AcaMedia: Current Issue


News for the Smith College Community //September 3, 1998

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It's New Year's Eve in JMG

The academic year will begin with the customary revelry of opening convocation Monday, September 7, at 7:30 p.m. in John M. Greene Hall. Balconies festooned with banners and students wearing odd headdresses and outrageous costumes belie the dignity of this annual event, which brings the Smith community together on the eve of the first day of classes.

Following a welcome by President Ruth Simmons, this year's faculty speaker will be Marjorie Senechal, Louise Wolff Kahn Professor of Mathematics, director of the program in the history of the sciences and director, also, of Smith's new Kahn Liberal Arts Institute. Cherilyn Cepriano, president of the Student Government Association, will welcome new and returning students.

The announcement of prizes for students in classes of 1999, 2000 and 2001 -- first announced at Last Chapel Awards Convocation last May, after virtually all students but those who were graduating had left the campus -- will be repeated during opening convocation. Dean of the College Maureen Mahoney will also announce the recipient of the 1998 Arthur Ellis Hamm Prize, awarded to the first-year student with the best academic record.

Technology Troubles? Call (Four) ITS

If you think you know all there is to know about technology at Smith, think again. The new Information Technology Services (formerly known as Information Systems) is making its debut right now with all kinds of important innovations.

"We're getting out the information in every way we can think of," says ITS Director Herb Nickles, citing fact sheets that have been distributed to students, faculty and staff; posters; bookmarks carrying important telephone numbers; and the new Web site. "The reorganized department has not only a new name, but a new emphasis -- service."

The focus of ITS is a new User Support Center in Stoddard Hall 23 that will be staffed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. by seven information technology professionals and approximately 10 students. One of the USC's many services is a help desk that will assist those who telephone or walk in with computing and telecommunications problems. There is now just one number when you have technology troubles: call 4ITS (a.k.a. ext. 4487).

Other changes include student computer consultants in the Computer Resource Centers in Seelye, Bass and Jahnige who have been trained to assist students with technology problems. If a consultant cannot resolve the problem, calling 4ITS or visiting the ITS Web site (www.smith.edu/its) will probably do the job.

An exciting addition to the ITS Web site is its collection of on-line documentation. If you like to teach yourself or need some information about a program you are using, just click on the documentation link at www. smith.edu/its.

Although most ITS support programs are managed by the User Support Center, there are at least a few other numbers you may need. You can make direct contact with

-- the computer store (ext. 3027) to make computer purchases
-- Technical Services (ext. 3084) if your machine needs to be repaired

Faculty with questions about using computers in their classes should call ext. 3079; for questions about statistical analysis, call ext. 3043.

But for virtually everything else, just call 4ITS.

Here's The New (Sort of) AcaMedia

If you suspect that you see some differences in this edition of AcaMedia compared to last year's version, you're right. You're also very observant because, except for the calendar, which has undergone a significant renovation, the differences are minimal.

Last spring we asked about 1,000 of our readers to tell us what, if anything, we could do to make this publication better, easier to read, more interesting and more representative of college constituencies. After combing through more than 250 responses during the summer, we're delighted to report that most survey participants like AcaMedia just the way it is and don't voice any preference for sweeping changes. That's good news.

However, a significant number of readers requested some minor changes for this publication that might make it clearer and more aesthetically pleasing. Particularly in the "Calendar" section, many readers asked for a clearer layout, one that makes it easier to locate items based on their content.

What we've come up with is what you see: a slightly revamped AcaMedia that attempts to facilitate scanning of headlines and calendar items by their category, within the daily framework. We'll also attempt to maintain a word limit for calendar items and notices to ensure that we can accommodate everyone's requests. Finally, our articles will tend to focus on providing our readers with essential information and publicizing the accomplishments and activities of faculty and staff members, students and administration.

The changes we've instituted for this new version of AcaMedia are intended to build upon the strengths of the publication without sacrificing any of the qualities that make it a timely and thorough resource of campus information. In fact, it's our expectation that many readers won't even notice these changes. But our proverbial doors are always open and we encourage opinions and comments on any aspect of AcaMedia at any time from our readers. (Please see the shaded box inside for contact information.)

Thanks to those readers who took the time to participate in our readership survey.

