Thursday, November 11, 2004

by Jonathan Ference
News Editor

The College Facilities department has been kept busy this academic year dealing with both incidental and student damage to the physical plant. While for the most part each incident has only affected a very small portion of the student body, the College has had to fix problems in spots ranging from the roof of Sharples to lampposts on Magill Walk.

According to Ralph Thayer of the Facilities department, “each year brings a mix of damages from vandalism and accidents as well as routine repairs.” This year the College lost five decorative lamp posts on Magill Walk due to vandalism–and then lost another between Parrish and Clothier when the driver of a golf cart lost visibility in the sun and knocked the post down. The loss of so many posts has left the College without any additional replacements and, since that model of post is no longer manufactured, Thayer estimated it would cost $4,000 to replace additional poles and fixtures.

Students living in Willets dealt with what appeared to be more vandalism last week, when a window in Mephistos Lounge was smashed following Election Day festivities. Thayer estimated the window replacement at $860.

Other dorm incidents inconvenienced students in minor ways. Students in Whittier Place complained of a lack of heat which resulted in Facilities staff moving the thermostat to “a central location that better modeled the building’s needs” according to Thayer. Parrish residents, the students most directly affected by construction, sometimes did not have hot water or heat on demand pending installation of pipes to bypass the construction. Thayer wrote that all problems should be solved, though “areas adjacent to the construction may experience drafts from the open areas.”

Students living in the plush New Dorm encountered a small shock recently when standing water appeared on dorm room floors. Thayer explained that the drain system from the air conditioning in each room is connected to a larger rain water drain system that helps avoid sending too much extra water into the sewer. The precipitation drain was clogged and during heavy rain last Thursday night a backup occurred that sent water to the next lowest point of entry to the system, which was several dorm rooms. Thayer noted that the pipe had been cleared to prevent further problems and that the general contractor for the building had been asked to pay for damages.

Another item that has gone missing is the famous Palmer porch swing. A favorite of students waiting for the evening shuttle or just sitting to talk, RA David Luong noticed that the porch swing had disappeared one day in October and reported the incident to the authorities. The swing is still absent without leave, and according to Director of Public Safety Owen Redgrave: “there have not been any significant leads.”

Thayer noted that a big concern is students walking on the roofs of buildings. Aside from the obviously dangerous nature of this activity, Thayer explained that, for example, the roof tiles of Sharples “are fired clay which are as brittle as dinner plates if stepped on in the wrong place.” Each broken tile can cost about $75 to replace when labor is considered.
Asked how the overall level of vandalism compared to other years, Thayer wrote: “Overall, we’ve started with more vandalism than we would ordinarily see at this time of year. It’s particularly disturbing that outdoor lighting appears to be a target as they are disproportionately expensive to repair/replace and they are so important to night time security.” Thayer also noted that some would-be vandals might receive a real shock when they attempt to knock down poles: “most outdoor fixtures are rated for 480 volts, which is more than enough to deliver a lethal shock.”

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by Victoria Swisher
Living and Arts Editor

This weekend, Swarthmore College will be hosting a conference along with Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, entitled “Signs and Voices: Language, Arts, and Identity from Deaf to Hearing” that will include lectures, art exhibits, and discussion panels on issues important to the deaf and hard of hearing.

Donna Jo Napoli, Swarthmore College Professor of Linguistics, is a spokesperson and organizer of the event and helped put the conference together with a large group of students, alums, staff members, and faculty from Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford Colleges. Of the conference, Napoli hopes that people will “marvel at the wonderful art – we’re having an exhibit of sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, artwork, books – we’re having performances in comedy, poetry, dance, storytelling. I want them to open their minds to a part of our society that is way too often ignored.”

The goals of the conference are not only to showcase deaf talent, but to bring about greater awareness concerning deaf issues to the hearing community. Napoli stressed this second goal, as she commented, “The language barrier has too often allowed the hearing mainstream to walk right by the deaf minority, without considering at all the needs and rights of this part of our society, and certainly without considering what it might take to make a friendship with someone who has hearing loss. After this conference, my hope is that those who attend who had no prior associations with deaf people will leave with a different sense of the responsibilities of society to all its members.”

