News for the Smith College Community //February 26, 1998

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Ridder Conference to Deal With Women and Welfare Reform This year's Kathleen Ridder Conference, to be held Friday-Sunday, March 6-8, will focus on recent federal and state welfare reforms and their impact on women and children. It is one of a series of annual conferences sponsored by the Smith Project on Women and Social Change.   Titled "Resisting, Redefining and Revisioning Welfare: Women and Welfare in the 1990s," the program will bring academicians, social advocates, welfare experts and welfare recipients from around the country to Smith to discuss and analyze the ramifications of the 1996 Personal Responsibility Act and subsequent state welfare reforms for women and children who have been dependent on state and federal subsidies. The reforms put a time limit on needy families for receiving federal cash benefits and allow individual states to allocate federal welfare funds using their own systems.   Through public panel discussions, lectures, performances and workshops, the conference will aim to raise people's awareness of the current status of welfare and inform them about inequities in the distribution of income nationwide, says Martha Ackelsberg, professor of government and women's studies, who helped organize the conference. "We want to educate people about the state of wealth and income inequality across the country," she said. "I think we need to get back to a place where, as a society, we can re-cognize a responsibility to help those who don't have sufficient income."   For each of the past 10 years, the Project on Women and Social Change has sponsored a conference in honor of Kathleen Culman Ridder '45, with the intent of exploring contemporary gender-related issues. Past conferences have addressed such topics as women in politics, the future of feminism, women and the struggle for a safe environment, and the future of women in sports. Since graduating from Smith, Ridder has been an avid supporter of the project and of Smith College. She lives in Philadelphia and will attend this year's conference.   The conference begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Wright Hall auditorium with a keynote address, "Poverty and Welfare in Comparative Perspective," by Sheila Kamerman of the Columbia University School of Social Work. Her research and writing over the past 25 years have centered on social policies regarding young children and single and/or working mothers.   On Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Randy Albelda '77, a professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts in Boston who has conducted extensive research on women's economic status and income inequality, will present "Women's Work, Women's Poverty." Her talk will be followed by a performance by the Boston theater group Class Acts.   Throughout the day on Saturday, workshops and panel discussions will be available to conference participants, including a workshop titled "The Growing Divide: Inequality and the Roots of Economic Insecurity," led by Felice Yeskel, codirector of United for a Fair Economy. A 2 p.m. panel plenary, "Reform and Resistance," will include Mimi Abramovitz of Hunter School of Social Work, Kathryn Edin of the Department of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and Lucy Perez of Holyoke Community College.   Workshops will continue on Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. with panels on coalition-building and grassroots activism. The conference will close with an 11:30 a.m. panel discussion, "Working Together for Real Change," hosted by Ann Withorn and Diane Dujon, both of the College of Public and Community Service at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. It will be followed by open discussions of what should now be done in support of the financially disadvantaged.   The Ridder Conference is also sponsored by the Smith College School for Social Work, Committee on Community Policy, and Campus Climate Working Group.   Visionary Cabinet Frustrates Seekers of Easy Answers Call it a parade of paradoxes and implausibilities. Or a collection of confusing curiosities. Whatever you call it, the Visionary Cabinet assembled in McConnell Hall's west stairwell by students in last fall's History of Science 112 class is a thought-provoking, humorous, nonsensical walk through a trove of strange juxtapositions that stupefy the most logical mind.   As one enters the cabinet from the basement hallway, the first display demonstrates Zeno's Paradox. It has participants attempt to walk from one point of the hallway to another -- an impossible task, says Zeno, whose theory basically states that one can never get anywhere because in order to do so, one would have to endlessly traverse half the distance to her destination, then half of that distance, and so on, an infinite number of times. "Theoretically, you will never reach the wall," says the sign next to the display.   