New Procedures and Deadlines

This year AcaMedia will have some slightly altered procedures along with its slightly new look. We have tried to get the word out to everyone who submits calendar items to this publication during the course of the year but will repeat the information here.

-- Strict deadlines for the submission of items for the AcaMedia calendar and notices sections will be enforced this year. We will not accept an item that comes to us after 4 p.m. on Wednesday for the following week's issue. If you have an item that has missed the AcaMedia deadline, submit it to our widely read competitor, the electronic bulletin board (www.smith.edu:70/news). It has no deadlines and no word limits.

-- There will be word limits on AcaMedia calendar and notices items-50 words for descriptive information in calendar items; 150 words for notices. As usual, we reserve the right to edit items for style and clarity.

-- This year, all calendar items must be submitted on event service request forms (ESRF), which are available from Mary Stanton (ext. 2162 or mstanton@colrel.smith. edu). Better yet, access an ESRF at www.smith.edu/events, fill it out right there and submit it on-line.

If we'd been giving prizes, we would have given one to Beverly Cotnoir, Career Development Office, for being the first one to submit an ESRF electronically. Another prize should go to Mary Stanton for creating the form and getting it up on the college events Web site. By the first AcaMedia deadline, Wednesday, August 26, at 4 p.m., 26 people had used the electronic version to submit event information. Check it out!

Summer Reading Author Speaks

Eva Hoffman, author of the provocative, intensely introspective memoir Lost in Translation: A Life in a New Language, will read from her book and reflect on her experiences as a newcomer to this country at 8 p.m., Sunday, September 6, in John M. Greene Hall.

Lost in Translation, which new students were asked to read during the summer, is the story of Hoffman's Jewish family's emigration from Poland to Canada in 1959. The author went on to study and work in the U.S., receiving her Ph.D. from Harvard University. She taught literature and subsequently worked as an editor and writer for The New York Times.

Lost in Translation has been translated into seven languages, including Japanese, Romanian, Polish and Dutch. Hoffman's other books include Exit Into History: A Journey Through the New Eastern Europe and Shtetl: The Life and Death of a Small Town and the World of Polish Jews.

Smith Trustees in Motion

At its May 1998 meeting the Smith College Board of Trustess conferred emeritus status upon the following faculty members who retired at the end of June: Marie-José Delage, professor of French language and literature; Philip Green, Sophia Smith Professor of Government; Seymour Itzkoff, professor of education and child study; and Cynthia Taft Morris, Charles N. Clark Professor of Economics.

The board also approved the hiring of an architect for the renovation of the Lyman Conservatory, a historic complex of 13 glass houses that is part of the Botanic Garden of Smith College and is a key resource for the biological sciences, environmental science and many other academic programs. This is the first comprehensive restoration the structure has undergone in its 100-year history.

Rochelle Braff Lazarus '68, a member of the board since 1995, became its chair, succeeding Kate Belcher Webster '46, who completed her term on June 30. And five new trustees have joined the board:

-- Jane Chace Carroll '53 has for many years been associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where she is currently a volunteer in the education department, a member of the executive committee of volunteers and a member of the visiting committee for 20th-century art. She is also a member of the Smith College Museum of Art Visiting Committee and a trustee of Hancock Shaker Village and Rhode Island School of Design. Carroll was elected to a five-year term on the board.

-- Judy Jae-Hee Kim '98, president of the Smith Student Government Association during her senior year, is presently a business analyst at Mitchell Madison Group in New York City. She will serve a two-year term on the board.

-- Mary Patterson McPherson '57, LLD '81, is vice president of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and was president of Bryn Mawr College from 1961 to 1997. She earned her M.A. from the University of Delaware and her Ph.D. from Bryn Mawr. She serves on a number of boards and is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was elected to a five-year term on the board.

-- Christian Schley '70 is managing director of the Houston office of Co-Counsel, a national firm providing legal, paralegal and litigation support. She earned her law degree at Emory University School of Law. As the incoming president of the Alumnae Association of Smith, she will serve as trustee ex officio for a three-year term.

-- Winifred Markus Webb '80 is vice president of investor relations and shareholder services for The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, California. Before joining Disney she earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and worked in New York and London at PaineWebber Group and Lehman Brothers and for the Massachusetts-based CML Group. Webb was elected to serve as an alumnae trustee for a five-year term.

