February 27, 2009 Volume 125, Issue 18
The Scarlet and Black
Candidates compete in SGA Cabinet elections
Ben Archer ’09 poses a question to SGA executive candidates at Thursday’s open forum hosted by Election Board. The forum opened with candidates
reading statements of intent followed by a period of questions from audience members. Questions ranged from what each candidate will look for when
appointing cabinet members to the candidates’ perspectives on Films and Concerts in student life to how they will deal with the demanding schedule
imposed by their respective positions. See pages 8 and 9 to read candidates’ answers to a set of questions provided by the S&B and more coverage of the
open forum.
Series of events commemotrates hate mail, builds awareness
BY A RI A NISFELD & H EIDI CONNER
A year ago this week, on Feb 23, 2008, homophobic slurs
were scrawled outside a student’s dorm room and some of the
student’s property was vandalized. Over the course of the next
ten days, 34 LGBTQ students were sent anti-queer hate mail
and offensive and potentially threatening e-mails. After each
event, the campus community came together for rallies and a
forum, and well over 100 students chanted supportive cheers as
they marched from Main Hall to the JRC to proclaim both their
anger and their solidarity.
To remember the anti-queer acts and the supportive commu-
nity response, and to continue the dialogue on issues of campus
inclusiveness, the Stonewall Resource Center (SRC), in collabo-
ration with other LGBTQ groups, has scheduled a number of
events that they hope will bring last year’s acts into focus.
The series of events includes an informal workshop taking
place today at which students will be able to apply iron-on “Hate
SPARC unveils spring budgets with six new publications
BY JEFF R ADERSTRONG
Last week, the Student Publications and Radio Com-
mittee (SPARC) announced student publication budgets
for the 2009 spring semester. Several new publications
were allotted funds, while most existing publications faced
slight budget cuts.
According to the overall SPARC budget, of publica-
tions that received funding for the fall semester, only Press
and KDIC’s budgets remained the same while the S&B’s
increased, and the rest decreased. However, five new publi-
Yuki Goto continues
Inside 1 recovery through po-
etry, persistence, runs
marathon..................p.7
First College Newspaper West of the Mississippi
Grinnell College
LAWRENCE SUMULONG
Free” decals to clothing and backpacks, and a facilitated panel
discussion on Monday at which administrators and sociology
professors will answer questions about the overall community
impact of these kinds of events. The events will wrap up Tuesday
with a speak-out in Bob’s Underground where students can re-
flect and share their personal experiences with last year’s events.
According to SRC Program Coordinator Brian Perbix ’09,
the programs aim to remind people about the magnitude of last
year’s events and foster a continuing dialogue about Grinnell’s
campus climate since the events. “It would be irresponsible of us
to let this moment pass unacknowledged,” Perbix said.
Leah Krandel ’09, one of the organizers of the speak out, said
that the event will provide an opportunity for victims to share
their emotions, particularly friends of those who received letters,
a group that Krandel described as “secondary victims.”
“It’s a hard place to be in where you were upset, and you were
a secondary victim of what happened but your feelings weren’t
cations were added under SPARC for the spring semester.
This semester’s proposed budget totaled around
$125,000, compared to $122,504.10 in the fall, with
$89,517.32 and $74.865.32 being allotted in each semester,
respectively.
“We go through a fairly painful budget process each se-
mester,” said SPARC Treasurer Matt Zmudka ’11. “Publi-
cations are always requesting more money than we actually
have to give out.”
SPARC receives one-third of the Student Activity Fund,
Can’t decide who to
2 vote for? Comprehen-
sive SGA election cov-
erage....................p.8-9
3 Grinnell’s
Grinnell, IA
Cops on campus,
students concerned
BY A RI A NISFELD & DAVID L OGAN
Three weeks ago, at least four Grinnell
students were arrested on and off campus for
various alcohol related charges. Police pres-
ence—both on and off campus—is a common
anxiety for students, who often are unaware of
how to interact with law enforcement officials,
and rumors about the recent arrests have only
increased that unease.
In the midst of a perceived uptick in police
activity, ACE Security—the student run orga-
nization responsible for basic safety and secu-
rity at all-campus events such as Harris parties
and concerts—organized two campus-wide
discussions to educate students about their
rights and responsibilities vis-à-vis law en-
forcement agencies, as well as the role Campus
Security and ACE Security play on campus.
The events included a fireside chat held on
Tuesday at which SGA President Neo Morake
’09 spoke about safety on campus. ACE Secu-
rity co-Director Ben Howort ’09 also fielded
questions on the role of ACE Security.
On Thursday, Howort hosted an informa-
tion session about how to act when encounter-
ing police officers. The event began with open-
ing remarks by Director of Campus Security
Stephen Briscoe. Afterward, Howort fielded
student questions on issues ranging from when
police can enter dorms to their legal rights re-
garding warrants and evidence usage.
“I would love for people to be more in-
formed about their rights in terms of inter-
acting with police,” Howort said. “The other
thing I’d like to see change, and this goes for
the whole student body, is that I’d love to see
more alcohol related education and a shift in
the alcohol culture here.”
Some students who have recently inter-
acted with Grinnell police said they felt that
Grinnell students were treated differently than
Security, see p. 4
as legitimized because you didn’t have a physical letter,” Krandel
said. “I needed support but so did all my friends.”
Despite last year’s outpouring of support, many students said
that the campus has a long way to go. According to Ryan Carlino
’10, people in the Grinnell LGBTQ community are still con-
fronted by people insensitive to their sexuality.
“Grinnell is a great place to be openly gay compared to a lot
of schools,” Carlino said. “But people still do not feel comfortable
being publicly, openly out, or expressing affection toward their
partner, it shows that there is still maybe some tension or things
going on campus [that do not support being gay].”
Krandel said she hopes that the week will increase dialogue on
campus regarding campus attitudes towards the LGBTQ com-
munity. “I’m going into this with the hope that we’ll give people
the opportunity to continued dialogue about this and encourage
people to remember that this happened,” Krandel said. “These ...
happen a lot on this campus, and we don’t talk about them.”
with the other two-thirds going to SGA. This amounts to
about $88,000 per semester, or about $58.33 per student.
“If you were looking at that [number] broadly, you could
consider that as your subscription costs for 12 S&Bs, four
B&Ss, two Sequences, so on and so forth. Most people just
see ‘free’ and don’t realize it’s coming out of their Student
Activity Fee,” Zmudka said.
According to Zmudka, when determining the budget,
SPARC usually tries to limit expansion rather than elimi-
SPARC, see p. 4
Campus celebrity: Got opinions on
resident
Bob Marley Zac El-
lington ’10...........p. 10
4 campus concerts and
films? We do. Read
our letters............p. 12
2 edited by J. Francis Buse and Brian Sherwin
busejohn@grinnell.edu, sherwinb@grinnell.edu
S N&B EWS
Mock trial team qualifies for nationals
February 27, 2009

World Headlines
• Pakistan’s Supreme Court barred opposition leader
Nawaz Sharif from holding any public office. Sharif,
who was convicted of hijacking and terrorism in 1999
after being usurped in a coup by former President Pervez
Musharaf, is considered far more popular than current
President Asif Ali Zardari, whose Pakistan People’s Par-
ty worked with Sharif ’s Pakistan Muslim League to oust
Musharaf last February. The ruling has ignited political
protests across Pakistan.
National Headlines
• Authorities arrested George Iknadosian after a gun
taken from the scene of a deadly shoot out between
Mexican authorities and criminals was traced back to a
gun store owned and operated by Iknadosian in Phoenix.
The incident, in which eight Mexican drug enforcement
authorities were killed in a raid on a drug cartel last May
in western Mexico, has raised interest in figures such as
Iknadosian, who have allegedly illegally supplied smug-
glers with ammunition and hundreds of guns. Mexico’s
gun laws, in which citizens can not purchase guns with-
out government approval and assault rifles are outlawed,
are much more lax than America’s.
Iowa Headlines
• Iowa congressional leaders said they have been fighting
for disaster relief that has yet to be given out to Iowans
in areas affected by last summer’s floods. The financial
assistance, which totals in the billions and is still largely
awaiting bureaucratic approval, was alloted for residents
and businesses that are still heavily damaged. Blank Dis-
trict Braley called for government leaders to push the
funding through the “red tape,” also citing funds meant
for New Orleans that have yet to be dispersed.
—Compiled by J. Francis Buse
• On March 4, Stephen Briscoe and the Grinnell Police De-
partment will be conducting a talk on the legal rights of stu-
dents. This talk is spurred by the recent arrests.
• The College’s camera policy is under legal review, and will
be out in the near future.
• VPAA Julie Hoye discussed and asked for input into a pos-
sible effort to move GenComp elsewhere in ARH, and re-
place it with another classroom. Email her with feedback!
—Compiled by Hugh Redford
For fourth time, lawyer team will travel to Kansas City for national tournament
BY C HASE F ELKER legal advice of Grinnell lawyer Brad McCall.
On the weekend of Feb 13-14, Grinnell’s two mock trial “I think my primary role with the team has been to assist
teams competed in the regional competition at St. Ambrose the students in learning appropriate court room practice,
University in Davenport, Iowa. For the fourth time in the procedure and demeanor,” McCall wrote in an e-mail to
team’s 14-year history, a Grinnell team qualified for nation- the S&B. “In addition, I think that I have helped to teach
als. the students the intricacies of the Rules of
One of Grinnell’s two teams took fifth “It’s a very Grinnell team— Evidence.”
place and was the only team to tie Loras Even with professional mentor-
College and Illinois State, which took first we have a tough time getting ing, Conlon said the team still has a few
and third place respectively, in individual everyone into suits.” Grinnellian quirks. “It’s a very Grinnell
matches. team—we have a tough time getting ev-
Co-captain Alex Conlon ’09 attributed eryone into suits,” she said.
the team’s success to more cohesive prepa- Mock trial simulates major elements of
ration, and a strong group of underclass
Alex Conlon ‘09 a trial and serves as an unofficial pre-law
students. “Instead of just running through program. For the competition, the team
the motions, we had a more focused, col- receives witness statements and basic case
laborative environment,” Conlon said. information attorneys would receive at the beginning of the
Adam Lange ’11 said that splitting the group into two academic year. The mock case played in the tournament
strong teams, a requirement due to the team’s large size, was involved a politician arguing that she lost an election due to
useful as they could practice against one another and simu- libel from a reporter. The mock article contained false ac-
late actual matches. “Practicing against [each other] helped cusations of murder, and led to court action by the politician
a lot,” Lange said. against the reporter. Prior to the case, the teams determine
In comparison to larger schools, where who would argue the prosecuting and de-
teams practice upwards of five times a fending side.
week, according to Co-captain Chris John- “I wouldn’t go so far as to call it The second Grinnell team, despite
ston ’09, the Pioneers only met once a week improv. But we do a good job of facing multiple top teams, had very close
for the first semester and returned a week rounds and nearly qualified, according to
early from winter break in order to begin thinking on our feet.” Conlon. Additionally, Erin Daugherty
more intense preparation for the regional ’09, Liting Cong ’11, and Max Kaufmann
competition. Johnston said that the dispar- ’12 won outstanding witness awards for
ity between Grinnell and larger schools Chris Johnston ’09 portrayals of “drunken journalists” and a
made the qualification for nationals even “crazy janitor,” according to Lange. “We
more impressive. basically kicked ass,” said Johnston.
Johnston added that the team was Nationals will be held in Kansas City,
not fully prepared the tournament, and said the opening Missouri during the first weekend of spring break, March
statements were written on the way to the tournament. “I 13-15.
wouldn’t go so far as to call it improv,” Johnston said. “But “It will be really close … because at this high level all of
we do a good job of thinking on our feet.” the teams obviously know what they are doing and are all
However, the team found stability in the coaching and very competitive,” Lange said.
TC Tech Tips!
Have you ever printed to a printer that’s Technology Map at http://tcdb.grinnell.edu/map -- it’s a map
Help Desk out of toner or paper? Or maybe you’ve al- of all the computer labs and printers on campus; it’ll tell you
ways wondered what labs are open when whether or not they’re available or out-of-order, including a
you’re trying to finish that paper the night whole lot more!
before it’s due. Check out the Campus —The Technology Consultants

