Articles
In Response to ‘A Signed Professor Evaluation’
This piece is in response to Michelle Smoler’s ’13 “A Signed Professor Evaluation.” The professor to whom she refers advised our senior theses as well,[...]
Faculty, Staff and Alumni in Favor of Fossil Fuel Divestment
As Middlebury faculty and staff, we hope our trustees will commit to fossil-fuel divestment and a new kind of investment, investment that yields high returns[...]
Time to Lead on Divestment
This weekend, the Middlebury College board of trustees may decide whether or not to divest our endowment of holdings in fossil fuels and arms manufacturing.[...]
Let Direct Democracy Replace the SGA
Student government at Middlebury is currently based on the principle of representative government; we elect a handful of senators with whom we entrust our decision-making[...]
The Rainbow Funeral
May 2012, I was elected to be a new Middlebury Open Queer Alliance (MOQA) President, or “President of the gays” as one of my exchange[...]
No Silver Bullet
On April 17, after America’s 113th Congress rejected a series of proposed gun-control measures, Barack Obama asked a teary-eyed, red faced crowd in the White[...]
Apartheid? Apartheid!
Recently, an independent fact-finding mission of the United Nations (UN) presented a report about the Israeli settlement policy. The report confirms what was assumed for[...]
Abortion: Not Good, But Neccessary
In his recent op-ed about abortion, Kenneth Burchfiel ’13 claims to “support life.” He equates abortion with the Nazi genocide of Jews and other non-Aryan[...]
In Pursuit of Moral Clarity
Last week’s op-ed by Kenneth Burchfiel ’13 regarding abortion has (unsurprisingly) already been met with vitriolic attacks on the Campus website, and will no doubt[...]
When Writing an Op-ed
This op-ed goes out to everyone who is thinking about writing an opinion piece in a published medium that circles in a community (ie. newspapers,[...]
Following Up On The Divestment Panel
Jeannie Bartlett ’15 There were a number of things I wanted to add to my comments at the Student Divestment Panel that I didn’t get[...]
Apply Practically
We wish to address serious factual inaccuracies in Zach Drennen ’13.5’s April 25 column “Middlebury Finds a New Pipeline to Protest.” First, a clarification of[...]
The Squawk Box: 10 Things I Wish I Knew As An Underclassman
1. It takes patience to live in Middlebury for four years. It’s also worth it. 2. The harder you try to get laid, the[...]
Voices Against the Addison County Natural Gas Project
We are a coalition of Middlebury College staff, faculty and students who stand in opposition to the Addison County Natural Gas project. The project will[...]
What Abortion Has Taught Me About the Nature of Evil
Growing up in the 1990s, my understanding of evil was based mainly on Disney movies. The nemeses in those films all recognized that they were[...]
We Fell for Liddell
The SGA campaign season is an exciting time for us as members of the current SGA Senate to reflect back on our year, engage with[...]
Staying Well Through Living Hell
As we near the end of the semester, when assignments abound and professors squeeze in those last 250 pages of reading, it is as important[...]
XL Pipeline Revisited
Environmentalists across North America have recently become infatuated with the XL Keystone Pipeline System. The current proposals will expand the pipeline system to provide oil[...]
Why Peace Matters
“I told you,” Columbia Professor Joseph Massad said at his lecture about Zionism, Palestinians and Israel last week, “I was not interested in building[...]
Innovation in Our Education
Grant Nishioka ’13 is from Wayland, Mass. As liberal arts students, we’ve learned a lot. We’re able to contrast the behavior of international markets with[...]
Not Your Typical Essay about Israel-Palestine
Danielle Fahoome ’13 is from Novi, Mich. Back-and-forths about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are as old and demoralizing as the conflict itself. In the op-ed entitled[...]
Putting Our Money Where Our Mouths Are
Stu Fram ’13 is from Waterbury, Vt. Middlebury is on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2016, an accomplishment whose imminent realization can be ascribed[...]