Former Smith President Dies

Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, 88, president emeritus of Smith College, died July 18 on Martha's Vineyard where he and his wife, Cornelia, had lived during his retirement. Mendenhall came to Smith in 1959 as the college's sixth president and as a professor of history. He retired in 1975.

A member of the Yale University history faculty from 1937 to 1959, Mendenhall was educated at Yale and Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. His Smith years spanned a period of turmoil as the antiwar, civil rights and women's movements swept across college and university campuses and the country. "We were fortunate to have as a leader someone with Mendenhall's balanced perspective, good humor, and ability to blend the old and the new," wrote John M. Connolly, provost and dean of the faculty, in a campus notice in July.

Mendenhall rebuilt the natural sciences at Smith with the construction of the science center, encouraged the development of intercollegiate athletic competition and oversaw the reconstruction of Smith's facilities for the fine arts and the performing arts.
Despite the demands of his administrative work, he frequently dropped by to chat informally with people working in the buildings and on the grounds at Smith. He also participated in faculty shows, including a spirited adaptation of the Pirates of Penzance in 1969, and regularly taught an introductory history course and seminars on British economic and maritime history of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Beyond the campus he served on the board of a number of secondary schools and organizations. His interest in increasing the development of greater cooperation among Smith and its four neighboring institutions led to the establishment of Five Colleges, Inc., of which he was president from its inception until his retirement. In 1962 he helped found Catalyst, the national, non-profit organization that seeks to advance women in business and the professions. He subsequently chaired its board.

Crew and boating were two of his lifetime passions. He captained the Balliol College crew while at Oxford, coached the Berkeley College crew while teaching at Yale, served as an informal coach for college rowers at Smith, and wrote three books on the subject, including A Short History of American Rowing.

In addition to his wife, he left two daughters, Bethany Mendenhall and Cornelia Small, and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the Helen Hills Hills Chapel at Smith on October 31 at 2 p.m.

Ombudsperson Is Ready to Listen

Gina M. Smith, the college's first ombudsperson, took up her new duties in early July. Webster's New World College Dictionary defines an ombudsman as "a person employed by an institution to investigate complaints against it." The staff self-study team recommended that the college create such a position. Smith describes her role as that of "a confidential, independent, designated- neutral, informal resource for the entire Smith College community."

The ombudsperson is charged with ensuring that college policies and procedures are enforced fairly and with assisting members of the community in the resolution of conflicts. "As ombudsperson, I cannot change any decision or policy," Smith says, "but I can influence decisions and policies. I am also more than willing to listen to people who want to express frustration or anger."

Smith comes to the college from Western New England College School of Law, Springfield, where she was assistant dean for law student affairs. She has a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law and a B.S. from Towson State University.

First on Smith's agenda is learning about the college and informing members of the campus community about her work. "I would really like to talk to people individually and would be happy to attend meetings of departments or organizations, too," she says. Smith is on campus Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Her office is Neilson B-18 and she may be reached at ext. 3358 or ombuds@smith.edu.

A New Spirit Guides the Chapel

Religious life at Smith will have a new look, new titles and a new focus this fall.

"We're expanding the notion of religion on campus to reach out to non-Western religions and to students who consider themselves spiritual but not necessarily attached to any organized religion," says Rabbi Edward Feld, interim dean of religious life, whose title is itself an innovation. According to Feld, who is also advisor to Jewish students, the college is moving forward on recommendations sent last year by the ad hoc Chapel Committee to Dean of the College Maureen Mahoney. One of the group's recommendations was that the title dean of the chapel be replaced with dean of religious life in order to avoid some of the narrower associations conveyed by the word "chapel." The creation of small Moslem and Hindu prayer spaces in the balcony of the chapel are also "symbolic of the kinds of changes we want to make," says Feld.

A major thrust this year will be a set of programs around the theme of faith and social justice. The events will explore the relationship of education and spiritual and religious commitments to social action; raise awareness of the kinds of careers available in the nonprofit and public service areas; and attempt to define the critical questions on the social agenda. "We hope to have faculty and administrators speak of their own commitments," says Feld. People from outside Smith will be invited to participate as well.

