Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
The Daily Gazette
Swarthmore College
Wednesday, January 26, 2000
Volume 4, Number 62
NEWS IN BRIEF
1) Snow falling on Swatties
2) Student Council update
3) World news roundup
4) Campus events
SPORTS IN BRIEF
1) World sports roundup
2) Today’s and tomorrow’s contests
WEATHER FORECAST
Today: Scattered snow showers. High near 30.
Oh, to be a small child…
Tonight: Cloudy. Low in the upper teens.
Spending the whole day sledding and making snow angels, then having
hot chocolate…
Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. High near 30.
Oh, to be a college student on a day without classes… (thank you!)
NEWS REPORT
1) Snow falling on Swatties
“When it snows, ain’t it thrilling… Walking in a winter wonderland.”
Or so the song goes. While the Swarthmore population may have had a
slightly different interpretation of the roughly 8 inches of fresh powder
while walking up Parrish hill yesterday morning, few were upset
about the way the situation was handled. Indeed, as it turned out, a
great deal of hard work went on behind the scenes of our winter
wonderland.
The Great Dig-Out was already underway by 5 a.m. As could be attested to
by any Swattie walking down clean steps to their 8:30 class, Jeff Jabco’s
Facilities staff performed admirably under the difficult
circumstances. In fact, despite the weather, only a
half-dozen crew members failed to show up, some coming from as far away as
Wilmington and Northeast Philly. These absences were quickly filled by a
number of intrepid volunteers, all who stayed until 5 p.m., with a few
kind souls working even later into the winter night.
In addition to the brave contributions of the grounds crew, all the
other essential departments were well represented. From Maintenance to
Dining, Swarthmore was more or less running as usual. Although Sharples was
noticeably affected by the weather in terms of manpower, it, too, had its
share of heroic efforts in the face of adversity. Sara Amesalu, for
instance, arrived to help out, despite having a daughter whose daycare was
canceled by the inclement conditions and being 9 months pregnant.
Meanwhile, most of the administration and some of the student body had
the day off. While there was some student grumbling about a perceived
dichotomy between the “Official Snow Day” for administrators and a
Professor-chosen cancellation for the students, Jabco explained the
reasoning behind this decision. “This is simply because the absence of
the non-essential components of the college would remove congestion and
make it easier to clear the snow,” he said. Additionally, the danger in
transportation and the local school closings were named as factors in the
administration holiday. Classes were not officially canceled, Jabco said,
because “a live-in student residence combined with nearby faculty make
this scenario very unlikely.”
Even so, many students who were not officially granted a day off gave
themselves a snow day anyway. John Murphy ’03, for instance, took the
optimistic stance that, “if it’s going to be cold, it might as well
snow.” Some got a bit more enthusiastic about the snow. Aileen Miller ’01, by
all signs a responsible RA, spoke of “sledding in the Crum.” Owen
Redgrave of Public Safety reported no snow-related incidents of any kind.
For those who just cannot get enough of the tundra lifestyle, Jabco is
quick to point out Philadelphia’s annual snowfall averages out at
21 inches. So there may still be more to come.
-j.s.
*****
2) Student Council update
Student Council meeting began with a request from Phi Psi, Delta
Upsilon, the WRC, and the new Art Space in Sharples III to push the
administration to wire those buildings for ethernet/internet
access. According to Facilities Director Larry Schall, the wiring will
cost $5,000 per building. …After discussion with Linda McDougall
yesterday, Brandon Silverman ’02 reported that chicken patties will be
available at the grill at Sharples beginning Monday. … A proposed
amendment to remove abstention as a ballot requirement failed; amendments
concerning the referendum process and Council members’ obligations were
both withdrawn so that recommended changes can be incorporated. These two
amendments are expected to be proposed again to the student body and
Student Council.
*****
3) World news roundup
States of emergency have been declared in Maryland, Virginia, and
North Carolina due to yesterday’s snowstorm. Forecasters are warning that
another storm system could hit the southeastern part of the country with
more wintry weather by the end of the week. …Senior Chinese and
U.S. defense officials met yesterday to set a tentative agenda for renewed
military cooperation. Both sides went to the table hoping for improved
military ties and a mutual understanding of Asian security. Secrecy
surrounded the talks because of sensitive political issues, including
Taiwan and arms proliferation. …Pakistan’s military leaders and
Afganistan’s ruling Taliban have rejected U.S. appeals to combat
terrorism, and one militant group threatened a violent backlash if the
U.S. makes any attempt. …The American Medical Association reported that
women taking a combination of estrogen and progestin have a greater risk
of breast cancer than women using estrogen alone. …Elian Gonzalez will
meet his Cuban grandmothers privately today in Miami, against the
protests of his Miami relatives.
*****
4) Campus events
Interest Meeting for Peace and Conflict Studies Concentration
Pearson 210, 4:15 p.m.
Sophomore Paper Departmental Meeting: Psychology
Kohlberg 226, 4:30 p.m.
Sophomore Paper Departmental Meeting: Music
Lang Green Room, 4:30 p.m.
“Heaven in a Nightclub: Spiritual Roots of Jazz”, by Renewal
Lang Concert Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Sophomore Paper Departmental Meeting: Computer Science
Sproul 300, 6:30 p.m.
Sophomore Paper Departmental Meeting: Philosophy
Kohlberg 115, 8:30 p.m.
Film Society Screening
Dupont 161, 10:00 p.m.
*****
SPORTS UPDATE
1) World sports roundup
Doctors are hopeful that the Chief’s Thomas might be able to walk again,
after four hours of surgery to rebuild part of his spinal cord, which he
broke after losing control of his car on an icy highway. …A new NCAA
rule will permit officials to review buzzer beaters on a replay
monitor. …The New York Rangers extended their winning streak to seven
with a victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. …In NCAA action, No. 11
Tennessee trounced No. 7 Auburn 105-76 yesterday.
*****
2) Today’s and tomorrow’s contests
TODAY
Women’s swimming hosts Bryn Mawr, 5:30 p.m.
Wrestling hosts UPenn, 6:00 p.m.
Women’s basketball at Haverford, 6:00 p.m.
Men’s basketball at Haverford, 8:00 p.m.
Badminton hosts Bryn Athyn, 7:30 p.m.
TOMORROW
No contests scheduled for tomorrow.
*****
Quote of the day:
“People in a temper often say a lot of silly, terrible things they
mean.” — Penelope Gilliatt
*****
Interested in reporting or writing for the Gazette?
Just want to tell us what you think?
Contact the Editorial Board at
gazette-management@student-publications.swarthmore.edu.
Got a news or sports tip for us?
E-mail gazette-news@student-publications.swarthmore.edu.
Editorial Board
Jeff Heckelman
Melanie Hirsch
Claire Phillips-Thoryn
Staff Writers
Karla Gilbride
Alma Ortiz
Jeremy Schifeling
Kai Xu
The Daily Gazette is published Monday through Friday by an independent
group of Swarthmore College students. Technical support from the
Swarthmore
College Computer Society is gratefully acknowledged.
To subscribe to the Gazette, free of charge, send e-mail to
requests@student-publications.swarthmore.edu with the words “subscribe
daily” as the subject of your message. Use the words “unsubscribe
daily” to
cancel a subscription.
Back issues are available on the World Wide Web at:
<http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/daily>
This concludes today’s report.