Be Smart About STI Testing
From the conversations I have had with students on campus, STI testing services seem to be underutilized, underappreciated and misunderstood. After seeing the results of[...]
Apartheid?
Amitai Ben-Abba’s op-ed of March 20 “Occupation — the Censored Word” labels Ambassador Dennis Ross’s recent lecture on the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict[...]
My Raw Heart
I have a sister. I have a best friend. I have parents. I also watched a film called Five Broken Cameras today. A documentary by[...]
Let’s Talk About Sex
Sexual assault: sketchy guy at a party starts grinding on a random drunk girl, brings her more drinks and leads her back to his dorm.[...]
Listening to Egypt
I got back from Alexandria, Egypt almost three months ago. “Wow, you were in Egypt? How was it?” “Incredible.” “Did you see the pyramids?” “Yeah,[...]
Refuting Jay Saper
In last week’s Campus article, “Arrested Students Protest ‘Environmental Racism,” Middlebury alum Jay Saper ’12.5 is quoted as saying, “We’ve talked more about environmental racism[...]
Bridging the Gap
Two years ago when we received the fat acceptance package from Middlebury, we were pleasantly surprised to find a letter encouraging newly admitted students to[...]
Occupation — the Censored Word
It is not surprising that the word “occupation,” was not mentioned in Dennis Ross’s lecture on Tuesday night. The word does not exist in the[...]
A Response to Hillcrest Graffiti
As student organizers within the divestment campaign on this campus, we would like to make clear that groups that have been working towards divestment at[...]
In Support of Delta
To whom it may concern, As Delta alumni, we are writing to express our collective concern over the potential disbandment of the Delta student organization[...]
Reclaim Your Weekend
Girl is a few drinks in. Feeling a good buzz, but maybe had a couple too many. It’s one a.m. and this Ridgeline basement is[...]
Student Supporters Needed!
The Sexual Assault Oversight Committee (SAOC) has been dedicated to the development and implementation of an advocacy program, and we are so excited to finally[...]
Loving Privileged White Males, Not Loving Oppression
Last week’s op-ed, “A Call for a More Inclusive Movement,” attempted to show how white privileged men are excluded from feminist and other activist discourses[...]
Not a Goodbye Letter: The Push for Real Inclusivity
After Nathan Weil’s piece, “A Call for a More Inclusive Movement,” came out in last week’s issue of the Campus, I heard responses that generally[...]
Responding to Study Abroad Concerns
I write to address two points raised in your article “Abroad Programs Raise Concerns” printed Feb. 28, 2013. First, it is important to note that[...]
Hey, I’m from Ohio
This op-ed was written in response to Ryan Kim’s winning TEDx talkat the Nov. 8 student speaker competition. Kim will speak at this Saturday’s TEDx[...]
The Privilege of Discomfort
I have grown to appreciate and accept Middlebury as the college that I attend. Daily we engage in dialogue surrounding identity. But many of these[...]
An Incident in the Ross Dining Hall
At 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, I walked into Ross Dining Hall to grab an early dinner. The line was already relatively long, and[...]
A Call to Share Your Story
On Feb. 10, “The Map Project” went up in Davis Library. The project documented locations where students had experienced sexual assault at Middlebury. And if[...]
Hot and Cold
“It’s getting hot in here so take off all your clothes.” The above lyric is not only a line from rapper Nelly’s hit song “Hot[...]
College Considers Experiential Learning
The Educational Affairs Committee (EAC) recently convened a working group to discuss the possibility of integrating internships, fieldwork and other types of experiential education formally[...]
Overseas Briefing
After just 15 days in Cameroon’s chaotic capital city, I am still in the process of starting anew. I still haven’t braved the outdoor marché[...]
Building a National Movement for Climate Change
While I agree with Zach Drennen ’13.5 in his column “Divestment: No Excuse for Inaction” that divestment does not go far enough, his argument undersells[...]