Chapel interns Morgan Lynn '01 and Min Kyung Hyun '99 will continue a project started last year that brings together leaders of various religious and spiritual groups on campus for interfaith discussions.

Also on the chapel staff this year are Douglas Ryniewicz, interim chaplain to the college and advisor to Protestant students, and Elizabeth Carr, chaplain to the college and advisor to Catholic students. Carr will serve as interim dean of religious life during the spring 1999 semester.

NewsBriefs

Smith, and in particular the Ada Comstock Scholars Program, has benefited from the successful response to a challenge presented last year by the George I. Alden Trust of Worcester. The foundation informed Smith that if the college could raise $225,000 by June 30, 1998, in contributions not larger than $25,000 each, the Alden Trust would contribute an additional $75,000 toward building a permanent financial aid endowment for the Ada Comstock program. In the end, Smith surpassed the goal by raising a total of $246,764 from 240 contributors.
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The college's new handicapped-accessible van arrived on campus in June. A wheelchair-accessible vehicle with an electric lift, it can accommodate up to two wheelchairs and six passengers. It is equipped with a raised roof, air conditioning and comfortable seating. Van service is available to all those whose medical documentation is registered with the Office of Disabilities, including those who have temporary disabilities such as sprained ankles. Only those who have a one-time emergency that requires van transportation are exempt from the registration procedure. The van operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Transportation may be arranged by calling 575-5143 (an off-campus call) at least 30 minutes in advance to arrange a pick-up. For more information about this service, call Laura Rauscher, director of disability services, ext. 2071.
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Two Smith College publications received awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in its 1998 publications competition. The newsletter, NewsSmith, won a silver medal in the category of "external audience newsletters" for all-around excellence. The Smith Alumnae Quarterly, which underwent a major redesign last year, was awarded a gold medal for outstanding improvement, a silver medal for best article (about Jean Struven Harris '45), and a bronze medal for all-around excellence.
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Norma Marin, daughter-in-law of the distinguished American artist John Marin, has promised a major bequest of more than 170 important modern American works of art to the art museums of Smith, Mount Holyoke and Wellesley colleges. Instead of dividing the collection in thirds, the museums and the donor have decided that each work will be jointly owned by the three museums. The works will be shared by the three institutions depending on their individual needs and will rotate as the needs change.

The prints, photographs, drawings, paintings and sculptures in the collection are by such major figures as Berenice Abbott, Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Willem de Kooning, Walker Evans, Marsden Hartley, Franz Kline, Louise Nevelson, Georgia O'Keeffe, Irving Penn, Katherine Porter, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Charles Sheeler, David Smith, Joan Snyder, Alfred Stieglitz, Saul Steinberg, Paul Strand, Edward Weston, James McNeill Whistler and many others.

Although she will retain the title to the works during her lifetime, Mrs. Marin has already placed a number of works on extended leave to the consortium colleges.

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Summer School for Books

Martin Antonetti, curator of rare books, taught a course titled "History of the Printed Book in the West" at the Rare Book School of the University of Virginia in July. Antonetti has been a member of the school's faculty for 13 years.

Learning Management Skills

Diane Bronstein, a supervisor for Residence and Dining Services, attended a Leadership Institute at the Tyson Management Development Center in Russellville, Arkansas. The institute, presented by the National Association of College & University Food Services, provides training in essential leadership qualities to help food service administrators manage change and lead others effectively.

Fortune Elected to Council

Nathaniel Fortune, assistant professor of the physics, has been elected to the governing council for the physics and astronomy division of the Council on Undergraduate Research. The organization seeks funding from federal and foundation program officers to underwrite undergraduate and faculty research in primarily undergraduate colleges and universities.

Grossman Earns Grant

Sara Grossman '99 has received a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship from the Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The one- and two-year scholarships, which are awarded to selected students in the fields of mathematics, science and engineering who intend to obtain a Ph.D., cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room up to a maximum of $7,500.

They Focused on Eukaryotes

Laura Katz, assistant professor in the biological sciences, was co-organizer of a symposium held in June in Vancouver that brought together current theories about the origin of eukaryotes, or cells that contain nuclei, and promoted understanding of the relationships among these organisms.

