News for the Smith College Community //August 31, 2000
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Computer
Donations Meet Town Needs Smith College has always prided itself on being a front-runner when it comes to technology. Labs, classrooms and libraries all are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment-and lots of it. In fact, Smith is unparalleled among four-year colleges in its ratio of students to computers. But keeping up with technology means that campus computers quickly become outdated-and every four years, equipment must be upgraded. What's a college to do with yesterday's technology?
"While these machines are no longer appropriate for Smith, they're still of great value," explains Cheryl Donaldson-Davis, director of office systems at Information Technology Services. "We get requests for them all year long, and we're delighted to help out." The town-gown program began in 1994 when former mayor Mary Ford appealed to Smith for a computer for Northampton City Hall. Smith saw the request as a perfect opportunity to further build community relations while putting defunct computers to good use. The next request was from the Academy of Music Opera House. Soon Smith was learning about computer needs throughout the Pioneer Valley. Four years later, hundreds of computers, printers and scanners have been donated to organizations ranging from the Goshen Police Department to the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Smith computers have even traveled to Poland via the Rotary Club, and to Africa and Russia with faculty members. The machines donated internationally are no longer desired by domestic agencies, but have great value for developing nations. Most recently, Smith donated 25 computers to Northampton High School. This donation will supply equipment that otherwise could not have been purchased due to higher-than-expected costs of the NHS renovation project. According to Donaldson-Davis, most requests for donations are initiated by Smith faculty or staff. In the case of Northampton High School, Alan Rudnitsky, professor of education and child study, and Lawrence Fink, professor emeriti and NHS Building Committee chairperson, made the appeal. Another eight computers are headed for Africa in response to a request initiated by Bob Pattee, director of the physical plant. Donaldson is quick to credit the staff of Desktop Technology Services for their role in the program's success. "Ultimately, they're the ones who make it possible. They clean and prep all equipment before it leaves campus. I have an incredibly supportive team," she says. To date, Smith has donated 373 pieces of equipment. Given that technology keeps sprinting ahead, the donations will continue. "It's a program that feels very right for this college," concludes Donaldson-Davis. "It allows Smith to literally share its resources with both the local and global communities." Before Classes, Last Night of Celebration If this year's opening convocation is anything like those in past years, then a deafening roar of student spirit and excitement will shake the floorboards and historic foundations of John M. Greene Hall when the faculty processes down the center aisle and President Ruth Simmons takes the stage. The convocation, which will take place on Wednesday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m., is the college's annual opening event, at which students convene collectively with faculty and administrators to ring in the academic year. The event is typically marked by a colorful assortment of creative attire and headdress, banners adorning the balconies around the hall, as well as the more serious business of presentations and awards announcements. First to address the students (and to be faced with the challenge of quieting them) will be President Simmons, who will welcome them to campus. This year's faculty speaker will be Professor of Economics Randy Bartlett, who will give a talk titled "Learning Lessons." Student Government Association President Ammara Yaqub '01 will be the student speaker. The names of Smith student prize winners in the classes of 2001, 2002 and 2003 - first announced at Last Chapel Awards Convocation last May after virtually all students, except those who were graduating, had left campus-will be repeated during opening convocation. Dean of the College Maureen Mahoney will also announce the recipient of the 2000 Arthur Ellis Hamm Prize, which is annually presented to the first-year student from the previous year with the best academic record. The Smith College Glee Club, conducted by Jonathan Hirsh, will enhance the revelry of the occasion with "A New Medley of Old Smith Songs," arranged by Clifton J. Noble Jr., who will also accompany the chorus on piano. After a week of relocating, adjusting to their new (temporary) homes and dealing with the business of checking in for another year of college life, students will likely see the opening convocation (and the following welcome party in Davis Ballroom) as their last best chance to celebrate loudly before classes begin at 8 the next morning. Student attendance is mandatory. A Changing of the Admissions Guard Many changes on campus will greet Smith's prospective new students as they tour the grounds and prepare their college applications this year. But one change will likely affect them immediately: the recent assumption of the post of director of admission by Audrey Yale Smith. Smith, who came to the college from nearby Hampshire College to assume her new position this month, is an experienced veteran of college admissions. During her tenure at Hampshire, the number and quality of applicants to the college improved steadily. Also, through Hampshire's admissions process under Smith's guidance, the college increased its successful integration of students, faculty, alumnae and trustees. Before she elevated the admissions standards at Hampshire, Smith served as director of admissions and director of enrollment management at New Jersey's Stevens Institute of Technology. There she spearheaded a program to support young women seeking engineering degrees. Smith's experience at Stevens Institute will assist her in recruiting students for Smith College's new Picker Program in Engineering and Technology. Announcing her appointment, Dean of the College Maureen Mahoney indicated that Smith will play a crucial role in marketing the benefits of studying engineering in a women-only setting. Smith's duties will include overseeing an admission staff of 20, developing annual and long-term admission goals, and supporting the college's priorities of excellence and diversity in its student body. Smith replaces Nanci Tessier. EEA Recipients Announced For the second straight year, several outstanding employees at Smith have been