Thursday, September 5, 2002

by Jeremy Schifeling
Gazette Section Editor

Students returning from summer vacations spent away from the cozy confines
of Swarthmore may have been surprised to find a very different campus this
past week. However, to the folks in the Facilities department, “change” has
been a summer motto of sorts, with structural updates and renovations being
made across the board.

As usual, dorms received much of the attention this past summer. Mary Lyons
basement was the largest recipient, getting a full makeover that included
new carpets, bathrooms, and ventilation/light-intake systems, according to
Myrt Westphal, Dean of Housing. Additionally, it now sports a snazzy new
color scheme, as well as larger single rooms that were converted from
doubles. And the boiler room has now been fully enclosed, following a brief
flooding incident last spring.

All of ML got new sprinklers, as did Danawell, and both Dana and Hallowell
saw their end rooms converted back into lounges after spending a year as
bedrooms to ease the housing crunch. Furthermore, Alice Balbierer of
Facilities noted that any campus washer or dryer that had spent more than
five years at Swat has been replaced.

On the academic side of campus, both Martin and Papazian received minor
updates. The major changes, however, were reserved for Beardsley, which saw
a reconfiguration of the first and second floors to brighten up Information
Technology Services’ once-drab home.

The most noticeable renovations are the relocation of the Help Desk to the
first floor and the halving of the Beardsely Public Area. Judy Downing,
Director of ITS, explained that this latter change was to allow for more
computers to be placed in dorms and Cornell Library. Many of the staff
members also have new office locations, and Downing reminds anyone visiting
the redone department to take note that the first floor bathrooms,
previously the source of much disgust, have now been spruced up–but, and
this is important–the men’s and women’s rooms have been switched.

In addition to other completed updates, which include new ADA-compliant
paths between Wharton and Sharples and the installation of new underground
pipes, there are a number of projects that are still in progress after a
summer of hard work.

The Science Center, is “on schedule and on budget” according to Larry
Schall, the ex-VP of Facilities, who himself upgraded over the summer: to a
new job–VP for Administration. And while the entire center is not expected
to be fully complete until 2004, certain parts will begin opening up this year.

Meanwhile, renovations to Clothier Field, which were delayed by a “new
borough ordinance addressing water run-off and by discovering a large vein
of rock in the middle of field,” according to Schall, are scheduled to be
done by the start of the spring semester, and will feature a new track and
artificial surface field.

PACES, too, is getting a new look, said Balbierer. Everything from the the
floor to the furniture to the lighting is being replaced–just in time for
a new semester’s worth of drinks to be spilled on them!

And finally, one very important project that has yet to commence is the
construction of the new dorm. Schall reports that the building design has
just been completed but that “the start date of construction is very much
up in the air as it depends on new gifts to the [fundraising] campaign.”
Construction could possibly begin as early as next March, “but that assumes
the most optimistic giving in a time of pretty severe economic decline,”
said Schall.

Regardless though, those who appreciate the dynamic nature of the campus
will certainly have plenty to tide them over in the meantime.

by Mary Harrison
Gazette News Reporter

Walking into McCabe this evening, you may notice that a familiar figure is
no longer sitting quietly to the left, ready to welcome you in with a smile
and a click of the counter.

Instead, that spot is filled by a small collection of newspaper clippings
and cards recalling the memory of Ben Criscuolo, one of McCabe’s evening
receptionists, who passed away on May 28th.

A fixture at the library for almost 10 years, Ben worked in a security
function, checking bookbags before the automated system was installed, and
keeping an eye on the door.

“It was a perfect job for him: a combination of his experience in the
security world, his love of books, and his affinity for the students,” said
Mary Anne Wood, McCabe’s evening circulation supervisor and a friend of the
Criscuolo family.

Despite its trying hours, the McCabe duty was not Ben’s only job; during
the day he could be found at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia,
where he worked as a security officer.

“He would work from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Philly, get on a train, then
work from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. here,” said Wood.

“He was putting his kids through college,” said Ed Fuller, general
reference librarian at McCabe. “None of us could figure out how he could do
it.”

Despite his schedule, Ben retained a number of hobbies. He was a staunch
supporter of the Phillies, through thick and thin. He also pursued an
interest in computers, learning how to use Tripod and send email.

Ben’s contribution to the library went beyond his concientious sentry duty
at the door. He had a special fondness for the students who filled his
evenings; whether with Gary Larson cartoons or tips on where to find the
best hoagies, “he was always willing to give advice, or just listen” said
Fuller. “He believed in all those schmaltzy things, like moral standards,
civility, duty, things like holding the door for people. He was a solid voice
in an unstable world.”

*****

* Secretary of State Colin Powell was jeered and booed yesterday during his
speech at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Powell’s speech
defended U.S. policy on the environment and poverty. The protestors
disagreed, particularly angered by President Bush’s refusal to sign the
Kyoto treaty, which would restrict the release of greenhouse gases by
industrial nations, and is expected to pass regardless of U.S. support.

* President Bush agreed on Wednesday to seek congressional approval on the
Iraq issue. Such approval would give Bush full power in deciding what sort
of action to take against Saddam Hussein’s regime. Congress will most
likely vote on the issue before Election Day, with political insiders
expecting the decision to influence results in many of the most
hotly-contested races.

* The popular Fox summer TV series, “American Idol,” came to an end last
night. The program, a cross-breed of reality TV and “Star Search,” started
out by auditioning thousands of unknown young singers. Out of this group,
ten finalists were chosen, nine of whom were voted off the show
week-by-week by the American public. The tenth contestant, Kelly Clarkson,
beat out Justin Guarini this week to become the American idol.

*****

SWIL Movie Night Special Screening: “Star Wars” Trilogy
Kirby Lecture Hall, 7:00 p.m.

Swarthmore Progressive Action Committee meeting
Kohlberg 228, 9:00 p.m.

*****

SPORTS UPDATE

The volleyball team began their season in impressive fashion, defeating
Rosemont 30-13, 30-20, 30-13 last night. Natalie Dunphy ’05 led the attack
with 14 kills and two aces, while Emma Benn ’04 added seven kills. Patrice
Berry ’06 and Emily Conlon ’06 chipped in with nine digs and 25 assists,
respectively. The win is the first for first-year head coach Harleigh Leach.

*****

Seniors Meg Woodworth and Kate Nelson-Lee led the Garnet and rookie head
coach Kelly Wilcox to a 1-0 victory over Widener in their season-opener
yesterday. Woodworth scored the lone Garnet goal off a rebound in the 40th
minute, while Nelson-Lee blocked all four Widener shots to preserve the
shutout.

*****

The men’s soccer team also notched a shutout as Steven Pater ’05 scored on
a Marty Griffith ’05 assist and Nate Shupe ’05 turned away five shots from
the opposition. The team’s record is now 2-1–their best opening mark since
1995.

*****

Today:
There are no contests scheduled for today.

Tomorrow:
Women’s tennis at Mary Washington, 3:00 p.m.

*****

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with
great force.”
–Dorothy Parker

*****
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