Next, one comes to a display outlining the history of "Cutting People Up From the Past to the Future," which features an exhibit of a woman in a box being sawed in half; an illustrated chronology of cryonics, dissection and autopsy; a display of photographs of fractals that occur in nature and art; and a strange little cabinet of psychedelic shapes and colors -- all of which leave the visitor wondering, What's real here and what's made up for our amusement?   History of science instructor Marjorie Senechal, Louise Wolff Kahn Professor of Mathematics, says that's the Visionary Cabinet's intent: "To make people think, to make people stretch their minds, to influence how they see things and their understanding of science."   In the staircase foyer, the display continues with a witch's broomstick, accounts of sun- and light-worshipping rituals, images of monsters old and futuristic, even images that cannot be seen. Senechal says the cabinet was intended to be a nonsensical hodgepodge of images and objects displayed with no real meaning, so that visitors would come away uncertain or confused about what they've seen. "We realize that Smith students expect, indeed demand, rationality and sense, and that our seemingly haphazard exhibit will leave you desperate for meaning," admits the Visionary Cabinet's supplementary pamphlet. But, says Senechal, "There is no hidden meaning" in the display. "We didn't want any closure."   Inspired by the cabinets of curiosity of Renaissance Europe such as Francesco Calceolari's museum of oddities in 17th-century Verona, the Visionary Cabinet was designed completely by Senechal's students over the course of the semester. It is based on ideas derived from class material or from the students' own imaginations, Senechal says: "I didn't direct what they did at all. The only stipulation was that their ideas had to have something to do with the history of science."   The Visionary Cabinet will be on display through the spring term.   Web Site Features Alcohol-Free Fun "Chili Peppers: Hot Without the Sauce," a new Web site designed to help students plan weekend activities, was unveiled earlier this week. Sponsored by the Five College Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee, it lists alcohol- and drug-free events scheduled each week in the Pioneer Valley. Smith's coordinator of health education, Connie Peterson, says any "fun, nonalcoholic event that would appeal to Five College students" can be listed on the Web page. If you have an event to contribute, call or e-mail Katy Bradley at extension 5545 or kbradley@sophia.smith.edu. The site, designed and updated by Haley Miller '00, is at www.smith.edu/chilipeppers/.   Ergo Argot Use Your Muscles As many pianists know, the key to surviving a long concert is to use the big muscle groups of the shoulders and upper back to enable the hands to drop onto the keyboard from the weight of the forearm -- the hands maintain a curved readiness, but the force comes from the larger muscles. When typing at a keyboard, apply similar principles. Adding some rotation to your keyboard moves is a good idea, too: rocking the hand back and forth uses other large forearm muscles. (To learn more, write to ergonomics@ais.smith.edu.) Back to top of page Track Stars Shine Individually and Collectively "This is a pretty exciting time for our teams," says Carla Coffey, coach of cross-country and track and field, describing the recent success of both individual team members and the teams themselves. The 4x400m relay team -- Amy Saari '98, Mary Saari '98, Teresa Winstead '00J and Kate Farneth '98 -- has qualified provisionally for NCAA Division III Nationals. Also provisionally qualified for Nationals are Amy Saari in the 800m and Pam Maryanski '01 in the 5000m; Maryanski is the first Smith student to qualify in this event since 1988. Smith will host the New England Women's Open Track and Field Championships this coming weekend for Division I, II and III teams. "This gives us the chance to run against some of the high-power schools," says Coffey, who seems to relish the prospect. A Plea for Asymmetry At the annual joint meetings of the American mathematical professional societies in January, Marjorie Senechal, Louise Wolff Kahn Professor of Mathematics, challenged mathematicians to explore the vast realm of what once was called "disorder." She began her plenary address, "The Symmetry Mystique," by disputing the notion, popular among mathematicians, that the repeating patterns painted on the ceilings of ancient Egyptian burial chambers were based on sophisticated mathematical concepts. She argued instead that these designs are more likely representations of household textiles and mats. As reported in the January 23 issue of Science, "Some scholars have claimed that a repeating pattern of spirals framed by zigzags found on the ceilings of many tombs shows that early Egyptians had a grasp of one modern concept of symmetry: A pattern that repeats itself in an infinite plane." According to Science, those scholars contend that this eye for symmetry "enabled [the Egyptians] to plan an intricate design for a whole ceiling before building it, rather than doing