honored with Employee Excellence Awards in recognition of their exceptional work for the college. The awards program, which began last year on a three-year pilot basis, rewards employees nominated and elected by their peers for their contributions in the categories of service, teamwork, community relations and diversity. The 11 award winners, who were announced campuswide in June, will each receive an after-tax award of $1,000. The winners will also be formally recognized during the college's annual Employee Recognition Program on October 4, and will be featured in a video shown at the ceremony. Winners of this year's Employee Excellence Awards are Christine Barbuto, administrative assistant in the Department of Education and Child Study, for service; Catherine Brooks, publications secretary in college relations, for service and cost effectiveness; Charlene Correa, work and life coordinator in human resources, for community; Debra Diemand, data specialist in advancement, for service; Cynthia Furtek, academic secretary in humanities, for diversity; Ay Ling Han, psychologist in health services, for diversity; Janice McDowell, cashier in the controller's office, for community, service and diversity; Tierney Richi, dining room assistant in Residence and Dining Services, for service; Steven Stander, technical services coordinator in Information Technology Services, for service; Amy Wallace, program manager/operations in advancement, for community and teamwork; and Jeanne West, administrative assistant in foreign language and literature, for service. The award winners were chosen from among 70 employees who were nominated this year by their associates and supervisors. In all, 159 employees nominated their colleagues to receive the awards. As it was last year, a selection committee, consisting of former award winners and college personnel from various departments, was convened in May after nominations were solicited. The committee recommended its selections to the president after the May 8 nominating closing date. The Employee Excellence Awards program began in November 1999 as a tool to help improve staff morale while rewarding leadership and superior performance. The concept was first introduced in a 1997 staff self-study report. Now in its third year, the program will be evaluated next summer after a third round of awards has been granted. If at that time it is deemed successful, the program will be extended. A New Parking Law in Town If you regularly park your car on Harrison, Kensington or Washington avenues or Dryads Green, you'll need a watch and a calendar to stay out of trouble from now on. As of August 28, when a new city parking ordinance took effect, every car parked on those streets must be moved -- not a long way, just to the other side of the street -- every day at 11 a.m. Newly installed parking signs indicate which side is legal on odd days of the month (first, third, fifth, etc.) and which side is legal on even days. For years, the residents of streets bordering the Quadrangle have complained about the congestion created by cars parked on their streets, especially cars that they say are "warehoused" there and not moved for weeks on end. The complaints reached a crescendo last spring, spawning the ordinance approved by the City Council in July, which calls for alternate-side, alternate-day parking seven days a week. City officials explain that illegally parked cars present a hazard because they prevent access by fire engines and other emergency vehicles; thus the ordinance will be strictly enforced. Offending cars are being ticketed ($20) and towed at a cost to the owner of $95. A second citywide ordinance, prohibiting parking within three feet of driveways, will go into effect on or about October 1. The college has routinely attempted to discourage students from bringing cars to campus because parking, on and off campus, is so scarce. As Dean of the College Maureen Mahoney said in her summer letter to returning students, "We are continuing to work on parking issues and look forward to the opening of the parking garage on West Street, which will contain about 80 spaces earmarked for students. The Campus Planning Committee is also working on identifying additional student parking slots on campus." In the meantime, students are cautioned to take these new city ordinances seriously to avoid towing and ticketing charges. If you have questions, contact Ann Shanahan, Office of College Relations, at extension 2170, or ashanaha@smith.edu. First-Years Learn of Meats and Much More By the time they've finished the assigned summer reading -- a novel titled My Year of Meats by Ruth Ozeki '80 -- many incoming first-years might find themselves requesting the vegetarian plate in their residence dining halls. Ozeki's novel tells the story of a Japanese American documentarian who spends a year documenting -- and sometimes promoting -- the American meat industry for a Japanese television network by featuring American wives and their recipes. During the protagonist's employment, she uncovers a swath of unsavory information regarding the methods by which meat is slaughtered, produced and processed in America, and an endless list of hormones and chemicals meant to enhance meat production and profit. Ozeki will be on campus on Tuesday, September 5, to present a reading from her novel at 7:30 p.m. in John M. Greene Hall and to answer questions from audience members. A reception for Ozeki and a booksign-ing in the Alumnae House will follow her presentation. Like most assigned summer readings, Ozeki's novel goes far beyond the plot in exploring a range of social issues, such as domestic violence, Japanese-American relations, professional hierarchies and personal relationships. Each summer all incoming students are assigned a novel, which they discuss in group sessions during orientation. The discussion groups, which take place in each residence's living room, are facilitated by faculty and staff members. "The discussion groups give the students an opportunity to share an intellectual activity with their fellow students and with faculty and staff," says First-year Dean Tom Riddell. "We chose Ruth Ozeki's novel because it's very lively," Riddell explains, "and deals with a range of community issues." Past summer reading assignments have included Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot's Respect and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. But few novels will inspire students to steer clear of the animal flesh selections on the dinner menu like Ozeki's My Year of Meats.
No ScoreBoard this week. No People News this week. Sources of further information, if any, are indicated in parentheses. Notices should be submitted by mail, by e-mail eweld@smith.edu) or by fax (extension 2171).