Feb. 27 - Mar. 5 Movie Times on Page 7

27
Friday 28
Saturday 1
Sunday 2
Monday 3
Tuesday 4
Wednesday 5
Thursday
ENVIRONMENTAL MEN’S TENNIS VS. PERCUSSION EN- CHAT & CHEW WITH GRANT PROGRAM & WRITING RESUMES GRANT PROGRAM &
CHALLENGES AND WISCONSIN-WHITE- SEMBLE: Bucksbaum THE CDO CREW: JRC ENDOWED INTERN- AND COVER LET- ENDOWED INTERN-
RESPONSES LECTURE: WATER: PEC Tennis Sebring-Lewis Hall, Lobby, 11:30 a.m. SHIP WORKSHOP: TERS WORKSHOP: SHIPS WORKSHOP:
ARH 120, 2:15 p.m. Courts, 8:30 a.m. 2 p.m. INVESTMENT BANK- CDO 104, 1127 Park CDO 104, 1127 Park CDO 104, 1127 Park
ROLE OF THE NEGRO MEN’S TENNIS VS. MARDI GRAS CEL- ING & CONSULTING: Street, 4:15 p.m. Street, 4:15 p.m. Street, 12:15 p.m.
SPIRITUAL PRESENTA- GRACELAND: PEC EBRATION: JRC 209, CDO 104, 1127 Park COMMUNITY MEAL: GRADUATE SCHOOL WRITING RESUMES
TION: Burling IIF Com- Tennis Courts, 4:30 6 p.m. Street, 4:15 p.m. Davis Elementary PLANNING: CDO & COVER LETTERS
puter Lab, 4:15 p.m. p.m. School, 818 Hamilton 104, 1127 Park WORKSHOP: CDO
LOVE RESPONDS RE- ISO TALENT SHOW: Avenue, 5:30 p.m. Street, 4:15 p.m. 104, 1127 Park
CEPTION: JRC 101, Harris Center Con- OPEN MIC @ FAUL- Street, 4:15 p.m.
4:15 p.m. cert Hall, 7 p.m. CONER GALLERY: DANFORTH LECTURE:
MEN’S BASKETBALL SGA CONCERT: Main Bucksbaum Faulcon- Noyce 2022, 4:30
VS. ST. NORBERT: Hall Gardner Lounge, er Gallery, 7 p.m. p.m.
Darby Gymnasium, 9 p.m. NEWBERRY LIBRARY
7 p.m. PRESENTATION: ARH
SGO CONCERT: 102, 7 p.m.
Main Hall Gardner ROOMMATE MIXER:
Lounge, 9 p.m. JRC 209, 8 p.m.
NEIL PATRICK HAR- LINCOLN CENTER
RIS: Harris Center JAZZ ORCHESTRA:
Concert Hall, 10 p.m. Herrick Chapel, 8 p.m.
February 27, 2009
S B
Ouderkirk speaks on Postville, immigration, rights
On Monday, Feb. 23, Father Paul Ouderkirk,
a priest from the town of Postville, Iowa, spoke on
the condition of the Postville community after a
government raid last May arrested over 300 il-
legal immigrants residing in the town and work-
ing for the controversial Agriprocessors
meatpacking plant. Invited by the Stu-
dent Organization of Latinas/Latinos
(SOL), Ouderkirk focused largely on the
time since the raid, in which volunteers
have assisted the families of the those ar-
rested, many who have been deported.
Ouderkirk, who had retired from
priesthood prior to the raid, is the de facto
director of relief work in the town. Ouderkirk has
been interviewed and quoted by news organiza-
tions such as CNN and The New York Times.
What conditions did you play witness to
within the plant that the workers were sub-
ject to?
One of the things I’ll never forget is people
standing shoulder-to-shoulder, a man with an
electric knife, all day, cutting the legs off the
turkeys and chickens, but right [under] him,
people cutting meat, and the floor filthy with
feathers and blood—it was dangerous.
Speaking on a larger scale, since the pres-
idential campaign began there was very little
discussion about immigration in the actual
campaigning. Since Obama has taken office
there doesn’t seem to be much focus on it at
all. I was wondering what you think about
the current administration and Congress’s
overall focus and action on the issue of im-
migration?
I think I’ve said often that every elected
official that had anything to do with immi-
gration law should hang their head in shame.
They have let immigration law become a po-
litical mess that it’s now more political than
anything.
One of the worst things was in the year
2003 they swept immigration law under
Homeland Security law—the worst thing that
could have possibly happened. Then it became
militaristic. That was all political. They stood
around. The elected politicians did not stand
up for the right thing. They didn’t do the right
thing.
VISIT US AT WWW.THESANDB.COM.
INCREASE OUR TRAFFIC SO WE CAN SELL MORE ADS.
&
NEWS edited by J. Francis Buse and Brian Sherwin
busejohn@grinnell.edu, sherwinb@grinnell.edu 3
And on a state level, late last year, you said
that Governor Culver was failing to keep us
from “bleeding to death.” Have Culver and
the state government responded in the past
months since then?
No, in fact, the governor turned
his back on [The Archbishop,
myself, Paul Real, and three other
representatives from the Hispanic
ministry and dioceses] the day we
went down to see [Secretary of
Homeland Security] Janet Nep-
olitano. He knew who we were. He
turned his back on us. He has not
been responding.
I would criticize the state of Iowa. They
have not done enough. This is the largest raid
in the history of Iowa. They have not stood up
and said, “We can’t do much as a state, but now
on a federal level we expect [the government]
to do more.” And, they have not done that.
That’s wrong.
With the situation at Henry’s Turkey
Service [in which mentally disabled men
were subject to illegal workhouse conditions
for years], is there anything you can draw
comparisons between the two situations?
And whether that’s a problem on a statewide
level or a nationwide level?
Once you have an ingrained immoral con-
dition in the community, it takes an exception-
al person to stand up and say, “This is wrong.”
And they don’t want to upset the community.
And I think that’s the way it was with what
happened with Henry’s Turkey [Service]. The
people had accepted a condition that was not
good. I read somewhere that some inspec-
tors never ever went in there to inspect those
places.
And the apartments in Postville – some
of the ones we’ve been in, man, they should
have been closed the next day. And they didn’t
because they didn’t have a housing code and
so on. And I think you’d find that all around
the country, especially in small communities.
We’ve called a number of them, just like us.
[The businesses] are bigger than us, but it’s the
same. Unless good people get together and say
no more then nothing happens.
—Interview conducted by J. Francis Buse
Father Paul Ouderkirk spoke on the recent raid in Postville. MARFA PROKHOROVA
 4
SPARC
edited by J. Francis Buse and Brian Sherwin
busejohn@grinnell.edu, sherwinb@grinnell.edu

from p. 1
SN&B EWS February 27, 2009

nate new projects. According to Zmudka, the number of publications has

“In general, the Committee’s line has been if a publica-
tion wants to fill a niche that isn’t currently being served,
that is going to be a greater priority than expansion of a
current program,” Zmudka said.
Christine McCormick ’09, SPARC Chair, said it is eas-
ier to budget for the smaller publications that come out
once a semester because they do not ask for much funding.
Zmudka said these more specialized, niche publications,
such as the Grinnell Economist, usually cost $1500 to $2000
per semester.
“We had one publication that the only thing they want-
ed was the cost to print,” McCormick said. “Something
like that is really just hard to cut, because it’s a really good
project we want to fund and if we cut anything from them,
we’ve cut their entire project.”
Ross Preston ’10, editor-in-chief of the B&S, said his
budget was cut by an insignificant amount and should not
affect the publication’s overall quality.
“The B&S has a pretty small budget compared to other
publications. All we need is money for salaries and print-
increased dramatically in recent years—from eight in 2003
to 16 this semester—an increase he attributed mostly to
technological advancements.
“I think a lot of the greater interest in publications has
to do with the technology in that it’s so much easier to
create something and send it to a printer,” Zmudka said. Other S&B
“Before, you had to set type.” $27,522
Students said that they appreciate the increase in publi-
cations, but still wanted funding to be regulated by SPARC
boards and carefully split amongst publications.
“I think focusing on having a few really good [publica-
tions] would probably be in everyone’s best interest, but at KDIC
the same time it’s nice to have a wide variety depending on B&S
what you like to read,” Mairead O’Grady ’10 said. “As long 3.3%
as the quality isn’t affected by the quantity.”
To solve the ongoing funding problem, Zmudka and
McCormick had several suggestions. Besides raising the
student activities fee, Zmudka said some larger publica- “OTHER” PUBLICATIONS DISAGGREGATED
tions could reduce day-to-day spending and the forma- PERCENT
tion of a SPARC advertising agent could increase revenue OF SPARC

ing cost,” Preston said. across publications. NAME OF PUBLICATION BUDGET FINALIZED BUDGET
PRESS, which publishes student works in book form, “The S&B does a good job [with ads], and some could GRINNELL REVIEW 5.36% $4800
asked for $23,000 this semester—up from $20,000 last be integrated into [publications such as] the Cyclone or the GRINNELL EYEWITNESS 5.25% $4700
semester—but only received $18,200. PRESS co-editor- Economist,” Zmudka said. “The idea is creating one person ACADEMIC JOURNAL 4.64% $4150
in-chief Parvoneh Shirgir ’09 said they will have to cut who has contacts and knows the procedure to be a clear- GRINNELL ECONOMIST 4.48% $4011
back on some things, such as not producing a hard-cover inghouse.” THE SEQUENCE 3.68% $3292
publication, but they will still be able to produce most of In addition, SPARC is looking for ways to increase CABINET 2.79% $2500
what they wanted. alumni donations in order to create an endowment similar FASHION MAGAZINE 1.92% $1716
“SPARC was pretty generous with us, they gave us to the ones SGA and The Debating Union have. The en- WRITER’S DIGRESS 1.37% $1225
enough money to continue producing quality student proj- dowment would provide consistent revenue through inter- STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE 1.12% $1006.5
ects,” Shirgir said. est. However, Zmudka said “it would be a long time before ACTIVE MINDS 0.67% $600
any SPARC endowment could be started.” FREESOUND 0.00% $0
—Additional reporting by Harley Chang
Security
from p. 1 city residents by the police. According to Greene, students often will only
Will Schwaller ’09, one of the interact with police officers in negative situa-
student arrested three weeks ago, was picked tions, strengthening an already present wari-
up for public intoxication and interfering with ness. “I think that given any college student on
official acts. He said that he interfered be- any college campus, anytime you are going to
cause he was skeptical of the intentions of the see police officers outside of the community of
Grinnell Police officer talking to a group of se- which they’re a part, there’s going to be some
niors returning to campus after 100 Days. healthy skepticism about why they are here,
“I knew the Grinnell [Police Department] what’s their motivation, [and] what are they
and specifically this officer … have a record of trying to do to me,” Greene said.
trying to catch Grinnell students with public Administrators and the police said while
intox in the downtown area. So I was just kind they enjoy a good working relationship with
of worried,” Schwaller said. “When we [leave each other, there is a healthy division of la-
campus] we’re looked at as different than other bor. Briscoe said, for instance, that he is not
people, I think that’s unfortunate.” informed about police department plans and
Saida Ayupova ’10 said she felt that po- Greene said that he is rarely, if ever, directly
lice presence on campus has increased since contacted about any individual off-campus ar-
she first came to Grinnell. “In my first-year it rest.
felt really safe. You knew you’re not 21 and Briscoe said that police officers are always
you can still have beer and walk across campus allowed in the open parts of campus and can,
with your beer, you knew the police were never under certain circumstances, enter residence
going to be there,” Aypova said. “But now you halls. According to Briscoe, police typically
can’t do that because you don’t know when the enter a dorm for one of three reasons—when
police are going to show up.” they possess a search warrant, are actively pur-
Despite student unease, Jody Matherly suing a suspect, or are responding to an emer-
Chief of the Grinnell Police Department said gency such as a fire alarm or violent act.
that the College was not a target for policing While Briscoe emphasized that the Police
activity and that it was treated the same as the Department is the primary law enforcement
rest of the community. agency for the campus and that they work well
“The College keeps us busy but it’s really with Campus Security, the College’s Security
not overwhelming,” Matherly said. “We don’t Officers are often meant to act as a liaison be-
have a huge problem with the kids there, we tween students and police. “What we try to do
don’t have a huge problem with call volume with the rules and regulations is not be in a
there. … The last thing on our list is to try and position where you’re going to put yourself in
harass college students.” a position where you’re going to get arrested,”
Matherly said that violations related to al- Briscoe said.
cohol comprised the majority of those com- Also acting as a layer between students
mitted by Grinnell students. In comparison and the Grinnell Police Department is the
to its peer institutions, Grinnell College has student-run ACE Security. “What happens at
a moderate number of student arrests per year Harris is that ACE Security acts as … an ad-
related to alcohol. Under the Jeanne Clery ditional buffer between the Grinnell College
Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and student at large and the police,” Howort said,
Campus Crime Statistics Act, all colleges and “ACE Security’s role is to be active in self-gov-
universities which participate in the Title IV ernance, being responsible for addressing situ-
federal financial aid program are required to ations and communicating concerns about is-
publish annual crime statistics. According to sues that undermine community or individual
the 2007 Clery reports from seven peer insti- rights, whether they be your own or others.”
tutions, Grinnell saw roughly 3.2 arrests per Howort said that ACE Security wants
every 1000 students. Other schools gener- to better disseminate information about the
ally had numbers in the low single digits but group and safety and security on campus in
ranged from as low as .54 at Macalester Col- general. In addition to the forums, ACE Secu-
lege to 20.6 at Amherst College. rity has created a plan on the popular cyber fo-
Some of this mistrust might be inevitable, rum GrinnellPlans that addresses commonly
according to Dean of Students Travis Greene. asked questions.
 February 27, 2009