Little Takes Prestigious Post

Lester K. Little, Dwight W. Morrow Professor of History, is currently serving a three-year term as director of the American Academy in Rome, an institute for independent study and research in the fine arts and humanities. He oversees the work of more than 1,000 scholars and artists associated with the institution each year as well as academy-sponsored lectures, symposia, exhibitions, concerts, publications and projects in archaeology.

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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.

Please see the Smith College 1998 Orientation Brochure for orientation events.

Thursday, September 3

Religious Life
Hillel welcome reception for Jewish students and their families with Rabbi Edward Feld and Hillel. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel

Friday, September 4

Religious Life
Shabbat services and dinner. Join Smith's Jewish community for Shabbat eve services. Dinner will follow in the Dawes House Kosher Kitchen at 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel*

Saturday, September 5

Fine/performing arts
Painless auditions. The Five College Early Music Program will hold an audition and information session for the Early Music Collegium, Euridice Ensemble, Voces Feminae and other ensembles. Information, also, about private and group instrumental lessons and the Renaissance dance class. (539-2079) 4:30-6 p.m., Sage Hall 6*

Religious Life
Many faiths in one community. Introduction to Interfaith life at Smith, with student heads of religious organizations and the chaplains to the college. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Wright common room

Sunday, September 6

Religious Life
Morning worship in the Protestant tradition to welcome new and returning students, faculty and staff with chaplain Douglas Ryniewicz and student liturgists. Coffee hour to follow on the front steps. All welcome. 10:45 a.m., Chapel*

Hillel bagel brunch. Meet fellow Jewish students and learn about Hillel activities. 11 a.m., Alumni House, Amherst College*

Religion fair under the tent. An informal time to discover religious organizations and activities on campus. Groups represented will be Hillel, Om, Al-Iman, Newman Association, Ecumenical Christian Church, Keystone-Campus Crusade, Smith Christian Fellowship (Intervarsity ), Amherst Koinonia Church (Korean Christian), Unitarian Universalist, Pagan, Baha'i, Buddhist. 1:30-3 p.m., Dewey House lawn*

Roman Catholic mass to welcome students, faculty and staff. Fr. Richard Gross, S.J., celebrant, and Elizabeth Carr, chaplain. A light supper will follow. All welcome. 4:30 p.m., Chapel*

Tuesday, September 8

Meetings/workshops
Information meeting about graduate international fellowships with Cathy Hutchison, dean for international study, and faculty fellowship advisers. 5-6 p.m., Seelye 201

Other events and activities
Soccer vs. UMass Dartmouth. 4:15 p.m., athletic fields*

Wednesday, September 9

Fine/performing arts
Opening reception for "Buddhas for a New World" exhibit (September 8-23) of sculptures by Thomas Matsuda. Buddhist images in wood, stone, bronze and ceramic. Sponsored by the East Asian Studies Program and the Ada Howe Kent Program of the Religion Department as one of a series of lectures and events in honor of the retirement of Taitetsu Unno. 4:30-7 p.m., Hillyer Hall Gallery*

Auditions for Baby With the Bathwater by Christopher Durang. Directed by Erin Roberts '99. Biting, satiric, black comedy by one of the theater's most provocative and inventive writers. Roles for two men and three women. (Janna Goodwin, ext. 3222) 7 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall CPA*

Meetings/workshops
Faculty meeting. Tea will be served at 3:45 p.m. 4:10 p.m., Alumnae House Conference Room

Introduction to the PC at Smith. This presentation will introduce entering students to the use of PCs at Smith, including the Windows 95 desktop, the start menu, and the Smith network neighborhood. (Ext. 3770) 4:30 p.m., Seelye 106

Religious Life
Buddhist service and discussion. 7:15 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel

Thursday, September 10

Fine/performing arts
Theatre department open house. An informal gathering to introduce majors, nonmajors and interested students from the Five Colleges to the department faculty and staff. Refreshments will be served. 4:30 p.m., Green Room, Mendenhall CPA

Auditions for Baby With the Bathwater by Christopher Durang. See Wednesday listing. (Janna Goodwin, ext. 3222) 7 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall CPA*

Meetings/workshops
Introduction to the Mac at Smith. This presentation will introduce entering students to the Macintosh computing environment at Smith, including the desktop and network navigation. (Ext. 3770) 4:30 p.m., Seelye 106