The conference begins today at Swarthmore, with performances by two deaf comedians in Upper Tarble. Events continue on Friday with an art exhibit in McCabe library lobby, a lecture called “Deaf Communities the World Over: The Past, Present and Future of Deafness”, and a panel discussion on “Practical and Theoretical Issues of Educating Children with Hearing Loss”, both in Science Center Room 101.

Saturday’s events will all be held at Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. The conference concludes on Sunday at Swarthmore with artistic performances by deaf artists in Pearson-Hal Theater funded by the Cooper Foundation.

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* Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat passed away at 4:30 a.m. Paris time Thursday. Mr. Arafat’s long career as a Palestinian leader was described by the New York Times as including the roles of “terrorist, statesman, autocrat and peacemaker.” Arafat did not live long enough to see his people achieve the dream of statehood, and the rise of radical Islam had weakened his power in recent years. Since he did not groom a successor the fatal illness that befell him in recent weeks was clouded in controversy. Mr. Arafat’s wife, Suha, went so far as to accuse her husband’s aides of trying to usurp his powers as he lay dying.

* On Wednesday, President Bush nominated Alberto Gonzales to serve as attorney general. The announcement came only a day after John Ashcroft resigned from the post, a decisiveness which indicates that President Bush wants to have most of his advisers in place before his new term starts in 10 weeks. In nominating Mr. Gonzales, who previously served as the White House counsel, the president said that “his sharp intellect and sound judgement have helped shape our policies….He is a calm and steady voice at times of crisis.” Before he can start serving, Mr. Gonzales must be confirmed by the Senate. If he is confirmed, he will be the first Hispanic to serve in that post.

* As the assault slowed late Wednesday, coalition troops appear to have taken half of Fallujah, Iraq. In a wave of counteroffensives across the country, the guerrillas continued to assault American troops. Insurgents also captured three relatives of Iraqi prime minister Ayad Allawi. An internet message posted by a group calling itself Ansar Al-Jihad said that it would behead the prisoners unless Dr. Allawi called off the siege and released all prisoners within 48 hours.

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Documentary screening: The Weather Underground, with director Sam Green
Science Center 101, 4:30 p.m.

Ramadan Iftar
Black Cultural Center, 5:00 p.m.

Eyewitness: Venezuela
Intercultural Center, 7:00 p.m.

French Film Festival: Manon des sources
LPAC Cinema, 7:00 p.m.

Amnesty International
Science Center 199, 7:00 p.m.

Signs and Voices: Comedians Kathy Buckley and Ken Glickman
Upper Tarble, 7:30 p.m.

Poetry reading: Daniel Hoffman
McCabe Library Lobby, 7:30 p.m.

Films of Fury: Chinatown Kid
SCCS Media Lounge, 7:30 p.m.

Free Culture Fest: Remixing Workshop
Science Center 256, 8:00 p.m.

Rhythm N Motion Dance Workshop: A Latin Mix
Troy Dance Studio, 9:00 p.m.

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SPORTS UPDATE

by Andrew Quinton, Gazette Reporter
additional reporting by Alex Glick, Sports Editor

Needing a victory to keep both their ECAC Tournament hopes and their season alive, the men’s soccer team came back from an early deficit to defeat the Flying Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley College (LVC) by a 4-1 margin last night at Clothier Field. The win advances Swarthmore to the ECAC semifinals.

The Dutchmen got off to a fast start, controlling play early and nearly netting the first goal of the match in the 7th minute when Garnet goalkeeper Nate Shupe ’05 kicked a free ball straight into a LVC player. Brian Sapienza tracked the ball down and took a shot at the empty net, but Brendan Grady ’08 came out of nowhere to make a sliding save and knock the ball away from the goal. LVC finally broke through only a few minutes later when Fran Pitanyak’s free kick went across the goal mouth from left to right straight onto the head of Justin Klunk who sent it back across the goal and into the left side of the net at 13:48.