MiddChallenge: The Best of Both Worlds
In my opinion, people tend to feel one of two ways about summer. They are either anticipating the break from the routine of the academic[...]
The Best of Midd
Learning to navigate a new community is a daunting task. For seasoned Midd kids, we forget that we were all once fresh faces on campus.[...]
A Call for a More Inclusive Movement
I love Middlebury, but, despite all its beauty and opportunity, I am constantly disappointed in the culture of debate on campus. Daily, we engage in[...]
Parking Fines Increase to $50
On Feb. 10 Public Safety announced an increase in parking ticket fines from $10 to $50, a change that has been applied to weekday and[...]
Overseas Briefing
“Guiri” is a colloquial term used in Spain to describe what is considered to be the stereotypical tourist or foreigner, and it is associated primarily[...]
Calling on the Board of Trustees to Divest
Last Saturday morning, the seven of us gave a 45-minute presentation in front of the full Board of Trustees advocating for divestment of Middlebury’s endowment[...]
What’s Missing in Neo-Missing
Last week I experienced the curious feeling of missing someone. I actually didn’t realize I missed this person (who I will call Django) until I[...]
Overseas Briefing
Technically speaking, I am not overseas. But every week, this section of the Campus features the exciting tales and fascinating challenges of our peers who[...]
Justifying JusTalks
The Breakfast Club did it, Principal Duval in Mean Girls did it and now, Middlebury has done it too. Gather a bunch of students with[...]
Thoughts for First-Year Febs
Dear first-year Febs, I’m just a guy in his last semester that wants to welcome those in their first. I want to be an example[...]
The Middlebury Epidemic
Winter term is wonderful for so many reasons: more fun with friends, homework for only one class and ample time to plan elaborately themed parties,[...]
Corrections: “Room 404 Features Unconventional Stories”
Last week the Campus published an article on Room 404, a new student publication. They ran an early draft of the article that was largely[...]
Do the History
Are you ready to do the math? I am too … but in the last few days, I’ve also been doing the history. Yes, doing[...]
The Capitol Express
As Congress resumes its session, and with the Presidential Inauguration just eight days away, D.C. is full of activity. This week kicked off with the[...]
From the President’s Desk
It’s J-Term — a time to indulge in all Middlebury has to offer. One glorious month when students learn how to speak Swahili, go skiing[...]
Overseas Briefing
Iaorana, Middlebury. As I sit in the communal kitchen of Anteres House in Woods Hole, Mass., a week and a half into the shore component[...]
What It Feels Like to Be a Woman in Karachi, Pakistan
The recent movie Zero Dark Thirty showed extremely clear visuals of Pakistan and I felt awkward sitting in a theatre in Boston watching my own[...]
Letter to the Editor
In an article published on the front page of the Dec. 6, 2012 edition of the Campus (Panel Discusses Racial Diversity), my position on affirmative[...]
It’s Elementary
I could not focus as I clicked through the questions. While I was supposed to select answers, it did not seem there could possibly be[...]
Sweet, Sour and Weirdos: Recipe for Peace
I believe in a strong correlation between rules and the game of sweet or sour. If you have ever played the game — and with[...]
From The President’s Desk
Congratulations on finishing another semester at Midd! The end of the year is a time for reflection. I am proud of the hard work that[...]
Overseas Briefing
The verb “to love” is expressed in Hindi as “pyar karna” – directly translated, it means “to do love,” rather than “to love.” In the[...]
Connecting with Community: Sister-to-Sister
Have you ever wished to relive the glory of your middle school years? Whether you were a confident kid or one who kept your eyes[...]
Learning to Take No for An Answer
Dear my fellow students: I encourage you to lay down your passions, lay down the issues you care about and learn to take no for[...]
