lectures and the academic load is still there, but now there is packing, job searching and summer job hunting.  The anticipated good-byes hang over the spring but isn’t this semester  also filled with hope and new beginnings – isn’t it just a matter of perspective.

So whether you are a fan of the falling leaves or the blooming flowers take a minute to stop and welcome the new year and all the things that it brings along with it.  Welcome back everyone!

It is the last day of finals.  The final exam period is in progress, and fellow students are finishing up all that’s left of Fall 2008.  Many are home, having finished up days ago.

The CC is very quiet, with most students already gone.  But now that campus is closed due to inclement weather, we’re even quieter.  There are those who stroll through, shaking off the snow that is falling like a blanket outside.  Staffers came in to ask if we’d be closing up like all of the academic buildings, but I’m glad that we’re still open.

I will not begrudge my walk home in the snow after closing at 6 because I’ll be happy to know that the Campus Center remained open as a place for students to come.  There are a number of students out and about on campus and it’s nice to know we’re here if they need a place to hide before venturing back out into the snow.

Congratulations to all on a successful Fall.  It went by fast, and it’s almost bittersweet to watch it go, but I’m sure you are all just as excited and relieved as I am to finally be on break.  Enjoy – Happy Holidays!

EAM

Not too much happening in the Campus Center these days since classes have concluded and Smithies are busy studying for finals if they haven’t already taken them.  The Campus Center creates open lounge spaces (including meeting rooms) for students to study during this time.  The “Stress Free Zone” program headed by Patrick Connelly, Assistant Director of Student Activities provide a space for students to unwind with games, puzzles, playdoh, legos, and other fun activities that serve as a stress buster while studying for finals.  Late night in the CC offers a “courtesy cart” with a selection of snacks, fruit, pencils and erasers and various other items that students may need to get them through their study period. The hours of the center change with reading/exam period and we remain open until 3:00am for a six day period that will conclude this Wednesday night, 12/17.  On Monday, 12/15 the Cafe Coffee House will take place in the Campus Center’s Carroll room featuring  Sarah Donner  (indie music performer) so stop by and relieve some stress with your favorite beverage and a bite to eat to the sound of Sarah Donner.

Have a great break and a happy and safe holiday season.

As we approach the end of the Fall semester at Smith many new developments have surfaced regarding the state of the economy during the past several months. The current financial state has resulted in re-thinking how our government approaches economic processes and deficiencies on both a national level and also on a global level.  The outcome of current and future decisions will determine if we are on the path to recovering from the turbulent times we have been experiencing.  The one certainty is that everyone everwhere is not unaffected by the current economic challenges.  Smith College senior staff have been proactively updating all faculty and staff on the current financial state of the college and has kept everyone well informed.  From faculty and department heads to directors, managers, supervisors, support and service staff, we have all been challenged to adopt a more realistic approach to how our financial goals are being met (or not).  Whenever faced with what seems to be a “gloom and doom” challenge I believe there are always positives that can be acquired from any situation.  The reality of this challenge is that we’re all in this together. I’ve already noticed a sense of willingness to contribute to addressing areas where unnecessary spending without major consequences can be implemented. There is also a willingness to make personal sacrifices for the common good of the college which speaks volumes on the commitment and dedication of Smith’s staff.  At the very least we can learn from our experiences and move forward with confidence the next time Smith encounters similar challenges of this nature. Smith can and will rise to the occasion with these challenging times as this is what Smith does.

While Smith works to overcome these challenges let’s not forget that there are many less fortunate individuals in our own local communities who may have lost jobs, homes, medical care or have encountered other significant life changing experiences that we can and should be mindful of in both the present and future months to come. 

MG

OK, so November has been here for 13 days now but just look around the Campus Center and you know that November is REALLY here.  Gray, sunless days; students curled up on couches reading; the student vending tables full of folks trying to advertise the litany of events that happen now trough Thanksgiving.  Its November and there is no going back.

I always know when November hits when all the meetings on my calendar about event planning and new organizations slow and are replaced with conversations about individual students and their academic workload.  Smith seems to catch up with students in November – we know this and we worry about you!  The reading that was put off in September now needs to get done.  The paper you were so excited to research and write is now looming like a dark cloud.  The exam that seems so far off is now right around the corner and you realize that you haven’t studied for it at all.

November is here and while there is no going back there are some things you can do to turn it around.  Since Emily Nagoski our Welness Education Director came to campus the conversations here at Smith have turned to Wellness and the things we can all do to take care of ourselves and one another.  My favorite three – sleep – eat – breathe.  Sleep because you are good to no one if you are tired and cranky.  The book cannot be read nor the paper written if your head is cloudy and tired.  Eat becuase the things that Smith expects of you require energy and focus.  Eating the right foods can give your body what it needs to get the job done.  Breathe because you can only do one thing at a time and when you focus on your breathing you focus on you and all the amazing things you are capable of.

So as November plays its head games with you and tries to fill you with self doubt and worry remember to sleep, eat and breathe – we’ll make it through together!

TB

Let’s talk about teamwork, people.  At 9:30, I started work tonight, made sure the building was secure, and gathered the rest of the student staff to stand outside the CC to watch the Family Weekend fireworks display.  We shivered and laughed and smiled, sharing the rebirth of an old tradition.

We promptly re-entered the building, realizing that we had a HUGE break-down and set-up to take care of so that tomorrow’s staff would be prepared for the day.  In less than an hour, my team of staffers broke down a very full Carroll Room and re-set it with all the staging in the building, as well as 16 tables with chairs, etc.  BIG set-up.  BIG DEAL to get it all done in less than an hour.

At first we were skeptical, worrying about how long it would take us.  But we came together, blasted through a seemingly enormous task, and laughed while we did it.

My parents are coming to campus tomorrow, but I spent tonight doing something great with another family that I have.  In the two years I’ve been here, the Campus Center has become another home.  We all find several different homes on campus and the families we associate with them.  Our academic department, our houses, our extracurricular organizations.  I can say with most sincerity that the CC has very quickly become one of my favorite places to be, and the other students have become a close family.  After all, family is not just determined by blood relation.

All this in mind, I hope everyone enjoys their family weekend.  Time with friends and family, and time to enjoy the fall at Smith.

Much love, EAM

Welcome Parents and Extended Family,

We hope you enjoy not only Fall in New England, but your chance to hang with your student and attend the various events offered.  Don’t forget to check our Go! website  http://www.smith.edu/go/  for all the goings on!  Or just enjoy a walk around the pond and through the woods…the ducks will appreciate the company!  Whatever you decide to do, make the most of your time together with family and be safe, happy, and well.

Yours in the Campus Center,

Jan