Plant Sale Davis Center Athletic Locker
Signups Museum of Art Faculty & Staff Faculty Meeting College Club Evening
Hours New Group Students Parking Lottery Friedman Parking Riding Information S.O.S. House Reps Equestrian Team President's Open
Hours JMG Storage Course Registration/Changes Make-up Examinations New Student Payroll
Office Photograph the Poets Travel Reservations Josten Carrel registration Sunnyside Positions Jacobson Center
Jobs -- Master tutors in French, Spanish and economics. Master tutors provide peer tutoring and study skills counseling to students, conduct group tutoring sessions and possibly workshops in study skills. Candidates must receive faculty approval for tutoring specific courses. Selected candidates must complete an orientation session September 16 and participate in ongoing training throughout the academic year. -- Reception desk staff. Work study students are invited to apply. Qualifications include strong customer service, organizational and office skills. To learn more about
these jobs, please stop by the center to pick up descriptions,
fill out applications and sign up for an interview. For more
information, call Leslie Hoffman, Welcome Party S.O.S. Project Sophian Meeting |
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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. Items for this section must be submitted on Event Service Request Forms. Friday, September 1 Other Events/Activities Saturday, September 2 Other Events/Activities President's welcome panel for entering students and families. Reception follows on Chapin Lawn (reception cancelled if it rains). 2:30 p.m., John M. Greene Hall Sunday, September 3 Religious Life Quaker meeting Meeting for worship begins at 11 a.m. Preceded by informal discussion at 9:30 a.m. All welcome, childcare available. Bass 203, 204 Roman Catholic mass to welcome students, faculty and staff with Fr. Stephen-Joseph Ross, OCD, celebrant, and Elizabeth Carr, Catholic chaplain. 4:30 p.m., chapel. Monday, September 4 Labor Day Tuesday, September 5 Lectures/Symposia Performing Arts/Films Other Events/Activities Audition Music performance voice lessons, with a piece of your choice. Sign up in advance at the music office, Sage Hall. 3-5:30 p.m., Sage 104 Audition Wind instrument performance lessons, with a piece of your choice. Sign up in advance at the music office, Sage Hall. 1-4 p.m., Sage 106 Audition Piano performance lessons, with a piece of your choice. Sign up in advance at the music office, Sage Hall. 2-5:30 p.m., Sage 215 Wednesday, September 6 Meetings/Workshops Other Events/Activities Audition Wind instrument performance lessons, with a piece of your choice. Sign up in advance at the music office, Sage Hall. 1-4 p.m., Sage 106 Audition Voice performance lessons, with a piece of your choice. Sign up in advance at the music office, Sage Hall. 10 a.m.noon, 3-5:30 p.m., Sage 104 Audition Piano performance lessons, with a piece of your choice. Sign up in advance at the music office, Sage Hall. 2-5:30 p.m., Sage 215 Welcome Back party. 8 p.m.-midnight, Davis Ballroom
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Thursday, September 7 Classes begin Meetings/Workshops S.O.S. Welcome Party Meet new students who are interested in community service and some who worked in community service last year. Also, find out about upcoming S.O.S. events and learn about opportunities available to you. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wright common room Informational meeting for all students interested in orchestra or wind ensemble. Bring instruments. Auditions follow the meeting. 7 p.m., Earle Recital Hall, Sage Hall Informational meeting/workshop on graduate fellowships. 6:30-8 p.m., Seelye 201, 101, 110 Religious Life Ice cream social Frozen yogurt too, sponsored by the Newman Association. To welcome new and returning Catholic students to campus. Learn about Newman's exciting plans for the year. All welcome. 4:30 p.m., chapel Drop-in class on meditation and stress reduction with Hayat Nancy Abuza. Open to all students, staff and Five-College faculty. Sponsor: Office of the Chaplains. 4:305:30 p.m., Seelye 211 Other Events/Activities Friday, September 8 Lectures/Symposia Meetings/Workshops Welcome Back meeting Informational meeting to discuss important academic issues for students returning from a leave of absence. 5-6 p.m., Seelye 201 Religious Life Other Events/Activities Saturday, September 9 Meetings/Workshops Other Events/Activities Sunday, September 10 Performing Arts/Films Concert In celebration of Smith's new fortepiano, featuring Kenneth Fearn, Monica Jakuc, Grant Moss and Clifton J. Noble Jr., fortepiano; Jane Bryden, soprano; Dana Maiben, violin; and Alice Robbins, cello. Works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Clifton J. Noble Jr. 8 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall* Religious Life Quaker meeting Meeting for worship begins at 11 a.m. Preceded by informal discussion at 9:30 a.m. Childcare available. Bass 203, 204 Roman Catholic mass to welcome students, faculty and staff, with Fr. Stephen-Joseph Ross, OCD, celebrant, and Elizabeth Carr, Catholic chaplain. Dinner follows in Bodman Lounge. 4:30 p.m., chapel Other Events/Activities Exhibitions Standing Women of Callanish Mixed media sculptures by Smith alumna Mary Craig McLane. Through October 24. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Opening reception is Friday, September 15, 4 p.m. Alumnae House Gallery* |