the job piecemeal." Senechal suggests, however, that "our obsession with [looking for various types of] symmetry may blind us to asymmetry." In fact, she says, the piecemeal approach to patterns is an important tool for the mathematical study of disorder. Her presentation was a new interpretation of earlier findings by anthropologist Elizabeth Barber of Occidental College, who last spring at Smith discussed her mat interpretation in a lecture series on prehistoric textiles. Second-Year Likes It '60s American studies major Sarah Trabucchi '00 is studying American culture up close in her role as codirector for a full-length production of Shakespeare's As You Like It at Northampton High School. A film and theater devotee, Trabucchi learned of the opportunity to codirect while acting in the Smith production of The Lesson that ran last fall. After talking to her soon-to-be codirector, Sarah was offered the job over the phone. "It sounded like a challenge," Trabucchi recounts, "and it was." Working in an innovative style, Trabucchi has moved the comedy's setting from ancient Greece to the America of the 1960s. "I was thinking about the play and the move from city to country and how the country changes them and makes them more open to life," she says. She sees it as a "stereotype of the '60s, going metaphorically from New York City to Woodstock." But for Trabucchi, the most rewarding aspect of directing has not been taking artistic liberties with Shakespeare, but having the opportunity to work with the young actors at the high school. "This is the time when they're actually finding their love," she says. Luckily for these students, she has already decided to share her love of the theater with them. -- Amanda Darling '00 Latest Conway Kudos A new book by Jill Ker Conway, former president of Smith, has received a favorable notice in Publisher's Weekly. In When Memory Speaks: Reflections on Autobiography, to be published next month by Knopf, Conway looks at how memoirs reflect the eras in which they were written, "thereby giving a historical perspective on our own." No stranger to memoirs, Conway has written two, Road from Coorain and True North. Of her new book, Publisher's Weekly says, "Conway's small gem is a landmark in eliciting fresh contemplation of the inchoate complexity of memory's manifold voices." Back to top of page Calendar Key Sources of further information, if any, are shown in parentheses at the end of event descriptions. An asterisk following a listing indicates that the event is open to the public. Admission charges, if any, are listed when known. Late Listing The following listing arrived too late to be included in last week's AcaMedia. Sunday, March 1 Lecture: "The Local and the Global: Indigenous Communities of the Americas at the Door of the Third Millenium." Stefano Varese, professor of Native American studies, University of California at Davis, and director of the Indigenous Research Center of the Americas. 8 p.m., Neilson Browsing Room* Monday 3/2 Spring-break housing request forms are available as of today in College Hall 24; completed forms are due March 9.   Luncheon meeting for students interested in graduate theological education. Donna Marsh '89 will discuss opportunities offered by Princeton Theological Seminary. Noon, Bodman Lounge, Chapel   Hebrew language lunch table. 12:15 p.m., Chapel B5   Language lunch tables. French Italian 12:15 p.m., Duckett House Special Dining Room   Information table: National Endangered Species Awareness Week. Complete the quiz you received in your mailbox, then stop by to enter for prizes. Sponsored by MassPIRG. 12:30-4:30 p.m., student mail center foyer   Meeting: Amnesty International. 4 p.m., Seelye 102*   Meeting: Baha'i Club. Refreshments provided. (Kari, ext. 6389) 4 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel   Women's studies tea: "Jane Rule's Resisting Subjects: The Politics of Lesbian Fiction," a faculty work in progress, with Marilyn Schuster, professor of French and women's studies. 4:15 p.m., Seelye 207   Lecture: "Sex and Death in the Spinal Cord." Nancy Forger, department of psychology, UMass/Amherst. 4:15 p.m. McConnell B05*   Lecture: "A Non-Euclidean Big Bang." Professor Harold Start, University of California, San Diego. 7-8 p.m., McConnell B05   Meeting: Om, the Hindu students organization. 7-8 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel   Workshop: "Smith EMS." One of a series of weekly student-led workshops. (Heather Jones, ext. 2248) 7-9 p.m., Wright common room   Lecture: Cecilia Rodriguez, named U.S. representative of the Zapatista Liberation Army after the 1994 uprising in Chiapas, will speak on the struggles across the border. 7:30 p.m., Wright auditorium*   Concert: Informal recital by student performers. (Ext. 3150) 7:30-9:30 p.m., Sage Recital Hall*   Meeting: Al-Iman, the Smith Muslim student's organization. 8 p.m., Capen house Tuesday 3/3 CDO extended hours. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.   S.O.S. Blood Drive. To learn more, volunteer, or make appointments, call extensions 2756 or 6721 or write to cylee@sophia.smith.edu. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Davis ballroom   Sigma Xi Luncheon Talk: "Expedition to the Dominican Republic in Search of Young Fossil Corrals." Allen Curran, professor of geology. Open to faculty, emeriti and staff. Noon, College Club lower level   Episcopal-Lutheran Fellowship meets in the parish house parlor. Noon, St. John's Church, Elm Street   Brown-bag lunch: "Food and Body Image." With Dr. SuEllen Hamkins from Health Services. Noon, Wright common room   Language lunch tables. Deutscher Tisch Korean 12:15 p.m., Duckett House Special Dining Room   Information table: National Endangered Species Awareness Week. See Monday, 12:30 p.m. 12:30-4:30 p.m., student mail center foyer   President's open hour for students. 4-5 p.m., College Hall 20   Lecture: "Teresa of Avila: The Art of the Deal." Alison P. Weber, associate professor of Spanish, University of Virginia. 4:30 p.m., Neilson Browsing Room*   Senior Survival Panel: No need to stress-the answers are a raised hand away. Topics from housing to financial planning to work benefits. Handouts available. (Jane, ext. 7270) 4:30-6 p.m., Alumane House Conference Hall   Résumé critique by a peer adviser. 4:30-6 p.m. and 8-9 p.m., CDO   CDO workshop: "Job-Search Strategies for International Senior Students." 5 p.m., CDO   Lecture: "Democracy Promotion: The View from USAID." René Lemarchand, visiting professor, Department of Government. 5 p.m., Seelye 201*   1998 Fall Orientation Team Open Meeting. We're planning the next student orientation. Join us if you have energy, time and ideas to volunteer in planning (this spring) and implementation (in the fall). (Merry Farnum, ext. 4904) 5-6 p.m., Dewey common room   Five-Con Staff Meeting: Planning for April's Five College Science Fiction Convention. 7 p.m., Bass 210   SGA senate meeting, including a student open forum at 7:15 p.m. 7 p.m., Seelye 201   CDO workshop: "Job Search for Seniors." 7 p.m., CDO   Performance: "Milk of Amnesia." Carmelita Tropicana illuminates the experiences of Latinos in the U.S. and dissects gender, sexual and cultural stereotypes. 7:30 p.m., Sage Recital Hall*   CDO workshop: "How to Prepare for a Successful Interview." 8 p.m., CDO   CDO orientation for first-years. 8 p.m., CDO   Film: GI Jane. 9 p.m., Wright auditorium   Film: Join Hillel for some New York Jewish kitsch. Pickles, bagels, and Crossing Delancy.RSVP by March 1 to Laurie, extension 4079. 9-11 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel Wednesday 3/4 S.O.S. Blood Drive. See Tuesday, 11 a.m. 11 a.m.­5 p.m., Davis ballroom   Hillel at Noon. Discussion and veggie luncheon. Noon, Dawes House Kosher Kitchen   Meeting: Coalition for Children meeting over lunch. Noon, Dewey common room*   Brown-bag lunch: "Competition Among Women." With Ay Ling Han and Phyllis Larimore from Health Services. Noon, Wright common room   Religious activity: Discussion and reflection for Catholic Adas. Noon­1 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel   Language lunch tables. Chinese Spanish and Portuguese 12:15 p.m., Duckett House Special Dining Room   Office of Institutional Diversity open hour, with Carmen Santana-Melgoza. 4-5 p.m., College Hall 31   Film: Story of Women (1988, France). Director: Claude Chabrol. Isabelle Huppert plays Marie Latour, a woman whose life is transformed when she performs an abortion for a distraught neighbor. 4:10 p.m., Seelye 106   Educational Technology Job Fair for students interested in fall student employment or summer internships in the computer resource centers, the Computer Information Center, the Web Graphic and Design Center, the Digital Design Studio, electronic classrooms or statistical support. 4:30 p.m. Seelye 201   Lecture: "An African-American Woman's Coming of Age in World War I America." Adele Logan Alexander, professor of African-American, American and women's history at George Washington University. (Elizabeth Alexander, ext. 3305) 4:30 p.m., Seelye 207   Workshop: "Make the Best of Your Stress" Drop-In Group. A let-your-hair-down, kick-your-heels-up look at stress with Lisa Werkmeister Rozas from Health Services. 4:30­5:45 p.m., Wright common room Candidate's debate: Candidates for the SGA spring elections will speak to the Smith community about themselves, their goals and their ideas for the coming school year. 7-9 p.m., Neilson Browsing Room   Religious activity: Buddhist service and discussion. 7:15 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel   MassPIRG weekly meeting. 7:30 p.m., Seelye 107   Performance: Tijeras.Olga Vaquer de Samalot portrays women who have inspired her to face her demons and lead a fuller life. 7:30 p.m., Sage Recital Hall*   Theater: (Under)Belly by Aaron Petrovitch MFA '97, directed by John Hellweg. Tickets: $1 on March 4; all other nights $5, general; $3, students/seniors. (Ext. 2787) 8 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall CPA* Thursday 3/5 Liberal Arts Luncheon: "Ted & Sylvia (Bill & Monica): Love, War & Scandal in the Media Reception of Ted Hughes' Birthday Letters." Susan Van Dyne, professor of women's studies and of English language and literature. Open to faculty, emeriti and staff. Noon, College Club lower level   CDO workshop: "How to Prepare for a Successful Interview." Noon, CDO   Language lunch tables. Japanese Russian 12:15 p.m., Duckett House Special Dining Room   Reading: Elizabeth Alexander, Grace Hazard Conkling Writer in Residence, will read from her new collection of poems, Body of Life. 4-6 p.m., Neilson Browsing Room*   CDO workshop: "How to Write an Effective Résumé." 