Middbriefs

Author: Derek Schlickeisen, Brian Fung and Anthony Adragna

Role reversal: Donors to make campus visits

As part of its $500 million "Middlebury Initiative," the College plans to invite potential donors to campus more frequently - with an emphasis on offering a slice of life on campus.

"Visitors may wish to watch a lab, see student research in action, watch athletic competitions, or just discuss with students what Middlebury is like as a place to study, live and learn," said President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz. "I believe students can be our greatest resource in garnering support for the College."

While the Initiative will be launched publicly next month, its pre-public "silent phase" has already secured nearly half of its goal at $230 million - a milestone Liebowitz called exceptional. If successful, the fundraising campaign will be the largest to date in the history of liberal arts colleges.

The increased focus on fundraising has, however, forced Liebowitz and other members of his senior staff to spend more time away from the College.

"Traditionally, the president and fundraisers are on the road a lot visiting prospective donors," said Liebowitz, "but we want to do both, with more of an emphasis on bringing folks here to see us. The nature of philanthropy has changed. Donors today want to be part of what they support."

Funds raised as part of the Middlebury Initiative will support three major goals outlined in the College's 2006 strategic plan: improving financial aid, hiring more faculty to keep class sizes down and adding to extra-curricular programs.


Military to discuss "Don't ask, don't tell"

Members of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines will hold open discussions of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the coming weeks.

The Marines plan to hold their meeting Oct. 9 at 12:30 p.m. in McCardell Bicentennial Hall 104. The Navy has temporarily canceled their session, and will reschedule.

In 2005, the visit of one recruiter caused outrage on campus and prompted a symposium on the matter of discrimination in the military. Both the Community Council and faculty passed resolutions asking that employers who cannot sign the College's recruitment policy based on discriminatory employment practices not be allowed on campus.

Homosexuals may not enter military service under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz ultimately decided to leave the recruitment policy unchanged, due to the 1997 Solomon Amendment, which stated that schools that did not allow recruiters on campus could lose federal funding.


CFA, Niles Ford to host late night dance party

Several organizations on campus will come together for a late night dance party this Sept. 22, held in the Center for the Arts.

New York-based Niles Ford will DJ the party, which will feature Cuban, Brazilian, East/West African rhythms and current hip hop/global house music. The museum will remain open during the event and food will be served in the lobby.

The party runs in conjunction with a newly opened exhibit, entitled "Resonance from the Past: African Sculpture from the New Orleans Museum of Art." Sponsors for the event include MCAB, the Middlebury College Museum of Art, Ross Commons and the Department of Theatre and Dance.