Bad president, bad theatre... it’s a weekend for schadenfreude

SB &
ARTS
edited by Mark Japinga
japingam@grinnell.edu 5

W.
(2008)

Bush biopic needs focus

Most of us already made up our minds
about George W. Bush (played here by Josh
Brolin) long before the release of director
Oliver Stone’s W. Over the past few years,
we have been bombarded by news reports,
serious historical portraits and character
sketches, all of which have combined to make
Dubya a rather ignominious political figure
in the eyes of most Americans.
Rushed into cinematic release in time for
the end of the Bush presidency, Stone’s film
adds to the interpretation of our now former
president by focusing on his dramatic char-
acter. Stone thinks of himself as a dramatist,
and though we might prefer the omniscient
perspective of an objective documentary, his
film is more interested in perpetuating famil-
iar storylines and anecdotes than providing
any kind of full-sweeping analysis.
Many of these anecdotes occur outside
of the White House, resorting to the Bush
biography stereotypes that we know so well.
This means we get a whole lot of Bush the
drunk, Bush the hapless politician, and Bush
the lucky son of a former president who rode
coattails to the top. This is all before he be-
comes president, where the real problems
(Iraq) finally happen.
The problem with Stone’s version of a
Bush film is he never chooses an overarching
angle or aspect of Bush to focus on. The lack Josh Brolin stars as everyone’s favorite president, George W. Bush, in Oliver Stone’s W. Stone said he wanted the movie to be a fair portrayal of the man,
of transparency in the Administration causes stating in an interview with Variety that he wanted to chronicle Bush’s rise from “an alcoholic bum into the most powerful man in the world.”
a certain amount of uncertainty, so we end www.allmoviephotos.com
up getting dialogue that uses anecdotes and
one-liners that are already quite familiar to W. is an interesting film simply because Steve Coogan stars as high school the- another attempt to add laughs, they have gay
the public (think “misunderestimate”). See- of its scope. Unfortunately, it ignores key atre teacher Dana Marschz (his last name is guys singing in the background of the musi-
ing this kind of writing on “Saturday Night storylines and passes up plenty of other op- “funny” and hard to pronounce, accounting cal. Gay guys in musicals are always good for
Live” usually brings laughs. Here, it feels out portunities to pursue more interesting angles. for what felt like ten minutes of screen time). a laugh, right?
of context, and in a film where Stone does (This is why movies are based on a true story Dana couldn’t make it as a professional actor, How an actor as fine as Catherine Keener
not want to exaggerate any aspect of Bush, instead of being “the true story.”) so instead he has turned to teaching. The (40 Year Old Virgin, Capote) got roped into
context should matter. In terms of its legacy, W. will likely be problem is—Dana has no talent! And he’s this debacle is beyond me. She follows the
Perhaps this occurs because the film di- seen as one more sign of the absurdity of the kind of clumsy! And he roller skates every- rest of the cast by stinking up the screen as
vides itself rather arbitrarily between three Bush Era than it will be as a serious, reveal- where—and falls down a lot!!! Hahahahaha!! Dana’s long suffering wife. David Arquette
different stages of Bush’s life. There is the ing character portrait. Hilarious! is also around, playing their roommate who
frat-boy, beer-guzzling Yale undergrad; the —Ross Preston When budget cuts threaten the school’s utters only 15 or 16 words throughout the
married Bush still in the shadow of his fam- drama department, it will take all of Dana’s course of the movie (HAHAHA---their
ily’s politics; and the unprepared command- cunning and perseverance to pull off a fan- roommate doesn’t talk that much—that must be
er-in-chief heading into Iraq. Stone presents tastic musical spectacle: “Hamlet 2!” But can funny!!!). Maybe Keener and Arquette just
Bush as a simple-minded guy over the span Hamlet 2 Dana break through to the influx of Latino needed the money.
of three very different periods, which just (2008) transfer students (who Dana initially calls Thank God (or sexy Jesus) that Amy Poe-
isn’t very interesting. Its subject matter is hardened “gangbangers”), bring them to- hler shows up later in the film to inject some
controversial, but the execution is not. gether with his old white students, and pro- much needed comedy into the flat proceed-
Individual performances improve the duce something wonderful? Don’t hold your ings. Poehler plays ACLU lawyer Cricket
film, but they only go so far. Brolin is so Parody breaks golden rule of breath. Feldstein, and after seeing her brief scenes,
Needless to say, the play that Dana and you wish the movie was all about her. Sadly,
convincing that it is hard to not feel bad for
Bush’s character at times, and it also remark- comedies. It’s just not funny. his students are working on doesn’t really she’s only on screen for 10 or 15 minutes,
able how he manages to pull off Bush in make sense. It involves Jesus, a time machine, then it’s back to comedy hell.
three different parts of his life. The scenes What a draining chore it was to suffer the characters of Hamlet, and an awesome I only wish I could use Jesus’ time ma-
with George Sr. ( James Cromwell) and Dick through the unfunny, clichéd and annoying (translation: sleep-inducing) musical number chine and get back the 94 minutes of my life
Cheney (Richard Dreyfuss) have some good Hamlet 2. The title’s funny enough, as is the called “Rock Me Sexy Jesus” which includes I wasted on this film.
dramatic presence, but they remain excep- premise of the story, but that’s hardly enough frequent references to Jesus’ “swimmer bod.” —Jaysen Wright
tions to the rule. to save this train wreck. It sounds much funnier than it actually is. In

W
F
Hamlet 2 A The J Harold and S Defiance Slumdog Mil- Milk New In Town
H
Book of R
MOVIE Kumar Go to T lionaire
Sat.- 7:30, & Fri./Sat. - 4:10 & Fri. - 7 p.m. Fri. - 4:35, 7:20 & 9:25 p.m.
A Fri. - 4:30, U
R 7:30 & 10:30 10:30 p.m. L the Dead C White Castle R 9:40 p.m. Fri. - 4:25, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Sat./Sun. - 1:30 Sat. - 2:10, 4:35, 7:20 & 9:25
Sun. - 1:30 p.m. C Sun.-Thurs. - Sat. - 2, 4:25, 7 & 9:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. p.m.
p.m.
1
TIMES
Fri. - 7:00 p.m. Fri. - 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
R Sat. - 1:30 O Sat. - 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. A 4:10 p.m. Sun. - 2, 4:25 & 7 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. - 7 Sun. - 2:10, 4:35 & 7:20 p.m.
I p.m.
N 0 N Mon.-Thurs. - 4:25 & 7 p.m. p.m. Mon.-Thurs. - 4:35 & 7:20 p.m.
S E
R 1 D

Stoner Alert: Friday and Saturday |

SGA Films will not only show the brilliant Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
this weekend, they will also feed you White Castle burgers thanks to the magic of
7:30 and 9:30 |
the Wal-Mart frozen food aisle. I guess Corporate America isn’t all bad. JRC 101
 6 edited by Mark Japinga
japingam@grinnell.edu

Language as art:
SA&B RTS February 27, 2009

one vowel at a time

“Awkward grammar appalls a craftsman. A Dada bard
as daft as Tzara damns stagnant art and scrawls an alpha (a
slapdash arc and a backward zag) that mars all stanzas and
jams all ballads (what a scandal). A madcap vandal crafts a
small black ankh—a hand-stamp that can stamp a wax pad
and at last plant a ark that sparks an ars magna…”
Notice anything odd about the first paragraph? Try
reading it aloud. Hear anything strange about it? Does it
seem ‘A’ little lacking?
Because it is. Lacking every vowel except A, that is.
There are no E’s, I’s, O’s or U’s in it, just as there are no
E’s, I’s, O’s or U’s in the chapter that it’s excerpted from:
Chapter A from Eunoia, a book written by Canadian poet
Christian Bök. This week’s column is devoted to a differ-
ent kind of art than columns past—the manipulation of
language.
Eunoia is a five-chapter series of univocalic lipograms.
A lipogram is a form of constrained writing or a word game
which excludes certain letters or a group of letters from a
piece. A univocalic lipogram is a lipogram that excludes all
but one selected vowel.
Each of Eunoia’s chapters uses just one vowel: A in the
first, E in the second, and so on. The name of the book
comes from the Greek word which can mean “well mind,”
“beautiful thinking,” “to carry favor,” or “ingratiate oneself
with.”

Kat York ‘09

ART CRUSH
I probably don’t need to stress how difficult omitting
vowels from sentences can be… After reading the first
chapter of Eunoia, a friend and I tried to hold conversa-
tions without using E, I, O or U this summer. Needless to
say, it was pretty much impossible. I mean, how do you let
someone know that you need to go to the bathroom using
only A’s?
Omitting vowels in writing might be slightly easier. But
it’s certainly no walk in the park. As Bök rather aptly puts
it in the opening lines of his “I” Chapter: “[w]riting is in-
hibiting. Sighing, I sit, scriblling in ink this pidgin script.
I sing with nihilistic witticism disciplining signs with tri-
fling gimmicks…”
I was drawn to Bök’s Eunoia because of the way it made
me so aware of the letters that I use. It’s one thing to be
conscious of word choice, but keeping track of letters is a
completely different thing, totally changing how you think
about language.
In terms of content, Eunoia reads like a long, bizarre-
sounding prose-poem. Each chapter makes sense … They
tell coherent stories from different perspectives in different
settings.
But there is something distinctly “different” about its
rhythm. Listening to passages read aloud, you can intuit this
without being able to pinpoint exactly what the difference
might be. To quote the French reviewer Michel Basilieres,
“Bök’s constant repetition of a single vowel, while at the
same time employing the widest possible vocabulary, re-
sults in a kind of aural echoing that sets rhythms and pat-
terns moving of their own momentum.”
After reading a few pages of Eunoia, the smallest part
of a book, a column, or even The First College Newspaper
West of the Mississippi takes on new significance.
It’s completely overwhelming and, at least for me, re-
news my respect for the way we communicate with one
another in writing. The rhythm of writing comes alive us-
ing lipograms and other kinds of word games. Using them
and testing the limits of your vocabulary really does make
you more sensitive to the words you write and the way you
speak.
Recognizing written language and looking at it in a
different way can elevate it in your mind. Writing is also
an art form, from crafting plotlines down to the placement
of each individual letter. Christian Bök’s Eunoia does an
excellent job of reminding us of this fact.
In conclusion (sorry guys, this was the best I could do):
Go forth, opt for words from crosswords, ports, cooks or
books. Play as fawns at Accra, aptly, ably and smartly. I
think frigid midnight smiling. U sculpt fun 4 urself w/
“wurds”.
Svigals brings klezmatic traditions to Herrick
Internationally renowned violinist and composer Alicia Svigals performs “Klezmer Unfettered” with accompanist Marilyn
Lerner on Thursday in Herrick Chapel. Svigals is renowned for almost single-handedly reviving the klezmer style of music,
dating back to Jewish villages and ghettos of the 15th century, where it was played frequently at public gatherings, most
notably weddings. When not touring solo, Svigals often plays with the all-woman band Mikveh, or with The Klezmatics,
who won a Grammy for their 2006 album “Wonder Wheel”, which featured lyrics by Woody Guthrie.
LAWRENCE SUMULONG
Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis to perform
Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center ensemble set for Wednesday concert
BY C L AIRE R EEDER Conference Operations Rachel Bly ’93 stumbled upon a
One of the nation’s most acclaimed jazz musicians will chance for Marsalis to make a stop on campus as part of a
come to town on Wednesday, when Herrick Chapel hosts previously scheduled Midwest tour.
trumpeter Wynton Marsalis for an 8 p.m. performance. Bly’s good rapport with Marsalis’ agent brought the ini-
Marsalis’ staggering list of accomplishments shows why tial agreement. Bly then made a proposal for extra funding
he commands so much respect. The nine-time Grammy for this one-time opportunity to President Russell K. Os-
winner has also won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his good, who officially approved the performance.
musical depiction of slavery titled Black Codes from Under- “Grinnell has good connections and history of concerts
ground and helped direct and produce Jazz, a documentary being brought to campus, and we are able to get some really
by noted director Ken Burns. Marsalis currently directs the exciting people through these relationships. Artists com-
Jazz at Lincoln Center ensemble, ment on how they like to play in
a prestigious group with whom he such an intimate and great venue,”
will play at Wednesday’s concert. Wynton Marsalis said Bly. “It’s really serendipitous
According to Professor of Jazz Mar 4, 8 p.m. the way it occurred.”
Studies Damani Phillips, Music, Herrick Chapel Students and community mem-
Marsalis’s notoriety derives from bers can look forward to a gem
his wide-ranging repertoire and of a concert, and as both Phillips
his promotion of the neo-classical and Bly emphasized, a chance to
style, which fuses rock with principles of previous periods hear one of the best jazz bands in the world live. Tommy
of jazz. Marsalis and his orchestra comprise the premier Johnson ’09, a member of Grinnell’s Jazz Ensemble, echoed
ensemble in the country and play music from all periods these feelings of anticipation.
of jazz. “In small town Iowa it’s amazing that we can get some-
“They are very studied and accurate in recreating the one like Mr. Marsalis to come play,” Johnson said. “The
old style of music from the 1920s and 30s,” Phillips said. Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra is one of the best bands
“It’s something you won’t hear anywhere else.” The group is around today, and there aren’t many left because the econo-
also known for explaining the history along the way to help my is down and the jazz economy is down, so [performers]
the audience understand what is being played. can make more money in smaller trios or quartets.”
That Marsalis and the ensemble are coming is itself a Overall, Phillips stressed the high caliber of the Or-
lucky and unexpected opportunity. The concert arose out- chestra. “There is such a concentration of stellar musicians
side of the Committee for Public Events’ planned and paid in that band,” he said. “They can literally hand pick who
for fine arts performance season. they want, and that is exactly what they’ve done. It’s an un-
While attending the Arts Midwest Booking Confer- usual but pleasant surprise that way out here, we have the
ence, CPE Chair Shawn Womack, Dance, and Director of rare opportunity to experience this kind of stuff.”
February 27, 2009
S B 7
Goto on track to complete extensive rehab
FEATURES
&
edited by Chloe Moryl
morylchl@grinnell.edu

“This is a poem I recently wrote. I’m trying to

overcome the fear of my future that doesn’t have
the choice I hoped for.”
—Yuki Goto

Slowly walking, head bent down

Doubting myself and denying the pain
Resisting the reality, mired in fear and hopelessness
Can’t find a place to go, wishing I could disappear

Standing back, looking at myself

I need to cross this street reach there,
Why are the lights not turning green?
It kindly spoke to me that I need to take a detour

In the throes of separation from who I was,

Nobody can change what happened to me.
Part with my past
Prepare for anything to happen
I haven’t reached my limit

I keep walking to look for who I am

Even if it’s the fragile tiny star
Finding a meaningful life means creating a new me
It is not the end of the road
There will be another way

The sun will be up after my lonely night

I see a glimmer of light
I keep walking to find it

Yuki Goto, formerly of the class of 2008. Goto is currently in rehab at the Rusk Institute in New York. CONTRIBUTED
BY C HLOE MORYL & CLAIRE R EEDER treatment. presenting an art show exhibiting some of Goto’s photographs
Three years ago, four Grinnell students left a Mardi Gras In order to raise money for his rehabilitation program, in and arranging a FogFast program. As Goto looks to begin his
celebration in St. Louis to drive through the night back to November 2008 Goto decided to run the New York Marathon, final semester at the Rusk Institute, funds are now critical to
Grinnell. Just outside of Iowa City, the student driving the car which he completed in a time of four hours and 43 minutes. his completion and hopes for maximum recovery.
dozed off, and the car rolled into a ditch, sending two students, After the success of the New York Marathon, Goto has Goto’s primary goal is to return to Grinnell to finish his
Liza Colburn ’09 and Yuki Goto (formerly ’08), through the entered into the Boston Marathon, to take place on April 20, degree, and to get back to his old life. “This last semester is
car’s back window. 2009 to raise funding for the costs of his fi- crucial for him and would be the difference between coming
Though the other students involved in the nal semester. “Since the 20-week program of back to college or not,” said Younes. “[The Rusk Institute] is
accident recovered quickly and returned to the rehab costs and living expense sum up to expensive, but it’s really helping him get back to be in school.
school, Goto sustained a traumatic brain in- “Yuki drew on the support of 64,050 dollars it is very difficult for me and And that’s really where he needs to be.”
jury, was in a coma for two weeks, underwent us, his family, and his own family to afford for me to continue this train- As his marathon and poetry (see sidebar) evidence, Yuki
brain surgery, and after three years is still at determination to overcome ing,” Goto wrote in an email to his friends and has made significant progress in regaining personal skills and
the Rusk Institute, an expensive state-of-the- family. self. “Every time I see him, it’s just leaps and bounds in his
art rehab center in New York City. his deficits. He is still a part of “[Goto’s] story shows both what an indi- progress,” said Younes. “And as far as his personality, it’s all
Goto will be beginning his last cycle of Grinnell.” vidual and community are capable of. Grinnell back, so it’s been great to see him because it’s been a slow
rehab treatments this month. “At the end of
every cycle the doctors reevaluate him and Ben Schrager ‘08 supported Yuki when he needed us,” said close
friend Ben Schrager ’08. “Then Yuki drew on
process.”
All of these steps of recovery are helping to piece back
recommend if he should come back or not the support of us, his family, and his own de- together the a person Schrager calls “selfless” and “amazingly
and this should be the last one that he needs,” termination to overcome his deficits. He is still generous.”
said Jelal Younes ’08, a friend of Goto’s. “It’s basically just se- a part of Grinnell.” “I remember before the accident, Yuki told me his life goal
mesters like college semesters.” After his accident, a group of Grinnellians came together was to save one African orphan’s life,” Schrager recalled.
The rehab process has been long and draining not only and created the Friends of Yuki group in order to spread aware- Donations are greatly appreciated and can be directed to
for Goto, who works constantly to regain physical, emotional ness about Goto and his situation. The Friends of Yuki group www.firstgiving.com/yukigoto. For more information about
and mental capacity, but also for his family, who work with and Grinnellians at large have greatly contributed to financ- Goto and his progress, visit teamyuki.org or www.friendsofyu-
Goto to find sources of funding for the extremely expensive ing Goto’s rehabilitation to this point. Efforts have included ki.org.