Sophomore class mandatory meeting for all members of the class of 2001 and 2001J. 7-8 p.m., Wright auditorium

Religious Life
Ice cream sundae and frozen yogurt social for new and returning Catholic students. Sponsored by the Newman Association. Learn about Newman's exciting plans for the year. 7-8:30 p.m., Bodman Lounge, Chapel

Other events and activities
Open hours with Mentha Hynes, interim assistant dean for multicultural affairs. 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m., College Hall 24

Friday, September 11

Lecture/Symposia
"Chemistry and Physics in Biomedical Research." Dr. Celia Schiffer, department of pharmacology and molecular toxicology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center. 4 p.m., McConnell B05*

Fine/performing arts
Callbacks for Baby With the Bathwater by Christopher Durang. See Wednesday listing. (Janna Goodwin, ext. 3222) 7 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall CPA*

Religious Life
Shabbat services and dinner at Amherst College. Service at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. All welcome. 5:30 p.m., Alumni House, Amherst College*

Saturday, September 12

Other events and activities
Gospel singing workshop and auditions for the Smith College gospel choir. Learn to sing gospel music and have a great time in the process. Funded in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council. Smith students, seniors and children under 12, free; general, $5. 586-6829. 1-3 p.m., Sage Recital Hall*

Cross-country: Smith Invitational. 11 a.m., Outdoor track, athletic fields*

Sunday, September 13

Religious Life
Morning worship in the Protestant tradition to welcome new and returning students, faculty and staff, with chaplain Douglas Ryniewicz and student liturgists. Immediately following the service, all are invited to a picnic to greet old friends and make new ones. 10:45 a.m., Chapel*

Hillel welcome bagel brunch for new and returning Jewish students. An opportunity to meet with Hillel leaders and discuss plans for the coming year. noon-1 p.m., Seelye 207*

Roman Catholic mass to welcome students, faculty and staff. A light supper will follow. All are welcome. 4:30 p.m., Chapel*

Other events and activities
Picnic for all Ada Comstock Scholars and their families. Hamburgers, garden burgers, hotdogs and beverages provided. Please bring other food or games you wish to share. To volunteer to help, contact the social co-chairs, Calle Bailey and Dorothy Cushway. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Field House

Gallery of Readers. Authors will read from their own works. 4 p.m., Neilson Browsing Room*

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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 and notices to Mary Stanton at Garrison Hall (mstanton@colrel.smith.edu, or fax to extension 2174). Text for notices should not exceed 150 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
The deadline for all calendar listings and notices is Wednesday at 4 p.m. Late information will not be accepted.

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.

Smith-Wide

Nominations for Honorary Degrees
The Committee on Honorary Degrees is seeking the names of individuals who merit consideration as potential honorary degree candidates. The committee will consider women who are exemplars of excellence in a wide range of fields, both academic and non-academic, as well as women and men who have made extraordinary contributions to Smith College, to the education of women, or to women's lives.

Please send letters of nomination to the Committee on Honorary Degrees, Office of the Board of Trustees, briefly describing the candidate's qualifications, field and place of work and telling why the candidate is particularly deserving. Please include available supporting material (curriculum vitae, newspaper articles, entries from biographical reference works, etc.).

The review process is lengthy. It will not be possible to guarantee that a nominee will receive an honorary degree or provide a timetable for when the degree would be awarded. All nominations will receive careful consideration.

Athletic Facility Lockers
Locker sign-ups will be held Sept. 9, 10 and 11 from 4 p.m to 9 p.m. at the equipment booth in Ainsworth Gymnasium. These times are for students and new users of the athletic facility (staff, faculty, alumnae, and dependents). Only lockers in the men's and women's locker rooms in Scott Gymnasium are available for reservation. You may also sign up for the wait list for the men's locker room in Ainsworth Gymnasium. Bring a padlock with you and fill out a locker reservation form before leaving.