4:30 p.m., CDO   Chemistry lecture: "Electroluminescence in Polymers." Frank Karasz, UMass polymer science. 4:30 p.m., McConnell B15*   Lecture: "Modern Misconceptions of the Tristan Legend: The Legacy of Wagner, Bedier and de Rougemont." Joan Tasker Grimbert, associate professor of French, the Catholic University of America. 4:30 p.m., Alumnae House living room*   Lecture: "Creating a Supra-National Sense of Citizenship in Europe." Jo Shaw, Fulbright visiting professor, Harvard Law School. 4:30 p.m., Dewey common room*   Information Meeting: "What Does an Engineer Do, Anyway-and Why Would I Want to Be One?" UMass engineering faculty members will describe their fields and the summer engineering internships at UMass. 5-6 p.m., Burton 101   Roundtable discussion on Affirmative Action, with economics professor Randy Bartlett. Sign-ups begin Monday, March 2, at the student mail center. (Anna Soellner, ext. 5606) 5:45 p.m., Duckett House Special Dining Room   Religious activity: Beit Midrash. Study Jewish texts and ideas with Rabbi Edward Feld. Pizza served. 6 p.m., Appleton 106, Amherst College CDO workshop: "Using the Internet to Search for Jobs and Internships." 6:30 p.m., Seelye B03 Lecture: In honor of International Women's Day (March 8), Marcia Ann Gillespie, editor-in-chief of Ms., will speak on racism and sexism. 7 p.m., Neilson Browsing Room*   Art department forum: Majors and minors from each plan are strongly encouraged to attend this forum to ask questions and share ideas, concerns, and plans for the department. (sbodinso@sophia; skaulcon@mail; nleblanc@sophia) 7 p.m. Hillyer   CDO information meeting: Peace Corps. 7:30 p.m., Seelye 206   Film: Anime (Japanese animation) with subtitles. (Katherine, ext. 7352) 7:30 p.m., Bass 210   Workshop: "Women's Issues in the Latino Community." Workshop on sexual harassment, relationship violence, rape awareness and self-esteem, led by Patricia Mota Guedes and Javiera Benavente from the Everywoman's Center at UMass. 7:30 p.m., Wright common room*   Theater: (Under)Belly. See Wednesday, 8 p.m. 8 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall CPA*   Film: GI Jane. 9 p.m., Wright auditorium Friday 3/6 CDO deadline: On-campus internship program applications. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., CDO   Résumé critique by a peer adviser. 1­2 p.m., CDO   Career panel: Six distinguished alumnae discuss their respective career paths. Refreshments served. (Aimee Kandelman, ext. 6145; Beth Meagher , ext. 6901) 4-6 p.m., Alumnae House conference room   Meeting: Science Fiction and Fantasy Club. 4:30 p.m., Seelye 208   Religious service: Shabbat Eve Service. 5:30 p.m., Dewey common room   Spring Bulb Show lecture and opening. Anne Spiegel, rock gardener and active member of the Berkshire chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society, on creating and maintaining a xeric ledge garden. Opening reception in Lyman Plant House, 7-8 p.m. 6 p.m., Seelye 106*   Religious activity: Friday-night Bible study, sponsored by the Smith Koinonia Fellowship. (Ext. 6369) 6 p.m., Seelye 106*   Religious activity: Shabbat Eve Dinner. 7 p.m., Dawes Kosher Kitchen   Religious activity: Smith Christian Fellowship, a chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA. 7 p.m., Dewey common room   Workshop: "Legacies and Practices of Latin American Dances." Yvonne Daniel, Five College professor of dance anthropology. Rhumba, salsa, merengue, bachata, and other popular dances, with drummers on hand. 7 p.m., Scott gym*   Something On a Friday: "Filipino Festival," organized by Bayanihan, the Filipino club. Free and open to the entire Smith community. 7-9 p.m., Unity House   Annual Kathleen Ridder Conference. (See story, page 1; for a complete schedule, call extension 3591.) 7:30-11 p.m., Wright auditorium*   Sage Hall Concert Series: Performances of the Schubert song cycle Die Winterreise by baritone Sanford Sylvan and pianist David Breitman. Tickets are $18 general, $14 for seniors over 65 and Smith faculty and staff, and $6 for Smith students with ID, and are available at the Northampton Box Office (150 Main St.; 586-8686), 1-800-THE TICK or at the door. (Ext. 3164) 8 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall*   Film: Dark Passage (1947). Directed by Delmer Daves. With Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. 