Got a scoop you want to share with the campus?

Then come write for us.
Writers meetings held every Sunday, 9:30 p.m.
in the publications office, JRC second floor
[newspapr]
8 edited by J. Francis Buse & Brian Sherwin
busejohn@grinnell.edu & sherwinb@grinnell.edu
What the candidates were asked
1. What primary goals will you work towards if
elected to your position?
2.What relevant experience do you have that
makes you a viable candidate?
3.What are your weaknesses as a candidate, and
how do you plan to overcome them if elected?
4. How do you define self-governance?
5a. PSGA: What active steps will you take, if
elected President, to lead both SGA and the
student body?
5b. VPSA: What role do you hope to play in re-
gards to the relationship between students and
the Office of Student Affairs?
5c. VPAA: How do you see academic affairs fit-
ting into student government and how will you
operate in that role?
Interviews conducted by J. Francis Buse &
Brian Sherwin
Candidate forum
BY BRIAN SHERWIN
On Thursday afternoon, the SGA Elections Board
held an open forum for the candidates running for Vice
President of Academic Affairs (VPAA), Vice President
of Student Affairs (VPSA), and President of SGA
(PSGA). The candidates spoke about and answered
questions on issues varying from self-governance to
SGA transparency to goals for the future.
The forum largely centered on defining self-gover-
nance in the context of strained relations between the
student body, SGA and the administration.
VPSA candidates all emphasized agreed on the im-
portance of establishing a conception of self-governance
before communicating with the administration.
But while many candidates, such as Mona Ghadiri
’11, called for a set definition of self-governance, VPSA
candidate Alex Peitz ’10 voiced the necessity for a more
malleable definition. “To define self-governance [so
strictly] would [limit] the flexibility with working with
the administration,” she said.
Beyond self-governance, the candidates were con-
cerned with the lack of student body participation in
SGA. Candidates for PSGA and VPAA stressed the
necessity of finding different approaches to motivating
the student body.
Fernando “Fonz” Jenkins ’10, who is running for
SGA President, stressed his approachability to vot-
ers. ”You can pretty much talk to me about anything,”
Jenkins said.
VPAA Candidate Katey Gager ’11 said that SGA
also has to reach out to improve student body partici-
pation.
“I think approachability is important but I do think
that we need to go out and talk to people,” Gager said.
Overall, the candidates lamented the scant showing
at the open forum, which was poorly advertised. There
were approximately two dozen people at the forum and
those who attended were largely members of SGA.
“I feel like we shouldn’t be begging people to come
to the open forum,” Jenkins said.
Alex White ’12, a student at the open forum, also
shared the sentiment of the candidates. “I wish there
were more people here,”White said. “Unfortunately, this
is an SGA heavy crowd.”
SB
SGA candidates speak up
Candidates for President
This semester, I’m starting
to undertake a large project
that helps resituate students
as key stakeholders within
the decision-making process,
specifically reaffirming our
ability to govern ourselves
because what we’ve seen has
been … students’ voices and
opinions not really acknowl-
John Burrows ’10 edged by the administration.
This semester, we have seen a
breakdown in community and a lot of it’s because what
we need to do is completely revamp the ways in which
student opinion is solicited and advocated.
Time management. Last semester, the struggle was
balancing the daily committee work, in which I sat on
anywhere from eight to 12 committees at a time and
having to balance the day-to-day e-mailing and com-
mittee assignments for all those as well as working on
long-term projects.
I have learned to balance tackling the long-term
projects that will actually bring big meaningful change
while being able to delegate better and handle the daily
committee assignments on a regular basis.
First off I would really,
really like to provide this
missing link, this discon-
nect between the students
and the faculty and the
administration. And I want
to do that by reaffirming
or reestablishing account-
ability between students to
get more involved in SGA
Fernando Jenkins ’10 because it seems like, I use
this in my statement of in-
tent, but you lead the horse to the water but you can’t
make the horse drink.
Also, one thing that I was really looking to do
was we reassess what we believe self-governance is
because we have like 1600 students here roughly and
you can say we have 1600 different interpretations of
self-governance. So we need to kind of brainstorm
and come up with one collective term of what self-
governance is and then we can move on from there.
I have been a senator in Joint Board for two se-
mesters now. Also I feel like I embody the liberal arts
educational experience because I do a lot of things
inside and outside the classroom. I’ve been all over
The biggest thing I want
to tackle is, whether it’s true
or not, there is a perceived gap
of trust between the circle of
the administration, student
government and students. Es-
pecially Student Affairs had a
great amount of staff turnover,
and the students are uncon-
vinced that because of all the
Harry Krejsa ’10 newness of the staff coming
in, they aren’t entirely familiar
with what Grinnell is, what we hold to be fundamentally
Grinnellian. What I want to do is make sure that students
know SGA is on this better than it’s doing right now and
increase the communication and transparency between the
student government and the students.
Well I spent a semester as the senator for CND and
two semesters as the senator for Smounker, so I do know
Joint Board fairly well, how it does work and how it doesn’t
work … On the Safety and Security Advisory Committee I
did a lot of advocacy for trusting students to be responsible
with their own autonomy and to decrease any kind of feel-
ing of hostility between security and students. The other
committee I was most active on … [was] Student Initiatives
This past year, I have served as the VPSA for SGA.
I have worked with nearly every administrator and have
developed good relationships with all of them. Before that,
I served as a senator. I served on many, many committees
that deal with many different aspects of the College.
We have the self-governance handbooks that talk
about self-governance being taking accountability for
your actions and realizing that you are part of a broader
community and that you need to be responsible for that
community. It also means taking care of yourself and
taking care of each other. I think we need to take it a
step further and really thoughtfully articulate how self-
governance is played out throughout our daily life and
how we can educate each other as to how self-governance
should guide our actions. [We] also [need to] realize that
we are part of a broader community in which we engage
and share governance. We govern ourselves but we do
have to negotiate with the power structures of faculty and
administration and through self-governance we need to
discover what our role is in those negotiations.
I think the primary goal will be reorganizing the
Cabinet and committee structure of SGA. After being
one of the executives this past year, I have learned which
committees are not as effective as they could be and which
Cabinet positions just don’t make sense anymore.
ARH and Noyce. So, I’m an athlete as well. I’m a part
of a lot of student groups such as the Debate Union. I
run my own radio show. So, I’m a well-rounded person,
and I do an array of things, so I feel like that’s what
an SGA President needs to identify.
I feel like my weakness is that I’m not an insider.
I’m an outsider. I will be the first to admit that I
don’t know everything that the SGA President does
or what entails in this position, but I feel like I’m a
quick learner.
What I interpret as self-governance is simply re-
sponsibility, taking responsibility, taking accountabil-
ity. It all boils down to that. Being productive members
of society, that’s what I feel self-governance is.
I would definitely try to push and encourage
students to directly get involved with SGA no mat-
ter what. For example, I want to make Joint Board a
little more accessible. It is accessible to students right
now but one of my ideas was to actually have Joint
Board recorded and have audio recordings and have
that segmented and have that on PioneerWeb and so
students can have access to that and it’ll be archived.
Say they wanted to listen about the shoe policy in the
hallways, you don’t have to listen to the whole Joint
Board proceeding but you can go and click on that.
Committee where we manage STIFund. … I have [done a
lot] in student organization and student activism through
my work with the Social Entrepenuers of Grinnell and as
a Voicebox administrator.
Definitely I think time management is the biggest
problem that I’ve had—especially learning to overcome it in
academics, learning to balance my academics with student
government and SEG and student organization involve-
ment and student activism is time management.
Self-governance is, if not defined by, anchored in trust.
Trust between students that not only will you not infringe
on somebody else’s space, time or peace, but you will go
out of your way to prevent yourself from infringing on
someone else’s space, time or peace. Additionally, it is not
only students but between students, student government
and their administration.
Well, firstly I plan to be much more active in the
transition period to make sure that every single member of
the Cabinet that we eventually appoint will know exactly
what their job is on a day-to-day basis, so they can hit the
ground running.That was a small problem that the previous
Cabinet encountered and we want to save as much time as
possible. More specifically, I want to work on Joint Board
reform and institutional reform of SGA itself to make it
work better and faster and more efficiently for students.
NEWS &
FEATURE
Candidates for Vice President of Student Affairs
I’m hoping to work to-
wards, first of all, kind of reor-
ganizing the way Joint-Board
works because it’s kind of
bureaucratic, not necessarily
a mess, but it’s become very
suffocating and somewhat
stifling. And, transparency
is the other huge goal of
mine. I think that increased
Mona Ghadiri ’11 transparency ... is absolutely
critical to have any success in
the next year. And then also work toward regaining trust
between students and SGA. I also want to keep working
with redeveloping the ideas of what self-governance is,
and what it should mean to students.
Self-governance, to me, is half about choices and half
about responsibility. Partially, it’s about choices because
part of self-governance is making that choice of whether
what you’re doing is what you think is right or wrong …
The trust that is built between students comes from that,
comes from individuals taking responsibility for their
actions, so that you can hold other people accountable
and you are accountable to other people.
I have a terrible habit of saying yes to everything. If
My number one primary
goal is RLC training. Right
now in RLC training before
the year starts, they spend
about an hour talking about
self-governance, which is
just absurd for a school based
around this concept that we
love … I want to post a list
of all active committees in
Ben Offenberg ’11 the mail room, how to contact
them, what their purview is,
and I’ll have notes based on what committees are for at
large students [who] want to get involved … I know there
is always going to be a committee looking for at large
students to help them do work … I’m always looking for
new ideas from students, and I’ll make that a priority to
go out and ask people questions and see what they want
and that kind of thing.
I think that just having SGA experience isn’t the only
necessary experience. I’ve been an active member of this
campus since I stepped on campus. I’ve been a member
of the football and track teams here, and I’m on STIFund,
I’m on housing cabinet as the secretary this semester. I’m
working to get a better understanding of SGA and how
I plan to continue to
work on the current admin-
istration’s work with self-
governance because of the
great turnover in Student
Affairs. I think it’s very
important that we work on
it right now. There needs to
be a much more proactive
attempt at that.
Alex Peitz ’10 I want to increase ac-
countability of all of stu-
dent government to student body. I think it’s impor-
tant that people know what we’re doing. I actually
today just started a project to restart the Publicity
Committee. It used to be a Cabinet Position.
I have spent three years as a senator. I work on a
lot of different projects that come up in Joint Board
things that people complain about. I worked with the
Health Center to rearrange the condom dispensers on
campus … I worked with Travis and Houston last year
to start a complete revamp of the NSO program.
…I also have done a lot of other things outside
of SGA. I was the president of the Student Athletic
Advisory Committee and actually the year we were
somebody asks me to do something, I say yes without
necessarily looking at, “Do I have the time for it, is this
necessarily something that I need to be involved with?” So,
I guess my main problem is being able to say no to things
and being able to delegate to other individuals.
As far as overcoming it, I need to be more conscious
of delegation and the importance of delegation.
Currently, I’m a senator for Clangrala. This is my first
semester, but I’ve also been heavily involved in organiza-
tions as far as VOX and Con Brio. Also, in Grinnell
Singers, I’ve been secretary for the past year … I consider
myself to be really, really good at the organizational part.
I haven’t had a huge amount of experience within SGA
here, but I have been a vocal member throughout the
whole Sheree Andrews thing, of criticisms within SGA
and within Houston and Travis.
I first and foremost am a student advocate. I antici-
pate my role to be someone there for the students. I like
to say that I am a representative not of my constituents
but for my constituents. So, I’d like to transfer the same
thing to, if I’m elected VPSA, be there for the students
first and then deal with the Student Affairs part … I get
to let students know what’s going on so there are less
miscommunications, more transparency, and more avail-
ability of myself.
it works … I have a copy of the bylaws and constitution in
my backpack right now, I’ve read them a couple of times.
It’s something that I’m passionate about and I’m going
to bring fresh ideas to the table, definitely.
I don’t have the most direct experience with SGA. I
don’t think that’s the biggest weakness, I’m trying to turn
it around as a plus. I’m talking to people … I’m going to
go into this knowing I don’t have the most experience—it’s
something I am working on.
Self-governance isn’t just words, it has to be actions.
It’s definitely actions taken by people. Everyone’s got a
different definition. It’s the actions of asking the neighbor
to turn the music down at midnight, putting bikes back
up on racks when they fall down. In general, it’s just we’re
adults, it’s just living together peacefully as adults. We don’t
have to go crying to mom or dad … it’s just people living
peacefully in a society.
VPSA is the student advocate in the Student Affairs
office, and I’m going to work with them, I’m not going
to fight them. I’m going to work with [administrators]
and have a good relationship with them to get students
what they want and what they need—I’m going to fight
for that.
trying to completely redo what we did. We rewrote
the constitution and tried to increase our presence on
campus and let people know what we were doing and
create more events and move back towards advocacy
rather than service.
I don’t have much experience with the particular
committees that VPSA sits on. I’m on the student
Safety and Security Committee but that’s I think the
only VPSA committee that I’m on. I have heard a lot
about what goes on in these committees because I’m
a senator and I hear about it every week and I think
I’ll be able to pick it up quickly and I have enough
experience with achieving goals and working on
projects that I think it will be fine.
I think it has a lot to do with taking responsi-
bility for your actions. We get a lot more freedom
here than other people do at other schools and it’s
important that we are accountable for what we do,
that we take responsibility for our actions, and we
act in responsible ways. In that vein, I think it’s also
important that we kind of assert our right to govern
ourselves and that we become active members of our
community so that we will be treated with respect
and so that students can continue to have an active
say in what goes on.
Candidates for Vice President of Academic Affiars
I have about five spe-
cific goals I’ve laid out that
I want to do. Generally, I
just want to put together
some practical things that
just will make sure that
students have [an] easier
time being students here.
And, like streamlining
technology and making
Joanna DeMars’10 information more available
to students, educating new
professors about the atmosphere here on campus
and different programs available to their students,
so basically just doing things, trying to alleviate the
hindrances that students have to be students.
I was a senator for two semesters. And as a
senator, I was a member of the student Curriculum
Committee. I was on the student Curriculum Com-
mittee as SEPC chair for both my majors, Physics
and German. And through the student Curriculum
Committee, I was appointed to the overall Curricu-
lum Committee of the College, so that’s with faculty
and the registrar and the dean. And I have also been
a mentor and a mentee in the mentoring program
I want to work on the
accountability of the ad-
ministrators, and make sure
that students don’t feel torn
between the administration
and their faculty. I feel like
especially in a self-governance
institution that is beyond
unacceptable, so that needs
to be the first thing that
Katey Gager’11 happens. My second goal …
is to increase service learning
and find other ways to get students into the classroom
other than just sitting in the middle of ARH or Noyce.
My main goal is working my ass off to make sure that
that [budget cuts] don’t affect our learning. And I think
increasing class sizes by a little bit is acceptable and I’m
okay with that, but there are certain lines I’m just not
okay with crossing.
In terms of SGA experience, I’ve been a senator for
two semesters up in CND. One of my goals was actually
working towards administrator accountability. Also, I have
sat on a lot of different SGA committees, waltz chair this
semester, I’ve sat on ACE Committee, SAA, SCC. …
I’ve been involved in student Curriculum Committee,
The broad things are
making sure students feel
like their feedback is actually
taken seriously. I was abroad
last semester but I kept up
with what was going on …
[and] I think being away
sort of gives me an outside
view about what maybe we
can do better and to push for
Jacob Reisberg’10 students’ views to actually be
taken seriously.Beyond that
in terms of the specifics I think as AA I’d work to get the
break reorganized so we’d trim the fat off of winter break
and put it onto Thanksgiving. I think that SEPCs need to
get reorganized in a fashion. Mostly it’s the broad issues
of trust and then specific projects.
I have really diverse experience and what that means
is I’ve been a senator, I’ve sat on committees, I’ve been on
JudCo for two years, I’m one of the two student members
on the Committee of Academic Standing which Julie
got for us this semester, and I also am just active in just
non-student type things like G-Tones, I was in Debate,
Grinnell Singers, things like that.
February 27, 2009 9
and a tutor, so I feel like through the general SGA
committee system, SEPCs, and mentoring in the
classroom, I think I have a lot of experience. I’ve
basically been [current VPAA] Julie Hoye’s shadow
this semester and last semester.
Well I know from experience about my self that
when I commit to something I have a really hard
time saying ‘no.’ I know I got really burnt out in high
school as student body president and I know the is-
sue that will come up the most is taking on too much
and not being able to do everything well, so I think
in order to overcome that I need to set specific goals
and try not to overwork myself too much.
I have a hard time defining self-governance in
theoretical words so I think self-governance is not
something you can put in a textbook—I think it’s
something that you see in action. So I think that it’s
having everyone really take care of themselves and
take care of each other.
We’re all students, we’re all here primarily as
students. I think that academics should be first in
our minds. I think in SGA—in general overarching
terms—we are students. My role in terms of the aca-
demics will be to tell people and really strive towards
what students need in their academic lives.
which VPAA actually has to chair, so I know how that
works, too.
One of my weaknesses especially this year is that a
lot of people are unhappy with the way SGA is working,
and so they want to make changes and so I think because
I’ve been involved with SGA in the past, I may not have
as much of an outside view as some people would like. If
I’m elected, I can kind of work to mold those two sides
of things and improve it but also keep the working parts
that are actually effective.
Personally, self-governance for me if it had to come
down to one word it would be trust, which I know is
really corny. But I think that is the most basic element
of self-governance because with self-governance I think
the idea is you’re supposed to be as honest with people
as possible. So, I think trust probably is the number one
goal of self-governance for me.
I think academic affairs needs more student govern-
ment involvement because I know Julie Hoye has been
doing a fantastic job getting students on academic com-
mittees, but she only has one committee that now has per-
manent student involvement. I think we need to continue
to try and up that involvement more because ... the main
reason we’re here is for academics, and so I think we have
a lot of great input when it comes to student affairs.
I think that’s important because that kind of gives me
many many, different angles of kind of looking at things
and also makes me comfortable interacting with a lot
of different groups whether it be administrators, faculty,
students, anybody.
I think that I can get really caught up in one thing
like if there’s one project that really is taking a lot of time
and energy I will get stuck in it in terms of wanting to
get it to the end and I know student government is a
process in which we try to do as much as possible on a
wide variety of projects and try really as hard as possible
to get them done.
I’ve wrestled with [self-governance] myself while
on JudCo and I think above everything else it has to do
with respect and respecting those around you, respecting
yourself, being able to communicate viably and being able
to communicate directly is something really important.
I think primarily you have to be the students’ advocate
in front of the faculty because they’re the ones who are
controlling, with exception of the scheduling issues which
are also administrative, it really has to be pressing the fac-
ulty to be listening to the students’ concerns. And I mean
I guess I am there to do that and push and represent.
10 edited by Chloe Moryl
morylchl@grinnell.edu
SB
&
FEATURES February 27, 2009

