Middbriefs

Author: Annie Onishi

Schines take on new posts as Brainerd faculty heads

Brainerd Commons received two new faculty heads this summer in the form of Robert and Marita Schine. The Schines take over the post from Karl Lindholm, who served as faculty head last year.

The Schines have been affiliated with Middlebury College since 1985 when Robert Schine was named as the first Dana Faculty Fellow in Jewish Studies. He became Dean of the Faculty in 1997 and has served on the College's administration since then. Marita Schine attended Middlebury College to attain a Vermont teaching license and holds degrees in biology and English from the University of Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany.

President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz approached the Schines in the spring of 2005 and asked them to take over the faculty head position. "I saw this as a chance to roll up my sleeves and contribute," said Robert Schine. "It is also an opportunity to work with a wider range of students than I encounter through my courses."

The Schines see their appointment as an opportunity to become more involved in the life of the campus, and have specific ideas as to how they would like to lead their commons. "I have a particular interest in supporting the Commons Council in its community service work," said Marita Schine. "I have long-standing involvements in community agencies in the town and county that I hope will be useful to students in Brainerd in community action initiatives."

Their term as faculty heads will last for three years, but may be extended. The Schines will move in to a house on Blinn Lane, opposite from Ross Commons, once construction on the building is complete. The Schines currently live in McKinley House and hope the move will make them more accessible to students. The Schines said they look forward to hosting students and faculty members at an opening celebration when construction on the house is complete.


Staff remove Atwater waffle makers for repairs

Hungry students looking for breakfast at Atwater Dining Hall may have noticed the absence of the Belgian waffle makers from the back counter where they normally reside. The machines, a beloved breakfast institution, are currently in the electrician's shop in the Service Building, awaiting new parts for repairs.

According to Atwater Commons Chef Ian Martin, the machines broke during Language School about seven or eight weeks ago.

"On one the thermostat was broken and on the other the wiring was fried and eroded," said Martin. "I'm not an electrician, but I guess that could be a safety hazard, yes." In addition, both machines had loose joints that created instability when the machine was flipped for waffle cooking.

Jessica Clayton '09, a waffle machine user, ate waffles every day the machines were out last year. "I don't really know what to do with myself on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays," said Clayton.

However, not everyone misses the waffle machines. Martin reported that the responsibility of cleaning up the often messy machines and surrounding areas lies with the servery workers who "wouldn't mind [the machines] being gone." Martin added, "But that's not why [the machines] aren't out."

Clayton thinks that waffle making lessons would be a good idea, as better technique would help the machines last longer and reduce the mess caused by spilled batter and stuck waffles. She said, "I mean people who just don't spray are idiots."


VT Congressional candidates set to debate at Midd

The Rohatyn Center for International Affairs will host a debate about foreign affairs on Sept. 26 between candidates for the Vermont seat in the United States House of Representatives. The debate will occur at 7 p.m. in Mead Chapel and will be moderated by Vermont Public Television's Chris Graff '75.

Participants in the debate will include Martha Rainville, Republican candidate and former Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard; Peter Welch, Vermont State Senate President Pro Tem and Democratic candidate; Independent candidate and Burlington restaurateur Dennis Morriseau; and Liberty Union candidate Jane Newton.

The Rohatyn Center is co-hosting the event with the Vermont Council on World Affairs (VCWA). VCWA is a non-profit and non-partisan group dedicated to the education of the Vermont public. Through programs and presentations from international delegates, the VCWA spreads awareness about international affairs.

Chandler Koglmeier '09, a political science major, expressed interest in attending the debate.

"I am interested in international affairs, especially American foreign policy," said Koglemeier. "This debate sounds like a great idea, and I think it will be really informative. How often do you get to see a live political debate?"

Koglmeier continued, "I also appreciate the idea of getting exposed to many different political view points, even though I may not agree with all of them."