I Wish I Were Under the Word Count So I Could Talk About Corporate Word Counts
[The following regards conversations on campus surrounding divestment, activism and diversity, which all directly relate to corporatization. It links newspaper reporting, silencing of oppressed voices[...]
An Encounter with the Civilian Army of the 21st Century
I left the U.S. this Thanksgiving break. France granted me access into their country sans glitch. I glided through their customs saying my bonjours, mercis[...]
A Deeper Look at Divestment
A recent op-ed (“Divestment Creates Positive, Systemic Change”) argued that divestment is a valuable tool in the fight against global warming. While I wholeheartedly share[...]
Overseas Briefing
As I sat at the local café, sipping a glass of wine and staring up at the cathedral, I couldn’t help shake that despite the[...]
Overseas Briefing
«Tu viens ici chaque semaine, oui?» (Translation: You come here every week, right?) People thrive in environments where they feel comfortable. It’s certainly not a[...]
Connecting With Community: Dance Marathons
This winter term, Middlebury College will once again join a national organization that hosts Dance Marathons on college campuses across the country to raise money[...]
For the Record: Hands of Glory
Earlier this year this brilliant man released Break It Yourself, to which this Hands of Glory serves as a companion. Perhaps less experimental as 2010’s[...]
Race, Class And Hurricanes: The Inequality Of Disaster
In the past few days, I have read headline after headline detailing the damaging effects of Hurricane Sandy on the New York metropolitan area. Millions[...]
Israel And Beinart
I came into Peter Beinart’s lecture last Thursday night feeling very nervous. Mr. Beinart, a modern Orthodox Jew and author of The Crisis of Zionism,[...]
The Truth is at Stake
The past three months of travel on the Watson Foundation’s ticket has been the most phenomenally humbling, addictive, complicated, joyful experience of my life. I[...]
Dealing With Distance
I met my two best friends at a three week summer program about four years ago. Twenty-one days is all it took to develop close[...]
Divestment Creates Positive, Systemic Change
Divestment is a tool that is best used as part of a broader movement towards a real-world goal. My goal is to keep the global[...]
From the President’s Desk
Just two days ago, hundreds of millions of Americans exercised their right to vote — they cared enough about the issues at stake to take[...]
Overseas Briefing
The mackerel pike is a long skinny fish that is quite common to Japanese cuisine. Arriving in Tokyo in early fall, I was presented with[...]
Connecting with Community: MAlt
A few weeks ago, I sat in front of my laptop and filled out the application form for the mini-MAlt trip in a somewhat careless[...]
Politics of Destruction
Most people in the world who look at Middlebury College see a bastion of decency, fairness and social justice. Most people see Middlebury’s continued commitment[...]
A True Commander-in-Chief
With so much focus on the economy in this election cycle, much of the electorate has been paying little attention to foreign policy. However, with[...]
Announcing the Return of the Cameron Cup
We are happy to announce the return of the Cameron Cup at Middlebury! In years past, the Cameron Cup was awarded at the end of[...]
In Support of Treasurer Wilton
Treasurer Candidate Wendy Wilton is reasonable, reliable and respectful. She has worked with the State Auditor’s Office over the past few years to improve municipal[...]
Overseas Briefing
For as long as I can remember I have always loved taking public transportation. As a child I loved swiping my plastic fare card during[...]
One Student’s View of the Endowment Issue
It is because I believe in Middlebury College’s ability to educate passionate and critical thinkers that I am extremely disconcerted by the fraudulent press release[...]
Faculty Members Weigh In on the DLWC
Lately professors all over the country and here at Middlebury have been trying to answer the question, “Why liberal arts?” Although the answer is complex,[...]
Prospective Students’ Account
My passion lies in the heartbeat of the Earth. With its warming hands and nurturing care, the Earth provides me with everything I need. There[...]
We Are Not Neutral
There has been quite a bit of talk about divestment at Middlebury College in the past few weeks. For many students, this is their first[...]