Nic Wilson ’12

6:00 a.m. – Wake up to sound

of alarm. Briefly consider fin-
ishing the homework I didn’t
get to last night. Choose sleep
instead.

8:15 a.m. – Wake up again; somehow manage to finish all

my work and drink four cups of coffee before class.

9:00 a.m. – Head off to class for the morning. Sincerely

regret poor decisions made the previous evening involving
the Oscars and Carlo Rossi.

12:30 p.m. – Done with class for the day. Meet Ashur Bratt
’12 for lunch in the dining hall. Have grilled cheese sand-
wich and black bean soup. Also more coffee.
Bob Marley? No, Zac Ellington ‘10. M ARFA PROKHOROVA

Zac Ellington: keepin’ Cleveland bumpin’

1:15 p.m. – Waste time on internet playing Tetris. Set new
high score.

1:30 p.m. – Fall asleep while reading for Spanish. Wake up

BY M ARCUS ZEITZ that much crazier,” Ellington said.
with pool of drool on notes.
You’ve seen him around campus. You’ve danced to his beats “Being abroad for a semester really helped me remember
in Cleveland lounge some Friday night. And perhaps you’ve how great this place is,” Ellington said. “I was literally in para-
1:45 p.m. – Make trip to optometrist to see about getting
even cured afternoon munchies with a sandwich from him at dise—southern France—yet I wanted to return to the middle
damage caused at the “Fucked Up” concert last week re-
Lonnski’s. of Iowa.”
paired.
Zac Ellington ’10, a POSSE scholar from L.A., was thrust Back in his beloved Grinnell, Ellington, a Psychology major
into Grinnell culture when he prospied during Mary B. James with a concentration in Linguistics, has returned to his pas-
2:00 p.m. – Head off to the basement of Bucksbaum to
weekend. The opportunity to participate in transvestite de- sions: dancing, reading, and socializing.
practice piano and work on Aural Skills homework. Anna
bauchery offered what Ellington called a “very In particular, Ellington said he hopes to
Friel ’10 mocks the way I walk en route.
quick course in everything that is great about ensure that there is “a place available to dance
Grinnell.” “I was literally in paradise— every weekend.” His pet project, the Dance 5:00 p.m. – Finally escape the music dungeon with sanity
That weekend marks the beginning of El- Collective, aims to achieve just this by putting
lington’s love affair with Grinnell, recently southern France—yet I on dance parties “as often as I can” in South
more or less intact.
consummated with his return from studying wanted to return to the mid- Campus. Ellington personally finances many
5:30 p.m. – Finish Spanish and take nap before dinner
abroad in Aix en Provence, France.
While abroad, Ellington’s apparent similar-
dle of Iowa.” of the parties, and is currently working on im-
proving his DJ skills with the aid of his friend
ity to Bob Marley was a source of constant en- Zac Ellington ’10 Robin Dugas ’10. “A few nights a week we just 6:15 p.m. – Meet Chris Wilson ’11 for weekly dinner. Dis-
cuss various bits of gossip.
tertainment. “I would meet people, and be like, get together and spin for two to three hours,”
‘I’m Zac,’ and they would smile and say ‘I’m going to call you Ellington said.
9:00 p.m. – Head back to Bucksbaum for an hour. Enjoy
Bob,’” Ellington recalled. When he’s not in class, hanging out, or moonlighting as a
the walk over in the warm night air. Am excited about the
Once, when walking on a boardwalk with some friends DJ, Ellington works in town at Lonnski’s Pub and Deli, where
fact spring is less than a month away.
in Nice, a police car drove by with the windows rolled down, he serves sandwiches to the greater Grinnell community. “It’s
singing “No Woman No Cry,” and smiling as they passed El- nice to see a real cross-section of the town rather than just be-
10:00 p.m. – Finished with work. Try to remember the last
lington. ing around college students,” he said.
time I took shower. Give up after several minutes and put
But miles and ocean were not enough to separate Elling- Beyond working in the deli, Ellington’s vocational plans for
hygiene off until tomorrow … possibly Wednesday.
ton from the school that he loves. After visiting Grinnellians beyond Grinnell include children’s speech therapy. “My aca-
in Rome, Ellington flew to Amsterdam. Alone and exhausted demic passion is language, and I love working with children, so
11:16 p.m. – Drunk tennis player wanders into room. Of-
on the concentric streets of Amsterdam, Ellington realized his it would be great to go into a field that combines both of those
fers me his own nipple hair. I take one to sell on eBay in
phone was dead and he was hopelessly lost. “I couldn’t remem- things,” Ellington said.
case he ever becomes famous at some point in the future.
ber the difference between Lindenstraat and Linden staat,” he For now, though, Ellington is content to eat caramels as
laughed. he relaxes with his cat in the school he loves. “Self-governance
1:00 a.m. – Clear most of the clothes and trash off bed and
Somehow, after two hours, he made it back to his hostel, is, in my mind, what sets this school apart. I really do think
fall asleep.
where to his surprise his friend, Juli Garcia ’10, was in the lobby. it’s proof that people can subjugate themselves to nothing but
“Running into someone like that would have been the craziest reason and get along well together,” Ellington said. “Seeing it
thing anyway, but the fact that it was in Amsterdam made it work is a really rewarding experience.”

You think a bacon weave is too much? Think again.

Nora Coon ‘10 explores the ways Grinnell College students can enjoy bacon, counting down the top three locations
If you pay attention to food news—or the Number three: the Dining Hall. Extra and Des Moines branches are always open … heat to your preferred level of doneness. Just
Internet—you’ve probably heard of the Ba- points for convenience, since it requires al- uh, not that I know anyone who would drive remember that because it is deliciously fatty,
con Explosion by now. If not, let me bring most no travel time. Dining Hall bacon var- an hour just for Perkins. Certainly not me. you probably shouldn’t eat it every night. If
you up to speed. The Bacon Explosion is a ies widely in quality, but with a little care in Moving on. you start going into withdrawal, try turkey
log of meat, constructed out of two pounds your choice of strips, you should be good. Try Number one: A&M Café. The holy grail of bacon. Despite being Jewish, I’ve always eaten
of bacon, two pounds of sausage, and a whole it dipped in a little jam or syrup if you are a bacon in the area. If you’ve never had A&M’s real bacon, but turkey bacon isn’t bad if you’re
lot of barbeque sauce. You can cook it on the sweet-and-salty fan like me. bacon, I sincerely hope that you’re either ko- desperate. Kind of like those fake-bacon dog-
grill, in a smoker, or in your oven. Number two: Perkins. Take Exit 164 off sher, vegetarian or brand-new to the area. gie treats.
Sadly, I haven’t I-80 for New- The A&M cooks thick-cut bacon (I believe If you’ve overdosed on bacon and lost the
had the chance to ton, and you’ll in crisp bacon, but their bacon is so perfect love, I recommend working your way back
taste a Bacon Ex- Nora Coon ‘10 see the sign from that it’s even good limp) and doesn’t charge slowly. Crumbled bacon on your Dining Hall
plosion yet, mostly the freeway. They much, either. Plus, you can walk there, so no cheesy fries. Bacon chocolate from Vosges.
due to a dearth of Ice Cream is Rich in Protein serve thin-sliced need to worry about finding a car. The only Bacon salt, available at both HyVee and Fare-
other willing test bacon, rather than downside is A&M’s fairly limited hours— 6 way. If you’re daring, bacon chocolate chip
subjects. In lieu thick-cut (my a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 7 a.m.-2 cookies with maple-cinnamon glaze (god, I
of that, I offer you a short and by no means personal favorite), but they’ll cook it any way p.m. on Sundays. love the Internet).
comprehensive countdown of the best places you want it. Bonus: Perkins is open from You can make bacon yourself, of course. And if you’re truly hardcore, you can find
to find bacon in or near Grinnell. How is this 6 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, and 24 Grab a frying pan and a package of store- the recipe for the Bacon Explosion at www.
healthy, you may ask? Bacon has protein— hours on Friday and Saturday. If you’re re- bought bacon, separate the strips, and lay bbqaddicts.com/blog/recipes/bacon-explosion/.
and that’s good enough for me. ally desperate during the week, the Iowa City them out in the pan. Cook over medium-high
February 27, 2009