8 p.m., Stoddard auditorium*   Theatre: (Under)Belly. See Wednesday, 8 p.m. 8 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall CPA*   Benefit concert: "She Rocks." A diverse night of music to benefit the families of Children's Aid and Family Service. Tickets at the door for $6 general admission or $5 for students; bring diapers and get $1 off your ticket price. (584-5690) 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Davis ballroom*   Party/fiesta: "La Bomba." Come party to salsa, norteñas, merengue, bachata, cumbias and Latin house. DJs Concepto Latino from UMass. $2 before 11 p.m., $3 after. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m., Mwangi Center Saturday 3/7 Riding: Amherst show. 8:30 a.m., Equestrian Center*   Annual Kathleen Ridder Conference. (See story, page 1; for a complete schedule, call extension 3591.) 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Wright auditorium*   Storytelling Program for Children: "A Day at the Beach," for children ages 4­7 accompanied by an adult. Participants will hear stories, view artworks and create their own art. Enrollment is limited and preregistration is required. (Ext. 2760) 10:30 a.m., Museum of Art*   Spring Bulb Show. Opening day. See "Ongoing Events." 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Lyman Plant House*   Panel discussion: Two California strawberry workers discuss working conditions in the field and their efforts to unionize. 1-2:30 p.m., Seelye 201*   Latina Food Night: Come enjoy arroz con gandules, enchiladas, pollo asado, aguas frescas and much more. Admission: $4. 5-7 p.m., Scott gym*   Special event: Caribbean for Kids. For information/reservations, call extension 2341 or e-mail us at scclub@jessie.smith.edu. 5:30-8 p.m., Smith College Club   Concert: The Smokin' Fish Collegiate A Cappella Competition, hosted by the Smithereens. For tickets, call extension 5620. 8 p.m., John M. Greene Hall*   2001 Talent Show: Come see the class of 2001 show off its stuff at the "Show Me Yours" talent show. 8-9:30 p.m., Davis ballroom   Theatre: (Under)Belly. See Wednesday, 8 p.m. 8 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall CPA*   Film: Exterminating Angel (Mexico, 1962). Directed by Luis Bunuel. 8 p.m., Stoddard auditorium* Sunday 3/8 Religious activity: Quaker (Friends) discussion group. Meeting for worship begins at 11 a.m. 9:30 a.m., Bass 210*   Annual Kathleen Ridder Conference. (See story, page 1; for a complete schedule, call extension 3591.) 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Wright auditorium*   Religious service: Service of worship with Amy Gardner '98, senior deacon, preaching. 10:30 a.m., Chapel   CDO open hours. 1-4 p.m., CDO   CDO workshop: "How to Find a Summer Internship." 1:30 p.m., CDO   Film: Dark Passage (1947). See Friday, 8 p.m. 2 p.m., Stoddard auditorium*   CDO workshop: "How to Write an Effective Résumé." 2:30 p.m., CDO   CDO orientation and tour for juniors only. 3 p.m., CDO   Authors' reading: Robin Barber and Beth Dirks. 4 p.m., Neilson Browsing Room*   Film: Exterminating Angel (Mexico, 1962). See Saturday, 8 p.m. 4 p.m., Stoddard auditorium*   General meeting: Association of Smith Pagans. 4-5:15 p.m., Gillet House*   Religious service: Roman Catholic Mass with Fr. Joao Vila-Cha, S.J., celebrant, and Elizabeth Carr, Catholic chaplain. A supper will follow. 4:30 p.m., Chapel   Meeting: Feminists of Smith Unite. 7 p.m., Women's Resource Center (Davis third floor)   Workshop: "Basic Knitting Skills." All skill levels welcome. Sponsored by the Knitwits. (Ext. 7735) 7:30-9:30 p.m., Wright common room   Concert: "A Visit with Tchaikovsky." Smith College Chamber Orchestra, Philipp Naegele, director; Karen Smith Emerson, soprano; Clifton Noble, piano; Erin Keefe, violin; Allison Ihm, violin. (Ext. 3150) 8-9:30 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall* Ongoing Events Spring Bulb Show. Opens March 7. More than 2,500 flowering bulbs and spring flowers, among them tulips, hyacinths, azaleas, primroses, crocus, freesias and forsythia-many of which will be planted around campus after the show. Open daily, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; free of charge and open to the public. Through March 22.   Art exhibition: "A Dozen Roses," by staff member Patricia Czepiel Hayes '84. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., through March 27. Alumnae House Gallery   Art exhibition: "Berenice Abbott's New York." Abbott photographs, many made between 1935 and 1939 for the WPA Federal Arts Project. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Thursday, 1-5 p.m. Through March 28. (Ext. 2770) Museum of Art Print Room   Curio exhibition: "The Visionary Cabinet," curiosities created by Marjorie Senechal's History of Science 112a class. Through May 1. McConnell Hall west stairwell* Back to top of page Getting Your Word Out in AcaMedia AcaMedia is the official vehicle for making announcements within the Smith College community. We urge all of our readers to let us know of any Smith-related stories in need of telling, any members of the Smith community in need of recognition, or any college events or notices in need of publicity.   