If you are a member of the faculty or staff, an alumna or a dependent and you reserved a locker last May, you do not need to do so again. (Bonnie May, ext. 2713)

Library Hours
Neilson Library (Ext. 2910)
Monday through Thursday, 7:45 a.m.-midnight
Friday, 7:45-11 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.-midnight

Sophia Smith Collection and College Archives (Ext. 2971)
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Various Sundays, 1-4 p.m. (please call for dates)

Mortimer Rare Book Room (Ext. 2906)
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hillyer Art Library (Ext. 2940)
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday, noon-midnight
Young Science Library (Ext. 2950)
Monday through Thursday, 7:45 a.m.-11 p.m.
Friday, 7:45 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Josten Performing Arts Library (Ext. 2930)
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday, noon-11 p.m.

Faculty & Staff

Faculty Meeting
The first regular meeting of the faculty will be held on Wednesday, September 9, at 4:10 p.m. in the Alumnae House. Tea will be served at 3:45 p.m.

Students

Presidential Open Hours
Presidential open hours for students will be held Tuesday, September 15, 4 to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, September 29, 4 to 5 p.m. in the Office of the President, College Hall 20. Open hours offer an opportunity to chat informally and individually with the president. No appointments are necessary, and visitors will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Josten Library Carrel Sign-Up
A limited number of carrels in the Josten Library are open for priority fall-semester assignment to graduate students and undergraduate majors in the music, theatre and dance departments. Students may sign up for them on the following dates: Monday, September 14, performing arts graduate students;
Tuesday, September 15, performing arts undergraduate majors; Wednesday, September 16, all other Smith students. All carrels unassigned as September 17 are open for registration to all other Smith College students, regardless of departmental affiliation. (Janet Spongberg, ext. 2933)

Neilson Library Carrel Sign-Up
Students may sign up for Neilson Library carrels on the following dates: Monday, September 14, for seniors, graduate students, honors students and Ada Comstock Scholars; Tuesday, September 15, for all others. ID is required. You may only reserve a carrel for yourself and not for other students. (Ext. 2895)

Young Science Library Carrel Sign-Up
Students may sign up for Young Science Library carrels on the following dates: Monday, September 14, seniors, graduate students and Ada Comstock Scholars living off campus; Tuesday, September 15, all others.

First-Semester Riding Information
Registration for all students who are interested in taking riding classes will take place Wednesday, September 9, at 7 p.m. in Ainsworth faculty/staff lounge. Please bring your academic schedule and fee for the semester ($350). You must attend this meeting even if you have preregistered. (Sue Payne, ext. 2734)

Intercollegiate Team Tryouts
All new students interested in trying out for the equestrian team are invited to attend tryouts, which begin at 1 p.m., on Saturday, September 5. Students who wish to try out must sign up in advance at the Equestrian Center. Riders should be dressed in show clothes for tryouts. Sophomores, juniors and seniors who were not previously on the team and would like to try out should sign up for a time at Central Check-in. These tryouts will be Thursday, September 10, at noon. (Sue Payne, ext. 2734)

Open Hours
Mentha Hynes, interim assistant dean for multicultural affairs, will hold open office hours in College Hall 24, from 10 a.m. until noon and from 2 to 4 p.m., on the following Thursdays: September 10, 17 and 24 and October 1 and 15.

American Studies Registration
Space is available in American Studies 220, 221 and 350. Students may sign up for these courses in Wright Hall 12. A writing sample and student statement are required for AMS 350. (Barbara Day, ext. 3582)

Service Organizations of Smith
Don't miss the S.O.S. Community Service Fair, Tuesday, September 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Davis Center. Representatives from more than 40 nonprofit, community-based agencies will be available to provide information about how you can make a difference in our community. (Ext. 2756)

Support S.O.S. and community service by volunteering at Kaffee Klatsch. This coffee shop in Seelye basement -- the organization's largest fund-raiser -- will open Wednesday, September 23. Volunteer shifts are approximately one hour. To sign up: Melissa, ext. 4799.

The first S.O.S. project for the year at the Food Bank Farm, harvesting vegetables for distribution to local food programs, will take place Saturday, September 19. Volunteers will meet in the parking lot of the Helen Hills Hills Chapel at 8:15 a.m. and return at 12:30 p.m. Wear old clothes and shoes. (Ext. 2756)

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AcaMedia staff: Ann Shanahan, co-editor; Cathy Brooks, layout; Mary Stanton, calendar/notices; Eric Sean Weld, co-editor
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: September 3, 1998

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