Looking at new housing options available next year

SB&
OPINION edited by Morgan Horton
hortonmo@grinnell.edu 11

Gender-neutral housing to sub-free housing, beginning in the students. different floors around campus. If stu-
2009-2010 academic year, ensures that Not only is making these two group- dents want to live in a substance-free
Following the footsteps of Harvard there is one dorm with substance-free ings arbitrary, but if the administration environment, they should be allowed
University, Grinnell has adopted a new housing on each residential campus. seeks to make a decision based off of that opportunity.
housing option available starting in the While the administration and the empirical data, in numbers alone the However, by offering parity as the
fall of 2010. In an act that emphasizes Residence Life Committee asserts that amount of students unwilling to see a main reason for this decision, the ad-
just how few limits we really have, the this is a good idea, many students have change to substance-free in their com- ministration fails to recognize that
housing department has taken steps to voiced concern and displeasure. munity is greater on South Campus. parity inherently does not and cannot
acknowledge the various preferences of The reasons given to students for More im- exist on this cam-
students with gender-neutral housing. the inclusion of James in substance- portant than pus. For example,
The Snedge
Introducing gender-neutral hous- free housing included data from an this is the fact if the administra-
ing as a possible living arrangement for informal p-web poll—data which was that the ad- tion was actually
current and future Grinnellians means later ignored—and a sudden pressing ministration concerned about
Noyce and ARH
that in designated dorms throughout need for what the administration has used an infor- parity on all parts go head-to-head
campus students can opt out of iden- termed “parity” on campus. mal Pioneer of campus, every
tifying as either male or female when While we recognize that increas- Web poll to dorm would be air On Monday, Carlos Lu
filling out their housing forms. The ing demand for substance-free housing make an im- conditioned, not polled 50 people at
implications of this action are that any calls for increased availability of that portant decision. If the administration just East Campus and Norris. This is a Noyce and J. Francis
student who wishes can choose how to housing option, the administration’s wanted to base their decision simply ridiculous suggestion; and so is the sug- Buse polled 50 people at
live without having the gender binary blatant disregard for student opinion is off of a poll, there should have been a gestion that parity exists. ARH, asking:
forced upon them. troubling. greater effort made to effectively gather Even beyond these concerns, we
There’s no reason the College
shouldn’t meet student demand and
In an interview with the S&B, Dean
of Students Travis Greene cited that
empirical data, or data that was more
accurately representative of the wants
also wonder whether current sub-free
students will draw into James. If few
Genghis Kahn or
go gender-neutral—a large amount of
floors already have floor-elected gen-
this decision was made partially based
off of an informal Pioneer Web poll,
of students.
Additionally, the informal Pioneer
students do, this will result in a dorm
that consists mainly of first-years, which
Gary Kahn
der-neutral bathrooms, and students conducted last semester. The results of Web poll didn’t even offer James resi- will inhibit their initial integration into
could still have complete freedom to this poll favored Norris residence hall dence hall as an option. Basically, the the larger Grinnell community. As it Noyce
choose their roommates. to be changed to substance free over the Pioneer Web poll didn’t prove that stands currently, one student has signed
If the program thrives, which we
hope it will, we would love to see the
alternative option, Cleveland/Main.
According to Greene, even after
there was a demand for sub-free dorms
on south campus. Regardless, the ad-
up for substance free housing with the
preference of living in James. 80%
housing option placed in the form sent this poll, students currently residing in ministration placed it there and made In the end, with the administration
to incoming first-year students. With Norris were upset about changing Nor- no effort to gauge student response. choosing James as the new sub-free Genghis Kahn
the formation of viable gender-neutral ris into substance-free housing. Greene This want for sub-free housing on dorm, everyone’s voices got ignored.
housing options that encourage gender
neutrality, Student Affairs, SGA and
also said that South Campus students
were similarly unwelcoming. However,
South Campus stems from the admin-
istration’s desire for “parity” on campus,
The administration cited a poorly ad-
ministered poll, that they actually ig- 20%
the College have acknowledged that in stating this, Greene groups students which Greene mentioned in an all- nored anyway, and flawed arguments
Grinnell is a safe place for gender neu- into two separate entities: Norris or campus e-mail. of parity to justify the situation. Where
Gary Kahn
trality. South Campus. Norris is one dorm of Obviously there is a demand for were the open forums? Where is the
Sub-free South campus
students on North Campus, with 102
students, whereas South Campus is a
more substance-free housing, as indi-
cated by overflow and resulting creation
campus wide discussion? Students
should directly be involved in a deci-
ARH
The recent addition of James hall collection of six dorms, housing 406 of informal substance free clusters on sion so vital to student life.
78%
Dogs, Bones and Berries: everyone is a winner Genghis Kahn
I have recently begun to understand two serious and nanimous in victory and all will love me.” After the time from DBB (as all the game’s avid followers called it) by
conflicting facts about my life.
1. I am very competitive. 2. I am not very good at
was up, we compared words and I had about three more
than she did.
playing competitive games. This would have probably
improved my skills, except that my dad’s idea of a Ta-
22%
games. In fact, I’m so bad at such a variety of games that It wasn’t as good as I expected, but I was still pret- boo clue is saying, “... Arizona” and then staring at me Gary Kahn
it might be considered a skill in and of itself. ty happy ... until she said, “Wait, what about these?” beady-eyed until the time runs out. (The answer: Tomb-
I play beer pong like an overly enthusiastic T-Rex, and turned over her paper to reveal about 40 MORE stone. Are you actually kidding me?). Couple this with
I never throw anything WORDS. How did this his tendency to make up Scrabble words and then hide
except scissors in Rock happen?! I spluttered the dictionary so no one can contest them, and you’ll
Paper Scissors, and I’ve
hit myself in the head Rachel Fields ‘09 inwardly. She’s not
even good at English!
understand why I never got better.
I wish I was better at games. I can count the ones I’m DID
with a Frisbee—more
than once and, possibly,
Pro-Laugh I’m good at English! I
WILL SMOTHER
decent at on one hand: Bananagrams, Clue, The Most
Dangerous Game and How I Met Your Mother Quote
YOU
more than twice. The HER TO DEATH Recitation. KNOW
only game I ever really
feel good about is Children’s Edition Jeopardy, because TEAM MEDALS.
WITH SPEECH I’d love to play any and all games with you. Just un-
derstand that I might end up shouting, “I will set you
?
if I can ignore the fact that my opponents are ten, I feel When I began to suspect my deficit early in life, I on fire! I will set you. ON. FIRE.” It’s nothing personal,
great about myself. What color is a giraffe? Bam. Yellow started making up my own games instead. Some were just a habit that comes from long nights of staring into There are approxi-
and brown. Sorry, Tyler from Possum Creek, Tenn., I well-formed and had rules. Others were called Dogs, my dad’s eyes, wondering just how genetic his particular mately fifty Bibles
just won my elementary school ten new computers. Bones and Berries and involved pretending to be dogs brand of madness is. And if that doesn’t work, we can sold each minute
Once, in high school, I was playing Boggle with my and collecting food for the “dog feast.” Everyone wins, always play Dogs, Bones and Berries. across the world.
best friend, who had never played Boggle before. “Aha,” unless you count the loss of time and dignity. I hear there’s a dog feast coming up, and boy, are we
I thought slyly to myself. “I will crush her but be mag- Every Christmas, my family tried to steer me away short on supplies. w w w. s t ra n g e f a c t s . c o m

The Scarlet & Black welcomes story ideas from students, faculty and
other members of the town and college community. If there is any story that
should be covered, please email newspapr@grinnell.edu.
The Scarlet and Black February 27, 2009
Send letters to the editor via email at newspapr@grinnell.edu or mail
them to Box 5886. The author’s name must be included, but letters can be
published anonymously in certain occasions upon request. Letters will be
printed at the discretion of the editor. The S&B reserves the right to edit any
Editors-in-Chief Pat Caldwell Graphics Editor Mike Kleine and all submissions. The deadline for publication in Friday’s paper is Tuesday
and David Logan News Assistant Brian Sherwin of the same week. Please do not include footnotes in letters to the editor.
Ad Designer Karuna Giri News Editor J. Francis Buse
Arts Editor Mark Japinga Opinion Editor Morgan Horton The opinions expressed in letters to the editor, opinion columns and
Business Manager Katie McMullen Photo Editor Ben Brewer advertising do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the S&B, SPARC or
Grinnell College.
Copy Editor Stephanie Nordstrom Sports Editor Jai Garg
Design Editor Margie Scribner Web Design Tony Pan Advertising inquiries should be directed to the business manager, Katie
Features Editor Chloe Moryl Honorary Editor broverload McMullen, who can be reached at sandbads@grinnell.edu or by mail at Box
5886, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA 50112.
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The Scarlet & Black is published on Fridays by students of Grinnell College and is printed by Marengo Publishing Corporation. The ter. Subscriptions outside the U.S. are $55 for surface mail and $85 for air
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12 edited by Morgan Horton
hortonmo@grinnell.edu
This Week in Grinnell (Feb
27 –Mar 5)
Strand 3 Theatre: $5.00 Grinnell
College Discount Passes available at
the Campus Bookstore and the Pioneer
Bookshop. Call 236-7600 or visit http://
www.fridleytheatres.com/ for show times.
Showing Feb 27—Mar 5:
Milk (R), Defiance (R), New In
Town (PG-13), Slumdog Millionaire
(R)
Savanna Restoration Workday at
CERA: Saturday, Feb 28, 9:30 p.m. –
12:30 p.m. Help restore a bur oak savanna
at the Conrad Environmental Research
Area (CERA). Volunteers will help pile
branches and salvage firewood-sized logs
from invasive trees that have been cut
down around the oak trees. Transporta-
tion and work gloves will be provided.
The van will leave from the parking lot
behind the Chrystal Center at 9:30 a.m.,
if driving separately park by the Environ-
mental Education Center. To RSVP con-
tact Larissa Mottl at mottll@grinnell.edu
or at 269-4717. This activity is sponsored
by the Grinnell College Center for Prai-
rie Studies.
Faulconer Gallery Outreach:
Wednesday, Mar 4, 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.,
Bucksbaum Faulconer Gallery Room
131. Make animation art with youth
grades K-4 at the Faulconer Gallery. For
more information contact Tilly Wood-
ward @ x4663 or woodward@grinnell.edu.
Jazz Concert: Wynton Marsa-
lis: Wednesday, Mar 4, 8 p.m. Wynton
Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center will play
at Herrick Chapel. Tickets are required,
and may be picked up at no cost at the
Bucksbaum Center box office or the Pio-
neer Bookshop downtown starting Fri-
day, Feb. 27. For ticketing questions call
641-269-4444.
still/LIFE: Jan 13 - May 22, Noyce
Science Center, northwest study lounge,
second floor. The exhibit by Tracy Hicks
based around specimen jars is intended
to provide a space for intellectual as well
as artistic reflection on the fate of spe-
cies and raises the question: what does it
mean to preserve? For more information
visit http://www.grinnell.edu/faulconergal-
lery/exhibitions
Animated Painting: Feb 6 - April 19.
This exhibit open to the public features
work by 12 international contemporary
artists who adapt animation concepts and
technologies in making their art, combin-
ing handwork, digital technology as well
as traditional art forms. For more infor-
mation visit http://www.grinnell.edu/
index4.shtm or http://www.grinnell.edu/
faulconergallery/
High School Art Exhibition: Feb 6
- Mar 5, Monday - Friday, 3 p.m.- 5:30
p.m. at the Grinnell Community Art Gal-
lery, Grinnell Community Center (2nd
Floor) 927 Fourth Avenue, Grinnell. Call
641-236-2620 for more information or
for weekend appointments or visit http://
www.grinnellarts.org/gallery/high.htm
SB&
OPINION
Don’t forget the hate crimes
A year ago this week, a series of hate crimes
were committed, targeting people whom the
aggressors identified as queer. A woman came
back to her dorm room to find the word “dyke”
written around her door. In the following
weeks, a number of students repeatedly re-
ceived anonymous mail telling them that “God
hates fags/dykes” and that they should go “eat
some pussy” or “suck some dick.”
While the vandalism and the hate mail
came as a horrible shock to many on this
campus, others saw it as a large-scale example
of what many members of our community
(that is, the Grinnell community) experience
throughout their time on campus.
It’s easy to talk about “The Year of the
Hate Crimes” or the “Swastika Incident of
2005.” It’s easy to convince ourselves that
these are isolated incidents, committed either
by people who are “un-Grinnellian” or who do
not actually go here. People claimed that they
saw “townies” in the loggias, and we tried to
convince ourselves that they must have sent
the letters.
However, these are not isolated inci-
dents, and they are continually committed by
Grinnellians. Within the past few months,
students have been harassed for dancing ro-
mantically with a partner of the same sex, a
student had a glass bottle thrown at them be-
cause of their non-normative gender expres-
sion, and students presenting on behalf of a
group for students of color had a trustee yell at
them that “separate is never equal.”
The events of last spring have had a lasting
effect on many on this campus. We remain
angry, sad, fearful, and deeply hurt. We are an-
gry that while there was an amazing outpour-
ing of conversations and support immediately
after the hate crimes, this wave has lapsed. We
are sad that these events have been so easily
forgotten and ignored by many. We are fearful
that at any time this could happen again. We
are deeply hurt because many of our friends,
our peers, our professors, and our administra-
tors remain unwilling to engage in sustained
dialogue around these issues.
As we remember last year’s hate crimes and
become more conscious of the prevalence of
homophobia, heterosexism, racism, classism,
sexism, ableism and other forms of oppression
on this campus, we need to challenge ourselves
to question the language and actions of others
as well as to look introspectively at our own
use of language and choice of actions. With
each new class, institutional memory fades. It
is essential that we start remembering, stop
making excuses, and take pride in creating an
inclusive, safe, and supportive environment for
all members of the Grinnell community.
—Jess W. Cheney ’09, Brittney Brown ’11, Shelby
Ramirez ’11, Sejan Miah ’12, Ryan Carlino ’10, Jon
Richardson ’10, Katie Jones ’10, Jared Rubinstein ’10,
Brian Perbix ’09, Brock Webb ’09, Jarrett Joubert ’12,
Unique Bexley ’10, Nik Jameson ’11, Erin Duran ’09,
Margie Scribner ’10, Leah Krandel ’09
Inviting ROTC back to Grinnell
In a few weeks, my senior friends will grad-
uate and start doing all sorts of cool shit. They
will go onto graduate school, the Peacecorps,
Teach for America, Capitol Hill, Wall Street,
and no doubt some corner of the globe I’ve
never heard of. Curiously enough though, in a
country mired in its seventh year of war almost
no one will enter the military. This deficiency,
as much as issues of toleration or oppression,
deserves our consideration.
What follows isn’t a recruiting pitch (I’ll
leave that to commercials of Marines scaling
rock faces in Class-A uniforms). Instead, it is a
request that we as a campus consider inviting
(N)ROTC back to Grinnell. Reestablishing a
chapter would at once support diversity, public
service, and the legitimate security interests of
the United States.
1. Diversity. The college’s commitment to
economic and intellectual diversity is a cor-
nerstone of social justice. An (N)ROTC unit
would be a major boon to that diversity. Not
only would it provide scholarships to students
who could not otherwise afford private tuition,
but it would encourage a broader ideologi-
cal and poltical range of students to consider
Grinnell.
2. Public Service. By not participating in
ROTC we cede the power of physical force
to thugs and Business-Admin majors. I leave
it to you to decide who is more dangerous. It
is imperative that humanistic, critical students
have influence over the power of violence lest
it be abused in our name. To exercise force, I
grant you, implies the assumption of guilt. But
to disavow the responsibilities of power and
service can lead to culpability in a still greater
guilt—that of inaction in the face of evil. Ask
yourself, would a Grinnellian have let Abu
Ghraib happen?
3. The Security of the United States. Mili-
tary operations in the 21st century will be
dominated by low-level conflicts, counter-ter-
rorism operations and humanitarian missions.
In this climate, analytical and communicative
skills become paramount. American military
officers must today interact with civilians,
speak foreign languages and incisively analyze
complex threats in a manner consistent with—
and indeed dependent on—the ideals of a lib-
eral arts education.
Its time to ask (N)ROTC back to Grinnell
for the benefit of the College and the nation.
In any case, what else are you supposed to do
with that English major?
—Tommy Jamison ’09
Response to Concerts staff ed
I’ve been involved with concerts since I got
here (a year and a half ago, or something), and
while understanding the spirit of your staff ed,
I disagree with it entirely. It’s the same hat-
erade, uninformed stuff you hear on a typical
Friday night: “Man, Concerts, you guys really
suck. You didn’t bring anybody good last se-
mester. I love Kings of Leon. You should bring
those guys. And my friend here loves Damian
Rice. You should bring him, he’s really awe-
some. And let me talk to you about Films, too,
man, they suck...”
Kings of Leon and Damian Rice are, to
be honest, exactly the kind of quality that
Grinnell Concerts is least equipped to bring,
and will never be well equipped to bring, and
SHOULDN’T BE well-equipped to bring. If
you love Kings of Leon so much, go see them
in Iowa City, where the University of Iowa
Concerts Committee brought them last year.
Pay your $30 and have a really good time,
and I really mean that. These artists, however,
represent just the best-intentioned edge of a
whole slew of other bad ideas about “quality”
in music.
Do you really think that concerts should
bring groups like Ladysmith Black Mombazo
when ACE is perfectly capable of bringing
them? I really loved that show, but its existence
is incredibly tangential evidence for critiquing
concerts.
And Indie? What does that label even
mean? Does it cover Fucked Up, Someone Still
Loves You Boris Yeltsin, the Blow, and Blue
Scholars? Does it count towards Liars? Does
it count towards Peter Brotzmann? What
about Capillary Action and Bird Names? A
cursory look at the Concerts schedule for the
two years I have been here would reveal that
the programming includes quite a bit of “non-
Pitchfork-approved” (I am assuming this is the
standard you are using for “indie”, and I find
it incredibly facile) music. Does it mean just
whatever a certain group of people like? I don’t
know what it means at all. And “Indie” bands
provide great value.
For 30 thousand, you get either Ghostface
or ten indie bands. I want you to make the case
February 27, 2009
that Ghostface is worth missing Fucked Up
about ten times.
DON’T GIVE CONCERTS A
THUMBS UP AND THEN SHOVE THE
SAME THUMB UP ITS ASS!
—James Anthofer ’11
A Fi’m’s take on the staff ed
Last week’s staff editorial suggested that
the Concerts and Films Committee should fo-
cus more on bringing a select schedule of big-
name bands and popular movies rather than a
larger number of less hyped groups and films.
As a member of the Films Committee and
avid fan of the Concerts Committee, I would
like to expose some problems with this piece
by pointing the editors to other articles they
printed in the very same issue of the S&B.
Refer first to the discussion between two
editors on page six, where the movies loved by
the Academy Awards were rightfully lament-
ed for how their oftentimes bland formulas or
problematic agendas should not result in such
praise and popularity.
Although the best pic noms did leave out
WALL-E and The Dark Knight, the Oscars
still tend to be dominated by popular films (see
Slumdog, LotR, etc.). At the very least, inde-
pendent and foreign films rarely make appear-
ances in the Best Pic Category.
Meanwhile, the films committee consis-
tently brings big grossers—like WALL-E and
Batman. But if we stopped there, as the article
suggests, we’d be failing to attend to another
issue brought up on the page adjacent to the
editorial—diversity at Grinnell.
When negotiating the issue of quality and
quantity, we have to question to what extent
the latter determines the former. The edito-
rial’s argument equates the quality of a choice
made by the committees with the size of the
turnout at the event. But this leaves out ques-
tions like: whose definition of quality is this?
Who are these “quality” movies catering to?
Who is being left out in this equation? How
many people at an event does it take to make it
a worthwhile choice?
Can we determine this by the price paid
by each individual in attendance in relation to
the cost of the event? No. That’s because the
activities fee is the same for everybody—we’re
in this grand project of weekend entertain-
ment together, and that’s precisely why it’s so
valuable to offer a wealth of possible entertain-
ment options.
We’re all into different things at Grinnell,
which is what many of us love about this place,
and that fact needs to be respected by the com-
mittees in charge of supplying us with choices.
This means bringing movies like Twilight, a
movie a lot of people enjoyed on Valentine’s
Day (yes I admit it, I’m one of these). But it
also means bringing Synecdoche, New York,
for the small but undoubtedly die-hard group
of Charlie Kaufman fans out there (yes I admit
it, I’m one of these).
Also, remember another reason that films
and concerts bring so many small-scale events
is because they’re cheaper, hence getting the
students more options for their money. What’s
not economical about films’ strategy of bring-
ing a handful of less well-known (or as is more
often the case, simply less recently released)
movies for the price of one box office giant,
which we also bring? Also, the editorial’s sug-
gestion that there are too many film screen-
ings is irrelevant in terms of cost—we buy
the rights upfront, it’s not like each screening
costs more money. And about Concerts, bear
in mind that big name doesn’t always equal big
pay-off. Remember when the controversially
expensive Jean Grae came and made fun of us
for a whole set? Then remember when anti-
mainstream circus punk marching band Muc-
ca Pazza came and blew our socks off while
sousaphoning our ears? Diversity + choices =
way more possibilities than that new logo.
—Courtney Sheehan ’11
February 27, 2009 &
OPINION
Life: choose a college, choose
h
13
a state, choose Grinnell
Last Sunday, Slumdog Millionaire took Iowa, choose Grinnell. Choose your bed
SB edited by Morgan Horton
hortonmo@grinnell.edu