But Swarthmore (11-6-2 overall) is not undefeated at home this season for nothing. Control of play soon moved to the Garnet, as they ended the half with a 9-3 shot advantage. Michael Bonesteel ’08 sent a cross to Kirk Ellison ’05 in the 29th minute, but Ellison’s shot went wide of the goal. Only a few minutes later, Matt Schiller got open beyond the defense and received a nice ball, but his hard shot went straight at LVC goalkeeper Brandon Morgan. Schiller did well at getting behind the defense all night long but neither of his two shots found the net.

Given all of the pressure applied by the Garnet throughout the first 45 minutes, it is somewhat ironic that their only goal of the half came as a result of a little alertness and a lot of luck. Morgan fielded a ball in the box, put it down and dribbled it with his foot, and then picked it back up. This is, of course, illegal and Swarthmore was awarded a free kick just a few yards from the goal. Meanwhile, the players from both teams were already headed back up the field in anticipation of Morgan’s punt. When the free kick was awarded, it was a race to the ball and Brandon Washington ’08 and Alex Elkins ’06 won. Washington made a short pass to Elkins, who hammered it past the helpless Morgan for the equalizer at 32:04. Washington and Bonesteel teamed up on the front line to create some near-breakaways late in the first half but were unable to break the tie.

Swarthmore nearly took the lead when Kirk Ellison ’05 had a shot at an empty net in the 48th minute, but a Dutchmen defender pulled a Grady and knocked the ball away. LVC almost retook the lead in the 59th minute when Jason Yarnall took aim just below the crossbar, but Shupe leaped up and knocked the ball over the goal. This set off a streak of corner kicks for the Dutchmen; they would end up with 13 corners on the game.

At 73:11, Andrew Terker ’06, hobbled by a bruised heel, came up with yet another clutch goal to put the Garnet ahead for good. Elkins set the goal up by hitting a long ball up the left side, and as usual, Terker was simply faster than the opponents. 2-1 is a nice lead, to be sure, but Swarthmore was not about to rest on its laurels. Brandon Washington made it 3-1 at 83:51 when he outran two defenders to the ball and beat Morgan for his fourth goal of the season. Bonesteel added his seventh goal of the season with just a minute and a half to play off a pretty feed from Scott Long ’06. The story of this goal would not be complete, though, without mentioning that Andrew Macurdy ’08, fresh off the bench for the first time all game, juked his way past several Dutchmen before his shot was knocked out of bounds by Morgan. This, however, set up the corner kick that led to Bonesteel’s goal. For the match, the Garnet outshot the Dutchmen by an 18-11 margin. Shupe and Morgan each made three saves.

Around 110 fans, including Registrar Martin Warner and Dean of Admissions Jim Bock, braved the frigid air to watch the match. As always, the team did not disappoint. After the game, men’s soccer and Daily Gazette alum Brendan Moriarty ’04 said, “It’s rewarding to come back and watch them play this well. They’re light years ahead of how we were four years ago.” He also noted how important it is that, “they really enjoy playing with each other.” Julie Monaghan ’07, a member of the field hockey team, commented, “It’s really exciting to see Swarthmore have a winning team. It’s something Swat needs for school spirit.” She later added, “Andrew Terker is a fine player!”

The Garnet will look to continue their unbeaten season at home this weekend. As the #1, #2, and #3 seeds all lost their matches last night, the Garnet will host the semifinals and finals of the ECAC tournament as the highest remaining seed. On Saturday, Swarthmore faces off with #8 Washington and Jefferson College at 1:00 p.m. The Presidents earned their spot in this game by defeating Altoona. In the other semifinal, Wesley will take on Franklin and Marshall at 3:00 p.m.

Yesterday, Shupe, Elkins, and Terker were all named to the all-Centennial Conference second team.

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Today:
There are no contests scheduled for today.

Tomorrow:
Badminton at Mid-Atlantic tournament.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.”
–Noel Coward

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