April. 23, 2009
VOLUME 7, NO. 7
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Madame Manners
By Madame Manners

Dear Madam Manners,

As an upperclasswoman, I consider myself to be well-versed in the Sweet Briar behavioral norms, especially at the library. I like to secure a location with all of my books, and I know that they won't be taken. However, I will never understand how, when there are empty tables, strangers find it necessary to move my things in order to claim a measly corner on my table covered in books. It just doesn't make sense, and, when considering the plethora of other tables around, I don't understand why they want to disrupt my routine and my private work environment. I have even left scathing notes on the giant tablet for all to read, threatening honor code violations, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Am I just being a library diva?

Sincerely,
Library Diva


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Vixen In The Sack
By C.S.M.

Once upon a time in a magical city called New York, ten girls sat drinking Choctails at a hip dessert place in the East Village. By the time the drinks arrived the conversation had, predictably, turned to sex. Everyone knows that when girls group up and play the “get to know you’’ game, the first question on everyone’s mind is some variation of “what’s your number?” – and I don’t mean telephone.

One by one, each girl took a sip of her drink for courage and announced her number. Two blondes at the end of the table proudly announced that they were still card-carrying members of the Virgin Club....



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SBC Hosts Teach In
By Jessica Joiner`11,
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Tuesday, April 7, Sweet Briar held a “teach-in”, described by President Elisabeth Muhlenfeld as an “experiment” in exchanging facts and points of view on issues of diversity, particularly race. A panel of faculty, administration, and students were joined by a substantial audience of Sweet Briar community members for the discussion. Associate Professor of English Marcia Robertson spoke first, opening with an explanation of why she studies literature. Reading, she said, gives her a way of defining complex and ambiguous ideas in a manner not otherwise available. Through reading, she explained, she becomes increasingly aware of the ways that her ideas and opinions are shaped by particular forces. Trying to understand what these forces are is important, she went on, since we all are constructed by history, whether we are aware of that history or not, and knowing about what shapes us keeps us from having to repeat the actions of the past without knowing why...

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Virginia: To Stimulate or not to Stimulate? That is Recession!
By Caroline King '11
STAFF WRITER

The Virginia General Assembly recently rejected a $125 million federal stimulus package. This package would have provided additional unemployment benefits to those who have been hit hardest during the current job market slump.
Governor Timothy Kaine (D) argues that "there's an awful lot of people who are hurting in Virginia, and the message to them seemed to be: 'We don't care. Fend for yourself.' ” At the moment, Virginia has an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent, almost 300,000 people...

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What Not To Wear: Summer Style
By Rachel Field '10
STAFF WRITER

Now that the weather is finally swinging in our favor and the sun is starting to shine in earnest, it’s time to break out the summer wardrobe you’ve been eyeing in the back of your closet for weeks. Now, let’s keep in mind while we pull out the old and browse the Web sites for the new that this is a new summer, with new styles for a new period; shorts and a tee simply will not do. For the best outfits for the coming season, I find the most inspiration in a few older items (okay, aged may be a more appropriate term for the ones I have in mind) and several of the more innovative pieces now hitting the stores.

You likely have a male somewhere in your life, whether he’s a father, boyfriend, or brother. He probably has a few accessories he doesn’t use anymore (hey, even men agree some things have finally gone out of style), and I’d recommend looking through said collection for some neat things you could reinvent. My favorite, personally, is the men’s watch. Due to its larger size, the men’s watch can easily be worn like a bangle or on its own, the proportion sliding up and down your arm and moving on a graceful, feminine wrist. The men’s watch also has the uncanny ability to toughen up any girly look or add a little quirk to your daily fashion...

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How The Other Half Lives
By Carina Finn '10
STAFF WRITER

A lot of people know her in a lot of different ways. Her students see her as some combination of life coach and cool older sister. To the girls of Little Women, she is their loving (and loveable!) Marmee. Even if you don’t know Marcia Thom personally, if you’ve ever walked past Babcock in the afternoon, you can probably identify her as the crazy lady who bangs on the window at seemingly random passersby. A full-time professor for the first time this year, Marcia Thom teaches Applied Voice year-round and Opera Workshop in the Spring. Her classes draw all kinds of students – even those who may not seem like the singing type. Everyone has a voice, and Marcia can always help a girl find hers, which is why this Voice reporter got the inside story on the woman who is adored by those know her, and speculated about by those who don’t....

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Election
By Jesssics Anne Gregg '09
 CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After 21 months, more than 8 serious candidates, and millions of dollars, the day has finally come and gone. Election Day, traditionally the first Tuesday of November, was full of adrenalin and anticipation for many. On so many grounds, November 4, 2008, was destined to make history.  Not only was there the chance of the first multi-racial president, but also the prospect of a woman vice-president, a huge number of toss-up states, and an unprecedented voter turnout.

Democrat Barack Obama and his bid for the presidency was nothing less than historical. From the sheer amount of money his campaign raised and spent to the mobilization of the ever-elusive 18-to-29-age voter demographic, the Obama campaign made some significant leaps forward in the realm of campaign financing; the amount of money he was able to raise was unprecedented. His campaign message of change and hope touched many Americans across the country....

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Hazing Speaker Article
By Jesssica Pilgrim '10,
 STAFF WRITER

On Monday, November 3, 2008, Sweet Briar’s Inter-Club Council (ICC) and the Athletic Department co-sponsored a hazing speaker to help educate students on the meaning and issues of hazing. Dr. Arnie Goldberg, a national hazing speaker, addressed the Sweet Briar community to instill awareness of what hazing really is, how to determine what activities can be considered hazing, and alternative bonding activities to build character and promote closeness as a team or group.

It is a part of the ICC constitution to hold at least one anti-hazing presentation a year. When asked as to what motivated ICC to call upon Goldberg to present, Robyn Sanderson, director of student involvement and programming, replied, “ICC saw this as an important education opportunity because students have reported a lack of understanding of the definition of hazing and what activities constitute hazing....

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New Clubs
By Jo Tudisco-Guntert '12
 CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The club fair has come and gone this year, twice, so let’s give some applause to our returning clubs. Good. Now, it is a pleasure to introduce some of our new clubs on campus. The new clubs definitely give students the opportunity to get involved with other people who share their interests and also offer more opportunities for community service.   

First, we have the Cooking Club returning to campus. This club wasn’t here last year, but has been resurrected from a few years ago. With Texan Sara Buttine ’11 as its president, this club has a Lone Star twist on meals....

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Update On Gym Construction
By Sarah Elizabeth Goldstein '09
 STAFF WRITER

One of the biggest changes in athletics and the SBC community for the upcoming year is the new fitness center. The new gym and fitness center is expected to open in August 2009, barring any construction delays.

Many people were concerned that there would be a delay after the “seven inch incident,” in which there was a measuring mix-up on some of the construction materials. However, this is not the case at all....

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Vixen On The Loose
By Katie Bird '09
 STAFF WRITER

When we think about November, our minds typically take us back to memories of gorging ourselves at many a Thanksgiving dinner. Year after year, we unite with our families over the same meal, devouring as much food in sight as we can, determinedly ignoring the impending stomachache and turkey coma that will soon follow. While the typical Thanksgiving meal is prepared in a similar fashion around the country, wouldn’t it be interesting if, just for a year, you could substitute it for one of your favorite dishes? Don’t get me wrong – turkey and potatoes are divine, but do you ever wish you could stuff yourself to the brink of gluttony with something else? That’s why I want to know:

How would you change your Thanksgiving meal?...


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