Where to Send Copy -- Submit copy or ideas for news stories to Ann Shanahan at Garrison Hall (ashanahan@colrel.smith.edu). -- Submit calendar items to Mary Stanton at Garrison Hall (mstanton@colrel.smith.edu, or fax to extension 2174). -- Submit notices to John Sippel at Garrison Hall (jsippel@colrel.smith.edu, or fax to extension 2178). Text for notices should not exceed 125 words. If its intended audience is not obvious, please indicate whether your notice applies to the entire Smith community, to faculty and staff only, or to students only.   Deadlines Copy is due by 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 25, for issue 21 (which will include March 23-29 calendar listings) and by 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, for issue 23 (March 30-April 5 calendar listings).   Sources of further information, if any, are indicated last in parentheses.   Blue-Pencil Alert All calendar items and notices submitted to AcaMedia are subject to editing for clarity, brevity and style. Almost none see print exactly as originally written. Prize Competitions for 1998 Smith-Wide Digital Camera Access Need to take quick, convenient, low-resolution photographs and put them on a computer? Borrow the Web and Graphics Center's digital camera, a brand new Apple QuickTake 200 available to all members of the Smith Community. It can be signed out for up to 48 hours. To learn more, stop by the WAG Center (Jahnige 4C, in the basement of Wright Hall) when a consultant is on duty (see the schedule on the "When" link at www.wag.smith.edu).   Reading Suggestions Is there a book you'd like to recommend to the committee selecting books for this year's summer reading program for new students? For the past several years, incoming first-years have been given the titles of one or more books to read over the summer. The books' authors have then given special presentations on campus and students have participated in small reading-discussion groups. The book for 1996 was Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye; those for 1997 were Julia Alvarez's How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents and Bonnie Tucker's The Feel of Silence. The program encourages students to engage in personal journeys of discovery, challenges them intellectually and socially, and promotes an appreciation of the richness of diversity. Smith community members are encouraged to suggest within the next few weeks books for this year's program. Please send a brief description of each book and its significance for Smith students to Merry Farnum (College Hall 24; ext. 4904; mfarnum @ais.smith.edu) or Maureen Mahoney (College Hall 21; ext. 4900; mmahoney@ais.smith.edu). Faculty & Staff Staff Performance Evaluations The Office of Human Resources recently distributed materials to each department containing formats and guidelines for 1998 performance evaluations, which are to be completed by March 31. Performance evaluations provide an opportunity to enhance the development and evaluation of all staff. It is important to take the time to plan and prepare for them and to promote two-way communication. To learn more or to meet with an HR representative for a confidential consultation on this or any related subject, call human resources at extension 2260.   Internship Program Applications Applications for the 1998-99 On-Campus Internship Program have been sent to all academic department chairs and administrative department heads, as well as last year's internship sponsors. The submission deadline is 4:30 p.m. on March 6. If you have not received an application and want one, call extension 2570. OCIP provides Smith undergraduates with meaningful, productive positions in higher education. Funding for the program is limited, but every attempt will be made to disperse it across as many departments as possible. (Rich Loebl, ext. 2570) Students Spring-Break Housing Smith College houses will close for spring break on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. and reopen Sunday, March 22, at 1 p.m. Albright, Chase, Cutter, Dawes, Duckett, Friedman, Gillett, Lamont, Lawrence, Morris, Northrop, Talbot, Tenney, Ziskind and 150 Elm will remain open for students who need housing during the break. All such students must fill out a request form, available as of March 2 in the Office of Student Affairs, College Hall 24. Completed requests are due back at the student affairs office by Monday, March 9, at 4 p.m. A $20 fee is due when a student picks up her vacation front-door key; it covers a $10 nonrefundable fee for housing and a $10 key-deposit fee. The latter will be refunded for keys returned by Friday, March 27, at 4:30 p.m. to the Business Office, College Hall 05. (Housing coordinator, ext. 4940)   Cycles Survey Reminder to all students asked to participate in the Cycles Survey: please complete your survey. It's one of your best chances to make your opinions heard. Instructions were included on your survey form, but if you have any questions or need another form, please call the Office of Institutional Research at extension 3021.   