boy-free, girl-free, or gender neutral. Choose song, choose a dance. Choose a girl, choose
home the Oscar for Best Picture, and its di- sheets, your toothbrush, your window fan, your North, South, East, a boy, choose a time, choose
rector, Danny Boyle, won the Best Director clothes, your microwave oven and your fucking but not West. Choose a place, and make sure you
award. laptop computer. Choose a class, a sports team, Cowles, Norris, Choose a rescue dog, choose choose the route for your walk
Danny Boyle also directed the film Train- a clique, choose your friends. Choose a meal Dibble, Clark, Gates, a disco ball, choose a fetish, of shame.
spotting, which is basically about these heroin plan, choose teriyaki wings, buffalo wings, or Langan, Smith, Choose fall break plans,
addicts in Ireland (think of a lighter Requiem spicy wings and hope the meat isn’t pink. Younker. Choose
choose a block to party winter break plans, spring break
for a Dream, with a slightly happier ending— Choose the fireplace lounge, choose Bob’s, Loose, Read, James, plans, summer plans, or just
although any ending is probably happier than Burling first, Burling second, a classroom in Haines, Cleveland, Main. Choose Lazier, Ker- [plans]. Choose auto-read list 1, auto-read
Requiem’s). Noyce, or a spot in the Grille to sit with your shaw, Rose, or East D. list 2, or if you’re one of those kinds of people,
The beginning sequence of the film is hot tea and shiny, white Mac that’s got your Choose a rescue dog, choose a disco ball, choose auto-read list 3. Choose a Facebook
a foot chase: main ear buds blast- choose a fetish, choose a block to party, choose picture that doesn’t make you look like a fuck-
character Renton ing the latest a shirt that you can wear one sleeve off the ing tool.
(Ewan McGregor) is
running away from
Carlos Lu ‘10 psychedelic
rock song as
shoulder while your hair is off to the opposite
side in a pony tail.
Choose High Street, Park Street, Broad
Street, Main Street, the Brande, or an apart-
the cops after knock- This School Has a Bad you talk to your Choose a major, an advisor, and a cof- ment above the Strand. Choose Chuong’s,
ing off a convenience Sleep Cycle friends pre- fee maker for those nights when you have to Pag’s, Casa’s, Lonn’s, or even China Sea,
store for drug money, tending to do write that fucking paper that you’ve put off for choose anything but the D-Hall. Choose a se-
and all the while, there’s a voiceover of Renton homework. Choose INSLab, Math Lab, the weeks, thinking why the fuck did I choose to nior project, choose a senior seminar, choose
reciting this monologue about how drugs are Creative Computing Lab, or the lab next door take this class and choose this fucking major. a senior citizen to study for a summer MAP.
better than life. where that guy makes drugs. Choose the PEC, Choose a night, a lounge, a party, and a Choose a graduation date, choose a com-
Thus, in honor of Danny Boyle’s win last choose the fitness center, choose Mac Field, drinking game where the point is to shoot a mencement speaker, choose the underwear
Sunday, I attempt to emulate that monologue, the soccer field, the football field, or a run at little white ball into a red cup filled with beer that you’ll wear when you receive your fucking
but with a Grinnell twist. My intent is not to five in the morning in your short, red, running (or bounce it, if you dare). Choose Gardner, diploma. “Choose your future, choose life.”
say that Grinnell is better than life, but rather, shorts. Harris, or High Street. Choose Swimmer But who needs all that when you’ve got a
to present you this monologue and you can Choose your first-year tutorial, your House, Soccer House, Frisbee House, White good education?
make what you want of it: second-year roommate, choose your dorm. House, and on those rare occasions, choose the For the actual monologue from Trainspot-
Choose a college, choose a state, choose Choose off-campus, on-campus, sub-free, Slum. Choose a cup, choose a keg, choose a ting, Google it.

Decision-making process of College president explained

One of the facts of life at colleges and uni-
versities is that many resist the idea that their
institutions need to be managed or adminis-
tered. And, of course, individuals resist or dis-
agree with specific decisions that are made by
other individuals—whether the president, a
dean, or a department chair. This opposition
is frequently stated as opposition to “the ad-
ministration.”
But of course there is no simple thing or
entity that is “the administration.” Nor are ad-
ministrators or decision-makers monolithic in
their thinking or their actions. Usually deci-
sions are the result of a calculus of competing
suggestions, needs and plans that span broad
areas of a college but generally have a primary
focus in one area.
The president is the most likely person to
see and experience the multiple perspectives
and demands of competing groups or indi-
viduals in an institution.
Alumni usually write to the president. Fac-
ulty express themselves directly in their insti-
tutions of governance and also individually to At Grinnell I think there is a consistent matter is under consideration so as to elicit
the president or even the members of the Board and strong sense of identity that is encapsu- comments from those who may have wisdom
of Trustees. Students speak through SGA but lated in our official documents, our core values on the subject but are not disposed to raise their
also individually. Staff also speaks directly to and the strategic plan. voices without
the president either by e-mailing me or by It is true that these some invitation
stopping me as I walk around. And neighbors, documents frequently to speak. Hav-
community residents and other “outsiders” feel speak at a high level of Russell K. Osgood ing said that, it is
free to comment to the president and others. generality but they are also important to
The hard part of being the president is a starting point and a The RKO Corner decide matters in
weighing and melding together these many framework for making some reasonable
different voices, which offer varying opinions decisions. When I am frame of time.
on issues frequently without the full context or thinking about a decision I think about how Matters that drag on a very long time do not
understanding of what others believe or claim the decision fits into these documents. Some- get easier and such delaying, if pervasive, can
or demand. times a person will light onto one feature of contribute to a sense of institutional inertia.
But there is no way around this difficulty one of these documents and say that I MUST I am not naïve enough to think that you
and the alternatives (not seeking or listening decide in a particular way due to that one fac- should support what the president or some
to conflicting and competing advice) are even tor. But of course there are multiple factors and other decision maker does but I do believe that
worse than having to assess and act on them. considerations and they frequently tug against colleges and universities need to be managed
In making an overall decision when pre- each other. and that making thoughtful decisions is some-
sented with varying inputs it is important that It is also important in considering an im- thing we can all contribute to by speaking up,
the president have a consistent sense of what portant decision—unless it is a confidential giving advice and thinking about the perspec-
he or she thinks the primary bases for making matter like tenure or promotion—to have a tives of others in evaluating a decision.
a decision should be. process of giving some public notice that the