Press Release Authors Come Clean: A Call for Middlebury to Do the Same
On Friday, Oct. 12, Middlebury College welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama to campus. An announcement was made that in honor of the visit from[...]
Silence Has the Rusty Taste of Shame
In the aftermath of the Dalai Lama’s visit, students received an email claiming that Middlebury College was divesting from war in order to “align its[...]
Taking Concussions Seriously
During my junior year of high school, I hit heads with another player during a soccer game, resulting in my first concussion. Two weeks later,[...]
Grandma Lama
In exchange for my willingness to do any miscellaneous tasks necessary for Scott Center Administrative Program Coordinator Ellen McKay and College Chaplain Laurie Jordan, I[...]
From the President’s Desk
Welcome to the first edition of the Student Government Association’s (SGA) bi-weekly column, From the President’s Desk with SGA President Charlie Arnowitz ’13. In this column, we[...]
Overseas Briefing
I am addressing you from Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America, a gorgeous city where wine is cheaper than water, the dead get the[...]
All Blood is Created Equal
We are the co-chairs of the Middlebury Open Queer Alliance, each affected personally and practically by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bans enforced[...]
Dirty Blood?
Last Wednesday, Atwater Commons hosted its annual American Red Cross blood drive in McCullough Social Space. While waiting to donate, I encountered a friend who[...]
Setting the Record Straight on JusTalks
While we appreciate your inclusion of our initiative in the Campus this past week, we were perturbed by the narrative that was constructed about JusTalks[...]
Did Romney Really Win the Debate?
At the conclusion of last Wednesday night’s presidential debate, the media consensus was clear — Governor Romney had won the debate. President Obama underperformed. The[...]
An Easy Way to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Don’t carry your groceries all the way from Shaw’s up the hill back to campus. There’s a FREE bus every half hour from town to[...]
Finding Common Ground
Many thanks to the staff of the Campus for its coverage of the Project on Creativity and Innovation, including the accompanying editorial, “Expanding Your Liberal Arts Education.”[...]
Thanking PCI Contributors
Speaking on behalf of colleagues at the Project on Creativity and Innovation (PCI), many thanks to the Campus for running the series of articles last[...]
Overseas Briefing
I’ll admit, when I arrived in Stockholm, Sweden, a little over a month ago, I had big expectations. Visions of an eco promised land where[...]
Rational Consumer Behavior (and Why Most of Our Mind Isn’t Ready for It)
Imagine a completely rational society. People behave in a consistent, predictable manner based on the information available to them. They make decisions that promote the[...]
Overseas Briefing
In between classes and exploring the city, I often stop at the View Himalayan Restaurant and Terrace, one of ten or more rooftop cafes overlooking[...]
JV Sports: Who Knew?
I am proud to say that I have discovered the best kept secret on campus. A new panini to be made at Proctor? No. An[...]
The Right’s Race Issue
The day that Barack Obama became the nation’s first African American President is one that will forever live in our history books. Many Americans felt[...]
In Support of WAGS
In a routine conversation with my grandmother last year, I mentioned that I was considering adding a women’s and gender studies (WAGS) major to my[...]
It Begins with Registering to Vote
In just 50 days, millions of Americans will head to the polls to choose the nation’s next president. They will line up to exercise the[...]
The Evolution of Midd Kids
As I made my way down Route 7 last week, I couldn’t help letting my eyes wander occasionally. At first, the seemingly endless fields of[...]
Sticking by the President
In last week’s “The Elephant in the Room” column, Ben Kinney ’15 offered a litany of what he perceived to be the failures of the[...]
Overseas Briefing
My bags imprudently overstuffed and my back frequently overburdened, I spent a 13-hour travel experience wondering whether carrying-on my raincoat was truly necessary. I allude[...]
Caring for the Whole You
During the health and wellness presentation of my freshmen orientation three years ago, 500 other first-year students and I were given two memorable pieces of[...]