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February 27, 2001
NEWARK STAR-LEDGER
When the Star-Ledger wanted to help readers sort through
the controversy surrounding President Clinton's granting of numerous
pardons in the last days of his administration, the paper reprinted
a conversation headlined "Pardon Primer" -- between
editorial page editor Joshua McMahon and Professor of Government
Don Robinson, an expert on the presidency. Robinson explained
the constitutional origins of the power to grant pardons
and noted historical moments when that power had been abused.
"Clearly, present circumstances have put this power in
a bad light," Robinson noted. "There was a bazaar
going in the White House in those final days where it appears
there was a peddling of pardons. It was almost like the sale
of indulgences by the papacy." The appropriate remedy,
Robinson argued, is not to rescind the power of pardon but "to
elect people who can be trusted with that power." [www.starledger.com]
February 26, 2001
HISPANIC OUTLOOK
In its "Honor Roll" section, the flagship publication
for Hispanic issues in higher education profiled Smith College
at length, citing the college and its president as strongly committed
to diversity in its enrollment and programs. "Diversity
for me," Smith President Ruth Simmons explained,
"is about the way we live our lives on a daily basis. It
is about what we teach, research and study. Smith College was
founded to promote social justice. An important component of
meeting that mission today is overcoming the legacy of denial
of equal access and opportunity." The article highlighted
the colleges innovative internship and engineering programs,
as well as outreach programs designed to attract students from
diverse backgrounds. [www.hispanicoutlook.com
February 18, 2001
BOSTON GLOBE
The appointment of Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci as
ambassador to Canada opened the door for much speculation on
how Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift will cope with being both
governor and mother of a toddler and newborn twins (due in June).
The Globe asked a number of noted experts including former
U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, radio and television talk-show
host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and Smith Career Development Director
Barbara Reinhold to offer Swift their best advice.
For managing the stress of juggling multiple roles, Reinhold
suggested that Swift "remember what the airline attendant
tells you whenever you fly commercially: Be sure to put your
own mask on first." [www.boston.com/globe]
February 14, 2001
NEW YORK TIMES
The Times noted the visit of Gloria Steinem '56 and
Domenico Grasso, chair of the Picker Program in Engineering
and Technology, to Bronx High School of Science. Steinem and
Grasso talked to sophomore and junior girls about opportunities
for women in engineering fields. [www.nytimes.com]
- February 9 11
- USA WEEKEND
- A celebration of Black History Month
featured dialogues between leaders in various fields and "the
young talents they believe will carry the dream into the 21st
century." Representing the field of education is Smith
President Ruth Simmons; she and Princeton University economist
Cecilia Rouse discuss critical issues in educational access and
quality. [www.usaweekend.com]
February 9, 2001
WASHINGTON POST
On the eve of the NBA All-Star game, the first to be held
in the District, Washington-area business leaders predicted windfall
revenues from the 27,000 fans expected to attend the game and
associated festivities. Economist Andy Zimbalist disagreed,
saying their spending would not have any appreciable effect on
the local economy. "Most of the money that gets spent
is money that's recirculating within Washington. If you're a
basketball fan and yiu decide to take your family to a game,
you're spending your money there instead of taking your family
out to a restaurant. It doesn't affect the Washington economy
whether you spend your $200 on 10th St. or 14th St." [www.washpost.com]
February 5, 2001 (issue date)
PEOPLE
In a profile, President Ruth Simmons described herself
as "a terrible bookworm," evidence of an early love
of learning that would take her from poverty in rural Texas to
a Ph.D at Harvard. Of Simmons' history-making appointment as
the first African-American president of Brown University, Smith
faculty member Donald Baumer noted "Their gain is our loss.
She is a very professional woman. People melt in front of her
smile." Simmons' longtime friend and mentor Vernell Lillie
saluted Simmons' energy and commitment. "She won't be satisfied
with being an icon [at Brown]. She's not window dressing."
[www.people.com]
February 4, 2001
NEW YORK TIMES
An item in the Benefits column noted that Smith President
Ruth Simmons would be honored on Feb. 7 as a Black History
Maker by the Associated Black Charities. The event, hosted by
Ed Bradley of "60 Minutes," was a fundraiser for the
organization, which is comprised of 27 New York groups that provide
health and social services. [www.nytimes.com]
February 4, 2001
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Reflecting on the legacies of the civil-rights movement,
the Journal turned to three "civil rights veterans"
voter-registration activist Bernard LaFayette, Rhode Island
senator Charles Walton and Smith President Ruth Simmons
to assess the movement's accomplishments as well as unmet
dreams. One area where racism still persists, Simmons observed,
is in the academy, where white often expect less of non-whites.
"One of the things that sometimes happens is that there
is one standard applied for whites and another standard applied
for the rest of us. The attitude is 'We'll let you people come
in, but we won't hold you to the same standards we hold the physics
department t.'" [www.projo.com]
February 4, 2001
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
The 80th birthday of Betty Friedan '42 prompted Philadelphia
Inquirer book critic Carlin Romano to reflect on her accomplishments
and on the revolution set in motion by her landmark book. "As
much as any book written in the middle of the 20th century,"
noted historian Daniel Horowitz, author of "Betty
Friedan and the Making of 'The Feminine Mystique,'"",
[the book] helped transform the course of America's social and
political history." Summing up her life to date, Freidan
said she feels pretty good about her achievements. "I have
three wonderful kids, nine grandchildren, I've written six books,
and I started a wonderful revolution." [www.phillynews.com]
February 1, 2001
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
Plans to modernize Chicago's Wrigley Field are running into
roadblocks because city officials want to give the 87-year-old
ballpark landmark status. Chicago Cubs owners argue they need
the updates to increase stadium revenues. Economist Andy
Zimbalist disagreed, saying that tradition and nostalgia
for the current facility is what draws fans, despite the fact
that the Cubs aren't a particularly successful team. "Wrigley
Field is a unique situation," Zimbalist explained, "because
the baseball team doesn't win but they sell out nearly all the
time. So the owners have been reluctant to tamper with the
formula for their bottom line." [www.suntimes.com]
February 2001
TEXAS MONTHLY
When columnist Paul Berka had the chance to pose a question
to President-elect George W. Bush, he avoided the topic of vote
recounts or presidential politics, focusing instead on the issue
at the top of many Texans' minds: did it make business sense
for the Texas Rangers to offer Alex Rodriguez a contract for
$252 million? "When you pay more for your shortstop than
for your team" Bush responded, "that ought to be a
warning sign that your labor costs are out of control."
Not necessarily, countered economist Andy Zimbalist.
Bush's response was "rhetorically valid but analytically
vapid," in Zimbalist's opinion, since A-Rod's popularity
and charisma draws fans, enabling him to contribute not only
on the field but beyond the ballpark as well. [www.texasmonthly.com]
January/February 2001
JANE
The magazine honored President Ruth Simmons and trustee
Gloria Steinem '56 as two of the "gutsiest women of
2000." [www.janemag.com]
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