Helen Lewandowski ’12

 14 edited by Jai Garg
gargjai@grinnell.edu
In preparation for the spring season, Jake Ehrenberg ’10 practices bunting
New lineup, new coach propel softball team
BY JAI GARG
With a new head coach, new assistant coach,
the loss of six players due to graduation, and sev-
eral injuries, the women’s softball team will have a
lot to contend with this season.
Last year the team went 3-5 in MWC play,
but matching last season’s record may be a chal-
lenge for the team as most of the starters will not
be returning.
“A lot of those girls we lost were starters, so
it’s just going to be different this year than it was
before,” said Co-Captain Tess Cohen ’09. “A lot
of people are stepping into new positions,”
Aside from the changes on the field, off the
field the coaching staff is brand new. The new
coach, Sandra Faulkner, currently a coach at
Grinnell Community Senior High School, was
hired less than a week ago.
“Softball is still softball,” Faulkner said. “But at
the college level you are trying to fine tune every-
thing so you can perform at the higher level.”
Despite being at the helm for such a short
time, the coach said she believes that the team has
been well prepared for this season.
“The assistant coach [Kate Gluckman, the
head women’s basketball coach] and the volunteer
coach [Craig Arendt] have done a fine job of pre-
paring them to be at the level they need to be at,”
Faulkner said. “So I do not feel like the team lost
anything from me not being there at the begin-
ning.”
From what the team has experienced so far,
they are very excited to play for Coach Faulkner.
“She’s fantastic, we are really excited with the
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T February 27, 2009
Baseball hits the field
BY CHLOE MORYL cohesive. “The upperclassmen made everybody
The end of the basketball season means feel involved,” Kemis said. “We’re all really
one thing: the baseball team is forced to trade comfortable with each other and really close, it’s
in their beer-stein hats and rhyming chants for something that I definitely didn’t have before in
tight pants and metal spikes. high school.”
Though this past Wednesday was one of As a result of this cohesion, the Pioneers ex-
the first days the weather has permitted out- pect this season to be full of success. “Our first
door play, the baseball team has been practicing goal is to win conference and I feel pretty good
daily since Feb 1 in the PEC, preparing for the about that,” Kemis said. “The upperclassmen
upcoming season. say it’s looking like a strong team, so everybody
“Practicing indoors on that PEC floor has high expectations.”
doesn’t compare to cut grass The Pioneers will be
in real games,” said pitcher “We’re all really comfortable able to put their preseason
Gary Kahn ’09. “But we’re with each other and really close” hard work to use, as they
out there, always working travel to play their first
hard.” Jason Kemis ‘12 game at the Metrodome
Kahn will be return- in Minneapolis. “It’s really
ing to the mound this season, joined by fellow nice to get one game in before we go play dur-
senior Rick Berdelle ’09, and juniors Marshall ing spring break in Florida,” Kahn said. “And
Chavez ’10, Chad Christoff ’10, Ryan Harris ’10 it’s cool to play on a major league field.”
and Brian Sollo ’10. Also coming to the mound Even though the players express excitement
will be first-years. And lots of them. about playing on a major league field, they’re
With a huge first-year class of 12 players, more excited to face competition in a game
which amounts to over a third of the team, the situation. “I could really care less about where
Pioneers said they look forward to significant it is,” Kemis said. “Everybody is just sick of all
increases in the number of pitchers and out- practice and no games. It’s going to be great to
fielders available. “Coach really needed to re- actually play.”
load players for the next four years,” Kahn said. Lucky for the Pioneers, their first game is
“We’ve got a really talented group of first years, only days away. They head to the Metrodome
they’ll be stepping up and making an impact for a doubleheader against Carleton on Mon-
right away.” day, March 2. They then head to Florida on
Despite having a large roster, Jason Kemis March 15, before returning to Grinnell for their
MICHELLE FOURNIER ’12, outfield, said that the team remains really first home game on March 28.
energy and expertise she brings to the game,” said
co-captain Darcy Ward ’09. “From the first mo-
ment we met her, we were confident in her ability
to lead us.
In addition to the new coach, the team has
had to contend with numerous injuries that have
seriously constricted the team’s options.
“We will have to try and fill the positions the
best that we can,” Faulkner said. “We may have
to have players maybe play positions they are not
used to so they may be outside their comfort zone
a little bit.”
The team currently practices in the PEC be-
cause of the wintery Iowa weather, which prevents
them doing many things they could do outside,
such as hit fly balls.
“Right now we have six weeks indoors, that’s
when morale is the lowest,” Ward said. “We have
managed to be excited, stay focused, and get in
shape. Once we start to play teams it will get more
fun.
The team will begin their season by going to
California to face some tough competition, in-
cluding ranked teams.
“We have a pretty challenging schedule in
California,” Cohen said. “I think it will be good to
play against teams that are that good because we
will have to push ourselves early on.”
Despite all the team has to contend with, the
coach is optimistic of what they can achieve.
“After a couple practices underneath my belt, Amanda Stromquist ’12, Kelsey Montgomery ’11 and other members of the softball team warm up
the girls they come in and work hard,” Faulkner their arms before practice on Thursday evening. The team is currently practicing in the PEC before
said. “They have done everything I have asked their outdoor season starts up. SOPHIE FAJARDO
them to do, they are focused and determined.”
February 27, 2009
S B 15
Men’s golf on par to capture MWC championship
&
SPORTS edited by Jai Garg
gargjai@grinnell.edu

Members of the Grinnell men’s golf team gets in shape for the spring season on spinners.
BY M ARCUS ZEITZ
Last season, the men’s golf team fell just short of an MWC champion-
ship behind both Monmouth College and Knox College. This year, with a
bevy of returning players and a strong first-year recruiting class the team
looks to right the ship and capture this year’s championship.
According to Pete Kieselbach ’10, one of the leading scorers on the team,
new talent promises to deepen the lineup this season. “We added three pret-
ty solid freshmen this year.” Kieselbach said. The addition of Pete Marsho
’12, Eric Ragan ‘12, and Salil Kalghatgi ’12, means there will be more strong
contenders for the top six who will play at conference.
Along with this influx of new talent, the team only lost one senior, Joe
Fox ’08, so the core from last season remains intact. “In previous years we
struggled to fill out a roster of six guys who could break 80,” Kieselbach said.
“Now we have it.”
The team, which is coached by Brian Jaworski, will be, for the first time,
able to send two teams of five each to various tournaments, a testament to
the team’s depth of ability.
Despite this deep well of talent, the team may be limited by budget con-
straints. Because of costs associated with golf tournament, the team cannot
enter all of their golfers into every tournament.
As they cross-train in preparation for the season, the team has been
meshing well. “The great thing about our team is that we all hinge on each
other,” said Jeff Kljaich ’11, a returning golfer. “Everyone shares responsibil-
ity.”
The one-month regular season leading up to the conference champion-
ship will provide ample opportunities for the team to feel out the competi-
tion and get mentally prepared. “It’s a good opportunity to measure how
we’re doing,” said Carlos Lu ’10, a member of the team since his first year.
The team will be traveling to Tucson, Arizona over spring break to com-
pete in a tournament and will also travel to Monmouth for a tournament
before competing in the MWC championship. “A lot of pre-conference is
getting mentally prepared to play conference.” Kljaich said.
According to Lu, MWC competition will be weaker this year. Mon-
mouth and Knox—both of whom finished ahead of Grinnell last year—lost
top players, leaving room open for Grinnell to capture the title.
If Grinnell wins the Conference title, the team will have an automatic
bid for the NCAA national tournament in Florida.
“I am as excited as I have ever been about the golf team, because not
only is this a deep team that has a lot of talent, they’re an extremely enjoy-
able group of competitors to work with,” said coach Jaworski. “Everybody’s
MICHELLE FOURNIER there all the time.”

Men’s basketball looks to capture MWC

championship this weekend in Darby Gym
BY M ARK JAPINGA smaller teams by continuously putting fresh players on the
One month ago, the odds that the Grinnell men’s basketball floor, but it is the kind of tweak that might finally help the
team would host this weekend’s Midwest Conference Tourna- Pioneers overcome their perennial struggle against quality op-
ment seemed miniscule at best. The Pioneers had won just one ponents. Grinnell has made the Midwest Conference Tourna-
of four January games against their toughest opponents, which ment more times than any other team this decade, but has won
included a 49-point blowout loss to Carroll. The one victory, the tournament just once.
against Lawrence, came via a David Arseneault ’09 free throw The team’s wins this season, however, didn’t come against
with no time left on the clock. the conference elite. The Pioneers are 13-3 in conference play
“I came away from those games thinking the better team this year, but 12 of those wins came against teams not in the
won,” head coach David Arseneault said. tournament in a year during which the MWC had just four
But the pieces finally came together. Carroll and St. Nor- teams with winning records.
bert collapsed, and the Pioneers made per- The Pioneers must win more games
sonnel changes that have since produced against the MWC’s top four this weekend
an eight game winning streak and their “Since we’ve played better teams, than they have all year. Friday’s opponent,
best basketball of the year, winning by an we’ve adjusted our substitu- St. Norbert, comes in having lost four of
average margin of 27 points. The trick? their last six, but the Green Knights should
Play your best players, and play them of- tions, more John [Grotberg ’09] still give Grinnell significant trouble.
ten.
“Since we’ve played better teams,
Bobby [Long ’09] and David [Arse- “They slow the ball down a little,
clog the middle of the lane, they know
we’ve adjusted our substitutions,” coach neault]… We’re sacrificing the fu- who the shooters are, and they have a
Arseneault said. “More John [Grotberg ture for the present.” week to prepare,” Grotberg said.
’09] Bobby [Long ’09] and David [Arse- St. Norbert’s personnel is particularly
neault]… We’re sacrificing the future for Coach Arseneault suited to challenge Grinnell’s game. The
the present.” Green Knights’ leading scorers, 6’4” for-
Grotberg, Long and Arseneault pro- ward Brian Fleischmann averaging 11.8
vide most of the Pioneers’ offensive attack, combining to score ppm, and 6’6” center Tom Katzfey averaging 11.4 ppm, will
64 percent of Grinnell’s points this season. likely give the Pioneer defense problems and should wreak
But throughout their careers, their similar offensive skill havoc on the boards. “[St. Norbert] usually outrebounds us by
sets have meant that they have often led their own squads of 20 every time,” Grotberg said.
five, with no more than two of them on the court at once. Since If Grinnell survives St. Norbert, they will face the winner
the Carroll loss on Jan 24, though, each member of the trio has of Lawrence and Carroll on Saturday. Lawrence comes in as
seen their playing time increase to around 28 minutes per game, the MWC’s hottest team, winning their last seven by double
frequently putting all three of them on the court together. digits with three of those coming against tournament oppo-
“We don’t necessarily score more points, but we’re more ef- nents. Carroll returns all-conference guard Wes Ladwig from www.thesandb.com
ficient,” Long said. “When it’s just one or two of us on the floor, injury and just beat St. Norbert on the road, locking up the
[our opponents] can put their best defenders on us.” With third seed.
all three of them out there, the Pioneers can almost guarantee But, it’s a wide open tournament, with all four teams hold-
themselves one good offensive matchup, opening up the floor ing first place at one point during the season. The Grotberg,
Hit it up!
and usually guaranteeing a better shot. Long and Arseneault show might be just the boost the Pioneers
The move goes against the system’s philosophy of tiring out need to send them over the top and into March Madness.
 The Back Page
The Best Thing Since The Front Page

Sarah Casson ‘11

Green Ideas

A major part of our carbon foot-

print living on this campus is our en-
ergy consumption. From the com-
puter that I am writing this on to the
lights in my room, we all use a sig-
nificant amount of electricity. There
are a lot of basic, simple things you
can do. You can make (very simply)
your dorm room more environmen-
tally friendly. This week’s column is
more of a list, so bear with me.
Turn off all lights when you aren’t
using them. This means room, closet
and even bathroom—provided that
there are not people still in it … that
might be kind of awkward. I’m not
saying that you need to never use
your lights or work in the dark (that
might mess your homework up).
Additionally, make sure the lights
in your room that you do have on are
compact florescent ones. Sometimes
people feel that these are too bright,
but I’ve never had a problem with
them and that also means less lights
being used. (Note: If they are too
bright, be careful if you drape cloths
Photo of the over them—it’s a major fire hazard.)
Better yet, if it’s a nice day outside
Week open your curtains and use the natu-
East campus reflected in the “lake” outside Loose after the campus unexpectedly saw the sun for a few days. Julie Turner ’11 ral light.
The S&B can’t be everywhere! Submit your photo to us at [newspapr]. Earn $10 for contributing the winning photo. Computers use an awful lot of
energy when on—even searching
the Internet consumes energy. As-
suming you use a personal computer
I AM ON A BOAT: I got my swim trunks, and my flippie-floppies (if not, then you are being more
environmental!) turn it off when
I’m flippin’ burgers, you at Kinko’s straight flippin’ copies. you are not using it. Screen savers
consume more energy than putting
a computer to sleep, so if you have
to keep the computer running turn
SGA: While they have been doing some really great things for the it to sleep mode.
Grinnell campus in recent weeks they really ought to learn how to Other simple things include
turning down the thermostat, using
flip cups. a power strip (and then turning it off
to prevent phantom loads) and shar-
ing electronics.
WHALE TAIL: Folks, it is perfectly fine if you chose to wear fancy Its not rocket science. In fact, it’s
undies for that special someone, but if your pants are too loose really simple, really obvious—you
just need to do it.
wear a belt.

On keeping Jamaland dirty Saturday night burrito chase An opinion about opinions
random Although I am pleased that Cleveland will While I love knowing about all the cool I would like to opine that there have been far

rants
not be sub-free next year, the fact that James has things going on around campus and all the great too many opinion articles filling the pages of the
been chosen as the sub-free dorm on South is, things SGA is doing for us, the new bathroom S&B in recent weeks. Is there simply not enough
well, really dumb. Do you really think sub-free reader stated that a new student organization real news on our tiny campus to sustain a paper of
students will want to be living next to Cleveland would be operating a burrito stand on Saturday usual length? Maybe someone should write a news
Students speak with fire alarms going off at 2 a.m.? With drunk- night from 12-2. So inevitably during the Fierce story discussing the lack of news on campus.
about what’s on en Saturday night yells echoing off the enclosed February Birthday Bash many students set out
their minds in 142 loggia? With Gardner concerts and loud dance on a search for these hypothetical burritos. Pretty
words or fewer, parties? Not to mention, South is always the first soon rumors started circulating and everyone
and you’re invited! to go during room draw, and by removing one was asking where these burritos could be. Maybe
If you have a rant, dorm completely from the non sub-free draw, it they’re in Loose? I see a blue light inside Dibble
e-mail it to will make it more difficult for those who really lounge. Maybe they’re a blue light special? No. In
[hortonmo]. Com- want to live on South to find a room. This is a the end there were only hordes of confused and
bad situation for sub-free students and Jama- intoxicated Grinnellians, all desperately lacking
plaining in a public
landers alike. in burritos. So next time SGA, please get your
forum is always burrito facts straight or else the next burrito riot
more fun than do- may end up in the JRC with a toppling of your
ing it alone. regime.

—Torrey MacGregor ’11 —Ragnar Thorisson ’11 —Jim Malewitz ’09

www.thesandb.com S&B on the Web thesandb.blogspot.com