Summer Tuition Funding The Smith Students' Aid Society has some funds available to help defray the cost of tuition only for summer study for students who can demonstrate academic necessity for summer study. Applications are available in the class deans' and Ada Comstock offices. Application deadline: April 8 at 4:30 p.m. (Kathy Langworthy, ext. 2577) Women and Computers Contest Whatever your attitude toward computer technology-hesitant, interested, intrigued or obsessed-you can turn your views on the role of computers in women's lives into cold, hard cash, or at least into a $350 gift certificate to the Smith College Computer Store. That's just one of many great prizes being offered in Information Systems' Women and Computers Contest, and your creative entry on the subject could put one of them into your hands. For full details, check out the contest rules at www.wag.smith.edu/contest or call Jim Blau at extension 2889.   CAD Workshops The Center for Academic Development is offering the following workshops during March and April: -- "Exam Preparation": 4-5 p.m. on March 2 and 30; 7-8 p.m. on April 9 and 16. -- "Time Management": 12:05-12:55 p.m. on February 26, March 12 and 26, and April 9 and 23; 7-8 p.m. on March 24 and April 2. -- "Reading Retention": March 5, 7-8 p.m.; March 24, 4:30-5:30 p.m. (Please bring a page of your own reading for practice exercises.) -- "Reorganization and Study Skills": March 12, 7-8 p.m. All of these workshops are free and held in Seelye 307. Sign up at least two days beforehand. Ask the CAD receptionist in Seelye 307 for the workshop registration folder. You will be contacted if locations change.   SIFP Application Deadline The next deadline for submitting applications for the Summer Internship Funding Program (SIFP) is Friday, March 6. To submit an application you must have already applied for an internship, but need not have yet been accepted. Stipends of up to $1,900 are meant to defray costs for room, board and travel. Applications and information are available at the CDO. Information is also available at CDO's home page: www.smith.edu/cdo. (Lucy Greenburg, ext. 2570; lgreenburg@ais.smith.edu)   Peer Writing Assistance Need help with a paper? Bring your assignment, drafts or ideas to the peer writing assistants. All stages of drafts are welcome, no appointment is necessary and all services are free. Help is available Sunday-Thursday, 7-10 p.m., in Seelye 307; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-6 p.m., in Davis Center (for the benefit of student commuters); and Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, 7-10 p.m., in Emerson dining room.   Study-Abroad Deadline The deadline for seeking approval for an independent study abroad program for the 1999 spring semester is Friday, March 13. (The deadline for seeking aid was February 1; no aid is available for programs approved after that date.) Call Dean Hutchison in the Office for International Study (ext. 4905) to make an appointment.   Textbook Purchases The Grécourt Bookshop is beginning to return unsold textbooks to their publishers. Students who still need to purchase books should do so as soon as possible.   Earn Money Talking Like to talk on the phone? Want more women to be able to come to Smith? Earn $6.50 an hour participating in the Alumnae Fund phonathon to help us raise money for scholarships. You must be able to work at least five shifts (primarily in the evenings) between April 5 and April 30. Phonathon callers receive limited free U.S. long-distance calls per shift per caller. Stop by the Alumnae House for an application, or call Mary at extension 2044 and leave your name and box number. Application deadline: Friday, March 6.   Alumnae Scholarships Seniors are reminded that Alumnae Scholarship applications for full-time, first-year graduate study in the U.S. or abroad are available in the Office of the Class Deans, College Hall 23. Application deadline: March 15.   Pap Tests, Senior Physicals Because of the turnaround time on Pap tests, none will be done at the Health Services after May 1, 1998. They will resume again in September. Seniors should schedule their senior physicals before this date also. Smith Jobs Associate director for multicul-tural recruitment, admission. Application reviews begin March 23. Assistant director of admission, admission. Application reviews begin March 23. Abbreviated Calendar This week's AcaMedia calendar has been trimmed to the bone to make room for the prize listings on page 4. Fuller listings will return as of next week's issue. Back to top of page   AcaMedia staff: Ann Shanahan, editor; Cathy Brooks, layout; John Sippel, notices; Mary Stanton, calendar; Eric Sean Weld, writer AcaMedia is published weekly during the academic year by the Office of College Relations for the Smith College community. This version of AcaMedia for the World Wide Web is maintained by the Office of College Relations. Last update: February 26, 1998 Copyright © 1997, Smith College. Portions of this publication may be reproduced with the permission of the Office of College Relations, Garrison Hall, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts 01063; (413) 585-2170. Smith College Notice of Nondiscrimination Made with Macintosh